The dungeons Fact File Body Text

Potions Fact File Body Text

A core class (compulsory until O.W.L.) taught at [Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts) School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Potions was the study of magical ingredients and brewing potions, taught in the Hogwarts dungeons. Students would study potions such as the [Shrinking Solution](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/shrinking-solution), [Amortentia](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/amortentia) and [the Draught of Peace](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/the-draught-of-peace). Whilst [Harry Potter](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/harry-potter) was at Hogwarts, he was largely taught by [Severus Snape](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/severus-snape), followed by [Horace Slughorn](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/horace-slughorn). Harry’s relationship with Snape was a difficult one and it meant that as a student he never particularly enjoyed Potions lessons very much. Alas, for students like Harry who wanted to become an [Auror](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/auror), Potions was an integral lesson to take forwards to N.E.W.T level. 

Potions

Potions Fact File

potions-3-web-fact-file-images

potions-2-web-fact-file-images

potions-4-web-fact-file-images

potions-1-web-fact-file-images

Potions Fact File Sidebar Text

### Connections
[Severus Snape](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/severus-snape) 

[Horace Slughorn](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/horace-slughorn) 

[Polyjuice Potion](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/polyjuice-potion) 

[Felix Felicis](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/felix-felicis) 

[Veritaserum](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/veritaserum)

[Ageing Potion](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/ageing-potion)

[Wolfsbane Potion](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/wolfsbane-potion)

Slytherin Fact File Body Text

Slytherin was one of the four [Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts) houses and was characterised by its silver and green colours and serpent emblem. The [Slytherin common room ](/fact-file/locations/the-slytherin-common-room)was located in the castle's [dungeons](/fact-file/locations/the-dungeons). Founded by [Salazar Slytherin](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/salazar-slytherin), the students sent to Slytherin were representative of his preference for characters defined by cunning, resourcefulness and ambition. Alas, Salazar's anti-Muggle stance and belief that Hogwarts should be for [pure-blooded](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/pure-blood) students only gave the house a poor reputation. Suspicions about the house's connections to the [Dark Arts](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/dark-arts) were hard to dispel, particularly as it was the house of Lord Voldemort and boasted a number of [Death Eaters](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/death-eaters) and their children. However, Slytherin had a lot of members that contradicted this reputation. For instance, renowned wizard Merlin reigned from Slytherin, and some of the future generations, such as [Draco Malfoy](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/draco-malfoy)'s son [Scorpius](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/scorpius-malfoy), proved that you could be a Slytherin and still be kind. 

Slytherin

Slytherin Fact File

slytherin-crest-web-fact-file-images

Slytherin Fact File Sidebar Text

### Connections
[Salazar Slytherin](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/salazar-slytherin) 

[The Bloody Baron](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/the-bloody-baron) 

[Severus Snape](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/severus-snape) 

[Draco Malfoy](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/draco-malfoy) 

[Lord Voldemort](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lord-voldemort) 

[Vincent Crabbe](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/vincent-crabbe) 

[Gregory Goyle](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/gregory-goyle) 

[Scorpius Malfoy](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/scorpius-malfoy) 

Hogwarts Fact File Body Text

Located in a huge sprawling castle in the Scottish highlands, the celebrated school of witchcraft and wizardry taught its young students how to finesse their magical skills. From the tallest turrets and towers down to the depths of [the dungeons](/fact-file/locations/the-dungeons) (with 142 staircases between them), Hogwarts is structurally supported by magic, and even the school's headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, doesn’t claim to know all of its secrets! Yes, this is the place that [Harry Potter](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/harry-potter) could call home, with the wizarding school boasting a rich history, full of mysteries, [ghosts](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/ghost), talking portraits and much more.

Hogwarts

Hogwarts Fact File

hogwarts-castle-exterior-fact-file-image

hp-f3-hogwarts-castle-exterior-trio-web-fact-file-images

Hogwarts Fact File Image hogwarts_2_1800x1248

HP-F3-prisoner-of-azkaban-whomping-willow-hogwarts-grounds-web-landscape

Hogwarts Fact File Sidebar Text

### Where in the world
Near [Hogsmeade](/fact-file/locations/hogsmeade), Scottish highlands

---

### Locations
[The Great Hall](/fact-file/locations/the-great-hall)

[The Room of Requirement](/fact-file/locations/the-room-of-requirement)

[The dungeons](/fact-file/locations/the-dungeons)

[The Astronomy Tower](/fact-file/locations/the-astronomy-tower)

[Hogwarts Library](/fact-file/locations/the-hogwarts-library)

[The Forbidden Forest](/fact-file/locations/the-forbidden-forest)

[Hagrid's hut](/fact-file/locations/hagrids-hut)

---

### Residents
[Rubeus Hagrid](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/rubeus-hagrid)

[Albus Dumbledore](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/albus-dumbledore)

[Minerva McGonagall](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/minerva-mcgonagall)

[Peeves](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/peeves)

[Nearly Headless Nick](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/nearly-headless-nick)

[The Bloody Baron](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/the-bloody-baron) 

[The Grey Lady](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/the-grey-lady-helena-ravenclaw)

[The Fat Friar](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/the-fat-friar) 

The giant squid

---

### Magical Properties
Unplottable

Anti-Apparition Charms

Secret passageways

Vanishing steps

Secret rooms

---

### Notable events

The opening of the Chamber of Secrets

The [Triwizard Tournament](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/triwizard-tournament)

The Battle of Hogwarts

[Sirius Black](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/sirius-black) breaks in

The Slytherin common room Fact File Body Text

Deep in [the dungeons](/fact-file/locations/the-dungeons), the [Slytherin](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/slytherin) common room was located behind a bare stretch of wall and required a password for entrance. Decorated with green lamps and, dark chairs and leather sofas, the common room extended underneath the Great Lake which gave the room a green tint. The walls were decorated with tapestries and a large mantelpiece contributed to the grand rather than cosy atmosphere of the room.

The Slytherin common room

The Slytherin common room Fact File

The Slytherin common room Fact File Image the-slytherin-common-room_3_1800x1248

The Slytherin common room Fact File Image the-slytherin-common-room_1_1800x1248

The Slytherin common room Fact File Image the-slytherin-common-room_4_1800x1248

The Slytherin common room Fact File Image the-slytherin-common-room_2_1800x1248

The Slytherin common room Fact File Sidebar Text

### Where in the world
[Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts)

---

### Notable students
[Draco Malfoy](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/draco-malfoy)

[Lord Voldemort](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lord-voldemort-tom-riddle)

---

### Magical Properties
Hidden behind a stretch of wall, requires a password

---

### Notable events
Harry and Ron's visit using [Polyjuice Potion](/fact-file/plants-and-potions/polyjuice-potion)

Located within the depths of [Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts), the dungeons housed the [Potions](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/potions) classroom as well as the [Slytherin common room](/fact-file/locations/the-slytherin-common-room) and dormitories. Dark, dingy and cold, the dungeons were the perfect place for brewing strange and wonderful concoctions.

The dungeons

The dungeons Fact File

The dungeons Fact File Image the-dungeons_1_1800x1248

Fact File the-dungeons_1_1800x1248

The dungeons Fact File Sidebar Text

Severus Snape Fact File Body Text

Severus Snape was Head of [Slytherin](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/slytherin) House, [Potions](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/potions) Master and Harry’s least favourite teacher. From the first moment of meeting, these two never met eye to eye, with Snape often being condescending and cruel to anyone that wasn't his own, favoured [Slytherin](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/slytherin) students. However, despite this surly reputation, perhaps Snape wasn't *always* what he seemed. 

Severus Snape

Severus Snape Fact File

Severus Snape Fact File Image severus-snape_2_1800x1248

Severus Snape Fact File Image severus-snape_4_1800x1248

Severus Snape Fact File Image severus-snape_5_1800x1248

Severus Snape Fact File Image severus-snape_3_1800x1248

Severus Snape Fact File Image severus-snape_1_1800x1248

Severus Snape Fact File Sidebar Text

### Appearances
[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone](/discover/books/harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone)

[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets](/discover/books/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets)

[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban](/discover/books/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban)

[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire](/discover/books/harry-potter-and-the-goblet-of-fire)

[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix](/discover/books/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix) 

[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince](/discover/books/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince)

[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows](/discover/books/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows)

[Harry Potter and the Cursed Child](/discover-on-stage)

---

### House
[Slytherin](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/slytherin)

---

### Affiliations
[Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts) staff

Head of [Slytherin](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/slytherin) house

[Death Eaters](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/death-eaters)

[Order of the Phoenix](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/order-of-the-phoenix)

---

### Skills
[Occlumency](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/occlumency)

[Legilimency](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/legilimency)

Potion-making

[Duelling](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/duelling)

---

### Hobbies
Being devoted to [Lily Potter](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lily-potter)

Scowling

Occlumency Fact File Body Text

Occlumency was the act of magically closing the mind against intrusion by Legilimency. [Severus Snape](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/severus-snape) attempted to teach [Harry Potter](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/harry-potter) how to close his mind to [Voldemort](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lord-voldemort) but the lessons were fraught and Harry found it hard to completely clear his mind and prevent Snape from using [Legilimency](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/legilimency) to access his thoughts. 

Occlumency

Occlumency Fact File

Occlumency Fact File Sidebar Text

### Connections
[Severus Snape](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/severus-snape) 

[Lord Voldemort ](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lord-voldemort)

### Where in the world
[Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts)

---

### Residents
[Severus Snape](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/severus-snape)

[Slytherin](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/slytherin) students

---

### Magical Properties
Houses many [potions](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/potions)

---

### Notable events
Potions classes

Harry has [Occlumency](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/occlumency) lessons

TRENDING SEARCHES

The dungeons

Where in the world

Residents

Magical Properties

Notable events