Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince--SPOILER ALERT!!!

me | July 17, 2005 | grellis

[retrokitten]

D'oh!! I meant to provide a link to the rest of the interview.

[Not A Snowbird]

The note implies that R.A.B. is dead. "I know I'll be dead long before you read this."

I'm sticking with Regulus!

[balero]

Good point...but why would Rowlings have R.A.B. as a dead character? Unless it is another plot twist...

[kellynch]

I think it would be great if Rowling included a primer, of sorts, with book 7, explaining the derivation of the various spells and names. Kind of like the appendices of LOTR.

Check out this site. It has derivations of a lot of the names Rowling uses. One caveat however is that the definitions may come from the site's users. The listing for Mrs. Norris says:

According to Kate C., Mrs. Norris was named after a nosy preacher's wife in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park.

While this definition happens to be true (although it does not go far enough in describing how horrible a person Austen's Mrs. Norris was), the fact that it comes from a reader we don't know doesn't guarantee its accuracy.

The site does say that my thinking that Malfoy means "bad faith" is what Rowling herself had in mind when she named this particular family. *pats self on back*

[balero]

Wish we could have had that before we came up with our delusional idea...that's what happenes when you have to work in 90% humidity.

We feel dumb :(

[Not A Snowbird]

There are no dumb theories on this thread! We've been throwing all kinds of stuff out, just to see what sticks.

[supercat]

There are no dumb theories on this thread!

Maybe I should fix that: Ms. Rowling was going to call her sixth book "HP and the Pillar of Storgé, but when one of her publicist's former employees leaked the title, she had to come up with a new name." Think that qualifies as a dumb theory?

I do think Ms. Rowling has probably managed to create a cliffhanger on the level of 'Who shot Mr. Burns'; most of the lingering questions aren't as overt, but there remain far more nagging issues now than at the ends of the previous books. Since Ms. Rowling has said that the seven books will each cover one year of Harry Potter's education at Hogwarts, that would imply that the school will be open next year and Harry Potter will go back. The future of Severus Snape, however, remains an open question. My personal theory is that Albus left a memory for Harry with Ms. McGonagall, to be given to him only when there is no danger that Voldemort might discover Snape's true intentions. I would expect that if Ms. McGonagall were to give Harry a memory from Dumbledore in which he and Snape discussed what had to happen, that could allow Harry to trust Snape at a critical time. I don't think any of Snape's memories would suffice (since Harry would think they were faked) but Harry would probably trust Dumbledore's, if they were supplied by someone else trustworthy (like Ms. McGonagall).

[Pippin]

KEWL!

[Not A Snowbird]

My personal theory is that Albus left a memory for Harry with Ms. McGonagall, to be given to him only when there is no danger that Voldemort might discover Snape's true intentions. I would expect that if Ms. McGonagall were to give Harry a memory from Dumbledore in which he and Snape discussed what had to happen, that could allow Harry to trust Snape at a critical time. I don't think any of Snape's memories would suffice (since Harry would think they were faked) but Harry would probably trust Dumbledore's, if they were supplied by someone else trustworthy (like Ms. McGonagall).

Good theory. I think the pensieve play a part in the next book, and Harry wouldn't trust anyone but McGonagall (or Lupin?) to show him a memory.

[Gardener]

Great theory!! I hadn't thought about that and wondered how Harry would know that Snape was ok (assuming he is).

[kevkrom]

I wonder if Kreacher has the locket...?

Or Mundungus Fletcher... he was stealing items out of Grimmauld Place...

[kevkrom]

I haven't scrolled through everyone's remarks as yet, but I'm surprised that no one has brought up the Unbreakable Vow Snape made with Narcissa at the beginning of the book. That's the whole reason, imo, that Snape killed Dumbledore...if he didn't keep his vow to Narcissa, he would have been killed himself. No doubt (it's likely Dumbledore knew about the Vow, if Snape really IS loyal) this is why Snape was so adamant about not being a coward when Harry accused him of being such. Dumbledore and Snape probably worked this out ahead of time, to a certain extent. Snape was likely not happy to be killing Dumbledore, when he (meaning Dumbledore) had gone out on a limb for Snape and defended Snape against everyone who doubted his loyalty to the Order and to Dumbledore. But, the Vow was made, and there was no getting around it...and Snape was supposedly spying on Voldermort and the Death Eaters. Not easy to replace him, after all.

True. I'm also wondering if Dumbledore's trust in Snape may have something to do with a previously-made Unbreakable Vow...

[kellynch]

I started my re-read on the bus to work this morning, and have just finished chapter 2. Knowing what I know now, this statement from Snape struck me:

Of course, it became apparent to me very quickly that he [Harry] had no extraordinary talent at all. He has fought his way out of a number of tight corners by a simple combination of sheer luck and more talented friends. He is mediocre to the last degree, though as obnoxious and self-satisfied as was his father before him. (emphasis mine)

That's an odd thing for someone to say if he's NOT loyal to Dumbledore. We have been told by several people that Harry has the makings of a very powerful wizard, even though his grades in school may be less than desired. He is, for example, very skilled at DADA. We know he has conjured up a Patronus, which we are told on several occasions is a very difficult thing to do, and not something that dumb luck would help him with.

It's in the Order of the Phoenix's best interests for the Death Eaters to think that Harry is incompetent and the beneficiary of good friends and dumb luck, because then they might take him less seriously than they ought.

I'm taking my sweet time on this re-read of HBP, and then (hopefully before GOF comes out this fall) I'll tackle the entire series again. This is FUN!

[kevkrom]

Now, something else to consider: I know we've all read about the great bond between Lily and James, but could it be possible that a tiff will be revealed between them, that Snape found Lily heartbroken and they, um... consoled each other. Then Lily and James patched thing up, but Harry is REALLY Snape's son?

Not even remotely likely. Except for the eyes, Harry is a dead ringer for James Potter.

[Pippin]

I think I know what you are saying.

In short, let's lull the DE's into a false sense of security

Then.......WHAM!

Harry will hit 'em hard!

[kevkrom]

But he had another opportunity near the gate when he revealed he was the HBP and still didn't kill or kidnap Harry.

Not only that, but looking beyond the sneers and taunts, Snape was still trying to teach Harry on his way out -- reminding him that he needs to learn to close his mind and use non-verbal spells.

[kevkrom]

There's also the possibility that Mundungus Fletcher nicked it and either has sold it or will try to sell it.

Fletcher is currently residing in Azkaban. If he hadn't sold it already (assuming he took it), it's either stashed away somewhere, or the Ministry has it. In either case, I see Harry making a trip to Azkaban to interrogate Fletcher.

[kevkrom]

Don't forget we will need a new transfiguration teacher in the next book too. McGonagall will be the new headmistress.

She's a tad young for it, but it would be a perfect job for one Ms. Hermione Granger.

[kevkrom]

What are some of the other locations the gang is likely to visit in book 7?

For sure:

• #4 Privet Drive (Harry promised Dumbledore he'd return once more)
• Godric's Hollow (James' and Lily's graves)
• The Burrow (Bill's and Fleur's Phlem's wedding)

Likely other locations:

• #12 Grimmauld Place (clues about R.A.B. and the locket)
• Azkaban (interrogation of Mundungus Fletcher)
• Hogwarts (finding the 6th horcrux?)

Other suggestions? (Do we get to see Hermione's house?)

[Sloth]

In either case, I see Harry making a trip to Azkaban to interrogate Fletcher.

Hmm, I hadn't thought about it, but Harry almost has to visit Azkaban in book 7, simply because it's been talked about so much, yet he's never been there (though Sirius, Dumbledore, Hagrid, etc., all have).