Why wasn't the Draught of Living Death used to save Dumbledore?

[vmonte]

No: HPFGUIDX 137105

Carol responds:
As for the potions, Snape must have kept some on hand (e.g.,
veritaserum in GoF) when he was Potions master, but those were his own
supplies and not potions made for lessons. Slughorn does the same with
the Felix Felicis, which he presumably brewed at home during his
retirement, before the DEs started hounding him. Draco managed to
steal a bit of Polyjuice Potion at the end of a class period (he would
never have managed that under Snape's eagle eye), but I imagine that
Slughorn evanescoed the rest after the class was over. He doesn't seem
to have any potions or antidotes on hand when Ron is poisoned--in
fact, he's at a total loss in that scene. It's only luck and the
memory of HBP/Snape's words that saves Ron.

vmonte:
You know, you're right. I don't like that Slughorn does nothing here.

Carol:
...Nevertheless, JKR's habit of introducing potions, spells, 
characters, and motifs before they become important suggests to me 
that we *will* see the Draught of Living Death in Book 7--in 
association with Snape, who first brought it up in the very same 
scene (SS/PS, "The Potions Master") where he first mentioned bezoars.

I also think (and now I'm entering the realm of pure speculation) that
the character whose death is faked will be Harry.

vmonte:
I don't know, it's possible. But it reminds me of Romeo and Juliet,  
and you know how that ended. I'm also thinking of the moment in HBP 
where Dumbledore tells Harry what his favorite jam is just in case he 
ever needs to make sure who he is... 

Carol:
...We know that Harry's blood protection will expire as July 30 turns
into July 31. It seems likely that Voldemort knows this as well and
that there will be a battle on Privet Drive when Harry steps out the
Dursley's door for the last time. (I think, as an aside, that Mrs.
Figg will perform magic at an advanced age under dire circumstances
and that she'll summon the Order.) Almost certainly, Snape, now
Voldemort's second in command whatever his true loyalties, will be
there and will be leading the DEs.

vmonte:
Oh yes, this is definitely going to happen, but Petunia will be the 
witch. HAHA--serves her right!

Carol:
I do feel sure that the Draught of Living Death will play a crucial
role in Book 7 and that the person whose death is faked will be Harry.
And I think, given the fact that it's Snape who introduces the potion
to us in the very first book, that he will play an important part in
this scenario, however it plays out. Dumbledore's words about faking
death ("He can't kill you if you're already dead") in the American
edition of HBP seem to add weight to this possibility. So even if you
don't buy my scenario (and I don't expect you to), I hope you'll draw
comfort from what seems to me the near certainty that the Draught of
Living Death will indeed play a crucial role in Book 7.

Carol, holding out hope for the theme of redemption and believing that
Dumbledore was right to trust Snape even if Snape himself was unworthy
of that trust.

vmonte:
I agree Carol, the potion is coming back. By the way, I like 
outlandish theories! :)

Vivian