Amortentia

> "*Amortentia is the most powerful love potion in the world. It is distinctive for its mother-of-pearl sheen, and steam rises from the potion in spirals. Amortentia smells different to each person, according to what attracts them.*"
> ― Description[source]
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**Amortentia** is the most powerful love potion in existence. It causes a powerful infatuation or obsession from the drinker. It has a distinctive mother-of-pearl sheen, and steam rises from it in characteristic spirals.

## Nature

> "*Powerful infatuations can be induced by the skilful potioneer, but never yet has anyone managed to create the truly unbreakable, eternal, unconditional attachment that alone can be called Love.*"
> ― Hector Dagworth-Granger regarding love potions[source]
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Amortentia is the most powerful love potion in existence. It's considered to be a powerful and highly dangerous potion. As stated it's dangerous to underestimate a powerful infatuation. Despite its power, Amortentia doesn't create actual love; it's impossible to manufacture or imitate love. The person under the effect of the potion will only hold an obsession for the person who administered it.

## Effects

> "*They chose the one nearest a gold-coloured cauldron that was emitting one of the most seductive scents Harry had ever inhaled: Somehow it reminded him simultaneously of treacle tart, the woody smell of a broomstick handle, and something flowery he thought he might have smelled at the Burrow. He found that he was breathing very slowly and deeply and that the potion's fumes seemed to be filling him up like drink.*"
> ― The aroma as smelled by Harry Potter[source]
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It has a different aroma for everyone who smells it, reminding each person of the things that they find most attractive, even if the person doesn't acknowledge or is unaware of their fondness for the object of their affection themselves; e.g. Hermione Granger smells fresh cut grass, new parchment, and Ron Weasley's hair. Harry Potter smelled treacle tart, the woody scent of broomstick handle, and "*something flowery that he thought he might have smelled at the Burrow*" (which he later realised was the smell of Ginny Weasley).

The effects of the potion on a person are described to be near instantaneous; with the person who drank the potion appearing "pale and sickly" and becoming obsessed with the object of their affections, speaking of them as though "hit by a ray of purest sunlight" and becoming excited or dangerously unstable towards others.

The potion must be administrated continuously in order to maintain the false love in the drinker. Otherwise, as with Merope Gaunt and Tom Riddle Snr, the effects will wear off and the victim would regain their own free will.

It is said that those conceived while one party is under the influence of Amortentia are unable to love or feel love. This is shown in Tom Riddle/Voldemort’s lack of affection for anyone but himself, as his father Tom Snr Was under the influence of Amortentia during his marriage to Merope Gaunt.

## Known aromas for individuals

 Harry Potter | Treacle tart, a broomstick handle, and Ginny Weasley.

## Etymology

* Amor is a Roman god of love, and the word "Amour" in French means "Love".
* "Tentia" is also Latin for "held".