The Cave

[saraquel_omphale]

No: HPFGUIDX 134306

"Cathy Drolet" <cldrolet at s...> wrote:
> These are DD's words, spoken in the Chapter "The Cave" while he 
>was being force-fed potion by HP.
> <large snip of actual words>
>Is this snippets of the argument that DD had with Snape (overheard, 
>partially, by Hagrid)?  Or snippets of a conversation between DD 
>and Snape after Snape realized what LV was going to do with the 
>prophecy information?  
> 
Saraquel:
To me the complexities of the cave scene are such a key.  There is 
the whole question of whose potion is it, are there memories stored 
in it, and what is happening to DD when he drinks it.  I've got 
quite a few ideas about the potion, and have posted on this topic 
before, but my ideas change as I try to unravel its complexity.  
But, it is possible to make one theory about DDs ramblings if we 
assume that the potion DD takes is the one that he thinks he is 
going to take.  (which in no way accounts for the - the original 
potion has been drunk by RAB and it is the replacement that DD is 
drinking - possibility. Unless you take into the account Ron's Felix 
Felicis experience of experiencing what he thought he ought to 
experience after taking that potion. You see what I mean about 
complexities!)

All quotes from UK ED
Before he drinks the potion DD says to Harry:
Ch 26, p532 "I should have said, he would not want immediately to 
kill the person who reached this island, <snip> He would want to 
keep them alive long enough to find out how they managed to 
penetrate so far through his defences and, most importantly of all, 
why they were so intent upon emptying the basin.  Do not forget that 
Lord Voldemort believes that he alone knows about his Horcruxes."

So what potions would we put in to get that result?  

PS Pb edition ch8 p103 "For your information Potter, asphodel and 
wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the 
Draught of Living Death." This is also the potion which Harry made 
so brilliantly in HBP using Snape's potion book.  This would keep 
someone alive, but leave them lying at the foot of the basin.  Its 
colour is the palest of pink (HBP p 181)

Veritaserum would of course ensure that they reveal their secrets.  
Veritaserum is colourless and odourless (HBP ch12 p175)

There may well be another potion or potions involved here, as the 
colour of the potion in the basin is emerald green and luminescent.  
I'm sure that I've read of Hermione successfully making something 
like this, but I can't find it.  Also, blending potions, may well 
not be the same as blending paint colours!! The luminescence of the 
potion could also indicate memories - can you add them to potions? 
and on p530 Harry says "he saw the light as coming from a stone 
basin rather like the Pensieve" There is also one interesting 
remark, which might well be a clue on p535 it says "Dumbledore 
drank, as though it was an antidote Harry offered him
" But quite 
where that leads I don't know.

If we watch the effect of the potion on DD, we see that half way 
through the fourth goblet he is described: (HBP Ch26, p534) "His 
face was twitching as though he were deeply asleep, but dreaming a 
horrible dream." 

Now, assuming that Vertaserum is in the mix and Voldemort wants to 
find out DD's motives for getting the Horcrux, what do we make of 
what DD is saying.  Well, I too thought it could well be DD's memory 
of  Snape recanting.   Although I was impressed by comment Digger 
made in his/her post about the torture of the children.

BUT, if this is the memory of Snape's recanting, it really fits 
incredibly well with the Vertaserum theory.  Remember, Voldemort 
wants to know why anyone would be intent on emptying the basin.  Why 
does DD want to get the Horcrux?  He wants to make sure that Harry 
survives.  Why is Harry likely not to survive?  Other than the fact 
that there might be more Horcruxes out there, the main thing in DDs 
mind is that Voldemort has chosen to believe the prophecy and acted 
upon it.  If he had not chosen to act upon it there would be no 
problem for Harry.  

Ch23 p476 "But Harry, never forget that what the prophecy says in 
only significant because Voldemort made it so.  <snip> Voldemort 
singled you out as the person who would be most dangerous to him – 
and in doing so, he made you the person who would be most dangerous 
to him!"

Therefore DD reveals his true reason for trying to get the Horcrux 
in the basin is tied up with the interpretation of the prophecy and 
Harry's involvement.  It is NOT just to try and destroy Voldemort. 
Hence, his memory of the first time he learned that Voldemort was 
going to act on what Snape had told him.  Hope that's clear.

Saraquel
Who can't wait for the chapter discussion on this one.