Professor Snape reminds his students at the beginning of class that potions are not just a lot of wand-waving, but begin with careful attention to ingredients and technique. His recipes rely on a number of plant- and animal-based ingredients, many commonly found in early modern books. Antidotes and spells can be found in a variety of genres in the Academy Library’s collection, including cookbooks, herbals, and natural histories.

Disclaimer: This exhibition is not licensed or endorsed by Warner Bros. or J.K. Rowling.