The Sleeping Draught is a potent potion that causes the person who ingests it to fall asleep very quickly. The resulting slumber is described as being so deep that the victim appears to have been knocked unconscious rather than merely sleeping. The effect is almost instantaneous upon consumption. The physical appearance of the potion, such as its color or consistency, is not described in the novels. It is typically administered by being secretly mixed into a food or drink. While highly effective, it is implied that its use is not completely undetectable. In his sixth year, Harry Potter considered using it on the expert Potions Master Horace Slughorn, but dismissed the idea as “crude,” suspecting Slughorn would easily recognize it. This suggests that a sufficiently skilled wizard or witch, particularly one with a mastery of Potions, could identify the draught before consuming it. It is distinct from the more powerful and dangerous Draught of Living Death, which can induce a sleep so deep it mimics death and can be permanent if brewed incorrectly.
The Sleeping Draught appears or is mentioned in several key instances throughout the series: