Boomslang skin

Boomslang skin
Potion ingredient information
Taken from	Boomslangs
Physical characteristics	Green or brown in colour
Preparation	Dried then shredded
Used in	Polyjuice Potion Beautification Potion

"Shredded Boomslang skin... Take one Boomslang skin, dry until... dry, then shred."

— Harry Potter while brewing Polyjuice Potion during his sixth year

Boomslang skin is skin shed from a Boomslang snake. The skin is mostly green in males and brown in females, and served as an atypical potion ingredient, such as in the Polyjuice Potion. Boomslang skin was not sold at the Apothecary in Diagon Alley, nor was it available in the student store-cupboard, but it could be found in the Potions Master's private storage at Hogwarts. It was not an ingredient on the Restricted Register.

History

When trying to persuade Professor Severus Snape to attend Rubeus Hagrid's surprise birthday party in 1984 by gifting him potion ingredients, Jacob's sibling found Boomslang skin in the Artefact Room at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with help from Ben Copper and Penny Haywood.

In 1992, Hermione Granger stole this ingredient from Snape's private storage in order to brew Polyjuice Potion as part of her, Harry and Ron's plan to try to get Draco Malfoy to admit that he was the Heir of Slytherin.

In 1995, and possibly before, Bartemius Crouch Jnr stole this ingredient as well for the Polyjuice Potion needed to maintain his disguise as Alastor Moody. Snape later accused Harry of stealing it, though Harry incorrectly believed that Snape was referring to the 1992 incident, which Snape had long suspected him of being responsible for. Eventually, Crouch was forced to confess under Veritaserum, which cleared Harry's name from this crime.

In 2020, a small amount of Boomslang skin appeared to be missing from the Hogwarts Potions stores.

Behind the scenes

• The use of Boomslang skin in the Polyjuice Potion was chosen by J. K. Rowling to represent "a shedded outer body and a new inner".

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game) (GBC version only)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (play) (Mentioned only)
• Pottermore
• Wizarding World (Mentioned only)
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (DS/PSP versions)
• The Road to Hogwarts Sweepstakes
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened