Snape and the Life Debt

[amiabledorsai]

No: HPFGUIDX 139347


 Amiable Dorsai wrote, in message 139180:
"What if it just comes down to this: As a consequence of Snape's
indirect collusion in killing James, he is forced to avenge him? Or
to help James' son do so? That is, only by colluding in Voldemort's
destruction can Snape be rid of the debt and its (so far,
hypothetical) consequences."
> 
Del replies:
Interesting idea! However, I have a murder-splits-the-soul problem
here. If a Life Debt, under specific circumstances, can force an
indebted person to commit a murder, thus splitting their soul, then it
should be considered Dark Magic. But nobody, not even DD, seems to
have any problem with it. So, I don't know.

Amiable Dorsai again: 
I wonder if it boils down to exactly what constitutes "murder" in the
sense of an act that tears a soul.  Legally, murder is the deliberate,
unlawful killing of a human being.  Morally---well, opinions differ. 
Magically?

If Harry croaks Voldemort in the heat of battle, would that harm his
soul?  Or do souls come with a self-defense clause?

Suppose, having desouled all of the remaining Horcruxes, Harry drops
Voldy with a sniper rifle while Voldy is enjoying his evening cocktail
of snake venom and unicorn blood out on the verandah.  Would that be
murder?  One could argue that it was still self-defense, or, at least,
a legal act of war.

Has he already damaged his soul a little by destroying the diary?

If as many people here contend, Snape killed Dumbledore *at
Dumbledore's request* did he shred his soul in the process?  Is that
"murder" so far as Snape's soul is concerned?

Amiable Dorsai