Horace Slughorn

Gentlemen,

Having given the matter you proposed much consideration, I am prepared to extend to you a chance to win placement in my 7th-year Potions classroom.

This is only the opportunity to qualify, not a guarantee that I shall find your performance acceptable after your O.W.L.s and a year with no lessons.

As we discussed, here follows a list of ten (10) potions a rising-7th-year potioneer ought to be able to brew. When you return from the summer holidays, I shall ask each of you to prepare one (1) of the potions, chosen at random from the list I now provide. Each of you will be assigned a different potion. You shall each work independently and without instruction, under the supervision of a proctor, though you may of course use the approved text (e.g., Advanced Potion-Making, Borage) and I shall allow you each one 12-inch length of standard parchment on which to bring in any notes you may find helpful. These are not to be shared, though of course you may bring in duplicate copies of the same notes if you so desire. All the usual restrictions and expectations of Hogwarts' testing policies shall apply, naturally (c.f., enchanted quills, consumption of luck- or intelligence-altering substances, &c.).

In addition, I should like you to both sit the 6th-years' term-end written exam this June (N.B., aforementioned expectations on exam-taking). You shall of course receive no official mark for your performance on the examination but your answers will be of assistance to determine where your strengths and weaknesses lie viz. the theories and standard practices of Potioneering. Your ability to retain these concepts and to demonstrate them without the benefit of references will, of course, be a factor in my final decision but more importantly it ought to give you both a clearer sense of where you need to concentrate during your summer holiday, if you expect to correctly prepare the potions that here now I present:

1. Amortentia


2. Bethelda's Babbling Beverage


3. Draught of Peace


4. Elixir of Euphoria


5. Felix Felicis


6. Hiccupping Solution


7. Libatium Acrimonia


8. Mandrake Draught


9. Potion of Strength


10. Titubation Tonic

Should you have any questions on these, the terms of this offer or on any of the specifics of your study of Potions, I am of course at your disposal via the usual methods.

Wishing you both success in your venture, I am,

H.E.F. Slughorn
Potions Master