The White Tomb
Over the next few days, some students leave the school with their parents. Others, like Seamus Finnigan, refuse to go until they have paid their last respects to Dumbledore. Meanwhile, wizards and witches pour into Hogsmeade to attend the funeral. Harry and Ginny, Hermione and Ron now spend all their time together. They visit the Hospital Wing often. While Neville is healed, Bill remains under constant care. Apart from being permanently disfigured, the only lasting effect seems to be a preference for very rare steaks.
Later, Hermione shares that her library research uncovered that the likely original owner of Harry's Potions text is one Eileen Prince, Snape's mother. Prince "married a Muggle named Tobias Snape and later gave birth to..." Harry interrupts, "a murderer." Harry is maddened that Snape, unknown and unknowingly, was helping him. He sees a similarity between the half-blood Lord Voldemort and his assumed title, and the Half-Blood Prince and his adopted moniker. How could Dumbledore have missed it?
At Dumbledore's request, he is laid to rest at Hogwarts in a glorious white tomb overlooking the lake. Many students and the staff attend the funeral, as well as the Merpeople and the Centaurs, who fire arrows into the air in salute.
Harry ends his relationship with Ginny—for now. Harry realizes that Voldemort attacks him through those he loves—his parents, Sirius, and Dumbledore—and by ending their romance, he hopes to protect Ginny.
Scrimgeour, the Minister for Magic, takes Harry aside and asks where Harry and Dumbledore went the night Dumbledore was killed. Harry tells Scrimgeour that is between him and Dumbledore, and asks Scrimgeour again whether he has released Stan Shunpike. Harry repeats that he is "Dumbledore's man through and through."
Harry tells Hermione and Ron he is leaving Hogwarts, even if the school remains open. Finding the remaining Horcruxes and killing Voldemort are his only focus now. He intends to visit his parents' former home in Godric's Hollow after a brief stay at Privet Drive to fulfill Dumbledore's wish that he remain under his mother's protective charm. Then he will find and kill Snape. Ron and Hermione pledge to join his quest, despite Harry's preference to go it alone. Harry finds comfort in spending one last peaceful day with his friends, and he looks forward to Bill and Fleur's wedding.
Harry unhappily ends his relationship with Ginny to protect her from Voldemort, though she is probably still in grave danger. Harry never mastered Occlumency, and it is possible that Voldemort could penetrate his mind and see images involving Ginny. It was earlier mentioned, though, that he has found being inside Harry's consciousness is an extremely unpleasant place for him, and he may not attempt this again.
We learn that Snape, Voldemort, and Harry share an important characteristic: they are all half-bloods. Snape, however, apparently grew up connected to the wizarding world, unlike Harry and Voldemort, although his home life was certainly just as unpleasant. As much as Harry always disliked and resented Snape, he is now driven solely by hatred and vengeance. This vigilante desire to avenge Dumbledore's death has clouded Harry's judgment; rather than seeking justice, Harry is consumed with inflicting revenge. This could jeopardize his mission to find and destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes. Harry will need to overcome his extreme emotions if he is to succeed.
It is ironic that Harry's least favorite and ineffective teacher (Snape) is also an admired and influential mentor (the Half-Blood Prince), someone who inspired him and from whom he has learned so much. This conflict will continue to affect Harry.
Later, Hermione shares that her library research uncovered that the likely original owner of Harry's Potions text is one Eileen Prince, Snape's mother. Prince "married a Muggle named Tobias Snape and later gave birth to..." Harry interrupts, "a murderer." Harry is maddened that Snape, unknown and unknowingly, was helping him. He sees a similarity between the half-blood Lord Voldemort and his assumed title, and the Half-Blood Prince and his adopted moniker. How could Dumbledore have missed it?
At Dumbledore's request, he is laid to rest at Hogwarts in a glorious white tomb overlooking the lake. Many students and the staff attend the funeral, as well as the Merpeople and the Centaurs, who fire arrows into the air in salute.
Harry ends his relationship with Ginny—for now. Harry realizes that Voldemort attacks him through those he loves—his parents, Sirius, and Dumbledore—and by ending their romance, he hopes to protect Ginny.
Scrimgeour, the Minister for Magic, takes Harry aside and asks where Harry and Dumbledore went the night Dumbledore was killed. Harry tells Scrimgeour that is between him and Dumbledore, and asks Scrimgeour again whether he has released Stan Shunpike. Harry repeats that he is "Dumbledore's man through and through."
Harry tells Hermione and Ron he is leaving Hogwarts, even if the school remains open. Finding the remaining Horcruxes and killing Voldemort are his only focus now. He intends to visit his parents' former home in Godric's Hollow after a brief stay at Privet Drive to fulfill Dumbledore's wish that he remain under his mother's protective charm. Then he will find and kill Snape. Ron and Hermione pledge to join his quest, despite Harry's preference to go it alone. Harry finds comfort in spending one last peaceful day with his friends, and he looks forward to Bill and Fleur's wedding.
Harry unhappily ends his relationship with Ginny to protect her from Voldemort, though she is probably still in grave danger. Harry never mastered Occlumency, and it is possible that Voldemort could penetrate his mind and see images involving Ginny. It was earlier mentioned, though, that he has found being inside Harry's consciousness is an extremely unpleasant place for him, and he may not attempt this again.
We learn that Snape, Voldemort, and Harry share an important characteristic: they are all half-bloods. Snape, however, apparently grew up connected to the wizarding world, unlike Harry and Voldemort, although his home life was certainly just as unpleasant. As much as Harry always disliked and resented Snape, he is now driven solely by hatred and vengeance. This vigilante desire to avenge Dumbledore's death has clouded Harry's judgment; rather than seeking justice, Harry is consumed with inflicting revenge. This could jeopardize his mission to find and destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes. Harry will need to overcome his extreme emotions if he is to succeed.
It is ironic that Harry's least favorite and ineffective teacher (Snape) is also an admired and influential mentor (the Half-Blood Prince), someone who inspired him and from whom he has learned so much. This conflict will continue to affect Harry.
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