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

[hickengruendler]

No: HPFGUIDX 139958

 
> 
> Finwitch:
 
> 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

Hickengruendler:

When exactly was the prank infamous again? It was in James' sixth 
year, right? Therefore it depends when it was in the year. At the 
very least your theory is still possible. 

However, my own guess is, that the life debt is only important, when 
the saviour and the one being saved are enemies. Ginny is loyal to 
Harry anyway, as is Arthur. They would try everything to help him 
with or without a life-debt. It doesn't make a difference. Peter 
however, is an enemie. As is Snape from James. Maybe they are now 
morally obliged to help their saviours. (However, we didn't see much 
of this from Peter in the graveyard scene. I think it's possible that 
the life debt is only metaphorical and not a magical spell. Though 
I'm far from being sure, after all, "Mother's love" is metaphorical 
and a spell in the Potterverse.

If my theory is true, that the saviour and the one being saved must 
be enemies, than I think there are are two or maybe three pairings 
that are bonded through a life debt, that have any importance to 
Canon: Harry and Peter, James and Snape and maybe, if a Muggle can be 
in a life debt as well, Harry and Dudley.