Why Voldemort Would Have Spared Lily

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 112599

From: "justcarol67" (Carol):
<snipped by charme> 
> > What I'm wondering, though, is what exactly is meant by "defied
[Voldemort] three times. Does it necessarily mean that both Lily and
James were involved in all three encounters? And does "defy" mean
"survive combat"? Any ideas about other possible meanings?

> 
> Charme responded:
> 
> I have thoughts on this...like "defy" can mean many things,
including battle or even saying "no." I actually believe the "no" part
is what Lily, James, Alice & Frank all did to LV and his followers: 
they simply said "no, we're not interested", "no, we're not doing what
you've demanded," or "no, we're not giving you that."  Just by listing
those responses, I have 3 :)


Carol again:
I think you're on the right track here. If "defy" meant "meet in
combat," James and Lily (and Frank and Alice) would probably already
be dead, or else they'd have defeated him three times per pair, six
times in all. If that were the case, Voldemort would have perceived
Lily as a threat (even wandless, as she appears to be at GH) rather
than dismissing her as a "foolish girl" and ordering her to "stand
aside." He also would have had some serious doubts about his
invincibility after six defeats and would be as eager to murder the
Potters and the Longbottoms as to destroy baby Harry. As it is, he
killed James because he put up a struggle but perceived Harry as the
only real threat.

Thanks for the input. Anyone else have thoughts on the meaning of
"defied three times"?

Carol