Potions (subject)

Potions (subject)
Professor	Horace Slughorn (1931 - 1981), (1996 - ?) Severus Snape (1981 - 1996)
Taught at	Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Location	Dungeons
Textbooks	Magical Drafts and Potions Advanced Potion Making
Equipment	Cauldron Weighing scales
Book information
First appearance	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Last appearance	Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making"

— Introduction to Potions

Potions is a subject taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Every student in their first year until the fifth year when they sit for O.W.L.s have to take the subject. It is an option for N.E.W.T-level study. The purpose of the subject is to teach students how to brew potions using recipes and the right ingredients which steadily get more advanced each year. They have to bring a cauldron and weighing scales.

About

Every student has to take Potions in the first-year until the fifth-year, when they take their O.W.L.s. If they achieve a high enough pass grade, they have the option of continuing their study of Potions for their N.E.W.T.s in their sixth-year. The teacher decides how high their grade needs to be for acceptance to the course.

The students have to create potions step-by-step from a book. In the first year, the book is Magical Drafts and Potions. They put the ingredients in a cauldron they have to bring, then get the ingredients, stirring, timing and bottling right. Certain ingredients have to be purchased by the student but others are kept in the storeroom. Achieving a high grade in the O.W.L.s is not easy.

History

In his first year, Neville Longbottom achieved a very low grade in Potions.

During his fifth year, Harry Potter was told he needed to get an "Outstanding" in his O.W.L.s if he wished to take Potions for his N.E.W.T.s. When he returned for his sixth year, the new Professor, Horace Slughorn changed it. He accepted students who achieved an "Exceeds Expectations".

Curriculum

First year

• Cure for Boils
• An unknown potion involving the spine of a lionfish
• Forgetfulness Potion

Second year

• Swelling Solution

Third year

• Shrinking Potion (homework during the summer holidays)
• Undetectable Poisons

Examinations

• First-year: Forgetfulness Potion
• Third-year: Confusing Concoction

Books

Magical Drafts and Potions

• Advanced Potion Making

Known timetables

Years	Day	Period
First year	Friday	First and second (double)
Second year	Wednesday	Third
	Friday	Fourth and fifth (double)
Third year	Monday	First
	Thursday	First and second (double)
Fourth year	Tuesday	Third
	Friday	Fourth and fifth
Fifth year	Monday	Second
Sixth year	Monday	Afternoon

Known teachers

Severus Snape

• Horace Slughorn