Lily's Planned Sacrifice?

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 135320

Alla: 
> I actually read that quote as completely discarding the idea that 
> Lily's sacrifice was planned in advance.
> 
> I was actually quite happy to read that, because the idea of Lily 
> preparing the sacrifice in advance did not sit well with me.
> 
> Din't JKR say that what Lily did counts more simply because she 
WAS 
> offered choice to live or die and James was not?
> 
> Lily did more by simply consciously choosing to die for her child.
> 
> That's how I read the interview anyway.
> 
> JMO,
> 
> Alla, a little bit confused.

Jen: You aren't the only one, Alla. This story must be so clear in 
Jo's mind that when she descibes something like Lily's sacrifice, 
she knows exactly what led up the scene and how it all played out. 
But for the rest of us, trying to decipher her cryptic words...! 
 
Here's what I got from the interview:  Lily stepping in front of 
Harry was different from *any other* death by AK in the series (and 
in the WW at large it sounds like). She was actually given a chance 
to sit there for a moment and think, "do I want to live? He really 
will walk away without killing me." 

I find that confusing for two reasons:

1) How did Lily *really* know she could trust Voldemort not to kill 
her if she stepped aside? See, that's somthing Jo knows that we 
don't. Why would Lily believe a word out of that liar's mouth? But 
Jo can sit there and feel 100% certain Voldemort was not going to 
kill Lily if she made the choice to step aside. She knows the reason 
behind this request/command.

2) Jo also said most moms would make the same choice, and as a mom, 
it's hard for me to understand how Lily *really* had a choice. Not 
only was it her baby, but Harry was potentially going to save the WW 
from Voldemort. Allowing Voldemort to kill him would change 
wizarding society forever. Where exactly is the choice??

You know, just had another thought. As a mom faced with that 
situation, it might run through my mind: "What will happen if this 
maniac doesn't actually plan to kill my son? What if he actually 
plans to kidnap him and do horrible things or raise him to be a DE?" 
Well, that might be a possible reason I would choose to stay alive. 
But to stay alive and find out you were wrong! That would be too 
painful for words.

If it's a choice, it sure ain't much of one.

Jen