Pettigrew's life debt

[snow15145]

No: HPFGUIDX 125629





Molley:
Ever since I read (and re-read) GoF, I have been disturbed by the 
fact that
Peter Pettigrew's life debt to Harry, considered to be significant at 
least
by DD, was completely disregarded by Pettigrew in the graveyard 
scene. I
know that LV was present and that PP doesn't have the fortitude to 
defy his
master to his face, but did not seem reluctant or hesitant to do what 
he
needed to do except when it came to his own contribution. He matter-of
-factly binds Harry to the headstone, draws Harry's blood and even 
strikes him without so much as giving pause to the implications of 
what he was doing to this boy to whom he owes his life.

Snow:
I was a bit frustrated by this as well until I realized that Peter 
did not mutilate Harry to draw blood. Peter only drew a few droplets 
of blood
 could have been much worse. 

Molley snipped:
So . . .what *is* the consequence to not honoring a life debt? 

Snow:
Whole different story here! As in Peter's case, he has yet to repay 
his debt but he did buy some time in order to accomplish it, I think. 
The consequences to not repaying the debt must be severe because it 
is magically binding. Rowling, I'm sure is not going to tell anything 
about the life debt issue because it would give too much away, 
right :-)

Molley snipped:
Prof Snape has satisfied his life debt to James by saving/protecting
Harry numerous times, assuming that he's able to repay James through 
his son
rather than to James himself - is his life debt satisfied?

Snow:
Good question! I don't think he has, which I stated in a past post 
that this could be the reason Snape had to betray Voldemort. Maybe 
Snape had to attempt to save James life because of this life debt and 
that is why Snape went to Dumbledore and told him of Voldemort's 
plans to seek out the Potters. Once Snape had betrayed his master 
and/or was tied to this debt there was no going back to Voldemort for 
Snape and this would be why Dumbledore trusts Severus; Snape can't 
return! This would make for a very ugly informant. 

I just can't see Snape deciding that it would be a nice gesture on 
his part to inform James of any impending doom if he changed sides 
for any other reason. When Snape changed sides he informed Dumbledore 
with some valuable information, information that the arrogant James 
would not totally adhere to (the shrieking shack when Snape made the 
comment of James arrogance), which made the life debt fulfillment 
null and void and made Snape a very angry, reluctant informer:

"It's coming back
Karkaroff's too
stronger and clearer than ever
"

"A connection I could have made without assistance," Dumbledore 
sighed, "but never mind." GOF U.S. pg. 598

I always read this bit as Dumbledore being frustrated at Snape's lack 
of adequate information. It might just be me, but I think Dumbledore 
knows that Snape is trapped between the two sides because of his 
inability to repay his life debt. Dumbledore can therefore trust 
Snape because he knows that Snape can never return to Voldemort. It 
also makes it sensible why so many of us question Snape's loyalty; 
he's a bad guy that is forced to be a good guy. 

Just my warped thinking
Snow