The Emerald Potion and Investments

In “Harry Potter & Half-Blood Prince” by J.K. Rowling, there is an interesting story about the Emerald Potion which I have reproduced below:

Harry: "You think the Horcrux is in there, sir?"

Dumbledore: "Oh yes. But how to reach it? This potion cannot be penetrated by hand, vanished, parted, scooped up, or siphoned away, nor can it be Transfigured, Charmed, or otherwise made to change its nature. I can only conclude this potion is supposed to be drunk."

— Harry and Dumbledore discuss the potion guarding a Horcrux

The Emerald Potion, also known as the Drink of Despair, is a mysterious potion which induces fear, delirium, and extreme thirst. According to Dumbledore, the potion cannot be penetrated by hand, vanished, parted, scooped up, siphoned away, transfigured, charmed, or otherwise made to change its nature in any way. It can only be drained away by drinking. As such, this potion is meant for protecting something of extreme importance. Although the potion typically does not kill the victim, it nonetheless makes them very weak and vulnerable. As such, for a more complete security, something else should be there to be prepared to attack the victim once they finish drinking the potion.

Lord Voldemort used this potion as part of the defences to protect one of his Horcruxes, Salazar Slytherin's Locket, within The Cave. As one person would not be able to drink the entire contents without collapsing from the terrible effects, a second person would be required to force feed the potion, which Voldemort considered impossible due to the enchanted boat leading to the cave being designed to carry only one adult Wizard. This particular defence was able to be breached on a small number of circumstances through using underage wizards or magical creatures such as house elves, presumably because Voldemort underestimated them.

The corresponding video is at the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nVQPwH2m4s

Dumbledore, though was an accomplished wizard and teacher, instructs Harry Potter to force him to drink the potion no matter how much he refuses it. Dumbledore was protecting himself from himself as he knew that he was prone to not making the right decision in this situation. Investors are prone to biases where they may refuse to do the right thing for their portfolio. An Adviser can hand-hold Investors in such a situation and let them not deviate from the right path

According to Dumbledore – “This potion cannot be penetrated by hand, vanished, parted, scooped up, or siphoned away, nor can it be Transfigured, Charmed, or otherwise made to change its nature. I can only conclude this potion is supposed to be drunk”. Market volatility is like this emerald potion which cannot be penetrated by hand, vanished, parted, scooped up, or siphoned away, nor can it be transfigured, charmed, or otherwise made to change its nature.

Finally when the Emerald Potion (read Volatility) is handled, what is left in the container is the desired locket (read Portfolio Growth). Bottomline is “Investors need an Independent Adviser who protects them from their own biases. The Adviser helps Investors stay on course while handling Volatility. The end result is the desired Returns and Portfolio Growth.”

Indian markets have been choppy for more than a year now with NPAs and debt defaults further worsening the outlook. The trend may not reverse until the dust settles on Lok Sabha elections later this year. Stay on course with the help of your Adviser to realize your Aspirations!