Life Debts and Some Other Small Points (Was Re: The Good etc.)

[Goddlefrood]

No: HPFGUIDX 167325

> zgirnius:

> This post appears to assume that Severus Snape did indeed have 
a life debt to James Potter. The term 'life debt' is of course a 
term originally coined (or adapted, as the concept is certainly 
widely accepted in some form or another in a variety of human 
cultures) by fans, at a time which precedes my own entry into 
fandom. If anyone knows - was the term used of Snape's debt prior 
to the publication of PoA? At any rate, the term is not used of 
either Peter or Severus within the text of the HP series to date.

Goddlefrood:

I could certainly not fault this logic, it happens to conflict
with mine, but then, as Cornelius might say "No matter".

"When one wizard saves another wizard's life, it creates a 
certain bond between them 
 and I'm much mistaken if Voldemort 
wants his servant in the debt of Harry Potter."

"I don't want a bond with Pettigrew!" said Harry. "He betrayed 
my parents!"

"This is magic at its deepest, its most impenetrable, Harry. 
But trust me 
 the time may come when you will be very glad you 
saved Pettigrew's life."

>From PoA, and as also kindly inserted by zgirnius. This portion, 
in my view, gives one a reasonable conclusion to draw that Peter
owes Harry a debt that he will repay. I have stated elsewhere that
I believe Peter will be granted his moment of Gryffindor splendour
while repaying the debt (not using "life debt", but it surely
equates to the same thing ;)).

My opinion, and it is just that, is that Snape's life debt to
James will not ber a further issue, but the mechanics of it 
appear to me toi be the same, or at least very similar to Peter / 
Harry.

> zgirnius:

> Unless there is an interview in which Rowling states Snape did 
owe a debt in exactly the way Peter does, I would conclude he 
never did. I am not familiar with such an interview, but would 
appreciate being made aware of it if one exists.

Goddlefrood:

No, no reference to Severus in terms of a life debt in any I am
privy to. The only reference in interviews to a life debt of any
kind is the one I inserted in the thread starter relative to 
Ginny. JKR did not correct the questioner who used the term, but 
that means little ;)

<SNIP>

> zgirnius:

> Of course, Bella could have made this discovery at a later
date than their schooldays. But I am inclined to think she did 
not. 

Goddlefrood:

Then we can agree to disagree on this, She does not seem the type,
unlike Lucius, to take kindly to any wizard or witch, other than
a pure-blood at school, no matter how taleneted. Lucius as you
go on to say could be a little different.

> zgirnius:

> Bella et. al. seem like they would pick up on this. Further, 
there is some slight evidence that in later years, he may indeed 
have been friendless in his own House. We might have expected 
some Slytherins to intervene in some way in the "Worst Memory" 
for House pride, if no other reason.

Goddlefrood:

They do all tend to stick together, which is one reason I 
concluded Severus was friendless after the older Slytherins had 
left. Bella is many things, but she has never struck me as 
particularly logical, intelligent perhaps, but never logical.

> Bart (in relation to 1492)

> Also, the year of the Spanish Inquisition.

Goddlefrood:

One year in which said Inquisition continued indeed. I never 
expected it myself ...

> Betsy Hp

> I believe the numbers are a hopeless mess (surprise!) and as 
near as can be figured, Bella was never at school with Snape or 
was only there for his first year. But I get the impression that 
there were a few different groups of friends (or gangs, if you 
want to look at it that way <g>) and Lucius was in one and Bella 
in another. (I'm not sure *where* I get this impression, but it's 
one I have. <g>)

Goddlefrood:

Yes, I've seen that theory somewhere too :-?

Uncle Horace is hardly the soul of discretion, however, I can see
him not blabbing too freely about someone's blood status given
his own prejudices, which are easily enough divined :>

No further dates this time.