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

me | July 17, 2005 | grellis

[grellis]

THIS THREAD IS INTENDED FOR READERS THAT HAVE COMPLETED THE BOOK! If you have not yet read the book, consider yourself warned: There will be spoilers on this thread.

For my fellow FReepers who have no intention of reading the book but would like to discuss the more controversial issues related to the work, I am asking you as politely as I can: DO NOT HIJACK THIS THREAD. We are all members of this forum and as such, it is not up to me to disallow anyone from participating in the discussion. That is why I am asking you--please do not hijack this thread. If you would like to discuss the more controversial aspects of the book, maybe you could start your own thread and ping us over there. If we are interested, we'll come.

[HungarianGypsy]

At the grocery my son was flipping through chapters. He had tears in his eyes when he told me about the white tomb. Of course he's not allowed to read the book until he gets through books 4 and 5.

[grellis]

Harry was too busy trying to keep tabs on Malfoy and trying to figure out how to "pitch woo" at Ginny to do any whining. All he did in "Order of..." was whine. I'm glad he's gotten that out of his system.

Gotta do laundry, folks! If you know of any other FReepin' Potter fans who have finished the book, ping 'em over. See you tomorrow!

[Not A Snowbird]

Ah! Never occured to me. Thanks!

[exnavychick]

Thanks for the ping...

SPOILER!

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.

Speculation is fun! :)

[Not A Snowbird]

I think you could be right. When Snape was making the Unbreakable Vow, his hand twitched and he hesitated before promising to do what Draco couldn't.

[Accygirl]

Okay... Here are some MAJOR spoilers:


The Death:

1. Dumbledore clearly didn't expect to die and was stunned that Snape turned on him. After all, Dumbledore doesn't plead to anyone and that's what Harry saw him doing.
2. I had alot of sympathy for Snape after seeing his pensieve vision in Book 5; however, it turns out he really is a bad guy. Here's why I don't think that his actions can be justified. Snape was given a second chance by Dumbledore despite being complicit in James and Lily's death, and he used that second chance to kill his biggest supporter.
3. It was not that shocking that Dumbledore died (see Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, et al...); however it was pretty shocking that Snape did it especially since Rowlings spent five books convincing us that Snape was on the right side.
4. Dumbledore really is dead; however, the Phoenix always rises from the ashes.. now doesn't it????

Other observations:

1. I really loved the horcrux chapter and Dumbledore's speech about what tyrants fear.
2. Speaking of horcruxes... Kudos to all those who figured out who RAB was (already). And now for a bit of speculation... Who sent Sirius's brother to destroy the horcruxes? And where is the really horcrux hidden??
3. I'm glad that Harry's going back to Godric Hollow. I want to know what Lily and James were up to.

[coconutt2000]

By the way, I meant to mention Obi Wan Kenobi.

See any similarities between Harry watching Obi Wan being killed in front of Luke, and Dumbledore being killed in front of Harry?

Now the portraits and ghosts are interesting ways for Dumbledore to continue to aid Harry indirectly. Kind of like Yoda and Obi Wan continuing to show up to inspire Luke.

Oh, and word is that JKR started writing book 7 late in 2004. If we're lucky, we might see the next book at the end of next year.

[Not A Snowbird]

See any similarities between Harry watching Obi Wan being killed in front of Luke, and Dumbledore being killed in front of Harry?

Yep. Very similar; if Harry returns to Hogwarts next year, he may find Dumbledore is an even greater help to him as a portrait.

[Not A Snowbird]

And where is the real horcrux hidden??

I think Kreacher has it, or at least knows where it is.

[MozartLover]

Hmmm.....someone may want to search his "bedroom" at Grimmauld Place.........

[Ronin]

SNAPE???

I was totally blind-sided...

In fact, I was so deep into the book at the time he made the announcement that the question "who the half-blood prince was" had totally slipped my mind.

It was the second shock. When he killed Dumbledore, I was flat-footed. Looks like even the greatest wizard of them all can make a mistake.

I have to pat myself on the back about one prediction I was sure would come true. After Cho and Harry broke up, I sort of figured that he would end up cuddling with Ginny in this book.

Sort of sad the way he broke it off in the end, though.

FYI start to finish, 8 hours and 20 minutes. But I took a nap in the middle when I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. That was about 2 hours, so roughly 6 hours.

[Ronin]

Arrrgh!!!!

Did you have to say that? Now I am gonna have to dig out OOTP and look myself.

[Cyclopean Squid]

Could you kindly add me to your ping list? :)

Just finished the book and was stunned at the ending. I tend to agree that Snape was acting a part assigned to him by D, but that D really is dead and gone (unless he used a Horcrux, and we all know he would eschew any such Dark magic). I had Snape pegged as the HBP after the proficience at potions became apparent, but I completely missed who RAB was. Thanks to those who pointed that out.

I'm glad that we learned more of LV in this one. I am a fan of complex villains and enjoyed D and LV's weird relationship. Can't wait for 7!

[RayChuang88]

Since this is a spoiler thread by definition, I'll make some comments here:

1. I have this feeling that Aldus Dumbledore planned his demise deliberately. I mean, look at the circumstances: a) Dumbledore was much more physically frail than in previous books, which means his health was already declining; b) Snape got stuck with an Unbreakable Vow in regards to Dumbledore's demise, so that's a no-win situation for Snape; c) note that Dumbledore spent a lot of time explaining Voldemort's background to Harry Potter in order to better prepare Potter to finally confront Voldemort; and d) given the situations and a) and b) Dumbledore and Snape may have quietly worked out a plan that if worst comes to worst Dumbledore will be sacrificed so Snape can supposedly stay in good graces with the Death Eaters, which means the Order of the Phoenix continues to have a spy within that dreaded group.

2. I LOVE the fact that Rowling continues to put down the newspapers in the wizarding world.

3. Why do I keep on thinking that Fleur Delacour seems to be modelled (pun intended) on way too many entertainment celebrities?

4. The rushed feel of the last 100 pages of the novel was I think done deliberately but was actually very effective in conveying the scene of Dumbledore's demise.

In short, the best Harry Potter novel since The Prisoner of Azkaban.

[Huntress]

This may be a little premature, but does anyone have any thoughts about the casting of the movies of Half Blood Prince and Order of the Phoenix?

IMHO, the casting in the first three movies has been excellent, although I think Michael Gambon was a less than inspired replacement for the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore. Sean Connery would have been much better.

As Slughorn, my first thought is Charles Laughton, which obviously is not possible. Maybe Ned Beatty?

As Delores Umbridge, I think Kathy Kinney (Mimi from The Drew Carrey Show) or Kathy Bates would be excellent.

[Bella_Bru]

Am *so* disappointed.

First of all, I want to say that I knew Dumbledore had to die. It still broke my heart. But the hows and whys are making my head hurt.

The book seemed to be missing something though I cannot put my finger on what that something is yet.

[Bella_Bru]

I had no idea that the HBP was Snape. That one surprised me.

[Bella_Bru]

I was surprised to read when, after killing Dumbledore(did he "think" a spell before saying one allowed?) He didnt kill Harry??

My theory on why Snape didn't kill Harry after killing DD (and this is long, so please forgive me):

Many people I have talked to think DD was pleading for his life, when Harry heard, "Please, Snape". I think it's the opposite. DD was pleading with Snape to take his life.

DD has always trusted Snape, and he knew that he would have to beg Snape to get him to kill him. I think DD trusted Snape so much that he would trust him to take his life. DD knew he had to die in order for Harry to finally take on Voldemort (sort of Obi Wan-insh). I think he also didn't want Draco to do it because he knew that if Draco killed him, there would be no way for Draco to ever come back and turn away from Voldemort.

[Bella_Bru]

RAB=Sirius' brother?

[Bella_Bru]

Kreacher.......I hate that thing.