Draughts

• Type: Category of Potions
• Primary Effect: Varies widely depending on the specific draught, with effects ranging from inducing sleep to calming anxiety or causing confusion.
• Associated Field: Potion-making

A draught is a type of magical liquid, generally intended to be drunk, that produces a specific magical effect on the drinker. In the wizarding world, the term is often used interchangeably with Potions. The fact that draughts like the Draught of Living Death and Draught of Peace are taught in Potions class and appear in textbooks such as Advanced Potion-Making confirms that they are a classification within the broader art of Potion-making. The word “draught” itself implies a quantity of liquid to be drunk in one go. While many concoctions are simply called “potions,” specific, often complex, recipes are frequently referred to as draughts.

• Draught of Living Death
  • Effect: A highly powerful sleeping Potion that sends the drinker into a deep, death-like slumber. An overdose can be fatal.
  • Description: It is a notoriously difficult Potion to brew correctly. When brewed perfectly, according to the instructions of the Half-Blood Prince, it turns a pale lilac color. Ingredients include powdered root of asphodel, infusion of wormwood, sloth brain, and Sopophorous bean.
  • Known Uses: It is taught to sixth-year N.E.W.T. students at Hogwarts. Harry Potter brewed a perfect version in Horace Slughorn's class, winning a bottle of Felix Felicis.
• Draught of Peace
  • Effect: A Potion designed to calm anxiety and soothe agitation.
  • Description: It is also very difficult to brew, as incorrect ingredients or brewing times can have severe side effects; an overdose can plunge the drinker into a heavy, sometimes irreversible sleep. When complete, it should emit a light, silver vapor. Ingredients include powdered moonstone and syrup of hellebore.
  • Known Uses: Taught by Severus Snape in fifth-year Potions class. Both Harry Potter and Hermione Granger successfully brewed the draught.
• Confusing Draught
  • Effect: Causes the drinker to become confused, befuddled, and reckless. It is also referred to as a Confusing Concoction.
  • Description: Ingredients include Scurvy-grass, lovage, and sneezewort.
  • Known Uses: This is part of the third-year Potions curriculum and is also a component of the O.W.L. practical exam.
• Hiccoughing Draught
  • Effect: Presumably causes or cures a case of hiccups.
  • Description: Considered a very simple Potion.
  • Known Uses: Horace Slughorn mentions it dismissively when comparing it to the far more complex Wolfsbane Potion.
• Polyjuice Potion
  • Effect: Allows the drinker to assume the physical form of another person for one hour.
  • Known Uses: While not named a draught, the Polyjuice Potion that Barty Crouch Jr. drinks throughout his year impersonating Alastor Moody is referred to as a “draught” from his hip flask.
• Draught of Dreamless Sleep
  • Effect: A purple-coloured Potion that gives the drinker a peaceful, dreamless sleep.
  • Known Uses: It is used medicinally at Hogwarts, often administered by Madam Pomfrey. (Pottermore)

Draughts play a significant role in demonstrating the complexity, subtlety, and danger of Potion-making. They often serve as key challenges in Potions classes, allowing students like Harry Potter and Hermione Granger to showcase their magical talent. The Draught of Living Death is particularly pivotal, as Harry's success in brewing it is what earns him the Felix Felicis that proves crucial in obtaining a memory from Horace Slughorn. The existence of different draughts illustrates the vast range of effects that Potions can have, from simple remedies to powerful and dangerous concoctions that can mimic death itself.

The terms “draught” and “potion” are used almost synonymously in the books. “Draught” is an older English word for “a drink” or “a dose,” and its use in the series lends a historical and slightly more formal tone to the world of Potion-making, particularly for specific, named concoctions taught at higher levels.