At the end of every term, the school's "black market" came alive, and Wit-Sharpening Potion sold particularly well.
But once students reached seventh year, they knew that stuff was useless. That did not mean they would not buy such potions.
Around sixty percent of students facing their N.E.W.T.s took Calming Draught. Its main purpose was to ease anxiety, emotional trauma, and similar feelings. Some drank it before exams as well. With graduation approaching, some had already found internships, while others still had no idea what they wanted to do with their futures.
Its greatest difference from Draught of Peace was that it was easy to make and the ingredients were readily available. It only required water, Fluxweed oil, and Bloodroot juice. Draught of Peace, meanwhile, required things like Unicorn horn and moonstone, and its brewing process was far more complicated. An error in preparation or a problem with the formula could cause irreversible slumber.
There was no such concern with Calming Draught. At worst, drinking too much would make someone sleep for a while, and they would wake once the effects wore off. At least in Snape's Potions classes, no one had ever considered drinking the Draught of Peace they brewed themselves, yet there really were people who drank Calming Draught.
However, aside from making people sleepy when overconsumed, it had other side effects. For example, it reduced the drinker's control over their muscles. Anyone about to compete in a broom race was advised not to drink it.
Then there was Apparition. This time, a sixth-year Ravenclaw boy drank Calming Draught before taking his Apparition exam and, unsurprisingly, suffered "Splinching." Most of his body arrived in the correct location, but one toe remained behind, leaving him screaming in agony.
"Drink this." Poppy Pomfrey handed him a cup of potion giving