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Warning!
At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery & Hogwarts Legacy & Harry Potter: Magic Awakened. |
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"Is this all real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"
The topic of this article is of a real-life subject that has been mentioned "in-universe" in a canon source. The Harry Potter Wiki is written from the perspective that all information presented in canon is true (e.g., Hogwarts really existed), and, as such, details contained in this article may differ from real world facts. |
- "Hirudo medicinalis, the medicinal leech: popular among Muggle healers (who believe that the blood-sucking creatures are able to treat illnesses) and useful to wizards in potion-making."
- — Zygmunt Budge, Book of Potions[src]
Leeches are small slug-like invertebrates that live in water and feed on human blood or that of other small invertebrates.[6] Leech spit contains an anticoagulant (a substance that prevents blood clotting), allowing them to feed for longer than blood would normally flow.[4]
In potions[]
A jar of leeches
Leeches were used in Potion-making. To make the Polyjuice Potion, four leeches were required.[2] Flabberghasted leeches were also used in potion-making.[7] A dash of leech juice was a required ingredient in the making of the Shrinking Solution.[3]
In Diagon Alley, leeches could likely be purchased in the Vietch's Leeches shop.[8]
Behind the scenes[]
- The use of leeches in the Polyjuice Potion was chosen by J. K. Rowling to represent "[sucking] the essence out of one and into the other".[9] Interestingly, the film prop used for Moste Potente Potions suggests that the leeches used have their suckers removed.
- Zygmunt Budge uses the phrase "hearts' content" (rather than "heart's content") in regards to leeches in Wonderbook: Book of Potions,[4] properly using plural possession as leeches have two hearts.
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) (GBA version only)
- Pottermore
- Harry Potter (website) (Mentioned only)
- The Road to Hogwarts Sweepstakes
- Wonderbook: Book of Potions
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Mentioned only)
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Harry Potter: Magic Awakened (Mentioned only)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Pottermore
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 10 (The Rogue Bludger)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 7 (The Boggart in the Wardrobe)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Wonderbook: Book of Potions
- ↑ Hogwarts Legacy
- ↑
Leech on Wikipedia
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Illustrated Edition
- ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Polyjuice Potion" at Harry Potter (website) - J.K. Rowling's Thoughts