Joanne Rowling
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"
Chapters 1 and 2
In his office, the Prime Minister of the
Muggle world reflects on the terrible events of the week. He is
startled when a portrait on the wall coughs and requests an
immediate meeting with the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.
Despite the Prime Minister's objections, Fudge appears through the
fireplace shortly afterward. Awkwardly acknowledging the week's
disasters, the Prime Minister recalls the previous occasions Fudge
visited, always bringing bad news. They had met after the Prime
Minister took office, when Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban,
during trouble at the Quidditch World Cup, and to share news of a
mass breakout from Azkaban.
This time, Fudge urgently reveals that the dark wizard Lord
Voldemort has returned and is responsible for the recent atrocities
suffered by Muggles. Devastated, the Prime Minister accuses Fudge
of being an irresponsible Minister. Fudge admits that he was
dismissed three days ago. Suddenly, the portrait announces the
arrival of the new Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, who emerges
from the fireplace. Scrimgeour uses his wand to secure the office
and draw the curtains, revealing that the Prime Minister's
secretary, Kingsley Shacklebolt, is a highly skilled Auror assigned
by the Ministry to protect him. Scrimgeour then explains that
Herbert Chorley's odd behavior is due to a botched Imperius Curse,
and he is currently being treated by Healers from St. Mungo's
Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
On the banks of a dark, murky river, two hooded figures suddenly
appear. The first figure, Narcissa, flees and is pursued by the
second figure, Bellatrix(or Bella). Bella desperately pleads with
Narcissa to stop. When Bella finally catches up to her sister, she
implores Narcissa not to betray Voldemort. A tense moment passes as
Narcissa draws her wand, shocking Bella with the threat against her
own sister. They eventually reach the house of Severus Snape, a
Potions professor at Hogwarts School, Head of the Slytherin House,
and a supposedly reformed Death Eater. Snape is also a member of
the Order of the Phoenix, a group dedicated to defeating Voldemort.
Bellatrix expresses her distrust of Snape, as he continues to swear
allegiance to Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, and has not
yet managed to kill Harry Potter.
Snape explains that he is working undercover at Hogwarts and cannot
jeopardize his cover. Annoyed, Snape indirectly references Bella's
failure to kill Potter during their encounter at the Ministry of
Magic the previous year whenHarry and Voldemort were vying for access to a crucial prophecy.
In response, Bella blames Lucius Malfoy for Harry's survival.
Lucius is Narcissa's husband and the father of Draco Malfoy,
Harry's schoolmate. Narcissa is furious at Bella's insinuation that
Lucius failed in his duties. Snape reminds them that Harry is not
an extraordinary wizard and only manages to survive due to luck and
the support of talented friends. Sobbing, Narcissa confides in
Snape that she believes her sixteen-year-old son, Draco, has been
assigned an unnamed task as payment for Lucius's failure to
retrieve the prophecy. She collapses to the floor, devastated.
Eventually, Snape agrees to assist Draco. Narcissa requests that he
make an Unbreakable Vow, pledging to protect Draco, ensure his
safety during the task, and, if necessary, fulfill the duty
himself. Snape reluctantly agrees.
Chapters 3-5
Harry Potter awakens, his face pressed against the
window of his bedroom at Number Twelve Privet Drive, the residence
of his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and his insufferable cousin
Dudley Dursley. Clutched in Harry's hand is a letter from
Dumbledore, who has requested to accompany Harry to the Burrow. As
Harry wakes, he sees Dumbledore approaching the door. Dumbledore
enters and greets Petunia, Vernon, and Dudley. Harry notices
Dumbledore's shriveled and blackened hand, but Dumbledore refuses
to disclose the reason behind it just yet. When Harry leaves the
living room to pack his trunk, Dumbledore reminds the Dursleys that
when he left Harry on their doorstep sixteen years ago, he cast a
spell on the house, ensuring powerful protection as long as Harry
considers it his home.
Although Harry's time at Four Privet Drive has been miserable, it
has kept him safe. Now Dumbledore asks the Dursleys to allow Harry
to return home one more time before he turns seventeen and the
protective spell is broken. Reluctantly, they comply, and Harry
departs with Dumbledore. Since Harry has not yet learned
Apparition(the ability to teleport through magic), he holds onto
Dumbledore's arm as they travel, feeling as if he is being squeezed
through a rubber tube. Dumbledore and Harry arrive at the home of
one of Dumbledore's old acquaintances, Horace Slughorn. Harry
assumes that Slughorn will be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts
professor, replacing Dolores Umbridge. Slughorn, focused on
befriending influential young wizards, is unknowingly enticed by
Harry to accept Dumbledore's offer to return to Hogwarts.
Once again, Harry and Dumbledore Apparate, this time arrivingat the Burrow where Ron Weasley, Harry's schoolmate, lives with
his family. Dumbledore reminds Harry that, despite what the Daily
Prophet may claim about Harry being the "Chosen One," only Harry
and Dumbledore know the true contents of the prophecy. Dumbledore
suggests that Harry share the prophecy with his two best friends,
Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. He also informs Harry that he
will receive private lessons this year, and that their O.W.L.
scores will be arriving soon. Dumbledore asks Harry to keep his
Invisibility Cloak with him at all times.
Inside the Burrow, Harry encounters Tonks, an Auror from the Order
of the Phoenix. Despite her typically cheerful demeanor, Tonks
appears downcast and unwell. Harry stays in the room shared by Fred
and George Weasley, twin brothers who have opened a joke shop
called Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. In the morning, he is awoken by
the excited voices of his best friends, Ron and Hermione. They
eagerly inquire about Harry's night with Dumbledore, and he fills
them in on his visit to Horace Slughorn. Ginny, Ron's younger
sister, joins the conversation and complains about her brother
Bill's fiancée, Fleur, whom she mockingly
calls "Phlegm." Ginny,
Hermione, and Mrs. Weasley all harbor dislike toward the beautiful
Fleur. After Ginny departs, Harry reveals that he will be receiving
private lessons from Dumbledore and shares the contents of the
prophecy with his friends. He also reminds them that their O.W.L.
scores will soon be delivered. Hermione, being the diligent student
she is, becomes anxious and rushes downstairs. Hermione receives
all Outstanding grades except for an Exceeds Expectations in
Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry and Ron both perform well,
passing seven O.W.L.s each. Harry earns an Outstanding in Defense
Against the Dark Arts. While he is pleased with his scores, he
feels a tinge of sadness as his Potions mark, though Outstanding,
falls short of the requirement to become an Auror.
Chapters 6 and 7
Harry receives the news that he will be the
Quidditch Captain for the upcoming year. Mrs. Weasley organizes a
trip to Diagon Alley to purchase school supplies, but the once
bustling area appears deserted. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Hagrid,
who provides added security, head to Madam Malkin's for robe
fittings. Hagrid waits outside while the trio enters the shop, only
to find Draco Malfoy being fitted for robes as well. Malfoy insults
Hermione, calling her a Mudblood, a derogatory termfor a wizard born to Muggle parents. Eventually, Malfoy storms
out of the shop, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione complete their
fittings before reuniting with the rest of the Weasleys. When they
reach Fred and George's joke shop, it is packed with customers.
Harry spots Draco hurrying up the street alone. Pulling Ron and
Hermione under his Invisibility Cloak, they follow Draco into
Borgin and Burkes, a store filled with Dark objects.
Harry and his friends eavesdrop on Draco's conversation with
Borgin. Draco asks Borgin to repair something, using veiled threats
and emphasizing his family's connection to Fenir Greyback. Draco
hints at the existence of two objects, one of which needs to be
kept safe in the shop. Borgin swears to keep the secret, and Draco
departs. Hermione attempts to investigate further, but Borgin grows
suspicious and orders her out. Before boarding the Hogwarts
Express, Harry shares his suspicions about Draco being a Death
Eater with Mr. Weasley. On the train, Harry becomes the center of
attention as students stare at him. He spots Luna Lovegood and
Neville Longbottom and joins them in a compartment.
Ron and Hermione later enter the compartment, having finished their
prefect duties. A young woman delivers scrolls to Harry and
Neville, inviting them to join Professor Slughorn for lunch. Ginny,
too, has received an invitation. Slughorn has assembled a group of
influential students in the hopes of cultivating relationships with
them, repeatedly inquiring about their family connections. After
escaping from Slughorn's company, Harry questions Ginny about her
involvement, considering that the Weasley family is not
particularly influential. Ginny reveals that Slughorn was impressed
by her hexing of Zacharias Smith. Inspired by an idea, Harry
excuses himself and retrieves his Invisibility Cloak, then follows
Zabini, a Slytherin who had also attended lunch with Slughorn.
Harry sneaks into the Slytherin compartment as Zabini enters,
quickly hiding in the luggage rack. Harry worries that one of his
sneakers may have slipped from under the cloak during his dive, and
he notices Draco scanning the racks. Draco boasts about the
possibility of not returning to Hogwarts the following year,
suggesting he has moved on to bigger things. His cronies, Crabbe
and Goyle, appear dumbfounded. Draco continues to discuss how
things will change when Voldemort ultimately takes control. As the
train nears Hogwarts, the Slytherins retrieve their trunks. Goyle's
trunk accidentally hits Harry on the head, causing him to gasp in
pain. Malfoylooks up at the luggage racks, and once his classmates leave, he
turns around and unexpectedly casts a paralyzing spell at the
racks. Harry tumbles down, frozen in place. Draco kicks Harry in
the face and covers his immobile body with the invisibility
cloak.
Chapters 8-9
Helped by Tonks, Harry sheds his Invisibility Cloak
and rushes towards Hogwarts. As he enters the Great Hall, all eyes
turn to him. Dumbledore introduces Professor Slughorn as the new
Potions teacher, while Snape takes over Defense Against the Dark
Arts, much to the surprise and concern of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
They discuss Draco's potential connection to Voldemort, but Ron
remains skeptical about the matter. Hagrid encounters them and
mentions the Care of Magical Creatures class, unaware that his
three best students have not signed up for it. Harry shares what he
overheard in the Slytherin compartment with Ron and Hermione.
The following morning, Harry informs Hermione about Draco's
conversation. Hermione shares Ron's doubts regarding Draco's
involvement with Voldemort, but she is more concerned about
Hagrid's reaction when he discovers they have not enrolled in his
class. Before classes begin, students' schedules are finalized, and
Harry meets with Professor McGonagall to discuss his options.
McGonagall informs Harry that he can continue with Potions, despite
his reservations about his O.W.L. score. She assures him that he
can borrow the necessary books and ingredients. Ron also receives
clearance for his chosen subjects, including Potions, and they
proceed to their Defense Against the Dark Arts class, where they
start practicing nonverbal spells. Harry earns a detention for
speaking out against Snape.
Later, Harry receives a message from Dumbledore, announcing their
first private lesson on Saturday night. Excited to have a
legitimate excuse to skip Snape's detention, Harry attends
Slughorn's Potions class instead. He asks Slughorn if he can borrow
two Potions textbooks, and Slughorn obliges by providing used books
from a cupboard. During the class, Slughorn announces that the
student with the best potion will be rewarded with a vial of Felix
Felicis, a luck-enhancing potion. Harry opens his textbook, only to
find extensive notes scribbled throughout the pages. He decides to
follow the additional instructions in the margins, resulting in a
perfectly brewed potion. Slughorn is pleased and awards Harry the
vial of Felix Felicis. However, Hermione accuses Harry of cheating
when she sees the writing on the back cover of the textbook, which
declares it as theproperty of the Half-Blood Prince.
Chapters 10 and 11
Harry visits Dumbledore's office, where
Dumbledore reveals his plan to teach Harry more about Lord
Voldemort's past to aid in his survival. They use the Pensieve, a
stone basin that allows them to experience others' memories.
Dumbledore retrieves a vial containing one of Bob Ogden's memories.
In the memory, they find themselves in a country lane observing Bob
Ogden, an employee of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Ogden approaches a house where Morfin, a man in tattered clothes,
speaks Parseltongue to warn Ogden away. Morfin jinxes Ogden, and
his father, Gaunt, emerges from the cabin. Ogden informs them that
he is investigating Morfin's use of magic against a Muggle.
Ogden encounters Merope, Gaunt's daughter, and presents a summons
for a Ministry hearing. Gaunt becomes furious and shows Ogden his
ring and locket, both bearing the symbol of Salazar Slytherin.
Gaunt reveals that they are the last descendants of Slytherin and
admits that his son attacked a Muggle, accusing Merope of being in
love with the Muggle boy, Tom. Gaunt tries to strangle Merope, but
Ogden intervenes. Morfin, armed with a knife and wand, forces Ogden
to flee.
Back at Hogwarts, Dumbledore explains that Ogden returned with
reinforcements to arrest Morfin and Gaunt. Gaunt received a
six-month sentence, while Morfin was sentenced to three years in
Azkaban. Dumbledore reveals that Voldemort's grandfather was
Marvolo Gaunt and his mother was Merope. Voldemort's father was
Tom, the Muggle whom Morfin attacked. Merope had used a love potion
on Tom, but after their marriage, Tom left her when the effects of
the potion wore off. Merope was pregnant with Voldemort when Tom
abandoned her. Harry asks if he can share this information with Ron
and Hermione, and Dumbledore grants permission.
Before leaving, Harry notices the black and gold ring, the same one
Marvolo showed Ogden and that Dumbledore had been wearing.
Dumbledore acquired the ring recently and injured his hand around
the same time. Hermione observes that Dumbledore's seat in the
Great Hall has often been empty. At Quidditch tryouts, Harry
selects Ron as Keeper, despite his inconsistent performance.
Afterward, they visit Hagrid, who is initially upset with them for
not enrolling in his class. However, Hagrid forgives them when
Hermione offers to accompany him to see his giant spider friend,
Aragog. Hagrid declines, fearing the rest of the spider tribe would
harm Hermione. Hermione agrees to attenda party hosted by
Professor Slughorn, while Harry must serve
detention with Snape.
Chapters 12 and 13
The students anticipate their first trip to
Hogsmeade, and Ginny delivers a note from Dumbledore regarding
their next lesson. They brave the terrible weather, bundled up in
cloaks and scarves. Along the way, Harry encounters Mundungus, who
is struggling with a pile of items that include some belongings of
Sirius. Harry is furious and ready to attack, but Tonks intervenes,
preventing him from breaking Magical Law. Inside the Three
Broomsticks, they find the day to be disappointing and decide to
head back to Hogwarts. They follow Katie Bell and her friend out of
the pub and into the cold sleet.
Suddenly, Katie is propelled into the air, screaming in pain while
holding a package. Harry, Ron, and Hermione rush to her aid and
carry her away. Harry races to Hogwarts for help and encounters
Hagrid, who swiftly carries Katie toward the school. Leanne
explains that Katie returned from the Three Broomsticks with the
package, refusing to reveal who gave it to her. When they fought
over it, the package opened, exposing a silver and opal necklace.
Harry recognizes it from Borgin and Burkes and reports the incident
to Professor McGonagall. He suspects Draco Malfoy as the culprit,
but McGonagall dismisses his theory, revealing that Draco was with
her in detention all day.
Katie is taken to St. Mungo's for further treatment, and Harry
heads to Dumbledore's office for their next lesson. They delve into
the Pensieve, exploring the memory of Caractacus Burke, the
co-owner of Borgin and Burkes. They witness Caractacus discussing
his purchase of Merope's gold locket for a meager sum, exploiting
her desperation. Dumbledore believes Merope stopped using magic due
to her devastation over Tom's abandonment.
In another memory, a young Dumbledore visits an orphanage and
speaks to Mrs. Cole, the house matron. Dumbledore offers Tom
Marvolo Riddle a place at Hogwarts, but Mrs. Cole warns him of
Tom's troubling behavior. Tom regularly bullies other children and
has a sinister influence over them. Dumbledore meets Tom, who is
handsome but rude. Dumbledore showcases his magic by setting Tom's
wardrobe on fire when challenged. He asks Tom to return stolen
items from his fellow orphans before enrolling at Hogwarts.
Although Dumbledore offers to accompany him to Diagon Alley, Tom
insists on going alone and expresses his dislike for his common
name.
Harry and Dumbledore return to Hogwarts,and as Harry leaves Dumbledore's office, he notices that
Marvolo's ring is no longer there.
Chapters 14 and 15
Returning from Quidditch practice, Harry and Ron stumble upon Ginny
and Dean Thomas kissing in the entranceway to the common room. The
sight makes Harry feel uneasy. Ron loses his temper and starts
yelling at Ginny, leading to a heated argument. Ginny retaliates by
reminding Ron of his lack of experience with girls, mentioning
Harry's kiss with Cho Chang the previous year and Hermione's kiss
with Victor Krum. Ron feels embarrassed and outraged. The tension
lingers, and the next day Ron continues to ignore Hermione.
Meanwhile, Harry attempts to boost Ron's confidence for the
upcoming Quidditch match against Slytherin but struggles to make a
difference. However, Harry comes up with an idea to make Ron feel
lucky. The following morning at breakfast, Harry hands Ron a cup of
pumpkin juice, secretly holding a small glass vial in his other
hand. Hermione notices and assumes Harry slipped Felix Felicis into
Ron's drink. She reprimands Harry for using the powerful potion.
Later, Ron confronts Harry, questioning whether he spiked the juice
with Felix Felicis. Harry raises his eyebrows in response, refusing
to confirm or deny. The match begins, and Gryffindor performs
exceptionally well, with Ron effortlessly saving goals and Harry
catching the Snitch, securing their victory. Hermione once again
accuses Harry of using Felix Felicis, but he explains that he only
pretended to spike Ron's drink to instill confidence in him. At the
Gryffindor celebration, Harry witnesses Ron kissing Lavender Brown
and notices Hermione storming out of the room. Harry follows her to
an empty classroom, where she angrily practices spells and
expresses her frustration about Ron. Shortly after, Ron and
Lavender enter the same room, and Hermione walks out, leaving
behind hints of sadness.
As Christmas approaches, Ron and Hermione's arguments persist. Ron
insists that Hermione has no right to be angry because she kissed
Victor Krum. Meanwhile, Hermione warns Harry about girls planning
to slip him love potions. Romilda Vane offers Harry a box of
Chocolate Cauldrons, which he stashes in his trunk. Harry decides
to ask Luna to accompany him to Slughorn's Christmas party as
friends. Later, Harry, Ron, and Lavender encounter Hermione, who
announces that she will attend the party with Cormac McLaggen. Ron
becomes furious. During the party, Harry observes Draco Malfoy
being dragged into the room by Filch, who caught himsneaking around. Slughorn allows Draco to stay, but Snape
insists on speaking with him privately. Harry, wearing the
Invisibility Cloak, follows them to an empty classroom, where Snape
warns Draco to be more cautious. Draco reacts angrily and
defensively, shouting back at Snape and asserting his independence.
Malfoy storms out of the room, followed shortly after by Snape.
Chapters 16 and 17
During the Christmas break at the Burrow, Harry confides in Ron
about what he overheard between Snape and Draco. Ron suggests that
Snape may have been pretending to help Draco in order to gain
information about Voldemort's plans. At dinner, Remus Lupin informs
Harry that he has been living among the werewolves, gathering
intelligence on their activities with Voldemort. Lupin shares the
story of Fenrir Greyback, the werewolf who bit him and now lurks
near children's homes during the full moon. Harry asks Lupin if his
father, James Potter, ever referred to himself as the Half-Blood
Prince, but Lupin denies any knowledge of such a title, leaving
Harry disappointed. On Christmas morning, Mrs. Weasley spots Percy,
her estranged son who works at the Ministry, approaching the
Burrow, and becomes emotional. Percy, accompanied by Minister of
Magic Rufus Scrimgeour, coldly apologizes for the interruption.
Scrimgeour requests a tour of the grounds from Harry. However,
Harry refuses to share information about the prophecy and declines
to align himself with the Ministry, expressing his disagreement
with their methods. Scrimgeour accuses Harry of being Dumbledore's
follower, to which Harry openly agrees.
After New Year's, the students return to Hogwarts, and Hermione
delivers a message from Dumbledore arranging their next lesson.
Harry shares with Hermione what he overheard between Snape and
Draco. The following morning, a sign is posted in the common room,
announcing Apparition lessons for all seventeen-year-old students.
That night, Harry visits Dumbledore's office as scheduled. Harry
recounts his encounter with the Minister, including Scrimgeour's
accusation, which caused Dumbledore to tear up unexpectedly. Harry
reveals all the details he overheard between Snape and Draco, but
Dumbledore appears unfazed. Dumbledore proceeds to explain Tom
Riddle's time at Hogwarts. Tom was sorted into Slytherin and
garnered praise for his talent and attractiveness. Obsessed with
his parentage, Tom discovered his half-blood status and adopted the
name Lord Voldemort after learning about his lineage as a direct
descendant of Slytherin. Dumbledore and Harry enter the Pensieve,
finding themselves in Gaunt's filthy house. Morfin, the man in the
house,lunges at Tom when he arrives, but Tom commands him to stop
using Parseltongue. Tom seeks Marvolo, but Morfin reveals that he
is deceased. Morfin accuses Tom of resembling the Muggle his sister
loved. Suddenly, the scene darkens, and Dumbledore guides Harry out
of the memory, explaining that Tom stunned Morfin, stole his wand,
and went to murder the man who abandoned his mother and
grandparents, effectively erasing the Riddle bloodline. Tom
returned to Morfin, manipulating him with a false memory of the
murders. Morfin was subsequently convicted and imprisoned in
Azkaban, where he died before his release. Dumbledore retrieves
another memory vial, but it is unusually cloudy. They reenter the
Pensieve, witnessing a younger Horace Slughorn in a room with Tom
Riddle and several other students. Tom asks Slughorn about
Horcruxes, and as Slughorn responds, the room becomes distorted and
Slughorn's voice sounds oddly amplified, denying knowledge of
Horcruxes. Returning to Dumbledore's office, Dumbledore reveals
that Slughorn tampered with the memory to hide the true
conversation about Horcruxes. Dumbledore asks Harry to retrieve the
genuine memory from Slughorn.
Chapters 18 and 19
The following day in Potions class, the students are given the task
of preparing antidotes. Unfortunately, Harry finds no useful
information in the Half-Blood Prince's textbook. After searching
desperately, he comes across the words "Just shove a bezoar down
their throats" scribbled in the margin. Harry quickly rummages
through the supply cupboard and manages to find a bezoar, a stone
from a goat's stomach. He rushes back to his seat just in time for
Slughorn's approach. Harry hands over the bezoar, and Slughorn
bursts into laughter. Once class is over, Harry seizes the
opportunity to inquire about Horcruxes with Slughorn. However,
Slughorn's demeanor changes abruptly as he realizes that Dumbledore
has sent Harry. He refuses to provide any answers.
The students then proceed with their Apparition lessons. Although
Apparition is usually prohibited within Hogwarts, the restrictions
are temporarily lifted within the Great Hall for an hour to allow
the students to practice. After the Apparition session, Ron and
Harry return to their dormitory. Harry takes out the Marauder's
Map, hoping to locate Draco Malfoy within Hogwarts. With the map's
help, Ron spots Draco in the Slytherin common room. Harry continues
to consult the Marauder's Map regularly to keep track of Draco's
whereabouts, although sometimes he fails to locate him at all.
On the morning of Ron's birthday, he excitedly opens hispresents while Harry searches for the Marauder's Map in his
trunk. Ron begins munching on Chocolate Cauldrons and leans against
his bedpost, appearing distant. It is then revealed that Ron has
unknowingly consumed Chocolate Cauldrons spiked with a love potion,
courtesy of Romilda Vane. The chocolates had fallen out of Harry's
trunk, and Ron mistook them for his own gifts. Realizing the
situation, Harry takes Ron to Slughorn, who promptly prepares an
antidote. Ron drinks it quickly, averting any further harm.
Slughorn then offers Ron a glass of oak-matured mead, originally
intended as a Christmas gift for Dumbledore. Ron gulps down the
drink before the toast concludes, but suddenly, he shoots up in the
air, his eyes bulging, and foam spewing from his mouth. Slughorn is
bewildered, and Harry rushes to the cabinet to retrieve a bezoar.
He swiftly inserts it into Ron's throat, causing him to gasp and
become still.
In the hospital wing, Fred, George, Ginny, Hermione, Hagrid, and
Harry gather to attend to Ron. Ginny speculates that if Slughorn
had intended to give the mead to Dumbledore, the poison might have
been meant for him as well. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley arrive, and Harry,
Hagrid, and Hermione decide to leave. On their way, Cormac McLaggen
approaches Harry, expressing his desire to replace Ron as the
Quidditch Keeper. Harry reluctantly agrees. As they head towards
the Quidditch pitch for a match against Hufflepuff, Harry catches
sight of Draco walking away with two young girls. He desperately
wants to know where Draco is heading, but he is already running
late for the match. During the game, Harry is struck by a Bludger
and later wakes up in the hospital wing, lying next to Ron. Madam
Pomfrey informs him that he has a cracked skull. Ron reveals that
Gryffindor lost the match by a significant margin. Harry recalls
seeing Malfoy before the match and promptly summons Kreacher, who
appears alongside Dobby, the Hogwarts House Elf. Harry instructs
the two elves to trail Malfoy, emphasizing that Kreacher must not
alert or interact with him in any way.
Chapters 20 and 21
In their next lesson, Dumbledore questions Harry about his progress
in obtaining the memory from Slughorn. Harry admits that he hasn't
succeeded yet but assures Dumbledore that he will make a greater
effort. Disappointed, Dumbledore continues their studies on
Voldemort. He reveals that Voldemort was an exceptional student and
had been encouraged byseveral professors to apply for a position at the Ministry of
Magic after graduation. However, Voldemort had a different request
- he wanted to stay at Hogwarts and teach Defense Against the Dark
Arts. Then-Headmaster Dippet denied him due to his young age but
suggested reapplying in the future. Voldemort then found employment
at Borgin and Burkes, where he convinced people to part with Dark
or peculiar objects. To delve deeper into Voldemort's past, Harry
and Dumbledore enter the Pensieve to witness a memory involving
Hokey, a House Elf in the service of Hepzibah Smith, a wealthy old
witch.
In the memory, Hepzibah becomes infatuated with Voldemort and shows
him two rare objects - a small golden cup that once belonged to
Helga Hufflepuff, one of Hogwarts' founders, and a locket bearing
Slytherin's mark. Hephzibah explains how she acquired the locket
from Borgin and Burkes, refusing to give it up. Voldemort's eyes
turn scarlet, indicating his intense interest. After witnessing
this visit, Harry and Dumbledore return to Hogwarts. Dumbledore
reveals that Hepzibah Smith died shortly after their observed
encounter, allegedly poisoned by Hokey, who later confessed to the
crime. Harry and Dumbledore suspect that Voldemort actually
murdered Hepzibah and manipulated Hokey's memory to make her take
the blame. Following Hokey's conviction, Hepzibah's family
discovered that both the locket and the cup were missing.
Simultaneously, Voldemort resigned from his position at Borgin and
Burkes and vanished for a significant period. Dumbledore notes that
Voldemort has now committed another murder, this time for personal
gain rather than revenge.
The next memory they explore is one of Dumbledore's, ten years
after Hepzibah's death. Dumbledore is seated in his office at
Hogwarts when Voldemort, now preferring to be called by his true
name, Tom Riddle, approaches and requests to teach Defense Against
the Dark Arts. Dumbledore, skeptical of Voldemort's intentions,
refuses him. Harry and Dumbledore return to the present-day office.
Dumbledore reminds Harry that since he rejected Voldemort for the
Defense Against the Dark Arts position, Hogwarts has been unable to
retain a teacher for that subject for more than a year. Later,
Harry discovers a new spell, Sectumsempra, scribbled in the margins
of his Potions textbook with the words "For Enemies." Kreacher and
Dobby reappear to give their report. Dobby informs Harry that
although Draco isn't breaking any rules, he frequently visits the
seventh floor, accompanied by other students acting as guards.
Harry recalls theRoom of Requirement on the seventh floor, which transforms to
suit the needs of its user.
Determined to uncover Draco's activities, Harry contemplates
surprising him in the Room of Requirement. However, Hermione
cautions that unless Harry precisely knows what Draco requires from
the room, he won't be able to summon it. Kreacher and Dobby depart.
Harry suspects that Draco has stolen Polyjuice Potion from Slughorn
and has been using it on Crabbe and Goyle, disguising them as
first-year girls to avoid
suspicion.
On the next weekend, while Ron and Hermione head to Hogsmeade to
practice Apparition, Harry attempts to gain entry into the Room of
Requirement to uncover Draco's actions. Despite his efforts for
half an hour, Harry fails to access the room. Frustrated, he
impulsively rushes towards the wall, causing his Invisibility Cloak
to slip off. To his surprise, Tonks suddenly appears, looking weary
and thin. Tonks inquires if Harry has received any communication
from members of the Order, but Harry explains that no one contacts
him anymore since Sirius's death. Tonks's eyes well up with tears.
Later, Harry shares his encounter with Tonks and speculates that
she may have had romantic feelings for Sirius.
Chapters 22 and 23
Upon receiving a tear-stained letter from Hagrid, informing them of
Aragog's death and inviting them to the funeral, Harry, Ron, and
Hermione decide it's too risky to venture outside of Hogwarts at
night. Ron suggests that Harry should use Felix Felicis to obtain
Slughorn's memory, a suggestion supported by Hermione. While Ron
and Hermione head to Hogsmeade for their Apparition tests, Harry
consumes a gulp of Felix Felicis, feeling a warm glow envelop him.
Under the cover of his Invisibility Cloak, Harry informs his
friends that he's decided to attend Hagrid's gathering.
On his way to Hagrid's place, Harry unexpectedly encounters
Slughorn. Harry explains the reason for his visit and shares the
news about Aragog. Slughorn reveals to Harry that acromantula venom
is incredibly rare and challenging to acquire. Harry extends an
invitation to Slughorn to join them at the funeral. Together,
Harry, Hagrid, and Slughorn enter Hagrid's backyard, where a grave
has been dug. As Hagrid mourns, Slughorn approaches the giant
spider and collects a vial of venom. After the burial, they sit
down for drinks.
Sensing the effects of Felix Felicis wearing off, Harry decides to
refrain from consuming too much alcohol. He discreetly casts a
Refilling Charm to keep Slughorn and Hagrid's glassesfull. As the two continue to drink heavily, Harry engages
Slughorn in a conversation about the premature deaths of his
parents and emphasizes how fond Slughorn was of Harry's mother,
Lily. In his inebriated state, Slughorn admits that the true memory
Harry seeks is not something he's proud of but hands it over
nonetheless.
With the effects of Felix Felicis fading, Harry walks back to the
castle. Dumbledore is delighted by Harry's success and pours
Slughorn's memory into the Pensieve. This time, there is no mist or
overpowering voices. In the memory, Voldemort inquires about
Horcruxes, and Slughorn explains that they are objects in which a
person conceals a fragment of their soul. Even if the person's body
is destroyed, a piece of their soul remains intact, rendering them
immortal. Slughorn adds that only a select few would desire such an
existence, as death is often preferable. Splitting one's soul
through Horcruxes is an unnatural act that can only be accomplished
by committing the ultimate act of evil: murder.
Slughorn warns Voldemort not to disclose anything he has just
revealed, and the memory ends. Dumbledore informs Harry that he
suspects Voldemort has split his soul into seven fragments, and no
wizard has ever attempted multiple Horcruxes. To defeat Voldemort,
all seven Horcruxes must be destroyed. Dumbledore believes that
Voldemort's regenerated body serves as the seventh Horcrux and
should be the final one destroyed. Of the remaining six, two have
already been eliminated - the diary destroyed by Harry in his first
year at Hogwarts and Marvolo's ring, which Dumbledore destroyed
while withering his hand. Harry suggests Slytherin's locket and
Hufflepuff's cup as potential Horcruxes. Dumbledore ponders whether
one of the remaining two Horcruxes is connected to Ravenclaw since
Gryffindor's known relic, the sword, is safely stored in his
office. Dumbledore suspects that Nagini, the snake, is the sixth
Horcrux. It is revealed that when Dumbledore is absent from
Hogwarts for extended periods, he is on a quest to locate and
destroy the Horcruxes. Dumbledore believes they are close to
finding another one and invites Harry to accompany him on the
mission. Dumbledore reminds Harry that his capacity for love makes
him a remarkable and powerful wizard, as it is this ability that
has prevented him from succumbing to the Dark Arts.
Chapters 24 and 25
Ron and Lavender have ended their relationship, as have Ginny and
Dean. Harry is overjoyed by the news. KatieBell recovers and returns to school, adding to the building
tension surrounding the Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw match. A few days
prior to the game, Harry checks the Marauder's Map and notices
Draco's presence in the boys' bathroom with Moaning Myrtle.
Alarmed, Harry rushes to the bathroom where he finds Draco crying
at the sink, expressing his fear of imminent death. When Draco
spots Harry, he draws his wand, prompting Harry to impulsively cast
the "Sectumsempra" hex from the Half-Blood Prince's book. Draco is
grievously wounded, blood spurting from his face and chest, and
Myrtle starts screaming. Snape enters the scene and swiftly heals
Draco's injuries before rushing him to the hospital wing. Snape
instructs Harry to stay behind and interrogates him about the
origin of the spell, demanding that Harry retrieve his Potions
textbook. Harry encounters Ron and borrows his Potions book before
sprinting to the seventh floor, discovering the broken Vanishing
Cabinet previously used by Montague. Harry hides the Half-Blood
Prince's book and hurriedly returns to the bathroom.
Snape remains doubtful about Ron's book and assigns Harry detention
every Saturday until the end of the term, meaning he will miss the
Quidditch match scheduled for that day. Harry's teammates are
devastated by the news. Upon completing his final detention, Harry
realizes that the match has already concluded. Returning to the
Gryffindor common room, he is greeted with a grand celebration as
Gryffindor emerges victorious and secures the championship. Ginny
rushes toward Harry and embraces him in elation. Without thinking,
Harry kisses her, sparking immediate gossip among the students. Ron
playfully scolds the new couple but conveys his acceptance. During
lunch, Hermione presents Harry with a newspaper article discussing
Eileen Prince and suggests that she might be the Half-Blood Prince.
Suddenly, Harry receives a scroll urgently summoning him to
Dumbledore's office.
On his way, Harry encounters a distressed Professor Trelawney.
Concerned, he inquires about her well-being, and she explains that
she attempted to access the Room of Requirement to hide her sherry
bottles but was surprised to find someone already inside,
exclaiming with excitement. Trelawney was swiftly ejected from the
room. Harry advises her to inform Dumbledore of the incident and
accompanies her to the headmaster's office. Along the way,
Trelawney recounts her initial interview with Dumbledore, which
took place in her room at the Hog's Head inn. Harry realizes that
this was when Trelawney made the prophecy about him and
Voldemort,although Trelawney only recalls feeling peculiar during the
encounter. Their conversation was interrupted by Snape, who was
caught eavesdropping by the innkeeper. Harry deduces that it was
Snape who relayed Trelawney's prophecy to Voldemort, leading him to
target Harry and his parents. Leaving Trelawney in the hallway,
Harry hastens to Dumbledore's office. Before he can confront the
headmaster, Dumbledore reveals that he has discovered a Horcrux and
intends for Harry to accompany him to destroy it. Dumbledore
discloses that the Horcrux is hidden in a coastal cave, the same
cave where Voldemort once terrorized two children from his
orphanage.
Harry confronts Dumbledore about Snape's involvement in the
prophecy. Dumbledore defends Snape, asserting that he was still
under Voldemort's control and unaware that Voldemort would kill
Harry's parents. Despite his outrage, Harry implores Dumbledore to
explain why he trusts Snape, to which Dumbledore simply replies
that he does. Harry proceeds to inform Dumbledore about Draco's
excitement in the Room of Requirement. However, Dumbledore remains
unperturbed, assuring Harry that Hogwarts will be protected during
their absence. Prior to embarking on their mission to destroy the
Horcrux, Dumbledore instructs Harry to follow all his orders. Harry
retrieves his Invisibility Cloak and encounters Ron and Hermione in
the common room. He entrusts them with the Marauder's Map and a
vial of Felix Felicis, instructing them to monitor Snape and Draco
while using special Galleons to contact any members of the D.A. who
could offer assistance. Harry and Dumbledore walk together to
Hogsmeade and Apparate to the shoreline.
Chapters 26 and 27
The entrance to the cave remains concealed, and Dumbledore
discovers that it requires a blood offering to open. Cutting his
hand, Dumbledore allows his blood to drip onto the stone, unveiling
the passageway. They reach a small pool of water emitting a green
glow from its center. Harry attempts to summon the glow, but a
large and formidable creature emerges from the water, guarding the
Horcrux. Dumbledore informs Harry that the creature poses no
immediate threat, as creatures dwelling in darkness fear warmth and
light.
At the water's edge, Dumbledore summons a tiny boat on a copper
chain using his wand. Harry and Dumbledore embark on the boat,
sailing towards the green light. Harry observes lifeless bodies
floating in the water, but Dumbledore assures him that they need
not worry about them at the moment, as these creatures fear warmth
and light.
The source of the glow isrevealed - a stone basin filled with green liquid. Dumbledore
conjures a crystal goblet and explains that they must drink the
green potion before retrieving the object at the basin's bottom.
Dumbledore entrusts Harry with the task of ensuring that he
continues drinking, regardless of the pain it inflicts. Hesitant
but bound by their agreement, Harry complies. Dumbledore consumes
three and a half goblets of the potion before collapsing.
Carefully, Harry lifts the goblet to Dumbledore's lips and pours
the remaining liquid down his throat. This process is repeated
eight more times until Dumbledore collapses completely, pleading
for water. Harry attempts to conjure water with an Aquamenti spell,
but the water vanishes as soon as it reaches Dumbledore's mouth.
Forced to act swiftly, Harry plunges the goblet into the lake,
causing a disturbance that repels the bodies, known as Inferi, back
into the water.
Harry defends against the advancing bodies to the best of his
ability while Dumbledore retrieves the locket from the basin. They
then climb back into Voldemort's boat and retreat. Harry Apparates
back to Hogsmeade, bringing a weakened Dumbledore with him. Unable
to walk, Dumbledore informs Harry that he requires Snape's
assistance. Madam Rosmerta, the owner of the Three Broomsticks,
rushes to their aid. Meanwhile, the Dark Mark hovers ominously over
Hogwarts. Dumbledore requests brooms from Rosmerta, and together
with Harry, they fly towards the school. Upon reaching the
Astronomy Tower, beneath the
Dark Mark, they hear footsteps
approaching from the opposite direction. Sensing danger, Dumbledore
signals Harry to step back. The door bursts open, and a voice casts
"Expelliarmus." Harry becomes paralyzed, realizing that Dumbledore
has used his powers to freeze him under the Invisibility Cloak
without speaking a word.
The voice belongs to Draco Malfoy. Dumbledore's wand is dislodged
from his grip. Draco notices the presence of the brooms and
immediately questions who else is in the tower. Dumbledore asks
Draco about his collaborators, to which Draco reveals that Death
Eaters are present, engaged in a battle against Dumbledore's guards
below. Dumbledore encourages Draco to proceed and kill him, but
Draco hesitates. Dumbledore smiles and assures Draco that he lacks
the heart of a killer. Recognizing Draco's fear of acting alone,
Dumbledore inquires about how Draco smuggled Death Eaters into
Hogwarts, prompting Draco to disclose the use of the Vanishing
Cabinet that Montague disappeared into the previous year. Draco
reveals the existence of another Vanishing Cabinet atBorgin and Burkes, which serves as a passageway. Under
Dumbledore's persuasion, Draco admits to being responsible for the
cursed necklace and poisoned mead incidents. However, Draco asserts
that Snape is a double agent and has been deceiving Dumbledore.
Nevertheless, Dumbledore maintains his trust in Snape.
Dumbledore deduces that Draco placed Rosmerta under the Imperius
Curse, instructing her to wait in the bathroom with the necklace.
He then offers Draco protection through the Order. Draco lowers his
wand. Suddenly, four Death Eaters storm into the room, urging Draco
to finish off Dumbledore. Despite the pressure, Draco remains
motionless. Snape bursts through the door, and for the first time,
Dumbledore displays fear. Snape raises his wand and unleashes a
green blast of light directly at Dumbledore. The impact propels
Dumbledore out of the window, causing him to plummet to the ground
below.
Chapter 28
The spell holding Harry captive is finally broken, and he swiftly
descends the stairs in pursuit of Snape and Draco. Harry maneuvers
through the chaos, avoiding curses and dueling Death Eaters. Along
the way, he manages to hex Amycus, who is targeting Ginny. As he
progresses, Harry witnesses Ron, Professor McGonagall, and Lupin
engaged in fierce battles against Death Eaters. Ignoring his
bewildered classmates, Harry races towards Snape, Draco, and a
formidable blond Death Eater. Hagrid emerges from his cabin,
attempting to halt the fleeing Death Eaters. Struck from behind by
a curse, Harry falls to the ground, awaiting his attackers. He
retaliates, successfully knocking them down, and resumes his
sprint.
Hagrid is engaged in a duel with the blond Death Eater, while Snape
and Draco hasten towards the gates, preparing to Disapparate. Harry
takes aim at Snape but misses. The blond Death Eater sets Hagrid's
house ablaze. Snape instructs Draco to keep running and turns to
confront Harry. However, Snape refrains from fighting back, which
infuriates Harry. He screams at Snape, branding him a coward.
Suddenly, Harry is struck and collapses. He hears Snape's voice
shouting "No!" and instructing Harry's assailant to preserve him
for the Dark Lord.
Harry, no longer caring about his own fate, staggers towards Snape,
who skillfully evades his curses once more. Harry attempts to cast
a Levicorpus curse, but Snape deflects it. Knocked down again,
Harry finds Snape drawing closer, crouching over his fallen body.
Snape reveals to Harry that he is the Half-Blood Prince and warns
him against using spells similar to those his father onceemployed. Harry dares Snape to kill him and continues to taunt
him as a coward. Snape stuns Harry and rushes towards the gates
with Draco, Disapparating from the scene. Struggling to sit up,
Harry desperately calls for Hagrid. Hagrid rushes over and lifts
Harry into his arms. Together, they employ the Aquamenti spell to
extinguish the flames engulfing Hagrid's house. Harry informs
Hagrid that Snape is responsible for Dumbledore's death, but Hagrid
refuses to believe him. Leading Harry back to Hogwarts, they join
the students assembling on the lawn, still uncertain about the
events that unfolded.
Hagrid notices the Dark Mark hovering over the Astronomy Tower and
spots a figure lying on the grass - Dumbledore. In silence, Harry
straightens Dumbledore's spectacles and wipes away the trace of
blood
from his mouth. A crowd gathers behind Harry as he notices
the locket they retrieved from the cave, fallen from Dumbledore's
pocket. Harry picks it up and opens it, discovering a small
parchment with a note addressed to Voldemort. The note is signed
"R. A. B." and informs Voldemort that the author has discovered his
secret, stolen the Horcrux, and intends to destroy it at the
earliest opportunity. The author expresses hope that when Voldemort
encounters his match, he will be merely a mortal man. Harry doesn't
fully comprehend the message nor does he care. All he knows is that
the person who took the real Horcrux contributed to Dumbledore's
death, causing him to undergo the ordeal of drinking a horrific
potion for naught.
Chapters 29 and 30
Ginny takes hold of Harry's hand and gently pulls him back.
Concerned, Harry inquires about the casualties, but Ginny assures
him that no one has died, though Bill was severely injured by
Fenrir Greyback. They arrive at the hospital wing, where Neville is
asleep, and Ron, Hermione, Luna, Tonks, and Lupin gather around
another bed where Bill lies, his face disfigured beyond
recognition. Madam Pomfrey explains that no charms can restore his
appearance. Ron wonders if Bill has become a werewolf, and Lupin
explains that since Greyback was not in his transformed state
during the attack, Bill may not become a true werewolf. However,
Lupin cautions that some contamination might still be possible.
Ginny then reveals the devastating news of Dumbledore's death.
Lupin collapses in shock, and Tonks asks for details. Harry
recounts Snape's betrayal. Outside, Dumbledore's Phoenix sings its
mournful song.
The group stands in solemnsilence when Professor McGonagall enters and informs them that
the Weasley family is on their way. Harry repeats the tragic news
to her. McGonagall is stunned, and Lupin and Tonks ponder what made
Dumbledore place such immense trust in Snape. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley
and Fleur rush in, and upon seeing Bill's disfigurement, Mrs.
Weasley screams and bursts into tears. Mrs. Weasley assumes that
Fleur will no longer want to marry Bill, but Fleur, offended by the
assumption, declares her unwavering commitment to him. Tonks gives
Lupin a piercing look and defends the notion that love is not
contingent on one's lycanthropy. Harry realizes that Tonks has been
in love with Lupin, not Sirius. Hagrid enters and informs Professor
McGonagall that he has moved Dumbledore's body and alerted the
Ministry. McGonagall instructs Hagrid to summon the Heads of House
to her office.
In her office, Professor McGonagall questions Harry about his
activities with Dumbledore that evening, but Harry remains
steadfast in not betraying Dumbledore's trust. Professor Slughorn,
Professor Sprout, and Professor Flitwick join them along with
Hagrid. A portrait of Dumbledore informs McGonagall that
Scrimgeour, the Minister of Magic, has left the Ministry and is en
route to Hogwarts. McGonagall expresses doubts about reopening
Hogwarts the following year. Harry inquires about Dumbledore's
funeral, and the faculty agrees that he should be laid to rest on
the school grounds, with students allowed to attend. As Harry walks
through the common room, he refrains from speaking to anyone. Ron
asks Harry if they succeeded in obtaining a Horcrux, but Harry
admits they did not. Classes and exams are canceled. Hermione
reveals that Eileen Prince was Snape's mother, which explains why
he called himself the Half-Blood Prince.
On the day of Dumbledore's funeral, Hagrid carries Dumbledore's
body, wrapped in purple cloth, down the aisle. Overwhelmed with
grief, Harry can no longer hold back his tears. He reflects on the
countless people who sacrificed their lives to protect him - his
parents, his godfather, and now Dumbledore. After the funeral,
Harry informs Ginny that they cannot be together because Voldemort
would use her as a means to target him. Ginny is saddened but
understands. Harry walks back to the castle, joined by Ron and
Hermione. They ponder whether the school will close. Harry reveals
that he will not return, as per Dumbledore's wishes. He plans to
spend the summer with the Dursleys and then visit Godric'sHollow, where his Wizarding journey began, to pay respects at
his parents' graves. From there, Harry will embark on his quest to
find the remaining Horcruxes. Ron and Hermione vow to accompany him
to the Dursleys and remain by his side throughout. Ron reminds them
that they need to return to the Burrow for Bill and Fleur's
wedding. Aware of the arduous journey ahead, Harry cherishes one
final moment of tranquility with his two loyal friends.