Having just finished the sixth book for the umpteenth (possibly millionth) time, (I really do love this series). At a certain point I was left wondering about a certain aspect of the book. Please do not read farther if you have not yet watched the sixth film or read the sixth book.
As we all know in the beginning of the sixth book Professor Slughorn gives the potion Felix Felicis as a prize for the best draught of living death. And of course Harry wins. Well later in this book Harry, Hermione and Ron look up this potion to see if they could brew some for their selves. They find out it takes sixth months to brew. Since Slughorn only agreed to come back to Hogwarts, at most 6weeks before this class he would not have had time to brew any. This leads me to the question does he then carry some around? He admitted he only taken some twice in his life, so possibly he keeps as a memento.
Professor Slughorn is also very cautious and worried about being taken by the death eaters, so it is a possibility that he kept some in case he needed to escape them. Would be a good plan, he takes some just before he is captured and the luck is on his side so he can make his getaway.
If this was the case, why did he give up his stash? Does he have more hidden away? Or does he truly feel safe in Hogwarts, that he feels confident that he will no longer need it?
Why do you think he had a small vile and then gave it away?
A World of Books 
I actually did think of that once! How come it takes 6 months to make, and he had one for the first day of school, while he wasn’t even a teaching 6 months ago?
The most logical explanation would be pre-brewed potions. If you think about it, it makes much more sense for wizards to buy ready-made potions than to make them, kind of like with food in our world. Similarly, not everyond can cook (or in this case brew potions – as it is made very obvious in the books), so it’s necessary that incompetent potion-makers have the option to buy potions.
That’s a good point, I did think of that but would Slughorn buy any when he is so accomplished himself, especially one that seems to be rare and probably expensive. I’m just now sure it fits his character. Although it does make perfect sense. Thanks for stopping by. Your opinion was very interesting 🙂
Thank you 🙂 I do agree that it doesn’t seem like Slughorn would do something like that, but I can’t think of an alternative…
I still like the thought that he carried a small vial around just in case, he is known to carry vials etc so why not potions?
Yes, carrying a small vial of luck should he a thing for many wizards (I’d do it myself. No one knows what we mighy encounter.) But we’re talking about a cauldronful here!
OH! What if he can perform refilling charms on it? That would explain it perfectly!
I thought it was just a vile the had, like in the film, but I checked in the book and it’s a small cauldron, so depends on how small small is. Could be from his personal stock or Snape had planned to use it for his classes so he made some.
It’s a vile in the film? I didn’t really remember, because I’ve only watched the movie once before and just finished rereading the 6th book last week
well, I guess this may remain a mystery!
ye, the pic in my post is from the film. Maybe that’s why I assumed he carried some around. Oh well. First time reading the series? How are you enjoying the seventh? I am currently rereading that one too.
Fifth time, actually 😀
I’ve lost count, but glad I still enjoy them as much 🙂
Me too! They’re timeless. They never get old or dull!
No they do not, I find something new each time, something that I missed the previous time 🙂
Exactly! 😀