Elixir to Induce Euphoria

Elixir to Induce Euphoria
Potion information
Effect	Induces a sense of irrational happiness upon the drinker, cures depression.
Side-effects	Excessive singing Nose-tweaking
Characteristics	Sunshine yellow in colour Sweet Aromatic
Difficulty level	Advanced
Known ingredients	Peppermint Sprigs Wormwood Shrivelfig Porcupine Quills Castor Beans

"Euphoria, I take it? And what's that I smell? Mmmmm.... you've added just a sprig of peppermint, haven't you? Unorthodox, but what a stroke of inspiration, Harry, of course, that would tend to counterbalance the occasional side effects of excessive singing and nose-tweaking... I really don't know where you get these brain waves, my boy..."

—Horace Slughorn compliments Harry Potter's brewed Elixir to Induce Euphoria

The Elixir to Induce Euphoria is a sunshine-yellow potion that induces a sense of inexplicable, irrational happiness upon the drinker.

Concoction

The process of the concoction of this brew is as follows:

1. Add peppermint until the potion turns red.
2. Add shrivelfig until the potion turns turquoise.
3. Stir until it turns blue.
4. Allow the potion to simmer till it turns yellow.
5. Add porcupine quills till the potion turns blue.
6. Allow the potion to simmer till it turns purple.
7. Add seven castor beans.
8. Allow the potion to simmer till it turns brown.
9. Add shrivelfig till the potion turns pink.
10. Allow the potion to simmer till it turns orange.
11. Add wormwood till the potion turns yellow.

Powers

As the name implies, this potion induces sudden euphoria in the drinker - excessive singing and nose-tweaking are possible side-effects (a sprig of peppermint added to the potion during preparation helps to counterbalance these).

History

Harry brewed this potion in his sixth year while most of his classmates were taking their tests for Apparition licensure. Professor Slughorn set his remaining students the task of creating "something amusing." Harry prepared the potion with the hope that, if he could persuade the professor to taste the potion, Slughorn would be in "such a good mood that he would be prepared to hand over" the memory about young Voldemort and his search for information about Horcruxes. According to the Half-Blood Prince's instructions, the potion recipe was heavily altered.

Behind the scenes

• As an elixir, the potion must be sweet and aromatic (as elixirs are, by definition). This would fit with the potion's nature.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)

Notes and references

Potions Club