Veritaserum Potion

[OliveOil_Med]

I have been wondering lately about the effects of Veritaserum. I know it forces the drinker to tell the truth, but I'm still wondering how it works.

Does the drinker go into a sort of zombie like trace where they will tell the truth and not be 100% aware of what is happening? Or are the completely aware and just involentarily blurt out the truth like Jim Carrey in Liar, Liar? If there a scene in the books where we ever see Veritaserum being used?

[megan_lupin]

Well, the only time we see Veritaserum being used is with Barty Crouch, Jr. in GoF. (I think the name of the chapter is, ironically enough, "Veritaserum" ;) ). It's near the end of the book, by the way.

The way it works there, it seems like the victim goes into a trance-like state, though whether or not he is aware of it happening, I don't know. (It's not 100% clear.) I do know, though, that Veritaserum CAN be fought -- at least, I think Jo mentioned it somewhere.

Ah, found the part I was thinking of - from the FAQs on her site: Veritaserum works best upon the unsuspecting, the vulnerable and those insufficiently skilled (in one way or another) to protect themselves against it. Barty Crouch had been attacked before the potion was given to him and was still very groggy, otherwise he could have employed a range of measures against the Potion - he might have sealed his own throat and faked a declaration of innocence, transformed the Potion into something else before it touched his lips, or employed Occlumency against its effects. In other words, just like every other kind of magic within the books, Veritaserum is not infallible. As some wizards can prevent themselves being affected, and others cannot, it is an unfair and unreliable tool to use at a trial.

Sirius might have volunteered to take the potion had he been given the chance, but he was never offered it. Mr. Crouch senior, power mad and increasingly unjust in the way he was treating suspects, threw him into Azkaban on the (admittedly rather convincing) testimony of many eyewitnesses. The sad fact is that even if Sirius had told the truth under the influence of the Potion, Mr. Crouch could still have insisted that he was using trickery to render himself immune to it.
Hope that helps.

~Megan

[MC Kair]

Does the drinker go into a sort of zombie like trace where they will tell the truth and not be 100% aware of what is happening? Or are the completely aware and just involentarily blurt out the truth like Jim Carrey in Liar, Liar? If there a scene in the books where we ever see Veritaserum being used?

I think that Veritaserum, in a way, is like the Imperius Curse. I would think that the victim would go into a trance-like state, but still be aware of what is happening, just like in GoF, when Harry is aware of what Moody is doing to him.

They also said that Veritaserum, was only affective on the weak and unsuspencting. Dumbledore, when he wanted to retrive the memory from Slughorn, said that he probably has an antidote. This means that there is an antidote and that is obviously can be fought.

-Hope this helped, Maria

[Azhure]

I'm not really sure about the trance-like state idea. In GOF, Barty Crouch Jnr seems completely aware of what was happening. I think that Veritaserum would just make you physically incapable of lying.

~~Azhure~~

[OliveOil_Med]

Thanks for the help people. The little plot bunny that helped to start this thread is really growing.

But now I have another question. How long do the effects of Veritaserum last, and does the amount the drinker take factor into this? I do remember in OotP that Snape said only a few drops were necessary, but do you think Umbridge believed that if she gave the students more, that the effects would last longer and she could get more information out of them? Do you think there would be any truth to this?

What about prolonged uses of the potion? If a person took it every night, would the eventually bui;d some sort of resistance to it? Would prolonged use of the potion have any side effects?

Oh, I have all kinds of questions!

[megan_lupin]

How long do the effects of Veritaserum last, and does the amount the drinker take factor into this?

Well, I do know (or at least, I think I'm recalling it all correctly), that Veritaserum is strictly controlled by Ministry guidelines, concerning the amount and its usage, and I'm sure some other things as well.

In the scene in GoF, they give Crouch Jr. three drops, I believe, and it lasts at least as long as the interrogation. (I think it starts to wear off near the end, and he goes unconscious, but I'm not sure if that's canon or fan fic. And I'm not at home right now where I can check GoF -- PoA and SS/PS, yes, but not GoF :p .)

So, unless your individual wishes to bend (or break) the laws, they can't just pour vials and vials of Veritaserum down a person's throat.

What about prolonged uses of the potion? If a person took it every night, would the eventually build some sort of resistance to it? Would prolonged use of the potion have any side effects?

That's a good question, and I don't think canon ever gives us an answer, really. Veritaserum is definitely a very powerful, strong, potion, so it would take a good deal of time/will power/etc. for anyone to build up a type of resistance - if such a thing is even possible.

The same thing sort of goes with prolonged effects. Canon doesn't really give any answers, so you can sort of make up your own mind on that.

I've read some fantastic fan fictions that would answer your questions (and am having a difficult time trying to remember what's canon and what's in that fan fic [Promises Unbroken by Robin4 on FF.N [/ends rec]] regarding these), but the way that author uses it is like this:

-- You can't lie through Veritaserum, as the potion forces you to speak the truth, but you can "resist" it by not saying anything. (And this would definitely require a strong will of mind. Even JKR said that Veritaserum works best on the weak-minded or unprepared.)

-- Prolonged exposure (especially prologued incorrect exposure - as in overdoses/forced down the throat) results in the victim reacting very adversely to the potion (nausea, vomiting, falling unconscious, etc.), even if it's in a proper dose, setting, etc.

Hope that helped!

~Megan

[OliveOil_Med]

And as to keeping the potion, do think the Ministry would have it's own supply of Veritaserum, possibly to be used in interigations?

How far do you think the lengths would go to guard the potion?

The books say it is strictly monitored; what do you believe the punishment would be for stealing it? Do you believe it would be harsher punishment if the potion were used on a Muggle who couldn't resist the effects simply because they didn't know what was happening to them?

Would theft of this potion constitute involvment from the Department of Aurors?



Oh, my imagination will just not allow this string of thought to die!

[Azhure]

And as to keeping the potion, do think the Ministry would have it's own supply of Veritaserum, possibly to be used in interigations?
I think it would. It just makes for easier access during interigations and if the Ministry needs some at the last minute, it would be there ready. It would just save a lot of trouble.

How far do you think the lengths would go to guard the potion?
Hmm, this is a toughy. I don't think it would be guarded by wizards around the clock, but there would probably be charms and hexes casted on the store cupboard or where ever the potion is kept. It is pretty valuable and hard to make so the Ministry would not just leave it unguarded.


The books say it is strictly monitored; what do you believe the punishment would be for stealing it?
Hmm, I'm really not sure. Azkaban, possibly? But that just seems a bit strict to me... I have no idea. :p


The books say it is strictly monitored; what do you believe the punishment would be for stealing it?
Definately. The Wizarding community punishes anyone who performs spells in front of Muggles. Using the potion on them would lead to harsh consequences.

Would theft of this potion constitute involvment from the Department of Aurors?
It depends on who steals it. If it was the Death Eaters, Aurors would get invloved. If not, the normal Magical Law Enforcement would.

I hope I helped! And let that imagination soar! :p

~~Azhure~~