The Potions inconsistency

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 47601

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Melody" <Malady579 at h...> wrote:
bboy_mn general comments on the Potions, and Flames:

Sorry, I'm so hopelessly far behind after the holidays, not to mention
hopelessly lazy from too much to eat. So, I will just make some
general comments on the issues raised rather than responding directly
to people. I know that's not very polite, but like I said, I'm running
on a seriously low head of steam.

How many doses were in the bottle (any bottle)?

No one knows except Snape; a dose could be a drop, a swallow, or a
gulp. Quirrell, Hermione, or Harry couldn't have possibly know how
much one dose was. There could have been four doses in the vial the
let them move forward to the next chamber, but Quirrell pigged out
with three large gulps, which was far more than he needed, leaving
Harry with just barely one dose.

That was my take when I read the story that Quirrell had taken a few
big gulps leaving just a little bit remaining in the bottle.

As far as deciding which bottle to drink from based on which bottle
had already been drunk from, I don't think that's a safe method. Snape
could have filled the bottles to different levels, quarter full, half
full, etc... (as someone else also pointed out) in an effort to fool
anyone who might try to guess which bottle was correct.

The only safe sure way to decide was to solve the riddle.


The Flames!

I think the flames reset whenever someone stepped into or out of the
room. When someone stepped into the empty room, the flames sprang up
trapping them there. When the room was empty as when Quirrell went
forward, the flames shut off, thus resetting the trap for the next
person. That next person steps into a seemingly innocent room, the
flames spring up, then no way out until they solve the riddle of the
potions.


Quirrell and the Flames-
Just my opinion, but I don't think Quirrell solved the riddle. I think
he had inside information that told him which were the proper bottles
to drink from. That's why he moved through so fast. I also suspect
that he didn't play a chess game. Again, having inside information, he
knew how to by-pass the game. He knew how to avoid being trapped by
the Devil's Snare and he knew which key to look for but he probably
still had to chase it (or perhaps summon it).


Just a few thoughts. 

bboy_mn