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

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 152256

 
> > 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:
So, you think they are dark because they have a sexual component, not 
because they alter the mental state? I thought it was your point that 
they altered the mental state that made them dark. 
>  

> 
> 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:

I don't think Dark is just classified by the Ministry. I think it's 
something the Wizarding culture understands, but we do not. I wonder 
sometimes if it's very clear to JKR and she has no idea we're all so 
confused by it.

Of course it could be like RL issues. Drugs are bad...are we all 
agreed. Yes. Good...but some of don't think Pot should be illegal and 
some of us dont' think alcohol should be legal. And some of us agree 
that tobacco and coffee are drugs too, but they are good drugs.

You know. We're both saying love potions are not good. We're really 
arguing over whether they are dark. And I think you come at from the 
extreme worst they can be while I'm looking at them from a more 
innocent approach. 

So if something like Confundus is not dark, I'm not sure why love 
potions should be. Although I would think the way Merope used it 
should be illegal, just like stabbing someone with a pencil would be 
illegal.

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

Potioncat:
I don't know if we're told what she uses. My point is that (IMO) love 
potions are supposed to be a once or twice sort of treatment---not 
along term use. They make you feel an attraction to someone, not take 
away all judgement. So she has used this potion much longer than she 
should have. But we really don't have canon to tell me if that would 
be the norm.
> 
> > 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.

Potioncat:
See, I'm thinking teenaged girl who is just going to die if that cute 
boy in 3rd period doesn't ask her out. She's tried perfume and 
changing her hair and wearing a different style dress and mentioning, 
within his hearing how much she likes (some event she knows  he 
likes.)

So now she tries a little shot of love potion. He sees her and asks 
her out. End of story. (Unless you're Merope who keeps on slipping it 
into his drink.) I understand your point too, though. 
 
> 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.

Potioncat:
Sort of like when the gentleman offers the lady another class of wine?

Well this tennis match has been fun, but we aren't getting anywhere 
and no one else seems to want to join in. (Unless I've missed a 
post.) 

But I'll toss out a question or two. Did Tom Riddle know Merope was 
pregnant? What should his responsibility toward the baby have been? 

Potioncat, who thinks a large part of her opinions have been formed 
by the song, "Love Potion Number 9" See, it never works out.