Snogging and Love Potions wasRe: CHAPDISC HBP 15, The Unbreakable Vow

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 152243

> > a_svirn:
> > Well, *what* they are? They create powerful infatuation or 
> > obsession. Sounds like bending other people to your will to me. 
> > Sexually, considering the nature of the obsession. At any rate 
it 
> > means altering other people's mental state considerably.
> 
> Potioncat:
> So does Confundus. So does Cheering Charms. They arent' sexual, 
but 
> they alter the mental state.

a_svirn:
Love potions are sexual, however. 
 
> Potioncat:
> 
> I think confundus "should" be Dark. I think making leeks grow out 
of 
> someone ears "should" be Dark. I think writing "sneak" on 
someone's 
> face...a mark that doesn't go away..."should" be Dark. I might put 
> love potions in Dark too...particularly since so many list members 
> have thought up Dark uses for them that I wouldn't have. But if 
the 
> question is, are love potions dark in the WW, then no they aren't.

a_svirn:
Which brings us back to the definition of *dark*. If it's just 
something classified as such by the Ministry, I rather think I agree 
with Draco – it's a bit of a joke. 

> Potioncat:
> We never saw what a normal love potion would do. We saw Merope 
> administer one for a long period of time. 

a_svirn:
Why do you think Merope's one was abnormal? 

> Potioncat: 
> My thoughts were that a normal love potion would make you feel an 
> attraction toward someone for a brief period of time. That seems 
> harmless enough.

a_svirn:
No, it doesn't. It means messing up with other people minds. What 
you call "normal" potion is nothing but a weak solution of one.  
Rather like a short bout of Crucatius. Harry or Neville weren't 
exposed to the torture for long, so they recovered nicely. Neville's 
parents were exposed to it for too long and will never recover. But 
the curse was one and the same.  And Merope's potion was normal 
enough I imagine.


> Potioncat: 
>  If Merope had only used the potion to get Tom's attention, it 
would 
> have been ok. Keep in mind, I mean, she gives him the love potion, 
> they go out on a date, exchange a chaste good-night kiss. The next 
> morning he wakes up and thinks, "What a horrible nightmare!" They 
> never see each other again. 

a_svirn:
And it wouldn't be bending him to her will?! Chaste or not it would 
be up to her, I take it. He would have no saying at all.