Spilled Potion (WAS Broken potionvial etc. etc.etc.)

[tbernhard2000]

No: HPFGUIDX 163259

Neri: 
> > And I still don't see anything to suggest an accident here. The 
flask was on Snape's desk, and Harry had already turned away, so he 
didn't push it by mistake. 
 
Potioncat:
> I mean, to you the fact that an accident is not mentioned means it 
did not happen, to me, the fact that Snape's breaking the flask is 
not mentioned means it did not happen.

Dan:

Now, all this arguing over spilled potion is quite the point Rowling 
was making - the point is neither that Snape sabotaged the potion, 
nor Harry flicked it accidentally, how can it be? We aren't told, and 
there's no key given to "solve" what happened (the so-called truth) - 
but people will take pointed sides based on the what IS known - THAT 
Snape gloated, THAT Harry fumed. This is, of course, the point - but 
to try to extrapolate some ideal "what happened" from emotional 
reactions is not only silly, it's damn dangerous.

For this reason alone I can't wait for the end of the series. THEN we 
can start talking about what's actually in the books.

dan