What triggered ancient magic? WAS: Re: James and Intent

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 187018

Alla:

> 
> So, here is what I am saying, say it was true, say this was the reason why Lily was asked to step aside and did not, do you think that magic would not have worked? If so, *this** what I would like to see a canon, why a willing sacrifice (which yes, I know JKR distinguished in interview from James' sacrifice) of this nature would not work.

Pippin:
Logically, it should work. But the Potterverse isn't all about logic. It's all about "the incalculable power" of acts of need and valor. I wouldn't want to say that Snape's attempts to save Lily didn't fall into that category. Voldemort didn't know or care that Snape's request was driven by love, but that's not to say that the magic wouldn't know. It might play into Voldemort's willingness to offer a choice, and even Lily's belief that she had a choice. 

I can see the appeal of the broken magical contract, too, but that makes it about rules, and I think the idea is that there's something beyond rules here. "Incalculable" to me means that ancient magic can't be reduced to a formula. 

Pippin