Pettigrew's life debt

[Hannah]

No: HPFGUIDX 125648


> Molley wrote (snipped):
> > So . . .what *is* the consequence to not honoring a life debt?
> >
> > Snow replied:
> > 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.
> <snip>
> 
> Hannah originally: I've never liked the idea of a 'life debt'
> being some sort of magical contract that forces those who owe them
> to repay them. 
<snip>
> As far as I can see, there is no evidence in canon that a 'life
> debt' is actually a binding magical contract. Nor is there any that
> it isn't, of course. But I see Snape's determination to repay what
> he perceives that he owes James as more to doing with Snape's own
> character and (admittedly somewhat twisted) strong sense of honour.
> 
> Snow responded:
> 
> It is not called a binding magical contract but from the way 
> Dumbledore describes it, this interpretation doesn't seem too far 
off:
> 
> "Pettigrew owes his life to you. You have sent Voldemort a deputy 
who 
> is in your debt
 When one wizard saves another wizard's life, it 
> creates a certain bond between them
"
> "This is magic at its deepest, its most impenetrable, Harry." POA 
> U.S. pg. 427
> 
> The life debt is a deeply impenetrable magical bond between two 
> wizards. This doesn't leave too much leeway for choices to be an 
> option. 
> 
<much snipping>

Hannah:  I'd forgotten that line of DD's, Snow.  It adds weight to 
your argument.  Perhaps there is such a thing as a contract, indeed, 
it would seem that there is.  I just hope Snape switched sides for 
reasons other than that.

I am doubtful we'll ever get a full explanation of the way that 
the 'life debt contract' system works.  I would translate the quote 
you give above from the original Rowlingesque as; 'This is magic at 
its least thought out, its most convenient for plot, Harry.'  

I'm not trying to diss JKR here, she's a fantastic writer.  But she 
doesn't always have fully thought out coherent explanations for all 
the magic in her stories.  In a way it's good, as it let's us the 
readers make up our own minds, and debate endlessly.  But sometimes 
it's also a touch frustrating.  Of course, if life debts do play a 
central part in the plot (which they may yet, you're right there), 
hopefully there will be more explanation as to the mechanism.  Or it 
may remain a mystery.

Hannah