Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Discussion

[JenMarie]

Originally posted by sugar and spice
As for this book being backstory-full -- I agree, but I definitely don't think that's a bad thing. I definitely preferred this book to Order of the Phoenix, which I thought was badly edited, boring and lacked too much of the trademark humor that kept the earlier books from getting too dark. This improved on all of those points, at least to me (I suppose the "boring" one is debatable).


A friend and I discussed this: what do you think of the "final battles" in the books? He and I were both sort of let down by this one (Dumbledore's death aside), and I was definitely let down by the final battle scene in OotP. I guess it's because I prefer the puzzle-type battles where something important is finally revealed to the "everybody shoots unforgiveable curses at everyone else" scenes, but I thought that the endings were at their strongest in Chamber of Secrets and Goblet of Fire. How about you guys?

GOF is probably one of my favorite endings... and probably my favorite overall book.

I understand what you mean about OoTP. I think what made it one of my favorites was, surprisingly, Umbridge. I loved to hate her. Other than that, I wanted to smack the living crap out of Harry for being a whiny prat... but that's just me.

I think book seven will have a combination of the "curses battle" (from dumb DEs that don't know anything else) and a "puzzle battle," involving the trio's strengths to figure out the last couple of horcruxes. And the death of Voldie and/or Potter battle will be one giant mind game... I think.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Ok. I finally finished the book. WOW!! I was shocked, SHOCKED to find that Dumbledore died. I did the read the spoiler that was posted here, but I didn't want to believe it. At least not this soon. I was kind of expecting him to die in book 7, but not now!

I never trusted Snape, but it still surprised me a little that he was the killer. However, there was something strange about Dumbledore's behaviour all through the book. I don't know. It's almost as if he was expecting to die, but not by the hands of Snape. I don't know. He just didn't seem himself.

Harry mentioned it in the book, and it's been mentioned here, that Dumbeldore had said he would never truely leave Hogwarts as long as those still loyal to him remained. But it makes me wonder. Harry said he wasn't going to return to Hogwarts next year. Harry is the most loyal (at least in my opinion) person to Dumbledore. If Harry doesn't return, this could spell trouble. On the flip side, it could prompt his return to Hogwarts.
Also, there is now a portrait of Dubledore inside the Headmaster's office. Dubledore is still around to provide wisdom.

Someone else here said that they think Hogwarts will become a refuge for the good. I tend to agree. I think Hogwarts will remain open, but it won't be a school. It might be used as a new headquarters for the Order. There's a war going on. The Order doesn't really have to remain secret anymore. It also might be a safe haven for those fleeing Voldemort.

I will definitely need to go back and re-read all my books again. I know I am missing some clues that will tell me what might happen in the final book.

[Lady Pi Phi]

I don't know about your books, but in my book, page 606 is not where they are talking about Snape killing Dumbledore, like that spoiler said. In my book page 606 is the second last page.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by BetaRose
In the American editions, 606 is the page where Harry tells Hagrid that Snape killed Dumbledore. Theres another 40-some pages after that before it ends.

How is that the American version has more pages?

[DaffyKD]

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
How is that the American version has more pages?

Different size fonts, and difference in the actual size of the books.

DaffyKD

[JenMarie]

I remember reading an editorial (take them with a grain of salt because sometimes they are stretches) that stated a lot of important information or important events happen in all of the Chapter 13s.

I'll have to go find that editorial now. But what happened in Chapter 13 in HBP? I know it was a Riddle story but can't remember which one. And I guess will this chapter's contents be significant later?

Edited cuz I got the chapters mixed up. But I went to find the "oddities and coincidents" page and basically the "villian" is usually put forth in the chapter 13s. But we already know that Tom/Voldemort is a villian... so was there anyone else in that chapter?

[SSS1365]

Originally posted by JenMarie
I remember reading an editorial (take them with a grain of salt because sometimes they are stretches) that stated a lot of important information or important events happen in all of the Chapter 13s.

I'll have to go find that editorial now. But what happened in Chapter 13 in HBP? I know it was a Riddle story but can't remember which one. And I guess will this chapter's contents be significant later?

Edited cuz I got the chapters mixed up. But I went to find the "oddities and coincidents" page and basically the "villian" is usually put forth in the chapter 13s. But we already know that Tom/Voldemort is a villian... so was there anyone else in that chapter?

Maybe Snape? I don't have my book near me right now, but it's just a thought.

[AOIIsilver]

I am so glad that someone else thinks that DD's death was set-up and that DD was coaxing Snape. I feel that it is especially poignant and telling that Snape is indignant when Harry calls him a coward. Snape realizes that DD would have probably died anyway because of the poison but that by "killing him" with a curse that he (Snape) is making himself a permanent outcast to society and truly sealing his future as a lost cause. I feel that Snape realizes that LV will ultimately come to a bad end and that no one will believe that he was working for DD, isolating himself forever....unless Harry puts everything together....

What do you think?

Question:
What was DD seeing/experiencing as he drank the potion? Was he feeling the responsibility for the deaths of those in the lake?

Silver

[Jadey28]

Just finished reading and I'm speechless. I agree with whomever thinks that Harry is a Horcrux. That's the first thing that came to mind when I read that part. I also cried from Dumbledore's death to the end of the book. Yeah, I should've seen it coming, but wow.

It's going to be hard to watch movies 4 and 5 without yelling at Snape or crying over Dumbledore. I'm such a sucker.

[christiangirl]

Originally posted by Jadey28
I also cried from Dumbledore's death to the end of the book.

Oh good, I'm glad I wasn't the only one, I was starting to feel pretty loser-ish.

Well, I've loved all the final battle endings from book 3 on. The first 2 weren't disappointing, but not as good as the rest for me. Especially 4 and 6, those were the best for me...Let the whole book be full of light adventures and puzzles, entertaining but not overwhelming, then....WHAM! Right at the end, things take a jolting turn and leaves you panting for the next book, but still oddly satisfied. A bit like a good sex romp I'd think (well, I'd 'imagine' not like I'd know right? ).


I also think that Hogwarts would make a good safehouse for the Order, but where would students learn? I mean, when countries go to war, the schools don't all shut down, I don't suppose it would happen in the wizarding world either. And with Dumbledore having been targeted by Death Eaters, I think people will finally be 100% on his side (a little late, but they will) and will rally to keep his school open. Some will oppose it, saying that it's not safe at all now he's gone, but some will still want their children there once the vanishing cabinet and anything like it is destroyed.

[Lindz928]

Ok now, if Harry himself really WAS a horcrux, then WHY would Voldemort keep trying to kill him????? I don't see any way that this idea is true.... I think it's possible that Voldemort could be wanting to make the last Horcrux with Harry's death but that still seems pretty flimsy.

I am really looking forward to finding out just what all the horcruxes are and how Harry finds them. I think that will be one of the most interesting parts of book 7- and probably also what will have the most growth for Harry as a person.

[BetteDavisEyes]

HORCRUXES

#1 - Lord Voldemort himself
#2 - Nagini the snake
#3 - Marvolo's ring
#4 - Tom Riddle's diary
#5 - Salazar Slytherin's locket
#6 - Helga Hufflepuff's Cup
#7 - Something that belonged to Rowena Ravenclaw (more likely) or Godric Gryffindor (thought I think unlikely b/c the sword is his last remaining item & DD is in possession of it at Hogwarts).

I sincerely hope that Harry isn't a Horxrux b/c I'm a sucker & don't want him to die at the end. I'd like him to end up with Ginny & have loads of kids & teaching DADA at Hogwarts.

[copacabana]

Originally posted by Lindz928
Ok now, if Harry himself really WAS a horcrux, then WHY would Voldemort keep trying to kill him????? I don't see any way that this idea is true.... I think it's possible that Voldemort could be wanting to make the last Horcrux with Harry's death but that still seems pretty flimsy.

This is EXACTLY what I was going to say: WHY would Voldemort keep trying to kill Harry if he had put part of his soul into him? I could understand him holding out to use Harry's death to create the last horcrux, but I don't think the idea of Harry actually being a horcrux holds any water. (I've been wrong at times, but it's just what I think).

I dunno, I still am of the opinion that Snape is really evil. I've been rereading all the books, and although he makes a pretty good double agent I just get the feeling he is evil. JKR has done alll this work to try and redeem him in everyone's eyes at the end of each book, but is it just a trick? I was reading an interview with her and when someone mentioned the "redemptive pattern" Snape tends to have, she responded: "I promise you, whoever asked that question, can I just say to you that I’m slightly stunned that you’ve said that and you’ll find out why I’m so stunned if you read Book 7. That’s all I’m going to say."

It is difficult to discern if Dumbledore was pleading for Snape to save him or to kill him before he dies.

May I just say that I'm dying to read book 7 already?

[BGKdLady]

It kept nagging at me that maybe DD was actually DD or maybe Snape wasn't actually Snape. There was a lot of talk at the beginning of the book about Death Eaters impersonating people and to be very sure that you were dealing with the person you thought you were (remember the Weasley's secret questions?). Anyway, I keep hoping that something is not as it seems.

[SSS1365]

Originally posted by BGKdLady
It kept nagging at me that maybe DD was actually DD or maybe Snape wasn't actually Snape. There was a lot of talk at the beginning of the book about Death Eaters impersonating people and to be very sure that you were dealing with the person you thought you were (remember the Weasley's secret questions?). Anyway, I keep hoping that something is not as it seems.

Hmmm, I never thought of that... That's an interesting theory!