Huh. Adding the "Re:" to your subject line made it too long and gave me a nasty red message. Woe. So I changed it to "stuff".
Yes, I did push the limit with that subject line.
Harry is back to his old self, assuming Malfoy's plan is not working based on his physical appearance.
Ah, well, he's been right about some things lately. It would be weird if that lasted too long.
True.
House elves show up again in Slughorn's casual reference that he has had them taste all the bottles.
Yes. That was highly disturbing. And completely seemed in Slughorn's nature.
Yes.
We learn of Horcruxes. And the number 7.
Which made me think that there are 7 years at Hogwarts and wizards and witches come of age at 17. Not that 17 has a lot to do with 7, but still.
Huh. I hadn't connected it to the number of years at Hogwarts. You are right, of course.
It is very interesting that Dumbledore would say that as far as he knew no wizard had ever done more than rip his soul in two. This seems a little strange. Surely Grindewald or someone like that has killed more than two people? Of course, it does suggest the strong taboo of killing in the wizarding world. Perhaps he was just referring to the amount of horcruxes made, even if that is not what his words say.
I thought he was referring to horcruxes, not killing...
His exact words are ``As far as I know -- as far, I am sure, as Voldemort knew -- no wizard had ever done more than tear his soul in two''.
I am a little fascinated by this (the pacifist in me, perhaps). What of the people killed in battle by the good guys? I cannot remember who kills who, but if Mrs Weasley kills Bellatrix, is her soul broken in two? Would she regret it enough to heal it again? Or when Harry kills Voldemort...
The impression I got was that while killing is indeed a supreme act of evil and doesn't do your soul any favors, it doesn't actually split unless you are intending to use the killing to make a Horcrux. I could be completely off on that, though.
Hmm, I am fairly sure you are. I cannot find it now, but I think Dumbledore tells us at some point that killing a person splits your soul, and the only way to make it whole again is to regret it, which is very painful.
Also, Slughorn says that ``Killing rips the soul apart. The wizard intent upon creating a Horcrux would use the damage to his advantage''.
Which makes me wonder, will some of Voldemort's soul pieces be bigger than the others? I mean, if he rips it once, 50% would be in the first Horcrux. If he rips it again, 25% would be in the next &c. Or is it silly of me to apply percentages to a soul?
At any rate, we can start ticking off horcruxes (although if Voldemort split his soul in seven, shouldn't there be six horcruxes to begin with, then five left after he has used one of them to gain a life? Or is it a way of keeping the embodied soul suspended, so that it does not disappear when the body is killed? -- I was always a little unclear on that): the diary. One down, six to go. The ring. Two down...
So there are now four. And Voldemort.
The locket
The cup
Nagini
and Rowena Ravenclaw's tiara, if I am right?
And Harry?
Which brings us to ... 8?
I have always had trouble with this part of the books. Counting is not my strong suit, and I have a strong impression that Dumbeldore's counting is off here too. How does Harry fit in? Is he really a horcrux?
I have always been confused about this as well. Perhaps someone can enlighten us.
Well, it fits the 7-thing, except rather than split it in 7 pieces, he is making 7 Horcruxes. I suppose that is where Dumbledore is wrong. And believing Dumbledore sent me off on the wrong counting trail, leaving me confused in book 7.
Anyway, the dicsussion in Dumbledore's office also clarifies why Draco is being punished. It is not just Lucius' failure, but his lack of care with the diary.
Indeed.
The discussion of prophecies is also interesting. If there are so many prophecies that do not come to pass, what is their importance? Are they the "most likely" scenario only? Are they triggered by being part of a series of events (Snape listening outside the door sets Trelawny off?) ... I am intrigued. At any rate, the power of choice is quite central again. While the presence of Prophecy had seemed to dampen it, that is here revoked.
We are also shown the hiding room version of the Room of Requirement, which will become important later. It is a little strange that he does not react to the Vanishing cabinet being there. After all, there is no reason why it should have to be hidden. Unless someone is up to no good. It is quite a well hidden clue, though. As is the tiara.
I don't know. I mean, he notices it there, but among all the other junk piled up, it's not too surprising that he doesn't place any particular importance to it.
And I really enjoy Harry defending the Prince against Hermione's suggestion that he might be bad. If only he knew he was so sure Snape was not a bad guy.
Hehe. I know. It's a good bit of writing.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
structured procrastinator
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book Six, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- 18/10/2010 06:12:40 PM
3207 Views
General comments on the book.
- 18/10/2010 06:14:10 PM
1867 Views
Suggestions.
- 18/10/2010 06:18:46 PM
1921 Views
*cough*
- 09/11/2010 09:24:21 AM
1789 Views
Chapters 1-3: The Other Minister, Spinner's End, Will and Won't.
- 18/10/2010 06:21:55 PM
2124 Views
Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys.
- 18/10/2010 06:25:12 PM
2128 Views
Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys.
- 18/10/2010 06:55:06 PM
2151 Views
Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys.
- 19/10/2010 01:07:59 AM
2138 Views
*spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters
- 19/10/2010 01:01:35 AM
2101 Views
Plotting and writing.
- 18/10/2010 06:27:40 PM
1643 Views
*spoilers for book 7* focalisation and why I'l accept it this time, the power/powerless issue &stuff
- 19/10/2010 01:02:53 AM
1926 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* focalisation and why I'l accept it this time, the power/powerless issue
- 20/10/2010 02:58:54 PM
1868 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* focalisation and why I'l accept it this time, the power/powerless issue
- 20/10/2010 03:14:35 PM
1965 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 18/10/2010 06:28:16 PM
975 Views
Dumbledore-centered.
- 19/10/2010 01:03:05 AM
2011 Views
Chapters 4-6: Horace Slughorn, An Excess of Phlegm, Draco's Detour. *NM*
- 20/10/2010 03:44:39 PM
1112 Views
Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,...
- 20/10/2010 03:46:47 PM
2055 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,...
- 20/10/2010 05:27:26 PM
2051 Views
(Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur...
- 20/10/2010 09:25:20 PM
2123 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur...
- 20/10/2010 09:46:08 PM
2007 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,...
- 20/10/2010 10:15:58 PM
2036 Views
Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins.
- 20/10/2010 09:23:04 PM
1910 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins.
- 20/10/2010 09:56:28 PM
1874 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins.
- 20/10/2010 10:17:23 PM
2071 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 20/10/2010 03:48:07 PM
968 Views
So. Inferi are zombies aren't they? I just realised. Ick. Do they eat brains? *NM*
- 20/10/2010 09:24:03 PM
1014 Views
I was kind of disappointed that Harry didn't remark on that fact. 
*NM*
- 22/10/2010 07:24:11 PM
1076 Views
*NM*
- 22/10/2010 07:24:11 PM
1076 Views
Chapters 7-9: Slug Club, Snape Victorious, The Half-Blood Prince *NM*
- 22/10/2010 07:23:03 PM
1124 Views
Characters *NM*
- 22/10/2010 07:23:24 PM
1061 Views
Harry, Romilda, Malfoy (in luuuve), Snape, Lavender Brown, McGonagall, Hermione and Slughorn.
- 22/10/2010 07:26:19 PM
2039 Views
Love is in the air, evidently.
- 22/10/2010 07:54:35 PM
1987 Views
Slytherin had been in need of new blood for a long time. (And assorted other comments.)
- 22/10/2010 10:34:49 PM
2001 Views
Re: Slytherin had been in need of new blood for a long time. (And assorted other comments.)
- 25/10/2010 10:33:04 AM
1748 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
- 22/10/2010 07:23:37 PM
1058 Views
Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job.
- 22/10/2010 07:27:23 PM
1946 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 22/10/2010 07:23:50 PM
1072 Views
I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions.
- 22/10/2010 07:28:04 PM
1804 Views
I'm not sure if I noticed this before, but awesome Tolkien shout-out there.
- 22/10/2010 09:58:27 PM
1894 Views
Re: I'm not sure if I noticed this before, but awesome Tolkien shout-out there.
- 23/10/2010 05:34:25 PM
1893 Views
Re: I'm not sure if I noticed this before, but awesome Tolkien shout-out there.
- 25/10/2010 10:35:43 AM
1948 Views
Chapters 10-12: The House of Gaunt, Hermione's Helping Hand, Silver and Opals. *NM*
- 25/10/2010 05:00:02 PM
1127 Views
Characters: The Gaunts, the Trio, Hagrid, and many more. *NM*
- 25/10/2010 05:02:07 PM
1076 Views
Harry's continued insistence about Malfoy really irritates me (even though he's right).
- 25/10/2010 06:15:23 PM
2101 Views
*lol*
- 25/10/2010 06:39:19 PM
1923 Views
Re: Harry's continued insistence about Malfoy really irritates me (even though he's right).
- 26/10/2010 09:23:09 AM
1853 Views
Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry
- 25/10/2010 10:23:55 PM
1841 Views
Plotting and writing.
- 25/10/2010 05:03:16 PM
1934 Views
Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight.
- 25/10/2010 05:37:28 PM
1968 Views
Re: Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight.
- 26/10/2010 09:46:47 AM
1855 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 25/10/2010 05:03:32 PM
887 Views
Dumbledore still sounds like Stephen Fry. And reflections on the nature of Potions class.
- 25/10/2010 05:11:24 PM
1807 Views
It's like baking, I think.
- 25/10/2010 05:32:42 PM
1897 Views
Yes, exactly like baking - and advanced baking involves experimenting, substituting, improvising.
- 25/10/2010 06:42:42 PM
1999 Views
Also, Parseltongue - is Harry that thick, or is it a magic thing?
- 25/10/2010 05:18:41 PM
1878 Views
I think it's a magic thing.
- 25/10/2010 05:34:09 PM
1870 Views
It can be learned actually. Dumbledore implies he knows it and Ron uses it in book 7
- 25/10/2010 05:55:28 PM
1867 Views
Re: It can be learned actually. Dumbledore implies he knows it and Ron uses it in book 7
- 27/10/2010 04:31:45 PM
1895 Views
parseltongue
- 25/10/2010 10:24:46 PM
2006 Views
Interesting how many of our remarks are along similar lines. *NM*
- 25/10/2010 10:27:30 PM
942 Views
*NM*
- 25/10/2010 10:27:30 PM
942 Views
Chapters 13-15: The Secret Riddle, Felix Felicis, The Unbreakable Vow *NM*
- 27/10/2010 04:16:28 PM
1062 Views
Characters: The Trio, Ginny, Tom Riddle, Draco,... *NM*
- 27/10/2010 04:17:12 PM
1051 Views
Dumbledore, Voldemort, Ron & Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Luna
- 27/10/2010 10:31:39 PM
1920 Views
My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around.
- 29/10/2010 01:47:20 PM
1836 Views
Re: My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around.
- 29/10/2010 09:06:16 PM
1857 Views
Re: My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around.
- 29/10/2010 11:02:15 PM
1926 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
- 27/10/2010 04:17:26 PM
853 Views
plot and writing.
- 27/10/2010 10:30:14 PM
1912 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 27/10/2010 04:17:42 PM
911 Views
Re: Anything else?
- 27/10/2010 10:30:55 PM
2045 Views
I wonder if that's actually true, though.
- 28/10/2010 10:39:20 AM
2075 Views
Re: I wonder if that's actually true, though.
- 28/10/2010 10:44:22 AM
1901 Views
Crabbe and Goyle show us what happens when you fail (most of? all of?) your OWLs.
- 29/10/2010 02:10:39 PM
2009 Views
Chapters 16-18: A Very Frosty Christmas, A Sluggish Memory, Birthday Surprises *NM*
- 29/10/2010 05:40:39 PM
1064 Views
Characters: The Trio, Fleur, Scrimgeour, Percy, Remus, Slughorn,... *NM*
- 29/10/2010 05:43:02 PM
1127 Views
Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour
- 29/10/2010 08:51:58 PM
2043 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour
- 02/11/2010 06:23:04 PM
1925 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 29/10/2010 05:44:04 PM
940 Views
Chapters 19-21: Elf Tails, Lord Voldemort's Requests, The Unknowable Room *NM*
- 01/11/2010 02:00:22 PM
831 Views
Characters: The Trio, the elves, Draco, Dumbledore,... *NM*
- 01/11/2010 02:00:56 PM
1179 Views
the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks
- 01/11/2010 02:08:32 PM
1760 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 01/11/2010 02:01:27 PM
947 Views
I want to hear the joke about the hag, the Healer and the Mimbulus mimbletonia. *NM*
- 01/11/2010 02:10:11 PM
1575 Views
Me too. And is a "hag" just an old witch, or something more specific?
- 03/11/2010 09:52:12 PM
1953 Views
Re: Me too. And is a "hag" just an old witch, or something more specific?
- 03/11/2010 09:54:05 PM
2236 Views
Re: Me too. And is a "hag" just an old witch, or something more specific?
- 08/11/2010 01:54:59 PM
1909 Views
Chapters 22-24: After the Burial, Horcruxes, Sectumsempra
- 03/11/2010 09:50:17 PM
2155 Views
Characters. *NM*
- 03/11/2010 09:50:33 PM
1088 Views
Malfoy, Ron & Hermione, Slughorn, Voldemort, Snape and Ginny.
- 04/11/2010 12:12:57 AM
1931 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
- 03/11/2010 09:50:50 PM
962 Views
Harry wrong again, house elves, horcruxes, free will, well hidden clues and some irony *DH spoiler*
- 03/11/2010 10:35:20 PM
1895 Views
Re: Stuff.
- 04/11/2010 04:28:04 AM
1934 Views
Re: Stuff. *spoilers for book 7*
- 04/11/2010 09:10:19 AM
1993 Views
This "we'll see in book seven" thing is getting old, but still that's what I have to say here...
- 04/11/2010 01:23:01 PM
1781 Views
- 04/11/2010 01:23:01 PM
1781 Views
Some comments inside. *DH Spoilers*
Chapters 25-27: The Seer Overheard, The Cave, The Lightning-Struck Tower
- 05/11/2010 05:37:42 PM
1777 Views
Characters: Harry, Trelawney, Dumbledore, Draco, Snape. And maybe some other people. *NM*
- 05/11/2010 05:38:19 PM
935 Views
Romilda, Snape, Trelawny, Draco, Dumbledore, Voldemort, Harry *spoilers book 7*
- 05/11/2010 07:34:01 PM
1922 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 05/11/2010 05:39:43 PM
969 Views
I like how good magic is not flashy. Also, a Tolkien thing
- 05/11/2010 07:55:27 PM
1876 Views
I didn't take the comparison as far, but the gate thing did remind me of Moria, yes. (DH spoilers)
- 05/11/2010 10:03:16 PM
2123 Views
Chapters 28-30: Flight of the Prince, The Phoenix Lament, The White Tomb. *NM*
- 09/11/2010 02:13:12 PM
1086 Views
Characters. *NM*
- 09/11/2010 02:13:25 PM
907 Views
Snape, Lupin, Hermione & Ron, the Order, Mrs Weasley & Fleur, Luna & Neville, Scrimgeour, Ginny *DH*
- 09/11/2010 02:20:01 PM
1826 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
- 09/11/2010 02:13:40 PM
1035 Views
Spoilers.
- 09/11/2010 02:26:38 PM
1796 Views
Re: Spoilers.
- 09/11/2010 04:49:06 PM
1864 Views
I'm assuming not even the Ministry knows 100% what she did.
- 13/11/2010 12:26:14 AM
1968 Views
Very true.
- 15/11/2010 01:48:36 PM
1952 Views
Not much, no, but there's one fairly crucial mention.
- 15/11/2010 04:37:23 PM
1911 Views
With my keen attention to detail, I somehow missed that. 
Another good catch!
- 15/11/2010 09:36:37 PM
2099 Views
Another good catch!
- 15/11/2010 09:36:37 PM
2099 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 09/11/2010 02:13:53 PM
939 Views
We did the Harry Potter marathon thing on Sunday
- 09/11/2010 02:28:08 PM
1932 Views
This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies.
- 09/11/2010 04:34:33 PM
1972 Views
Re: This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies.
- 09/11/2010 04:36:29 PM
1922 Views
I just watched OotP again Saturday night... quite shocking there as well.
- 15/11/2010 04:45:48 PM
2016 Views
Re: I just watched OotP again Saturday night... quite shocking there as well.
- 15/11/2010 04:50:57 PM
1838 Views