Oak-Matured Mead

• Type: Magical Beverage, Consumable, Poison (in one specific instance)
• Owners: The particular bottle central to the plot was owned by Horace Slughorn, who intended it as a gift for Albus Dumbledore.
• Maker: The poison within the bottle was introduced by Draco Malfoy (acting through an Imperiused Madam Rosmerta).

Oak-matured mead is a high-quality alcoholic beverage enjoyed in the wizarding world. Mead itself is an alcoholic drink created by fermenting honey with water. The “oak-matured” descriptor indicates that it has been aged in oak barrels, a process that typically imparts complex flavours and a higher value, similar to high-end Muggle spirits. The specific bottle mentioned in the story is not described in detail, other than being a gift-worthy item that Horace Slughorn was saving for a special occasion. Slughorn considered it a “good pick-me-up” and suitable for a celebratory toast.

In its unadulterated state, oak-matured mead is simply a fine beverage. However, the bottle acquired by Horace Slughorn was a vehicle for a very potent and fast-acting poison.

• Poison Effects: The poison acted almost instantly upon ingestion. The victim, Ron Weasley, began to choke violently, froth at the mouth, his eyes bulged, and his skin turned blue, indicating severe respiratory distress and likely asphyxiation.
• Antidote: The immediate and effective antidote for this specific poison is a bezoar, which, when forced down the victim's throat, neutralizes the effects.

While mead is a common drink available at establishments like the Three Broomsticks Inn, the story of this particular bottle is an integral part of Draco Malfoy's attempts to assassinate Albus Dumbledore during Harry Potter's sixth year.

1. Draco Malfoy, under pressure from Lord Voldemort, acquired the poison and a bottle of oak-matured mead.
2. He placed Madam Rosmerta, the landlady of the Three Broomsticks Inn, under the Imperius Curse.
3. Malfoy instructed Rosmerta to give the poisoned bottle to Horace Slughorn as a Christmas present, knowing Slughorn would likely re-gift it to his friend and confidant, Albus Dumbledore.
4. Slughorn accepted the gift but forgot to pass it on to Dumbledore over the Christmas holidays.
5. On March 1st, Ron Weasley's seventeenth birthday, he accidentally consumed a Love Potion intended for Harry Potter. Harry took him to Slughorn for an antidote.
6. To celebrate Ron's recovery and his birthday, Slughorn decided to open the bottle of mead he had been saving for Dumbledore. He poured glasses for himself, Harry, and Ron.
7. Ron drank his portion first and was immediately poisoned, collapsing to the floor. Harry's quick thinking in retrieving a bezoar from Slughorn's emergency kit saved Ron's life.

The poisoning via the oak-matured mead is a crucial event in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

• It served as the second major attempt on Albus Dumbledore's life by Draco Malfoy, confirming Dumbledore's suspicions that Malfoy was the one behind the attack on Katie Bell with the cursed necklace.
• The event showcased Harry Potter's resourcefulness and practical knowledge, as he correctly remembered the use of a bezoar from Severus Snape's first-year Potions class.
• The aftermath of the poisoning severely strained Ron's relationship with Lavender Brown, who was distraught that others reached him before she did. This event contributed significantly to their eventual breakup and strengthened the bond between Ron and Hermione Granger.
• It reinforced the animosity between Harry and Severus Snape, who dismissed Harry's life-saving action as “dumb luck” and belittled his use of a non-potion antidote.

• The poisoning of Ron Weasley with the oak-matured mead is depicted faithfully in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The scene visually captures Ron's sudden and violent reaction to the poison and Harry's frantic search for the bezoar. (film)