Snape and the Life Debt

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 140520

Finwitch:
> As for the theory of life-debt bonding "enemies" - well, the thing is 
> that if a friend (or even a stranger) would owe a life-debt, people 
> would hardly notice...

Ceridwen:
IMO, a life-debt, or anything like, would put a strain on a 
friendship.  Once the debt is there, you have to keep it in mind, and 
are then ambiguous as to whether you're acting like a friend, or as one 
indebted.  A person could well end up resenting the friend one is 
indebted to, as well.

And, wouldn't it be just par for the course, for a friend to save 
another friend?  It's less expected, therefore more striking, when one 
saves an enemy.  It's clear that it isn't done for personal reasons, 
but for higher ideals.  That the animosity or outright hate is set 
aside to do this deed is probably a part of it.

Ceridwen.