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Re: Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. Camilla Send a noteboard - 04/11/2010 02:16:17 PM
Malfoy: he is showing the strain. And we know Harry is wrong that the mission is going badly. The paleness and thinness are therefore signs that he is not happy about the mission progressing as planned. The swagger and self-assurance is gone, not because he is failing, but probably because the horror of what he has to do is getting to him. This is confirmed, of course, in the bathroom scene.

Agreed. There were indications before that Malfoy wasn't entirely as Harry saw him, but these few paragraphs here completely alter our view of his character (well, okay, not ours because we knew it was coming, but that of the new reader). Draco's reaction mirrors that of his mother early in the book in terms of lashing out to hide his pain from outsiders, but there are limits to his self-control so he can't do so coldly and calmly as no doubt he'd like to do. And it's tempting to see the influence of aunt Bellatrix - who he must have been distancing himself from over the course of the year as he starts to realize he's really not cut out to be a DE - resurface in his attempted use of the Cruciatus.


Indeed.

What's interesting is that Draco mentions that "unless I do it soon, he says he'll kill me". That's even worse than what Narcissa had been fearing early on in the book - which was that Draco would die trying, one supposes by the hand of Dumbledore (which also makes one wonder just how badly Narcissa knows Dumbledore, but I digress). It's also a bizarre kind of threat, something that as far as I'm aware we don't see Voldemort telling anyone else. It would have made far more sense if he'd said "unless I do it soon, he'll kill my father", but no. Strange.


Yes, I was wondering about that, too.

And on the topic of the Cruciatus, it does make psychological sense in the scene, but still in a way it's Rowling letting Harry off easy. He had been intending to use Sectumsempra on an "enemy" who annoyed or irritated him, which would've essentially been unprovoked attempted murder, but now ends up merely doing it in reaction to an Unforgiveable curse. The result still shakes him up rather badly, but it's a far cry from what it would've been if he had done it to McLaggen for nagging at him, or to Draco during an exchange of more innocent hexes.


I agree. Just the idea of using it on McLaggen...

It's a good lesson to Harry on the meaning of the word "enemy", though. Evidently, Snape has rather more serious enemies as a schoolboy than just people annoying him, or at least expects to have such serious enemies in the future.


Yes. Or, rather, I think Harry does not imagine that anyone else could have enemies like he does. His idea of the Prince is one of schoolboy pranks (like the levitating spell). Not of someone needing to hurt someone bad. There are enemies outside of Hogwarts (evil, that will try to kill him), and then there are enemies inside Hogwarts (who will give him some sort of unpleasant but ultimately harmless trouble). His problem is that he confuses the two.

Ron and Hermione: their being in the boys' dormitories apparently alone must look suspicious to Lavender. While I am glad the whole absurde relationship is over, Hermione is right that Ron is a bit of a coward. Still, it is nice to see her cheery. And she so knows that Harry has a crush on Ginny. Hermione knows. And I like their reactions when Harry and Ginny finally get to it.

She definitely knows - he did give her a few hints even apart from his wandering eyes. Hermione's gloating over Ron and Lavender breaking up is a tad mean, but understandable.


I wouldn't say it is mean. There was never really anything there, I think.

Slughorn: he is such a delightful mix of the good and the bad. I like him. He is horrible in his calculating and downright greedy approach to Hagrid's grief. And his reference to having had house elves taste all the bottles in case they were poisoned is horrible. And the casual nature of it makes it worse. He is apparently not aware that it is wrong. But then he does give Harry the memory. Pressed and drunk, yes. But I am not sure that is to be held against him here. I like how he in contradictory. There is too much good vs evil in fantasy writing. His reason for keeping it secret is also interesting. Guilt or shame clearly plays a part. But it would also seem that he is reluctant to help kill Voldemort. Probably because he remembers Tom as a good student who treated him well. And his horror at the thought of Horcruxes show that while he is perhaps not a thoroughly decent fellow, he has a moral compass.

It is rather heartless to abuse Hagrid's confidence so, though on the other hand he does show his worth in exchange, by doing the little speech and joining Hagrid in his drinking binge. His prejudices show again in the memory scene (the "decent wizarding stock" remark), and again with the house elves thing. Quite grey character, yes.


Yes.

Snape: Using that type of deep legilimency (not just a surface skim to see if someone is lying or not) on a student without permission seems like a violation which should not be permitted. Still, the situation is quite singular. And he is surprisingly lenient when it comes to punishment, considering.

He is, isn't he? Especially considering how he wanted Harry expelled in earlier books - this is his best chance yet. I think we have to conclude he realizes it's too dangerous to expel Harry at this point.


Yes. It is now about protecting Lily's son again, I think.

He so knows about the HBP book thing, now. Or suspects, at least.


Oh, he knows.
I also noticed that the problematic spell checker quill in the beginning of the book finally had a plot point: the name is not recognisable as Ron's.

What I like about Harry there is that he doesn't look for excuses. He does of course say that he didn't know what the spell would do, but he doesn't mention the Cruciatus at all, nor does he use that as an excuse to justify his action to himself.


True.

Ginny: why is her face described as hard when she is approaching Harry to embrace him?

I think it just means she's determined.


Probably. It didn't work for me, though.
*MySmiley*
structured procrastinator
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The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book Six, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - 18/10/2010 06:12:40 PM 3150 Views
General comments on the book. - 18/10/2010 06:14:10 PM 1806 Views
I am enjoying this a lot more than I thought I would. - 22/10/2010 07:25:17 PM 1929 Views
Yes, I'm loving that I can read in English again. - 22/10/2010 10:10:32 PM 2027 Views
Me too - 01/11/2010 02:11:28 PM 1788 Views
Suggestions. - 18/10/2010 06:18:46 PM 1835 Views
Re: Suggestions. - 20/10/2010 03:20:18 PM 1997 Views
*cough* - 09/11/2010 09:24:21 AM 1717 Views
Oh yes. I'm being distracted by Towers of Midnight. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:11:22 PM 1080 Views
Shocking. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:43 PM 1022 Views
Are we having a break right now? - 12/11/2010 06:48:10 PM 1884 Views
Re: Are we having a break right now? - 12/11/2010 10:05:30 PM 2184 Views
Chapters 1-3: The Other Minister, Spinner's End, Will and Won't. - 18/10/2010 06:21:55 PM 2066 Views
Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 18/10/2010 06:25:12 PM 2071 Views
Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys. - 18/10/2010 06:55:06 PM 2077 Views
(minor book seven spoilers) - 19/10/2010 11:27:53 AM 2029 Views
Re: (minor book seven spoilers) - 19/10/2010 05:26:50 PM 1820 Views
*spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 01:01:35 AM 2032 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 11:39:44 AM 1846 Views
Re: *spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters - 19/10/2010 11:48:45 AM 2121 Views
I rather enjoyed the new characters. - 22/10/2010 07:30:03 PM 1816 Views
Re: I rather enjoyed the new characters. - 22/10/2010 08:33:44 PM 1933 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 18/10/2010 06:28:16 PM 941 Views
Dumbledore-centered. - 19/10/2010 01:03:05 AM 1959 Views
Re: Dumbledore-centered. - 22/10/2010 07:31:56 PM 1909 Views
Re: Dumbledore-centered. - 22/10/2010 07:33:34 PM 1893 Views
Chapters 4-6: Horace Slughorn, An Excess of Phlegm, Draco's Detour. *NM* - 20/10/2010 03:44:39 PM 1085 Views
Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 03:46:47 PM 1989 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 05:27:26 PM 2000 Views
(Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 09:25:20 PM 2051 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 09:46:08 PM 1944 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:20:28 PM 1836 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 21/10/2010 12:04:23 AM 1562 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 10:20:28 PM 1955 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:23:38 PM 1821 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,... - 20/10/2010 10:15:58 PM 1977 Views
On Ron's reaction to Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:30:48 PM 1900 Views
Re: On Ron's reaction to Fleur... - 20/10/2010 11:58:45 PM 1934 Views
Fleur - 23/10/2010 05:11:08 PM 1778 Views
Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins. - 20/10/2010 09:23:04 PM 1850 Views
Characters. - 25/10/2010 03:10:35 AM 1782 Views
Plotting and writing. - 20/10/2010 03:47:55 PM 1880 Views
*minor spoilers for book 7* - 20/10/2010 09:23:44 PM 1924 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 20/10/2010 03:48:07 PM 940 Views
Dumbledore's Stephen Fry moment... or maybe that's just me. - 22/10/2010 07:35:59 PM 1713 Views
It's not just you - 22/10/2010 08:34:25 PM 1722 Views
Chapters 7-9: Slug Club, Snape Victorious, The Half-Blood Prince *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:03 PM 1086 Views
Characters *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:24 PM 1028 Views
Harry, Romilda, Malfoy (in luuuve), Snape, Lavender Brown, McGonagall, Hermione and Slughorn. - 22/10/2010 07:26:19 PM 1980 Views
Thoughts about your thoughts. - 23/10/2010 05:28:10 PM 1749 Views
Re: Thoughts about your thoughts. - 24/10/2010 09:18:37 AM 1767 Views
More characters. - 25/10/2010 03:21:33 AM 1757 Views
Re: More characters. - 25/10/2010 10:27:33 AM 1769 Views
Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 07:54:35 PM 1925 Views
Re: Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 09:04:24 PM 1862 Views
Re: Love is in the air, evidently. - 22/10/2010 09:54:46 PM 1783 Views
Slytherin had been in need of new blood for a long time. (And assorted other comments.) - 22/10/2010 10:34:49 PM 1942 Views
Neville. - 23/10/2010 05:30:39 PM 1843 Views
Re: Neville. - 08/11/2010 02:35:57 PM 1934 Views
NEWT Potions - 24/10/2010 03:24:42 AM 1921 Views
Re: Characters - 24/10/2010 03:41:30 AM 1972 Views
Re: Characters - 25/10/2010 10:44:00 AM 1799 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:37 PM 1026 Views
Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job. - 22/10/2010 07:27:23 PM 1879 Views
Malfoy and the DADA job. - 22/10/2010 10:51:03 PM 1782 Views
Re: Malfoy and the DADA job. - 25/10/2010 11:31:57 AM 1822 Views
Re: Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job. - 23/10/2010 05:32:27 PM 1775 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 22/10/2010 07:23:50 PM 1041 Views
I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 22/10/2010 07:28:04 PM 1737 Views
Re: I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 23/10/2010 05:33:27 PM 1839 Views
Re: I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions. - 25/10/2010 03:06:43 AM 1824 Views
Chapters 10-12: The House of Gaunt, Hermione's Helping Hand, Silver and Opals. *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:00:02 PM 1082 Views
Characters: The Gaunts, the Trio, Hagrid, and many more. *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:02:07 PM 1047 Views
Harry's continued insistence about Malfoy really irritates me (even though he's right). - 25/10/2010 06:15:23 PM 2034 Views
*lol* - 25/10/2010 06:39:19 PM 1863 Views
I don't hide from my faults. - 25/10/2010 08:01:39 PM 1704 Views
Re: I don't hide from my faults. - 28/10/2010 04:59:54 AM 1888 Views
Re: *lol* - 26/10/2010 09:50:09 AM 1851 Views
~geeky moment~ - 26/10/2010 03:14:52 PM 1760 Views
Re: ~geeky moment~ - 26/10/2010 09:49:12 PM 1723 Views
Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 25/10/2010 10:23:55 PM 1783 Views
Re: Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 26/10/2010 11:56:59 PM 1906 Views
Re: Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry - 27/10/2010 08:14:42 AM 1892 Views
Plotting and writing. - 25/10/2010 05:03:16 PM 1872 Views
Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight. - 25/10/2010 05:37:28 PM 1909 Views
Re: Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight. - 26/10/2010 09:46:47 AM 1800 Views
The smuggling and Trelawney's rambling. - 27/10/2010 12:05:48 AM 1857 Views
Re: The smuggling and Trelawney's rambling. - 27/10/2010 08:10:46 AM 1782 Views
Things - 25/10/2010 10:24:19 PM 1904 Views
Re: Things - 27/10/2010 12:01:17 AM 1912 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 25/10/2010 05:03:32 PM 855 Views
Dumbledore still sounds like Stephen Fry. And reflections on the nature of Potions class. - 25/10/2010 05:11:24 PM 1741 Views
It's like baking, I think. - 25/10/2010 05:32:42 PM 1841 Views
Good analogy - 25/10/2010 05:52:38 PM 1706 Views
Yes, exactly like baking - and advanced baking involves experimenting, substituting, improvising. - 25/10/2010 06:42:42 PM 1943 Views
But not at high school. - 25/10/2010 07:57:44 PM 1829 Views
Also - 04/11/2010 09:29:47 AM 1770 Views
Also, Parseltongue - is Harry that thick, or is it a magic thing? - 25/10/2010 05:18:41 PM 1810 Views
I think it's a magic thing. - 25/10/2010 05:34:09 PM 1812 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 1780 Views
Huh. I completely missed that. Good thing we're doing a reread. - 25/10/2010 05:57:38 PM 1803 Views
Speaking of Dumbledore and Parseltongue. - 28/10/2010 05:03:10 AM 2072 Views
parseltongue - 25/10/2010 10:24:46 PM 1946 Views
Interesting how many of our remarks are along similar lines. *NM* - 25/10/2010 10:27:30 PM 912 Views
Indeed - 26/10/2010 09:20:43 AM 1824 Views
Chapters 13-15: The Secret Riddle, Felix Felicis, The Unbreakable Vow *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:16:28 PM 1031 Views
Characters: The Trio, Ginny, Tom Riddle, Draco,... *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:12 PM 1016 Views
Dumbledore, Voldemort, Ron & Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Luna - 27/10/2010 10:31:39 PM 1855 Views
My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around. - 29/10/2010 01:47:20 PM 1772 Views
Girls. - 29/10/2010 05:54:25 PM 1822 Views
Draco: Not as confident as he appears, surely. - 29/10/2010 02:02:01 PM 1951 Views
Re: Draco: Not as confident as he appears, surely. - 29/10/2010 09:01:56 PM 1954 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:26 PM 822 Views
plot and writing. - 27/10/2010 10:30:14 PM 1842 Views
Re: plot and writing. - 28/10/2010 05:07:03 AM 1985 Views
Draco can dissemble rather well, just like his parents. - 29/10/2010 02:08:35 PM 1850 Views
Re: Draco can dissemble rather well, just like his parents. - 29/10/2010 09:00:36 PM 1881 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 27/10/2010 04:17:42 PM 874 Views
Re: Anything else? - 27/10/2010 10:30:55 PM 1981 Views
Re: Anything else? - 28/10/2010 04:56:10 AM 1910 Views
Harry comments on that when in Snape's memories in book five. - 28/10/2010 10:42:08 AM 1772 Views
I wonder if that's actually true, though. - 28/10/2010 10:39:20 AM 1977 Views
Re: I wonder if that's actually true, though. - 28/10/2010 10:44:22 AM 1833 Views
It's more than that, though. - 28/10/2010 10:55:49 AM 1900 Views
Re: It's more than that, though. - 28/10/2010 11:48:19 AM 1715 Views
Chapters 16-18: A Very Frosty Christmas, A Sluggish Memory, Birthday Surprises *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:40:39 PM 1019 Views
Characters: The Trio, Fleur, Scrimgeour, Percy, Remus, Slughorn,... *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:43:02 PM 1091 Views
Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 08:51:58 PM 1978 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 11:24:02 PM 1801 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 29/10/2010 11:51:06 PM 1820 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 31/10/2010 09:14:46 PM 2034 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 31/10/2010 09:07:19 PM 1912 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 02/11/2010 06:23:04 PM 1857 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 02/11/2010 07:20:26 PM 1545 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour - 04/11/2010 04:03:02 AM 1806 Views
And - 04/11/2010 10:46:37 AM 1800 Views
Plotting and writing. - 29/10/2010 05:43:49 PM 1766 Views
Re: Plotting and writing. - 29/10/2010 08:52:34 PM 1893 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 29/10/2010 05:44:04 PM 905 Views
My comments on Potions class were heeded! Excellent. - 29/10/2010 11:28:43 PM 1809 Views
Re: My comments on Potions class were heeded! Excellent. - 29/10/2010 11:52:12 PM 1881 Views
Chapters 19-21: Elf Tails, Lord Voldemort's Requests, The Unknowable Room *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:00:22 PM 797 Views
Characters: The Trio, the elves, Draco, Dumbledore,... *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:00:56 PM 1145 Views
the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 02:08:32 PM 1700 Views
Re: the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 05:10:11 PM 1937 Views
Re: the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks - 01/11/2010 05:16:30 PM 2032 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:01:13 PM 905 Views
Dumbledore, little girls and the house-elf issue again. - 01/11/2010 02:09:35 PM 2039 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 01/11/2010 02:01:27 PM 916 Views
Chapters 22-24: After the Burial, Horcruxes, Sectumsempra - 03/11/2010 09:50:17 PM 2092 Views
Characters. *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:50:33 PM 1053 Views
Malfoy, Ron & Hermione, Slughorn, Voldemort, Snape and Ginny. - 04/11/2010 12:12:57 AM 1855 Views
Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. - 04/11/2010 02:02:04 PM 1886 Views
Re: Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance. - 04/11/2010 02:16:17 PM 1923 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:50:50 PM 927 Views
Harry wrong again, house elves, horcruxes, free will, well hidden clues and some irony *DH spoiler* - 03/11/2010 10:35:20 PM 1825 Views
Re: Stuff. - 04/11/2010 04:28:04 AM 1880 Views
Re: Stuff. *spoilers for book 7* - 04/11/2010 09:10:19 AM 1929 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 1711 Views
Yes, I think you are right - 04/11/2010 01:24:41 PM 1890 Views
Well, I'm back. Some comments inside. *DH Spoilers* - 08/11/2010 02:28:11 PM 1896 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 03/11/2010 09:51:04 PM 924 Views
Chapters 25-27: The Seer Overheard, The Cave, The Lightning-Struck Tower - 05/11/2010 05:37:42 PM 1709 Views
Plotting and writing. - 05/11/2010 05:39:27 PM 1550 Views
*spoilers for book 7* - 05/11/2010 07:55:07 PM 1759 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 05/11/2010 05:39:43 PM 934 Views
I like how good magic is not flashy. Also, a Tolkien thing - 05/11/2010 07:55:27 PM 1815 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 2057 Views
yes - 05/11/2010 10:06:43 PM 1782 Views
Chapters 28-30: Flight of the Prince, The Phoenix Lament, The White Tomb. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:12 PM 1054 Views
Characters. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:25 PM 882 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:40 PM 1009 Views
Spoilers. - 09/11/2010 02:26:38 PM 1743 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 09/11/2010 04:49:06 PM 1801 Views
I'm assuming not even the Ministry knows 100% what she did. - 13/11/2010 12:26:14 AM 1877 Views
Very true. - 15/11/2010 01:48:36 PM 1877 Views
Not much, no, but there's one fairly crucial mention. - 15/11/2010 04:37:23 PM 1848 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 13/11/2010 12:22:22 AM 2017 Views
Re: Spoilers. - 13/11/2010 09:38:09 AM 2141 Views
Anything else? *NM* - 09/11/2010 02:13:53 PM 899 Views
We did the Harry Potter marathon thing on Sunday - 09/11/2010 02:28:08 PM 1862 Views
I vaguely remember something of the sort, yes. - 09/11/2010 02:57:56 PM 2099 Views
Re: I vaguely remember something of the sort, yes. - 09/11/2010 02:58:56 PM 1752 Views
This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies. - 09/11/2010 04:34:33 PM 1910 Views
Re: This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies. - 09/11/2010 04:36:29 PM 1858 Views
Very true. - 09/11/2010 04:40:24 PM 2092 Views
Re: Very true. - 09/11/2010 04:43:45 PM 2346 Views
Agreed. - 09/11/2010 04:53:46 PM 1893 Views
Re: Agreed. - 09/11/2010 04:58:59 PM 1972 Views

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