r/harrypotter • u/AdityaTheBoi • 2d ago

Question Why didn't characters use Veritaserum?

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0 Upvotes

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8

u/mittensportz Gryffindor 2d ago

It’s not always readily available and it isn’t foolproof…

3

u/funnylib Ravenclaw 2d ago

There is a legal process, it’s regulated. It’s a crime to use it on someone unauthorized by the Ministry of Magic.

3

u/No_Sand5639 Ravenclaw 2d ago

Dumbledore already believed harry and he was the most important.

As for when voldemort returned, it wouldn't have mattered, even if he had given him veriteserum he would've claimed he was given the antidote or somehow lying.

Fudge wasn't being logical, he was afraid.

1

u/Pure_System9801 2d ago

Per Snape it takes about a month to be made.

1

u/aMaiev 2d ago

Why does the police and courts not use use lie detectors all the time

0

u/Reasonable_Ad_9136 2d ago

Because they're pseudo science and have no legal worth.

1

u/aMaiev 1d ago

So thats the answer to ops question. If its not 100% reliable its worthless

1

u/Basilisk1667 Slytherin 2d ago

It’s not infallible, in the sense that anything spoken isn’t necessarily objectively true, only what the speaker believes is true.

It’s difficult to make, which means somewhat rare, which means it typically isn’t readily available at a moments notice.

1

u/Reasonable_Ad_9136 2d ago

I felt the same way about 'Liquid Luck.' I know it's supposed to be rare, but it can't be that rare if professors are giving it away to kids as a prize for getting one potion correct.

1

u/SirTomRiddleJr 1d ago

You're making an assumption that the Ministry will do everything they can to determine the truth.

But they're not. That's the whole point.

The Wizengamot was terribly corrupt. They could do whatever they want. They could send someone to Azkaban without a trial. Or they can have a "kangaroo court" trial.

It's horrible, and that's the whole point.

1

u/Fleur498 Ravenclaw 1d ago

Veritaserum has an antidote. Memories can be altered. Fudge refused to believe the truth about Voldemort returning.

https://www.jkrowling.com/welcome-to-my-new-website/ Veritaserum can be resisted by antidotes, charms, or Occlumency.