A Cauldron of Amortentia

[Ceridwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 152454

Potioncat:
*(snip)*
> 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!"
*(snip)*

When I read it the first time, I thought the potion (Amortentia) 
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?

Ceridwen:
I had to keep that example of the WW's Divorce Court!  It was funny.

I thought the same as you, that Amortentia somehow dug up the scents 
associated with the one we love - example: Hermione's litany of 
seductive scents - and affects our consciousness with them so we're 
hyper aware of the other person.  But, now that you point it out, 
that isn't what it said after all, that is what I was led down the 
garden path to believing through the examples.  So, of course Harry 
would smell something he associates with the Burrow.  He's had good 
times there, and made strong friendships which are associated with 
that place.

There are fanfics out there that have Ginny giving Harry love 
potion.  This may be where they got the idea.  But, if the smells are 
that subjective, then perhaps Harry's feelings for Ginny are more 
because he associates her with the Burrow, rather than her dosing him 
with a potion?

I realize this might mean that Harry is associating Ginny with the 
Burrow as an object that belongs there rather than as Ginny His True 
Love.  But I don't quite trust Rowling's interviews.  I don't think 
she spills anything having to do with the next book in her 
interviews, so keeps to the story lines we already know.  So when she 
says Ginny is Harry's soulmate, or whatever it was she said along 
those lines (perfect match?), I keep thinking that this applies up 
til and including HBP, but might not necessarily reflect reality in 
book 7.

Hm.  Just thinking along, Harry had that monster in his chest, 
Hermione sicced birds on Ron, could it be that Amortentia has a 
negative effect on the people who smell it, even long after it is no 
longer physically present?  Monsters and attack canaries are 
certainly not positive!

Ceridwen.