Moste Potente Potions

Moste Potente Potions
Book information
Author	Phineas Bourne
Subject	Potions
Copies	Hogwarts Library (Restricted Section) Gethsemane Prickle Calamity Investigator in the Statute of Secrecy Task Force

"Some of these potions have effects almost too gruesome to think about."

— Description

Moste Potente Potions was a book by Phineas Bourne that gave instructions on how to brew hundreds of advanced potions. The book was described as having gruesome potions listed inside.

History

During the 1986–1987 school year, a Ravenclaw student found a copy of this book in the library and tried to use it to brew a batch of Polyjuice Potion with their friends. However, it failed and caused a mess. Eventually, this copy of the book was discreetly returned to Madam Irma Pince by Ismelda Murk.

Hermione using this book to brew Polyjuice Potion

In late 1992, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley planned to sneak into the Slytherin common room in order to investigate the mystery of the Heir of Slytherin, and needed to make Polyjuice Potion so they could disguise themselves as Slytherin students.

Hermione obtained a permission slip to check Moste Potente Potions out of the Restricted Section from Gilderoy Lockhart, claiming that the book contained information on slow-acting venoms that she thought might help her understand what Lockhart had written on this subject in Gadding with Ghouls.

Hermione then spent one month brewing the Polyjuice Potion in Moaning Myrtle's lavatory, which included using two of the ingredients that were stolen from Professor Snape's stores.

During the Calamity in the late 2010s or early 2020s, Gethsemane Prickle gave a Calamity Investigator working for the Statute of Secrecy Task Force a magically-revised edition of Moste Potente Potions containing instructions on manipulating specific ingredients. Although these manipulations were over-complicated and difficult to master, the investigator was able to improve the effectiveness of their Dawdle Draught.

Contents

A picture from Moste Potente Potions

Moste Potente Potions contained hundreds of recipes for many dangerous, controversial and arcane potions, which required advanced skills and knowledge in potion-making to brew. Gruesome illustrations showed the effects of such potions. The Hogwarts Library accordingly kept its copy of this book in the Restricted Section.

Three potions that were known to be included in this book were Polyjuice Potion, Laxative Potion, and Felix Felicis. It also contained a sections on Ageing Potions, and slow-acting venoms.

Behind the scenes

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the book was found in the regular section of the library.
• Also in the book, there is a picture (Figure VII) of a woman with a grotesquely large spider on her head, almost worn like an ornament. Whether or not this is an effect of a potion is unknown. It is possible that it is the side-effect of accidentally imbibing a Polyjuice Potion contaminated by spider hairs, similar as to when Hermione was partially transformed into a cat when her Polyjuice Potion was contaminated with cat hair.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
• Pottermore
• The Art of Harry Potter: Mini Book of Graphic Design
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite