Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Spoilers)

[Ryan Dognaux]

I just wanted to see what you guys may of thought about the new Harry Potter book. It was a great read, state your opinions here after you've completed the book. Don't read below if you haven't finished the book beacuse you will be sad and cry for hours. Below are some points/thoughts/ramblings I came up with after finishing it:

Concerning Dumbledore, Snape, and all that jazz -
Snape made an unbreakable vow with Malfoy's mother that he would do everything he could to keep Malfoy safe - especially from Voldemort, who would kill Malfoy if he did not die in an attempt on Dumbledore's life. It is my belief that Dumbledore knew about the unbreakable vow because he knew everything else about Malfoy's plans and attempts.
At one point in HBP, Hagrid slips up and tells Harry that he heard Snape and Dumbledore arguing. I think this was over the very situation that happens at the end of the book - if there was a situation in which Snape or Malfoy may end up dying and this could be prevented by killing Dumbledore, then Snape must do it.
I don't think Dumbledore was pleading for mercy, he was pleading for Snape to kill him. As hard as that may be to even consider, Snape may be the most valuable resource to those against Voldemort in the end. I think in the 7th book, there will be a crucial moment in which Snape will either save Harry's life, or contribute to Voldemort's demise in some fashion.

This kind of theory fits the way Rowling twists her stories around... if I took the way I read it straightforward, well, I'd be wrong. Rowling masks her writing as straight but behind that mask is a twisting story.

A friend of mine threw out an idea that possibly Dumbledore didn't die at all, and that it was someone under the influence of Polyjuice potion. I'm no HP expert, but I'd believe that the person would still retain the form of whoever they were until the potion wore off, which would probably be within the hour. However, if you noticed, Dumbledore's body was not viewed at the funeral, it was covered even when Hagrid carried him to the tomb. All theory, of course.

I just can't see this being all plain as day and straightforward. Dumbledore wouldn't have gone down without a fight unless he meant to... I believe Dumbledore froze Harry behind the door in order to a) protect Harry b) protect Malfoy and c) protect Snape. It was all just a form of protecting in various ways. Harry no doubt would've just gone charging screaming in shooting spells. Whatever, playing the hero role that he does quite well. Had Malfoy died, Snape would have too. So really, in the end, it was just to the benefit of everyone that Harry stayed behind the door against his will and under his cloak.

All the Harry and Hermione shippers - your luck has run out. It's Ron + Hermione... and it's so painfully obvious.

I guess the only thing to do now is wait until book 7.

Thank you J.K. Rowling for giving us all such a great story.