Life-saving bonds

[greatelderone]

No: HPFGUIDX 94268

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "kiricat2001" <Zarleycat at a...> 
wrote:
 
> What has not been explained in the books is to what extent these 
> debts exist. For how long? What action repays a debt? I'd assume 
that 
> if a debt comes into being because you've saved my life, can I only 
> repay it by saving your life?  Can I repay it by saving the life of 
> someone you love?  Can I repay it by doing other good works for 
those 
> who need help?  

I think it's perhaps a life for a life either yours or that of one 
you equally value which would explain why Snape was trying to save 
Harry in PS/SS.

> And, what if I really can't stand you and I'm generally pissed off 
> that now I'm in your debt?  What happens if I get the opportunity 
to 
> pay back that debt by saving your life, and I simply decide to let 
> you die? 

I don't think you are allowed to do that.

> Do I then get some other punishment?  From who?  God and 
> religion don't seem to play a particularly overt part in the Wizard 
> World, so there doesn't seem to be a "God will punish you" 
rationale.
> 

Kindly Ones perhaps? They were known to punish this kind of stuff I 
recall. Wouldn't this kind of life debt fit under oath?

> The whole fuzzy idea seems to be based on a code of honor that 
> implies that, of course, a debt will be repaid at the appropriate 
> time and in an appropriate way.  Are we taking that at face value 
> when perhaps we shouldn't?

I think it's perhaps a code of honor sealed by magic so you can't go 
against it. It probably works the same way as the magic that allowed 
Lily to save Harry by a sacrifice of her own life.