![]() |
****** SPOILER WARNING ***********
If you have not finished reading Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, do not read any further !!! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [ 07-16-2005, 12:56 AM: Message edited by: Pangur Ban ] |
I just finished the book a few minutes ago.
I still have tears in my eyes. I didn't think the death of this character would shock me so much. Even though I have set up spoiler warnings, I still won't name the person - If you have finished the book, ( and not trying to get a few quick spoilers ) you know who I mean. Bring on the final book !! |
I've just finished it too. 9 straight hours of reading. And it is quite a read.
Yes, I too was touched by his death. And I was also, moved by his betrayal. And I suspected the Half Blood Prince to be Voldermort. Well, I thought wrong. An incredible read. [ 07-16-2005, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: SecretMaster ] |
A few comments, in no particular order.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione are (still) growing up, but this didn't seem to be handled as well in HP6, as it did in HP5. Mentions of relationships with the opposite sex, and snogging, didn't seem complex enough to indicate their growing maturity. Err now, how am I am going show these teenagers growing up? Of course - they'll chase the opposite sex, snog a bit, and have some jealous feelings. That said, I did think that the feelings between Harry and Ginny were developed nicely. I was looking forward to finding out the latest exploits of Dudley Dursley - I've been hoping that he gets sent to St Brutus's school. No such luck. The sub plot with Harry living at the Dursley's seems to be brought to an abrupt end. The books seem to be getting more and more serious - are they losing their sense of humour? There are a few great lines --'No, I was merely reading the Muggle magazines,' said Dumbledore. 'I do love knitting patterns.' --but I miss some of the more outragous humour from the earlier books. Who, ( or what ) is R.A.B.? Knowing how well the the half blood prince was concealed from us poor readers - a name instead of a royal title - I'm guessing it's going to be something other than someone's initials. Draco Malfoy? GRRRR !!! If I cried when Dumbledore died, I'm going to shout with elation if and when that little %^&*%&$!! gets what's coming to him in HP7. The Wizarding world under siege? Shopkeepers disappearing? Not very helpful advice sent out by the Ministry of Magic? Couldn't help but draw comparisions with the recent bombings in London. Death eaters and Voldemort supporters = terrorists? Strange co-incidence, but this of course could not have been planned in advance. Enough for the moment, I think I'll re-read all the HP's, keeping in mind the new info about Voldemort's history , and see if I can come up with a decent theory on " R.A.B. ". [ 07-16-2005, 08:25 PM: Message edited by: Pangur Ban ] |
I was disappointed that Snape turned out to be bad after all. It was kind of a let down because I think his character was more interesting when he was filled with hatred for Harry but ultimately on his side. Weak and evil is a bit too one-dimensional compared to weak, spite-filled, petty, but tortured with a grudging heart of gold.
I thought the romance and such was appropriate - maybe being closer in age to them I appreciated it more than some ;) . Though I'm glad she has resisted putting Ron and Hermione together just yet - though I'm sure there will be a climactic scene in the next one re that. Though I do hate the word 'snog' with a passion! There did seem to be a real romance theme, with the older characters as well - I guess to correspond with Dumbledore's 'love is the most powerful magic' thing. I don't know about the next one! One thing I have loved about all the books is the way the schoolwork and such has been interspersed with the adventures. That is something that I think was not well brought across in the movies (well the one I saw anyway, the third one) because of the time pressures to get all the exciting stuff in. But if they're not going to be at school, then that will be missing. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
This feeling is only strengthened by the fact that Snape never tried to stun Harry, but merely deflected his attacks. I got the feeling that he was trying to explain his behaviour to Harry, but I may be wrong. The whole battle between Snape and Harry did have something fishy about it all, though. My theory, however. I don't know if it's true! Quote:
Harry and Ginny, though, was a bit of a surprise, but nothing too much. I did find it a bit hero-esque of Harry to end their relationship in order to do 'great things', but I guess that makes the ending of book 7 even more emotional. Quote:
Haven't seen the movies yet, so can't say anything about them really. All in all, I thought Half-Blood Prince was really good. It had me turning the pages until the end, wanting to know more, eager for what'll happen next. |
Quote:
To be honest though i'm starting to get a bit bored with the 'is Snape evil' thing. On the subject of R.A.B.: Well, the only wizarding family i can think of off the top of my head with a surnmae begining with B is Black... Didn't Sirus's brother also leave the Death Eaters? It was mentioned IIRC in this book i think, syaing he only lasted a few weeks when Karkorov was discovered dead, he was called Regulus Black, did give a middle mane though... [ 07-18-2005, 07:27 AM: Message edited by: Aragorn1 ] |
<font color=skyblue>I am lost for words, and see no reason to repeat the words that are already printed above, but my shock at Mr. D being the one to get killed was not foreseen at all. For a long time, I thought it would really be Malfoy. Then I thought it was going to be whoever that was that Malfoy stepped over downstairs...like Professor McG. I did not believe my eyes at 3am in the morning when I passed over the words that said that Dumbledore had been the one to die. I actually re-read the whole page to make sure I had not mis-read it.
Um...I really hope that Harry does not get to go alone. I want to see the team together, but I am also bothered that They will not be finishing their lat year. I can see Ron running off with Harry, but I don't see Hermoine doing so if the school was open. She'd have to stay, I reckon. I also do not put much into the idea that Ron's parents would not hunt him down if he rean off. They just would not allow that after Bill. Speaking of Bill...did anyone see THAT coming????? And what about Fleur??!!! She stayed!!! Woah! I really do not know what to expect in book seven at all. I am bothered to think that Snape was evil. The first thing that came to my mind was that Dumbledore has another way back. He really isn't dead...but then...I am sure that is why the Phoenix was mentioned so vividly as leaving with the mourning song. So that screws my theory. But what was mentioned above is true...Snape did not attempt to hurt Harry at all, and could have at least done something to him. I am not convinced that he is still on our side and only had to pretend around the other death eaters. That might be why Dumbledore was saying please. Please stay true to what you and I talked about needing to be done... I dunno. Damn, cannot wait for the next book. </font> |
Quote:
This feeling is only strengthened by the fact that Snape never tried to stun Harry, but merely deflected his attacks. I got the feeling that he was trying to explain his behaviour to Harry, but I may be wrong. The whole battle between Snape and Harry did have something fishy about it all, though. My theory, however. I don't know if it's true! </font>[/QUOTE]Interesting theory! Although didn't Snape say that no one could attack Harry because he was to be left for Voldemort? But I guess Snape still could have harmed him but not killed him. I'm vague on the details - Dumbledore froze Harry so he couldn't join the fight with Draco and Greyback et al as well - possibly didn't want Harry accidently killed because Dumbledore knew he had to die? I'm positive Harry won't be going it alone, Larry. JK wouldn't have set up this friendship, with Harry never being able to do any of the things he has done in the previous books without their help, if book seven was just going to be Harry the whole time. I'm sure she'd know that would be really boring, especially because her writing style is such that you rarely (usually only a couple of initial introductory sections) have any scenes that aren't with Harry, from Harry's point of view. |
I've just finished it now...wow.
So many questions zooming through my mind, about R.A.B mainly. I also was going through the names, and thought of only Black. Was thinking of finding my copy of OOTP and looking at the bit about the Black Tapestry. Wonder what will become of little Mr Malfoy. Perhaps Snape will 'persuede' the Death Eaters to say Malfoy did it, so the Malfoy's aren't killed. I clicked that Snape was Half Blood Prince when Harry cast the spell on Malfoy causing blood to pour out of cuts, just after he found him crying. But then I got the thought "But Slytherin only likes pure bloods, not half bloods." It only occured to me when I found out it was Snape that Tom Riddle was also a half blood, but the heir of Slytherin too. I honestly can't see Hogwarts not featuring in book 7. I'm not sure if I seriously think that, or it's because I can't think of a HP book without Hogwarts in, but it's just a hunch. I'm dying for some information on the final book. Release date, name, anything. The wait for the final book is going to be one of the longest, and it'll have to be utterly amazing (which I have all the faith that it will be) to steal the spotlight from HBP. [ 07-19-2005, 05:11 PM: Message edited by: Ivelliis ] |
<font color=skyblue>My wife is reading it now, and she already has a hunch on her own that Snape is the HBP, because he is so good at potions, and it is a used book that is more than a few years old.
About the next book, for Ivelliis's sake...the only thing I know about it at this time is that she said she would begin writing it at the end of this year, because she wants to take some time off to enjoy her daughter. </font> |
<font color=skyblue>Here is some more information I found just now, since the last post made me start looking for something,,,anything. Some of the information proves it was written a while back...before people read book six. </font><font color=ccffcc>
What we do know about the seventh book: The last word of the seventh book, according to Rowling, is "scar." She says that she has written the very last chapter already (BN) and that the last chapter contains details of what happens to each surviving character. (HPM). This is the thing that I was very dubious about showing you...(T)his is the final chapter of book seven. This is really where I wrap everything up, it’s the epilogue. And I basically say what happens to everyone after they leave school – those who survive – because there are deaths – more deaths coming. It was a way of saying to myself, ‘Well you will get it, you will get to book seven one day. And then you’ll need this!’ So I’d just like to remind all the children I know who come around my house and start sneaking into cupboards that it’s not there anymore – I don’t keep it at home anymore for very, very, very obvious reasons. So there it is. (HPM) Harry will be in his seventh and final year in book seven. The events of book seven will take place between July 31, 1997 and the end of the school year, which presumably will be June, 1998. Harry will turn seventeen on 31 July 1997, and therefore will be of age in the wizarding world and old enough to obtain a license to Apparate. Neville Longbottom will likewise be of age at the end of July 1997. Ron will turn 17 in the sixth book. Hermione will turn seventeen in September 1996, and therefore will be of age in the wizarding world and old enough to obtain a license to Apparate already in the sixth book. We will learn why some people become ghosts and some don't. (Sch1) Q: What makes some witches/wizards become ghosts after they die and some not? A: You don't really find that out until Book VII, but I can say that the happiest people do not become ghosts. As you might guess, Moaning Myrtle! NOTE: This information may have already been included in the conversation which Harry has with Nick in book five. The interview in which JKR gave this response was years before book five was written and she may have changed her plans somewhat. We will learn something very important about Lily in book seven: Now, the - the important thing about Harry's mother - the really, really significant thing - you're going to find out in two - in two parts. You'll find out a lot more about her in book five, or you'll find out something very significant about her in book five, and you'll find out something incredibly important about her in book seven. (Con) Interesting things to watch out for, if the usual progression of school life continues: In book seven, two students in Harry's year will be made Head Boy and Head Girl. They will not necessarily be Gryffindors. In book seven, Harry and his classmates will be taking their most difficult set of tests, the NEWTs, and making preparations for their careers in the wizarding world. The last chapter is written. It tells what happens to everyone after the tale is finished (those who survive) (HPM) There is no university after Hogwarts and no further Harry Potter books. Q: Do you think that you will write about Harry after he graduates from Hogwarts? Isn't there a University of Wizardry? A: (T)here's no University for Wizards. At the moment I'm only planning to write seven Harry Potter books. I won't say "never," but I have no plans to write an eighth book. (Sch1) About a possible Harry Potter encyclopedia Rowling has suggested that she might write an eighth book about Harry Potter in the form of an encyclopedia of the Wizarding World. Obviously, fans are eager to get their hands on a book of this kind, which will give them access to all the incredible detail she has created but can't fit into the novels. </font> Source: http://www.hp-lexicon.org/index-2.html |
Personally, I don't think Snape is evil and it reeks of a setup between Dumbledore and Snape... I think there's more to it. As to the last book, I'm holding out hope that Harry bites the dust and the good guys lose [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img]
Just my thoughts. |
Quote:
My guess was Sirus's brother (see above). Does anyone know if he has a middle name? I know Sirius said he got in too deep and pannicked, but Sirius was never very forgiving towards ex-death eaters, maybe his brother was tricked about Voldemorts true nature or was forced into it by the BLack family. Another thing mught be, given he wanted Voldemort to know it was he who stole the horcrux, that Voldemort did not value him and he stole the horcrux both to porve his worth and get revenge. |
I just finished reading it last night, and I agree, it was quite amazing. I'm not sure where to stand about Snape, though I'm sure his tale is far from over. I think Mr. D is really dead, though. (Now that I've said that, he will appear first thing in the next book! Gotta hold out for some hope, right?)
Does anybody keep wondering how Harry could take on Voldemort? I was just thinking, he's really weak compared to most adult wizards, let alone Voldemort. I'm thinkoing he must get a lot more powerful in the next book, and that Mr. D's death may be something that really drives him to become so. Also, it seems Mrs. Rowling is setting Harry up to be one of the more tragic heroes of our time: First his parents, then multiple trials, the Sirius, now Mr. D, who was his last true parenting figure other than the Weasleys. So, do you guys think that the locket horcrux was actually destroyed? That was left very open, though the person who took it may have died right there in that cave. Too many questions!!! Argh!!! [img]graemlins/1pissed.gif[/img] ... Wonderful read, though! [img]smile.gif[/img] |
I finished the book yesterday. I also don't think that Snape is evil... I thought so at first too, but then I thought about the time when he's talking to Bellatrix and Narcissa; he never mentions that Voldemort knows that he's an Occlumens or says that he (in the 5th book) "softened him up" for him, like Harry thought at the time. I think Voldemort would appreciate that, but he doesn't give it as a reason that he trusts him. Also, if he was evil, why did he contact the Order when Harry didn't return from the forest (5th book)? If he didn't, there was a big possibility that Harry would die and nobody would ever know that Harry asked Snape to help him... I think that Snape didn't really know what Draco was supposed to do. And once he did, somebody had to die... either him (and Draco who'd be murdered by Voldemort) or Dumbledore. I always knew he'd die though... But his death was really... weird. I thought he'd go out with a bang, and not like that. Sad. :(
|
Quote:
[ 07-20-2005, 12:28 PM: Message edited by: Spelca ] |
Quote:
I think it'll have something to do with Harry being able to love and show compassion, which Voldemort isn't able to do. I think that Harry won't "kill" Voldemort directly, but that Voldemort will be destroyed. I don't think there'll be any deadly curses involved... just Harry feeling sorry for Voldemort and showing him compassion, or something like that. I'm pretty sure that the "power the Dark Lord knows not" will have something to do with it. [img]smile.gif[/img] |
I liked it a lot. Wasn't really sure if I'd like it was something maybe with the order of the phoenix. But I can't exactly recall what happened in there so I have to read that one again.
I at least hope hogwarts is in the last book. |
<font color=skyblue>I would really like to hear what the cast thinks about this ending! I am sure none of them knew where movie six would end up until they got their copies to read this weekend. Do any of you think that the cast are freaking out as much as the fans?
~"What? She killed me off? I die in that one?!! Noooooo!!!!!" ~"I get to "snog" throughout the entire first half of the movie! Coool!"</font> |
I just had a thought *gasp*
Hogwarts Headmasters are still in the school (think portraits in the Headmasters office), and they act as they were when they were alive, but in 2D, and can only stay in the "picture world". Maybe we'll see Dumbledore back like this? |
His picture was already there when Harry was in there at the end of the book, just before the minister for magic came, IIRC
|
<font color=skyblue>Oh yes,,,the picture of Dumbledore appeared in there while Harry was in there. He was asleep at the desk in the pic.
I can easily see Harry sneaking into that office every once in a while to talk to the portrait for advice on how to do this or that. I read an interview this morning somewhere that said that DD had to be taken out of the story, or else Harry would not have been able to succeed against V. alone. It was a necessary evil to take him out... I wonder who else will die before this thing is complete? Who else will we lose, if she can so easily take DD out of the scene?</font> |
<font color=skyblue>Oh crap! I just ran into a minor spoiler right from the author's mouth in an interview about book seven. It is what is "NOT" going to be in book seven that is the spoiler. Read on if you desire.</font>
. . . . . . . . . . . Quote:
|
Quote:
Here is another minor spoiler, right from Rowling's lips about book seven. I do this for you, man!</font> . . . . . . . . Quote:
|
Quote:
I have to say I didn't like it as much as book 5, or 4 for that matter. I found the despair and hopelessness increasingly felt by Harry in book 5, where he was so isolated and everything was going wrong, very compelling reading. And book 4 had the regular peaks of the triwizard rounds to look forward to. With this one, Harry was too happy! He had people to confide in and there wasn't a great deal of sustained suspense that was present in the books 4 and 5. |
Dumledore also said that Voldemort would still be a formidable wizard, Aelia ;) The upcoming face-off between the two antagonists will be most interesting, I reckon.
|
I also expect Harry will get some help from Malfoy. He did feel sorry for him at the end of this book, so he'll probably end up saving him... :D
|
Snape: Annoyingly, Rowling can still turn Snape any way she wants, we won't know which side he was REALLY on (if, indeed, he was on any side) until the very end of Book 7. His actions on the Astronomy tower were heinous indeed, but consider what choice he had: D was obviously a goner anyway, not killing him would have cost the Order their most valuable double agent, and then of course he was bound by the Vow. Then again, the very fact that he agreed to the Vow, before knowing the exact wording, pretty much proves that he was working for Voldemort all along.
But no matter which side he was really on, dollars to donuts says Harry's going to kill him. D: I'm sure he will still talk to Harry through the pictures, but with a limitation: He cannot give help or information, only advice. (Which is also how McGonnagall gets around Harry's annoying silent treatment.) I am positive that he won't be coming back from the dead or anything: Not only was he killed pretty much three times, but resurrecting him is just too damned cliche. Besides, what we've seen in the whole Potter series is a cycle: Each time Harry reaches a new level of training to become ready for Voldemort, another layer of his protections is stripped away. Thus, it was actually necessary for D to die: So far, we've seen Harry learn how to fight: Now he needs to learn to fight. Not that I think Harry will defeat Voldemort in a duel; as has been previously said, it is love that will defeat Voldemort, not power. And it might not even be Harry: IIRC, Neville Longbottom is still in the running as being "The Chosen One." We might see a flashback to the end of Book I, when Harry, Ron & Hermione got Gryffindor to within spitting distance of the House Cup, but it was Neville who gave them the final push. (So, the final battle is the entire Order of the Phoenix against Voldemort, but the masterstroke is Neville dropping a cauldron of love potion on Voldemort's head from a balcony, right?) Personally, I felt the events leading up to D's death were just too damn contrived, because he kept making a string of stupid mistakes: Is it wise to take the hope of the world into mortal peril without even reconnoitering first? Why did he have to take the Horcrux away, why couldn't he have destroyed it right there? Did the concept of dipping out some potion and simply dumping it out on the ground not even occur to him? Etc. But Rowling does sometimes make realism play second fiddle to serving the plot: Remember that the main thrust of ALL of Goblet of Fire was a secret plan to make Harry....wait for it....touch an object. It could have been ANY object! A rolled-up pair of socks in Harry's trunk would have done just as well, but noooo, they had to get involved in the most complicated, least reliable plan imaginable. Hogwarts: Harry said he wasn't going back, and I can certainly see him abandoning his Herbology for some intense dueling practices with Mad-Eye Moody and the other Aurors, but if Rowling says he's taking his N.E.W.T.s, then I guess it's back to Hogwarts, then. Of course, the final battle would probably take place there, anyway. Horcruxes: I doubt the little gold cup theory: Voldemort would only have that much attachment to some random object that Helga owned if he could get a complete set, something owned by all four of them. What I'm guessing is that one of the Horcruxes is being guarded by V himself (last place you'd look, isn't it?), and another is at Hogwarts: Given V's attachment to the place, at least one must be there, and that's not counting the one that ended up there. The possibility of the Sorting Hat occurred to me, but that hardly sems likely, given what we know of the Hat. Death: This is not a prediction, because if Rowling actually did kill this person, Lord knows how many of her fans would be pissed, and rightly so. But here's my evaluation: Hermione must die. Think about it: For her entire Hogwarts career (and even previously), she has been out-Ravenclawing the entire House Ravenclaw every time she turns a corner. She's got her setup of Lessons, Studying, Homework and Exams down cold, and she's an obvious shoo-in for Head Girl next year, unless there's someone out there who got straight O's on her O.W.L.s. Also, whenever anyone is urging Harry and Ron not to do something stupid/brave, it's (practically) always Hermione. Those times when she does find herself doing something heroic, she usually got there through either peer pressure or sheer dumb luck. Therefore, she clearly belongs in Ravenclaw, and almost as clearly does not belong in Gryffindor. Yet the Sorting Hat put her in Gryffindor. Therefore, she's going to have to perform the ultimate act of bravery, one that can overcome all of her Ravenclaw tendencies and make her a true Gryffindor: She's got to sacrifice herself to save Harry and/or Ron. [ 07-22-2005, 01:55 AM: Message edited by: SixOfSpades ] |
Quote:
|
<font color=skyblue>Spades...I hope you are wrong there about Hermoine.
Now, two people that I am SURE will live through to the end is Luna (Rowling's favorite student), and Hagrid (Curses just bounce off the guy!). </font> |
Actually, Six, Neville is pretty much out of the running as "Chosen One." They mentioned that in book 5. Since Voldemort chose Harry, he's pretty much screwed. And I doubt she'll have Harry kill Snape, doesn't seem like her style. We'll see though.
|
Quote:
[ 07-22-2005, 02:41 PM: Message edited by: Spelca ] |
The guy that died was NOT who you think it was.. Remember the polyjuice? They didn't talk about it for nothing. [img]smile.gif[/img] And the hand thing is something you'll see explained in Book 7.
DD knew what was going to happen because of another teacher (one that was mad at DD at the end) See, DD needed to go underground to find these items. Now, WHO do you think was the fake DD? And remember in the last book, there was NO body recovered when Black died--and they made a point to say this. So.... ;) And my prediction for Book 7: Malfroy and Potter team up. [ 07-26-2005, 05:12 AM: Message edited by: Ziroc ] |
Hmm, interesting theories altogether, and maybe true as well.
However: - The Polyjuice potion was mentioned as well because of Crabbe and Goyle being disguised as little girls to alert Malfoy in the Room of Requirement. So the reason from emphasizing the potion could as well have been this. - Why is it that Dumledore needs to go underground to find the Horcruxes? He's a potent enough wizard to go out and about on his own, he doesn't have to fear anybody. No need to use Polyjuice potion for that. - If he did use the Polyjuice potion, and it was someone else killed on that fateful night, then it surely wouldn't be Sirius Black. Remember what happened to him in Order of the Phoenix? He disappeared through one of those portals/veils whatever they were. They couldn't recover his body through that. I admit that Sirius' death was rather all of the sudden, but I think that's intentional, because for both the reader and Harry it would be a shock. On top of that, would Dumdledore keep Sirius from Harry? And why? Malfoy and Potter teaming up would indeed be a good option. Good thinking! |
Wormtail had a sore right hand covered in a glove in the Spinners End chapter.
DD had badly burnt right hand... ALso, why has a DADA teacher survived a year? Not sure where I'm going with this. SOmething was definately not what it seemed with the death. Also, would DD have led Harry after a Horcrux in the way he did? Seems against his nature somehow. |
Would Peter have protected Harry from the Inferi?
EDIT: Couldn't it have been the other way around? Dumbledore was actually Peter Pettigrew in that particular chapter? [ 07-26-2005, 10:10 AM: Message edited by: Link ] |
Quote:
|
Any guesses at who R.A.B could be?
|
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:21 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
©2024 Ironworks Gaming & ©2024 The Great Escape Studios TM - All Rights Reserved