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{{Pottermoreold}}
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{{Wonderpotions}}
 
[[File:Leeches.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A jar with some leeches.]]
  
[[File:Leeches.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A jar with some leeches.]]
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{{Quote|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]]''.|Wonderbook: Book of Potions}}
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'''Leeches''' are small slug-like creatures that live in water. They feed on human blood and/or other small invertebrates. Leeches are used in [[Potion|potion-making]]: to make the [[Polyjuice Potion]], four unsucculated leeches are required. <ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 10 (''The Rogue Bludger'')</ref><ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)]]''</ref> Also, a dash of [[leech juice]] is a required ingredient in the making of the [[Shrinking Solution]]. <ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'' - Chapter 7 (''The Boggart in the Wardrobe'')</ref> [[Flabberghasted leech|Flabberghasted leeches]] are also used in potion-making.
  
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'''Leeches''' are small slug-like creatures that live in water. They feed on human blood and/or that of other small invertebrates.<ref>[[Wikipedia:Leech|Leech]] at [[Wikipedia:Main Page|Wikipedia]]</ref> Leech spit contains an {{wplink|anticoagulant}} (a substance that prevents blood clotting), allowing them to feed for longer than blood would normally flow.<ref>''[[Wonderbook: Book of Potions]]''</ref>
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The ''Hirudo medicinalis'' species (vulgarly known as the [[Wikipedia:Hirudo medicinalis|medicinal leech]]) are used in [[Potion|potion-making]]: to make the [[Polyjuice Potion]], four unsucculated leeches are required. <ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 10 (''The Rogue Bludger'')</ref><ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)]]''</ref> Also, a dash of [[leech juice]] is a required ingredient in the making of the [[Shrinking Solution]]. <ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'' - Chapter 7 (''The Boggart in the Wardrobe'')</ref> [[Flabberghasted leech|Flabberghasted leeches]] are also used in potion-making.
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==Behind the scenes==
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*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".<ref>[http://www.pottermore.com/en/book2/chapter12/moment2/polyjuice-potion/2 Pottermore - The Polyjuice Potion - J.K. Rowling's Thoughts]</ref> Interestingly, the film prop used for ''[[Moste Potente Potions]]'' suggests that the leeches used have their suckers removed.
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*[[Zygmunt Budge]] uses the phrase "hearts' content" (rather than "heart's content") in regards to leeches in ''[[Wonderbook: Book of Potions]]'', properly using plural possession as leeches have two hearts.
   
 
==Appearances==
  
==Appearances==
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*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)]]'' {{comment|GBA version only}}
  
*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)]]'' {{comment|GBA version only}}
 
*''[[The Road to Hogwarts Sweepstakes]]''
  
*''[[The Road to Hogwarts Sweepstakes]]''
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*''[[Pottermore]]''
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*''[[Wonderbook: Book of Potions]]''
   
 
==Notes and references==
  
==Notes and references==
 
{{reflist}}
  
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Creatures]]
  
[[Category:Creatures]]
 
[[Category:Potion ingredients]]
  
[[Category:Potion ingredients]]

Revision as of 17:47, 11 October 2014

BOP
 Warning!

At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in Wonderbook: Book of Potions. As such, spoilers will be present within the article. Please take care when reading this article if you have not yet been through the latest update.

Leeches

A jar with some leeches.

"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 creatures that live in water. They feed on human blood and/or that of other small invertebrates.[1] Leech spit contains an anticoagulant (a substance that prevents blood clotting), allowing them to feed for longer than blood would normally flow.[2]

The Hirudo medicinalis species (vulgarly known as the medicinal leech) are used in potion-making: to make the Polyjuice Potion, four unsucculated leeches are required. [3][4] Also, a dash of leech juice is a required ingredient in the making of the Shrinking Solution. [5] Flabberghasted leeches are also used in potion-making.

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".[6] 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, properly using plural possession as leeches have two hearts.

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Leech at Wikipedia
  2. ↑ Wonderbook: Book of Potions
  3. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 10 (The Rogue Bludger)
  4. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
  5. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Chapter 7 (The Boggart in the Wardrobe)
  6. ↑ Pottermore - The Polyjuice Potion - J.K. Rowling's Thoughts
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