“…vVeriTaSerum…”
*spoken in dramatic hissing voice*🌚
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seen from France

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seen from United States
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seen from United States

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“…vVeriTaSerum…”
*spoken in dramatic hissing voice*🌚
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Marauders playing Never have I ever part 4: (With Veritaserum) Lily: Never have I ever—gotten married!! *Dorcas, Marlene, Remus and Sirius all drink* Marlene: Boo you whore. *Regulus and James looking at each other before drinking* Everyone: *dead silent* Suddenly, they explode. Sirius: WHAT. Dorcas: Oh my fucking god. Marlene: Merlin’s saggy tits. Evan: Since WHEN?? Regulus, rolling his eyes: Since april. Regulus: Seriously guys we’ve been dating since 5th year. Regulus: We literally cuddle with each other in front you guys? Sirius: Well- Regulus: We live together.
Veritaserum, Legilimency, and the DMLE
One of the most frustrating things in the HP canon is that they have access to a fantastic and essentially PERFECT truth potion, as far as we know.
Some additional information:
Sirius was sent to Azkaban without trial, and this is mentioned in the same book that introduces us to Veritaserum.
While Veritaserum is obviously difficult to make (Snape is the only person we know of who makes it, Umbridge doesn't seem like she has any other options to get it), we have no information that it's prohibitively expensive, impossible, or volatile/dangerous to make
One thought is that maybe the potion is dangerous to take, so it would be like a Victim's Rights Advocacy thing to get it banned from trials, because you can't force someone to incriminate themselves...but this does not seem to be something the wizarding world is concerned with.
In Half-Blood Prince, Albus says that when Morfin Gaunt was prosecuted for murder, there was no NEED for Veritaserum or Legilimency, since he confessed. This makes it seem like those were considered a real option!
So if that was an OPTION in the 1940s, why wouldn't Sirius be able to demand that?
For that matter, why isn't that an option at the end of Prisoner of Azkaban?
My postulation is that it depends on who's in control of the DMLE at the time - and who they think counts as "trustworthy."
At the end of Prisoner of Azkaban, even though Sirius says he's innocent and there are three other witnesses to Pettigrew being alive, Albus insists no one will listen to them, because Harry and Hermione are underage ("the word of two thirteen-year-old wizards will not convince anyone"), and Remus is a werewolf ("werewolves are so mistrusted by most of our own kind that his support will count for very little"). There's no need for that kind of qualification if you have access to Veritaserum. There's no evidence that Veritaserum doesn't work on children, or on werewolves.
So if they allow Veritaserum to be used in trials, they would have to accept that everyone's word is worth just as much as everyone else's. And they don't want that. This administration puts more weight on certain people's opinions than others. They wouldn't be able to preserve that power if they were seeking objective truth.
Ask Me Again After Class
Hogwarts’ unapologetic Slytherin royal couple get paired for a Veritaserum exercise. What should be a harmless class turns into seductive mind games, sharp confessions, and tension thick enough to cut with a wand.
WORDS: 2,750–2,900 word
MASTERLIST
A Bitter Draught of Honesty
The dungeon was restless.
Not loud, exactly—not yet—but full of the kind of shifting, scraping, low-grade chaos that meant the lesson had already been lost before it had even properly begun. Cauldrons simmered with uneven heat. Glass vials clicked against stone worktops. Someone near the back was repeatedly tapping a spoon against the rim of a mortar like a death march. The air was thick with the bitter, herbaceous tang of crushed dittany, the sharp sting of alcohol from freshly uncorked tinctures, and something sweeter underneath it all—some floral note from the pale silver potion steaming in every cauldron across the room.
Slughorn stood at the front in all his velveted, moustached irritation, pretending with admirable commitment that he was not, in fact, one second away from snapping.
“Class,” he said for the fourth time in as many minutes, in the tone of a man trying very hard to sound genial while internally planning several funerals, “if you continue to stir as though you are churning butter in a barn, the potion will be ruined.”
A beat.
Then James Potter snorted.
Sirius Black dropped his forehead dramatically onto the desk.
Peter Pettigrew wheezed laughter into his sleeve.
And Remus Lupin, who at least had the decency to look mildly apologetic, kept his eyes fixed on his cauldron and said, “He means you, you know.”
“I think,” said James, flicking his spoon lazily through the potion, “he means all of us. Equality.”
“Very noble,” Sirius murmured, not lifting his head. “A true man of the people.”
Veritaserum or Dare
A Hogwarts Legacy Fic
Pairing: Sebastian Sallow/MC; Sebastian Sallow/reader
Summary: You and a bunch of your friends are at Hogwarts during Christmas break. Garreth overhears you explaining the muggle game truth or dare and decides to “enhance” it like one of his potion experiments.
Hilarity and confessions ensue
“What afraid of the truth Gaunt,” Imelda taunted.
Ominis chuckled, “It’s not me, it’s the rest of you I fear for…but if it’s truth you guys want don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Before anyone could protest he had already downed the vial of veritaserum Imelda was holding out for him.
“Well now you will all see what I’ve had to deal with for 6 years,” Sebastian said smugly before he drank his vial. He grimaced, “Good luck to us all!”
The odd circle of friends gathered around the fire of the Slytherin common room look at one another with excitement and apprehension. It was Garreth who suggested Veritaserum or Dare after overhearing you explain truth or dare to Imelda, Natty, and Poppy. How he got everyone to agree - specifically Ominis and Amit - was a mystery to everyone. He was the one who suggested to play in the Slytherin common room as well to “be as far away” from his aunts meddling as possible.
“The only reason I agreed to this is because Sebastian is the one who brewed this,” you admitted.
Sebastian’s cheeks reddened at your compliment and in that moment he was thankful he was seated the closest to the fire. His voice portrayed his usual confidence as he teased, “Here that Weasley? I’m the trusted potionier here!”
“Yea, yea,” the redhead dismissed, “let’s get this started before the effects wear off…with how strong this is we’ve got what an hour or two tops?”
The game commenced and after a few rounds everyone was frustrated. Not one person had picked truth. As frustrating as that was at least the dares were amusing:
Amit had to use the disillusionment charm and retrieve one of Professor Garlick’s undergarments. When he came back red faced and explained she didn’t own any, the roars of laughter echoed throughout the dungeon.
Natty had to run around the faculty tower in her animagus form without getting caught. Watching a gazelle attempting to go up and down the spiral stairs was too much. She was almost caught because the group of you watching couldn’t stop laughing. Professor Onai stepped out of her room at one point and looked around to find nothing there.
“Hearing wild animals in the hallways,” she said as she looked down at her mug and whistled lowly, “I better slow down on the fire whiskey.”
As soon as she went back inside the lot of you hauled ass back to the Slytherin common room and only then did you start laughing again.
Natty swatted Amit hard on his shoulder, “Don’t you ever try to mount me like I’m some kind of horse when I’m in my animagus form ever again or I’ll shove your precious telescope so far up you-“
“I’M SORRY I PANCIKED,” Amit cried running away from Natty, “YOU KNOW I CAN’T RUN FAST!”
Poppy had to down a shot of fire whiskey that Gareth had pilfered and then try to steal Leander’s toad that he left behind while he went home for the holiday. After several run ins with walls and hiccuping pleas that she would be a better owner than Leander, she finally got him.
“I’m *hiccup* keeping him. What kind of soulless *hiccup* git *hiccup* leaves a creature behind,” she declared before she started crying. It took several minutes of soothing and petting the toad to calm her down. She still cuddled him now and randomly reassured him that he was safe now she would treat him better anyway.
Imelda had to “makeout” with a portrait - specifically Sir Cadogan - and she did so with gusto and way too little shame.
“You know as amusing as all these dares I’ve witnessed tonight are,” Ominis deadpanned at the group, “what’s the point of downing vertaserum if we aren’t planning on taking advantage of its effects!”
No one spoke up.
“Fine I’ll start: truth ask me anything,” he sighed in frustration.
“Umm do you have a crush on anyone,” Natty piped up, unsure what else to ask.
“How original,” he sighed but there was no real venom in his voice, “I suppose if I didn’t have a crush on my girlfriend she would be highly put out don’t you think?”
The group gasped. You giggled furiously. Sebastian whipped his head around to his best friend, “Girlfriend?! What girlfriend? And wait why is y/n laughing? Did you know he has a girlfriend?”
“Yes and it’s not my turn,” you laughed as you answered strategically
“Traitors! The both of you,” he exclaimed, “well who is it?!”
“Sorry, my turn is over and it’s my turn to ask,” Ominis stated simply. He smiled as he heard the uptick of Sebastian’s heart. It was too easy…might as well make him sweat a bit.
“I think I shall ask….Imelda, truth or dare?”
“Truth, bring it Gaunt, I have nothing to hide,” she said proudly.
“The other day I was taking a walk outside, right around Kogawa’s office and summoners court,” Ominis started.
Imelda’s face fell immediately and she looked like she was about to be sick.
“As I walked past the room where the quidditch supplies are kept I couldn’t help but hear your outcries of distress,” Ominis grinned as he emphasized outcries, “or was it distress? Or rather the true question: what were you doing in there?”
Everyone looked at her expectantly. She gripped her mouth until her knuckles were white. She felt like she was going to be sick if she didn’t answer soon. “Oh come now Imelda, I thought you had nothing to hide,” Ominis teased mercilessly.
The serum was burning through her forcing the truth out. In one breath she exclaimed, “I was getting myself off on my broom.”
There was a beat of silence before everyone lost it. “I told you I wasn’t the one who should be afraid,” Ominis said smugly.
“I knew how much you loved flying but I didn’t KNOW how much you LOVED flying,” Natty said in between giggles.
“How does one even do something like that with a broom,” Poppy asked innocently confused.
“Good question Poppy,” Gareth interjected, “I dare you to show us how!”
All the girls threw pillows at him shouting choruses of, “You’re disgusting!” and “How dare you?!”
Imelda sat a little straighter, “Too bad. My turns over and you know what Sallow you’ve been a bit too quiet.”
Sebastian’s eyes went wide, “So wait, I didn’t say anything like these guys - all I did was laugh - and you’re after me now?!”
“Afraid of the truth Sallow,” Imelda dared, knowing Sebastian never backs down from a challenge.
“Absolutely not, fire away,” he declared with forced casualness.
“Last year,” she started slowly.
You, Sebastian, and Ominis tensed slightly and stole glances at one another.
“There was a rumor that you took the fall for breaking into the restricted section for this one,” she nodded her head at you, “Why?”
You cut in laughing, “Everyone knows he likes having people owe him favors so -“
“I thought she was gorgeous and I wanted to both impress and protect her,” he admitted with a red face, not daring to look in your direction.
As a chorus of “ooos” and “I knew it”s rang out you reached for the fire whiskey so you could blame your deep red body blush on that instead of Sebastian’s admission.
“Hey that’s not butter beer,” Poppy whispered knowing you never touch fire whiskey.
“I know,” you whispered back right before you downed a huge gulp.
“Gareth,” Sebastian said briskly, determined to get the spotlight off him, “who’s name do you pant when you get off - anyone here?”
This is when Sebastian finally looks at you. He has a triumphant grin as he’s sure his point is about ready to be proven.
“Poppy,” Gareth said sheepishly.
Poppy immediately spit her butter beer out and it sprayed all over Amit.
“I’m sorry,” Gareth winced, “I didn’t mean for you to find out my feelings for you this way.”
He shot a glare at Sebastian at the same time you shouted, “HA! I told you he was never flirting with me that we’re just friends!”
Sebastian gaped open mouthed between Poppy (who had just taken another shot of fire whiskey herself) and Gareth.
“But…but I swear he was all over you and flirting all last year,” Sebastian doubled down.
“Yea I was,” Gareth explained as he scratched the back of his neck, “I thought if I flattered her she would be able to get me an in with Poppy. Y/n is the first person to gain any headway with her so….”
“Wait a minute,” Amit piped up, “why does it matter to you if he was flirting with her or not?”
Ominis chuckled, but said nothing.
“Yea and why is it so important that Sebastian know that he wasn’t y/n,” Natty asked knowingly.
“And those are the million Knut questions aren’t they,” Ominis said smugly as he raised his glass of butter beer and took a drink.
“Wh- wh- who’s turn is it now,” you asked in a high pitched voice.
“Everyone’s gone but you sweetheart,” Gareth said.
“Knock that off Weasley or I swear to Merlin I will curse you so badly your future generations will feel it,” Sebastian barked.
You could hear a pin drop as everyone turned to stare at him. Everyone, except for you, was holding in so much laughter it hurt.
“DARE,” you screamed to break the tension, “I will take any dare you throw at me right now!”
The heads that were turned on Sebastian all creepily turned towards you with that same “cat who got the cream” facial expression. You shuddered as you realized your mistake, and braced for what was to come.
“I DARE you,” Gareth declared with purpose, “to tell your crush that you like him.”
Sebastian held his breath. He was torn between loudly protesting and begging Merlin that it was him. All those feelings still when he saw a tear stream down your face - then all he felt was anger.
“Look what you did Weasley,” he said enraged as he pulled out his wand, “couldn’t give her a break? Or be more original?”
“It’s okay I’m just scared of rejection and I definitely didn’t want to say these words with an audience but if I don’t say it I’m going to explode,” you explained quietly as you put a hand on Sebastian’s arm to lower his wand.
He turned to face you and you looked up at him through your lashes.
“I love you Sebastian,” you said in a small voice, “I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you in our common room, pacing in concentration nose deep in a book. When you called me a kindred spirit I thought for sure you could see I was a goner. I come with a lot of baggage and we’re so close as friends. I understand if this puts you off and you want space from me.”
Sebastian just stared open mouthed back at you. He did so a beat too long and you start walking to your dorm while furiously wiping at your face, “I’m off to bed. Happy Christmas guys!”
When you were completely out of the room everyone turned their eyes to Sebastian who was still frozen in place.
“SALLOW YOU ABSOLUTELY ARSE! I MAY FUCK MY BROOM ON OCCASION BUT THAT’S NOTHING COMPARED TO HOW BADLY YOU JUST FUCKED UP RIGHT NOW,” Imelda screeched and cringed at her own admission. Her anger for her friend overriding her embarrassment.
“Imelda is spot on Sebastian,” Ominis sighed in judgment as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
Suddenly he stood up and announced, “Sebastian: you’re not allowed back in our room until after you’ve fixed this, you utter imbecile. Garreth, you don’t deserve Poppy, but she seems to be into you despite your revelations. Don’t. Muck. It. Up. She’s not a potion to be experimented with. Natty, Poppy - you two are lovely, never change. Amit: good luck not picturing Professor Garlick naked from now on. Imelda: you fuck your broom, enough said. Now goodnight!”
Everyone was silently holding their breath as he headed towards his room. Right before he walked out of eye sight he turned around and said, “Oh yes, and Sebastian? I’m courting Anne, because I am a man who can express his feelings and do something about them. I’m blind not dumb.”
After a few moments of silence Garreth shrugged and spoke up, “He did warn us about him joining in. He was not kidding.”
“I’m - regrettably - a Gaunt. We don’t kid,” Ominis shouted from the hallway, “and before you comment I’m blind not deaf and you have the shrillest voice I’ve ever heard from a man Garreth!”
“What are you still doing here,” Amit questioned the still frozen Sebastian.
“I think he’s still in shock,” Natty giggled.
“HEY SALLOW! HAVE YOU BEEN PETRIFICUS TOTALUSED?! NO? THEN GO FIX THIS NOW OR SO HELP ME I WILL HEX YOU MYSELF,” Poppy threatened.
That snapped Sebastian out of it and he turned to look at Poppy. When he saw the dangerous look in her eyes he scrambled tripping over his feet and took off for your dorm.
“That…was incredibly sexy,” Gareth said as he slid closer to Poppy, “I knew you had a little Gryffindor inside you….would you liked some more?”
He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively as Imelda yelled at him and Poppy giggled.
“Buy me a butterbeer first and then we’ll talk,” she said flirtatiously.
Sebastian could barely hear the roar of his friends’ laughter over the rapid beating of his heart. He knocked on your door a couple times before coming in. You were sat on the side of your bed with your back to him.
“Go away Sebastian. I don’t want your pity,” you said tiredly, “I know I’m a lot to deal with so I’m not surprised and you don’t have to worry I won’t fawn all over you.”
Hearing your self deprecating side hurt him to his core and gave him the strength he needed. In a couple quick strides he made it over to face you. Then he said something you did not expect:
“I know you didn’t take the veritaserum,” he said softly.
“What are you talking about,” you said defensively.
He gave you a knowing look and you sighed, “How did you know?”
It was his turn to sigh as he sat next to you on your bed tilting his body to face you.
“Because I know you. You’re so caring and responsible I know that there is no way that you would ever risk accidentally letting out the…how shall I say…more confidential details about last years events. Which is something I didn’t even think about, no surprise there,” he reasoned before giving you that lopsided grin that made you weak in the knees, “and I might have definitely seen you put the full vial in your pocket when you thought no one was paying attention. And if there’s one thing I do thoroughly is pay attention to you.”
“Sebastian don’t say things you don’t mean just to make me feel bet - OH MERLIN WHAT ARE YOU DOING,” you exclaimed as he bent over you to root through your right pocket.
“See I pay attention,” he said with a grin before he downed the serum, “Just in case the first batch wore off…I need you to know I’m being completely honest.”
He waited a moment and then stood up to move in front of you. You couldn’t stop the billions of butterflies that fluttered around in your stomach as he crouched down and gently took your hands in his.
You’d never seen him look this serious - well other than his frustrated and angry seriousness from last year. This was different. This was softness and so very vulnerable.
“The day you came bursting in the great hall out of breath but still maintaining a confidence that showed us all you belong here…I just knew you were special. I was hoping desperately you’d be sorted in Slytherin. I chided myself for that. See I know everyone thinks I’m a big flirt but it’s not on purpose. I can’t help how naturally charming I am,” he visibly cringed after he said that last sentence.
You chuckled and gave him a deadpan look.
“Okay yea, maybe you’re right and I am a but arrogant, I heard it then,” he admitted and shook his head, “regardless, love and those kind of relationships just weren’t on my priority list. Anne and I went through so much. When I wasn’t at Hogwarts I was just trying to survive being around my Uncle and how he treated me. Then when I was here I had my sister and Ominis and my studies - and yes okay being generally popular has been fun. Yep heard it that time too - Merlin I didn’t know I thought so highly of myself!”
“Go on,” you encouraged through your soft laughter, “before the serum wears off and I don’t believe a word you’re saying.”
“I know you’re teasing but ouch. You’re right though. When you came over and spoke to me I called you a kindred spirit because I knew if I said soulmate I would’ve scared you away. It didn’t make sense to me I didn’t even know you but you felt like home almost immediately. Then you knocked me on my ass and I was done for, I had to do whatever I could to be close to you. I do pay attention. I look for you everywhere when we’re not together. I come up with any excuse I can to be near you. Then when everything went sideways you stayed by me even when I was nasty to you, when I cursed you, when I took more than I gave. I was horrible and I don’t deserve you. You. Beautiful. Incredible. Kind. Feisty. Witty. Intelligent. Wonderful you. I love you darling, I’ve been yours since I laid eyes on you.”
Tears spilled from your eyes as you lunged forward to capture his lips in a kiss. He responded in kind and as the kiss deepened you grabbed a hold of his shirt and pulled him up onto the bed with you. Neither of you broke the kiss during this, each of you needing the other more than air.
He caged you between his arms and the bed. Then just as suddenly as it started he pulled away looking confused and slightly upset.
Your mind started racing: did you go too far, did he change his mind now that you’ve kissed, were you a bad kisser?!
“Wait a minute,” he said slowly processing something as he looked towards your door, “Did Ominis say that he’s dating Anne - as in my twin sister Anne?!”
You burst out laughing underneath him, “You’re slow, but you get there!”
While he was distracted you used your legs to flip him over on his back so you were on top straddling him. You smirked as you took in his shocked and reddened face. Thank Merlin for all that galavanting in the highlands, you were a lot stronger than you looked
“Now that I’ve knocked you on your ass again, how about we put Ominis and Anne on hold and focus on you and me, huh,” you said lowly causing Sebastian to shiver.
He reached a hand out to tuck some of your hair behind your ear and whispered, “Merlin I love you!”
His face broke out in a devilish grin, “I could get used to this view you know.”
Normally you’d blush and turn into a puddle at his words. Not tonight, not now that you know he feels the same.
“Well then let’s experiment and see how many ‘views’ we can come up with,” you said suggestively.
Sebastian gulped but maintained his confidence when he spoke, “I am a sucker for research and experiments. And we do have a lot of time to make up for, don’t we darling?”
As you both got lost in one another you didn’t hear what was going on outside your door.
“Well I guess I’m not sleeping in my room tonight,” Imelda sighed, “I mean good on them - about time honestly. However I don’t even want to sleep in this house tonight, Sallow seems like a screamer to me.”
“You would know,” teased Poppy referring to Ominis hearing Imelda having fun with her broom
“That’s it you’re never touching firewhiskey again,” Imelda scolded as her cheeks heated up, “can I stay in your room Natty, since Poppy here is being a jerk.”
Natty put an arm around Imelda and smiled warmly at her.
“Of course you can, my friend…just uh…leave your broom behind please,” she joked and then bolted before Imelda could hex her.
“OH COME ON, YOU TOO,” Imelda shouted as she took off after her back to the common room where Garreth and Amit were still lounging.
“Do you think she gets splinters…you know….there,” a wide eyed Amit asked Garreth.
“Weasley. You. Are. DEAD,” Imelda yelled as she pulled out her wand.
“WHY ME,” he shrieked.
“Because this game was your damn idea to begin with now stay still you rotten bastard,” she ordered.
“POPPY SAVE ME! YOU’RE SCARY ENOUGH ON FIREWHISKEY TO TAKE HER! HELP!,” Garreth screeched as he ran.
In that moment you broke your kiss with Sebastian. You looked absolutely panicked as you whisper yelled, “Oh no Professor Weasley! I can hear her voice coming from the common room she sounds horrified! Merlin she’s going to kill us if she finds us like - Seb why are you laughing? Seb come on this is serious! She’s got that shrill upset tone she gets when she’s livid.”
“Just trust me, we’re safe. Now kiss me,” he promised.
“Screw it, you’re worth all the detentions!”
With that the two of you became lost in one another once more. It was a Happy Christmas indeed!
The Veritaserum Paradox: When One Drop Became a Flood
He told Harry that a single drop was enough. "Veritaserum. A powerful truth potion. Three drops, and you would answer any question put to you." The implication? Lethal precision. Controlled power.
And yet—when the time came to extract the truth from Barty Crouch Jr., Severus Snape tipped the entire vial into his mouth. Not a drop. Not three. All of it.
Was it a contradiction? A mistake? A forgotten line? Perhaps.
But if you look closer—if you know Snape—perhaps not.
🖤 Theory 1: Tactical Intimidation
The "drop" line was never about dosage. It was theatre. Psychological warfare. When Snape speaks, it’s not just for information—it’s for effect. With Harry, it was a warning dressed as education. With Barty Jr., it was certainty dressed as silence.
He didn’t need to empty the vial. But Snape never takes chances. Not when the truth is this dangerous.
🧪 Theory 2: Variable Potency
Veritaserum isn’t static. The dose depends on the strength of the subject’s Occlumency, their magical resistance, and even their mental state.
Harry, a 14-year-old boy? A drop might do. Barty Crouch Jr.? A trained Death Eater with a gift for deception?
You drown liars. You don't drizzle on them.
🎭 Theory 3: Alan Rickman knew what looked good on camera
Let's be honest. A single dainty drop would not have carried the same visual weight. The steady, deliberate pour? The silence? The glint of the vial?
Rickman performed Snape as someone who embodied gravitas. He didn’t administer truth. He delivered judgement.
—
So was it a contradiction?
Maybe.
But more likely—it was Snape doing what he always does: Choosing precision when possible. Certainty when necessary. And theatre, always.
Something that frustrates me so much is the fact that they never used Veritaserum on Sirius during his trial. Like he wouldn’t have been sent to Azkaban and so much in the story would change