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

[Ali]

No: HPFGUIDX 95367

 Siriusly Snapey Susan:

<<< *both* sacrifices were extremely important...and you've gone on 
to say they are even similar in their nature & results.  So I wonder 
why--and I'm thinking of DD's words in particular here--the stress 
is so much on Lily's sacrifice, then?  Again, it *feels* as if 
James' is just being put down to "Well, of course a man would die 
for his family", as if that's not as big a deal. >>>

Ali:

I do see the deaths of Lily and James as different. The difference 
to me, is fundamental.

When Voldemort turned up at Goldric's Hollow, he intended to kill 
James, he intended to kill Harry. He didn't intend to kill Lily. The 
fact that Lily stepped in front of Harry and so died, made her death 
a sacrifice. James never had that choice. He might have been 
fortunate and beaten Voldemort, he might have been fortunate and got 
away, but as soon as Voldemort had him, he had no choice between 
living and dying.

James' actions did indeed give Lily a chance to get away, and his 
actions were certainly very brave, but I don't think that they were 
necessarily sacrificial. By that stage, Voldemort was already there; 
James could only hold him off or run. 

The crucial question to me, is why Voldemort was prepared to allow 
Lily to live? Voldemort clearly doesn't care about murdering people, 
so what made him even consider saving Lily's life? In all the 
confusion, did Lily actually try to run with Harry or not? 

Ali