"That depends," he returns, the eyebrow not going down. "Is the imbalance of the nature of too much water? Then water will further overturn it. Water is the medium,' in that way, it's the constant, yes, but all it adds to a potion is fluid space for the ingredients to interact in, added substance for the elements to diffuse in and the rod to stir with precision over, and a distribution of heat. Its neutrality is why it's useful; properly distilled, it adds very little of its own nature unless the potion is crafted to evoke its subtle effects.
"Quin, colors cease to signify when there is no light. That's all they are: a reflection of light. Once the mouth closes on their carriers, or the veins swallow them, they no longer exist in any meaningful way. Oh, they can be useful for unguents and other topical preparations, if you don't mind walking around looking slightly tinted, but in general they're only a factor in persuading ingredients and tools of preparation to turn particular facets of their use to the potion being crafted."
"You could always bring up the topic on a theoretical level," he suggests, "and see whether the topic engages her interest."
Whoops! Sorry, Q. I see. Well, he was just trying to be fair to her, so... vOv ...Well, that and trying not to use Q as a bridge. ;) He and Sirius just finished a thread and both got pretty cranky by the end of it; he didn't want to be manipulating Q into being unwittingly helpful, so he provided another option.