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{{Spoiler|HM|MA|HL}}
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{{Rename|Potions Master}}
  
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[[File:Potions Master Snape PSF.jpg|thumb|250px|Former Potions Master, [[Severus Snape]] surrounded by potion-making equipment]]
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{{Quote|Now then, I've prepared a few [[potion]]s for you to have a look at, just out of interest, you know.|The Potions master, [[Horace Slughorn]], teaching his pupils.|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
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{{Quote|Now then, I've prepared a few [[potion]]s for you to have a look at, just out of interest, you know.|Horace Slughorn teaching his [[sixth year|sixth-year]] pupils|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
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[[File:Horasclass.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The current [[Potions (class)|Potions]] Master, [[Horace Slughorn]].]]
  
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'''Potions master''' is the title given to the [[Potions (class)|Potions]] [[Professor]] at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. They are in charge of teaching their subject to the students of Hogwarts in [[Potions Classroom|a classroom]] in the [[Dungeons]], and they own [[Severus Snape's office|an office]], described as a "[[water]] closet", nearby. [[Horace Slughorn]] held the post from at least [[1920s|1920]] until his retirement in [[1981]], when [[Severus Snape]] took his place. However, Slughorn returned in [[1996]] when Snape became the [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] [[Professor]], though Slughorn took [[Galatea Merrythought]]'s old office while Snape kept the one in the dungeons.
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'''Potions Master'''<ref name="PS8">{{PS|B|8}}</ref> was the title given to the [[Potions (class)|Potions]] [[professor]] at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. They were in charge of teaching their subject to the students of Hogwarts in [[Potions Classroom|a classroom]] in the [[dungeons]], and they usually owned [[Potions Master's office|a nearby office]], as well as brewing specialised potions in times of need, such as the [[Mandrake Restorative Draught]]<ref name="COS9">{{COS|B|9}}</ref> and [[Wolfsbane Potion]].<ref name="POA8"/>
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[[Swoopstikes]] was once Potions Master. [[Aesop Sharp]] held the position in the late [[19th century]]. [[Horace Slughorn]] held the post from at least [[1931]] until his retirement in [[1981]], when [[Severus Snape]] took his place. However, Slughorn returned in [[1996]] when Snape became the [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] [[professor]], though Slughorn took [[Galatea Merrythought]]'s [[Horace Slughorn's office|old office]] while Snape kept the one in the dungeons.
   
 
==History==
  
==History==
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===Professor Swoopstikes===
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At some point around [[1520]] or afterwards, the position of Potions Master was held by a man named [[Swoopstikes]]. In addition to his role, he was also an entomologist with a vast knowledge of [[Magic|magical]] insects.<ref>{{WWHP}} {{See video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhWn1iMSrjM}}</ref>
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===Professor Aesop Sharp===
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[[File:Professor Sharp teaching at Hogwarts HL.png|thumb|right|250px|Aesop Sharp teaching a [[fifth year]] class]]
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During the [[1890s]], a former [[Slytherin]] named [[Aesop Sharp]] came to the role of Potions Master. He had left his previous job as an [[Auror]] following an incident where his [[Aesop Sharp's partner|partner]] had been [[death|killed]], and leaving Aesop with a nasty limp in the process. As a teacher, he developed a reputation for being not easily impressed and disappointed by foolish behaviour. Nevertheless, he took genuine pride in the students who excelled under him.<ref name="twitter">{{Tweet|HogwartsLegacy|Hogwarts Legacy|1598739076772818947|Potions class is in session. #HogwartsLegacy}}</ref>
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At the height of the [[1890–1891 school year]], Aesop Sharp participated alongside his fellow professors in a [[Battle for the final repository|battle]] in [[Keepers' Caverns]], a large cave network beneath [[Hogwarts Castle]], to ward off [[Ranrok]]'s invasion of the castle and ultimately end his [[Ranrok's goblin rebellion|goblin rebellion]].<ref name="TFR">{{HL|The Final Repository}}</ref>
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===Professor Horace Slughorn===
  
===Professor Horace Slughorn===
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[[File:LilyandSlughorn.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Professor Slughorn and the Slug Club.]]
  
 
{{Dialogue a-b|Harry Potter|My mother...|Horace Slughorn|You shouldn't have favourites as a teacher, of course, but she was one of mine.|Professor Slughorn talking to [[Harry Potter]].|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
  
{{Dialogue a-b|Harry Potter|My mother...|Horace Slughorn|You shouldn't have favourites as a teacher, of course, but she was one of mine.|Professor Slughorn talking to [[Harry Potter]].|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
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Around [[1920s|1920]], a [[wizards|wizard]] named [[Horace Slughorn]], who had previously studied at the school as a [[Slytherin]], arrived at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] and was employed as Potions master. The Headmaster, and Slughorn's employer, was [[Professor]] [[Armando Dippet]], who gave him [[Severus Snape's office|the Potions master's office]] in the [[dungeons]], though Slughorn hated it and described it as a "water-closet." At some point, he was also made [[Head of Slytherin House]].
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Around [[1931]], a [[Wizardkind|wizard]] named [[Horace Slughorn]], who had previously studied at the school as a [[Slytherin]], arrived at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] and was employed as Potions master. The Headmaster, and Slughorn's employer, was [[Professor]] [[Armando Dippet]], who gave him [[Horace Slughorn's first office|a small office]], though Slughorn hated it and described it as a "[[water]]-closet." At some point, he was also made [[Head of Slytherin House]].<ref name="HBP4"/>
   
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[[File:Slug Club 6.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Professor Slughorn and his Slug Club]]
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Slughorn was described as a good teacher, but chose favourites out of the classes that he taught, sometimes for their ambition or their brains, sometimes for their charm or their talent, and he had an uncanny knack for choosing those who would go on to become outstanding in their various fields. Horace formed a club named the "[[Slug Club]]", of which his favourites were members with himself at the centre, making introductions, forging useful contacts between members, and always reaping some kind of benefit in return. Among them were [[Tom Riddle]], [[Gwenog Jones]], [[Ambrosius Flume]], [[Dirk Cresswell]], [[Lucius Malfoy]] and, one of his absolute favourites, [[Lily Evans]].
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Slughorn was described as a good teacher, but chose favourites out of the classes that he taught, sometimes for their ambition or their brains, sometimes for their charm or their talent, and he had an uncanny knack for choosing those who would go on to become outstanding in their various fields. Horace formed a club named the "[[Slug Club]]", of which his favourites were members with himself at the centre, making introductions, forging useful contacts between members, and always reaping some kind of benefit in return. Among them were [[Tom Riddle]], [[Gwenog Jones]], [[Ambrosius Flume]], [[Dirk Cresswell]], [[Lucius Malfoy]] and, one of his absolute favourites, [[Lily J. Potter|Lily Evans]].<ref name="HBP4">{{HBP|B|4}}</ref><ref name="HBP7">{{HBP|B|7}}</ref>
   
 
===Professor Severus Snape===
  
===Professor Severus Snape===
 
{{Quote|Cruel, sarcastic and disliked by everybody except the students in his own house ([[Slytherin]]), Snape taught [[Potions (class)|Potions]].|A description of Severus Snape.|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}
  
{{Quote|Cruel, sarcastic and disliked by everybody except the students in his own house ([[Slytherin]]), Snape taught [[Potions (class)|Potions]].|A description of Severus Snape.|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}
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[[File:Severus in his classroom.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The new Potions master - [[Severus Snape]].]]
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[[File:Severus in his classroom.jpg|250px|thumb|The new Potions Master, [[Severus Snape]]]]
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In the school year of [[1981]], Professor Slughorn decided he had had enough and resigned from both of his positions at the school. In his place, [[Albus Dumbledore]], the new [[Headmaster]], hired [[Severus Snape]], one of Slughorn's ex-pupils. Snape became both Potions master and [[Head of Slytherin House]], and took ownership of [[Severus Snape's office|his predecessor's office]] and the [[Potions Classroom]].
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In the school year of [[1981]] Professor Slughorn, in an effort to avoid questioning of a certain [[Horcrux|event]] he was too ashamed of, decided to resign from both of his positions at the school.<ref name="HBP4"/> In his place the new [[Headmaster]] (Albus Dumbledore) hired [[Severus Snape]]. Snape was one of Slughorn's ex-pupils and while he attended Hogwarts he proved to be very talented in the art of potion-making. Snape became both Potions master and [[Head of Slytherin House]]. After accepting the job Snape took ownership of [[Potions Master's office]] and the [[Potions Classroom]] in the [[dungeons]] . After taking possession of both he proceeded to impress his personality upon the rooms, in a rather gloomy fashion.<ref name="COS5">{{COS|B|5}}</ref>
   
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Professor Snape was a ruthless disciplinarian, with little patience for foolishness, yet effective in his job and well respected by other [[professor]]s. His deep understanding of potion brewing, as shown by his expert concoction of [[Wolfsbane Potion]] in [[1993]], transformed the knowledge of [[potion]]s from mere chemistry to an art. But in [[1996]], Snape was granted his original, fervent and oft-repeated wish and was made [[Professor]] of [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]], leaving the position of Potions master vacant.
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Professor Snape was a ruthless disciplinarian, with little patience for foolishness, yet effective in his job and well respected by other [[professor]]s. His deep understanding of potion brewing, as shown by his expert concoction of [[Wolfsbane Potion]] in [[1993]],<ref name="POA8">{{POA|B|8}}</ref> transformed the knowledge of [[potion]]s from mere chemistry to an art. Despite his effectiveness his biased liking for his own house, [[Slytherin]], led him to give them undeserved lenience. While at the same time degrading other students (mainly [[Harry Potter]] and [[Neville Longbottom]]) going as far as to vanish Harry's potion for a slight mistake while bullying Neville constantly.<ref name="PS8">{{PS|B|8}}</ref><ref name="POA7">{{POA|B|7}}</ref>
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But in [[1996]], Snape was granted his original, fervent and oft-repeated wish and was made [[Professor]] of [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]], leaving the position of Potions master vacant.<ref name="HBP8">{{HBP|B|8}}</ref> Snape taught Defence Against the Dark Arts fairer than he did Potions, suggesting he was biased as a Potions Master as a means to vent out his frustrations of not getting the position he desired.<ref name="HBP9"/>
   
 
===Professor Horace Slughorn's return===
  
===Professor Horace Slughorn's return===
 
{{Quote|We are pleased to welcome a new member of our staff this year. Professor Slughorn is a former colleague of mine who has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master.|[[Albus Dumbledore]] at the [[Welcoming Feast]] of [[1996]].|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
  
{{Quote|We are pleased to welcome a new member of our staff this year. Professor Slughorn is a former colleague of mine who has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master.|[[Albus Dumbledore]] at the [[Welcoming Feast]] of [[1996]].|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
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[[File:Slughorn_3.jpg|thumb|left|320px|Slughorn back at Hogwarts]]
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[[File:Slughorn 3.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Slughorn back at Hogwarts in the dungeon classroom]]
   
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Before the winter term of [[1996]], [[Albus Dumbledore]], with the help of [[Harry Potter]], persuaded Slughorn to come out of retirement and return to the school, while Professor Snape became [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] teacher. However, Slughorn insisted that his salary be increased, and that he be given the [[Defence Against the Dark Arts professor's office|office]] that once belonged to [[Galatea Merrythought]], instead of [[Severus Snape's office|the one]] in the [[dungeons]], which Snape continued to use as his own. Slughorn was quick to reform the [[Slug Club]] with new members, including [[Melinda Bobbin]], [[Flora Carrow|Flora]] and [[Hestia Carrow]], [[Blaise Zabini]], [[Hermione Granger]], [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]], [[Cormac McLaggen]] and, of course, Harry Potter, who he viewed as the "crown jewel" of his career as a "collector".
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Before the winter term of [[1996]], [[Albus Dumbledore]], with the help of [[Harry Potter]], persuaded Slughorn to come out of retirement and return to the school, while Professor Snape became [[Defence Against the Dark Arts]] teacher. However, Slughorn insisted that his salary be increased, and that he be given the [[Horace Slughorn's office|office]] that once belonged to [[Galatea Merrythought]], instead of other offices, later Snape continued to use original office in dungeons as his own. Slughorn was quick to reform the [[Slug Club]] with new members, including [[Melinda Bobbin]], [[Flora Carrow|Flora]] and [[Hestia Carrow]], [[Blaise Zabini]], [[Hermione Granger]], [[Ginevra Weasley|Ginny Weasley]], [[Cormac McLaggen]] and, of course, Harry Potter, who he viewed as the "crown jewel" of his career as a "collector".<ref name="HBP4">{{HBP|B|4}}</ref>
   
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Slughorn was described as a much more accommodating and popular teacher than his predecessor, [[Severus Snape]], and in consequence many students performed better under his tutelage. During the first lesson of the year he awarded [[Felix Felicis]], also known as "Liquid Luck", to the brewer of the best [[Draught of Living Death]] . The potion went to [[Harry Potter]], whom Slughorn thought had inherited [[Lily Evans|his mother]]'s talent but who, in fact, had copied notes written in [[Severus Snape's copy of Advanced Potion-Making]]. Through the year, Slughorn endeavoured to forge ties with Harry, though Harry only really wanted his memory of telling [[Tom Riddle]] about [[Horcrux]]es, which Slughorn later gave him. At the end of the year, the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]] took place and [[Albus Dumbledore]] was murdered by Professor Snape, who thereafter fled the school. Given these traumatic circumstances, the distraught Slughorn was made [[Head of Slytherin House]].
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Slughorn was described as a much more accommodating and popular teacher than his predecessor, [[Severus Snape]], and in consequence many students performed better under his tutelage. During the first lesson of the year he awarded [[Felix Felicis]], also known as "Liquid Luck", to the brewer of the best [[Draught of Living Death]].<ref name="HBP9">{{HBP|B|9}}</ref> The potion went to [[Harry Potter]], who Slughorn thought had inherited [[Lily J. Potter|his mother]]'s talent but who, in fact, had copied notes written in [[Severus Snape's copy of Advanced Potion-Making]]. Through the year, Slughorn endeavoured to forge ties with Harry, though Harry only really wanted his memory of telling [[Tom Riddle]] about [[Horcrux]]es, which Slughorn later gave him.<ref name="HBP22">{{HBP|B|22}}</ref> At the end of the year, the [[Battle of the Astronomy Tower]] took place and [[Albus Dumbledore]] was murdered by Professor Snape, who thereafter fled the school. Given these traumatic circumstances, the distraught Slughorn was made [[Head of Slytherin House]].<ref name="HBP29">{{HBP|B|29}}</ref>
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[[File:SlughornTeachingPotions.png|thumb|240x240px|Slughorn teaching students the [[Draught of Living Death]]]]
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Professor Slughorn stayed at Hogwarts under the tenure of Severus Snape as [[Headmaster]] and, like the rest of the teachers, attempted to protect the students from Snape and the [[Carrow family|Carrows]].<ref name="DH30">{{DH|B|30}}</ref> When the [[Tom Riddle|Dark Lord]] invaded the castle with his army, it was initially believed that Slughorn had fled in cowardice; but as it transpired, he had gone to [[Hogsmeade]] to round up reinforcements. He returned to the castle at the head of a vast number of residents and shopkeepers from the village, along with friends and family of the students and staff already fighting. Slughorn engaged the Dark Lord head on, with [[Minerva McGonagall]] and [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]], proving himself a masterful duellist, able to hold his own against even the most dangerous dark wizard of all time.<ref name="DH36">{{DH|B|36}}</ref>
   
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After the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], Slughorn continued as both Potions Master and [[Head of Slytherin House]] and taught his skills with potions to the next generation of Hogwarts students.<ref name="MA">{{MA}}</ref>
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Professor Slughorn stayed at Hogwarts under the tenure of Severus Snape as [[Headmaster]] and, like the rest of the teachers, attempted to protect the students from Snape and the [[Carrow family|Carrows]]. When the [[Tom Riddle|Dark Lord]] invaded the castle with his army, it was initially believed that Slughorn had fled in cowardice; but as it transpired, he had gone to [[Hogsmeade]] to round up reinforcements. He returned to the castle at the head of a vast number of residents and shopkeepers from the village, along with friends and family of the students and staff already fighting. Slughorn engaged the Dark Lord head on, with [[Minerva McGonagall]] and [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]], proving himself a masterful duellist, able to hold his own against even the most dangerous dark wizard of all time.
  
   
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===Smoky-eyed professor===
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It is likely that Slughorn continued as both Potions master and [[Head of Slytherin House]] and taught his skills with potions to the next generation of Hogwarts students.
  
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By [[2021]], Horace Slughorn was no longer in the position, and there was a new [[smoky-eyed Potions professor|female professor]].<ref name="Act4Scene14">{{CC|B|4|14}}</ref>
   
 
==Classroom and office==
  
==Classroom and office==
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{{Quote|Potions lessons took place down in one of the dungeons. It was colder here than up in the main castle, and would have been quite creepy enough without the pickled animals floating in glass jars all around the walls.|Description of the Potions Classroom in the Dungeons|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
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{{Quote|But I want [[Galatea Merrythought|Professor Merrythought]]'s [[Horace Slughorn's second office|old office]], not the water closet I had before!|Horace Slughorn making a bargain with [[Albus Dumbledore]].|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)}}
  
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[[File:Snapes Office.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The former Potions master's office.]]
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[[File:Snape's office.jpg|250px|thumb|left|The former Potions master's office]]
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The Potions Master's classroom was [[Potions Classroom|a cold, creepy dungeon]], which was beneath the [[Hogwarts Castle|main castle]] and the [[Hufflepuff Basement|basement]].<ref name="PM">{{PM}}</ref> It was described as much colder than up in the castle and had pickled animals in glass jars lined up along the walls.<ref name="PS8"/> Professor Snape's [[Severus Snape's office|office]] during his time as the school Potions Master had shadowy walls, which were lined with shelves of large glass jars filled with slimy, revolting things, such as bits of animals and plants, floating in potions of varying colours — much like the Potions Classroom.<ref name="COS5">{{COS|B|5}}</ref><ref name="POA14">{{POA|B|14}}</ref> When Snape occupied it, he locked the office with a [[Room-sealing spell|spell]] that none but a wizard could break.<ref name="GOF25">{{GOF|B|25}}</ref>
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The Potions master's classroom is [[Potions Classroom|a cold, creepy dungeon]], which is beneath the [[Hogwarts Castle|main castle]] and the [[Hufflepuff Basement|basement]]. It is described as much colder than up in the castle and has pickled animals in glass jars lined up along the walls, as well as having some desks and a fireplace. The shadowy walls were lined with shelves of large glass jars filled with slimy, revolting things, such as bits of animals and plants, floating in potions of varying colours - much like the Potions Classroom. [[File:Slughorn's_Second_office.jpg|thumb|250px|The current Potions master's office.]]
  
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When Horace Slughorn returned to teach, he refused to use this office - which he described as a "water closet" - and took [[Horace Slughorn's second office|an office]] which had once belonged to [[Galatea Merrythought]]. This spacious office includes a fireplace with two large sofas surrounding it, a round dinner table large enough to seat ten people, and access to a private balcony, as well as two doors connecting the office to the rest of the Castle.
  
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[[File:Slughorn's Second office.jpg|240x240px|thumb|The current Potions master's office]]
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When Horace Slughorn returned to teach, he refused to use this office — which he described as a "water closet" — and took [[Horace Slughorn's second office|an office]] which had once belonged to [[Galatea Merrythought]]. This spacious office included a fireplace with two large sofas surrounding it, a round dinner table large enough to seat ten people, and access to a private balcony, as well as two doors connecting the office to the rest of the Castle.<ref name="HBPF">{{HBP|F}}</ref>
   
 
==Classes==
  
==Classes==
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{{Quote|You are here to learn the subtle [[science]] and exact art of potion-making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is [[magic]]. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through the human veins, bewitching the minds, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, [[Brewed glory|brew glory]], and even stopper death — if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.|Professor Snape's introduction of Potions|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
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As Potions master, the incumbent is called upon to teach [[Potions (class)|Potions Class]] to all years, from first to seventh, since Potions is a required subject for all students in their first five years, and a considerable number, including any potential Aurors, take it for the final two. The [[potions]] the professor teaches are taken from textbooks, including ''[[Magical Drafts and Potions]]'', ''[[One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi]]'', and ''[[Advanced Potion-Making]]''. They teach specific potion recipes and methods, and often write the ingredients and methods on a blackboard before instructing the class to follow said recipe.
  
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As Potions Master, the incumbent was called upon to teach [[Potions (class)|Potions class]] to all years, from first to seventh, since Potions was a required subject for all students in their first five years, and a considerable number, including any potential [[Auror]]s or [[Healer]]s,<ref name="OOTP29">{{OOTP|B|29}}</ref> took it for the final two. <gallery orientation="portrait" widths="125" spacing="large">
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File:Potions Book.png|''[[Magical Drafts and Potions]]'' by [[Arsenius Jigger]]
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File:One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi Pottermore.png|''[[One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi]]'' by [[Phyllida Spore]]
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File:Advanced Potion Making..png|''[[Advanced Potion-Making]]'' by [[Libatius Borage]]
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</gallery>The [[potion]]s the professor taught were taken from textbooks, including ''[[Magical Drafts and Potions]]'' by [[Arsenius Jigger]], ''[[One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi]]'' by [[Phyllida Spore]]'','' and ''[[Advanced Potion-Making]]'' by [[Libatius Borage]]. They taught specific potion recipes and methods, and often wrote the ingredients and methods on a blackboard before instructing the class to follow said recipe.
   
 
===First year===
  
===First year===
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{{Quote|[[Severus Snape|Snape]]... swept around the room in his long black cloak, watching them weigh dried [[nettle]]s and crush [[snake fang]]s, criticising almost everyone...|[[Harry Potter]]'s first lesson with Severus Snape|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
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[[File:Potion Class.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Professor Snape teaching his first years.]]
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[[File:Potions.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Professor Snape teaching his first-years]]
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{{Quote|[[Severus Snape|Snape]] [...] swept around the room in his long black cloak, watching them weigh dried [[nettle]]s and crush [[snake fang]]s, criticising almost everyone...|[[Harry Potter]]'s first lesson with Severus Snape.|Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone}}
  
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Students in their [[first year]] are taught the [[Boil-Cure Potion]], called the "Cure for Boils" by [[Horace Slughorn|Professor Horace Slughorn]]. This potion consists of [[Nettle|dried Nettles]], [[snake fang]]s, stewed horned slugs, [[porcupine quill]]s and [[Flobberworm Mucus]]. Unless the cauldron is taken off the fire before adding the porcupine quills, the cauldron will melt and create boils instead of curing them. This happened once in [[1991]], and [[Severus Snape]], the Potions master at the time, was not pleased at all. Also, the [[Wiggenweld Potion]] is studied for the first time; it is made from [[Asphodel|Asphodel root]], shredded [[Dittany]] and [[Wiggentree bark]], all of which are collected as a homework assignment.
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Students in their [[first year]] were taught the [[Boil-Cure Potion]], called the "Cure for Boils" by [[Horace Slughorn|Professor Horace Slughorn]]. This potion consisted of [[Nettle|dried Nettles]], [[snake fang]]s, stewed horned slugs, [[porcupine quill]]s and [[Flobberworm Mucus]]. Unless the cauldron was taken off the fire before adding the porcupine quills, the [[cauldron]] would melt and create boils instead of curing them. This happened once in [[1991]], and [[Severus Snape]], the Potions master at the time, was not pleased at all.<ref name="PS8"/>
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Also, the [[Wiggenweld Potion]] was studied for the first time; it was made from [[Asphodel]] root, shredded [[Dittany]] and [[Wiggentree bark]], all of which were collected as a homework assignment.<ref name="PSG">{{PS|G}}</ref>
   
 
===Second year===
  
===Second year===
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{{Quote|Twenty cauldrons stood steaming between the wooden desks, on which stood brass scales and jars of ingredients. Snape prowled through the fumes, making waspish remarks about the [[Gryffindor]]s' work while the [[Slytherin]]s sniggered appreciatively.|A second-year class learning the [[Swelling Solution]]|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets}}
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[[File:Professor Slughorn, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Slughorn teaching.]]
  
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[[File:Harry-potter potions class.jpg|250px|thumb|Snape teaching a pre O.W.L. lesson at Hogwarts]]
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{{Quote|Twenty cauldrons stood steaming between the wooden desks, on which stood brass scales and jars of ingredients. Snape prowled through the fumes, making wapish remarks about the [[Gryffindor]]s' work while the [[Slytherin]]s sniggered appreciatively.|A second year class learning the [[Swelling Solution]].}}
  
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The Potions master teaches the [[Swelling Solution]] to his [[second year]] students, whose lessons took place on a Thursday in [[1992]]. The Swelling Solution, as the name implies, causes whatever it touches to swell up in size, and one of the Swelling Solution's ingredients is puffer-fish eyes. In [[1992]], [[Draco Malfoy]] kept flicking some of these eyes at [[Harry Potter]] and [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]], who used a [[Dr. Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks|Dr. Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Firework]] to cause a distraction and steal ingredients (for a [[Polyjuice Potion]]) from [[Severus Snape's storeroom]]; this incident led Snape to make the daunting threat to expel the one who threw the firework, since, despite a lack of evidence, he knew at once it was Harry. The [[Wiggenweld Potion]] is, once again, concocted and revised.
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The Potions Master taught the [[Swelling Solution]] to his [[second year|second-year]] students, whose lessons took place on a Thursday in [[1992]]. The Swelling Solution, as the name implies, caused whatever it touched to swell up in size, and one of the Swelling Solution's ingredients was puffer-fish eyes.
  +
  +
In [[1992]], [[Draco Malfoy]] kept flicking some of these eyes at [[Harry Potter]] and [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]], who used a [[Dr Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks|Dr Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Firework]] to cause a distraction and steal ingredients (for a [[Polyjuice Potion]]) from [[Severus Snape's storeroom]] by dropping one in [[Gregory Goyle]]'s [[cauldron]]. This incident led Snape to make the daunting threat to expel the one who threw the firework, since, despite a lack of evidence, he knew at once it was Harry.<ref name="COS11">{{COS|B|11}}</ref>
  +
  +
The [[Wiggenweld Potion]] was, once again, concocted and revised.<ref name="COSG">{{COS|G}}</ref>
   
 
===Third year===
  
===Third year===
  +
{{Quote|Everyone gather ‘round, and watch what happens to [[Neville Longbottom|Longbottom]]’s [[Trevor|toad]]. If he has managed to produce a [[Shrinking Solution]], it will shrink to a tadpole. If, as I don’t doubt, he has done it wrong, his [[toad]] is likely to be [[poison]]ed.|Severus Snape teaching in [[1993]]|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
−
[[File:Veritaserum.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Snape displaying a potion.]]
  
  ⚫
Students in their [[third year]] were taught by the Potions Master how to create the [[Antidote to Uncommon Poisons]], a potion that cured [[Doxy]] venom and other uncommon poisons. Its ingredients included [[Fire seed]]s, [[Graphorn|Powdered Graphorn Horn]], [[Billywig sting]]s and [[Chizpurfle carapace|Chizpurfle Carapaces]]. Students were required to collect the ingredients for homework and mix them together in the next lesson.
−
{{Quote|The Wiggenweld Potion can be used to heal the most common injuries.|Severus Snape teaching in [[1993]].|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)}}
  
  +
⚫
Students in their [[third year]] are taught by the Potions master how to create the [[Antidote to Uncommon Poisons]], a potion that cures [[Doxy]] venom and other uncommon poisons. Its ingredients include [[Fire Seeds]], [[Graphorn|Powdered Graphorn Horn]], [[Billywig sting]]s and [[Chizpurfle Carapaces]]. Students are required to collect the ingredients for homework and mix them together in the next lesson. Also taught is the [[Girding Potion]], a potion that gives the consumer extra endurance and which is made from [[Dragonfly thorax]]es, [[Flying Seahorses]], [[fairy wing]]s and [[Doxy egg]]s. Wiggenweld is revised once again.´Students also learn to brew the Shrinking Solotion.
  
  +
Also taught was the [[Girding Potion]], a potion that gave the consumer extra endurance and which was made from [[Dragonfly thorax]]es, [[Flying Seahorse]]s, [[fairy wings]] and [[Doxy egg]]s. Wiggenweld was revised once again.<ref name="POAG">{{POA|G}}</ref> Students also learned to brew the [[Shrinking Solution]],<ref name="POA7">{{POA|B|7}}</ref> and about [[Undetectable Poisons]],<ref name="POA12">{{POA|B|12}}</ref> for example.
   
 
===Fourth year===
  
===Fourth year===
  +
{{Quote|Antidotes! You should all have prepared your recipes now. I want you to brew them carefully, and then, we will be selecting someone on whom to test one....|Professor Snape teaching fourth-years about antidotes|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire}}
  +
The Potions Master taught his [[fourth year|fourth-year]] students [[antidote]]s<ref name="GOF15">{{GOF|B|15}}</ref><ref name="GOF18">{{GOF|B|18}}</ref> and the [[Wit-Sharpening Potion]] for example, the latter of which allowed the drinker to think more clearly. It was comprised of [[armadillo bile]], cut [[ginger]] roots and ground scarab beetles. In [[1994]], Severus Snape taught his students to make this potion shortly after the second task of the [[Triwizard Tournament]].
   
  ⚫
While working, [[Harry Potter]], [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]] discussed an article by [[Rita Skeeter]] that had recently been published in ''[[Witch Weekly]]''. Snape found the trio reading the magazine, and, much to their humiliation, read it aloud to the entire class (the article falsely accused Hermione of toying with the hearts of both [[Viktor Krum]] and Harry).<ref name="GOF27">{{GOF|B|27}}</ref>
−
{{Quote|A simple little potion to ease us into the year, I think. Open up your books and let's get busy with a [[Wit-Sharpening Potion]], shall we?|Professor Slughorn teaching the [[Wit-Sharpening Potion]].|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)}}
  
⚫
The Potions master teaches his [[fourth year]] students the [[Wit-Sharpening Potion]], which presumably allows the drinker to think more clearly. It is comprised of [[armadillo bile]], cut [[Ginger|ginger roots]] and ground scarab beetles. In [[1994]], Severus Snape taught his students to make this potion shortly after the second task of the [[Triwizard Tournament]]. While working, [[Harry Potter]], [[Ronald Weasley|Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]] discussed an article by [[Rita Skeeter]] that had recently been published in ''[[Witch Weekly]]''. Snape found the trio reading the magazine, and, much to their humiliation, read it aloud to the entire class (the article falsely accused Hermione of toying with the hearts of both [[Viktor Krum]] and Harry).
  
   
 
===Fifth year===
  
===Fifth year===
  ⚫
{{Quote|Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at [[Ordinary Wizarding Level]]; the [[Draught of Peace]], a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation.|Professor Snape teaching his OWL class in [[1995]]|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix}}[[File:Order-of-the-phoenix-snape.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Snape teaching an O.W.L. level lesson]]
−
[[File:Potions class 1995-1996.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Severus Snape with a fifth year student.]]
  
  ⚫
The [[Strengthening Solution]], a potion that presumably increased the drinker's strength, was taught by the Potions Master to his [[fifth year|fifth-year]] students. It required two lessons to complete and included [[Salamander blood]] and powdered [[Griffin claw]].
⚫
{{Quote|Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at [[Ordinary Wizarding Level]]; the [[Draught of Peace]], a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation.|Professor Snape teaching his OWL class in [[1995]].}}
  
  +
⚫
The [[Strengthening Solution]], a potion that presumably increases the drinker's strength, is taught by the Potions master to his fifth year students. It requires two lessons to complete and includes [[Salamander blood]] and powdered [[Griffin claw]]. Also, to prepare for the [[Ordinary Wizarding Level]], the [[Draught of Peace]] is brewed during the first lesson of the year, as its concoction is a frequent task in the examination.
  
  +
Also, to prepare for the [[Ordinary Wizarding Level]], the [[Draught of Peace]] was brewed during the first lesson of the year, as its concoction was a frequent task in the examination.<ref name="OOTP12">{{OOTP|B|12}}</ref>
   
 
===Sixth year===
  
===Sixth year===
−
{{Quote|Now then, now then, now then. Scales out, everyone, and potion kits, and don't forget your copies of [[Advanced Potion-Making]]...|Professor Slughorn teaching his sixth years.|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
 +
{{Quote|Now then, now then, now then. Scales out, everyone, and potion kits, and don't forget your copies of [[Advanced Potion-Making]]...|Professor Slughorn teaching his sixth-years|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
  +
[[File:Slughorn pottermore.jpg|250px|thumb|A N.E.W.T.- level potions class with Professor Slughorn]]
−
Sixth years who have passed their [[Ordinary Wizarding Level|O.W.L.]] with an E grade or better (O only for Professor Snape) may continue [[Potions (class)|Potions]], in order to take their [[Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test|N.E.W.T.]] in the subject. This is a pre-requisite for any Auror candidate, and so, in [[1996]], Harry Potter was much saddened to discover that, having received an E grade on his O.W.L., he was ineligible for the N.E.W.T. class. However, Professor Slughorn was willing to teach students with an E at O.W.L., and so Harry was able to continue on his chosen path. The Potions master takes the students' sixth year to prepare for the N.E.W.T. exam which takes place the next year. The potions observed include the [[Draught of Living Death]], [[Elixir to Induce Euphoria]] and the [[Shrinking Solution]]. They also revise the [[Boil-Cure Potion]], [[Wit-Sharpening Potion]] and [[Draught of Peace]].
 +
Sixth-years who had passed their [[Ordinary Wizarding Level|O.W.L.]] with an '[[Exceeds Expectations]]' or better ('[[Outstanding]]' only for Professor Snape) could advance to N.E.W.T.-level [[Potions (class)|Potions]]. A Potions N.EW.T. was a pre-requisite for any [[Auror]] candidate. In [[1996]], Harry Potter was saddened to discover that, having received an E grade on his O.W.L., he was ineligible for the N.E.W.T. class. However, Professor Slughorn was willing to teach students with an E grade, so Harry was able to continue on his chosen path.<ref name="HBP9">{{HBP|B|9}}</ref>
  +
  +
During sixth year students prepared for the N.E.W.T. exam which took place the next year. It was noted that there was an increased difficulty in the work the students had to complete. The students "''studied as if they had exams every day, the lessons themselves had become more demanding than ever before''".<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince]]'', Chapter 11 (''Hermione's Helping Hand'')</ref>
  +
  +
The potions observed include the [[Draught of Living Death]],<ref name="HBP9" /> [[Elixir to Induce Euphoria]]<ref name="HBP22">{{HBP|B|22}}</ref> and [[poison]] [[antidote]]s.<ref name="HBP18">{{HBP|B|18}}</ref> They also revised the [[Boil-Cure Potion]] and [[Wit-Sharpening Potion]].<ref name="HBPG">{{HBP|G}}</ref>
   
 
===Seventh year===
  
===Seventh year===
  ⚫
{{Dialogue a-b-a|Professor Slughorn|These are the kind of thing you ought to be able to make after completing your N.E.W.T.s. You ought to have heard of ‘em, even if you haven’t made ‘em yet. Anyone tell me what this one is?|Hermione Granger|It’s Veritaserum, a colourless, odourless potion that forces the drinker to tell the truth.|Very good, very good!|Professor Slughorn in a sixth-year class, regarding advanced potions|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
−
[[File:Polyjuice Potion.JPG|thumb|right|250px|[[Polyjuice Potion]], one of the four potions studied in [[Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test|N.E.W.T.]] year.]]
  
  ⚫
As the [[Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test|N.E.W.T.s]] took place at the end of the year, the Potions Master likely made his [[seventh year|seventh-year]]s revise the most complex potions in the school syllabus. It was mentioned by Professor Slughorn that, by the end of the year, seventh-year students were expected to be capable of brewing [[Polyjuice Potion]], [[Amortentia]] and [[Felix Felicis]], all of which were stated at different times to be challenges considerably beyond the skill of the average witch or wizard.<ref name="HBP9"/>
⚫
{{Dialogue a-b-a|Professor Slughorn|These are the kind of thing you ought to be able to make after completing your N.E.W.T.s.|Hermione Granger|It's [[Veritaserum]]... [[Polyjuice Potion|Polyjuice]]... [[Amortentia]]... and...|Felix Felicis.|Professor Slughorn in a sixth year class.|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
  
⚫
As the [[Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test|N.E.W.T.s]] take place at the end of the year, the Potions master likely makes his [[seventh year]]s revise the most complex potions in the school syllabus. It was mentioned by Professor Slughorn that, by the end of the year, seventh year students are expected to be capable of brewing [[Polyjuice Potion]], [[Amortentia]], [[Veritaserum]] and [[Felix Felicis]], all of which are stated at different times to be challenges considerably beyond the skill of the average witch or wizard. Hermione, as chronicled, concocted a viable Polyjuice Potion as a second year, one of her many remarkable feats.
  
   
  +
Hermione, as chronicled, concocted a viable Polyjuice Potion as a second-year, one of her many remarkable feats.<ref name="COS12">{{COS|B|12}}</ref>
⚫
==Appearances==
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]]'' {{1st}}
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)]]''
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)]]''
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''
  
−
*''[[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 (film)]]''
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)]]''
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)]]''
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)]]''
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)]]''
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)]]''
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]] ''{{Comment|Heard in flashback(s)}}
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2]]''
  
−
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Characters of the Magical World]]''
  
−
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]''
  
−
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7]]''
  
−
*''[[Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup]]''
  
   
 
==See also==
  
==See also==
 
*[[Professor]]
  
*[[Professor]]
  +
*[[Potioneer]]
  +
  ⚫
==Appearances==
  +
*{{PS}} {{1st}}
  +
*{{PS|F}}
  +
*{{PS|G}}
  +
*{{COS}}
  +
*{{COS|F}}
  +
*{{COS|G}}
  +
*{{POA}}
  +
*{{POA|F}}
  +
*{{GOF}}
  +
*{{GOF|F}}
  +
*{{OOTP}}
  +
*{{OOTP|F}}
  +
*{{OOTP|G}}
  +
*{{HBP}}
  +
*{{HBP|F}}
  +
*{{HBP|G}}
  +
*{{DH}}
  +
*{{DH|F1}} {{Flashback}}
  +
*{{DH|F2}}
  +
*{{DH|G2}}
  +
*{{CC}} {{Mention}}
  +
*{{CC|P}} {{Mention}}
  +
*{{PM}}
  +
*{{WW}}
  +
*{{HPV|CH}}
  +
*{{HPV|CR}}
  +
*{{TCG}}
  +
*{{LEGO}}
  +
*{{LEGO|B}}
  +
*{{LEGO|C}}
  +
*{{LEGO|C1}}
  +
*{{LEGO|Y1}}
  +
*{{LEGO|Y2}}
  +
*{{LEGO|D}}
  +
*{{QWC}}
  +
*{{WBP}} {{Mention}}
  +
*{{HM}}
  +
*{{WU}}
  +
*{{MA}}
  +
*{{HL}}
   
  +
==Notes and references==
  +
{{Reflist}}
  +
[[es:Maestro de Pociones]]
 
[[pt:Mestre das Poções]]
  
[[pt:Mestre das Poções]]
  +
[[ru:Мастер зелий]]
⚫
[[Category:Hogwarts positions]]
  
  +
[[ja:魔法薬の先生]]
−
[[Category:Ranks and titles]]
  
  ⚫
[[Category:Potions Masters]]

Latest revision as of 15:11, 9 November 2023

Hand pointing right transparent Warning!

At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery & Harry Potter: Magic Awakened & Hogwarts Legacy.
As such, spoilers will be present within the article.

Potions Master Snape PSF

Former Potions Master, Severus Snape surrounded by potion-making equipment

"Now then, I've prepared a few potions for you to have a look at, just out of interest, you know."
— Horace Slughorn teaching his sixth-year pupils[src]

Potions Master[1] was the title given to the Potions professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They were in charge of teaching their subject to the students of Hogwarts in a classroom in the dungeons, and they usually owned a nearby office, as well as brewing specialised potions in times of need, such as the Mandrake Restorative Draught[2] and Wolfsbane Potion.[3]

Swoopstikes was once Potions Master. Aesop Sharp held the position in the late 19th century. Horace Slughorn held the post from at least 1931 until his retirement in 1981, when Severus Snape took his place. However, Slughorn returned in 1996 when Snape became the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, though Slughorn took Galatea Merrythought's old office while Snape kept the one in the dungeons.

History

Professor Swoopstikes

At some point around 1520 or afterwards, the position of Potions Master was held by a man named Swoopstikes. In addition to his role, he was also an entomologist with a vast knowledge of magical insects.[4]

Professor Aesop Sharp

Professor Sharp teaching at Hogwarts HL

Aesop Sharp teaching a fifth year class

During the 1890s, a former Slytherin named Aesop Sharp came to the role of Potions Master. He had left his previous job as an Auror following an incident where his partner had been killed, and leaving Aesop with a nasty limp in the process. As a teacher, he developed a reputation for being not easily impressed and disappointed by foolish behaviour. Nevertheless, he took genuine pride in the students who excelled under him.[5]

At the height of the 1890–1891 school year, Aesop Sharp participated alongside his fellow professors in a battle in Keepers' Caverns, a large cave network beneath Hogwarts Castle, to ward off Ranrok's invasion of the castle and ultimately end his goblin rebellion.[6]

Professor Horace Slughorn

Harry Potter: "My mother..."
Horace Slughorn: "You shouldn't have favourites as a teacher, of course, but she was one of mine."
— Professor Slughorn talking to Harry Potter.[src]

Around 1931, a wizard named Horace Slughorn, who had previously studied at the school as a Slytherin, arrived at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and was employed as Potions master. The Headmaster, and Slughorn's employer, was Professor Armando Dippet, who gave him a small office, though Slughorn hated it and described it as a "water-closet." At some point, he was also made Head of Slytherin House.[7]

Slug Club 6

Professor Slughorn and his Slug Club

Slughorn was described as a good teacher, but chose favourites out of the classes that he taught, sometimes for their ambition or their brains, sometimes for their charm or their talent, and he had an uncanny knack for choosing those who would go on to become outstanding in their various fields. Horace formed a club named the "Slug Club", of which his favourites were members with himself at the centre, making introductions, forging useful contacts between members, and always reaping some kind of benefit in return. Among them were Tom Riddle, Gwenog Jones, Ambrosius Flume, Dirk Cresswell, Lucius Malfoy and, one of his absolute favourites, Lily Evans.[7][8]

Professor Severus Snape

"Cruel, sarcastic and disliked by everybody except the students in his own house (Slytherin), Snape taught Potions."
— A description of Severus Snape.[src]
Severus in his classroom

The new Potions Master, Severus Snape

In the school year of 1981 Professor Slughorn, in an effort to avoid questioning of a certain event he was too ashamed of, decided to resign from both of his positions at the school.[7] In his place the new Headmaster (Albus Dumbledore) hired Severus Snape. Snape was one of Slughorn's ex-pupils and while he attended Hogwarts he proved to be very talented in the art of potion-making. Snape became both Potions master and Head of Slytherin House. After accepting the job Snape took ownership of Potions Master's office and the Potions Classroom in the dungeons . After taking possession of both he proceeded to impress his personality upon the rooms, in a rather gloomy fashion.[9]

Professor Snape was a ruthless disciplinarian, with little patience for foolishness, yet effective in his job and well respected by other professors. His deep understanding of potion brewing, as shown by his expert concoction of Wolfsbane Potion in 1993,[3] transformed the knowledge of potions from mere chemistry to an art. Despite his effectiveness his biased liking for his own house, Slytherin, led him to give them undeserved lenience. While at the same time degrading other students (mainly Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom) going as far as to vanish Harry's potion for a slight mistake while bullying Neville constantly.[1][10]

But in 1996, Snape was granted his original, fervent and oft-repeated wish and was made Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, leaving the position of Potions master vacant.[11] Snape taught Defence Against the Dark Arts fairer than he did Potions, suggesting he was biased as a Potions Master as a means to vent out his frustrations of not getting the position he desired.[12]

Professor Horace Slughorn's return

"We are pleased to welcome a new member of our staff this year. Professor Slughorn is a former colleague of mine who has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master."
— Albus Dumbledore at the Welcoming Feast of 1996.[src]
Slughorn 3

Slughorn back at Hogwarts in the dungeon classroom

Before the winter term of 1996, Albus Dumbledore, with the help of Harry Potter, persuaded Slughorn to come out of retirement and return to the school, while Professor Snape became Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. However, Slughorn insisted that his salary be increased, and that he be given the office that once belonged to Galatea Merrythought, instead of other offices, later Snape continued to use original office in dungeons as his own. Slughorn was quick to reform the Slug Club with new members, including Melinda Bobbin, Flora and Hestia Carrow, Blaise Zabini, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Cormac McLaggen and, of course, Harry Potter, who he viewed as the "crown jewel" of his career as a "collector".[7]

Slughorn was described as a much more accommodating and popular teacher than his predecessor, Severus Snape, and in consequence many students performed better under his tutelage. During the first lesson of the year he awarded Felix Felicis, also known as "Liquid Luck", to the brewer of the best Draught of Living Death.[12] The potion went to Harry Potter, who Slughorn thought had inherited his mother's talent but who, in fact, had copied notes written in Severus Snape's copy of Advanced Potion-Making. Through the year, Slughorn endeavoured to forge ties with Harry, though Harry only really wanted his memory of telling Tom Riddle about Horcruxes, which Slughorn later gave him.[13] At the end of the year, the Battle of the Astronomy Tower took place and Albus Dumbledore was murdered by Professor Snape, who thereafter fled the school. Given these traumatic circumstances, the distraught Slughorn was made Head of Slytherin House.[14]

SlughornTeachingPotions

Slughorn teaching students the Draught of Living Death

Professor Slughorn stayed at Hogwarts under the tenure of Severus Snape as Headmaster and, like the rest of the teachers, attempted to protect the students from Snape and the Carrows.[15] When the Dark Lord invaded the castle with his army, it was initially believed that Slughorn had fled in cowardice; but as it transpired, he had gone to Hogsmeade to round up reinforcements. He returned to the castle at the head of a vast number of residents and shopkeepers from the village, along with friends and family of the students and staff already fighting. Slughorn engaged the Dark Lord head on, with Minerva McGonagall and Kingsley Shacklebolt, proving himself a masterful duellist, able to hold his own against even the most dangerous dark wizard of all time.[16]

After the Battle of Hogwarts, Slughorn continued as both Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House and taught his skills with potions to the next generation of Hogwarts students.[17]

Smoky-eyed professor

By 2021, Horace Slughorn was no longer in the position, and there was a new female professor.[18]

Classroom and office

"Potions lessons took place down in one of the dungeons. It was colder here than up in the main castle, and would have been quite creepy enough without the pickled animals floating in glass jars all around the walls."
— Description of the Potions Classroom in the Dungeons[src]
Snape's office

The former Potions master's office

The Potions Master's classroom was a cold, creepy dungeon, which was beneath the main castle and the basement.[19] It was described as much colder than up in the castle and had pickled animals in glass jars lined up along the walls.[1] Professor Snape's office during his time as the school Potions Master had shadowy walls, which were lined with shelves of large glass jars filled with slimy, revolting things, such as bits of animals and plants, floating in potions of varying colours — much like the Potions Classroom.[9][20] When Snape occupied it, he locked the office with a spell that none but a wizard could break.[21]

Slughorn's Second office

The current Potions master's office

When Horace Slughorn returned to teach, he refused to use this office — which he described as a "water closet" — and took an office which had once belonged to Galatea Merrythought. This spacious office included a fireplace with two large sofas surrounding it, a round dinner table large enough to seat ten people, and access to a private balcony, as well as two doors connecting the office to the rest of the Castle.[22]

Classes

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through the human veins, bewitching the minds, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even stopper death — if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
— Professor Snape's introduction of Potions[src]

As Potions Master, the incumbent was called upon to teach Potions class to all years, from first to seventh, since Potions was a required subject for all students in their first five years, and a considerable number, including any potential Aurors or Healers,[23] took it for the final two.

The potions the professor taught were taken from textbooks, including Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger, One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore, and Advanced Potion-Making by Libatius Borage. They taught specific potion recipes and methods, and often wrote the ingredients and methods on a blackboard before instructing the class to follow said recipe.

First year

"Snape... swept around the room in his long black cloak, watching them weigh dried nettles and crush snake fangs, criticising almost everyone..."
— Harry Potter's first lesson with Severus Snape[src]
Potions

Professor Snape teaching his first-years

Students in their first year were taught the Boil-Cure Potion, called the "Cure for Boils" by Professor Horace Slughorn. This potion consisted of dried Nettles, snake fangs, stewed horned slugs, porcupine quills and Flobberworm Mucus. Unless the cauldron was taken off the fire before adding the porcupine quills, the cauldron would melt and create boils instead of curing them. This happened once in 1991, and Severus Snape, the Potions master at the time, was not pleased at all.[1]

Also, the Wiggenweld Potion was studied for the first time; it was made from Asphodel root, shredded Dittany and Wiggentree bark, all of which were collected as a homework assignment.[24]

Second year

"Twenty cauldrons stood steaming between the wooden desks, on which stood brass scales and jars of ingredients. Snape prowled through the fumes, making waspish remarks about the Gryffindors' work while the Slytherins sniggered appreciatively."
— A second-year class learning the Swelling Solution[src]
Harry-potter potions class

Snape teaching a pre O.W.L. lesson at Hogwarts

The Potions Master taught the Swelling Solution to his second-year students, whose lessons took place on a Thursday in 1992. The Swelling Solution, as the name implies, caused whatever it touched to swell up in size, and one of the Swelling Solution's ingredients was puffer-fish eyes.

In 1992, Draco Malfoy kept flicking some of these eyes at Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, who used a Dr Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Firework to cause a distraction and steal ingredients (for a Polyjuice Potion) from Severus Snape's storeroom by dropping one in Gregory Goyle's cauldron. This incident led Snape to make the daunting threat to expel the one who threw the firework, since, despite a lack of evidence, he knew at once it was Harry.[25]

The Wiggenweld Potion was, once again, concocted and revised.[26]

Third year

"Everyone gather ‘round, and watch what happens to Longbottom’s toad. If he has managed to produce a Shrinking Solution, it will shrink to a tadpole. If, as I don’t doubt, he has done it wrong, his toad is likely to be poisoned."
— Severus Snape teaching in 1993[src]

Students in their third year were taught by the Potions Master how to create the Antidote to Uncommon Poisons, a potion that cured Doxy venom and other uncommon poisons. Its ingredients included Fire seeds, Powdered Graphorn Horn, Billywig stings and Chizpurfle Carapaces. Students were required to collect the ingredients for homework and mix them together in the next lesson.

Also taught was the Girding Potion, a potion that gave the consumer extra endurance and which was made from Dragonfly thoraxes, Flying Seahorses, fairy wings and Doxy eggs. Wiggenweld was revised once again.[27] Students also learned to brew the Shrinking Solution,[10] and about Undetectable Poisons,[28] for example.

Fourth year

"Antidotes! You should all have prepared your recipes now. I want you to brew them carefully, and then, we will be selecting someone on whom to test one...."
— Professor Snape teaching fourth-years about antidotes[src]

The Potions Master taught his fourth-year students antidotes[29][30] and the Wit-Sharpening Potion for example, the latter of which allowed the drinker to think more clearly. It was comprised of armadillo bile, cut ginger roots and ground scarab beetles. In 1994, Severus Snape taught his students to make this potion shortly after the second task of the Triwizard Tournament.

While working, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger discussed an article by Rita Skeeter that had recently been published in Witch Weekly. Snape found the trio reading the magazine, and, much to their humiliation, read it aloud to the entire class (the article falsely accused Hermione of toying with the hearts of both Viktor Krum and Harry).[31]

Fifth year

"Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at Ordinary Wizarding Level; the Draught of Peace, a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation."
— Professor Snape teaching his OWL class in 1995[src]
Order-of-the-phoenix-snape

Snape teaching an O.W.L. level lesson

The Strengthening Solution, a potion that presumably increased the drinker's strength, was taught by the Potions Master to his fifth-year students. It required two lessons to complete and included Salamander blood and powdered Griffin claw.

Also, to prepare for the Ordinary Wizarding Level, the Draught of Peace was brewed during the first lesson of the year, as its concoction was a frequent task in the examination.[32]

Sixth year

"Now then, now then, now then. Scales out, everyone, and potion kits, and don't forget your copies of Advanced Potion-Making..."
— Professor Slughorn teaching his sixth-years[src]
Slughorn pottermore

A N.E.W.T.- level potions class with Professor Slughorn

Sixth-years who had passed their O.W.L. with an 'Exceeds Expectations' or better ('Outstanding' only for Professor Snape) could advance to N.E.W.T.-level Potions. A Potions N.EW.T. was a pre-requisite for any Auror candidate. In 1996, Harry Potter was saddened to discover that, having received an E grade on his O.W.L., he was ineligible for the N.E.W.T. class. However, Professor Slughorn was willing to teach students with an E grade, so Harry was able to continue on his chosen path.[12]

During sixth year students prepared for the N.E.W.T. exam which took place the next year. It was noted that there was an increased difficulty in the work the students had to complete. The students "studied as if they had exams every day, the lessons themselves had become more demanding than ever before".[33]

The potions observed include the Draught of Living Death,[12] Elixir to Induce Euphoria[13] and poison antidotes.[34] They also revised the Boil-Cure Potion and Wit-Sharpening Potion.[35]

Seventh year

Professor Slughorn: "These are the kind of thing you ought to be able to make after completing your N.E.W.T.s. You ought to have heard of ‘em, even if you haven’t made ‘em yet. Anyone tell me what this one is?"
Hermione Granger: "It’s Veritaserum, a colourless, odourless potion that forces the drinker to tell the truth."
Professor Slughorn: "Very good, very good!"
— Professor Slughorn in a sixth-year class, regarding advanced potions[src]

As the N.E.W.T.s took place at the end of the year, the Potions Master likely made his seventh-years revise the most complex potions in the school syllabus. It was mentioned by Professor Slughorn that, by the end of the year, seventh-year students were expected to be capable of brewing Polyjuice Potion, Amortentia and Felix Felicis, all of which were stated at different times to be challenges considerably beyond the skill of the average witch or wizard.[12]

Hermione, as chronicled, concocted a viable Polyjuice Potion as a second-year, one of her many remarkable feats.[36]

See also

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 8 (The Potions Master)
  2. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 9 (The Writing on the Wall)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 8 (Flight of the Fat Lady)
  4. ↑ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (see this video)
  5. ↑ Twitter favicon Hogwarts Legacy on Twitter: "Potions class is in session. #HogwartsLegacy"
  6. ↑ Hogwarts Legacy, Main Quest "The Final Repository"
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 4 (Horace Slughorn)
  8. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 7 (The Slug Club)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 5 (The Whomping Willow)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 7 (The Boggart in the Wardrobe)
  11. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 8 (Snape Victorious)
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 9 (The Half-Blood Prince)
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 22 (After the Burial)
  14. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 29 (The Phoenix Lament)
  15. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 30 (The Sacking of Severus Snape)
  16. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 36 (The Flaw in the Plan)
  17. ↑ Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
  18. ↑ Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Act Four, Scene Fourteen
  19. ↑ Pottermore
  20. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 14 (Snape's Grudge)
  21. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 25 (The Egg and the Eye)
  22. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
  23. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 29 (Careers Advice)
  24. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
  25. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 11 (The Duelling Club)
  26. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
  27. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
  28. ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 12 (The Patronus)
  29. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 15 (Beauxbatons and Durmstrang)
  30. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 18 (The Weighing of the Wands)
  31. ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 27 (Padfoot Returns)
  32. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 12 (Professor Umbridge)
  33. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince, Chapter 11 (Hermione's Helping Hand)
  34. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 18 (Birthday Surprises)
  35. ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
  36. ↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 12 (The Polyjuice Potion)
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