There's no question that the world of Harry Potter is a sparkly magical wonderland where all one need worry about is not getting eaten by a Dementor (but how bad could that be, really?). But have you ever thought about the real-life wizardry that…

Potions classroom

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The Potions Classroom was one of the large dungeons[2] in Hogwarts Castle, used for Potions lessons.[1] It was large enough to allow at least twenty students to work and its walls were lined with pickled animals in glass jars.[1] In one corner of the room stood a basin into which ice-cold water poured from a gargoyle's mouth, while in another was a student supply cupboard. There was also a blackboard on which the Potions Master could write the class's instructions.[3] The room was especially…