Friday, April 25, 2014

V is for Veritaserum

How reliable is veritaserum as a truth-telling draught?
"It is Veritaserum - a Truth Potion so powerful that three drops would have you spilling your innermost secrets for this entire class to hear," said Snape viciously.  "Now, the use of this potion is controlled by very strict Ministry guidelines.  But unless you watch your step, you might just find that my hand slips" - he shook the crystal bottle slightly - "right over your evening pumpkin juice." (The Goblet of Fire, 517)

Like Tris from Divergent can resist simulations, some witches and wizards can resist Veritaserum.  In the movie, Snape's threat is much simpler: "Three drops of this and even You-Know-Who would spill out his darkest secrets."  However, since Voldemort knows Occlumency, it's unlikely that it would actually work on him at all, which Snape would know, as he is also trained in Occlumency.

It's also only as accurate as the person's mind who has drank the potion.  Therefore, if a person really believes something, they will be able to easily say it, even if it isn't true.  Veritaserum is used in The Goblet of Fire on Barty Crouch Jr., who is not exactly in a clear state of mind:
"As Minerva and Severus have doubtless told you," said Dumbledore, "we heard Barty Crouch confess.  Under the influence of Veritaserum, he told us how he was smuggled out of Azkaban, and how Voldemort - learning of his continued existence from Bertha Jorkins - went to free him from his father and used him to capture Harry.  The plan worked, I tell you.  Crouch has helped Voldemort to return."
"See here, Dumbledore," said Fudge, and Harry was astonished to see a slight smile dawning on his face, "you - you can't seriously believe that.  You-Know-Who - back? Come now, come now...certainly, Crouch may have believed himself to be acting upon You-Know-Who's orders - but to take the word of a lunatic like that Dumbledore..." (704) 


Of course, Fudge would've looked for any loophole possible in denying Voldemort's return (he also says Harry is lying).  For the Dark Lord to return while he was Minister of Magic would be horrible for his career, so he refuses to believe Harry, despite Dumbledore's support and explanation of Barty Crouch Jr's confession.


In the end, the Veritaserum helped uncover the truth, but still no one would believe it for quite some time.

Join me tomorrow for W is for the Will of Dumbledore!

1 comment:

  1. Certainly, Fudge would have been inclined to exploit any potential loophole to dismiss the notion of Voldemort's return, going so far as to accuse Harry of falsehood. The idea of the Dark Lord's resurgence during his tenure as Minister of Magic would have been a significant threat to Fudge's political career. Despite Dumbledore's endorsement and Barty Crouch Jr.'s confession, Fudge stubbornly refuses to accept the grim reality, clinging to his disbelief for the sake of his reputation and political standing. https://hdpcgames.com/blur-pc-game-download/

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