Amortentia

 

**A HBP theory**

 

 

While in Fred and George’s shop, Ginny and Hermione are “pouring over the Patented Daydream Charms,”  Fred even giving a free one to Hermione. After showing them the WonderWitch products, George says that he won’t sell a Love Potion to his sister, but he never mentions whether he would sell it to Hermione.

In class, Hermione knows every detail about the love potion, Amortentia, and describes it “enthusiastically,” as if she knows if firsthand. Before she reveals too much, she stops, looking embarrassed. My theory is that she either bought some from the shop, or made it herself to give to Ginny. Why not use it herself? Because she’s not stupid-- She knows that her crush (aka Ron) likes her, so it would be of no use to her.

Everyone knows about the sudden, even obsessive romantic feelings Harry starts having about Ginny. The effects of Amortentia are described as “… a powerful infatuation or obsession.” Is this a coincidence to what Harry was feeling? In JKR’s world, nothing is coincidental. Ginny could easily slip Amortentia into his drink, or similar, as she is always around him. Later in the book, Hermione even warns Harry about watching out for love potions from Romilda Vane; she doesn’t want too many on him. Who would know the effects?

When Ginny and Dean are kissing, Harry feels something “clawing at his insides… all thought was extinguished, replaced by a savage urge to jinx Dean into a jelly.” These feelings also describe Ron when he accidentally ate Harry’s chocolates, filled with Amortentia. He punched Harry for insulting “his girl” and nearly went crazy!

There are a couple of times when a “beast” wants to get out of Harry at the mere thought of Ginny. I do not believe that Harry had Amortentia when he kissed Ginny, but I think that it had helped him realize his own thoughts for her. Hermione, who was in on the plan (and possibly made it up), was “beaming” at Harry snogging Ginny. She knew the plan would work; it would just take some time.