Magical Draughts and Potions are mixtures created by combining magical ingredients in a cauldron according to specific, often complex, instructions. The practice of creating them is known as Potion-making or Potioneering. It is a subtle science and an exact art that requires immense precision, patience, and a deep understanding of the magical properties of its components. Unlike most spell-casting, the brewing of potions does not necessarily require the use of a wand, though one may be used to perform certain actions during the process. The effects of potions are vast and varied, ranging from healing and transformation to inducing love, luck, or even a death-like sleep. As a core subject taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it represents a fundamental branch of magic.
The success of a potion depends on the meticulous execution of its recipe. Every step, from the preparation of ingredients to the direction of a stir, is crucial.
Potion-making is a required subject for the first five years of study at Hogwarts, taught in a classroom in the dungeons. Students are tested on their theoretical and practical knowledge in their Ordinary Wizarding Level (O.W.L.) examination. To advance to Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test (N.E.W.T.) level, a high grade at O.W.L. is typically required.