Even though Amortentia is the only one named, there are apparently many different potions that fall into this general category. Despite the name, these potions do not actually create or induce love. They mimic some of the effects associated with love, although the difference between love and lust is not always recognized in making this claim. Love potions grow stronger with age, making old ones particularly dangerous.
They are banned at Hogwarts, though this ban is widely flouted. Fred and George sell them as part of their WonderWitch product line, and smuggle them into Hogwarts disguised as perfumes and cough potions via their Owl Order Service.
Found in
Primary Cannon
Mrs. J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Chapter 13, “The Very Secret Diary.” Lockhart suggests students “ask Professor Snape to show you how to whip up a Love Potion.”
Mrs. J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 5, “The Dementor.” Mrs. Weasley admits she brewed a love potion when she was a girl.
Mrs. J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Chapter 27, “Padfoot Returns.” Rita Skeeter’s Witch Weekly article states “Love Potions are of course banned at Hogwarts.”
Mrs. J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Chapter 6, “Draco’s Detour.” Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes WonderWitch products include love potions.
Mrs. J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Chapter 9, “The Half-Blood Prince.” Slughorn identifies Amortentia as “the most powerful love potion in the world” and calls it the most dangerous potion in the room because it creates obsession, not love.
Mrs. J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Chapter 10, “The House of Gaunt.” Dumbledore tells Harry that Merope Gaunt used a love potion on Tom Riddle Sr.
Mrs. J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Chapter 15, “The Unbreakable Vow.” Romilda Vane attempts to slip Harry a love potion. Fred and George send love potions disguised as perfumes and cough potions via Owl Order Service.
Mrs. J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Chapter 18, “Birthday Surprises.” Ron accidentally consumes Romilda Vane’s love potion-laced chocolate cauldrons. Slughorn provides an antidote. The potions had grown stronger with age.
Secondary Cannon
- Mrs. J. K. Rowling and Sony. Book of Potions 2013-11-15. Features love potions as a category of potion.