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POTIONS
BY J.K. ROWLING
It is often asked whether a Muggle could create a magic potion, given a
Potions book and the right ingredients. The answer, unfortunately, is no.
There is always some element of wandwork necessary to make a potion
(merely adding dead flies and asphodel to a pot hanging over a fire will give
you nothing but nasty-tasting, not to mention poisonous, soup).
Some potions duplicate the effects of spells and charms, but a few (for
instance, the Polyjuice Potion and Felix Felicis) have effects impossible to
achieve any other way. Generally speaking, witches and wizards favour
whichever method they find easiest, or most satisfying, to produce their
chosen end.
Potions are not for the impatient, but their effects are usually difficult to
undo by any but another skilled potioneer. This branch of magic carries a
certain mystique and therefore status. There is also the dark cachet of
handling substances that are highly dangerous. The popular idea of a Potions
expert within the wizarding community is of a brooding, slow-burning
personality: Snape, in fact, conforms perfectly to the stereotype.