harry potter and the half blood prince:The White Tomb

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.

harry potter and the half blood prince:The Phoenix Lament

The Phoenix Lament

Ginny leads Harry to the Hospital Wing where everyone is gathered. Harry, remembering the Dark Mark, fearfully asks who is dead. Ginny tells him nobody, but Harry recalls falling over a body. Ginny says that was Bill, and he is a bit of a mess, but he will survive. Apparently, he was savagely mauled by Fenrir Greyback. It is unknown what the long-term effects will be, but it is not believed that Bill will be a werewolf because Fenrir was not transformed at the time, though it is believed now that he will never heal completely and is permanently disfigured.

Because Ginny, Ron, and Hermione took the Felix Felicis potion, they were safe, and only Professor Dumbledore and one Death Eater were killed – the big blond Death Eater was firing curses indiscriminately and accidentally hit his ally.

Ron and Lupin are stunned when Harry informs them that Dumbledore is dead. Professor McGonagall arrives and asks Harry if he witnessed what happened. Harry says Snape killed Dumbledore. McGonagall wonders aloud why Dumbledore ever trusted Snape. Harry replies that Snape relayed the Prophecy's contents to Voldemort, and later claimed remorse that Voldemort killed his father and mother. McGonagall blames herself; she sent Professor Flitwick to fetch Snape. Lupin reassures her that they were all glad to believe that Snape would be joining them.

At the main battle, Draco disappeared, apparently going up the tower. Four Death Eaters followed him, leaving behind a barrier and, "that big blond death eater," who was firing curses in all directions. Snape reappeared and went through the barrier. Then, after the big one had brought down about half the ceiling and knocked out the barrier, Snape and Draco returned, and both sides in the battle just let him pass.

Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley, and Fleur Delacour now arrive. Mrs. Weasley immediately tends to Bill's injuries. She believes Fleur will end the engagement because Bill is disfigured. Angry, Fleur declares she loves Bill and still plans to marry him. This act bonds her with Mrs. Weasley. Tonks reveals she has been in love with Remus Lupin who, because he is a werewolf and older, had discouraged her feelings. Harry suddenly realizes that Tonks' new Patronus is a wolf. Lupin is still reluctant, but Mr. Weasley points out that the future is always uncertain.

Hagrid reports that he moved Dumbledore's body, the students are back in bed, and the Ministry has been notified. Professor McGonagall takes over as interim Headmistress and calls a meeting with the House Heads plus Hagrid, suggesting that Horace Slughorn should represent Slytherin. McGonagall first meets with Harry in the Headmaster's office, where Dumbledore's sleeping portrait now hangs among the other past Headmasters. McGonagall asks Harry what happened after he and Dumbledore left the school, but Harry, still honoring his vow to Dumbledore, reveals nothing and says, "Professor Dumbledore never told me to stop following his orders if he died." He warns McGonagall that Madam Rosmerta is under the Imperius curse. The House Heads troop in, and McGonagall canvasses them as to whether Hogwarts should stay open, given that their Headmaster was just murdered by a teacher. All agree it should remain open. Professor McGonagall will consult the Governors, who will make the final decision.

On a completely separate subject, the author makes several statements on the nature of love and relationships in this chapter.

First, we again see the romance between Harry and Ginny. When Hagrid tells Harry that he must leave Dumbledore's body, Harry does not move; it is only when Ginny leads him away by the hand that Harry moves. Also, in the Hospital Wing, Ginny stays next to Harry, possibly to give him comfort if he needs it, possibly to get some comfort from him herself. He does not leave her side until Professor McGonagall summons him to the headmaster's office.

We additionally see previously unsuspected strength in Fleur, who to date has seemed very self-centered, as well as being somewhat weak in witchcraft, despite having been named Beauxbatons Champion in the fourth book of the series. Her willingness to take on Bill's care is totally unexpected, both by Mrs. Weasley and by us, and shows us an aspect of Fleur that we had not previously seen.

Additionally, the romantic situation that has left Tonks depressed and grey for the entire length of the book is finally resolved. The catalyst here is Mr. Weasley pointing out that times are always hard, with the implication that if the race had waited for a guaranteed good time to raise children, it probably would have died out. The strength of love to overcome adversity is highlighted here by Lupin's finally accepting Tonks' love.

It should also be mentioned that at this point it is uncertain whether Hogwarts will even be re-opened next year. We are certain by now that there will be a seventh and final book, but McGonagall does not seem to be certain whether the school will re-open, saying that decision will be left to the governors. Many readers assume that McGonagall will be Headmistress if the school does re-open, but that decision, as well, is one that will be made by the governors.

harry potter and the half blood prince:Flight of the Prince

Flight of the Prince

Snape forces Draco Malfoy back down the tower stairwell, followed by other Death Eaters. Harry, released from the paralyzing spell by Dumbledore's death, petrifies the last one and charges down the steps after them. At the bottom is a melée of Hogwarts students, teachers, and Order of the Phoenix members fighting Death Eaters. Ginny is dueling Amycus Carrow. Harry Jinxes Amycus, sending him cannoning into a wall. The remaining Death Eaters, hearing Snape's signal, break away and run. Harry, following, wonders if they will head for the Entrance Hall or the Room of Requirement. Seeing a bloody footprint, Harry deduces that they have gone to the Front Hall and takes a short cut there.

Reaching the entrance, Harry sees a Death Eater on the grounds, Snape and Draco further away. The large blond Death Eater casts multiple curses at Hagrid, but his massive body deflects them. Harry hurls the Prince's spells at Snape, but Snape easily blocks every one, proclaiming he created them—he is the Half-Blood Prince. Although Snape deflects every curse Harry casts, he does nothing to harm him and continually tells him what he is doing wrong. Amycus and Alecto catch up to Harry, and one curses him. Snape blocks the curse, and prevents the other Death Eaters from attacking Harry, claiming he belongs to Voldemort. Harry dares Snape to kill him, calling him a coward. Enraged, Snape jinxes Harry before escaping with Draco and the other Death Eaters.

Harry chases Snape in a blind rage and with one intent: to kill him. Snape, who easily eludes him, has every opportunity to murder or capture the outmatched Harry. Instead, he merely deflects Harry's ineffective curses. Snape continually does nothing to harm Harry, and actually tells him what he is doing wrong and how to correct it. He also prevents the other Death Eaters from cursing him. Why? Although he claims he wants to leave Harry for the Dark Lord, he could easily have stunned and presented him to Voldemort. By leaving Harry at Hogwarts, Snape not only risks having the determined and vengeful Harry single-mindedly hunting him down, but also the Dark Lord's deadly wrath by letting his number one enemy remain alive and free. For Harry, learning that his admired mentor (the Half-Blood Prince) is actually his hated nemesis is shocking and revolting.

It is interesting to note Snape's reaction when Harry called him a coward. Snape become enraged, even though murdering the unarmed Dumbledore would seem to be an extremely cowardly act, as would his subsequent running away. One must wonder if there is something beyond what Snape has actually done, some way in which Snape can still see himself as honourable and living up to some form of standard.

Harry learns that someone with the initials R.A.B. stole the true Horcrux from the cave. However, in that chapter, it was learned that two people were needed to recover the locket from the basin on the island. R.A.B. must have had some assistance. Although R.A.B. is probably dead, if another person was involved, it is possible he or she may still be alive and could provide valuable information. It also appears that R.A.B. may have known about the prophecy, as that person refers to Voldemort meeting his match. However, it also seems that R.A.B. may have mistakenly believed that the locket was the only Horcrux, as he seems to assume that destroying it will be sufficient to make Voldemort mortal once more.

harry potter and the half blood prince:The Lightning-Struck Tower

The Lightning-Struck Tower

Harry Apparates a weakened Dumbledore back to Hogsmeade. Collapsing, Dumbledore tells Harry to get him to Severus Snape. Madam Rosmerta runs up, reporting that the Dark Mark is floating over Hogwarts. She lends them brooms, and they fly to the Astronomy Tower, with Dumbledore mumbling incantations to allow them through Hogwarts' protective spells. Harry fears for his friends' lives.

As they land atop the tower, Dumbledore orders Harry to fetch Snape, but hearing footsteps in the stairwell, Dumbledore freezes Harry under his invisibility cloak. Draco Malfoy bursts through the door and disarms Dumbledore. Draco reveals his task is to kill Dumbledore, and it was he who helped the Death Eaters invade Hogwarts via a repaired Vanishing Cabinet. It is the same cabinet Montague was shoved into the previous year. The connecting Vanishing Cabinet is at Borgin and Burkes; Montague was stuck between them, sometimes hearing what was happening at the school, sometimes what was occurring at the store, until he finally managed to Apparate out. Draco also controlled Madame Rosmerta using the Imperius Curse; that was how he poisoned the bottle of mead Ron drank, and how Katie Bell got the cursed necklace.

Malfoy and a disarmed Dumbledore speak on the tower for quite a while as battle rages beneath them, and Malfoy seems to become more and more reluctant to kill Dumbledore; however, he believes he has no choice, as his and his mother's lives are at forfeit if he does not. Dumbledore calmly reasons with the frightened and conscience-stricken Malfoy to abandon his mission, promising protection from Voldemort for him and his family. Malfoy falters, apparently about to accept Dumbledore's offer. However, as he is lowering his wand, four Death Eaters arrive: Amycus and Alecto Carrow, Fenrir Greyback, and one other. Their taunting cannot spur on Draco to kill Dumbledore; Fenrir volunteers, but is restrained by the fourth Death Eater. Harry hears yelling from below, heartened that the Hogwarts defenders are undefeated, only walled off. Snape appears and pauses to survey the situation. Dumbledore calls his name softly, almost pleadingly. Snape momentarily gazes at Dumbledore, his face an expression of revulsion and horror, then points his wand directly at Dumbledore's heart and executes the killing curse, hurling Dumbledore's lifeless body upward in the air, over the parapet, and to the ground below.

Perhaps the greatest mystery in the entire series at this point is, did Snape actually murder Dumbledore or did they have some prearranged plan? There is evidence to support either conclusion, and despite Dumbledore's unwavering trust in Snape, his loyalty remains questionable to Harry and to readers. Regardless, it appears that Snape had little choice; he must either kill Albus Dumbledore or die, since he is bound by the Unbreakable Vow to protect Draco Malfoy and complete his mission should Draco fail. Although many readers may believe that if Snape was truly loyal to Dumbledore, then he should have willingly sacrificed himself to protect him and Harry, yet Snape does not. It is possible that Snape and Dumbledore were communicating with each other using Legilimency, and Dumbledore's pleas may represent a request for Snape to sacrifice him to protect Harry and allow Snape to remain in the Dark Lord's favor, implying that Snape might play a key role if Harry is to destroy the Dark Lord. These speculations, and whether or not Dumbledore was actually dead, were hotly debated by readers until the release of the seventh and final Harry Potter book.

It is possible that although Snape killed Dumbledore, he did not actually murder him. That is, there may have been a prearranged agreement that Snape would kill the Headmaster if events deemed it necessary to protect the Order's mission. Indeed, during their confrontation on the Astronomy Tower, it is almost as if Dumbledore was pleading with a conflicted Snape to curse him. In a previous conversation between them, Snape was overheard telling Dumbledore that he would refuse to do something, to which Dumbledore insisted he must follow through. This may have been a reference to Snape's Unbreakable Vow that would require him to kill Dumbledore if Draco failed.

Dumbledore seems either to have been intending to die or was taking a tremendous gamble. The Death Eaters were able to quickly conjure an impenetrable barrier on the stairway, which begs the question why Dumbledore did not react similarly after hearing footsteps on the Astronomy Tower staircase. This would have allowed both Harry and himself an opportunity to escape, but instead he chose to incapacitate Harry, preventing him from intervening and allowing himself to be disarmed by Draco Malfoy, an unqualified wizard. He was either expecting (or planning) to be killed by either Draco or Snape, or he hoped to turn Malfoy over to his side.

harry potter and the half blood prince:The Cave

The Cave

Professor Dumbledore apparates himself and Harry to the foot of a seaside cliff. Dumbledore says this is where the young Tom Riddle led two younger orphans on a horrifying trip. Dumbledore and Harry approach the cliff; Dumbledore illuminates his wand to reveal a fissure in the rocks. He and Harry swim to it, finding a hidden cave.

Dumbledore says this is only an antechamber; the real goal is further. Feeling for an opening in the cave's wall, he finds it, but it does not open. Eventually divining its secret, Dumbledore cuts his arm and sheds blood on the wall. Answering Harry's question, Dumbledore says that Voldemort likely prefers those seeking his artifacts to be weakened. An opening appears; inside is a huge underground lake with a strange green glow in its center. As Dumbledore looks for something, he cautions Harry against touching the lake surface. It occurs to Harry that he could simply Summon the Horcrux; Dumbledore suggests he try and when Harry does, something large, far out in the lake, jumps, intercepting the spell. Dumbledore says that is likely what they will have to face in order to retrieve the Horcrux.

Continuing around the shore, Dumbledore finds an invisible chain; rendering it visible, he reels it in, and a tiny boat surfaces and is pulled to the shore. Harry and Dumbledore climb in, and the boat propels itself smoothly towards the island in the middle of the lake. Harry, peering down from the bow, sees dead bodies floating beneath the water's surface; Dumbledore says that as long the bodies are merely floating, there is nothing to fear.

Finally, the boat reaches the island. On it is a basin filled with greenly glowing liquid. Presumably the Horcrux is submerged within. They are unable to touch the basin or its contents, so Dumbledore determines that he must drink the substance. He makes Harry promise to force him to finish every drop. He produces a goblet and begins drinking. The potion causes intense pain, and, in his delirious agony, he begs Harry to kill him. Harry persists in refilling the goblet and persuading Dumbledore to finish. Dumbledore is very weak and requests water, but when the water that Harry conjures vanishes as it approaches Dumbledore, Harry fills the goblet from the lake that Dumbledore warned him not to touch. He manages to throw the water into Dumbledore's face, but can do nothing else, as Inferi (the corpses that Harry had seen floating beneath the water, now animated) emerge, attempting to drag Harry into the water. Harry tries Jinx after Jinx to fend them off, but they keep coming, dragging him towards the water. Dumbledore recovers enough to fend them off with magical fire. Keeping them surrounded with the ring of flames, Dumbledore collects the locket at the bottom of the now-empty basin, and he and Harry climb back into the boat. The Inferi, dully, lose interest in Harry and Dumbledore, who now return to the shore. Harry leads Dumbledore from the cave, opening the archway to the antechamber with the graze on his arm he got fighting the Inferi; they return to the fissure leading to the sea.

harry potter and the half blood prince:The Seer Overheard

The Seer Overheard

Harry and Ginny are happy together, laughing about the rumors going around school about them; Harry is particularly pleased that the reason everyone is talking about him is something that makes him happy, rather than something to do with Dark Magic. Ron and Hermione seem to be getting close as well. Harry's concerns that his relationship with Ginny could affect his friendship with Ron have largely evaporated.

Harry dares not to return to the Room of Requirement to recover his Potions textbook, thinking that Snape might still want to get his hands on it, and his Potions work is suffering; Professor Slughorn genially attributes this to his new interest in Ginny. Hermione reveals her theory to Harry regarding the 'Half-Blood Prince'. She has found a write-up of one Eileen Prince, a past Hogwarts student, and suggests that if she was a half-blood, it could have been she.Harry is summoned to Dumbledore's office. Along the way, he encounters Professor Trelawney, who is sprawled in the hallway outside the Room of Requirement. She admits that she uses the Room of Requirement to hide her stock of sherry, but she is unable to get in. Apparently, someone is inside, barring others from entering. Trelawney heard a 'whooping' sound from within, which makes Harry believe that Malfoy has finally finished his task. When Trelawney called out to see who was there, everything went dark and she was pushed out into the hall. Harry says she should tell Dumbledore; she seems to like the idea and accompanies him.

As they walk, Trelawney recounts the evening Dumbledore hired her; Harry already knows Dumbledore's version, but is fascinated to hear Trelawney's, particularly when she reveals Severus Snape interrupted them. Realizing it was Snape who passed Voldemort the information that prompted him to kill his parents, a raging Harry runs off to confront Dumbledore in his office. Dumbledore, however, disarms Harry before he can speak by telling him that he believes he has located a Horcrux. Harry is only momentarily distracted, then confronts Dumbledore about Trelawney.

Harry runs to the Entrance Hall and puts on the Cloak at Dumbledore's request. Leaving the school, they head to Hogsmeade. In answer to Dumbledore's query, Harry says that he can Apparate, but he does not have a license yet. Dumbledore says he will guide again. They pass the Three Broomsticks, where Madam Rosmerta is ejecting a grubby wizard, and head towards the Hog's Head; as nobody is watching them, they Disapparate before reaching it.

Many story lines in this book seem to be coming to a rapid peak in this chapter. We finally learn definitively who it was that carried Trelawney's prophecy to Voldemort, and we learn that Draco has apparently completed a major part of his mission. In the midst of this, we also learn that Dumbledore is preparing to leave the school with Harry, in order to hunt down one of Voldemort's Horcruxes. It is because Draco has reached this point that Harry no longer feels that the guards placed by the Order of the Phoenix will be sufficient. In particular, they will naturally be guarding the perimeter, the known entrances to Hogwarts, while Harry feels that there is a threat possibly coming from Draco in the Room of Requirement. His instructions to Ron and Hermione relate to the threat he perceives from Draco and from Snape.

At least one reader has commented that Madam Rosmerta is acting out of character in this scene: we have been led to believe that she generally runs an orderly pub, and should not have to resort to physically ejecting wizards, and yet here she is doing exactly that. Of course, we have never before been in Hogsmeade of an evening, so we don't know what goes on at that time of day.

harry potter and the half blood prince:Sectumsempra

Sectumsempra

Ginny and Dean's silence with one another creates a problem for the Quidditch team; Harry worries whether they can Chase together if they are at daggers drawn. Luckily, Katie Bell returns from the hospital and can resume playing. Unfortunately, she cannot recall who gave her the necklace.

Quidditch practice, now that McLaggen is gone and Katie is back, is wonderful. Ginny becomes the life of the team, cracking jokes and doing marvelous imitations. Harry is glad to have a reason to look at her, glad to have the chance to walk alongside her, but he is still seriously worried about what could happen to his friendship with Ron if he started dating her. Harry remembers Ron's expression when he caught Ginny and Dean together; what would he think of Ginny and himself? Meanwhile, there is much interest in the upcoming Quidditch match against Ravenclaw; the outcome of the Quidditch championship is still in doubt. Though Gryffindor would have to win by three hundred points to get the championship, that is still possible; if they lose by as much as a hundred points, they will still be in second place.

Harry, making his usual pass by the Room of Requirement, sees on the Marauder's Map that Draco is in a bathroom one floor below with Moaning Myrtle. Harry investigates and finds Draco sobbing: whatever he is planning, he is frightened that he is unable do it and fears for his parents' lives (and his own) if he fails. Malfoy spots Harry and casts a Cruciatus curse; Harry, defending himself, uses the Sectumsempra spell from the Half-Blood Prince's book, not knowing its effects. The spell slashes Draco, spilling his blood everywhere. Moaning Myrtle flies off, screaming; Professor Snape responds swiftly and saves Draco's life, rushing him to the Hospital Wing.

Returning, Snape demands to know whence Harry learned the spell, and despite Harry's attempts at occlumency, Snape apparently gleans some information that Harry's Potions book is the source. Snape demands to see his textbooks. Harry runs to the Common room and borrows Ron's books, including the Potions textbook, and, asking the Room of Requirement for a place to hide something, enters and finds himself in a vast warehouse filled with broken and discarded objects. Passing the broken Vanishing Cabinet in which Montague had run into trouble the previous year, Harry hides his annotated version in a large cupboard, placing an old stone bust, a wig, and a battered tiara on top to locate it again.

Snape seems unconvinced that these textbooks, especially the Potions book, are actually Harry's, particularly since the Potions book is signed "Roonil Wazlib". As Harry had used Dark Magic, albeit unknowingly, to cause serious harm, Snape gives Harry detention every Saturday for the rest of the year. Though Harry protests, Snape dismisses his concerns, as does McGonagall in a later meeting in her office. McGonagall also says Harry was very lucky not to be expelled. Hermione, of course, says she always knew that the Prince was involved in Dark magic; Harry says that it proves nothing of the sort, the Prince may have just copied the spell down. Hermione is upset that Harry intends to go back and retrieve the Prince's book, but Ginny tells her to leave Harry alone. Ron and Harry are both amazed at this open breach between Ginny and Hermione, given how close they have been, but Harry can't help feeling cheered that Ginny is defending him.

Ginny replaces Harry as Seeker, and Dean Thomas replaces her as Chaser. That Saturday, as ordered, Harry reports to Snape's office for detention and is assigned copying over old detention files for Filch. Snape suggests Harry start with the boxes detailing his father's misbehaviour. When Harry returns to the Common room, he learns that Gryffindor won the match 450 to 140, and thus the Quidditch Cup. Ginny runs towards him; without thinking, he catches her in his arms and kisses her. When the kiss is over, he looks around: Dean Thomas is holding a broken glass, Romilda Vane looks angry, Hermione approving. Ron appears stunned, but gives a small nod, as if bowing to the inevitable. Harry suggests, wordlessly, to Ginny that they should go for a long walk.

Ginny defending Harry when Hermione is chastising him for wanting to retrieve the Half-Blood Prince's book serves several purposes. First, Ginny reminds Hermione that Draco was about to cast an unforgivable curse, and shows that there is a definite possibility that Harry was acting on impulse, not rational thought. Second, this is the first time that someone other than Ron or Harry has defended the Half-Blood Prince, though in this instance, it is more to justify Harry's actions; Hermione's long-standing animosity toward the Prince seems to be based on jealousy, rather than on her concern that the Prince might be a Dark wizard. In particular, Hermione sees Harry's use of the text as not his own work, but instead as using the Prince's work and claiming it as his own. For Hermione, it seems that this is an issue that is about more than the Prince's spells possibly having Dark aspects, though she does use the Dark nature of the Sectumsempra spell as justification for her excoriation of the Prince. And finally, this helps set up the scene where Harry and Ginny kiss. Seeing that Ginny is willing to stand up for him, Harry now knows that Ginny is not angry with him, and this gives Harry hope that she may still have feelings for him.

While Ginny and Harry's relationship has been gradually building almost from the series' beginning, this is the first time it has been declared openly. It would seem that it took this long because they were often at cross purposes. At first, Harry simply had no romantic interest in Ginny, having first set his sights on Cho Chang and considering Ginny only as Ron's little sister. It is only later that Harry realized that he and Cho were incompatible and that he not only had feelings for Ginny, but that they were suited to each other in nearly every way. She, however, appeared to have moved on and became involved with someone else, although she never actually lost interest in Harry; she simply gave up. Harry need not have worried about what Ron thought, however. In fact, when Ginny announced that she had broken up with Michael Corner at the end of the previous book, Ron subtly hinted to Harry that he was a better choice than Michael, even if Harry was oblivious about what he meant at the time.

harry potter and the half blood prince:Horcruxes

Horcruxes

Harry returns to the castle as the Felix Felicis potion is wearing off. Nearly Headless Nick tells him that Professor Dumbledore has returned and is in his office. Memory in hand, Harry presents himself to Dumbledore, who is apparently amazed and very pleased with Harry's success. He fetches his Pensieve, and they journey into Slughorn's fifty year-old memory.

Slughorn is talking to Tom Riddle, who asks about Horcruxes. Slughorn explains it is the darkest of Dark magic. It is possible to split a soul and encase the shard in another object; if killed, the perpetrator does not actually die because his soul shard is trapped and remains earthbound. Slughorn says souls are not meant to be split, and it takes the ultimate evil, murder, to rip a soul apart. Prodded further, Slughorn reveals that there is a spell, but claims he does not know it. Riddle asks if, as one Horcrux can keep someone alive, would not more be better? Seven, after all, is a very powerful number. Slughorn, horrified, tries calming himself by saying this is all hypothetical. Riddle agrees, but as he departs, Harry sees the same wild joy on Riddle's face as when he learned he was a wizard.

Back in his office, Dumbledore tells Harry that Tom Riddle's diary, that Harry destroyed four years before, was almost certainly a Horcrux. He believes it was not only a safeguard, but also a weapon, intended to be passed on to, or planted upon, a Hogwarts student who would become possessed by it and reopen the Chamber of Secrets. Dumbledore suggests that this was a risky act if Riddle only had one soul fragment, and says he was worried at the time that there were others. Dumbledore recalls Voldemort's statement the night he returned: "I, who have gone further than anybody along the path that leads to immortality," and theorizes that, in a bid for immortality, Voldemort may have divided his soul into seven pieces (as the young Tom Riddle claimed that seven was the "most powerfully magical number"). As long as any Horcrux survives, Voldemort is unable to be killed. Dumbledore speculates that Voldemort only used unique items for his Horcruxes — objects with a significant history and value to Riddle. Two Horcruxes have been destroyed: Tom Riddle's diary (seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) and a ring once belonging to Marvolo Gaunt, Voldemort's maternal grandfather. Dumbledore reveals that his injured hand resulted from destroying the ring, and it was only his own skill and Professor Snape's timely action that prevented the damage from being much worse. Dumbledore believes that of the four remaining Horcruxes, two will be Hufflepuff's cup and Slytherin's locket; the third may be a Ravenclaw artifact. The only known Gryffindor artifact, the sword, remains safe in Dumbledore's office. He suspects that the final Horcrux is in Nagini, Voldemort's pet snake. Although placing a Horcrux in a living being is possible, Dumbledore says it is not the safest place, as living creatures can be killed. Harry learns that Dumbledore's many absences from Hogwarts were because he was searching for Horcruxes, and Dumbledore tells Harry that should he locate any more Horcruxes, Harry will be permitted to accompany him.

Dumbledore says he does not believe Voldemort knows when a Horcrux is destroyed, as he seemed unaware that Tom Riddle's diary had been destroyed until he learned it from Lucius Malfoy. Dumbledore suggests that with that, plus the fiasco in the Ministry, Lucius may well be happy to be safely tucked away in Azkaban. Dumbledore tells Harry that Voldemort can be killed if all his Horcruxes are destroyed by someone with uncommon skill and power, someone like Harry, who possesses the ability to love.

harry potter and the half blood prince:After the Burial

After the Burial

Ron and Hermione are studying the Apparation handbooks in preparation for their test, and Harry, too young to take the test, is keeping them company. Hagrid sends a message saying that Aragog, the giant spider, has died. He asks if Harry, Ron, and Hermione could attend the funeral. Between the three, they decide not to go; it is such a silly thing to get detention over, after all.

Hermione suggests Harry have another try at Professor Slughorn's memory during class, as it will be pretty sparse with students off taking Apparation tests. Ron suggests using the Felix Felicis potion to help Harry get Professor Slughorn's memory. Hermione agrees, but Harry is reluctant; he had been saving it, although he is unsure for what – but it has something to do with Ginny breaking up with Dean, and Ron somehow getting a girlfriend he actually likes.

With only three people in Potions class (Harry, Ernie, and Draco), Professor Slughorn sets an open challenge: make whatever they like. Harry notices that Draco is looking thinner and a bit unhealthy, and believes that whatever he is doing in the Room of Requirement is not going so well. Slughorn is impressed with Harry's Euphoria Elixir, but again manages to escape when they are alone. Returning to the Gryffindor Common room, Harry learns that Hermione passed Apparation, but Ron failed by half an eyebrow.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron head for the dorm, where Harry drinks some Felix Felicis. To Ron and Hermione's amazement, Harry decides to attend Aragog's funeral. Covered by his Invisibility cloak, Harry returns to the Common room, followed by Ron and Hermione. Lavender, unable to see Harry but seeing Ron and Hermione arriving together from the boy's dorm, flies into a jealous rage. Heading out the portrait hole, Harry brushes against Ginny; she thinks it is Dean, and rounds on him.

Ron's failing the Apparation test by such a small margin is fully in character; his use of magic seems somewhat slap-dash and, perhaps, marginally competent at times. One wonders if the author's selection of the reason for his failure is a nod to idiom; "missed it by half an eyebrow" seems a very likely sort of colloquialism.

We see, again in this chapter, signs of Hagrid's almost child-like simplicity. His reaction to any setback is to get drunk, which he manages quite quickly here. Hagrid's being amazed at Aragog's children not affording him safe passage is also a sign of his innocence; for all that he is now probably sixty years old, he does not seem to understand that obligations are not indefinite, and that a covenant Aragog considers binding may not bind his descendants, and will not protect Hagrid's friends.

We see indications, if we needed any, of Slughorn's self-centredness. He mentions to Harry that all the mead he has brought is quite safe, he had a House-Elf drink some from each bottle to ensure it was not poisoned. Harry is disquieted by this revelation, as it is an admission that Slughorn sees nothing wrong with putting the life of a house elf at risk. We can give him the benefit of the doubt, here, and assume that he had another Bezoar to hand in case a bottle had been poisoned, though this is not mentioned. However, it is possible that this display will lead Harry to be more involved, or at least less dismissive, of Hermione's efforts with the Society for the Protection of Elvish Welfare.

This is the first time Harry's powers of persuasion have been truly seen, although as he was under the influence of Felix Felicis at the time, we can't be certain if he would be so persuasive without its help. This is also the first time that Harry has spoken about his parent's death in this manner, and probably the only time without experiencing extreme emotion, knowing it will help fight Voldemort. Even in death, James and Lily are still able to battle the Dark Lord. Readers should recall some chapters back that Professor Dumbledore said Harry was uniquely equipped to obtain Slughorn's memory. Dumbledore may have known about the Felix Felicis, although using it may actually have been unnecessary; Dumbledore knows that Harry having Lily's eyes, and Lily being one of Slughorn's favorite students, would be a powerful and emotional persuasion tactic. That, and being well plied with alcohol, is enough to coax Slughorn into divulging the memory; remembering Lily's sacrifice in fighting Voldemort also helped. Although Slughorn will have forgotten the incident when he awakes, he probably would have appreciated the irony that it was his own Good Luck potion that allowed Harry to retrieve a memory from him that he tried so hard to keep hidden.

harry potter and the half blood prince:The Unknowable Room

The Unknowable Room

Harry spends much spare time devising a way to retrieve Professor Slughorn's memory. As his potions book has been so useful recently, particularly in saving Ron's life, Harry reads it carefully. But Hermione points out that Dumbledore had said only Harry could successfully retrieve the memory, and that Slughorn would likely be protected against anything in the textbook. Just then, Harry finds a new curse, Sectumsempra. It is labeled, "For Enemies." He wants to test it, but knowing Hermione's objections to using the Prince's spells, he refrains. Ron, writing an essay, asks for assistance; it seems his Spell-Checking quill has stopped working, and, among other things, is rendering his name as "Roonil Wazlib". Hermione offers to correct his spelling. Ron says he loves her, and Hermione, blushing, says he should not let Lavender hear him say that. Ron says maybe he should; he has been trying to dump her.

Kreacher and Dobby arrive to report to Harry regarding Malfoy's activities. Over the week they have been tailing him, Draco spent considerable time inside the Room of Requirement. The elves state that a "variety" of students stand watch while Draco is inside. Harry surmises that these "students" are probably Crabbe and Goyle disguised by Polyjuice Potion stolen from Slughorn. He also guesses that the Room was not on the Marauder's Map because the map's authors did not know about about it, though Hermione suggests that the room may be "unplottable" if the user needs it to be. Harry says that he should be able to enter the Room of Requirement, just as Malfoy had when Dumbledore's Army was there. But Hermione counters that Draco knew what the Room was being used for because "that stupid Marietta" told him.

Ron decides to take the extra Apparation classes being offered in Hogsmeade village. Hermione, meanwhile, repeatedly urges Harry to try and get Slughorn's memory. Harry truthfully answers that he is trying, but Slughorn, knowing what Harry is after, takes precautions to never be alone with him. Harry decides to spend another day looking for Malfoy in the Room of Requirement, first chasing off a disguised Goyle. Unsuccessful at opening the door, he kicks the wall, and his Invisibility Cloak slips off. Tonks calls out to him, and says she is there to see Dumbledore about "nothing in particular". She asks if he has heard from anyone in the Order, then gets teary eyed. When Harry relates this to Hermione, she remarks, "It's a bit odd." Harry suggests that she was in love with Sirius, as her Patronus is big and hairy now, which to Harry suggests it might reflect Sirius' Animagus shape. Hermione thinks it is possible, but is doubtful.

Harry learns that Malfoy has been spending time in the Room of Requirement, which is why he periodically disappears from the Marauder's Map. However, Harry still does not know what Malfoy is working on, and anyone he tells seems unconcerned. Harry only becomes more obsessed with following Draco, which could cause Harry to neglect his task to retrieve Slughorn's memory. In this chapter, though, Harry does seem to be trying to handle both tasks, along with his regular school courses.

Harry has significant difficulty in getting into the Room of Requirement in this chapter. As we have seen, the Room can be anything that is required, but apparently it can be only one thing at a time; for instance, it can be a room full of chamber pots, as Dumbledore apparently discovered it, it can be a place for a House-elf to sleep off a Butterbeer binge, as Dobby and Winky have been using it, and it can be a place to study Defence Against the Dark Arts, as it was for Dumbledore's Army, but once it is doing one of these things, in order to gain entrance you must need the type of place that it is. Hermione is likely correct, that Harry will be unable to enter unless he figures out what Draco needs, and at least in this chapter he is unsuccessful.

It may be of interest to note the difference in the report made by Kreacher and the one made by Dobby. Though Harry is nominally Kreacher's master, Kreacher's report starts off with abuse and insults for Harry and compliments for Draco. Dobby cuts him off to report on what Harry actually wants to know. This behaviour on Kreacher's part seems almost childish, and so seems accurate for what we know of House Elf character in general.

Mention is made here of Inferi. This is not the first we have heard of them, but it is only now that they are defined. We should make note of them, as the author is generally efficient; we are likely to hear of them again. We also may suspect that the Sectumsempra spell, which we can safely guess is at least a jinx and more likely a curse, will reappear.

harry potter and the half blood prince:Lord Voldemort's Request

Lord Voldemort's Request

Harry and Ron are discharged from the Hospital Wing together. Meeting up with Hermione, they head to breakfast, passing a small girl studying a tapestry. Startled, the girl drops the scales she had been holding; Hermione repairs them for her, and then reveals that Ginny and Dean had an argument. When Dean laughed about McLaggen hitting Harry in the head with a bludger, Ginny defended Harry. Hermione agreed with Ginny that it was not funny, that Harry was nearly seriously hurt. Harry tries to react calmly and curiously to this news, but Hermione remains suspicious that he is harboring feelings for Ginny.

Luna delivers Dumbledore's message regarding Harry's next lesson. The Trio continue on, running into Lavender, who is miffed she was not told that Ron was being discharged, and that Hermione is with him. Harry and Hermione walk off, and Ron arrives at breakfast a half hour later; he is upset and not talking to Lavender. Hermione seems secretly pleased by this development.

Later that evening, Harry arrives for his appointment with Professor Dumbledore, who is embroiled in a discussion with Professor Trelawney. She is upset that Firenze is still teaching Divination. As Professor Trelawney leaves, Dumbledore comments that, never having taken Divination himself, he could not have predicted the troubles that subject would cause. Dumbledore gently chastises Harry for failing to retrieve Professor Slughorn's memory. There is, he says, little point in continuing their lessons without it. Dumbledore's evident disappointment is harder for Harry to bear than anger would have been.

Dumbledore then asks Harry to recap the previous lessons. Harry recounts that Voldemort killed his own father, framed his uncle, Morfin, and left with the Peverell ring; he then returned to Hogwarts and asked Slughorn about Horcruxes. Dumbledore says they are now entering the realm of deep speculation. At this meeting, there are only two memories. The first belongs to Hokey, a House elf who worked for an elderly rich woman. At that time, Tom Riddle was working as a buyer for Borgin & Burkes. Tom's career choice surprised nearly everyone at Hogwarts, as it had been assumed he was aiming for a political career headed towards the Minister for Magic. But Tom had first approached Armando Dippet, the Headmaster then, for a teaching post at Hogwarts. Dippet turned him down, saying he lacked experience.

In Hokey's memory, Tom Riddle visits Hepzibah Smith, who claims to be Helga Hufflepuff's descendant. Hepzibah shows Riddle two coveted family treasures. One, a cup once belonging to Helga Hufflepuff, she bought from Borgin & Burke's. The other is a locket which was once owned by Salazar Slytherin. The locket was sold to Smith by Borgin & Burke's, who bought it off some poor woman. Harry recognizes the locket as having been the one seen earlier in Merope Gaunt's possession, and Tom clearly also recognizes it.

Two days later, Hepzibah died and her treasures went missing. Hokey admitted blame for her mistress' death, as she remembered mistakenly poisoning her. Dumbledore states that Riddle considered the locket was rightfully his, and suggests that Riddle also stole the cup because of his deep attachment to Hogwarts; why, exactly, he had wanted it will have to wait for another lesson.

In the previous chapter, Draco was seen accompanied by two small girls, both looking sulky and rebellious. Now there is a small girl standing in the seventh-floor corridor studying a tapestry with trolls in tutus; we previously saw small girls standing in seventh-floor corridors earlier. From the previous book, we might remember that the entrance to the Room of Requirement is on the seventh floor, opposite the troll tapestry. In a previous chapter, it is also discovered that Crabbe and Goyle were upset at having to spend so much time guarding Malfoy without knowing what he is doing, and they seem to be spending much time standing around in corridors. Is a pattern developing here?

The tenor of the encounter between Lavender and Ron is another clear indication that their relationship is on the rocks. We do not yet know whether they will be able to patch up their differences and go on, but we suspect not, as Ron seems to show no inclination to deal with the issues, instead avoiding them by, in this case, feigning sleep.

We now have a possible explanation for the short tenure of Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers: Dumbledore believes that Voldemort cursed the position when he was rejected. Dumbledore must either have been hoping that the curse would be broken when he appointed Professor Snape as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, or otherwise did not expect him to last any longer than his predecessors. We already know that Dumbledore trusts Snape, though not why; we also know that at least two of the previous five incumbents have been driven mad (Professor Lockhart by a backfiring charm and Professor Umbridge by the Centaurs), one (Professor Quirrell) has died, and one (the false Professor Moody) has had his soul sucked out of him by Dementors. Thus, the post does have a definite element of risk to it, leaving us to wonder why Dumbledore would choose to put someone he so trusted in a position where harm could easily befall him.

As Dumbledore implies, the memories we see tonight do not significantly increase our understanding of Voldemort. Dumbledore clearly believes that the missing memory will contain vital information for Harry's understanding of Voldemort's plans.

harry potter and the half blood prince:Elf Tails

Elf Tails

Ron is in the Hospital Wing, with Hermione, Ginny, Fred, George, and Harry at his bedside. Fred and George were investigating opening a Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes shop in Hogsmeade, but with Zonko's Joke Shop out of business and the Hogsmeade weekends canceled, it looks unpromising. Hagrid also arrives, saying he was in the Forest caring for Aragog, who is getting worse. Madam Pomfrey says "No more than six visitors to a patient", but retires in slight confusion when Harry points out that Hagrid is the sixth. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley arrive and express their sincere gratitude to Harry for continually saving Weasley lives.

Harry, Hermione, and Hagrid leave the infirmary. Hagrid lets slip that Hogwarts could close due to the increasing dangerous incidents and reveals that he overheard Dumbledore and Snape arguing over something Snape no longer wanted to do. Dumbledore firmly reminded Snape that the latter gave his word. There was also a reference about Snape's investigations in Slytherin, which Hagrid assumes is about the cursed necklace. Filch's untimely arrival ends their conversation, and he and Hagrid get into a disagreement as Harry and Hermione hastily retreat. Hagrid's information has only deepened Harry's suspicions about Snape.

When Harry and Hermione return to Gryffindor Tower, Cormac McLaggen braces Harry about replacing Ron as Keeper, to which Harry grudgingly agrees. Harry returns to watching Draco's movements on the Marauder's Map. For the next while, Harry is beset, though, with classes, homework, Quidditch practice, Cormac repeatedly pestering him with strategy ideas, and Lavender asking about Ron's recovery. Harry asks Lavender why she does not ask Ron herself, but Lavender says that Ron is always asleep when she visits.

On his way to the next Quidditch match, Harry sees Draco and two sulky-looking girls heading into the castle. Harry is certain that Draco is going to his usual hidden place, and sorely wants to follow, but he is already late. Harry is astonished that Luna has been appointed as the Quidditch match commentator; her dreamy game description has everyone laughing, except Professor McGonagall. McLaggen, attempting to micromanage the team, borrows a Beater's club and accidentally hits a Bludger at Harry, cracking his skull and landing him in the infirmary with Ron, who thinks Luna's commentary was most entertaining. He hopes she gets the job permanently, but says that the final score was 320 to 60 against Gryffindor. Harry wants to find and kill McLaggen, but Madam Pomfrey says that would be "excessive exertion" and bans it. Ron comments that the team might have already done that for him.

While still recovering, Harry realizes he could simply set a tail on Draco and suddenly remembers Dobby once visited him in the Hospital Wing. He summons Kreacher, the Black family House-elf that he inherited with Number 12, Grimmauld Place. Kreacher appears, along with Dobby. The two are fighting, apparently because Kreacher made insulting remarks about Harry. Peeves appears as well, egging them on; Harry silences him, and he zooms away. Ron and Harry break up the fight. Harry quietly instructs the two elves to trail Draco Malfoy and to bring him regular reports on everywhere Malfoy goes and what he does. He orders Kreacher not to warn Malfoy in any way. Kreacher sulkily agrees, though he says he would prefer having Draco as his master. Dobby says he is a free elf, and he chooses to obey Harry Potter.

Harry's quick thinking, we find out, saved Ron from certain death. Although Hermione continually chastises Harry for using the Half-Blood Prince's methods, in this instance, she is grateful for what the Prince taught him. Hermione's sitting silent by Ron's bedside since his poisoning is mute testament to her feelings about him; that he may feel the same about her is evidenced by his response to her voice, when she finally speaks.

Someone obviously knew that Slughorn intended to give Dumbledore the mead and poisoned it to murder him. It is also possible that the cursed necklace that nearly killed Katie Bell was also intended for Dumbledore. Harry remains convinced that Draco perpetrated the attacks, but he lacks specific proof tying Draco to either object. Though Draco was at Borgin & Burkes where Harry saw the necklace, any number of people could also have been there. Regardless, Harry becomes more determined than ever to uncover what Draco is doing.

Though we have no proof other than Harry's suspicions as to who was the intended recipient or the delivery agent of either the necklace or the mead, it would be useful to consider these objects' source.

Another minor item which might be of interest is Draco and the two sulky girls that are traveling with him. It is unusual for Draco to have girls, particularly younger ones, as companions. Why would he suddenly be selecting sidekicks so different from his usual hangers-on, Crabbe and Goyle?

Although he is magically bound to obey Harry, Kreacher is less than trustworthy and remains loyal to the Black family, and by extension, the Malfoys (through Narcissa), which is why Harry specifically orders him to reveal nothing to Draco. Harry may have been a bit careless in his instructions, however. Although Harry orders Kreacher to reveal nothing to Draco, Kreacher is clever and devious enough that he could bypass his master's orders by relaying information to Draco through someone else. Kreacher previously manipulated Sirius Black's orders once after he told Kreacher to "leave", which Kreacher twisted into meaning he should leave Grimmauld Place. He then visited Narcissa Malfoy, providing her with valuable information about Sirius and Harry.

harry potter and the half blood prince:A Sluggish Memory

A Sluggish Memory

Harry, Ron, and Ginny return to Hogwarts via the Floo Network after Christmas. Hermione tells them the new password for Gryffindor Tower: Abstinence. Evidently, the Fat Lady enjoyed too much wine over Christmas. Hermione hands Harry a note from Dumbledore; the next lesson is scheduled for the following night.

In the Common room, Ron is immediately enfolded by Lavender, while Ginny says she promised to meet Dean, though Harry senses she is rather unenthusiastic. Harry and Hermione, who is ignoring Ron, find a quiet corner, and he shares what happened during Christmas break, including the conversation with Rufus Scrimgeour. As expected, Hermione concurs with Mr. Weasley and Lupin, that Snape was attempting to discover what Malfoy's mission is. She reminds Harry that it was Fenrir Greyback's name that Malfoy threatened Borgin with.

The following morning, a notice on the bulletin board announces Apparation training for students turning 17 before 31st August, which includes everyone in the Sixth Year class. Students are excited, and when Harry admits that he has traveled by side-along Apparation, they ask about it. Harry says the sensation is unpleasant, but none seem put off by this.

Harry arrives for his lesson with Dumbledore and relates what happened over Christmas, including Rufus Scrimgeour's visit. Dumbledore says he has argued with both Rufus and Fudge over involving Harry in the Ministry's public relations efforts. Dumbledore displays a rare emotional flicker when Harry reveals his strong agreement to Scrimgeour dubbing him, "Dumbledore's man through and through". When Harry recounts Snape and Draco's conversation, Dumbledore thanks Harry for bringing this to his attention, but Harry should not concern himself further. In response to Harry's angry outburst, Dumbledore says he does understand and reaffirms that he trusts Snape, and nothing Harry has said changes that.

But now, they must go into the memories. Dumbledore recaps: Riddle was admitted to Hogwarts and sorted into Slytherin house, where he learned about Salazar Slytherin's ability to converse with snakes. The staff expected little from Riddle. He was a polite, good-looking, and ambitious orphan, so many took pity on him. Dumbledore tells Harry that he never revealed his opinions about Tom to the staff. If Tom was turning over a new leaf, Dumbledore was going to allow him to do so. Dumbledore describes how Death Eater forerunners gravitated around Riddle but admits difficulty in obtaining memories of him during his time at Hogwarts. Riddle also became obsessed with his parentage.

The first new memory belongs to Riddle's Uncle Morfin. In it, Riddle arrives at the Gaunts' and converses with Morfin in Parseltongue. Morfin tells Tom about his father, Tom Riddle, Sr., and his mother, Merope, and shows him the Peverell ring, saying that Merope had taken Slytherin's locket. The memory abruptly ends. Morfin remembered nothing until after he awoke the next day and the ring was gone. Dumbledore says when Riddle Sr. and his parents were found murdered, the Ministry fingered Morfin, who readily confessed. Dumbledore speculates that Riddle Stunned his uncle, performed the murders, and then implanted false memories into Morfin's mind.

The second memory is Slughorn's. He and the Slug Club during Riddle's era are chatting. Twice the memory inexplicably turns foggy and only Slughorn's voice is heard, notably when Riddle asks him about Horcruxes. In the memory, Slughorn seems to respond that he knows nothing about them. Dumbledore explains that Slughorn's memory has been tampered with and tasks Harry with obtaining the true memory from Slughorn.

Note is made here that the Floo network had been extended to Hogwarts specifically to allow the students to return after Christmas. This seems something of a contradiction, as Dumbledore had returned to his own office by means of the Floo network in the previous book, Sirius Black's head had appeared on a number of occasions in the Gryffindor common room fireplace, Snape had summoned Professor Lupin using a very similar technique in an earlier book, and Professor Umbridge had mentioned that all the fireplaces were monitored. There is no explanation for this apparent contradiction, but we can make some guesses. It is possible that, in order to prevent students from slipping away without permission, the vast majority of the fireplaces at Hogwarts were connected to the Floo network by a very small portal, enough to admit a head and no more. Why even this connection would be made is uncertain, unless it is intended to serve as an emergency exit from the common room; a head-sized attachment may be sufficient to keep the grate attached to the Network, but not present a threat of unwanted incursions or excursions, and the charm could be set to expand the connection to full size in case of emergency. It is possible that the limitations are removed from the House Heads' and the Headmaster's fireplaces, or of all teachers at the School, on the grounds that they are responsible enough to use them. In this case, the restriction against using the Floo network is not actually one of the school not being connected, but of the House Heads restricting the parade of people through their fireplaces.

harry potter and the half blood prince:A Very Frosty Christmas

A Very Frosty Christmas

Harry and Ron, at The Burrow for Christmas, talk about what Harry had overheard. Ron agrees it is odd that Malfoy was given a task, and is incredulous that Snape made an Unbreakable Vow to help him. Anyone breaking an Unbreakable Vow will die. Fred and George arrive and start teasing Ron; apparently Ginny told them about about Ron and Lavender. Mrs. Weasley comes in to explain sleeping arrangements; apparently quite a crowd is expected at The Burrow over Christmas, though Percy, still estranged from his family, will be absent.

On Christmas Eve, Harry talks to Mr. Weasley, who admits privately to Harry that of the last three arrests, likely only one was a true Death Eater. Stan Shunpike is still being held to avoid bad publicity by letting him go. Harry tells him and Remus Lupin about the conversation he overheard between Snape and Malfoy. Both say Dumbledore trusts Snape, and that is good enough for them. Lupin tells Harry that he neither likes nor dislikes Snape; Snape always prepared his Wolfsbane Potion perfectly during his tenure at Hogwarts, and while he let it slip that Lupin was a werewolf, he could have done far worse damage, had he a mind to, by messing up the potion. Although the bitterness between them (and also Harry) cannot be healed, they should still trust Snape.

Lupin has infiltrated the werewolves to spy on them for the Order, and he tells Harry they support Voldemort because they can be free under his rule. It is hard to argue against Fenrir Greyback's position. It was Greyback, the head and most vicious werewolf, who bit Lupin when he was a child. Fenrir targets children to raise them to hate wizarding kind. He also wants to infect enough people for the werewolves to take over.

Harry asks Lupin about the Half-Blood Prince and the Levicorpus spell that James once used on Snape. Lupin says that spells have peaks of popularity, so the spell appearing at that time does not mean that it was this "Prince" who had invented it. He also has no idea about the Prince's identity except that it was not James, Sirius, or himself. Lupin suggests Harry find out how old the book is to help determine the Prince's identity. Before bed, Harry checks the book's copyright date and learns it was printed fifty years before. As his parents and their friends were at school only twenty years earlier, this seems to rule them out.

Harry and Ron receive Christmas presents the next morning. Among them are the usual jumpers (sweaters), a disgusting necklace for Ron from Lavender, and a package of maggots from house elf Kreacher to "Master" (Harry). Over Christmas dinner, the family (along with Fleur Delacour and Lupin) talk about Tonks, who was invited but declined to come; Mrs. Weasley apparently blames Bill for her absence. Reminded, Harry asks Lupin why Tonks' Patronus would change shape, saying that it is now large and has four legs. Lupin suggests that a major upheaval in someone's life can cause a change, but he is interrupted by Percy and the Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour's unexpected arrival. Scrimgeour claims he and Percy were in the neighbourhood on business when Percy "decided" to drop in for a visit. Mrs. Weasley sobs happily at seeing Percy again, but the other Weasleys receive him coldly.

On the pretext of giving the Weasleys private family time, Scrimgeour asks Harry to show him the garden. Outside, Scrimgeour wants to know more about the prophecy and tells Harry he would like him to make regular visits to the Ministry. They want to present him as the "Chosen One", and show that he supports the Ministry. Whether or not he was "Chosen" is immaterial to the Ministry, only that everyone believes he is. Harry refuses, citing the Ministry failing to listen to him a year earlier, and now imprisoning Stan Shunpike, an obviously innocent person. Offended, Scrimgeour probes for information about Dumbledore, but Harry says nothing. Scrimgeour angrily accuses Harry of being "Dumbledore's man through and through." Harry readily agrees and angrily returns to the house.

harry potter and the half blood prince:The Unbreakable Vow

The Unbreakable Vow

Hogwarts prepares for Christmas, and Harry does his best to avoid giggling girls and mistletoe clumps. Ron now spends every evening kissing Lavender Brown who "seemed to regard any moment that she was not kissing Ron as a moment wasted." Ron and Hermione continue to ignore each other, while Harry and Hermione frequently study in the library together. Harry once again has found himself best friends with two people who are not speaking to each other.

Meanwhile, Harry continues doing well in Potions using the Prince's notes. In the library, Hermione warns him to be careful, but Harry says he has learned more from the Half-Blood Prince than from either Slughorn or Snape. But Hermione says she is referring to the girls who are infatuated with Harry—they might try to slip him a Love Potion. Filch has banned all Weasley's Wizards Wheezes items, but Love Potions aren't jinxes, curses, or concealment charms, so Secrecy Sensors won't find them, and simply putting them in perfume bottles will hide them from Filch. Romilda Vane is particularly determined to go to Slughorn's party with Harry. Hermione suggests that Harry invite someone to discourage the other girls.

Harry mentions Malfoy and the necklace again, but Hermione says the Secrecy Sensors would detect any powerful curse. Suddenly, Harry is clawed at by an outraged Madam Pince, the Librarian, who has seen writing in the Prince's Potions textbook. Harry and Hermione escape, and Harry wonders aloud if Pince and Filch have a relationship. Hermione is still angered by Harry's refusal to give up using the book.

In the Common room, Romilda Vane offers to share a Gillywater with Harry; catching a warning glance from Hermione, he quickly declines. Vane then pushes a box of chocolates on him (Chocolate Cauldrons with Firewhisky centers), which he takes and stashes unopened in his trunk.

The next day in Transfiguration, Ron accidentally gives himself a handlebar moustache, causing Hermione to laugh. In retaliation, Ron rudely imitates Hermione whenever she answers a question, finally sending her running off crying. Harry cannot wait to leave for the Burrow, hoping the distance will help heal Ron and Hermione's relationship. Harry, collecting Hermione's books at the bell, finds Hermione in a nearby bathroom, being comforted by Luna Lovegood. Hermione takes her things and leaves.

Luna tells Harry that Ron sometimes says funny things, but hurtful ones as well. Harry thinks Luna has a knack for telling unpleasant truths. Luna says she misses the D.A., as she felt she had friends there. She also says Ginny sticks up for her and stopped two boys from calling her "Loony." Harry decides to invite Luna to Slughorn's party—although he makes sure to say it is just as friends. Luna is surprised and quite happy, as nobody has ever invited her to a party before. Peeves suddenly appears hanging upside down from a chandelier and taunts, "Potty lurves Loony".

Soon, everyone knows Harry has invited Luna. At dinner, Ron rebukes Harry, telling him he could have asked anyone. Ginny scolds Ron and comments approvingly to Harry. Hermione is sitting alone, and Harry and Ron sit down some distance away from her. Soon, the other Gryffindor girls arrive and Lavender starts hugging Ron. Parvati and Hermione talk loudly about Slughorn's party; Hermione brightly comments that she is going with Cormac, and says she likes good Quidditch players, before leaving to get ready. Harry ponders the depths to which girls will sink to get revenge.

Luna wears silver-spangled robes to the party, eliciting giggles from some girls. Harry, relieved she is not wearing her Butterbeer-cork necklace or radish earrings, thinks she actually looks quite nice. He tells her a Vampire will be at Slughorn's party; Luna thinks he means Rufus Scrimgeour as the Quibbler was about to print a story that Scrimgeour is a vampire, but the Ministry quashed it. At the party, Slughorn introduces Harry to vampire expert, Eldred Worple, and his vampire friend, Sanguini. Worple offers to write Harry's biography; Harry declines, and makes a rapid escape as he has just noticed Hermione on her own. Hermione has just escaped McLaggen's attempts to take advantage of the mistletoe. She steers Harry and Luna to the refreshments table, where she can watch for his approach. Professor Trelawney is there, drinking. Snape is also present and Slughorn lets slip that Harry is a natural at Potions, just like his mother. Harry tells Slughorn that he is taking the required Auror subjects, after which Slughorn booms that Harry will make an excellent one. Luna then mentions a conspiracy theory about Aurors using Dark Magic and gum disease to take down the Ministry of Magic.

Harry is having a great time listening to Luna and Trelawney, when Malfoy is dragged in by Filch, who caught Draco gatecrashing. Slughorn laughs and reprimands him, but lets him stay, although Malfoy looks angry. When Snape asks for a private word with Malfoy, Harry excuses himself to go to the bathroom but instead eavesdrops on Snape and Malfoy. Snape probes Malfoy for information about Katie Bell, but Malfoy blocks him. Snape remarks that Malfoy's Aunt Bella must have been teaching him Occlumency. Snape knows Malfoy has been upstairs, working on some project. He offers to help, citing his Unbreakable Vow to protect him, but Malfoy says nothing and storms out, nearly hitting Harry under his Invisibility Cloak. Although Harry has been told Snape is a double agent working for the Order, what he has heard does not leave him any less mistrustful.

harry potter and the half blood prince:Felix Felicis

Felix Felicis

On the way to Herbology class next day, and while they are preparing their armour to start harvesting Snargaluff pods, Harry fills Hermione and Ron in on what he has been learning about Tom Riddle. Ron and Hermione are impressed, but Ron wonders why Dumbledore is teaching Harry all this.

Hermione says the 'Slug Club' dinners are actually quite enjoyable, and that Harry should come to the Christmas one. The invitees are allowed to bring a guest. Ron mocks Hermione, suggesting she invite McLaggen. Hermione hotly replies that she was going to invite Ron, but as he is acting so stupidly, she will not bother. Ron sheepishly says that he would go with her, however it is uncertain whether or not she will relent. Harry worries that if Ron and Hermione ever do become a couple, a break-up could create an unbridgeable gap between them, or that the two would become so close they would shut Harry out.

Harry recruits Dean Thomas to replace Katie Bell for the Quidditch team while she is in St. Mungo's Hospital. This causes some friction with Seamus Finnigan, but Harry knows that Dean outflew Seamus at the initial try-outs. At practice, Dean performs excellently, while Ron, overcome with nerves, plays horribly; at one point he punches Demelza in the mouth.

Heading back to the Gryffindor Common room, Harry and Ron stumble across Ginny and Dean kissing in a corridor; Harry feels jealous while Ron angrily accuses his sister of acting like a tease. Ginny retorts that Ron has as much experience as a twelve-year-old and storms off. Harry and Ron head to the Common room, startling a small girl who drops a jar of frog spawn. As Ron broods dark thoughts, Harry struggles with romantic feelings towards Ginny, although he tries to dismiss it as only friendship. He also fears that if he did start snogging Ginny, it could end his and Ron's friendship.

The next day, still angry, Ron lashes out at everyone, especially Hermione, and cold-shoulders Dean and Ginny. Harry hopes this will end soon, but there is no improvement in Ron's mood over the next several days. Ron continues to play miserably at practice, which only worsens his mood. He nearly resigns, but Harry snaps him out of it. However, he remains dejected before the match against Slytherin. Harry devises a brilliant plan. At breakfast, Harry gives Ron pumpkin juice. Hermione sees the small flask of Felix Felicis concealed in Harry's hand and, suspecting Harry spiked the juice, tells Harry off. Ron dismisses Hermione's anger and drinks his pumpkin juice. Apparently, the luck potion works, as Slytherin's best goal scorer, Vaisey, took a Bludger to the head at practice and is unable to play, and Malfoy is off sick as well, although Harry suspects he is planning something. When Ron suspects that Harry did put the Felix potion in his drink, Harry says nothing.

Zacharias Smith is announcing. A Hufflepuff, he seems overly critical of Gryffindor, but eventually is forced to stop criticizing Harry's choice of Ron and Ginny as Ron saves everything Slytherin throws at him, and Ginny makes four of Gryffindor's six goals. Gryffindor plays brilliantly, eventually gaining a 100 point lead. The Slytherin Seeker spots the Snitch, but Harry distracts him and catches it for the win. Ginny "forgets to brake" as she swoops in for the victory celebration and hits the announcer's tower, dumping Zacharias to the ground. In the changing room, Hermione bursts in and lambastes Harry for cheating, but Harry reveals he never used the potion, Ron only believed he did.

At the victory party, which Hermione is initially too upset to attend, Ron is kissing Lavender Brown in plain view. Harry spots Hermione ducking in and out of the Common room and follows her. He finds her in an unlocked classroom with conjured birds flying around her head and tries consoling her. Ron barges in with Lavender, who quickly ducks out. Hermione leaves, sending the conjured canaries to attack Ron.

Although Hermione used magic to help secure Ron a place on the Quidditch team, she has apparently fallen back into her usual "follow the rules" way and rebukes Harry for cheating (or so she thinks) by giving Ron the Good Luck potion to enhance his game skills. Ron played brilliantly because he believed the potion would improve his performance, but Harry never actually gave it to him. When Ron believes in himself, he has the ability to perform well in many things.

Harry's skill at utilizing people's flaws and habits is improving; he knows Hermione will intervene if there is any unethical behavior, and that Ron will tends to resist her. This is why, we believe, he allows Hermione to see the phial of Felix Felicis as he passes it over Ron's pumpkin juice; Harry knows that if Hermione assumes Ron's drink was spiked, she will object. It is uncertain whether Harry is counting on that to motivate Ron into drinking it; it is certain that Hermione's protest will lead Ron to believe that he has been given a chance at some liquid luck. This is somewhat similar to how Voldemort manipulates people and their thought patterns to his advantage. Unlike Voldemort, however, Harry's aim is to help his friends rather than for his own selfish ends.

harry potter and the half blood prince:Silver and Opals

Silver and Opals

Harry wonders where Professor Dumbledore is. Despite telling Harry that the lessons would be the most important thing Harry did, he is often away, and there are no additional lessons before the first Hogsmeade weekend in mid-October. On the morning of the Hogsmeade weekend, Harry lies in bed reading the Half-Blood Prince's textbook, which contains some interesting spells. Harry casts a non-verbal one, Levicorpus, and mistakenly levitates a sleeping Ron by his ankle. Harry frantically invokes the counterspell, and Ron falls back into his bed.

When Ron laughingly recounts the levitation experience, Hermione is unamused. This Prince may be a dodgy character, and here is Harry invoking his spells without knowing their effect. Harry recognizes the spell from Snape's memory in the Pensieve as the same one his father once used on Snape. Harry briefly considers that his father was the Half-Blood Prince, but discounts this because James was a pure-blood wizard. Meanwhile, Ginny delivers a note to Harry from Dumbledore, scheduling another lesson for Monday evening. Ginny mentions she is going to Hogsmeade with Dean and may see them there.

Having been scanned by Filch with Secrecy Sensors, the Trio embark to Hogsmeade. Finding Zonko's joke shop boarded up, Ron suggests Honeyduke's, where they run into Professor Slughorn buying his favorite crystallized pineapple. Slughorn extends yet another dinner invitation to Harry and Hermione, for next Monday, which Harry is grateful he can decline due to Dumbledore's lesson.

Ron, disgruntled over being excluded from Slughorn's dinner, is unwilling to suggest where to go next, but agrees to The Three Broomsticks. On the way, Harry encounters Mundungus Fletcher, who is talking to the Hog's Head Inn barman. Harry calls out to Mundungus, who, startled, drops an ancient suitcase that bursts open, spilling its contents. When Ron recognizes a silver goblet bearing the Black family crest, Harry seizes Mundungus by the throat, and accuses him of looting Sirius Black's house. Mundungus blasts Harry away and Disapparates. Tonks appears and says it is useless to hunt for him, but Harry intends to report Mundungus to Dumbledore.

After one Butterbeer apiece in The Three Broomsticks, Hermione suggests heading back to Hogwarts. Ron and Harry agree - this has been an unpleasant outing. They follow Katie Bell and her friend Leanne, who are arguing over a package. Leanne tries to take the package from Katie, but it rips open. Katie, suddenly deathly still, rises six feet into the air, then falls to the ground, writhing and screaming in pain. Harry runs for help. Hagrid arrives and carries Katie back to the school. Harry prevents Ron from touching the package, recognizing a necklace inside as the same one he saw at Borgin & Burkes in Knockturn Alley that bore a label reading, 'Cursed.' Leanne says that Katie was behaving strangely: she had returned from the toilet carrying a package she insisted she must deliver to someone at Hogwarts. Leanne was trying to take the package away from her when it tore open, and Katie touched it. Leanne suspects Katie was under the Imperius Curse. Harry believes Draco knew about the necklace; he saw it at Borgin & Burkes. Ron says that many people probably saw it, and besides, Katie had been in the washroom. Harry carefully wraps the necklace in his scarf and carries it back to Hogwarts.

Professor McGonagall meets them at the gate. Harry hands the necklace to McGonagall, who orders Filch take it to Professor Snape. In Professor McGonagall's office, Leanne relates what happened, then is sent to the hospital wing. Harry suspects Malfoy was involved, but McGonagall says Draco was doing detention with her. Dismissed, Harry, Ron, and Hermione wonder who the necklace was intended for. With Filch and his Secrecy Sensor, it was unlikely that a package containing anything harmful could be brought into the school that way. They conclude it was a poorly thought-out plan.
Harry seems to believe that the attack on Katie Bell bolsters his suspicions that Draco is directly involved in some sinister plot, although, as both Ron and Hermione point out, there is only circumstantial evidence linking Draco to the necklace, and he has an iron-clad alibi. Regardless, Harry remains positive that Draco was behind the attack. While readers can sympathize with Harry, knowing that Draco has been charged with some unknown mission for Voldemort and that it probably is linked to this incident, Harry lacks any objectivity whatsoever. He becomes so single-mindedly convinced that Draco is guilty that he stubbornly refuses to consider other possibilities. Also, the Trio's belief that the attack seemed poorly planned may be more significant than they realize.

Adding to Harry's concerns is Dumbledore's increasingly frequent and unexplained absences. These are disturbing not only for Harry, but also the entire school. Dumbledore is Hogwarts' symbol of authority and security, and his empty chair in the Great Hall may signal that there is greater turmoil in the wizarding world than anyone realized. Harry, in particular, is affected by his absence. Harry still deeply mourns his godfather Sirius' death, and Dumbledore has become even more a father figure to him. When a parent is away, a child often feels abandoned and unprotected, even when left in capable hands.

THE OTHER MINISTER,harry potter and the half blood prince,

Chapter 1: The Other Minister

It was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind. He was waiting for a call from the President of a far distant country, and between wondering when the wretched man would telephone, and trying to suppress unpleasant memories of what had been a very long, tiring, and difficult week, there was not much space in his head for anything else. The more he attempted to focus on the print on the page before him, the more clearly the Prime Minister could see the gloating face of one of his political opponents. This particular opponent had appeared on the news that very day, not only to enumerate all the terrible things that had happened in the last week (as though anyone needed reminding) but also to explain why each and every one of them was the government's fault.

The Prime Minister's pulse quickened at the very thought of these accusations, for they were neither fair nor true. How on earth was his government supposed to have stopped that bridge collapsing. It was outrageous for anybody to suggest that they were not spending enough on bridges. The bridge was fewer than ten years old, and the best experts were at a loss to explain why it had snapped cleanly in two, sending a dozen cars into the watery depths of the river below. And how dare anyone suggest that it was lack of policemen that had resulted in those two very nasty and well-publicized murders. Or that the government should have somehow foreseen the freak hurricane in the West Country that had caused so much damage to both people and property. And was it his fault that one of his Junior Ministers, Herbert Chorley, had chosen this week to act so peculiarly that he was now going to be spending a lot more time with his family.

He turned over the second page of the memo, saw how much longer it went on, and gave it up as a bad job. Stretching his arms above his head he looked around his office mournfully. It was a handsome room, with a fine marble fireplace facing the long sash windows, firmly closed against the unseasonable chill. With a slight shiver, the Prime Minister got up and moved over to the window, looking out at the thin mist that was pressing itself against the glass. It was then, as he stood with his back to the room, that he heard a soft cough behind him.

It was precisely this sort of behavior that made him dislike Fudge's visits so much. He was, after all, the Prime Minister and did not appreciate being made to feel like an ignorant schoolboy. But of course, it had been like this from his very first meeting with Fudge on his very first evening as Prime Minister. He remembered it as though it were yesterday and knew it would haunt him until his dying day.

He had been standing alone in this very office, savoring the triumph that was his after so many years of dreaming and scheming, when he had heard a cough behind him, just like tonight, and turned to find that ugly little portrait talking to him, announcing that the Minister of Magic was about to arrive and introduce himself Naturally, he had thought that the long campaign and the strain of the election had caused him to go mad. He had been utterly terrified to find a portrait talking to him, though this had been nothing to how he felt when a self-proclaimed wizard had bounced out of the fireplace and shaken his hand. He had remained speechless throughout Fudge's kindly explanation that there were witches and wizards still living in secret all over the world and his reassurances that he was not to bother his head about them as the Ministry of Magic took responsibility for the whole Wizarding community and prevented the non-magical population from getting wind of them. It was, said Fudge, a difficult job that encompassed everything from regulations on responsible use of broomsticks to keeping the dragon population under control (the Prime Minister remembered clutching the desk for support at this point). Fudge had then patted the shoulder of the sLill-dumbstruck Prime Minister in a fatherly sort of way.

The shock had taken a little while to wear off. For a time, he had tried to convince himself that Fudge had indeed been a hallucination brought on by lack of sleep during his grueling election campaign. In a vain attempt to rid himself of all reminders of this uncomfortable encounter, he had given the gerbil to his delighted niece and instructed his private secretary to take down the portrait of the ugly little man who had announced Fudge's arrival. To the Prime Minister's dismay, however, the portrait had proved impossible to remove. When several carpenters, a builder or two, an art historian, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer had all tried unsuccessfully to prise it from the wall, the Prime Minister had abandoned the attempt and simply resolved to hope that the thing remained motionless and silent for the rest of his term in office. Occasionally he could have sworn he saw out of the corner of his eye the occupant of the painting yawning, or else scratching his nose; even, once or twice, simply walking out of his frame and leaving nothing but a stretch of muddy-brown canvas behind. However, he had trained himself not to look at the picture very much, and always to tell himself firmly that his eyes were playing tricks on him when anything like this happened.

Then, three years ago, on a night very like tonight, the Prime Minister had been alone in his office when the portrait had once again announced the imminent arrival of Fudge, who had burst out of the fireplace, sopping wet and in a state of considerable panic.



Before the Prime Minister could ask why he was dripping all over the Axminster, Fudge had started ranting about a prison the Prime Minister had never heard of, a man named "Serious" Black, something that sounded like "Hogwarts," and a boy called Harry Potter, none of which made the remotes it sense to the Prime Minister.

Whatever the press and the opposition might say, the Prime Minister was not a foolish man. It had not escaped his notice that, despite Fudge's assurances at their first meeting, they were now seeing rather a lot of each other, nor that Fudge was becoming more flustered with each visit. Little though he liked to think about the Minister of Magic (or, as he always called Fudge in his head, the Other Minister), the Prime Minister could not help but fear that the next time Fudge appeared it would be with graver news still. The site, therefore, of Fudge stepping out of the fire once more, looking disheveled and fretful and sternly surprised that the Prime Minister did not know exactly why he was there, was about the worst thing that had happened in the course of this extremely gloomy week.
While the Prime Minister surreptitiously touched the wood of his desk, Fudge continued, "But Blacks by-the-by now. The point is, we're at war, Prime Minister, and steps must be taken." "At war." repeated the Prime Minister nervously. "Surely that's a little bit of an overstatement." "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has now been joined by those of his followers who broke out of Azkaban in January," said Fudge, speaking more and more rapidly and twirling his bowler so fast that it was a lime-green blur. "Since they have moved into the open, they have been wreaking havoc. The Brockdale Bridge--he did it, Prime Minister, he threatened a mass Muggle killing unless I stood aside for him and--" "Good grief, so it's your fault those people were killed and I'm having to answer questions about rusted rigging and corroded expansion joints and I don't know what else!" said the Prime Minister furiously.

Fudge got to his feet and, after a moment's hesitation, the Prime Minister did the same, watching the new arrival straighten up, dust down his long black robes, and look around.

The Prime Minister's first, foolish thought was that Rufus Scrimgeour looked rather like an old lion. There were streaks of gray in his mane of tawny hair and his bushy eyebrows; he had keen yellowish eyes behind a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles and a certain rangy, loping grace even though he walked with a slight limp. There was an immediate impression of shrewdness and toughness; the Prime Minister thought he understood why the Wizarding community preferred Scrimgeour to Fudge as a leader in these dangerous times.

Scrimgeour merely shrugged, already moving back toward the fireplace.
"But for heaven's sake--you're wizards! You can do magic! Surely you can sort out--well--anything!" Scrimgeour turned slowly on the spot and exchanged an incredulous look with Fudge, who really did manage a smile this time as he said kindly, "The trouble is, the other side can do magic too, Prime Minister." And with that, the two wizards stepped one after the other into the bright green fire and vanished.