Ginny's life debt (was Re: Depth? Things to take on their face value)

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 139957


> 
> CathyD:
> According to JKR, Ginny doesn't owe Harry her life.  There is no 
life debt in place there as there is with Harry and Wormtail.
> 
> 
> "MA: Does she [Ginny] have a life debt to Harry from book two?
> JKR: No, not really. Wormtail is different. You know, part of me 
would just love to explain the whole thing to you, plot of book 
seven, you know, I honestly would."

Finwitch:

Yes, well - - there is, of course, a difference between a moral and a 
magical life-debt. When it comes to the moral one, well... they're 
more questionable. I don't expect a baby to be in any way indebted to 
the breastfeeding mother so the baby doesn't starve to death... but I 
cannot say where I draw the line.

However, for this magical life-debt, I see a difference.

Ginny - was 11-12 at the time, younger than Harry, had idolised Harry 
all her life - and, she was not of age. (Although Molly&Arthur&al. 
probably do recognise a moral debt of gratitude). Ginny's NOT, 
however, in a magical life-debt.

Year later, Harry saves Peter Pettigrew. This person is an adult, 
older than Harry, someone who betrayed Harry's parents so they 
died... this means magical life-debt. However, much like with Harry 
saving Ginny, there's no magical life-debt to Sirius saving Ron from 
werewolf!Lupin.

Then, fourth year-- do we have any life-debts? Didn't Harry save 
Cedric's life with that enormous spider? Did his warning about the 
dragons save Cedric? And er - Cedric was *certainly* at least 17, of 
age that is. Unfortunately, he died soon afterwards.

5th year: Harry's warning saves Arthur Weasley. Dumbledore saves 
Umbridge. Some debts may occur during the big fight in the Ministry...

6th: Harry saves Ron with the bezoar... and later with that Felix 
Felicis both Ron&Hermione...

I think it's possible that there IS a magical life-debt involved now.
It is my belief that magical life-debt requires, aside from a life 
being saved - that the one saved is an adult witch or wizard...

Finwitch