Why were the sacrifices different? (was: A moral theory of Magic )

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 95284

Carol:
> Are you sure that James sacrificed his life in the same way that 
> Lily did? IMO, he died fighting to protect his family (like many 
> another dead wizard, I imagine) but his death doesn't count as a
> self-sacrifice in the way that Lily's does, since she was 
> apparently wandless (and had to die for the "ancient magic" to 
> work). Not all self-sacrifices protect another person the way 
> Lily's did....

Siriusly Snapey Susan:
I'm sorry, Carol, but I don't get this one at all.  James "died...to 
protect his family" and Lily died to protect Harry.  What is the 
difference?  Why does his not "count"?  

And I have also never understood how folks derive from canon that 
Lily must have been wandless.  Maybe she was; maybe she wasn't.  But 
how exactly does that play into her sacrifice being different or 
more important or whatever than James'?  

I know *DD* stresses that Lily died to save Harry and that *that* 
kind of sacrifice leaves a mark....  But frankly I've never 
understood why it wasn't his PARENTS' sacrifice which BOTH left that 
mark.  Why wasn't James' sacrifice as "worthy" as Lily's?

I do think it's likely that Lily added some kind of charm or 
protection to Harry, in case Voldy should attack him, but did she 
KNOW in advance that she had to die?  If it was all inevitable that 
she had to die for Harry, then why bother to hide at all?  Or am I 
putting too much emphasis on "inevitable"?  

Anyway, this whole Godric's Hollow scene drives me batty because 
there are so many unknowns!  Who was there, who knew, who saw, how 
did the news get out, what did Lily do, ....  I hope JKR is writing 
away, because I need to know these things!  ;-)

Siriusly Snapey Susan