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{{HogwartsMysterySpoiler}}
{{CursedChildSpoiler}}
 
 
{{Potion infobox
 
{{Potion infobox
 
|name=Love potion
 
|name=Love potion
|image=[[File:Love.png|250px]]
+
|image=Bottle-of-love-potion-lrg.png
|effect=Causes the drinker to become infatuated with the giver of the potion
+
|effect=Infatuation with whoever offers the potion
|side-effects=Drinker remembers being under potion's influence and is typically left embarrassed because of the potent and obvious effects of the potion on the drinker
+
|side-effects=Embarrassment on the part of the drinker
 
|characteristics=
 
|characteristics=
 
|time=
 
|time=
Line 13: Line 13:
 
*[[Moonstone|Powdered Moonstone]]<ref name="HBP/g Website"/>
 
*[[Moonstone|Powdered Moonstone]]<ref name="HBP/g Website"/>
 
*[[Pearl Dust]]<ref name="CC45">{{CC|B|4|5}}</ref>
 
*[[Pearl Dust]]<ref name="CC45">{{CC|B|4|5}}</ref>
  +
*[[Rose Petal]]s<ref name=":0">{{WBoP}}</ref>
 
|inventor=*[[Laverne de Montmorency]]
 
|inventor=*[[Laverne de Montmorency]]
 
*[[Fred Weasley]]
 
*[[Fred Weasley]]
Line 20: Line 21:
 
|last=
 
|last=
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Quote|Powerful infatuations can be induced by the skilful [[potioneer]], but never yet has anyone managed to create the truly unbreakable, eternal, unconditional attachment that alone can be called [[love]].|[[Hector Dagworth-Granger]] regarding love potions|The Tales of Beedle the Bard (real)}}
   
 
'''Love potions''' are [[potion|brews]], which cause the drinker to become infatuated or obsessed with the person who gave it to them. Love potions are considered to be powerful and highly dangerous. [[Amortentia]] is the most powerful love potion in existence.
{{Quote|Powerful infatuations can be induced by the skilful potioneer, but never yet has anyone managed to create the truly unbreakable, eternal, unconditional attachment that alone can be called [[love]].|[[Hector Dagworth-Granger]] regarding love potions|The Tales of Beedle the Bard (real)}}
 
   
  +
Love potions are banned items at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]], though students still smuggle them into the school through various means.
'''Love potions''' are [[potion|brew]]s which cause the drinker to become infatuated or obsessed with the person who gave it to them. Love potions are considered to be powerful and highly dangerous. [[Amortentia]] is the most powerful love potion in existence.
 
   
  +
==History==
==Ingredients and brewing==
 
 
{{Quote|Watch out, these potions can strengthen the longer they're kept.|Description of use|Pottermore}}[[File:Laverne de Montmorency.jpg|222x222px|thumb|left|[[Laverne de Montmorency]]]]
[[Ashwinder egg]]s are a common ingredient in many varieties of love potions,<ref>{{FB}}</ref> as are [[rose thorn]]s, peppermint, and [[Moonstone]].<ref name="HBP/g Website" /> Since there are many different types of love potions, therefore there are many different methods in which to brew them. [[Pearl Dust]] was an ingredient in all love potions.<ref name="CC45" />
 
   
  +
[[Laverne de Montmorency]] invented a number of different love potions in the [[1800s]]. For her achievements of inventing of many love potions, she was immortalised on a [[Chocolate Frog Cards|Chocolate Frog Card]].<ref>{{COS|G}}</ref>
==Effects==
 
{{Dialogue a-b-a|Ron Weasley|It's no joke! I'm in love with her!|Harry Potter|Alright, fine, you're in love with her! Have you ever actually met her?|No. Can you introduce me?|[[Ronald Weasley|Ron]] declares his love potion-induced feelings for [[Romilda Vane]]|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)}}[[File:RonDaydreaming.jpg|thumb|225x225px|[[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] thinking about Romilda Vane under the influence of love potion|left]]Love potions ostensibly cause the drinker to fall in [[love]] with the person who gave them the potion. However, true love cannot be produced through artificial means, and thus the feelings that love potions create are more like obsession than affection.<ref name="hbp9">{{HBP|B|9}}</ref>
 
   
 
Love potions are banned at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]<ref name="GOF27">{{GOF|B|27}}</ref> but this has not stopped students from making them, or from trying to win hearts by their use. Even [[Molly Weasley]] admitted to having brewed a love potion when she was a girl at Hogwarts.<ref>{{POA|B|5}}</ref> Normally, a love potion is hidden in food or drinks so the intended victim won't notice.
The effect that a love potion has will wear off over time. In order to maintain the potion's effect, the giver must continually administer doses, or else the recipient may "fall out of love" with them.<ref name="HBP10">{{HBP|B|10}}</ref> A single dose typically lasts up to 24 hours, but the precise duration is dependent on the weight of the drinker, as well as the attractiveness of the giver.<ref name="hbp6">{{HBP|B|6}}</ref>
 
   
  +
In the [[1988–1989 school year]], [[Ismelda Murk]] planned on giving [[Barnaby Lee]] a love potion hidden in a [[sandwich]]. However, she was either talked out of it by [[Jacob's sibling]], or the love potion but it made Barnaby infatuated with Jacob's sibling instead.<ref name="HM">{{HM|5|Crushed}}</ref>
Love potions will work regardless of whether the giver is present when the recipient consumes them.<ref name="hbp18">{{HBP|B|18}}</ref> The longer the recipient keeps the potions (or potion-spiked items), the more potent their effect will become, as love potions mature over time.<ref name="hbp18" />
 
   
 
On [[Valentine's Day]], [[1992]], [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] implored his co-workers to join him in celebrating the occasion, suggesting that students should ask [[Severus Snape|Professor Snape]] how to brew a love potion. Snape did not approve of this, and "''was looking as though the first person to ask him for a love potion would be force-fed poison.''"
There is an [[antidote]] to counteract the effect of love potions, but, even after it has been given, one will still retain all the embarrassing memories of how one acted under the influence of the administered potion.<ref name="hbp18" /> Love potions can cancel out the effects of a [[Hate Potion]], and vice versa, as they are the opposite of each other.
 
   
 
In her fourth year, [[Pansy Parkinson]] told [[Rita Skeeter]] that she believed [[Hermione Granger]] was capable of brewing a love potion, and that this was the method she thought Hermione had used to win the interest of [[Viktor Krum]] and, allegedly, [[Harry Potter]]. Skeeter published these false claims in ''[[Witch Weekly Magazine|Witch Weekly]]'' and urged [[Albus Dumbledore]] to investigate them further.<ref name="GOF27" />
==Varieties==
 
{{Quote|And they've ordered Fred and George's love potions, which I'm sorry to say probably work.|Hermione Granger stating that there are varieties|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
 
   
 
[[File:WB_F6_HermioneGinnyLovePotion_WeasleysWizardWheezes_HP6-FP-00145.jpg|245x245px|thumb|Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley, looking at the love potions at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes]]
[[File:Laverne_de_Montmorency.jpg|229x229px|thumb|Laverne de Montmorency with one of the Love Potions she invented]]
 
[[Laverne de Montmorency]] invented a number of different love potions in the [[1800s]].<ref>[[Chocolate Frog Cards|Famous Wizard Card]] {{Comment|Laverne de Montmorency}}</ref> [[Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes]] sold a whole "range" of love potions in [[1996]], including: [[Cupid Crystals]], [[Kissing Concoction]], [[First Love Beguiling Bubbles|Beguiling Bubbles]], and [[Twilight Moonbeams]], further suggesting that there is more than one kind, possibly each with its own unique effect.<ref name="hbp6" />
 
   
 
The [[Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes]] shop began carrying a range of love potions as part of its [[WonderWitch]] line in [[1996]].<ref name="hbp6" /> When [[Argus Filch]] banned all Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes products from Hogwarts, [[Fred and George Weasley]] began shipping love potions disguised as perfumes and [[cough potion]]s, allowing Hogwarts students to order love potions, despite mandatory searches on owls. Hermione Granger overheard girls in the bathroom discussing ways to sneak Harry Potter a love potion.<ref name="hbp15">{{HBP|B|15}}</ref>
[[Amortentia]] is the strongest love potion in the world. It is recognisable by its mother-of-pearl sheen and by the spiralling steam that rises from it. The smell of the potion varies from person to person and is dependent upon what each individual finds appealing.<ref name="hbp9" />
 
   
  +
[[Romilda Vane]] tried to give one of the [[Fred and George Weasley|Weasleys]]' love potions to Harry Potter by spiking [[Gillywater]] and a box of [[Chocolate Cauldrons]]. Having been warned by Hermione, Harry refused the Gillywater when Romilda offered it to him, but was forced to accept her chocolates.<ref name="hbp15" /> Harry kept the unopened box in his room until [[March]] of the [[1997|next year]], when [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] found it, and, mistaking it for a birthday gift, ate half the chocolates.<ref name="hbp18" /> Ron instantly became obsessively smitten with Romilda and had to be taken to [[Horace Slughorn]] to be given an [[antidote]].
==Use of love potions==
 
{{Quote|Watch out, these potions can strengthen the longer they're kept.|Description of use|Pottermore}}
 
   
 
[[Albus Dumbledore]] believed that [[Merope Riddle|Merope Gaunt]] used a love potion to obtain the affections of [[Tom Riddle Senior|Tom Riddle Snr]], a wealthy [[Non-magic people|Muggle]] who lived in her [[Little Hangleton|village]] and whom she was infatuated with, as it would seem to be a more romantic method of obtaining his "love" than the also possible method of the [[Imperius Curse]]. She then seemed to stop giving it to him and he ran off, leaving her and her [[Tom Riddle|unborn baby]] to fend for themselves.
Love potions are probably banned at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]<ref name="GOF27">{{GOF|B|27}}</ref> but this has not stopped students from making them, or from trying to win hearts by their use. Even [[Molly Weasley]] admitted to having brewed a love potion when she was a girl at Hogwarts.<ref>{{POA|B|5}}</ref> Normally, a love potion is hidden in food or drinks so the intended victim won't notice.
 
   
 
==Ingredients and brewing==
On [[Valentine's Day]], 1992, [[Gilderoy Lockhart]] implored his co-workers to join him in celebrating the occasion, suggesting that students should ask [[Severus Snape|Professor Snape]] how to brew a love potion. Snape did not approve of this, and "''was looking as though the first person to ask him for a love potion would be force-fed [[poison]].''"
 
 
{{Quote|[[Rose Petal]]s - There are over a hundred species in the genus Rosa. Wizards and Muggles alike have been breeding garden roses for thousands of years. Thorn: Some love potions use more thorns instead of rose petals, although I personally have found the effects of these potions tend to be brief and somewhat unstable.|[[Zygmunt Budge]]|Book of Potions}}[[Ashwinder egg]]s are a common ingredient in many varieties of love potions,<ref>{{FB}}</ref> as are [[rose thorn]]s, [[peppermint]], and [[Moonstone]].<ref name="HBP/g Website" /> Since there are many different types of love potions, therefore there are many different methods in which to brew them. [[Pearl Dust]] was an ingredient in all love potions.<ref name="CC45" /> [[Zygmunt Budge]] personally favoured [[Rose Petal]]s.<ref name=":0" />
   
 
==Effects==
In her fourth year, [[Pansy Parkinson]] told [[Rita Skeeter]] that she believed [[Hermione Granger]] was capable of brewing a love potion, and that this was the method she thought Hermione had used to win the interest of [[Viktor Krum]] and, allegedly, [[Harry Potter]]. Skeeter published these false claims in ''[[Witch Weekly]]'' and urged [[Albus Dumbledore]] to investigate them further.<ref name="GOF27" />
 
 
{{Dialogue a-b-a|Ron Weasley|It's no joke! I'm in love with her!|Harry Potter|Alright, fine, you're in love with her! Have you ever actually met her?|No. Can you introduce me?|[[Ronald Weasley|Ron]] declares his love potion-induced feelings for [[Romilda Vane]]|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)}}[[File:RonDaydreaming.jpg|thumb|225x225px|[[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]] thinking about Romilda Vane under the influence of love potion|left]]Love potions ostensibly cause the drinker to romantically obsess over the person who gave them the potion. However, true [[love]] cannot be produced through artificial means, and thus the feelings that love potions create are more like obsession than affection.<ref name="hbp9">{{HBP|B|9}}</ref>
   
 
The effect that a love potion has will wear off over time. In order to maintain the potion's effect, the giver must continually administer doses, or else the recipient may "fall out of love" with them.<ref name="HBP10">{{HBP|B|10}}</ref> A single dose typically lasts up to 24 hours, but the precise duration is dependent on the weight of the drinker, as well as the attractiveness of the giver.<ref name="hbp6">{{HBP|B|6}}</ref>
[[File:WB_F6_HermioneGinnyLovePotion_WeasleysWizardWheezes_HP6-FP-00145.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley looking at the love potions atWeasleys' Wizard Wheezes]]
 
   
 
Love potions will work regardless of whether the giver is present when the recipient consumes them.<ref name="hbp18">{{HBP|B|18}}</ref> The longer the recipient keeps the potions (or potion-spiked items), the more potent their effect will become, as love potions mature over time.<ref name="hbp18" />
The [[Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes]] shop began carrying a range of love potions as part of its [[WonderWitch]] line in 1996.<ref name="hbp6" /> When [[Argus Filch]] banned all Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes products from Hogwarts, [[Fred and George Weasley]] began shipping love potions disguised as perfumes and cough potions, allowing Hogwarts students to order love potions, despite mandatory searches on owls. Hermione Granger overheard girls in the bathroom discussing ways to sneak Harry Potter a love potion.<ref name="hbp15">{{HBP|B|15}}</ref> Romilda Vane tried to give one of the [[Weasley family|Weasleys]]' love potions to Harry Potter by spiking [[Gillywater]] and a box of [[Chocolate Cauldrons]]. Having been warned by Hermione, Harry refused the Gillywater when Romilda offered it to him, but was forced to accept her chocolates.<ref name="hbp15" /> Harry kept the unopened box in his room until March of the next year, when Ron Weasley found it, and, mistaking it for a birthday gift, ate half the chocolates.<ref name="hbp18" /> Ron instantly became obsessively smitten with Romilda and had to be taken to [[Horace Slughorn]] to be given an [[antidote]].
 
   
  +
It is possible for the creation of a love potion to go wrong, causing the recipient to obsess over a person other than the giver.<ref name="HM"/>
[[Albus Dumbledore]] believed that [[Merope Riddle|Merope Gaunt]] used a love potion to obtain the affections of [[Tom Riddle Senior|Tom Riddle Snr]], a wealthy [[Muggle]] who lived in her village and whom she was infatuated with, as it would seem to be a more romantic method of obtaining his "love" than the also possible method of the [[Imperius Curse]]. She then seemed to stop giving it to him and he ran off, leaving her and her unborn baby to fend for themselves.
 
  +
 
There is an [[antidote]] to counteract the effect of love potions, but, even after it has been given, one will still retain all the embarrassing memories of how one acted under the influence of the administered potion.<ref name="hbp18" /> Love potions can cancel out the effects of a [[Hate Potion]], and vice versa, as they are the opposite of each other.
  +
 
==Varieties==
 
{{Quote|And they've ordered Fred and George's love potions, which I'm sorry to say probably work.|Hermione Granger stating that there are varieties|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}[[Laverne de Montmorency]] invented a number of different love potions in the [[1800s]].<ref>[[Chocolate Frog Card|Famous Wizard Card]] {{Comment|Laverne de Montmorency}}</ref> [[Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes]] sold a whole "range" of love potions in [[1996]], including: [[Cupid Crystals]], [[Kissing Concoction]], [[First Love Beguiling Bubbles|Beguiling Bubbles]], and [[Twilight Moonbeams]], further suggesting that there is more than one kind, possibly each with its own unique effect.<ref name="hbp6" />
  +
 
[[Amortentia]] is the strongest love potion in the world. It is recognisable by its mother-of-pearl sheen and by the spiralling steam that rises from it. The smell of the potion varies from person to person and is dependent upon what each individual finds appealing.<ref name="hbp9" />
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
==Behind the scenes==
 
*[[J. K. Rowling]] has said that it is of important symbolic significance that [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]], incapable of love himself, was conceived in an act of coercion, rather than genuine [[love]].<ref>[http://the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/7/30/j-k-rowling-web-chat-transcript 30 July, 2007 Bloomsbury webchat]</ref>
 
*[[J. K. Rowling]] has said that it is of important symbolic significance that [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort]], incapable of love himself, was conceived in an act of coercion, rather than genuine [[love]].<ref>[http://the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/7/30/j-k-rowling-web-chat-transcript 30 July, 2007 Bloomsbury webchat]</ref>
*Given how easily the potion can be abused to manipulate others, much like the [[Imperius Curse]], it is unclear why the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry]] did not ban it, or why Hogwarts allowed it to be part of the Potions curriculum.
+
*Given how easily the potion can be abused to manipulate others, much like the [[Imperius Curse]], it is unclear why the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry]] did not ban it, or why Hogwarts allowed it to be part of the Potions curriculum although it is possible that they were taught about it so that they could recognise the effects and counter them for their own safety.
*It is unknown what effects Love Potions, even Amortentia, would have on Voldemort since he is utterly incapable of affection towards anyone/thing.
 
 
*Love potions are noted to have an "expiration date" of safe usage, as they mature over time; using the Love potion after the expiration date amplifies the desired effects, but it's unknown if it also lengthens the time of the effect above 24 hours.
 
*Love potions are noted to have an "expiration date" of safe usage, as they mature over time; using the Love potion after the expiration date amplifies the desired effects, but it's unknown if it also lengthens the time of the effect above 24 hours.
*It was never explained what would have happened if someone willingly uses the Love potion on themself.
+
*It is unknown what would happen, if anything, if someone willingly used a Love potion on themselves.
  +
* In {{HM}}, the player could win a love potion necklace in a limited-time event.
   
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
Line 85: Line 92:
 
*{{LEGO|Y2}}
 
*{{LEGO|Y2}}
 
*''[[The Daily Prophet (real-world)|Daily Prophet Newsletters]]'' {{Mention}}
 
*''[[The Daily Prophet (real-world)|Daily Prophet Newsletters]]'' {{Mention}}
*''[[Chocolate Frog Cards|Famous Wizard Card]]'' {{Comment|Laverne de Montmorency}}
+
*''[[Chocolate Frog Card|Famous Wizard Card]]'' {{Comment|Laverne de Montmorency}}
 
*{{PM}}
 
*{{PM}}
 
*{{CC|P}}
 
*{{CC|P}}
 
*{{CC}}
 
*{{CC}}
  +
*{{HM}}
   
   
 
==Notes and references==
 
==Notes and references==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
 
 
{{Potions Club}}
 
{{Potions Club}}
   
  +
[[de:Liebestrank]]
 
[[es:Poción de amor]]
 
[[es:Poción de amor]]
 
[[fr:Philtre d'amour]]
 
[[fr:Philtre d'amour]]

Revision as of 19:10, 17 July 2019

"Powerful infatuations can be induced by the skilful potioneer, but never yet has anyone managed to create the truly unbreakable, eternal, unconditional attachment that alone can be called love."
Hector Dagworth-Granger regarding love potions[src]

Love potions are brews, which cause the drinker to become infatuated or obsessed with the person who gave it to them. Love potions are considered to be powerful and highly dangerous. Amortentia is the most powerful love potion in existence.

Love potions are banned items at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, though students still smuggle them into the school through various means.

History

"Watch out, these potions can strengthen the longer they're kept."
— Description of use[src]
Laverne de Montmorency

Laverne de Montmorency

Laverne de Montmorency invented a number of different love potions in the 1800s. For her achievements of inventing of many love potions, she was immortalised on a Chocolate Frog Card.[4]

Love potions are banned at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry[5] but this has not stopped students from making them, or from trying to win hearts by their use. Even Molly Weasley admitted to having brewed a love potion when she was a girl at Hogwarts.[6] Normally, a love potion is hidden in food or drinks so the intended victim won't notice.

In the 1988–1989 school year, Ismelda Murk planned on giving Barnaby Lee a love potion hidden in a sandwich. However, she was either talked out of it by Jacob's sibling, or the love potion but it made Barnaby infatuated with Jacob's sibling instead.[7]

On Valentine's Day, 1992Gilderoy Lockhart implored his co-workers to join him in celebrating the occasion, suggesting that students should ask Professor Snape how to brew a love potion. Snape did not approve of this, and "was looking as though the first person to ask him for a love potion would be force-fed poison."

In her fourth year, Pansy Parkinson told Rita Skeeter that she believed Hermione Granger was capable of brewing a love potion, and that this was the method she thought Hermione had used to win the interest of Viktor Krum and, allegedly, Harry Potter. Skeeter published these false claims in Witch Weekly and urged Albus Dumbledore to investigate them further.[5]

WB F6 HermioneGinnyLovePotion WeasleysWizardWheezes HP6-FP-00145

Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley, looking at the love potions at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes

The Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes shop began carrying a range of love potions as part of its WonderWitch line in 1996.[8] When Argus Filch banned all Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes products from Hogwarts, Fred and George Weasley began shipping love potions disguised as perfumes and cough potions, allowing Hogwarts students to order love potions, despite mandatory searches on owls. Hermione Granger overheard girls in the bathroom discussing ways to sneak Harry Potter a love potion.[9]

Romilda Vane tried to give one of the Weasleys' love potions to Harry Potter by spiking Gillywater and a box of Chocolate Cauldrons. Having been warned by Hermione, Harry refused the Gillywater when Romilda offered it to him, but was forced to accept her chocolates.[9] Harry kept the unopened box in his room until March of the next year, when Ron Weasley found it, and, mistaking it for a birthday gift, ate half the chocolates.[10] Ron instantly became obsessively smitten with Romilda and had to be taken to Horace Slughorn to be given an antidote.

Albus Dumbledore believed that Merope Gaunt used a love potion to obtain the affections of Tom Riddle Snr, a wealthy Muggle who lived in her village and whom she was infatuated with, as it would seem to be a more romantic method of obtaining his "love" than the also possible method of the Imperius Curse. She then seemed to stop giving it to him and he ran off, leaving her and her unborn baby to fend for themselves.

Ingredients and brewing

"Rose Petals - There are over a hundred species in the genus Rosa. Wizards and Muggles alike have been breeding garden roses for thousands of years. Thorn: Some love potions use more thorns instead of rose petals, although I personally have found the effects of these potions tend to be brief and somewhat unstable."
Zygmunt Budge[src]

Ashwinder eggs are a common ingredient in many varieties of love potions,[11] as are rose thorns, peppermint, and Moonstone.[1] Since there are many different types of love potions, therefore there are many different methods in which to brew them. Pearl Dust was an ingredient in all love potions.[2] Zygmunt Budge personally favoured Rose Petals.[3]

Effects

Ron Weasley: "It's no joke! I'm in love with her!"
Harry Potter: "Alright, fine, you're in love with her! Have you ever actually met her?"
Ron Weasley: "No. Can you introduce me?"
Ron declares his love potion-induced feelings for Romilda Vane[src]
RonDaydreaming

Ron Weasley thinking about Romilda Vane under the influence of love potion

Love potions ostensibly cause the drinker to romantically obsess over the person who gave them the potion. However, true love cannot be produced through artificial means, and thus the feelings that love potions create are more like obsession than affection.[12]

The effect that a love potion has will wear off over time. In order to maintain the potion's effect, the giver must continually administer doses, or else the recipient may "fall out of love" with them.[13] A single dose typically lasts up to 24 hours, but the precise duration is dependent on the weight of the drinker, as well as the attractiveness of the giver.[8]

Love potions will work regardless of whether the giver is present when the recipient consumes them.[10] The longer the recipient keeps the potions (or potion-spiked items), the more potent their effect will become, as love potions mature over time.[10]

It is possible for the creation of a love potion to go wrong, causing the recipient to obsess over a person other than the giver.[7]

There is an antidote to counteract the effect of love potions, but, even after it has been given, one will still retain all the embarrassing memories of how one acted under the influence of the administered potion.[10] Love potions can cancel out the effects of a Hate Potion, and vice versa, as they are the opposite of each other.

Varieties

"And they've ordered Fred and George's love potions, which I'm sorry to say probably work."
— Hermione Granger stating that there are varieties[src]

Laverne de Montmorency invented a number of different love potions in the 1800s.[14] Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes sold a whole "range" of love potions in 1996, including: Cupid Crystals, Kissing Concoction, Beguiling Bubbles, and Twilight Moonbeams, further suggesting that there is more than one kind, possibly each with its own unique effect.[8]

Amortentia is the strongest love potion in the world. It is recognisable by its mother-of-pearl sheen and by the spiralling steam that rises from it. The smell of the potion varies from person to person and is dependent upon what each individual finds appealing.[12]

Behind the scenes

  • J. K. Rowling has said that it is of important symbolic significance that Voldemort, incapable of love himself, was conceived in an act of coercion, rather than genuine love.[15]
  • Given how easily the potion can be abused to manipulate others, much like the Imperius Curse, it is unclear why the Ministry did not ban it, or why Hogwarts allowed it to be part of the Potions curriculum although it is possible that they were taught about it so that they could recognise the effects and counter them for their own safety.
  • Love potions are noted to have an "expiration date" of safe usage, as they mature over time; using the Love potion after the expiration date amplifies the desired effects, but it's unknown if it also lengthens the time of the effect above 24 hours.
  • It is unknown what would happen, if anything, if someone willingly used a Love potion on themselves.
  • In Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, the player could win a love potion necklace in a limited-time event.

See also

Appearances

Bottles of Wonder Witch Love Potions (Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes product)

Bottles of WonderWitch Love Potions


Notes and references

Potions Club
Potions Club HBPG
Members
Harry Potter · Hufflepuff girl · Horace Slughorn (possibly)
Potions
Antidote to Common Poisons · Cure for Boils · Dragon dung fertiliser · Draught of Living Death · Draught of Peace · Elixir to Induce Euphoria · Girding Potion · Love Potion Antidote · Oculus Potion · Polyjuice Potion · Shrinking Solution · Stamina Game · Volubilis Potion · Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Love Potion · Wiggenweld Potion · Wit-Sharpening Potion
Badges
Last Gasp Badge · Master Potioneer Badge · Messiest Mixer Badge · Potions Beginner's Luck Badge · Potions Club Member Badge · Potions Club Star Badge · Potions Club Veteran Badge · Potions Endurance Badge · Smoky Brewer Badge · Speedy Brewer Badge
Locations
Hogwarts greenhouses