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
structured procrastinator
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book Six, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
- 18/10/2010 06:12:40 PM
2750 Views
General comments on the book.
- 18/10/2010 06:14:10 PM
1598 Views
Suggestions.
- 18/10/2010 06:18:46 PM
1645 Views
*cough*
- 09/11/2010 09:24:21 AM
1521 Views
Chapters 1-3: The Other Minister, Spinner's End, Will and Won't.
- 18/10/2010 06:21:55 PM
1862 Views
Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys.
- 18/10/2010 06:25:12 PM
1871 Views
Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys.
- 18/10/2010 06:55:06 PM
1864 Views
Re: Characters: The three Ministers, Snape, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Harry, Dumbledore, the Dursleys.
- 19/10/2010 01:07:59 AM
1879 Views
*spoilers for book 7* an assortment of characters
- 19/10/2010 01:01:35 AM
1819 Views
Plotting and writing.
- 18/10/2010 06:27:40 PM
1367 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
1633 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
1598 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
1694 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 18/10/2010 06:28:16 PM
796 Views
Dumbledore-centered.
- 19/10/2010 01:03:05 AM
1738 Views
Chapters 4-6: Horace Slughorn, An Excess of Phlegm, Draco's Detour. *NM*
- 20/10/2010 03:44:39 PM
950 Views
Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,...
- 20/10/2010 03:46:47 PM
1782 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,...
- 20/10/2010 05:27:26 PM
1792 Views
(Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur...
- 20/10/2010 09:25:20 PM
1822 Views
Re: (Mostly) on Slughorn, Narcissa and Fleur...
- 20/10/2010 09:46:08 PM
1735 Views
Re: Characters: Slughorn, Fleur, the Trio, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy,...
- 20/10/2010 10:15:58 PM
1756 Views
Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins.
- 20/10/2010 09:23:04 PM
1646 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins.
- 20/10/2010 09:56:28 PM
1621 Views
Re: Dumbledore, Slughorn, Tonks, Mr & Mrs Weasley, Hermione, Narcissa and the twins.
- 20/10/2010 10:17:23 PM
1800 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 20/10/2010 03:48:07 PM
789 Views
So. Inferi are zombies aren't they? I just realised. Ick. Do they eat brains? *NM*
- 20/10/2010 09:24:03 PM
854 Views
I was kind of disappointed that Harry didn't remark on that fact. 
*NM*
- 22/10/2010 07:24:11 PM
903 Views
*NM*
- 22/10/2010 07:24:11 PM
903 Views
Chapters 7-9: Slug Club, Snape Victorious, The Half-Blood Prince *NM*
- 22/10/2010 07:23:03 PM
941 Views
Characters *NM*
- 22/10/2010 07:23:24 PM
897 Views
Harry, Romilda, Malfoy (in luuuve), Snape, Lavender Brown, McGonagall, Hermione and Slughorn.
- 22/10/2010 07:26:19 PM
1778 Views
Love is in the air, evidently.
- 22/10/2010 07:54:35 PM
1718 Views
Slytherin had been in need of new blood for a long time. (And assorted other comments.)
- 22/10/2010 10:34:49 PM
1731 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
1451 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
- 22/10/2010 07:23:37 PM
889 Views
Dumbledore, patronuses and the DADA job.
- 22/10/2010 07:27:23 PM
1662 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 22/10/2010 07:23:50 PM
905 Views
I believe in Wrackspurts, too. And some questions.
- 22/10/2010 07:28:04 PM
1532 Views
I'm not sure if I noticed this before, but awesome Tolkien shout-out there.
- 22/10/2010 09:58:27 PM
1624 Views
Re: I'm not sure if I noticed this before, but awesome Tolkien shout-out there.
- 23/10/2010 05:34:25 PM
1629 Views
Re: I'm not sure if I noticed this before, but awesome Tolkien shout-out there.
- 25/10/2010 10:35:43 AM
1672 Views
Chapters 10-12: The House of Gaunt, Hermione's Helping Hand, Silver and Opals. *NM*
- 25/10/2010 05:00:02 PM
941 Views
Characters: The Gaunts, the Trio, Hagrid, and many more. *NM*
- 25/10/2010 05:02:07 PM
910 Views
Harry's continued insistence about Malfoy really irritates me (even though he's right).
- 25/10/2010 06:15:23 PM
1811 Views
*lol*
- 25/10/2010 06:39:19 PM
1666 Views
Re: Harry's continued insistence about Malfoy really irritates me (even though he's right).
- 26/10/2010 09:23:09 AM
1583 Views
Trelawny, Ogden, Gaunt, Ron, Hermione, Ron and Harry
- 25/10/2010 10:23:55 PM
1600 Views
Plotting and writing.
- 25/10/2010 05:03:16 PM
1665 Views
Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight.
- 25/10/2010 05:37:28 PM
1703 Views
Re: Amazing amounts of accurate guesswork here, in hindsight.
- 26/10/2010 09:46:47 AM
1601 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 25/10/2010 05:03:32 PM
732 Views
Dumbledore still sounds like Stephen Fry. And reflections on the nature of Potions class.
- 25/10/2010 05:11:24 PM
1521 Views
It's like baking, I think.
- 25/10/2010 05:32:42 PM
1649 Views
Yes, exactly like baking - and advanced baking involves experimenting, substituting, improvising.
- 25/10/2010 06:42:42 PM
1720 Views
Also, Parseltongue - is Harry that thick, or is it a magic thing?
- 25/10/2010 05:18:41 PM
1633 Views
I think it's a magic thing.
- 25/10/2010 05:34:09 PM
1622 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
1586 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
1616 Views
parseltongue
- 25/10/2010 10:24:46 PM
1733 Views
Interesting how many of our remarks are along similar lines. *NM*
- 25/10/2010 10:27:30 PM
773 Views
*NM*
- 25/10/2010 10:27:30 PM
773 Views
Chapters 13-15: The Secret Riddle, Felix Felicis, The Unbreakable Vow *NM*
- 27/10/2010 04:16:28 PM
901 Views
Characters: The Trio, Ginny, Tom Riddle, Draco,... *NM*
- 27/10/2010 04:17:12 PM
884 Views
Dumbledore, Voldemort, Ron & Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Luna
- 27/10/2010 10:31:39 PM
1603 Views
My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around.
- 29/10/2010 01:47:20 PM
1580 Views
Re: My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around.
- 29/10/2010 09:06:16 PM
1572 Views
Re: My take on Ginny is rather different, I must say... at least this time around.
- 29/10/2010 11:02:15 PM
1630 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
- 27/10/2010 04:17:26 PM
702 Views
plot and writing.
- 27/10/2010 10:30:14 PM
1632 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 27/10/2010 04:17:42 PM
732 Views
Re: Anything else?
- 27/10/2010 10:30:55 PM
1779 Views
I wonder if that's actually true, though.
- 28/10/2010 10:39:20 AM
1760 Views
Re: I wonder if that's actually true, though.
- 28/10/2010 10:44:22 AM
1621 Views
Crabbe and Goyle show us what happens when you fail (most of? all of?) your OWLs.
- 29/10/2010 02:10:39 PM
1748 Views
Chapters 16-18: A Very Frosty Christmas, A Sluggish Memory, Birthday Surprises *NM*
- 29/10/2010 05:40:39 PM
872 Views
Characters: The Trio, Fleur, Scrimgeour, Percy, Remus, Slughorn,... *NM*
- 29/10/2010 05:43:02 PM
960 Views
Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour
- 29/10/2010 08:51:58 PM
1764 Views
Re: Mr Weasley, Lupin, Fleur, Harry and Scrimgeour
- 02/11/2010 06:23:04 PM
1653 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 29/10/2010 05:44:04 PM
768 Views
Chapters 19-21: Elf Tails, Lord Voldemort's Requests, The Unknowable Room *NM*
- 01/11/2010 02:00:22 PM
667 Views
Characters: The Trio, the elves, Draco, Dumbledore,... *NM*
- 01/11/2010 02:00:56 PM
990 Views
the twins, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Voldemort, Draco and Tonks
- 01/11/2010 02:08:32 PM
1497 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 01/11/2010 02:01:27 PM
791 Views
I want to hear the joke about the hag, the Healer and the Mimbulus mimbletonia. *NM*
- 01/11/2010 02:10:11 PM
1374 Views
Me too. And is a "hag" just an old witch, or something more specific?
- 03/11/2010 09:52:12 PM
1694 Views
Re: Me too. And is a "hag" just an old witch, or something more specific?
- 03/11/2010 09:54:05 PM
1971 Views
Re: Me too. And is a "hag" just an old witch, or something more specific?
- 08/11/2010 01:54:59 PM
1631 Views
Chapters 22-24: After the Burial, Horcruxes, Sectumsempra
- 03/11/2010 09:50:17 PM
1898 Views
Characters. *NM*
- 03/11/2010 09:50:33 PM
912 Views
Malfoy, Ron & Hermione, Slughorn, Voldemort, Snape and Ginny.
- 04/11/2010 12:12:57 AM
1659 Views
Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance.
- 04/11/2010 02:02:04 PM
1679 Views
Re: Draco, Slughorn, Snape, the romance.
- 04/11/2010 02:16:17 PM
1700 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
- 03/11/2010 09:50:50 PM
805 Views
Harry wrong again, house elves, horcruxes, free will, well hidden clues and some irony *DH spoiler*
- 03/11/2010 10:35:20 PM
1623 Views
Re: Stuff.
- 04/11/2010 04:28:04 AM
1677 Views
Re: Stuff. *spoilers for book 7*
- 04/11/2010 09:10:19 AM
1694 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
1528 Views
- 04/11/2010 01:23:01 PM
1528 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
1519 Views
Characters: Harry, Trelawney, Dumbledore, Draco, Snape. And maybe some other people. *NM*
- 05/11/2010 05:38:19 PM
778 Views
Romilda, Snape, Trelawny, Draco, Dumbledore, Voldemort, Harry *spoilers book 7*
- 05/11/2010 07:34:01 PM
1618 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 05/11/2010 05:39:43 PM
812 Views
I like how good magic is not flashy. Also, a Tolkien thing
- 05/11/2010 07:55:27 PM
1605 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
1848 Views
Chapters 28-30: Flight of the Prince, The Phoenix Lament, The White Tomb. *NM*
- 09/11/2010 02:13:12 PM
912 Views
Characters. *NM*
- 09/11/2010 02:13:25 PM
749 Views
Snape, Lupin, Hermione & Ron, the Order, Mrs Weasley & Fleur, Luna & Neville, Scrimgeour, Ginny *DH*
- 09/11/2010 02:20:01 PM
1534 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
- 09/11/2010 02:13:40 PM
879 Views
Spoilers.
- 09/11/2010 02:26:38 PM
1535 Views
Re: Spoilers.
- 09/11/2010 04:49:06 PM
1591 Views
I'm assuming not even the Ministry knows 100% what she did.
- 13/11/2010 12:26:14 AM
1686 Views
Very true.
- 15/11/2010 01:48:36 PM
1680 Views
Not much, no, but there's one fairly crucial mention.
- 15/11/2010 04:37:23 PM
1646 Views
With my keen attention to detail, I somehow missed that. 
Another good catch!
- 15/11/2010 09:36:37 PM
1822 Views
Another good catch!
- 15/11/2010 09:36:37 PM
1822 Views
Anything else? *NM*
- 09/11/2010 02:13:53 PM
759 Views
We did the Harry Potter marathon thing on Sunday
- 09/11/2010 02:28:08 PM
1657 Views
This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies.
- 09/11/2010 04:34:33 PM
1683 Views
Re: This is definitely the most painfully altered of the movies.
- 09/11/2010 04:36:29 PM
1660 Views
I just watched OotP again Saturday night... quite shocking there as well.
- 15/11/2010 04:45:48 PM
1769 Views
Re: I just watched OotP again Saturday night... quite shocking there as well.
- 15/11/2010 04:50:57 PM
1587 Views