life's debt and how does it work?

[Mrs. Hermione Snape]

No: HPFGUIDX 134787


Tonks:
 
> I also wonder if it involves an enemy. If you save the life of
> someone that is not your friend, but someone that you hate, maybe
> that has a special magic of its own. The love of enemy sort of
> thing.
> 

I always assumed it was something along these lines.  Or perhaps the
fact that Wormtail probably deserved to die, but Harry saved him
anyway.  While reading everyone's posts about the life debt, I am
constantly reminded of The Fellowship of the Ring, where Gandalf
explains to Frodo, many who deserve death live, and vice versa.  It
takes a lot more courage and pure-heartedness to save someone you
hate, someone who has caused you great pain and suffering, than to
save your innocent frient.  Thus the guilty person is more indebted to
you.
--Mrs. HS

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