Unbreakable Vow

[zgirnius]

No: HPFGUIDX 148000


> > David:
> > 2. If the answer to question 1 is yes, then can a person make an 
> > Unbreakable Vow which conflicts with another?  
> 
> Exodusts:
> Logically, the following MIGHT happen:
> Snape takes 1st vow with X: "I will never kill Dumbledore".
> Later, Snape takes 2nd vow with Y: "If necessary, I will carry out 
> Draco's mission (to kill Dumbledore)".
> Theoretically, Unbreakable Vows are unbreakable, without incurring 
> the consequence. Therefore, at the moment it becomes apparent (to 
> him / whatever power triggers / arbitrates UVs) that killing 
> Dumbledore is unbreakably possible, for him (i.e. the moment he 
> swears the 2nd vow), he has broken the 1st. He will immediately 
> suffer the consequences of vow 1. If he survives, he will also be 
> bound by vow 2.

zgirnius:
Or, perhaps the person can take both Vows. Even though they are 
mutually contradictory. And nothing happens until they actually DO 
break the Vow. The actual Vow to kill Dumbledore which Snape took, 
after all, did not require him to act immediately, or even, ever. His 
requirement to act was contingent upon the actions of Draco and 
possibly, circumstance as well.

The Vow which is broken would kick in when the person who had sworn 
the Vow actually took the action in violation of the Vow. (So, in 
your hypothetical, Snape's Vow would have kicked in on the Tower, 
after he killed Dumbledore).