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

[Prudence]

I can't read it until I finish reading about special duty rules. Almost done with homework. Then it's Harry Potter all the way! The book sits here taunting me.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

I finished.

Spoilers AHOY!

Spoiler:

I absolutely loved it though I'm aching. It was one of the more well written of the books. And I'm in utter turmoil now. So many wonderful things I'd love to talk about, but being a reader who's always wanted to think of Snape in a somewhat redemptive light (while realizing that he is petty, maliciuos, and often terrible to his students, etc.), I'm a bit heart broken and can seem to only focus on the "Prince" now. Man, I honestly did not see that coming, and it was quite obvious really. God. I guessed right about a lot of things in this book. I assumed Snape would be given the Defense Against the Darks Arts job, and since this book frequently brought up how no one maintained the job for more than a year (and even explained why) I figured Snape may not be long for this world, or for Hogwarts, but still...I held out hope that if he was to die or vanish, it would not be because he was an actual supporter of Voldemort's. And then Dumbledore made the remark about how he doesn't err often, but when he does, it's often a rather large mistake? Oy. OY. I feel sick to my stomach. Heidi and I had discussed what Draco was being asked to do early on and she seemed fairly certain that Draco was after Harry. I hadn't even gleamed that much from the second chapter, but when thinking about it more, it seemed just as likely that Draco would have been asked to eliminate Dumbledore - Voldemort wanting to kill Harry himself.

There is some small part of me that thinks that, based on the Spinnes End chapter, Draco's reluctance (LOVED that he was the boy crying to Myrtle in the bathroom; I'd kinda suspected as much when she started talking but I just loved it - so unexpected) to act, and Dumbledore's pleading, that Dumbledore had engineered it so that Snape, and not Draco would kill him. Dumbledore being somewhat sympathetic towards youths in position to make tragic mistakes, it almost seems like it was Dumbledore's plan all along to make sure that it was Snape who finished him off, and not a student. Snape making the unbreakable vow, when I read it, wasn't an indictment of his guilt. It seemed necessary at the time, blah...blah...blah...Rowling is so good at pulling the rug out from underneath us, it's really hard to tell when something is as it seems. We still don't really know, after all, why Dumbeldore trusted Snape implicitly. Unless it was Snape's remorse, but I was under the impression there was more to it. I could be wrong about that, but Dumbledore refused to continue talk to Harry about it so I'm not sure I'm wrong. If it's still not completely answered, we are still left to wonder: Was it really one of Dumbelore's biggest mistakes/oversights trusting Snape? Or is this really something that they knew might have to happen (Dumbledore being somewhat omniscient), and so contingency plans were made and set in motion, all of which highly incriminate Snape.

When I read Spinners End, I pretty much thought three things, and it's the same three things one has always been able to assume about Snape: He's duping Voldemort. Or he's duping Dumbledore. Or he's playing both sides equally hard, siding with whomever is victorious at the end.

Now, I'm still not sure. But the truth remains, Severus Snape just killed Albus Dumbledore. And until Book 7, it seems I'm free to speculate as much as I like still, but I don't think my curiosity about Snape will be tinged with nearly as much, um, fondness. Because, fvck, Severus Snape just killed Albus Dumbledore!

Interesting. In one feel swoop of a novel, she managed to make a very grey character (Snape) seem suddenly completely black (which, I admit, is part of what gives me up - Rowling does love a red herring....of course, the "grey" aspects of Snape could very well have been the red herring, and he really is nasty, nasty, horrible, unforgivable....oh, GOD. Rowling, you are KILLING ME HERE!). And she also managed to make a character she previously said was almost wholly insignificant and obviously evil, a bit of an interesting conflict. Draco, hell bent on impressing the most evil wizard ever (perhaps seduced by the idea that an accomplishment on his part would lessen Voldemort's anger at his father), agrees off the only wizard Voldemort ever feared...but can't. He struggles with his conscience. He strikes up a bizarre friendship with Myrtle (a "muddblood" ghost) of all people, and frequently cries. Not so much that he cared about Dumbledore as he was afraid for his own life, and the lives of his parents. But still, she's not given him depth before, and suddenly he's got depth. Though an ass he remains.

As the characters age, Rowling's writer ages and becomes more concise and complex and interesting. I'm very impressed.

And friggin' heart broken. Snape, really completely evil and unredeemable? Say it ain't so! Say it's all a sad ruse that had to happen, and Snape's still on the right sad.

Yeah. Could be Rowling just being clever.

Then again, those private moments when Harry and Snape were fighting and Snape was shouting things like, "DON'T CALL ME A COARD!" aren't exactly comforting. I was rather hoping he'd shout, "NO, HARRY. THIS IS HOW IT HAS TO BE. YOU NEVER TRY TO UNDERSTAND, YOU STUPID BOY!

I doubt interviews afterwards will be much of a help unless she responds the same way she did about Sirius' death: "Yes, he's really dead. Like, dead, not coming back to life dead." Meaning, if asked if Snape is really a black hat, I'll just have to believe her completely if she says, "I told you not to like him. Yes, he's BAD. BAD. BAD. BAD. And to drive that point home, he killed one of the most beloved characters in the book. Snape is BAD. So, fangirls, get OVER it."

Sniff. Okay. But not unless she tells me to! Heh.

And boy, she's really dragging this Ron and Hermione stuff ooooooooooooooooooooooout.

And poor loveable Ginny!

Also, I was really quietly hoping for Remus and Tonks, but thought it was just a fangirl's dream. So, crying over Dumbledore's death, I still managed a completely delightful girlish out loud SQUEE of delight over that nicely played bit. But MAN, I hope they'll be in Book 7 more.

Also, *very* intrigued by the idea that Ron, Hermione and Harry are setting off on their own at the start of Book 7. So exciting and terrifying.

Oh, and one more thing to say tonight: INFERI! ZOMBIES AT HOGWARTS! Man, my friend Mike an dI made jokes about that once. Rowling made a dream come true.

And she broke my heart. Again.

But a Weasley twin didn't die. So I don't hate her. Yet.

This, by the way, was not an attempt at an intelligent review so much as a fan's immediate and shocked response to recent events within the Potter universe. Lordy, how long until Book 7. These questiosn are going to gnaw on me. Blech.

[DisneyFan25863]

Spoiler:

Oh. My. God.
Dumbledore did NOT just die. Snape did NOT just kill him. Harry did NOT just break up with Ginny. Harry, Hermione, and Ron did NOT just say they arn't returning to Hogwarts.

By the time I read the last word, I was crying. Yes, crying. Not because Dumbledore died. Not because Harry broke up with Ginny. Not because they arn't coming back to Hogwarts. I cried because its over. Everything has gone to hell. The 11 year old witches and wizards I was so enchanted with years ago have become battle-hardened heros, fighting for their lives at every living moment, yet still dealing with the same teenage issues I deal with everyday. Its an amazing piece of work, one of which exceeded every expectation I had.

Now, onto Harry. HOW CAN YOU BE SO STUPID?!?!?!? How could he go the entire year not listening to Hermione's advice about the book? How could he not ask Ginny out sooner? He was so blinded by the powers and revenge that were licking his tounge, he didn't stop to realize what he was doing.

Yeah...I'll post more rants and raves about what happened when I soak more of it in....I have much to say about Harry/Ginny...

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Spoiler:

It seems that many of Rowling's plot devices rely on some of her more talented and intelligent characters not using their noggin' or heeding obviously valuable advice. And I feel incredibly stupid for not even suspecting the book belonged to Snape. I allowed myself to be completely fooled by the different name. But the incredibly small scrawl that takes up any empty space on the page? A brilliant potions maker. The fact that Snape knew immediately the curse Harry had used against Malfoy? It all seems so obvious in hindsight.

And, of course, rereading certain passages and Hagrid overhearing the argument between Snape and Dumbledore? Well, it was a pretty big hint that Snape is probably an unredeemable bad guy. It sounded like a threat; that he was sick of cowing to Dumbledore's wishes. Oh....oh, le sigh. FIE!

I think what frustrates me is that I wanted Harry to be wrong about Snape every bit as much as I wanted Snape to realize he was wrong about Harry. It's a storytelling I respond to, but I suppose I'll just have to get over it.

Anyway, I was a bit frustrated that Harry would give up Ginny but still be okay with Ron and Hermione. I realize he's falling in love with Ginny but the danger is there for all of them. And it's a watery argument just like the one used by Peter Parker in Spiderman. I suppose she'd be more at risk if she were known to be Harry's girlfriend, except that's just it - Snape already knows about Ginny, I'm sure. So if she's a weakness of Harry's, and Snape really is just evil, evil, evil, Ginny's already in danger. So they might as well keep snogging, dammit.

I am in denial, I think. I start to get really depressed because I'm so attached to these characters (and, sadly, attached to certain ideas I had about one character in particular) that as soon as I allow myself to feel really upset, I change the subject in my head. And now, because I gulped this book down, I'm already antsy for the next one. And, at the same time, not looking forward to it because I cannot imagine a book without Dumbledore in it.

There was a lot more levity in this book, which was pleasing. And Harry's attitude towards the end, his not falling apart, was really well done. But, many, what a tragic loss. It's strange, though. We knew these deaths were coming, and I knew Dumbledore would die; I just figured it would happen in the next book. Heidi totally called it for this one. I think I even expected more core characters die, but I suppose having Snape kill Dumbledore is friggin' tragic enough! But nothing has quite shocked or unnerved me as much as "Kill the spare". That's where it all really began, and it just cannot be topped.

I also loved Voldemort's physical absence in this book. Constantly discussed, his past investigated via pensieve, he was stiill somehow on every page as a malignant presence. It was effectively disturbing. And dividing his soul into 7 parts? Rowling is brilliant!

[DisneyFan25863]

Spoiler:

Ok, I was thinking about this last night. Dumbledore said earlier that he was not afraid of death, right? It was either in the 4th or 5th book, I don't quite remember. Well, if he's not afraid of death, why would he be pleading for his life? He was prepared to die, we already knew that, since he was a member of the Order. He probably, even after the potion, still had enough power left to pull one of his tricks like he did in his office before the Auror's in book 5. So WHY would he plead? To Snape, of all people?

Maybe his death was planned.

Perhaps he realized that the only way to find the locations of all the Horuxes was to have Voldemort tell him directly. And who better to tell than Snape, who is already in his inner circle. Of course, Voldemort would only tell Snape if he trusted Snape 120%. How to do this? Well, Snape would have to preform a huge duty. Either kill Dumbledore, or kill Harry.

So, I believe, Dumbledore intentionally asked Snape to kill him. He knew he was going to die, thats why he gave Harry the order to leave him behind to save himself if he had to. Dumbledore wasn't pleading for his life, he was pleading to Snape to kill him. Thats why Snape didn't just kill Harry on the lawn. Thats why Snape didn't take out Hermione and Ginny and Flitwick when he had the chance.

In addition, I believe that Snape ensured Harry's position as an Auror. By making sure Harry had his copy of the potions textbook, and by leaving the post of Potions, he made sure Harry would pass his N.E.W.T.S, allowing him to become an Auror.

It's all staged, IMHO.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by DisneyFan25863

Spoiler:

So, I believe, Dumbledore intentionally asked Snape to kill him. He knew he was going to die, thats why he gave Harry the order to leave him behind to save himself if he had to. Dumbledore wasn't pleading for his life, he was pleading to Snape to kill him. Thats why Snape didn't just kill Harry on the lawn. Thats why Snape didn't take out Hermione and Ginny and Flitwick when he had the chance.

In addition, I believe that Snape ensured Harry's position as an Auror. By making sure Harry had his copy of the potions textbook, and by leaving the post of Potions, he made sure Harry would pass his N.E.W.T.S, allowing him to become an Auror.

It's all staged, IMHO.

Spoiler:

This is, as I've stated, my hope. And you rationalize it very, very well! So you're keeping my hope alive! heh. When Harry noted the fear and concern in his plea, alarm bells rang off. When Dumbledore drank the potion in the Cave it seemed as though he drank his biggest fears, which - from the peppered dialogue - sounded like students being killed. And he was begging the murderer to take his (Dumbledore's) life and not theirs. Which made me think he was begging Snape to ensure Draco's (and the students') safety, and not his own. So in the Cave he cried out "KILL ME", and I suspect he said much the same to Snape using Legill...oh, that counterpart to Occlumency...)

I was also interested in how Snape did not attack Harry. They were alone and only within earshot of Death Eaters, and Snape essentially slapped Harry across the face when Harry called Snape a coward, but that was it. (And if Snape is good, despite all the bad he's done in his past, being called a "coward" probably would muster an angry response out of him. Most likely he knew what a coward he was to join Voldemort in the first place. If he's also, like Harry, still Dumbledore's man, that insult would burn. And enrage.)

But, going back to their fight, he simply flicks away Harry's curses with a deft move of his wrist. He does not, however, countercurse Harry. Sure, the Dark Lord wants Harry for himself, but the Dark Lord fears Death above all things, so surely he wouldn't mind if Severus left him paralyzed or essentially incapable of fighting back when Voldemort attacks. It seemed that Snape was stil protecting Harry. And even instructing him when he once again reminded Potter that he'd be incacapable of launching a real attack if he's still speaking the curses allowed. If Snape can defend himself against Harry Potter, just think what Voldemort could do. And Snape usually seems right in his assertions that Harry is not an exceptional wizard or student; he's mostly powerful because of what the Dark Lord did (and lost) when he attacked Harry as a baby. That's part of why Snape is resentful and petty. He always sought to be powerful, but was mostly just hugely intelligent and clever. Then there's Harry who is kind of an average to exceptional student, but extremely powerful. It's kinda like Mozart and Mozart's rival (who's name begins with an S, but I'm forgetting the spelling).

Snape will always hate Harry, but I suspect he's working to help him all the same. Suspect. Hope. Again. Or Snape's just EVIL! Heh.

Anyway, yeah, I think Snape could have done a lot more damage to Harry, Flitwick, Hermione, etc. I think you're totally right. There is a good chance that his killing curse was simply following Albus' instructions, and if that's the case, I cannot imagine how difficult a thing that would have been for Snape. I mean, to kill the one person in the entire world who trusts and cares about you?

And, if it was Snape's desire all along? Man, to kill the one person in the entire world who trusts and cares about you? Holy crap, dude.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Spoiler:

There's also this interview with Stephen Fry, though it sort of argues against our points. Oh, le sigh.

Most characters like Snape are hard to love but there is a sort of ambiguity – you can’t quite decide - something sad about him – lonely and it’s fascinating when you think he’s going to be the evil one-a-party from Voldemort obviously in the first book, then slowly you get this idea he’s not so bad after all.


JK Rowling: Yes but you shouldn’t think him too nice. It is worth keeping an eye on old Severus definitely!

[DisneyFan25863]

Originally Posted by Eliza Hodgkins 1812

Spoiler:

There's also this interview with Stephen Fry, though it sort of argues against our points. Oh, le sigh.

Most characters like Snape are hard to love but there is a sort of ambiguity – you can’t quite decide - something sad about him – lonely and it’s fascinating when you think he’s going to be the evil one-a-party from Voldemort obviously in the first book, then slowly you get this idea he’s not so bad after all.


JK Rowling: Yes but you shouldn’t think him too nice. It is worth keeping an eye on old Severus definitely!

Spoiler:

Yeah, the one thing that doesn't fit in is the Unbreakable Vow, unless Snape KNEW he was going to have to kill Dumbledore and do all of that so far in advance, which I doubt. Thats the only thing keeping me thinking that he may actually be evil...

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Spoiler:

Originally Posted by DisneyFan25863

Spoiler:

Yeah, the one thing that doesn't fit in is the Unbreakable Vow, unless Snape KNEW he was going to have to kill Dumbledore and do all of that so far in advance, which I doubt. Thats the only thing keeping me thinking that he may actually be evil...

Spoiler:

Actually, if he's good, I think he probably had to make the vow to secure his cover as a spy (remember, when first asked to make the vow, he hesitated at first, and then Lestrange was surprised when he actually did it). If he's good, everything he's done in this book was done to secure Voldemort's trust, and what better way than to make an unbreakable vow, to kill Dumbledore. If (BIG if) he's good, I assume the vow came first, and Snape immediately went to Dumbledore and said, "I've had to do this and now we have to figure out away around it. When it comes down to it, I may just have to stop Draco and let myself die." And Dumbledore might have said, "Well, there's the alternative. Save Draco, and kill me yourself. It may just benefit your place as a spy."

"But I can't do that!"

"You will do as I say. You've always promised you would."

Bah. BAH! There needs to be a fan pole. Those who say Snape is EVIL say aye, and those who think he's still working for the right say, say nay. I just...I'm torn. Obviously. Heh.

[Drince88]

Spoiler:

I think Snape is evil and Dumbledore made one of his 'big' mistakes. The only thing is, he never did tell anyone WHY he trusted him, so I'm thinking he may have left a memory behind for Harry on that topic. Any ideas on who RAB is?

The other question I had - Bill was injured in trying to help Dumbledore, essentially. Why didn't Fawkes (the Phoenix, I may have missed a letter there) cry onto Bill's injuries?

I'm glad Fleur and Mrs. Weasly 'made up'. She'll probably help bring in the French contingent to the Order of the Phoenix. (And Mrs. Weasly needs grandkids, I think!) I think Harry was a total wimp for breaking up with Ginny, but that may be the only way that they'll be able to get back together after Voldemort has been vanquished. I just hope that the books end AFTER Voldemort's totally destroyed, and Ms. Rowling doesn't leave us hanging!

I kept waiting for Luna to have a bigger part in the overall story.

And I thought only pure-bloods could be in Slytherin house? Neither Tom Riddle nor Snape were pure bloods (mind you they weren't mudbloods, either).