Wolfsbane Dosing (was: Neville/Wolfsbane/Fluffy/Filk/Snape/Time Travel)

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 169475

Neri:
> In that case you can reasonably imagine both Lupin and Snape, under
> the stress of the unexpected events, losing track and forgetting that
> tonight is the night.

Pippin:
I don't think so. 
Lupin shouldn't forget because he is keeping his lycanthropy a secret
from the kids. He wouldn't want to unexpectedly transform in public.
Snape shouldn't forget because potion brewing is affected by moon
cycles.   If Snape knew that Lupin's transformation was going to 
occur when it did, then then he knew there was  plenty of time for 
Lupin to get back to the castle and take his dose if they left at once.


IMO, Snape had to brew an entire cauldronfull because there had to be
some for Lupin to steal and take secretly before he went out
to the Shrieking Shack<veg>. However, it could simply be that, as
with polyjuice potion, one  brews the base by the cauldronfull,
then adds certain ingredients  to the goblet, which might start the
breakdown process in this case. Or perhaps the potion keeps well 
as long as  it's too hot to drink but starts to break down as it cools. 
JKR did do quite a lot of research on alchemy, so she could have 
become familiar with some chemical processes. 

Pippin