Tens of thousands of people, of all ages, all around the world, were sitting down today to read the one book. The hype does get a bit wearing, but the fact that the world is getting this excited about a book can only be a good thing.…
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
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— go to most recent comments26 - Natalie Bennett
Wait for the next book - I think you'll feel better then.
27 - Sebastian
I just finished the book and was shocked by the ending - Dumbledore's death and that Snape really did it. But I think I had some "deeper" look into some lines, for example the lines where Dumbledore is pleading - HE IS NOT PLEADING FOR HIS LIFE!!!! - he wants to be killed by SNAPE!!!! I am sure, just look again and let me explain: in the middle of the book Dumbledore and Snape argue with each other and we know that from Hagrid who couldn't stop overhearing them. Snape said sth. like that he won't do some things any longer but why in hell should he be so stupid to tell that he does not want to be a spy any longer?? I think he made some kind of agreement with Dumbledore to obey every order he gives Snape, just like Harry does. So I am absolutely sure that Dumbledore wants to be killed be Snape because he knew Voldemort gave poor Draco Malfoy the order to kill Dumbledore. Then I suppose, Dumbeldore wanted Harry to see that Draco is not as bad as he thought, that he is not a killer. For some reason Draco's and Harry's relationship will become important in the next book. Dumbledore did not want Draco to become a murderer, so he ordered Snape to do it!
you can see that in the reaction of Snape on top of the tower. He (snape) comes up the stairs, looks around. He does not raise his wand. Dumbledore then says "Severus....", snape gets this look of hate, but thsi is not hate for Dumbledore but hate for himself, that he has to kill his mentor dumbeldore. He raises his wand only after Dumbledore saying "Severus......please."
After that he does not finish off any other people, not even Harry. You could say that he wants him alive for his master. But he is only blocking Harry's curses, he definetly could have stupefied Harry and coul dhave taken him with him to Voldemort, but he did not.
This was all precisely planned by Dumbledore to smuggle Snape as deep as possible into Voldemort's base and to beware Draco from becoming a murderer and also to let Harry see everything what happened on top of the Astronomy tower.
If you do not believe me, read through these passages again and think about it before you think I got mad.
I am sure we will see in the last book, that Snape still is on the side of the order and will help to destroy voldemort, as well as Malfoy will help Harry to destroy Voldemort.
The only thing I did not like is when Harry tells Ginny that they cannot be together.... this is to much like the ending of SPIDERMAN 1.
tell me what you think about my idea of Dumbledores plan!!!
28 - Danielle
I totally agree that Snape is not necessarily evil...when I first finished the book I was shocked, but like Sebastian said I went back and reread the death scene and I think Dumbledore WAS begging Snape to kill him, perhaps to prevented Draco from the choice of either becoming a murderder or being murdered. IDumbledore did not fear death, I think it is likely he would have died for one of his students to protect what he considers sacred. Also, Snape doesn't kill Harry...which is a pretty big thing. I think the reason he gets enraged at being called a coward is because he has just done the hardest thing ever. The only problem with this theory is the dupposed malice that Harry sees on Snapes face right before he kills Dumbledore.
29 - ajem
Sebastien and Daniells have it right, in my opinion. Also, not only does Snape not kill Harry or take him with him, he gives him a lesson in the process, reminding him of the importance of occlumency - "blocked again and again until you learn to keep you mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter". Why would Snape be giving Harry advice for the future? He also keeps telling Harry "No!" as though her's interfering with Dumbledore's and Snape's plans. He also prevented Harry from using one of the unforgiveable curses, thereby sparing him the wrath of the Ministry.
Also, who is this mysterious R.A.B.? Who is this great wizard who can get out the Horcrux by himself when Dumbledore needed Harry's help? Could it be all part of the greater plan again or a clue to Harry going forward? And how does R.A.B. know that he "will be dead long before you read this"?
If you read closely, Snape did not break his unbreakable vow - he jumped through all the loopholes. It was not necessary that he help Malfoy. Fenrir or another deatheater would have done the job since Malfoy didn't. Notice how Snape hesitated slightly before promising the 3rd part of the unbreakable vow; he was thinking if the wording was correct and he could manage a loophole. ALso notice how he stared deeply into Narcissa's eyes, Snape, the accomplished occlumens. And yes, Dumbledore was protecting Draco and also giving Harry additional information goring forward.
Other quotes, "for a split second, he (Dumbledore) seemed to hang suspended beneath the singing skull" - some Snape-like variation off the acutal Avada Kedavra curse?
Agreed, the pressure getting to Snape when being called a coward. He, who is nearly the bravest of them all, tricking Voldemort, and only Dumbledore knows. Maybe some actual guilt at giving away James and Lily to their deaths - but he can't tell harry this, of course - very frustrating for Snape, I imagine.
And wold Dumbledore, greatest wizard of his age, even in his weakened condition, really have been surprised by Malfoy and lose his wand to him? What about all the magic Dumbledore can do without his wand - where was that? And how could Dumbledore have ovelooked the vanishing cabinets? Of course, he parlyzed Harry so that 1. Harry was witness to everything, 2. Harry could learn, get clues, etc. 3. Harry would keep the fire burning to "get" Voldemort, and maybe most importantly 4. he could not intefere with Dumbledore's and Snape's plans.
My one worry is that this was too easy to figure out. If my 9-year-old twins can figure these things out within 1 hour of finishing the book, it may just be a red herring on JKR's part. But it all does make sense, doesn't it?
30 - Natalie Bennett
No, I think nine-year-olds are about right - they're smart enough, but also interested enough to put serious thought into it.
31 - eve
well,dumbledore is definitely dead.but there is more to this snape-dumbledore story than we know.
32 - noname1988
Dumbledore cannot vanished from the books easy like a Die-In-Action guy. In fact, I'm sure( or hope) JK IS NOT such a bad writer to push Snape into Dark side after 5 books building his unclear and complex image. Remember, in book 5 Harry catched a glimpse of Snape childhood : lonely, no family, no friend at home and Hogwarts. Pay attention to "Severus...please", "I'm not a coward"...
Well, the next book we'll have a clear explaination of this Snape-Dumbledore story.
Oh oh, what's ya think about the romance here???? FAREWELL CHO CHANG, HELLO LOVELY GINNY. I don't like Harry sudden love with Ginny after years following Cho( I don't see her in book 6). But Ron-Hermy relationships' good.
It's a very difficult task for JK now to end big plans , love and struggles in the final book.
33 - albert_bryan
that dumbledore-snape theory has its points. it would make the ending easier for the 7th book.
think about it how hard it will be for harry potter to finish voldemort. he has to go thru the death eaters, snape then voldemort. that's not counting the dementors, giants and werewolves. i am assuming draco would be dead since he didn't finish his mission. plus all that horcrux he needs to collect and destroy.
at most, harry can count on whats left of the order of the phoenix. but it seems they are slowly losing the battle. (no more sirius, dumbledore)
and lets face it, harry still has a long way to go in dueling, as shown by snape. so it would be convenient for snape and malfoy to help harry in the end. and probably some help from wormtail.
34 - dtu
Harry Potter should be trusting Snape, for, according to me, Snape would have known the presence of Harry when Dumbledore was hit by the Avada Kedavara Curse but still he didn't disclose it for Harry's protection and Dumbledore's 'PLEASE'.
35 - riptide
Hope it's not too late to jump into this thread. I think R.A.B. would be Regulus Black as he decided at the last minute to rethink being a death eater but he had gotten in too far.
As to the Snape-Dumbledore death at the end, Dumbledore was insistent on Harry getting Snape and Dumbledore could have freed himself if he wanted to by not freezing Harry and letting him take out Draco. He obviously wanted Harry to see the good side of Draco and was not panicked by the fighting down below. I think his begging Snape was to go through with their plans and that the final scene was in fact what they were arguing about that Hagrid overheard.
36 - Jack
I am happy with The Half Blood Prince. I was entertained and found it a fun read.
Just like Sirius Black, I do not think Dumbledore is out of the story permantly. Weather it be a well timed post or apperation of one or both of them, I feel they have more to offer the story.
Dumbledore seems to be above misjudging the likes of Snape. I would not be suprised at all to find out it was all a set up to save Dracco and his family.
It will be fun finding out. Thanks for the forum and thanks to JK for the great fun I have had reading this series.
37 - ajem
Thanks for the reminder on Dumbledore insisting that Harry get Snape. It was only Snape who could do what must be done - not Pomfrey.
Regulus Black - only R.A.B. that we know of (assuming the middle initial is an 'A' and discounting Hermione's library research) - good call.
Also, yes, Harry will need help - and from more than the likes of Ron and Hermione. He's already felt a "small amount of pity" for Snape and Malfoy, so may be willing, under the right circumstances, to accept their assistance. Plus, Malfoy now has as much to gain as anyone by the removal of Voldemort. And he's proven, at least for the time being, that while he may be a supreme jerk, her's not a killer. Voldemort may still need Draco to prove his devotion by taking that next step, though.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione dropping out of Hogwarts for their 7th years? Possible, but maybe Dumbledore's will (if he has one) specifies that Harry stay for his 7th year, learn occlumency, etc. Or, he uses some other magical means. If Dumbledore planned things this well, he must also have additional plans for Harry so that he is better-prepared to face Voldemort.
38 - Natalie Bennett
And if you don't like this ending, try an alternative-style one, here. You can choose from Chaucer, Le Carre, Helen Fielding and Sappho, among others. (Hat-tip to Early Modern Notes.)
39 - pn
Dumbledore will be back. What is his pet? What happens before the tomb appears? What does Harry think he sees just after flames engulf his body?
If dark magic can create a horcrux, perhaps there's another way to preserve a soul through powerful good magic. Perhaps it is vitally important that everyone, including Snape, believes that Dumbledore is dead so that Snape will truly earn Voldemort's trust and so he can go about secretly or disguised to help find the horcruxes...
I'd look for a new, mysterious character in #7 that turns out to be a disguised Dumbledore.
Or maybe it's just wishful thinking...
40 - Gail
When Harry and Dumbledore were in the lake, the book never actually said that either one picked up the horcrux. It said something about Harry barely registering seeing the locket. How did the locket get into Dumbledore's pocket?
41 - Mukesh
I just wish Dumbledore comes back. I was really devastated when I found out that Dumbledore is dead. :(
42 - srt
i thought there were supposed to be 8 books...but anyway i think that dumbledore is going to guide harry in order to defeat voldemort...and i think that the phoenix fawkes has alot to do with dumbledore and he might be like a part of dumbledore(not like a horcrux)that can help harry out.Why do u think they named it the order of the phoenix...dumbledore was kinda the leader of that group so maybe he is like part of the phoenix...as in the order of dumbledore...they cant just not have dumbledore in the other books
...in the second book fawks cured harry by his tear and that was dumbledore saving harry once again
43 - srt
someone respond...
44 - lazaros
all the others headmasters where in portraits and i think dumbledore will be too.........he will gives tips and lessons to harry to face u know who :P
45 - maniac-
lazaros i think is right.dumbledore will have only this way to help harry.ginny will die,ron and hermione will get in love fleur will be death eater bill will be a half blood werewolf harry will die with voldermort and harry will kill snape before he know the truth and last malfoy will help
46 - malakas
fred and george will play a serious role in the 7th book
47 - srt
if they could communicate through the portrait then why didnt harry bother to say hi to dumbledore in the end of the book when his portrait was up?
48 - not necessary
Rowling will have to do a lot to redeem herself in the final installmnent of the Harry Potter series. Killing off one of the most revered characters - Dumbledore and in such a despicable way, there surely must be a twist to this for everything to make complete sense. What message would she be trying to put across otherwise ? That it is not worth completely trusting people, that people never become completely repentant? The essence of who Dumbledore is and more so what Harry represents will be reduced to nothing if there isn't more to this Dumbledore - Snape tale. And I must add that the first 500 or so pages were a drag, none of that Rowling magic from before that seemed to keep you hooked until that unforgettable climax.
49 - dude
i agree about dumbledore's picture
50 - Diana
I hate that dumbledore has died but i couldn't believe that he was killed by snape ...and i also believe that Dumbledore told Snape to kill him because if you notice in the book everytime Harry says something about Snape Dumbledore always reminds him to say "Professor Snape" not just snape i really wish we could have learned more about the prince like during the books i think if we had gotten more clues about a way to figure out who it was instead of just Snape saying he was and then finding some articles about his mothers name. J. K. Rowling really hit me hard with this book and some people might think it is insane but after reading the book i was very depressed i wanted to cry for days becasue of Dumbledore dying , Snape supposedly going evil and Harry wanting to go on alone. i believe Harry could still be with Ginny cause i think that Ginny could have been really useful although i didn't really agree with Harry liking her to begin with cause all of a sudden it comes out that he likes her i think that in previous books it needed to be made more clear that harry liked her.
51 - sean
for all of you mourning dumbledores demise. it would be well advised to visit dumbledoreisnotdead.com for clues hidden in the half blood prince. but i think you hardcore hp & dumbledore fans already know of this site
52 - ReVarre
Eh, don't you think that dumbledore had some reason to let Snape teach DADA? I think dumbledore wanted (as most people said already) snape to kill him, in front of the death eaters to recieve trust by "you know who" ... lol he most likely wanted to be let to know where all the horcruxes where and then he had enough info for harry to just find them and destroy them, I think he wont aid them because he will die if he do that :P
53 - Nivan
JKR placed a lot of emphasis on the reltionship of trust that existed between Snape and Dumbledore. Surely this must an elaborate plan to undermine Voldemort from within his organisation. Harry must now learn to use what he has seen and learnt to gather himself for one last effort to kill Voldemort and revenge his parents death. What I dont understand is surely Dumbledore must have known how the death eaters entered Hogwarts, and what Draco was up to, seeing he never misses a thing thats goes on within his school. I cant believe Dumbledore is dead and it seems a long way to go to mislead people from the Ministry and in fact the entire school
54 - Namia
I just wanted to say the following to all those who are still hoping that Dumbledore might not really be dead: As much as I understand that you wish he was not dead (cause so do I very,very badly!!), he has to be because had Snape spared his life by some means we do not yet know of as readers, he himself would have died on the spot seeing as he had sworn the unbreakable vow. So Dumbledore was definitly hit by the killing curse from Snape! Unless he is to become the "man who lived", he is therefore dead. I also think that most would agree that Dumbledore was going to die at some point anyway though I myself had really hoped that this would not already happen in the sixth book. I doubt that J.K.Rowling would stage his death so elaboratly only to bring him back and let him be killed "again" in the seventh book.
Generally I must say that I love HP6! It made it all a lot more serious though...it seems as though it is going to end not as it started, as a funny adventure story with some serious thoughts hidden in between the lines but as a tragical hero story that can hardly be seen fit for 10 or 11 years! I
55 - ajem
Great comments, everyone! A couple more from us.
First, Snape would NOT have been killed had he not killed Dumbledore. Look closely at our previous note and look closely at the exact wording of the unbreakable vow Snape gave to Narcissa. "If it's necessary" are the key words. Fenrir and another death eater were ready, willing, and able to kill Dumbledore for Malfoy, so it wasn't "necessary" that Snape do so.
Also, back to Regulus Black. This becomes more intriguing all the time. The great dark wizarding family, Regulus already out of the picture (his note predicted well) and Harry has inherited the Black family house, full of it's dark history, pictures, and artifacts. Artifacts? Kreeture always doing something in the attic? Does anyone smell a horcrux right underneath Harry's nose?
Yes, I want Dumbledore to live, too, but I think that book 7 will still work without him, maybe just a few pieces of advice or assistance coming from beyond the grave. After all, Harry has to kill Voldemort, not Dumbledore, right?
The great thing is that JKR has it set up so that she can go either way with it.
56 - PAUL
I think some good points were made here, i agree that these books grip your imagination/attention & are the only ones ive only ever really enjoyed too, so anyone with any recomendations please say, this book definatley finnished unusually to the others with a lot of questions unanswered making way for the the finale. ie; Snapes potion book was dated 50yrs prior to harry so he ruled out on this basis that it wasnt his dads, must have been a pass down from snapes mum then - was she the prince? harry and ginny, that was a weird one i hope ginny comes back in the harry ron hermione team. hagrid is mates with giants so im sure big bruv will help with his hommies in the next book too in a big climatic battle. I hope Dumbledore will intrust his pensive to harry and leave some more memories (see, another way to bring back dumby) oh, and where does his wand end up, hmmmm...intresting. I think Dumbledore will have also made Snape...oops i mean Proffesor Snape do an unbreakable promise too about the avada curse, thats why Snape took great offence at Harry at the end. Choo was so nearly mentioned on two occasions too? We usually have these questions answered towards the end....but now im so excited for the next one im almost peeing my pants. Thouroghly enjoyed it though, it was a book full of magic. JKR rocks!
57 - Alex
I think that Dumbledore is not dead because he did not plead for mercy from Voldemort who is a much better wizard than Snape so i think that it is Dumbledores plan to fool Voldemort to attack Harry when he thinks that he is unprepared and then Dumbledore and Snape will come to Harry's recue
58 - Mihos
what is the meaning of the title? What's with the half blood?
59 - Sebastian
I am glad must of us agree on my Dumbledore - Snape theory :)
To the people who don't like the relationship between Harry and Ginny or maybe that they just fell in Love so fast: have you guys ever been 15 or 16? I for my part fell very quickly in love after a short period of time with the ladies and why shouldn't Harry fall in love with Ginny more than one year after his failed relationship to Cho Chang? Come on... think about the time being a teenager... this makes sense!!!! ;)
@ Mihos: Snape is the Half-Blood-Prince, he is a half blood (half wizard - half muggle born), his mother was a pure blood but his father a muggle...
60 - Tina
This book was really good, but the ending just absolutely sucked...ok in the last one w/ sirus's death, u would think that she would explain it in the 6th but noooooo...then u get dumbledore's death, and now all i can hope for is a explanation...ok fine "harry will learn to be independent"..but why not wait till book7?? perhaps let dumbledore at least see the locket that was apparently a fake...aaaaaaaaaaaargh..hated this ending...and taking harry out of hogwarts? u'd think that after what the professors said in the end w/ "if we teach one pupil, then the school will be open for him" or something among those lines, that harry should be the one student...but oh well, lets wait for book 7...does any1 know when its comin out?
61 - Paul
Yeah i agree with the Ginny explanation, its just id like to think that she will be there with him rather than for him on his adventures a bit like Lilly and James when they were at Hogwarts.
A couple of questions which i didnt really get to grips with first time round though wondering if you can help?
1)The potions book being 50years old?
2)Dumbledores wand?
3)Gryfindors new head of house - will it be Hagrid?
4)RAB? The note was obviously intended for Voldemort...
5)Did Snape have an unbreakable vow with Dumbledore?
6)Where is the place he is heading too after the wedding "where it all began"? He has to see the Dursleys once more, why or more specifically for what? Will he go back to Sirius old home?
62 - Timmy001
Hey people, I have been reading many people that think Harry is one of the Horcuxes, well if that is the case, then Nevile is the chosen one and Nevile will have to kill Harry before he can kill Voldemort
63 - Ominously
Ok, first of all I would like to say that the seventh book dragged it's ass. Most of the story was rather pointless, and was relatively boring. The only interesting thing that happened was Dumbledores death. A little obvious was the fact about Malfoy whole scheme, i mean J.K you screwed the suspense from the start
Secondly, i'm very angry with Harry being a coward and not continuing his relationship with Cho Chang, I MEAN GOD wtf you "loved her" for like most of the series you idiot, and yet you "fall in love" with Ginny in a heart beat. Ginny i would also like to add is quiet wrong for Harry in my view. I mean seriously SHE IS RON'S sister and god she is only in YR 4! That would be like me dating a Yr 8, Wrong! It annoys me and frustrates me deeply, hopefully he will leave Ginny alone in the 7th book.... (Prays)
64 - Sebastian
Ginny is in year 5, she entered Hogwarts in book 2 "chamber of secrets" so she hast to be a fith year!!!!!!!
what the hell is wrong about falling in love with your best mate's sister?
@Paul:
- the book seems to be the one of Snape's mother, and Snape wrote in it
- Nothin gis said about Dumbledore's wand but I suppose it will just be picked up by someone and be destroyed (who could use it anyhow? -the wand chooses its wizard...)
- Maybe Hagrid, yes, why not? would be nice wouldn't it? But maybe McGonnagal will stay as Head od House and become Headmistress
- RAB: there are some people thinking that RAB coul be Regulus (A.?)Black, Sirius' older brother who could have decided on turning his back to voldemort in the last consequence...
- I also think that Snape had an unbreakable vow with Dumbledore but there is no evidence for that theory - yet
- I think he will go back to his parents' house where they have been killed (where it all began) by voldemort. he has to go back to the Dursleys because firstly Dumbledore wanted him to because until his 17th birthday Harry will be protected by a powerful spell cast upon his "home" at the Dursleys.
- Maybe he will go back to the house of sirius, I suppose there also could be some hints for those Horcruxes...
Still I like Harry's and Ginny's relationship. With 16 and 15 years one clearly hast the right to fall in love with another girl tha the one you fell in love 2 years before. Cho and Harry cannot bear to look at each other, because too much happened between them to be in love!
65 - mintmcneil
Its quite obvious that Dumbledore wanted Snape to kill him. It was a plan to get Snape further into the dark side so in the end he can find the dark lords weaknesses and help Harry. Why would Snape give Harry the power of non verbal spells and even when harry is casting spells at him he only blocked them and gave harry advice on how to make them better.
When Dumbledore says severus please
its like when he was making Harry swear to do whatever he tells him to do. This is asking severus to go through with the plan.
The locket was in the fifth book- when it said an unopenable locket in the blacks house. It is Regulus Black who stole the locket first he died before he had a chance of working on the magic and destryoing it. The fact he calls him the dark lord means he is a death eater who is backstabbing voldermort.
The sorting hat is diffinatly a horcruxes because it belonged to griffendor and jk said as the books go on the readers will find out more about what the sorting hat becomes.
I reckon it was quite foolish of Harry to turn down the help of Ginny because she is a very talented witch who would help Harry.
Dumbledore pointed out time after time that Malfoy was not a killer or even that evil he was only obeying orders for the safety of his family. I can see him as a potentual ally of Harry's.
I'm sure that dumbledore completley dead he will offer his advice through another way and i see the portrait or the pheonix as a worthwhile guess.
My guess is Harry will survive but will lose his most dearest 2 friends Ron and Hermonie and may lose Ginny.
If this happens I'm not sure how Harry would react and he may comit suricide. But my guess is as good as yours. Also this may be too dark for a childrens book but you never know
66 - mintmcneil
Dumbledore was definatly killed by Snape thats why the curse that paralysed Harry was lifted becasuse the person who cursed it had died.
67 - Phillip Winn
Please be more careful with spoilers -- comments are displayed on the sidebar even when people don't visit this page.
68 - Randy McCullough
I just finished the book. I have enjoyed all of the books in the series and the Half Blood Prince is no exception. Since the ending is already common Knowledge I wish to comment on it.
First, I was surprised that Snape was the "Prince". It kept me guessing.
Second, was the untimely death of Dumbledore. Personally, I don't feel like we have seen the last of Dumbledore. There were too many hints and unexplained situations.
Why did Dumbledore have to drink the potion in the Cauldron to get the horcrux? Why not just dip it out unless the potion had another use? What about the fake Horcrux? Was it really fake or could it have been used by OH Say...Dumbledore???
And why did Dumbledore insist on Harry going to Snape? And Didn't Snape appear to be a little apprehensive about his encounter on the roof? And then if Snape is really the villian one is suppose to assume, why didn't he just kill Harry instead of deflecting his curses and hexes?
I think we will find that Snape really was on the side of good but still did not want to blow his cover for the "Greater Good". That he did not really kill Dumbledore but somehow sent his soul into the fake Horcrux and that the potion that Albus drank was a major factor.
69 - ajem
Dumbledore's wand - go back and read the drunken song sung by Hagrid and Slughorn - mention of snapping a wizard's wand in two upon his death. Any mention of snapping Dumbledore's wand in two at his funeral? And would the good wizards want D's wand to fall into the hands of evil? Also, no Dumbledore body seen at burial, hint of blue phoenix in flames (hmmm, could this be the same shade of blue as D's eyes?), a long stretch of Phoenix-song after D falls out the window, and other AK curse victims simply fall to the ground and die, but D flies out the window instead? Hmm, maybe this wasn't the standard AK curse after all.
Or, look at it this way. JKR has had a few inconsistencies in the series over the course of 6 books. It's inevitable with so much going on. But for the most part, things have been well-woven and consistent over time. However, the D and Snape inconsistencies are bunched together inone book and there are too many of them to have happened just by chance.
Interesting tidbit here - look at D's converstaion with Malfoy - "you can't be killed if you're already dead". This quote (or paraphrase of it, since I'm going from memory here) is in the American version of the book, but NOT the English version. Did JKR realize that she gave too much away with this clue and then remove it from the English version, but was too late for the US?
Completely forgot about the unopenable locket in Book 5 - there's one more horcrux.
Also, the sorting hat as a horcrux, from the house of Gryffindor, interesting thought - could be . . ., but there all that time right under D's nose?
70 - Leah
The first time I read this book,I was slightly disappointed.But the second time I readb it,I realized it was one of J.K Rowlings best Harry Potter books yet.
She really changed the characters but it was for the best.
It's preparing us for the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter saga.
71 - aruna
i completely agree that something is strange about dumbledore's death an i am sure we do have somthing interesting to look for in the seventh book..there are many clues and many well plotted but hidden hints as to what would play off..but i think everyone is forgetting a major part...dumbledore's picture appeared in his office...along with the other deceased headmasters...isn't this a sign that he MAY be really dead...if this is so...at least harry would b able to speak to him through the portrait just as dumbledore was able to speak to past headmasters like phineas nigellus etc etc...agreed?? trini fan!!! this book was a bit dissapoinin....jk haz sum serious work to do on the seventh...**aruna**
72 - Amanda Konopa
I know this sixth book is one of my favorite's of JKRs (I thoroughly enjoyed #4 as well) but anyways I think that a lot of you have great points that I wouldn't think of. A few problems that I'm having is what Harry said about not returning to Hogwarts in his seventh year. Although he has saved many people and fought Voldemort many times I'm afraid he does not yet have enough skill to do what needs to be done be himself or just with the help of Ron and Hermione. And furthermore, who else will he confide in and ask for help because he refused to tell even Professor McGonagell things that have happened and she's the Head of his House, new headmistress, and a member of the order. Will he possibly be trusting just his teenage friends? Or possibly the other Weasleys? Or maybe even Lupin and Tonks? But why wouldn't he tell McGonagell? That's really bothering me.
And about these Horcruxes... how will he find them? Although he knows the identity of a few, how will he find them? How did Dumbledore find them? I do firmly believe that the Sorting Hat is not a horcrux as it has been in Dumbledore's office for all that time and the only other artifact of Gryffindor was the sword and I don't believe that Voldemort got a hold of that either. So he must have something of Ravenclaw's... but what?
I believe that Dumbledore is truly dead and that he will be communicating through the portrait in his office, but I just don't know how it works with the portraits, if you can remember everything or not. And if Harry indeed does not return to Hogwarts or God forbid the school is closed which I don't think could really continue for the length of the entire book, how would Harry get in touch with the portait, as we all know he cannot Apparate inside of Hogwarts.
There are so many questions that need to be anwered and I cannot wait for the seventh book. Does anyone know when it will be coming out?
73 - kris c
Hated it, the story not on line with the former books. The plot was surprising but not unexpected. Hope the 7th be better.
P.S. The goblet was the best book for me.
74 - Jokilyn
Okay, I just finished the book last night, and I must admit I was pretty mad!! I hardly slept my thoughts were so occupied with what had happened. (Kudos to JKR for writing a book so well that could create such emotional turmoil) Thank you to eveyone whos comments have helped ease my mind and bring back the suspense of what will happen in book 7. I had another thought...
If Horcruxes are so evil, and the only way to perform them is to murder....what about opposition in all things? Could there possibly be some deed that is so knoble that a good witch/wizard could split their soul? Could Fawkes possibly be just an extention of Dumbledore's spirit? Harry mentions seeing Fawkes for a brief second in the flash of light that becomes Dumbledore's tomb. Just a thought....I guess I'm just wracking my brain trying to come up with ways that Dumbledore might NOT be gone for good.
Thoughts/Feedback...????
75 - ajem
We've been so focused on the past (i.e., this book), that we've neglected to look at the future. Don't you think that Voldemort will want proof of D's death? Don't you think that he'll want to hear details? Don't you think he'll be suspicious when he hears that D was flunf out the window? And then, don't you think he'll check Snape's wand, to see what the most recent spells were that came out of it (can't the spell history of wands be checked)? So, even if Snape did perform a non-verbal spell to counteract the AK curse, won't that have gone through the wand as well and still be there for Voldemort's perusal? Still searching for a loophole for that one (other than that V simply doesn't bother to check). Either D is really dead or he used some other means (potion + phoenix?) to thwart the AK curse.