A Cauldron of Amortentia

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 152442

Potioncat:
Who would have thought two little questions would start off such a 
discussion!! It's Carol's fault, you know, she asked if love potions 
are really dark. I think both sides of this issue have done an 
excellent job of stating their cases; a lot of valid points were 
made! 

I'm not sure how the WW sees love potions, but I'll bet family court 
is full of claims and counter-claims! In a world where something can 
magically binding, even if you never knew there were magical clauses, 
drinking love potions probably wouldn't excuse you from a 
relationship. 

Claimant: "Judge, My wife doesn't look so good since I found out she 
was slipping love potion into my tea and I starting coffee. What can 
I do?"

Judge: "Drink the tea! Next case!"

On the other hand, this may be the sort of situation that Phineas 
Black (the younger one) was thinking of when he pushed for Muggle 
rights.

Back to another look at love potions. At the first potioncs class 
there is a cauldron of Amortentia at the Trio's desk. The fumes alone 
have an impact. Here's my summary from an earlier post: 
 
> Amortentia is the most powerful love potion in the world. Already 
made
> and affecting the students as soon as they sit near it.  Harry 
smells
> a combination of scents, one at least is firmly connected to the
> Burrow. He found it to be the most seductive scent ever, and even 
Ron
> was grinning lazily. Then Ron seems to be competing with Harry for
> Hermione's approval. Hermione starts to tell what it smell likes to
> her, after announcing its aroma depends on "what attracts us", then
> stops in mid-answer. Right after Potions they go to lunch, and Ginny
> joins them. Harry notices she smells like the scent in the 
Amortentia.


When I read it the first time, I thought the potion revealed your 
true love, but that isn't what canon says. Canon says it's the most 
powerful love potion and that it's smell depends on each person.  

So, how does it work? And did it show us who each of the trio really 
love?