Happy "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" Release Day!

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by tracilicious

Spoiler:

I'm glad that JKR gave Dumbledore such a nice sendoff in this book. I loved him going to the Dursleys and telling them off. I was also glad to finally get a glimpse into how powerful he was. This is by far my favorite book for the sole reason of seeing so much of Dumbledore.

Spoiler:

Oh, I loved Dumbledore vs. the Dursleys. I wonder what he meant about what they had done to Dudley, though. Hmmmm.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by tracilicious

Spoiler:

Something just occured to me. Snape met Luna and Hermione in the hall after knocking out whoever the professor was that came to get him. If he really is a death eater, than why didn't he just kill them instead of telling them to check on the professor? Surely he would want Harry's greatest helper gone. In fact, he could have just killed the professor.

On mugglenet it lists the facts we know about books 6 and 7. One of those is that we learn more about Harry's scar. I'm thinking that maybe his scar will be the last horcrux. That would explain the transference of powers and why he can see Voldemort's thoughts. What do you think?

p.s.- Audra, I saw your Snape shirt in Rena's pictures and I must have one! Please tell me it was bought and not made!

Spoiler:

I do think Harry is the second to last Horcrux, and that Voldemort will possibly damn himself by retrieving the Horcrux and reabsorbing that part of his soul, making him vulnerable to a deadly attack.

Remember that Hermione had taken the Felix potion, so even if Snape had attacked her, she probably would have been lucky enough to escape, and Luna by extension, since she was with Hermione. Snape not killing Flitwick seems to hint that he’s not as murderous as the book would have us think. Also, when has Snape ever ignored an opportunity to rub someone’s nose in it. If he’d really hated Dumbledore, wouldn’t he have said, “You fool, I deceived you this whole time!” Then again, there’s more sub-text defending his innocence at this point than actual text. The text is pretty damning. I’ll simply trust JKR to make it interesting, either way. One thing that’s still has me scratching my head is the argument Hagrid overheard. If Snape was really evil, why would he show any sign of wavering? Why would he tell Dumbledore that he took too much for granted?

Of course, Snape is all about acting, apparently. “I, the Half-Blood Prince, am meant for the stage!” Such a dramatic statement, that “I, the Half-Blood Prince” line. Bordered on the ridiculous. I half expected him to twirl a mustache.

If he’s evil, and Harry is a Horcrux (and Voldemort knows this), one could assume Snape was stationed at Hogwarts to protect the Horcrux, and plot against Dumbledore.

Then again, Voldemort seemed pretty intent on killing Harry in Goblet, after he did the ritual, so Harry may not be a Horcrux, or Voldemort make him one inadvertently.

Oh, the theories are driving me mad.

Also, sadly, a very close friend of mine made that for me. So it’s one of a kind!

[tracilicious]

Spoiler:

That's true about Snape rubbing things in. Aren't death eaters all about killing? I think he would probably have killed Flitwick if he really was evil enough to cold bloodedly kill Dumbledore.

I'm almost sure that one of the Horcruxes is in the room of requirement. I think Voldie set up the meeting with Dumbledore just to get into Hogwarts too plant it there. He probably also set up the wardrobe thing.

I think Draco will play a larger role in the next book. I think he'll switch sides. The fact that he didn't like Fenrir makes me think so.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Spoiler:

The evidence of Dumbledore "pleading for his life" is too strong. There's no way Rowling would ever make him do that. Snape is good, has to be good. Don't fret, Eliza!

But that begs the question - of what good is it that he's good? What can he possibly do for the good side if he's this deep under cover? He better have one hell of a redeeming moment in the last book. I'm thinking he may very well die to save Harry, in order for Harry to do away with Voldemort. Something like that.

As for Dumbledore being really dead...I think he is really dead. It took me a few books to accept that Harry's parents weren't coming back from the dead, and Rowling has always said that death is death. But he may show up as an Obi-Wan to Harry's Luke, somehow. Perhaps just through saved up Penseive memories. There's no way he's just going to go out and start finding Horcruxes, never mind destroying them, which we have no clue how to do.

Disneyfan mentions above that he was very sad about the fabulous threesome not going back to Hogwarts next year. When I read that, I was extremely excited! It's about time they had to stop worrying about classes and exams and got the hell out there to fight evil head on. Sweet. I hope the next book is excitement from cover to cover.

Other basic notes - I really liked this one. It dragged a bit for me about 1/3rd of the way through. Nothing was happening, really. The built up tension was awesome by the end though, as usual. I was reminded of the wonderfully long climax in PoA, one of my favorite parts of the whole series.

As a writer myself I was very impressed by how she introduces everything all over again and in a fresh way, and reminds us of things as we go along. Her characters are still amazingly realistic (almost frighteningly so!) and I was once again reminded that there is a reason these books are revered, even though I don't revere them nearly as much as many others do....she's very, very talented.

My one problem with her is this. Someone mentions an unfamiliar term and Harry thinks, didn't Snape mention that before? Oh yeah, this is the exact sentence that Snape said, one time, 5 years ago. Even a kid will see how dumb that is, and like Eliza pointed out, these are no longer kid's books anyway.

[DisneyFan25863]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Spoiler:

As for Dumbledore being really dead...I think he is really dead. It took me a few books to accept that Harry's parents weren't coming back from the dead, and Rowling has always said that death is death. But he may show up as an Obi-Wan to Harry's Luke, somehow. Perhaps just through saved up Penseive memories. There's no way he's just going to go out and start finding Horcruxes, never mind destroying them, which we have no clue how to do.

Spoiler:

I was thinking it was going to be his portrait....the pensive was a little overused in this book, IMO, and something fresh should be introduced.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by DisneyFan25863

Spoiler:

I was thinking it was going to be his portrait....the pensive was a little overused in this book, IMO, and something fresh should be introduced.

Agreed.

Spoiler:

Oh, and I too am a bit annoyed that Harry keeps drifting along through school, using all kinds of cheats. He doesn't have to be as brilliant as Hermione, but jeez, can he at least earn normal grades on his own? It's the one trait I do not like about Harry.

[tracilicious]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Spoiler:

Oh, and I too am a bit annoyed that Harry keeps drifting along through school, using all kinds of cheats. He doesn't have to be as brilliant as Hermione, but jeez, can he at least earn normal grades on his own? It's the one trait I do not like about Harry.

Absolutely! I think if I had to fight Voldemort I would be working day and night to be the most powerful wizard that I could be. Harry seems content just to float along, copying off of Hermione most of the time. Slacker.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

They focused less on what was going on in classes, this time. I think their O.W.L.S. were supposed to be evidence of their abilities (and weaknesses). So we're to assume that Harry, all appearances to the contrary, is actually a very good student.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Eliza Hodgkins 1812

They focused less on what was going on in classes, this time. I think their O.W.L.S. were supposed to be evidence of their abilities (and weaknesses). So we're to assume that Harry, all appearances to the contrary, is actually a very good student.

I can see that I suppose, but doing absolutely nothing in Potions, all freakin' year? I guess you could say that he learned a lot from the HBP notes, but still...

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

I can see that I suppose, but doing absolutely nothing in Potions, all freakin' year? I guess you could say that he learned a lot from the HBP notes, but still...

Well, his social life is picking up....

All I can say is- if Hermione has to come in and save his ass at the end, and probably die trying, then I'm gonna be pissed.

This is the first volume I am actually making an effort to index. There are potentially dozens of clues and red herrings, and it will give me something to do over the next two years to do so. Why must JK insist on a life?