Snape in SILK GOWNS

[hermionegallo]

No: HPFGUIDX 79317

"a reader2003" asks in 79290:  (snipped) "...why would two adults 
want to chew such a lot of bubblegum ??"

"laylalast" adds to the topic:  (snipped from 79291) "In my reply to 
SILK GOWNS (post 79154) I agreed with the idea that the gum that the 
Longbottoms apparently receive in much abundance, contains something 
that keeps them incapacitated. Why couldn't this something be a 
potion?  My theory is that the trio will somehow discover that Snape 
visits St. Mungo's. Perhaps through Neville, who has seen Snape 
there..."

"leb2323" plays devil's advocate (79291):  "...what if Snape *is* 
indeed sneaking a potion into the Droobles that the junior wizard 
candy stripers dutifully and innocently give the Longbottoms as they 
visit all the patients.  Only he's not keeping them insane, he is 
actually trying to cure them!"  

me, hg:
I've thought that it's not the gum itself, but that Alice is 
conveying a message with the wrapper.  We would think that if all 
that Drooble's was being chewed, that an awful lot of bluebell 
colored bubbles would be hanging around.
I do believe, as laylalast says, that something is indeed keeping the 
Longbottoms incapacitated.  But I don't believe it's the gum.
And although leb2323 doesn't subscribe to Snape mucking w/ the 
Longbottoms' diet, I do like the idea of the bad guy trying to do 
something good under cover, and having it all fly back at him full 
force.  It seems like it would fit for Snape, whether in connection 
with the Longbottoms or something else.
hg.