The identity of the Prince is turning out to be the main enigma in this book, I think. Hermione's attempt at suggesting it might be a woman was … interesting?

As well as the mystery of Dumbledore's injured hand, which we are given some indication of in this section, as the ring comes up and Harry prods at the truth.

The treatment of Merope continues the trend, which has already been remarked on, of dark wizards or those focused on pureblood lineages treating women poorly.


The Peverell family is mentioned, laying the ground for the next book. I had forgotten that.

It is also interesting that Voldemort, the great horror of the magical community, is the result of a witch abusing her power to force a muggle to submit to her. It fits very nicely with the themes we have been seeing earlier.


Draco's plot continues with Katie cursed and a clear link to Borgin and Burkes. And an apparently watertight alibi. Harry looks like a nutcase while actually being right. It is like the world does not make sense anymore.