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

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 95314

> > Siriusly Snapey Susan responded:
> > 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"?  


> Max responds:
> 
> In terms of your last question Susan, I think Lily *did* know she 
had
> to die for the ancient charm to work, but that doesn't mean they 
all
> believed dying was inevitable. I think their hope was that hiding
> would keep them safe. But, in the worst case scenario, if Voldemort
> found his way to Godric's Hollow anyway, they would be prepared. I
> believe this plan was set up as a last ditch effort to keep Harry 
safe.
> 
> "Why wasn't James' sacrifice as "worthy" as Lily's?"


Jen: I think Max is right that no one saw the Potter's deaths as 
inevitable. Harry was born with the "power to vanquish the Dark 
Lord" regardless of whether his parents died or not. The part of the 
Prophecy that refers to James & Lily doesn't require their death.

On a very practical level, Lily's sacrifice 'counted' more than 
James' because Harry was delivered to Petunia as the only remaining 
blood relative who could seal the charm. James' sacrifice could not 
give Harry the same protection.

On a psychic/emotional level though, I feel like James' sacrifice 
was unique in that he wasn't *required* to sacrifice himself for the 
ancient magic to work. His sacrifice was for Lily and Harry both; he 
knew he would be the last remaining barrier between LV and Lily. 
James certainly did not accept the inevitability of Lily and Harry's 
death when he shouted, "Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! Go! Run! 
I'll hold him off--" (POA,US, chap. 12, p. 240)

In those same words, though, we see that James accept the 
inevibility of his *own* death in an attempt to save them. He knows 
he can't 'defeat' LV when he says, "I'll hold him off" (which makes 
me think he & Lily knew of the Prophecy.) That's pure love and 
surely marked Harry on a psychic level. 

Susan, as I was writing your last message came up and I totally 
agree with you about the men/women stereotype at work here. James' 
sacrifice did not confer the same *blood* protection on Harry, but 
his *love* was certainly no less!

Jen, feeling a little emotional about the whole thing, too :).