Life Debts was Why has DD never suggested Snape thank Harry

[oliver_jeanette]

No: HPFGUIDX 117567


Hello!  I'm new to this group so please have patience with me...

> Potioncat:
> I think, but I don't remember who I stole this idea from (oblivate 
> seems to have worked poorly and backward at that) that there is no 
> such thing as a Life Debt. 
> 
> I can't find the cannon where I hide my copy of SS/PS, so I can't 
> quote it. But DD says something along the line of 'having a 
strange 
> idea that he owes your father a debt for saving his life.' Harry 
and 
> almost all of us have taken that bit of conversation and worked 
out 
> an elaborate idea of how and when Life Debts are formed.  But I 
> don't think they exist at all. 


Just my opinion...

I don't think Snape truly feels like he owes his life to James 
Potter.  He did tell Harry that James only stopped him from going to 
the Shrieking Shack that night to cover himself and Sirius.  Snape 
seems to feel that James did this out of guilt for a practical joke 
that probably would have cost a life.  Basically, in Snape's mind, 
James had a burst of conscience and it was about time.
Had their roles been reversed, would Snape have done the same for 
James.....maybe not and maybe that's why Snape can't let go of the 
hate.
I believe that his real debt is to Dumbledore.  He was a DE and 
Dumbledore gave him a second chance.  I really hope in books 6 and 7 
that we get to learn more about that.  Snape knows about the 
prophecy and he knows what Harry must do.  Yes, he vents his 
feelings toward James on Harry, but he's also helping DD to protect 
Harry because it's for the greater good.  He just hates the fact 
that Harry happens to be James Potter's son.