Cure for Boils

• Type: Potion
• Creator: Unknown in the primary novels. The invention is attributed to Zygmunt Budge (Book of Potions video game).
• Known Brewers: First-year students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, including Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom.

The precise appearance of a correctly brewed Cure for Boils is not described in the novels. It is brewed in a pewter cauldron using several key ingredients. A failed batch, as brewed by Neville Longbottom, is described as melting its cauldron and producing a “foul-smelling green smoke” and a loud hissing sound. When spilled, the botched potion appears as a green liquid that causes angry red boils to erupt on contact with skin.

The primary and sole function of the Cure for Boils is to serve as a simple magical remedy for common boils. It is considered a foundational potion for young witches and wizards to learn. The brewing process requires precision and careful adherence to instructions. Known ingredients include:

• Dried nettles
• Crushed snake fangs
• Stewed horned slugs
• Porcupine quills

A critical step in its creation involves adding the porcupine quills only after the cauldron has been removed from the fire. Adding them while the mixture is still being heated results in a dangerous, explosive reaction that can melt the cauldron and cause boils rather than cure them.

The Cure for Boils is a standard part of the first-year Potions curriculum at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Its inclusion in the very first lesson of the school year, as documented in 1991, indicates its status as a fundamental and elementary potion in magical education. Its exact origin and history of invention are not detailed in the seven core novels.

The brewing of the Cure for Boils is a significant event in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as it frames Harry Potter's first Potions lesson. This scene is pivotal for establishing several key character dynamics:

• Harry Potter and Severus Snape: The lesson marks the beginning of the antagonistic relationship between Harry and his Potions Master. Snape immediately targets Harry with difficult questions and later unfairly blames him for Neville Longbottom's accident, revealing his deep-seated bias.
• Neville Longbottom: Neville's anxiety and lack of confidence in his magical abilities are highlighted when he bungles the potion, melting his cauldron and covering himself in boils. This incident solidifies his reputation as a clumsy and nervous student, particularly in Snape's class.
• Hermione Granger: The lesson showcases Hermione's intelligence, diligence, and desire to follow instructions precisely. She is one of the few students to successfully brew the potion and attempts to assist her classmates, establishing her as a knowledgeable and helpful, if sometimes overbearing, student.
• The Dangers of Magic: The immediate and painful consequences of Neville's small mistake serve as an early lesson to Harry and the reader about the precision required in magic, especially potion-making, and the real dangers involved.

• In the video game adaptations of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, brewing the Cure for Boils is often featured as a playable mini-game where the player must follow instructions to gather and combine ingredients. (video game)
• The PlayStation 3 game Wonderbook: Book of Potions attributes the invention of the Cure for Boils to the famous potioneer Zygmunt Budge and provides a more detailed, interactive brewing guide. (video game)