Apparently 6th year = a lot of work. The kids are stressed and
trying to keep up with all their assignments. Nonverbal spells
were expected in Charms, Transfiguration, and Defense Against the
Dark Arts.
They still have not gone to see Hagrid. Ron says that they hated
his subject and makes fun of Grawp. Harry and Hermione both miss
him. Hermione doesn’t hate his subject, she hates not seeing
him. Harry promises her that they’ll visit right after the
Quidditch try outs.
During breakfast, owls arrive from Flourish and Blotts for Ron
and Harry with their new Potions books. Harry has devised a way
to keep the Half-Blood Prince’s book. He switches the covers so
that the book is disguised as a new copy.
Harry is nervous about being captain and notes that more kids are
trying out that before. Hermione points out that Harry has never
been more fanciable. He is interesting and fascinating. Harry
blushes at these comments. Ron is jealous, stating he is
comparable to Harry. Hermione just ignores him. Ron can never
handle when Harry gets more attention.
The Daily Prophet arrives and they learn that Stan Shunpike of
the Knight Express has been arrested. Everyone is getting antsy
– the Patils’ parents want to withdraw them and others have left
already. Yesterday, Hannah Abbott’s mother was found dead.
Dumbledore might be leaving the school for stretches on Order
business. Hermione points out that “it’s all looking serious.”
On the way out to the field, Lavender smiles at Ron and wishes
him luck. Ron’s walk turns into a strut. Harry notices that
Hermione looks cold and distant. This may be due to the fact
that they were just discussing death and danger and not because
she is in love with Ron.
There are hoards of people at tryouts. Most of them are there
just to get a gander at Harry. McLaggen tries out for keeper
against Ron but only saves 4 out of 5 goals. He missed the last
one so miserably that he looks like he was Confunded. The rest
of the team are as follows:
trying to keep up with all their assignments. Nonverbal spells
were expected in Charms, Transfiguration, and Defense Against the
Dark Arts.
They still have not gone to see Hagrid. Ron says that they hated
his subject and makes fun of Grawp. Harry and Hermione both miss
him. Hermione doesn’t hate his subject, she hates not seeing
him. Harry promises her that they’ll visit right after the
Quidditch try outs.
During breakfast, owls arrive from Flourish and Blotts for Ron
and Harry with their new Potions books. Harry has devised a way
to keep the Half-Blood Prince’s book. He switches the covers so
that the book is disguised as a new copy.
Harry is nervous about being captain and notes that more kids are
trying out that before. Hermione points out that Harry has never
been more fanciable. He is interesting and fascinating. Harry
blushes at these comments. Ron is jealous, stating he is
comparable to Harry. Hermione just ignores him. Ron can never
handle when Harry gets more attention.
The Daily Prophet arrives and they learn that Stan Shunpike of
the Knight Express has been arrested. Everyone is getting antsy
– the Patils’ parents want to withdraw them and others have left
already. Yesterday, Hannah Abbott’s mother was found dead.
Dumbledore might be leaving the school for stretches on Order
business. Hermione points out that “it’s all looking serious.”
On the way out to the field, Lavender smiles at Ron and wishes
him luck. Ron’s walk turns into a strut. Harry notices that
Hermione looks cold and distant. This may be due to the fact
that they were just discussing death and danger and not because
she is in love with Ron.
There are hoards of people at tryouts. Most of them are there
just to get a gander at Harry. McLaggen tries out for keeper
against Ron but only saves 4 out of 5 goals. He missed the last
one so miserably that he looks like he was Confunded. The rest
of the team are as follows:
Seeker/Captain: Harry
Beaters: Jimmy Peaks and Ritchie Coote
Chasers: Katie Bell, Demelza Robbins, and
Ginny Weasley
Beaters: Jimmy Peaks and Ritchie Coote
Chasers: Katie Bell, Demelza Robbins, and
Ginny Weasley
Ginny outflew everyone, scored 17 goals, and appears all around
wonderful. Is it possible that she got her hands on some Felix
Felicis?
After tryouts Ron recounts every goal he saved and Hermione
humors him. We later find out that Hermione did Confund McLaggen,
but she says that she saved Harry from having a jerk like that on
his team.
They go down to visit Hagrid. For some reason Hermione is still
afraid of Buckbeak. Ron is rude and tells her to come off it.
Harry steps forward to bow and pet him.
Hagrid is angry with them when they first get there. He slams
the door in their faces. Haermione looks stricken and Harry
threatens to blow the door off its hinges. Hagrid is slow to
accept their apologies. They learn that Aragog is sick and Hagrid
is caring for him. Hagrid is distraught and Hermione offers her
help. They all cheer him up by saying that Grubby-Plank was not a
good teacher.
Harry has detention with Snape. Slug tries to get him excused so
he can attend his first party of the year, but it doesn’t work.
Hermione wished Harry could go so she wouldn’t have to go alone.
Pissy Ron reappears, upset about not having been invited.
The Prophet reports on Arthur Weasley’s raid on the Malfoy’s
home. Nothing was found so Harry is convinced Draco has it at
school. Hermione points out that they were all searched when
entering the castle.
Harry looks up and sees Ginny playing with her Pygmy Puff. Even
after recognizing her scent from the Amortentia, he has no
inclination or reaction toward her at tryouts or in the common
room. Ron is sitting there staring at Lavender.
wonderful. Is it possible that she got her hands on some Felix
Felicis?
After tryouts Ron recounts every goal he saved and Hermione
humors him. We later find out that Hermione did Confund McLaggen,
but she says that she saved Harry from having a jerk like that on
his team.
They go down to visit Hagrid. For some reason Hermione is still
afraid of Buckbeak. Ron is rude and tells her to come off it.
Harry steps forward to bow and pet him.
Hagrid is angry with them when they first get there. He slams
the door in their faces. Haermione looks stricken and Harry
threatens to blow the door off its hinges. Hagrid is slow to
accept their apologies. They learn that Aragog is sick and Hagrid
is caring for him. Hagrid is distraught and Hermione offers her
help. They all cheer him up by saying that Grubby-Plank was not a
good teacher.
Harry has detention with Snape. Slug tries to get him excused so
he can attend his first party of the year, but it doesn’t work.
Hermione wished Harry could go so she wouldn’t have to go alone.
Pissy Ron reappears, upset about not having been invited.
The Prophet reports on Arthur Weasley’s raid on the Malfoy’s
home. Nothing was found so Harry is convinced Draco has it at
school. Hermione points out that they were all searched when
entering the castle.
Harry looks up and sees Ginny playing with her Pygmy Puff. Even
after recognizing her scent from the Amortentia, he has no
inclination or reaction toward her at tryouts or in the common
room. Ron is sitting there staring at Lavender.
| Chapter 12: Silver and Opals |
At this point, we are half-way through the month of October and
it’s their first Hogsmeade visit.
Harry is starting to drift toward the Dark side here, following
the influence of the HBP book. After seeing its success in
Potions, he doesn’t think it dangerous to try out random
handwritten spells he knows nothing about on unsuspecting victims.
He tries one out on Ron. Thankfully, it just hangs Ronnie upside
down by the heel of his foot and doesn’t do much damage, but
Harry has to guess at the counter-curse because he didn’t even
think that far...He doesn’t know what the spell does in the first
place or how to undo it, he’s just left to pray he gets the right
scribbling in the margin.
Hermione is upset by this news. She believes the HBP book is a
bit dodgy.
Harry, trying to calm her, says James used the spell so it’s
harmless. Hermione’s not appeased, she points out where else
they’ve seen a spell like that: the Quidditch World Cup...where
it was used to traumatize innocent Muggles for the enjoyment of
the crowd. And perhaps this is a better explanation for her
feelings on the “dodginess” of the book.
However, sensitive as usual, Ron writes off her feelings on the
subject. He just assumes her thoughts stem from this newfound
“jealousy” over a book.
Hermione mentions that Death Eaters target Muggleborns. This
reveals her fear and her awareness of the dangers they face and
how vulnerable she, in particular, is to these threats.
Both boys immediately deny that she is in any more danger than
the rest of them. Ron being a blood traitor isn’t high on the
“happy to see you” list and Harry is, of course, Harry. They’d
hardly be able to join the Death Eater forces, but that’s not
really the point she was trying to make.
Her point is more along the lines of: out of a group of four
Purebloods, one Half-Blood none of the Death Eaters are allowed
to touch because he’s special to LV, and a Muggleborn, who do you
think is more at risk?
It’s probably important to note that Harry and Hermione fight a
lot in this book. They don’t normally disagree, are usually in
tune with each other, but here they are at odds more often then
any of the other books, or more accurately, all of them combined.
Ginny delivers a note for Harry’s next meeting with Dumbledore
effectively distracting the three of them from their discussion.
When Harry asks Ginny of her plans for the day, she begs off
hanging out with them because she’s spending time with Dean.
Hogsmeade is different now, it reflects the darkened times that
seem to go ignored inside the protected walls of Hogwarts. Stores
are closed and boarded up; the whole village seems dark and
depressing.
They run into Slughorn at Honeyduke’s. Sluggy tries to convince
Harry to come to his parties while totally ignoring Ron’s
existence.
We learn that Harry has purposely scheduled Quidditch practices
to be during the parties so Ron wouldn’t be alone. He, Ron and
Ginny laugh together at poor Hermione’s fate: being stuck there
with Slug all by herself.
Hermione tries to take the opportunity to talk to Harry about the
parties, saying they’re not that bad. She clearly would like some
sort of company/back-up, but they quickly change the topic
because of Ron’s sulking.
While making their way into the Three Broomsticks, they catch
Mundungus Fletcher selling Black family heirlooms. Harry becomes
so angry he violently grabs Dung by the throat.
Tonks breaks it up and seems completely unconcerned that
Dung’s been selling off Sirius’ things. Hermione buys a round of
butterbeers to calm Harry down. He decides to talk to Dumbledore
about Dung.
They follow Katie Bell and her friend, Leanne, back to the
school. They notice the pair seem to be arguing over the parcel
in Katie’s hands. After a shuffle for the package, Katie floats
into the air and suddenly starts screaming. Harry runs for help
and returns with Hagrid.
Harry immediately suspects Malfoy much to the dismay and
annoyance of Hermione and Ron. Hermione argues with Harry that
whatever Draco was talking about in Borgin and Burke’s must have
been noisy or clumsy because he didn’t want to be seen with it.
Harry insists and tells McGonagall about suspecting Malfoy.
McGonagall says it couldn’t be Draco, he wasn’t in Hogsmeade.
Despite this, SuperSpy Harry just knows it was Malfoy and he’s
annoyed Hermione and Ron sided with McGonagall. They decide not
to argue with him about it anymore. They switch to speculation
about the intended target.
Hermione, looking troubled, surmises it might have been meant for
Harry.
it’s their first Hogsmeade visit.
Harry is starting to drift toward the Dark side here, following
the influence of the HBP book. After seeing its success in
Potions, he doesn’t think it dangerous to try out random
handwritten spells he knows nothing about on unsuspecting victims.
He tries one out on Ron. Thankfully, it just hangs Ronnie upside
down by the heel of his foot and doesn’t do much damage, but
Harry has to guess at the counter-curse because he didn’t even
think that far...He doesn’t know what the spell does in the first
place or how to undo it, he’s just left to pray he gets the right
scribbling in the margin.
Hermione is upset by this news. She believes the HBP book is a
bit dodgy.
Harry, trying to calm her, says James used the spell so it’s
harmless. Hermione’s not appeased, she points out where else
they’ve seen a spell like that: the Quidditch World Cup...where
it was used to traumatize innocent Muggles for the enjoyment of
the crowd. And perhaps this is a better explanation for her
feelings on the “dodginess” of the book.
However, sensitive as usual, Ron writes off her feelings on the
subject. He just assumes her thoughts stem from this newfound
“jealousy” over a book.
Hermione mentions that Death Eaters target Muggleborns. This
reveals her fear and her awareness of the dangers they face and
how vulnerable she, in particular, is to these threats.
Both boys immediately deny that she is in any more danger than
the rest of them. Ron being a blood traitor isn’t high on the
“happy to see you” list and Harry is, of course, Harry. They’d
hardly be able to join the Death Eater forces, but that’s not
really the point she was trying to make.
Her point is more along the lines of: out of a group of four
Purebloods, one Half-Blood none of the Death Eaters are allowed
to touch because he’s special to LV, and a Muggleborn, who do you
think is more at risk?
It’s probably important to note that Harry and Hermione fight a
lot in this book. They don’t normally disagree, are usually in
tune with each other, but here they are at odds more often then
any of the other books, or more accurately, all of them combined.
Ginny delivers a note for Harry’s next meeting with Dumbledore
effectively distracting the three of them from their discussion.
When Harry asks Ginny of her plans for the day, she begs off
hanging out with them because she’s spending time with Dean.
Hogsmeade is different now, it reflects the darkened times that
seem to go ignored inside the protected walls of Hogwarts. Stores
are closed and boarded up; the whole village seems dark and
depressing.
They run into Slughorn at Honeyduke’s. Sluggy tries to convince
Harry to come to his parties while totally ignoring Ron’s
existence.
We learn that Harry has purposely scheduled Quidditch practices
to be during the parties so Ron wouldn’t be alone. He, Ron and
Ginny laugh together at poor Hermione’s fate: being stuck there
with Slug all by herself.
Hermione tries to take the opportunity to talk to Harry about the
parties, saying they’re not that bad. She clearly would like some
sort of company/back-up, but they quickly change the topic
because of Ron’s sulking.
While making their way into the Three Broomsticks, they catch
Mundungus Fletcher selling Black family heirlooms. Harry becomes
so angry he violently grabs Dung by the throat.
Tonks breaks it up and seems completely unconcerned that
Dung’s been selling off Sirius’ things. Hermione buys a round of
butterbeers to calm Harry down. He decides to talk to Dumbledore
about Dung.
They follow Katie Bell and her friend, Leanne, back to the
school. They notice the pair seem to be arguing over the parcel
in Katie’s hands. After a shuffle for the package, Katie floats
into the air and suddenly starts screaming. Harry runs for help
and returns with Hagrid.
Harry immediately suspects Malfoy much to the dismay and
annoyance of Hermione and Ron. Hermione argues with Harry that
whatever Draco was talking about in Borgin and Burke’s must have
been noisy or clumsy because he didn’t want to be seen with it.
Harry insists and tells McGonagall about suspecting Malfoy.
McGonagall says it couldn’t be Draco, he wasn’t in Hogsmeade.
Despite this, SuperSpy Harry just knows it was Malfoy and he’s
annoyed Hermione and Ron sided with McGonagall. They decide not
to argue with him about it anymore. They switch to speculation
about the intended target.
Hermione, looking troubled, surmises it might have been meant for
Harry.
| Chapter 13: The Secret Riddle |
Snape has been called upon to help Katie. He was able to stop the
spread of the curse, but she still must be sent to St. Mungo’s.
The curse on the necklace was so severe that she would have died
had she worn it or touched it directly.
This chapter is another trip through the Pensieve for Harry and
Dumbledore. Harry notes Dumbledore looks more tired and worn then
ever and that his hand is still black and lifeless.
This time, in the memory, we learn that Merope was swindled into
selling Slytherin’s locket for just 10 galleons.
Abandoned and pregnant, Merope had stopped using magic whether by
choice or that her powers were sapped because she was so filled
with despair over Tom Sr. leaving her, we are not sure.
Dumbledore went to the orphanage himself to inform little Tom
that he was a wizard and would be coming to learn magic at
Hogwarts.
When he arrives, he finds Tom can already control animals, move
objects and use his powers to hurt and manipulate the other
orphans. Little Tom seems to understand that his ability to speak
to animals is special and saves that revelation to impress
Dumbledore and make himself more special.
It’s startling to see that even at age 11 Tom already knows how
to be fake and polite when it suits him. He is used to commanding
people; he even tries to command Dumbledore.
When requested, Dumbledore does show Tom some magic, and it
shocks Harry that Dumbledore didn’t say no. Dumbledore informs
Tom he will need supplies and offers to take him to Diagon Alley.
When Tom refuses his help, he doesn’t press the issue, doesn’t
insist on taking Tom through the barrier and into the Magical
World for the first time. (This might have been yet another fatal
mistake on Dumbledore’s part.)
Dumbledore also warns Tom that they do not permit uncontrolled
magic or using your powers to hurt others at Hogwarts.
Tom admits to not liking his name because it is common. He
doesn’t like anything that makes him ordinary. He’s always known
he was special, indeed, it doesn’t seem to surprise him at all
when Dumbledore tells him he’s a wizard.
Tom believes his father must have been magical; his mother could
never have been magical or she wouldn’t have been weak enough to
die.
Once out of the memory, Dumbledore reviews with Harry what
they’ve just seen and points out that Tom never had, nor did he
ever want, a real friend. And that Tom likes, even then, to
collect trophies.
Harry looks for one of the trophies little Tom had been forced to
give up in the memory to be resting with Dumbledore’s
instruments, like the ring had been at their last meeting. When
he mentions it, Dumbledore answers mysteriously...
spread of the curse, but she still must be sent to St. Mungo’s.
The curse on the necklace was so severe that she would have died
had she worn it or touched it directly.
This chapter is another trip through the Pensieve for Harry and
Dumbledore. Harry notes Dumbledore looks more tired and worn then
ever and that his hand is still black and lifeless.
This time, in the memory, we learn that Merope was swindled into
selling Slytherin’s locket for just 10 galleons.
Abandoned and pregnant, Merope had stopped using magic whether by
choice or that her powers were sapped because she was so filled
with despair over Tom Sr. leaving her, we are not sure.
Dumbledore went to the orphanage himself to inform little Tom
that he was a wizard and would be coming to learn magic at
Hogwarts.
When he arrives, he finds Tom can already control animals, move
objects and use his powers to hurt and manipulate the other
orphans. Little Tom seems to understand that his ability to speak
to animals is special and saves that revelation to impress
Dumbledore and make himself more special.
It’s startling to see that even at age 11 Tom already knows how
to be fake and polite when it suits him. He is used to commanding
people; he even tries to command Dumbledore.
When requested, Dumbledore does show Tom some magic, and it
shocks Harry that Dumbledore didn’t say no. Dumbledore informs
Tom he will need supplies and offers to take him to Diagon Alley.
When Tom refuses his help, he doesn’t press the issue, doesn’t
insist on taking Tom through the barrier and into the Magical
World for the first time. (This might have been yet another fatal
mistake on Dumbledore’s part.)
Dumbledore also warns Tom that they do not permit uncontrolled
magic or using your powers to hurt others at Hogwarts.
Tom admits to not liking his name because it is common. He
doesn’t like anything that makes him ordinary. He’s always known
he was special, indeed, it doesn’t seem to surprise him at all
when Dumbledore tells him he’s a wizard.
Tom believes his father must have been magical; his mother could
never have been magical or she wouldn’t have been weak enough to
die.
Once out of the memory, Dumbledore reviews with Harry what
they’ve just seen and points out that Tom never had, nor did he
ever want, a real friend. And that Tom likes, even then, to
collect trophies.
Harry looks for one of the trophies little Tom had been forced to
give up in the memory to be resting with Dumbledore’s
instruments, like the ring had been at their last meeting. When
he mentions it, Dumbledore answers mysteriously...
“Very astute, Harry, but the mouth organ was only ever a mouth
organ.”
organ.”
| Page 278, U.S. Hardcover Edition |
Harry is starting to draw connections, but doesn’t quite get it
yet. And Dumbledore seems to be frustratingly enigmatic, but
that’s just a personal opinion.
yet. And Dumbledore seems to be frustratingly enigmatic, but
that’s just a personal opinion.
| Chapter 11: Hermione's Helping Hand |
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| The Ultimate Harry Potter Analysis Source |
| Choosing what is Right over what is Easy |
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| *Summentary written by Caspian. |