Definitely would.

Yes, I actually felt bad for Merope and then I realised that she had actually raped a random guy

@TheEarthWielder The book actually makes it seem like you're supposed to sympathize with Merope, Dumbledore saying that Tom "abandoned" her.

any moderators I authorize this post to be archived/locked or whatever.

MalchonC is a content moderator; I don't think they have rights on discussions. I would leave the post open- although you've gotten an answer, this post is on-topic and doesn't need to be locked

The discussion is basically over tho

Then it can just go inactive without needing to be locked

I think it’s okay to feel sympathy for Merope, even though what she did was obviously terrible. She was a victim of abuse, and never really understood what love was supposed to be like.

The problem with this is that we’re using our understanding of consent, mixed with magical powers.

One could argue it’s similar to consent when under influence of alcohol or drugs.

But can we classify Love Potions in that way? And if this was in muggle court, no way would it be considered rape, as the potion doesn’t exist in their minds.

And in Wizard court, I’d believe the act of USING the potion is what they’d focus on, not the activities they hade while he was under its effects. All in all, legally, if it was rape or not would probably never be discussed in muggle or Wizard court.

But this is just my idea

^True the court verdict would be the use of a love potion for a wizard court and not guilty for a muggle court but Tom Sr was still r**ed.

Given the weird and old fashioned social standards of the magical community I honestly wouldn't be surprised if magical users doing what they want towards muggles is OK.. Love potions are already something you can readily buy and sell and the poor view of muggles especially in older times means rights considered essential for magic folk may not have been considered for muggles.

And of course we know next to nothing how a lot of magic actually works including love potions. Are their different varieties and strengths, does it always infect the same way and may it wear off or be cured, is it a simple brainwashing or has victim developed genuine feelings ecetra.