Draught of Living Death

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The Draught of Living Death is a complex and powerful Sleeping Potion (PS8). It is the first potion brewed in NEWT-level Potions during the Trio's sixth year (HBP9).

Valerian roots are the first ingredients of the potion, and must be cut up before being added. At this point, the potion should be a "smooth, black currant-coloured liquid". Sopophorous beans are to be added after the valerian roots; instructions in Advanced Potion-Making say to cut the bean, but Severus Snape made the discovery that crushing the bean would better release the juice (HBP9, HBP28). After adding these juices, the potion should turn a light shade of lilac. Advanced Potion-Making then instructs the brewer to stir anticlockwise until the potion turns clear as water; as discovered by Snape, the potion is improved by adding a clockwise stir after every seventh anticlockwise stir. Once the potion is stirred completely, it is finished (HBP9).