Why didn't basilisk kill?

[Donna]

No: HPFGUIDX 160555

 
 
 
 
> >>Eddie:
>> OK, I know that everybody in Book 2: CoS who encountered the basilisk was
petrified for one reason or another (basilisk gave deadly glare via mirror,
camera, ghost, etc). But why didn't the basilisk then go ahead and kill/eat
the victims _AFTER_ petrifying them? << <snip>
 
> >>Michael Perry:
>> Excellent! I *think* that this is because a basilisk can't kill inanimate
objects. Once petrified, they aren't really alive. <<
 
Maria:
I think the main Basilisk was under the rule/spell of Tom Riddle and did his
bidding.  He petrified those as a bait/lure for Harry Potter!
 
Donna:
My thinking is, once petrified, the victim isn't wake or alert enough  for the basilisk to look them in the eye (or look into the basilisk's eye).  My understanding is the basilisk kills by looking directly eye-to-eye, referring to Myrtle's description of when she died.

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