The Owlery - What if Merope Kept Giving Tom Riddle Sr. the Love Potion? (Ben's Version)
Added 2025-08-17 12:00:09 +0000 UTCComments
So what Ben is saying is that because Voldemort can access the basilisk from day 1 at Hogwarts, before Hagrid has even started there, Hagrid would never be framed for anything. Because Voldemort would be being careful not to kill anyone as he wouldn't want the school shut down, so Hagrid is left to complete his schooling fully, learns about basilisks, and is able to work out that there's one in the castle and defeat it.
Tania Jacquier
2025-08-18 00:16:19 +0000 UTCAm I missing something? Because to me it doesn’t seem like Ben’s math is quite adding up. He said that because Tom’s dad is around, he goes to Hogwarts knowing his family history sooner. Ok, that makes sense. Then he said that because of that, Tom might open the Chamber sooner than usual. Ok, yep still on board. But then the next step Ben said was that Hagrid would be older and more educated and be able to fight the basilisk better. In the original story, Hagrid is in year 3 and Tom is in year 5. If Tom opens the Chamber earlier because he knows his family history sooner, even in year 1 or 2, Hagrid isn’t even at school yet. In order for Hagrid to be older and smarter, Tom would have to wait even longer to open the chamber, which is the opposite of what Ben just I think accurately argued would happen in this What If? If I’m missing something, Ben I’m so sorry, but I’m just a little confused
Cam
2025-08-17 20:51:58 +0000 UTCGood episode today Ben. No I don't think it would have made a difference if Tom Sr. would have stuck around because Voldemort was still conceived under the effects of a love potion so he would still be unable to feel or express love. Ben you made a good point about Hagrid seeing Dumbledore as a father figure. This makes me wonder what would happen if Voldemort viewed Slughorn in the same way. The reason I say that is because in my book Slughorn is a good example of Slytherin done right not Snape. Sorry to all the Snape fans out there but I just don't see it.
Ryan Miller
2025-08-17 15:16:12 +0000 UTCYes I do agree with you that love potions should be illegal. Here in the Muggle world we have GHB which is considered a date rape drug therefore a crime leading to prison time in our world. In summary I do think that after the Ministry was reformed love potions should have been deemed Unforgivable.
Ryan Miller
2025-08-17 14:52:09 +0000 UTCThe love potion makes TR senior 'love' Merope but doesn't do anything to make him love the child. There's a chance that he tries to kill the child either from his real hatred being unaffected by the potions. Or he just ends up ignoring the child, I don't see a world where he cares about the baby unless merope love potions him again but for the baby (which, weird). But i don't think she'd care as long as senior is still in love with her, so probably after realizing that the baby is being ignored by senior or that he hates it, she might just give up the child anyways?
Cold.October
2025-08-17 14:29:46 +0000 UTCWhere is J?? I hope 🤞🏻 he’s (& his family’s) okay … 😊 Also, Morpe is not a shining example of a good mother, either … Ya know, the constantly r@Ping of Tom Riddle Sr.?? Because let’s face it, that IS basically what she’s doing to him!! Which, in turns, begs the question of WHY ARE LOVE POTIONS EVEN LEGAL?!?! And, more importantly, why are Fred & George SELLING them as a JOKE in their joke shop?!?! ‘Cause they’re basically selling DATE R@PE DRUGS as a JOKE, imo!! 😳 And, I feel like Ben went SUPER fast there towards the end … I really hope that everything’s okay over at SCB HQ!! 🥹 Maybe he was a little nervous 😬 about being alone for the Owlery?? 🤔
AHuffleClawAndASwiftie
2025-08-17 13:16:07 +0000 UTC
