Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (SPOILER THREAD)- Page 2

[midnghtdolphin]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 2:52pm

NOT DUMBLEDORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! noooooooooooo! and i had snape pegged from the begining. i'm so upset!

*edit* because after reading his name through 6 books, i apparently still can't spell it. Updated On: 7/17/05 at 02:52 PM

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 3:12pm

I just finished the book after reading half of last night and all morning/part of the afternoon... I wasn't expecting that Snape was the Half-Blood Prince! I really wasn't sure who it was, but I was really surprised when it was revealed.

I loved the H/G and R/H pairings, but I was really hoping that Bill and Tonks would end up together. Fleur annoyed me. Oh well...

I really can't believe that Snape killed Dumbledore. I knew he was going to die, but Snape?? I didn't see that one coming, but I knew Malfoy wouldn't do it.

On the whole, I thought this was a great book. However, the ending really bugged me. I'm not sure what about it, but I finished the book and was like "That's IT???" And I really do hope that Hogwarts opens again and that they all return.

[yodamarie78]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 4:16pm

I just finished after doing everything I could to make it last as long as possible. It's probably wishful thinking, but I do think there is some possibility that Dumbledore asked Snape to kill him. I did not cry when Sirius died in OotP, but I sobbed when Dumbledore died.

I had a thousand different theories about who was the HBP, and while the thought that it was Snape crossed my mind, I can't claim to have known for sure. I really thought Snape was going to die at the end trying to stop Draco.

I loved H/G when he finally kissed her I had to put the book down and celebrate for a few minutes. I also loved the whole thing with Hr/R, it was so much fun to watch them torture each other.

This reads in a very disjointed manner as I haven't had time to really process the whole thing and now I have to give the book to my husband so I can't read through it again for a while

One quick prediction though: I think Regulus Black took the Horcrux.
Updated On: 7/17/05 at 04:16 PM

[Craig]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 5:27pm

R.A.B is most likely Regalus (whatever) Black.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 5:42pm

*GASP!*

*Cry*

Wow...

I need to go back and re-read that...

[Craig]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 6:02pm

I think to best service the rest of the story, Harry will not be back at Hogwarts. Not for the majority anyway - it wouldn't prove easy to go after the 4 objects in question. That being said, I think that the final standoff between he and Voldemort will include all the major player.

I do wonder though with the ability to apparate why more "over 17" haven't used it to leave their current dangers and appear elsewhere.

[TGIF]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 6:22pm

Ugh, I am thoroughly depressed. I am not happy with this book. I need time to get used to the events that happened, then I will revisit it and make a conclusion on how I feel about what happened.

When events happen in books that I don't like, I tend to get mad AT the book. Hopefully after I stop dwelling on Dumbledore's death, I can appreciate the book for its good storytelling (I cried, so it was good at making me feel something for the characters).

A few of my initial thoughts on the book...

In a way it seems that Dumbledore knew that his time was coming to an end. Ever since the end of the 4th book, he seemed to be growing weaker and more tired - or at least outwardly portrayed those characteristics. Some criticized that Dumbledore showing Harry the memories and would have liked Harry to discover it on his own. I saw it as Dumbledore knew he wouldn't be around much longer so he wanted to equip Harry with as much knowledge about Voldemoret as he could before he was gone. Defensive training and Ancient magic he could learn without the aid of Dumbledore. However, these memories were impossible for Harry to obtain any other way for 2 out of the 4 (Morfin and Hokey) are now deceased.

I have been waiting for the H/G relationship to happen ever since the second book. I had a feeling that it would happen in this one and was very pleased. I do have a question that hopefully you guys can answer. Harry tried to break up with Ginny at the end. Do you think they will stay apart? I hope not.


Craig: Brilliant observation with Regulus Black. Maybe somone DID find out that Regulus stole the Horcrux and thats why he was murdered?

Updated On: 7/17/05 at 06:22 PM

[Beanmatt]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 6:30pm

Up till the end, I had myself convinced Dumbledore was the HBP. Everytime he sent a note to Harry telling him when the next lesson would be, there was a comment on how thin/slanty/graceful his handwriting was. Then, there was (at least to me) an effort to point out the thin/slanty/graceful handwriting in the margins of the HBP's textbook. So I thought I had that one figured out, but I was wrong.

Also, is it possible that Snape is under an Imperius Curse...making him do these bad things? Did not think he would have ended up being on the dark side all along at all.

Funniest Moment: after all the dating and "snogging" going on, the new password being Abstinence!

[LariTheLoud]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 6:44pm

I don't think Snape is under an Imperius Curse. I think that's completely impossible.

HOWEVER...

There is a possibility that he and Dumbledore had it planned for the entire book. Think about it. Snape's hesitation before consenting to the final leg of the Unbreakable Vow... Snape's argument with Dumbledore, about how he "doesn't want to do it anymore." Snape finally receiving the cursed DADA position (because DUMBLEDORE PUT HIM THERE). Why would Dumbledore give him that position if he knew it was cursed?

To solidify Snape's place among the upper ranks of Death Eaters.

Also, at the end, Snape took no pleasure in killing Dumbledore. None. It seemed to take all his concentration to pull it off. No snarky words. Nothing. And his reaction to Harry's accusation that Snape was a coward... He completely blew up. "DONT CALL ME A COWARD!" He insisted that he was not a coward, by any means. But seriously, though; it must have taken an awful lot of courage to kill the one man that had any trust in him whatsoever.

What if Dumbledore wanted--even planned Snape to kill him? What if Dumbledore trusted Snape to kill him the entire time? It just really seemed to me that he was pleading Snape to kill him, not to spare his life.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/junediamanti/137087.html?thread=28%20%2017919#t2817919 This is also an interesting theory about how Dumbledore made himself the third Horcrux and depended on Snape to kill him.

Anyway, just something to throw up for discussion. I'm not sure if we should be giving Rowling that much credit with Snape's character, but it IS a distinct possibility.

Updated On: 7/17/05 at 06:44 PM

[Craig]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 6:47pm

I think Rowling has set Snape up perfectly to keep the reader guessing.

My fav. line in the book "There's no need to call me 'sir,' Professor. "

I haven't read the theory of Dumbledore being a Horcrux yet - but it would be interesting if the green liquid turned out to be the horcrux, not the locket...

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 6:55pm

I WAS RIGHT!!! WHOO_HOO!! I guessed that Snape would be the HBP, before the book came out. No one believed me, I was right!



Absolutely shocked and began to cry when I read about Dumbledore's end. So so sad...

[LariTheLoud]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 6:58pm

I think it'd be interesting if the green liquid was the Horcrux, too.

Then again, I'm a bit of a Snapefan. Besides, I just think it would add so much more dimension than the clear-cut good/evil that's been going on so far if Rowling did have them plan it the entire time. Either way, Snape seems like he's turning out to be one of the most hated and feared wizards alongside Voldemort for what he did...

[LoudIrishGirl]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 7:59pm

I completely agree with the pre-planning of the Dumbledore death. I think that the whole conversation with Malfoy could have been aimed at Harry. "There are ways we can make you seem dead" not an exact quote, but you get the point. I do not think that Dumbledore will come back (that would be too easy) but I do think that Sirius or somebody else could.

Also I am beginning to love Snape. He is probably the most complex and underated character in the entire series, and I do hope that he ends up helping Harry out in an unexpected way in the end or something. The Judas to Voldemorts Christ (take THAT pope! Voldemort is Christ, not Harry! I mean look at it, the Death Eaters = Disciples, he came back from the dead, COME ON!)

*Note, that does not mean that he is the 'good guy' nor am I saying that Christ is evil. Just a formulic observation.


With the Regulus Black thing, well what if Sirius came back from behind the veil with the information needed to find that Horocrux or maybe Regulus is not dead himself?

Anyway, to go back to my first point, I think that the conversation that Dumbledore was having with Malfoy was aimed more at Harry (or mostly likely both, because it did have a profound effect on Malfoy). I need to revisit that conversation before I post more on it, but I definitly feel that that point and the moment when Dumbledore's 'grave' was created are important.

Phoenix's die only to be reborn from the flames. What if Dumbledore made Fawkes his Horocrux or something? Or what if Dumbledore did something different but equivalently able to keep him from death?

But that could just be wishful thinking. = )

[LittleFish8386]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 8:16pm

I don't think Dumbledore made himself a Horcrux, nor do I think that Sirius is going to come back from the dead. JK has said it many interviews that once people are dead, they are dead. I was very happy with this book, and I think it's far better than the last one. However, there are a couple of things I'd wish she would have expounded on a little more.

--Percy
--Hermione and Ron's relationship (I mean honestly, how much longer must we wait)

However, I am happy that my boy Snape was in a lot more of this book, albeit, he was a murderous bastard. I can't believe in my heart of hearts that he is evil though. It would just break my heart.

[Millie42]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 8:24pm

I'm still interested to know what blackened Dumbledore's hand...

I am definitely going to start re-reading tomorrow--the first reading is always so stressful.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 8:25pm

Just finished. My gosh. As much as everyone is claiming they knew Dumbledore would die in this one, I have to say that he was probably the last one I thought would die. Never even crossed my mind. And it's so depressing. I really wanted them to explain why Dumbledore trusted Snape. They still haven't. Grrr. I keep thinking of these people as real people, though, and I REALLY want there to be a good reason that he trusted him so that I can still have that faith in Dumbledore. I don't believe he would trust him if he weren't 150% sure. I almost hope that Snape and Dumbledore arranged his death because it would mean that Dumbledore was justified in his trusting of Snape. At least, I hope.

I didn't think Snape would be the HBP either. And, as suprising as it was, it didn't really seem all that inevitable to the story. I mean, enough to name the book after it? Yeah, the Potions book was a big part of the book, but when Snape revealed himself as the HBP, what really came of that? I mean, then Harry just knew that Snape had invented those spells. Doesn't really make sense to me.

And I'm still holding out for Dumbledore to come back. It makes me really scared for Harry because Dumbledore spent 16 years of his life doing everything possible to protect that boy. I don't think Harry realizes the depth of the danger he is in now. He didn't know a lot of the things Dumbledore had done for him.

And on a happier note, I love Harry and Ginny together. Much better than Cho. Also, the whole Hermione and Ron thing was cute, though it seemed to drag out a bit. Gosh, I really think of all these characters as real people, don't I?

Overall, I absolutely adored this book. But I've been waiting for 6 books to see why Dumbledore trusted Snape, and we still don't have an answer. That makes me crazy. Great book, though.

Updated On: 7/17/05 at 08:25 PM

[LoudIrishGirl]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 8:40pm

"I'm still interested to know what blackened Dumbledore's hand..."

I think it was insinuated that by obtaining and destroying the 'Crux that was the ring, his hand was harmed in an irreversable manner.

"JK has said it many interviews that once people are dead, they are dead."

Damn. Lol. Well then I am more of the assumption that Regulus may never have actually died, but just been hidden (much in the same manner as Lily and James Potter? With a secret keeper?)

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 8:41pm

Taken directly from "I Can't Wait for Harry Potter 6" thread, this was (mostly for my benefit) to see which of the teasers turned out true for book 6 and which did not. Anything I found to be true I bolded. Please feel free to correct me if necessary.

We will learn a lot more about Voldemort in this book.

HBP will be an intense book, but with light-hearted moments.

Harry will leave Privet Drive early again, for a "much pleasanter" reason than in book 5.- I guess this is true, as Dumbledore comes to get him to go to the burrow.

The opening chapter of book 6 was originally planned for the early parts of book 1, perhaps we get a more in-depth story of what happened the night Harry's parents died.- Seems as though this could have easily been planned for the beginning of book 1. Nothing on the night of Lily and James' death, though.

Neither Harry or Voldemort (including Tom Riddle) are the Half-Blood Prince

Arthur Weasley will not be the new Minister of Magic

By the ends of books 6 and 7 "you'll have all the back story you'll need", says JK Rowling, and a prequel will not be necessary

There will be a new Minister of Magic, no more Mr. Fudge.

We will find out what happened to Hagrid's half brother Grawp. He will be a bit more controllable in book 6.- Bit more controllable, yes, but we don't really hear too much about him.

The Dursleys are in the next book, but Harry's stay with them will be the shortest yet. In book 5 he stayed for 4 weeks, so we know his stay will be less than 4 weeks.

Cho Chang will not be a romantic interest of Harry in Book 6, however there will be a "little romance" for Harry says JK.

In books 6 and 7 we will find out exactly why JK killed off Sirius.

Harry becomes even more powerful in book 6.- You be the judge.

In books 6 and 7 we will find out why Dumbledore trusts Snape.

We will find out what happened to Wormtail AKA Peter Pettigrew

More about the animosity between Snape and Sirius will be revealed in the last 2 books.

JK has said that giving away the form of Snape's boggart and patronus says too much. We'll definitely find out what Snape's worst fear is, and it'll be important.

Hermione and Draco will NOT end up together in book 6 or 7.

We will find out what exactly Dudley saw when he looked at the dementors.

The reason Voldemort and Harry both didn't die when Voldemort tried to kill Harry, will be revealed.

We will see more of Draco's mother, Narcissa Malfoy, now that Lucius is busy.

We'll learn more about Harry's scar in the last 2 books.

Moaning Myrtle will make an appearance again, as will Tonks.

More about Voldemort's birth will be revealed, thus helping us understand why he is so evil.

Muggles begin to notice "more and more odd" occurrences in book 6, says JK.

The wizarding world is really at war in the sixth book.

Harry will tell his dearest friends about the prophesy after it sinks in to him.

We will learn more about Harry's relatives, including his grandparents (though JK says they aren't really important to the story)

We will find out what happened to Sirius's motorbike.

Book 6 will be shorter than the 5th book (or at least JK's 99% sure, but will not swear on her children's lives) -darn her for that

There will be no "new" nationalities of children at Hogwarts. Hogwarts is a British school, and JK says that adding foreigners for the sake of it is not in her plans.

During an interview, when JKR was asked in which Hogwarts room she'd like to be for 1 hour, she said it would be a room in which Harry has been before, but doesn't know its importance. Yet. (this could have happened in book 5, but we're unsure)

It's very important in the plot that Harry has his mother's eyes, and that her wand was very good for charms.

During an interview for Kids BBC, Victor Greensteet (reporter) asked Rowling if Harry would have a dragon for a pet. This is what she replied: "You can't tame a dragon, no matter what Hagrid thinks. It's simply impossible. So no. He has more common sense. He MAY have a different pet in the future, but for now, I won't say anything else". (This could have been buckbeak, but I'm sure we can expect more pets)

In the same interview for Kids BBC, the reporter asked J. K. if Harry had ever used the internet, and this is what she had to say: "No. They (the Dursleys) won't let him go near Dudley's computer, and Dudley is the only one who has a computer. They hit him if he gets too near to the keyboard. So the answer would be No. I use it a lot, but Harry doesn't. Wizards don't really need to go on the web. They have an even better way to find out what's happening in the outside world, which I think is a lot more fun than the Internet, but I'm going to keep quiet on this one."

The choice between what's right and what's easy will be a pillar of the plot in Harry's last 2 years at Hogwarts

Harry's parents' profession will be a big part of the plot.

Something HUGE will be revealed about Lily Potter.

[TGIF]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 8:48pm

I think it was pretty clear why Dumbledore (and Sirius) died. It even said so at the end of HBP. With his headmaster and godfather there to protect him, he would always rely on them to get him out of trouble.

It is clear that in the end it will between Voldemort and Harry. It is obvious how much Dumbledore cared for Harry in OotP, can you picture Dumbledore and Sirius sitting idly by while Harry does battle with Voldemort.


Did anyone else go through the grief process when both Sirius and Dumbledore died? I denied both, expecting them to come back. After that I was angry, then I was upset etc. Now I am slowly coming to accept it. *blushes and tells self that these are NOT real people*

[LoudIrishGirl]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 8:48pm

"The reason Voldemort and Harry both didn't die when Voldemort tried to kill Harry, will be revealed. "

Harry = A mothers love

Voldemort = Horocrux (sp?)

"During an interview for Kids BBC, Victor Greensteet (reporter) asked Rowling if Harry would have a dragon for a pet. This is what she replied: "You can't tame a dragon, no matter what Hagrid thinks. It's simply impossible. So no. He has more common sense. He MAY have a different pet in the future, but for now, I won't say anything else". (This could have been buckbeak, but I'm sure we can expect more pets) "

Does he get a phoenix in the next book? IS that how they are born? Hahha, wooh go my Dumbledore is not entirely dead theory (...he turns into a phoenix)!

[TGIF]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 9:09pm

Horcrux


Also, does anyone else never know how to pronounce some of the names until they are said in the movies or on TV (interviews and such)? How do you say Beauxbatons?

Updated On: 7/17/05 at 09:09 PM

[LoudIrishGirl]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 9:22pm

I believe it is Bow-Bat-Ons.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 9:55pm

I loved this book because I have a general Harry Potter obsession, but I thought it was weaker than books 4 and 5.
I thought it was too predictible; I was pretty sure early on that Snape was the Half Blood Prince and that Dumbledore's overly trusting nature would lead to his death at the hands of Snape. I'm not convinced by any speculations that Dumbledore and Snape planned his death; I really do think Snape is evil. I think Harry will finish him off in book 7.
I do think this book was a great transition to the 7th one. That's the one I really can't wait for.

I have a question: Isn't Snape a 1/4 blood? When Hermione suspects that Snape's mother is the Half-Blood Prince, doesn't she say that the woman is a half-blood? Snape's father was a muggle, so wouldn't that make Snape 3/4 mudblood?
ETA: Never mind, I found the passage where it talks about Eileen Prince and Hermione says "IF, say, her father was a wizard whose surname was "Prince," and her mother was a Muggle, that would make her a "half-blood Prince"!' So I guess she must be pureblood and Hermione was only speculating.

Updated On: 7/17/05 at 09:55 PM

[Craig]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 9:57pm

To rip your soul in pieces, I thought you had to kill someone? Wasn't it explained in that manner... if that's the case, Dumbledore wouldn't have a horocrux.


Dumbledore explained that destroying Malvolo's ring is what caused his hand to be disfigured and burnt - because there was a curse on it, clearly.

[TGIF]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 10:08pm

I may have to go back and reread to make sure, but when Harry and Dumbledore were at Slughorn's home (or temporary one) Dumbledore was wearing the ring, yet his hand was already disfigured and black.