A simple-minded question

[Ali]

No: HPFGUIDX 95062

I wrote:

<<< I actually wonder if in that instant whether Harry does owe a 
life debt to anyone.
  
 We know that Snape owed a life debt to James because James saved 
his life. James risked his life to save Snape.
  
 We know that Pettigrew owes a life debt to Harry because Harry 
saved his life. Arguably, Harry risked his life to save Pettigrew.
 "He ran forward, placing himself in front of Pettigrew, facing the 
 wands" p. 275 PoA UK edition. At that moment, Sirius was so intent 
on killing Pettigrew that he might have been unable to stop himself
 firing off the curse. Harry took an enormous risk.
  
 Harry's life was under threat during that Quidditch match. Both 
 Snape and Hermione ensured that no harm was done. But, neither 
 risked their life to save him. I think that risk *must* be part of 
 the ancient magic which seals the life debt. My feeling is that no 
 life debt was formed then.>>>
  
 Carol responded:

>>> Interesting perspective, Ali. I like the idea of ancient magic 
sealing the bond. Do you have any canon for that, or is just an 
analogy to Lily's self-sacrifice? (I think she placed a charm on 
Harry, but that's another thread.)>>>


Ali again:

There is no canon which confirms the element of risk being a 
prerequisite.

Dumbledore says that "This is magic at its deepest, its most 
impenetrable" p. 311 PoA UK edition.

>From that, I think it's fair to infer that it is a form of ancient 
magic. Whether "Ancient" magic is old and liable to be forgotten or 
a very particular field of magic is of course another argument.

So far though, we have only solid evidence of 2 cases of life-debts: 
Snape to James and Pettigrew to Harry. Both those cases involved the 
life-saver risking their own life. We have seen many other examples 
where life debts could have been created, but if they have been, JKR 
has never confirmed them.

I think that JKR has kept the formation of life debts deliberately 
vague. She needs them to be impenetrable so that we cannot second 
guess her: but we can have a really good try!

Ali