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

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 95343

Siriusly Snapey Susan:
> 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?

Karen:
> Voldemort says in PS/SS that he killed Harry's father but his 
> mother need not have died. My thought has always been that the 
> answer lies in Voldemort's intent. He intended to kill James all 
> along so his death is not considered a sacrifice. Lily's death is 
> considered a sacrifice because Voldemort gave her the chance to 
> live.  To me the question is why would let Lily live?


Siriusly Snapey Susan:
Hmmmm.  Just because Voldy planned to kill James all along doesn't 
negate James' death being a sacrifice, does it?  After all, you're 
talking about *Voldy's* intention to kill James, not James' 
intention to allow himself to be killed.  If James was just sitting 
in a chair & Voldy walked in & murdered him before he even looked 
up, I think I'd agree with you.  But in this case it's in James' 
reaction to the confrontation where the sacrifice comes in.  It's 
James' staying there to take on Voldy & to try to give Lily & Harry 
time to run that makes his death sacrificial, imho.

Anyway, I *do* agree with you that why Voldy ever intended to let 
Lily live is a big unanswered question!  Given what we've seen of 
his nature, I can't imagine why he wouldn't automatically kill them 
both.

Siriusly Snapey Susan