Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Spoilers)

[shyra1353]

First off, this was BY FAR my favourite book of all six so far ... moving the third book to second place. I think this was mostly a transition book leading up to everything that is going to happen in the next book.

Cory: Dumbledore trusted Snape because Smape told him that it was he who had told Voldemort about the prophecy. I don't quite understand how that makes Dumbledore trust him, but it's the reason that he gives Harry. I think there is something more to it though. Think maybe Snape had to do something to prove his loyalty to Dumbledore?

About the couples:
Ron and Hermione: oh so painfully obvious. Has been hinted at since Goblet of Fire.
Harry and Ginny: meh ... could be worse ..
Bill and Fleur: never been a big fan of Fleur
Cutest Couple Award: Tonks and Lupin

About RAB:
Somebody beat me to saying it but I think RAB is Regulus and the potion that had to be drank was some sort of tracing potion. Because Voldemort knows he isn't the best in the world, and it seems to me he is insecure and that is why he needs the trophies (I think Dumbledore mentioned something like that). Anyways, I say it was a tracing potion so that he could find whoever got past all the curses and find out how they did that. That being said, Dumbledore did say that once they destroyed the Horcruxe, Voldemort wouldn't know, but I think he was wrong.
Also, if it is not Regulus, it could be someone knew. As in Borgin or Burkes. Or also, in the Slug's Club, there is Marcus Belby who clearly has family connections if he was there. And Katie Bell's last name also started with B.
But also a point to remember: "The world is not separated into good and evil. The Order vs. The Death Eaters" - Sirius. (or something along those lines). In which case, RAB could be someone entirely new. If it is, I think it was someone who went to Hogwarts with Tom Riddle or was in the orphanage with him maybe? But someone from his childhood.


About changing the potion (was mentioned in an earlier post):
I disagree because when Harry tried to fill it with water for Dumbledore to drink, it wouldn't. So why would it fill with anything else? And the note only said RAB, not RAB and SS (Severus Snape).

About Snape being the Half Blood Prince:
I think there is more to it than just that. It reveals that he is an extremely powerful wizard and that even though he is head of Slytherin and a Death Eater (or at least he was and was accepted by Voldemort as one), he isn't a pure blood. And I think the fact that he is half Muggle is extremely significant.

About Snape killing Dumbledore:
For some reason, my gut says Snape is evil. The unbreakable vow did not mean that he was forced to kill Dumbledore. It means that if he didn't, Snape would die. But, if Snape hadn't killed Dumbledore one of the other Death Eaters would have killed Snape because they would know he was a traitor. And then one would have killed Dumbledore. But Snape is a pretty powerful wizard and I think he could have taken the 3 and a half Death Eaters in the room. The half being Malfoy.

Which brings me to my next point and predictions for the next book:I say Malfoy turns good (and if the world was perfect he would fall in love with Hermione). But, regardless, he did not want to kill Dumbledore, and no matter what he said on the train to the other Slytherins or what he says to his mother, Voldemort, or Death Eaters, he isn't coldhearted enough to be a murderer.

I also say Harry kills Snape. Whether Snape is evil or good, Harry hates him too much. Not just for Dumbledore, but also for everything Snape put him through, everything he has said about James and Sirius, and mostly for telling Voldemort the prophecy that made him kill James and Lily. So now he's reached his breaking point and will kill Snape before he ever truly finds out if Snape was actually good or evil.

I also say Harry dies next book. Yeah yeah she won't make one of the kids die, but I think he will because it will be the only way for him to get rid of Voldemort once and for all.

As for will Hogwarts stay open? I think it will. For the sake of Dumbledore. He wouldn't have wanted it to close. I think the structure of it will change greatly and there will be a lot fewer students, but I think it will remain open.

My guesses on the 6 Horcruxes:
1. The Locket (Something of Slytherin's)
2. The Cup (Something of Hufflepuff's)
3. The ring (Something of his own descent)
4. The Diary
5. Nagini (the snake)
6. This has to be some place obvious, and I am thinking Hogwarts because it was such a big place of his life. The only place he ever felt at home and wanted to return to. Also, he wanted a teaching post there and was refused twice, though Dumbledore never found out why he wanted it so bad. If this last one isn't in Hogwarts, than maybe Borgin and Burkes because of his job there.

Also a point to notice, but the DADA teacher didn't last for a year again.

Here is what I I think will have a huge significance next book but don't know why or how:
Aragog's dying is a big deal I think
Grawp
Kreacher and Dobby
Krum will come back I think
Cho will come back again
Krum and Cho possibly??

I noticed in this book there were a lot of unanswered questions that were supposed to be answered. JKR said after Order of the Phoenix that in the next book we would find out that there is more to Aunt Petunia that meets the eye and why it is so important that Harry looks exactly like James, but has his mother's eyes?

And throughout the whole of the Half Blood Prince, one question bothered me: Who is guarding Azkaban?? It can't be the Dementors because they follow Voldemort now. It can't be Aurors because in a battle of a Death Eater vs an Auror, it can go either way.




Anyways, those are my thoughts on the sixth HP. I heard JKR has the seventh one written already so that means only one more year til it's released and we don't have to wait for her to get over writer's block or anything. The movie of the fourth book is out on November 18th!!! www.gobletoffire.com

Shyra

EDIT: everyone seems to be ruling out the possibility that RAB could be a she.

[DCA Fan]

On the couples....

George: haha and harry + ginny....odd combo to me
Friend: you talk about them like they`re an entree at panda express. ._.'
George: yea they're good with a side of orange chicken
George: o.O
Friend: great.
George: haha the other combos were nice though...wrapped eels submerged in each other

I thought it seemed really out of place, but sort of expected. I seem to sense that as the books have progressed, they have been more "fantastic movie scene possibility" types, as if Rowling was thinking "hmm this would be cool to see in a movie."

[Cory]

Originally Posted by shyra1353

Cory: Dumbledore trusted Snape because Smape told him that it was he who had told Voldemort about the prophecy. I don't quite understand how that makes Dumbledore trust him, but it's the reason that he gives Harry. I think there is something more to it though. Think maybe Snape had to do something to prove his loyalty to Dumbledore?

He did give that as a reason. but I don't see how Dumbledore can unconditionally trust him because of that. There has to be something more.

[c-squared_2006]

Call me stupid, but...The only thing that really really concerned me was how the couples ended up... I don't like the idea of Ron and Hermione from the beginning... I suppose red hair is cute, but argh.... Ginny and Harry... plah...

[slickguy2007]

I really think that Dumbledore did die because his portrait did appear inside the headmaster's office. As for JK Rowling being too obvious, I don't think that is the case. She knows what she is doing and I think that she would have anticipated everyone guessing what was going to happen next. As a result, I don't think that it will be anything that we can guess. But like it was said before, that is just my $.02.

I think that Dumbledore knew even before he left in search of the horcrux that he was going to die that night. When Harry was taking Dumbledore back through the caves, Dumbledore implied that he would trust Harry with his life. If this is true, why wouldn't he let Harry come and help him? I think the reason is that he knew that Harry would find a way to succeed against the death eaters and save him. This would be against Dumbledore's plans because he was considering the prophecy. The prophecy says that Harry, alone, would have to be the one to kill Voldemort. If Dumbledore lives, Harry would be too dependent on him and would never go in search of those horcruxes w/o him. As a result, the prophecy would not be fulfilled because it would not be Harry alone defeating Voldemort. Dumbledore said in OOTP that his weakness was that he cared for Harry too much. The only way to fix this would be to eliminate himself. Dumbledore said that he could trust Harry, I think he trusts him enough to be able to fulfill the prophecy.

As for Harry becoming an auror, I don't think so. I think that he will end up doing what nobody else could. He will become a teacher at Hogwarts and will teach his favorite class. No other teacher could last for more than 1 year when teaching defense against the dark arts. I think taht job was meant for Harry and this will eventually be realized.

Snape is a very complex character and it is hard to tell which side he is on. When he shouted "Don't call me a coward!" to Harry, this raised a flag to me. I think that Snape very reluctantly killed Dumbledore. It makes sense b/c in the OOTP, he was the one who alerted the Order about Harry's actions. If it weren't for him, Voldemort would have had Harry right where he wanted him. He told the Order and Dumbledore which allowed them to prevent Voldemort from getting the prophecy and killing Harry(the death eaters made it clear that they had every intention of killing Harry after they got the prophecy). I don't think that Snape would have wanted to foil his master's plans intentionally.

Like I said before, I am probably completely wrong. JKR will probably come up with some elaborate story that will put all of our speculation to rest. She will probably come up with something that nobody would have thought of or she will introduce some new element into the book. If I am not mistaken, the 7th book is coming out in the summer of 2007? So we now have something to look forward to. Hopefully, it won't be another War of the Worlds disaster where all the questions were left unanswered!! (yes, i am still mad about that )

BTW, I am sorry if I have mentioned something that has already been said. I keep losing track between all the HP discussions.

GO 1403!!!

[Laura 1547]

I haven't been on in a reeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaallllllllyyyyy long time but I just had to reply to this one...

I think Dumbledore did actually die because otherwise why would a portrait of him appear in his (old) office along with all the other dead headmasters/mistresses?

And also on that point, Dumbledore's portrait will be very important in the last book. Because portraits can talk in the wizarding world, Harry will be able to talk to Dumbledore and possibly discuss tactics or recieve guidance and help in book 7. I think this could probably be why Rowling mentioned the portrait hanging on the wall (even if it was just a small hint)!

[Mike Schroeder]

Originally Posted by FindWaldo

I haven't been on in a reeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaallllllllyyyyy long time but I just had to reply to this one...

I think Dumbledore did actually die because otherwise why would a portrait of him appear in his (old) office along with all the other dead headmasters/mistresses?

I dont actually think that they say anywhere in any of the books, that the portraits are for Dead Hogwarts headmaster/mistresses but for former headmaster/misstress so all this says to me is that Dumbledore is no long the headmaster.

[Laura 1547]

Originally Posted by Big Mike

I dont actually think that they say anywhere in any of the books, that the portraits are for Dead Hogwarts headmaster/mistresses but for former headmaster/misstress so all this says to me is that Dumbledore is no long the headmaster.

that's a good point...I didnt think about that

[Alex Pelan]

Pretty much everything I've had to say was already said, but my cousin threw out this idea: Harry, or another person, as one of the horcruxes? If so, someone will have a very difficult decision to make come book 7. I found this to be the weakest book so far, but still a decent read.

[shyra1353]

Originally Posted by Alex Pelan

Pretty much everything I've had to say was already said, but my cousin threw out this idea: Harry, or another person, as one of the horcruxes? If so, someone will have a very difficult decision to make come book 7. I found this to be the weakest book so far, but still a decent read.

I considered Harry as one of the Horcruxes but ruled it out because it just didn't make sense. Why would Voldemort try and kill Harry if Harry is a part of his soul and without him, Voldemort is one bit closer to mortality.

Also .. another question that was supposed to be answered or at least hinted toward is what were the professions of Lily and James? I can't remember where I read it but they weren't Aurors ...

Also .. I didn't like how JKR made Dumbledore point out everythign from the memories oh so blatantly. Like he would say "I hope you can see how so and so" But at the same time I can see that she did that so the younger readers would be able to follow the story. So while I'm not a huge fan of it, I also can't see another way around it ...

[Winged Wonder]

i've loved all of this specualtion.. and yeah, i dont think Dumbledore pleaded for his Life, but for Death, and this was all planned long before the encounter with Malfoy's mother and her sister at Snape's house. It was a good book, and i liked it... i sort of expected Dumbledore to die throughout the whole book though, so i wasnt incredibly surprised. i do enjoy Rowling's use of Suspense everywhere.

about the potion and the locket: it is very true that RAB could be one of Sirius' ancestors. if you didnt notice, whenever Harry and Dumbledore were in Dumbledore's office, Sirius' ancestor who used to be a headmaster was always making comments. always. and anyways, if RAB really did destroy that Horcrux, thats one less that Harry has to worry about, and that works in his favor. anways, the potion. remember what dumbledore said about the potion before he began to drink it?

Originally Posted by Dumbledore

Undoubtedly, this potion must act in a waythat will prevent me from taking the Horcrux. It might paralyze me, cause me to forget what I am here for, create so much pain I am distracted, or render me incapable in some other way. This being the case, Harry, it will be your job to make sure I keep drinking, even if you have to tip the potion into my protesting mouth. You understand?

it seems to me that Dumbledore knew what he was dealing with before he got there.. perhaps he visited the cave before he came back again with harry when he realized he couldnt get the Horcrux alone, and it was all a show to get harry to believe it. maybe it was even a test of sorts for harry... a test to see if he really was "Dumbledore's man, through and through" if he could really do what he was asked.. and he passed with flying colors, allowing Dumbledore the knowledge that harry was ready to do what he was destined to do (although, i'm pretty sure Dumbledore doesnt really give a $@#$@#$@#$@# about the Prophecy, he just uses it to his advantage that Voldemort is self-fulfilling his own demise) and it was time for him to go.

also, something else no one has mentioned... Draco crying in the bathroom and Moaning Myrtle consoling him. Draco as a whole.. you could tell he changed throughout the school year. he wasnt as arrogant... he seemed scared. i cant say i blame him.. but yea... you can see how he responded when Dumbledore offered him a way out, a way to keep his family safe.

and speaking of keeping his family safe, i'm curious as well as to who is protecting Azkaban. its mentioned a lot throughout the book that Lucius is "safe in Azkaban"...

Snape being the HBP was brilliant.. i loved that twist. and when he asked harry to stop using his own spells against him and to stop calling him a coward.. i got the red flag too. Snape must be a very strong person to have killed Dumbledore.. i dont think Snape wanted to at all, but he had to, there was no way around it, and there was no other way to fully convince Voldemort and the Death Eaters of his "allegiance" without excecuting his Unbreakable Vow and sacrificing Dumbledore. i think Dumbledore had done as much as he could have, and at that point, he was really of no more use in person, especially because of his hurt hand, and he no longer needed to live to help. his portrait could give all the information that was needed... thats all Dumbledore was good for anymore, and at the time, Snape was far more useful and important than Dumbledore could have ever been. Snape is a brilliant double agent and plays the part extremely well... my 2nd favorite character just because of his brilliance and darkness, second only to Sirius.

so... the couples. good and bad, in my opinion. i found it cute (but maybe thats because i'm a girl) but also, it offered another conflict, another layer of the story... and it even gave some hope in the book, so the book itself didnt turn out to be extremely depressing.

Originally Posted by DCA Fan

I thought it seemed really out of place, but sort of expected. I seem to sense that as the books have progressed, they have been more "fantastic movie scene possibility" types, as if Rowling was thinking "hmm this would be cool to see in a movie."

i think a great injustice was done to the books in that the movies were created before the series itself was completed. they rushed into making the movies while it was assumed HP was just a fad, but now HP is being considered as literature ... and it wouldnt have hurt to put off the production of the movies for a few years. you're right, the fact that her books were being turned into movies may have influenced her writing a little (i'd certainly hope not...)... and now, even though i said i'd never watch the movies, i have, and when i read, i cant help but picture the movie version of everything, which really sucks because it takes all of the imagination and fun out of reading in the first place.

and yeah, the blatent obviousness or supposed blatent obviousness got a little annoying, and perhaps it was for the younger readers, but the more i read Rowling's work, the more i get the impression that the Harry Potter series was never intended to be Children's Literature. it just so happened that it would be recieved that way.

just my two cents.

[JackN]

Originally Posted by Alex Pelan

Harry, as one of the horcruxes

I think your right. I have thought on it and it would make sense. That would explain why he is a parseltongue, why voldemort needed harry in Goblet of Fire, why he told his followers not to kill him, why the sorting hat said maybe slytherin, why he survived voldemort, what was controlling harry in Order of the Phoenix, and why he can feel voldemort. I know this sounds outlandish but it would tie up several unexplained things.

[Ryan Dognaux]

Originally Posted by 1derboy

I think your right. I have thought on it and it would make sense. That would explain why he is a parseltongue, why voldemort needed harry in Goblet of Fire, why he told his followers not to kill him, why the sorting hat said maybe slytherin, why he survived voldemort, what was controlling harry in Order of the Phoenix, and why he can feel voldemort. I know this sounds outlandish but it would tie up several unexplained things.

In a few ways it makes sense, but in many more it doesn't. Why would Volemort make Harry contain a portion of his own soul? It would've been a very stupid thing of him to do. This means that in order to fulfil the prophecy in the way he wants to, he's going to have to destroy part of his own soul, thus making him even less immortal.

Voldemort needed Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire so he would be transported to the graveyard and Harry's blood could be used to restore Voldemort to power. He could have used any wizard who hated him, but he used Harry so he would be immune to the magic that Lily instilled upon Harry when she died.

Voldemort wants to complete the prophecy himself. He wants to have the satisfaction of killing Harry. If you look at it from Voldemort's viewpoint, Harry has caused him a great deal of trouble. I don't think he contains part of Voldemort's soul, he just wants to be the one to kill Harry Potter.

Originally Posted by Sybill Trelawney

"The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches ... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... And the dark lord will mark him as equal, but he will have power the dark lord knows not ... And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives."

Voldemort tried to destroy Harry with a killing curse and failed. This is why Harry's scar hurts and why they are connected. Voldemort found out about the prophecy from Snape and chose to act upon it. Voldemort's actions caused them to be connected. It just doesn't make sense for Harry to be a horcrux, but maybe Rowling is betting on that too. Who knows.

[Freddy Schurr]

Heads of House for the they last year at Hogwarts, if there should be even a Hogwarts that students are attending.
Ravenclaw-Flickwick
Hufflepuff'-Sprout
Slytherin- SLughorn
Gryffindor- Hagrid

I though that this book was more dark than anything other HP book, it sometimes scare me, like the Interfi, I had a dream that they attack me, but its OK, With Dumblerdore dead, I was like what? He is such an important character to the plot that now it going to turn everything upside down. And yes he is dead, I don't think that he took any Polyjuice Potion to be someone else. And also I don't think he would let Snape kill him just to save him and Malfoy, that just be not like of Dumbledore. Also the relationships were weird, Harry and Ginny, it was like eww, but Ron and Hermione, we all know that it was going to come. Sometimes, I didnt understand the plot but its a good book and I believe that everything will come out of the open in the LAST book.

Here is what I am thinking about YEAR 7

- Aberforth Dumbledore, brother of Dumbledore and barkeep of the Hogs Head plays a big part.

- Snape dies and Harry is proud

- Characters that we did not know or only knew a little bit about them, WILL play bigger roles.

_ In book 5, he recieves a gift from Sirius or someone, not sure, but I believe it was a mirror and Harry will need it to talk to the dead or a least family, friends and others

- He will travel around Britian and get the how many parts of Voldemort soul left and destory it but he would have help from the OoP

- Hogwarts is one of 7 parts of " he who must not be named" soul

- Lily Potter will help or solve or just be a big part in the last year.

- Dumbledore saids famous phases that are notable to him but does give full adivce to Harry.

- Many more characters will die.

- Harry WILL have the HELP of Hermione and Ron in whatever he does

- And Voldemort will DIE.

But still, I am shock that Dumbledore is dead!!!!

But who know what JK got in store for the last book? I CAN'T WAIT !!!!

[c-squared_2006]

This book was definately a bit more dark than the first few, it actually kind of scared me to a certian extent. I really enjoy the complexity and the specutulation, but sometimes I wonder if we are over thinking things.

Random question: does any one know when the seventh book is comming out?