Veritaserum

From UnknowableWiki

Veritaserum is an extremely powerful Truth Serum. A few drops of it force the witch or wizard who drinks it to confess any of their darkest secrets. It takes a full moon cycle to mature (OP32).

When the Advance Guard comes to take Harry Potter to number twelve, Grimmauld Place from number four, Privet Drive in the summer before his fifth year, Alastor Moody suggests the use of Veritaserum to verify Harry's identity; Remus Lupin assures him that isn't necessary after quizzing Harry on the shape his Patronus takes (OP3).

Dolores Umbridge attempts to use Veritaserum on students multiple times during her short time as Headmistress of Hogwarts, during the Trio's fifth year. Harry is invited to her office at one point, where she offers him tea and proceeds to ask him pointed questions about the whereabouts of Albus Dumbeldore and Sirius Black (OP28). When Harry and his friends from Dumbledore's Army are being held by the Inquisitorial Squad in her office later in the year, Umbridge demands more Veritaserum of Professor Snape, who replies cuttingly that she exhausted his supply the last time she was interrogating Harry (OP32).

Veritaserum is one of the potions that Slughorn shows to his sixth-year students in the first class of 1996 (HBP9). It is clear and odorless, looking very much like boiling water as it bubbles.

Rita Skeeter used Veritaserum to obtain information from Bathilda Bagshot for The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore (DH18).