Changes: Life debt

Revision as of 20:50, 16 February 2010

A Life Debt is a magical bond formed between one wizard or witch who saved the life of another. The one who owes the debt to the saviour would one day repay the deed by doing something beneficial to the said saviour. Such a bond can be formed between even the worst enemies and regardless of whether either of the two want it or not. As this bond is magical binding, the indebted could commit the repayment without acknowledging it, or even against their will.

Known Life Debts

James Potter, in his Fifth year, saved Severus Snape from a near-fatal prank that Sirius Black played on him, involving luring Snape to the werewolf Remus Lupin. As such, Snape owed James a life debt, despite the fact that he hated James. This was repaid when Snape repeatedly protected James' son, Harry. However, it is possible that Snape protected Harry just because of his mother, Lilly Potter.
Harry Potter, in his Third year, protected Peter Pettigrew from being murdered by his former best friends, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, for treason. Instead Harry asked for him to be transferred to Azkaban. Though Pettigrew escaped, he owed Harry a life debt. This was repaid when Pettigrew let out a rare moment of mercy at the Malfoy Manor's battle and released Harry from a choking hold with his silver hand given to him by Voldemort for sacrificing his own hand to bring Voldemort back into his human form. Unfortunately, it was this debt that caused the silver hand to kill Pettigrew for showing weakness.

Behind the scenes

Both known life debts are related to Harry's benefit, and both the in-debt people died protecting him.
It is possible that Ginny, Arthur, and Ron Weasley have a life debt to Harry Potter as he saved their lives. Ginny in her first year, Arthur in Harry's fifth year, and Ron in their sixth year. It is unknown if this is true. If the last is true, then the debt was repaid in Deathly Hallows.
It is unknown if life debts can be made between animals and people, but if so Harry is in debt to Fawkes the Phoenix for saving him from the Basilisk venom, and Dumbledore was in debt to Fawkes for swallowing the Killing Curse during his duel with Voldemort.

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 ==Known Life Debts==
-*[[James Potter I|James Potter]], in his [[Fifth year]], saved [[Severus Snape]] from a near-fatal prank that [[Sirius Black]] played on him, involving luring Snape to the [[werewolf]] [[Remus Lupin]]. As such, Snape owed James a life debt, despite the fact that he hated James. This was repaid when Snape repeatedly protected James' son, [[Harry Potter|Harry]]. However, it is possible that Snape protected Harry just because of his mother, [[Lilly Potter.]]
+*[[James Potter I|James Potter]], in his [[Fifth year]], saved [[Severus Snape]] from a near-fatal prank that [[Sirius Black]] played on him, involving luring Snape to the [[werewolf]] [[Remus Lupin]]. As such, Snape owed James a life debt, despite the fact that he hated James. This was repaid when Snape repeatedly protected James' son, [[Harry Potter|Harry]]. However, it is possible that Snape protected Harry just because of his mother, [[Lilly Potter]].
 *[[Harry Potter]], in his [[Third year]], protected [[Peter Pettigrew]] from being murdered by his former best friends, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, for treason. Instead Harry asked for him to be transferred to [[Azkaban]]. Though Pettigrew escaped, he owed Harry a life debt. This was repaid when Pettigrew let out a rare moment of mercy at the [[Malfoy Manor]]'s [[Battle of Malfoy Manor|battle]] and released Harry from a choking hold with his [[Peter Pettigrew's silver hand|silver hand]] given to him by Voldemort for sacrificing his own hand to bring Voldemort back into his human form. Unfortunately, it was this debt that caused the silver hand to kill Pettigrew for showing weakness.

Changes: Life debt

Revision as of 20:50, 16 February 2010

Known Life Debts

Behind the scenes

Appearances