Hey everyone,
Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. In today’s video, we’re going
to be discussing Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley, Love Potions, and a popular Harry Potter fan
theory that combines the three. First things first: I can’t take credit for the theory,
as the theory in question has been floating around the internet for many many years. What
I want to do, however, is relay this interesting theory to you all, give you my take, and then
see what you have to say.
The theory- put quite succinctly, is this- Ginny Weasley gave Harry Potter a love potion.
The theory also suggests that Harry and Ginny end up together for that reason, and for that
reason alone. There are a few reasonably credible arguments for why this could in fact be the
case, most of which I have rebuttals to, but let’s dive in to how and why this theory
could work first.
One of the main bases for the theory is that Harry seemingly fell for Giny quite suddenly.
Up until the point at which they fell in love, they weren’t particularly close, nor were
there any direct indicators that they would or should end up together. One moment Harry
is with Cho Chang, in another moment film Harry is flirting with a waitress at Sweets
cafe, and the next minute he’s married to Ginny with babies. So, how could Harry have
become so quickly infatuated with Ginny? The answer- a love potion.
The main supporting argument for this theory is that love potions have been historically
used by the Weasley clan- maybe not for this purpose- but used in jest and in other less-serious
circumstances. The bottom line is that love potions have been used by them, and they certainly
know how to make them. Ginny’s own mother Molly admitted to using them in her youth,
and Fred & George SOLD them- so their perspective on these types of potions can hardly be too
severe.
The love potion in question is called Amortentia, a powerful love potion that causes extreme
infatuation or obsession from the drinker.
"Amortentia is the most powerful love potion in the world. It is distinctive for its mother-of-pearl
sheen, and steam rises from the potion in spirals. Amortentia smells different to each
person, according to what attracts them.”
While inducing friendship can be a powerful way to change allegiances, inducing LOVE is
even more powerful. Amortentia is considered by some to be the most dangerous potion of
all, as it doesn’t even induce actual love, just a semblance of love that is derived from
strong obsession. We see and hear of Amortentia in the Harry Potter franchise quite a bit,
and it can make people do some very uncharacteristically strange things. One of the most famous examples
of a love potion being used is in the story of the birth of Voldemort, where Merope, Voldemort’s
mother, infamously used a love potion on his father. Allegedly, this is the basis for Voldemort
being evil, as because he was conceived without love, he would have never had any capacity
to understand or feel love. In fact, the prevalence of love potions, or
potions in general for that matter in the half-blood prince, is one of the other arguments
supporting the theory. Allegedly, this is the book in which Ginny takes action and finally
gives Harry the potion. It also sort of makes sense because, it’s in this book that potions
are popping up more than ever. Why wouldn’t Ginny, who had a crush on Harry, take advantage
of amortentia?
The general thematic surrounding potions is introduced almost immediately, when Slughorn
is headhunted by Dumbledore to come and teach potions at the school. Not only that, but
there’s a large focus on Slughorn’s potions lessons- something that hadn’t been focused
on much in the books prior. We’re introduced to a whole new world of potions and potions
materials- Felix Felicis, Dittany, Bezoars, and most importantly- the love potion, Amortentia.
And all of a sudden love potions become a major plot point: Merope used a love potion
on Tom Riddle Sr- the reason for Voldemort’s inability to feel love, Fred and George who
recently opened up their shop are selling the stuff, and Romilda Vane even hit Ron with
one (even if it was meant for Harry).
So, was Rowling trying to hint at something here? Or- is this all just one massive coincidence?
I mean, it all checks out- Ginny and Harry suddenly have a blossoming relationship in
the wake of the introduction of love potions. But, is it true? Here’s what I think.
Here’s the main problem with this theory: Ginny and Harry had a lot more chemistry than
a lot of people think, and this is largely due to the films poor representation of the
nuances of their relationship. I think that, if we go by the films and the films alone,
then this theory checks out more, but the books tell a different story.
You see, their relationship is much more complex than the films depict. In the books Harry
suppresses his feelings for Ginny over a long period of time, and the film’s critical
error here is that they made it seem like this was some sudden, new thing with an IMMEDIATE
onset. To the casual observer or someone that has only seen the films, Harry and Ginny’s
relationship comes out of nowhere. Failure to develop Ginny’s character inhibited their
ability to develop her relationship with Harry. In the films we see Ginny dating other guys
in an attempt to get over Harry- but once again- without the context of the books, it
wouldn’t necessarily appear that way. It would just look like Ginny..dating. We also
see Harry forming romantic relationships with people like Cho Chang, and even the waitress
from Sweets cafe- with absolutely no regard for Ginny.
In my opinion this was one of the films biggest faults- and I say FILM explicitly here because
this was not a mistake made by the books. I love the films, but their approach to Harry
& Ginny’s relationship was just very ‘sudden’ and ‘forced’. Almost as if a love potion
would have been the only way to actually make it happen.
Another reason that the love potion theory doesn’t check out is that Harry isn’t
exhibiting the ‘obsessive’ behaviour alluded to in the other situations in which the potion
is used. Tom Riddle Sr- who previously had absolutely 0 interest in Merope, became so
obsessive that he dropped everything else in his life and had a child with her, acting
against all of the prior stigma that he had held toward Merope and her family. Even the
brief segue into Ron’s obsession with Romilda Vane tells us that Amortentia doesn’t just
produce ‘light’ feelings of love- it creates a burning obsession, an infatuation, which
is why the potion is truly so dangerous. Those under the effects of the potion exhibit a
loss of inhibitions, a lack of regard for every other aspect of their life, and Harry-
still fighting against Voldemort and out hunting Horcruxes, never displayed this type of tunnel
vision. Him and Ginny still got together, but it was passive- Ginny wasn’t the only
thing going on in Harry’s life- and he certainly never gave her his undivided attention. Furthermore,
if Ginny knowingly gave Harry a love potion, fully aware of its powerful effects, she would
have been knowingly jeopardizing the entire wizarding world.
The last reason that I’m not convinced by this theory, is that love is a powerful and
central theme across the entire Harry Potter story- and this theory would put a glaring
hole in the thematic that Rowling was trying to establish. We’re hit with a notion that
love is the most powerful form of magic right from the beginning, when Harry is saved by
his mother’s loving sacrifice. And later, we’re told that Voldemort, the primary dark
force working against Harry, is the way that he is because of his inability to understand
love. Rowling purposely contrasts real love with infatuation because she wants the reader
to understand the differences, with real love always ending up on top. To have Harry, the
main protagonist whose very life was saved by love, end up in a relationship as a result
of a love potion, would be a great disservice to the story as a whole.
Also, I just don’t think that Ginny would do it.
What do you guys think? I’d love to hear your opinion on this theory. If you enjoy
the content, please LIKE the video and SUBSCRIBE to the channel.
Until next time
Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love.