Post by Hobbit-eyes on Aug 24, 2005 13:12:11 GMT -5
I kept a record chapter-by-chapter while reading the latest HP book, for some odd reason... anyway, here it is, complete with introduction. I think it's because I had too much free time on holiday.
Harry Potter 6
Today, Harry Potter 6 is released around the world… in many different countries, kids will be fighting their way into bookshops, grabbing the books, and rushing home with them so that they can read them first.
Of course, the sensible, more experienced readers, will have ordered them from Amazon and will be waiting contentedly for them to arrive.
I, however, am stuck in the South of France, and can’t lay my hands on a copy.
No matter though. I’ll get one eventually. So until then, I thought I’d write what I’d ascertained so far…
The title is HP and the Half Blood Prince, so I’m guessing a half blood prince is involved somehow. Claps to me.
Straight off, I have to say – if the line “I’m the Half Blood Prince! Well – the Half Blood Princess”, or similar, is ANYWHERE in this book, I will cry.
I’ve seen various different covers. The English one has Harry and Dumbledore, the former looking as though he’s just caught sight of himself in a mirror, the latter looking as though he’s about to smite the next person who mistakes him for Gandalf. And they’re surrounded by fire. Sooo they’re both going to be involved in a duel of some kind?
Also, on the back of the American cover is Ron, Hermione and some other students looking up at the Dark Mark over Hogwarts. Sooo I’m guessing a death takes place at Hogwarts. I’m guessing it’s Dumbledore – he’s had his showdown with Voldemort in the last one, he’s got to leave the path clear for Harry in book seven. So I’m guessing Dumbledore dies to save Harry in a duel with Voldemort – or maybe some Death Eaters.
So now I’ve just got to track down the book…
***
Chapter 1 – The Other Minister(Oooooh)
I FOUND IT!!! Eleven days after its release in England, it finally comes to Sarlat. I read this first chapter sitting outside a brasserie on the main square in Sarlat, because my mother kept waving it at me and overcame my resolve to wait till I got home.
Pretty good start, I’d say. Emmeline Vance is dead!! Nooo! And Kingsley Shacklebolt, YAAY! He’s always been a favourite of mine. Well – since he appeared in the fifth book, anyway.
Thank God Fudge has been kicked out. He did nothing but bug me. But this new guy – Rufus Scrimgeour, or something? – could cause problems too.
Voldemort’s acts of destruction are pretty ominous. Things can’t be about to get better. And the mist being caused by Dementors breeding… euuurgh. Dementors are creepy.
And a giant destroying the West country?... How did they get it past customs at Dover?
Chapter 2 – Spinner’s End (who the hell is Spinner?)
Again, mum overcame my resolution, and I read this chapter outside the brasserie as well while my mum had her dessert.
Straightaway, I guessed who Bella (booo!! Can’t stop picturing her as, er, that actress they’re saying is going to play her – forget her name – ELIZABETH HURLEY, that’s it. SHE KILLED SIRIUS, EVIL BITCH) and Narcissa (Cissy???) were going to see. YAY SNAPE. He’s awesome, one of my favourite characters.
Seriously intrigued as to what they’re up to. What are they using Draco for?? Which side is Snape REALLY on?? I’m guessing Dumbledore’s… but I could be wrong…
This Unbreakable Bond thing doesn’t bode well…
***
Have finally got home, get to read more, WANT to read more, so that’s enough said.
Chapter 3 – Will and Won’t (don’t tell Harry's going to whine again….)
Straight off – haha, Harry snores.
Harry, the Chosen One? Dear God, we’re all doomed.
Oh, forgot to say earlier – Rufus Scrimgeour… spent a while trying to find any Latin base, but none yet. But his lion-like appearance seems a bit like Gryffindor... link, mebbe?
I heart Dumbledore so much. If he does die, ‘twill be a sad day. But WTF happened to his hand??
Kreacher at Hogwarts… looking forward to how he gets on with Dobby… and Winky, for that matter…
This is all interesting. Why did Dumbledore need to come to escort Harry to the Burrow?? And the whole thing about mistreating Dudley – obviously, they’ve raised him badly, but it’s reminded me of what Dudley could have been forced to remember when they were attacked by the Dementors last year…
OK, going back to read.
Chapter 4 – Horace Slughorn (…. Again, who??)
Errr. Don’t like Slughorn much.
I’m actually most relieved that Sirius was a Gryffindor – I had been wondering that. Because Hagrid said that there wasn’t a wizard who went bad who wasn’t in Slytherin, and he’d have thought Sirius went bad, ergo he should be in Slytherin… I have way too much free time to think about these things.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH DUMBLEDORE’S HAND?? And HIS RING! The Ring on the cover of the book!! Well, there goes my theory, but never mind… hey, maybe Dumbledore’s the Half Blood Prince!! Hadn’t thought of that!
And it’s nice to see Harry isn’t whining any more…
Apparition sounds weird. And I was worried about learning to drive this summer.
These Inferi don’t sound too good… bet we’ll be seeing those at some point.
Closing note – Dumbledore rocks.
Chapter 5 – An Excess of Phlegm (… ooookaaaay…. Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes? I miss Gred and Forge…)
Of course! Tonks is Bellatrix’s niece!! I’d forgotten that!! So she’s Malfoy’s cousin… ew.
Again, slightly alarming that all the clock hands are pointing at mortal peril. But apparently you’re not in mortal peril when you’re travelling? That’s good to know, I’ll be safe for the next few days.
Mollywobbles… *SNRK*
Bill… and Fleur?? Wow… that was unexpected… ooh, goodie, hope they have an example of a wizard wedding in the next book.
OWL RESULTS!! Oh God, all they did was remind me that I get my AS Level results in a couple of weeks… eeeeep… Harry got an ‘E’ in Potions? That was surprising. But I know he takes Potions this year, because on the cover of the English Adult version is a book called ‘Advanced Potion Making’.
And I can really empathize with Hermione. I got seven A*s and three As at GCSE, and it’s the As you fret about, wishing you could have got them higher…
Chapter 6 – Draco’s Detour (YAY MALFOY!)
OMG! Karkaroff?? Florean Fortescue?? Mr Ollivander???
Harry, Quidditch Captain… not surprised… Moaning Myrtle will be happy to watch him in the bathroom again.
Ohh. OHHH. Run in with the Malfoys!! Harry vs Malfoy! FIGHT! And Cissy is such a BITCH… was slightly sympathetic in the second chapter, but not any more.
Wait… they’re not getting Potions books?? I’m confuuused… oh, maybe that’s what Dumbledore’s private lessons are going to be.
YAY FRED AND GEORGE’S SHOP! Wow… it’s AMAZING… I want one of those daydream charms!!! Actually, I wonder how many POTC fangirls would want one of them? The skiving snackboxes are brilliant too… and the poster outside!!! I heart Fred and George as much as Dumbledore. They should be headmaster if Dumbledore dies.
And whoa, their Defence against the Dark Arts stuff is really cool. Ginny has had more boyfriends than me already…
OOOH, what’s Draco up to? And Hermione really was very conspicuous… I may just have to go into ‘Via Mystica’ in Faversham and say, “Ooh, how much is this lovely, er, skull?”
This is all getting intriguing. And Draco is getting more and more bitchy with each book. That thing about Sirius… ooh, HARSH. Forget wands, I’d slap him.
Chapter 7 – The Slug Club (huh?? These chapters have the oddest titles. This isn’t anything to do with Professor Slughorn, is it?)
Ohhh. Luna. I feel so sorry for Luna. She’s a lot like me in some ways – as soon as I hear about HP 5 auditions, I’m going for it.
And those fourth year girls are BITCHES!!!
Just noticed – very early into the book, and they’re already on the train?? This book is alarmingly shorter than the others…
Oh goodie, Neville passed Transfiguration!! And I think my school is infested with Wrackspurts, my brain goes fuzzy as soon as I enter that place…
HAHA, Marietta still has spots.
I was right – Professor Slughorn IS becoming increasingly annoying. And not exactly subtle.
OH! OH! OH! Malfoy, vindictive little – oh, that was clever though… Didn’t learn much, sadly, but Malfoy certainly seems pleased with what he has to do… I hope Ron and Hermione find Harry, though…
Chapter 8 – Snape Victorious (so I assume someone does find Harry… what’s Snape got to be victorious about, though? OH! Maybe he gets to be DADA teacher, and Slughorn’s the Potions master! I hadn’t thought about that! That could be why Harry can do Potions… OK, enough speculation, I’ll read the actual chapter now)
Yay Tonks! I still feel sorry for her, too. There’s an Auror at Hogwarts called Proudfoot?... Since when are hobbits qualified wizards?
I wonder what her new Patronus is? I didn’t think they could change. Maybe Harry’s has changed as well?
I KNEW IT! Snape got DADA!! Ooh, what’s going to happen to him at the end of the year?...
Chapter 9 – The Half Blood Prince (OMG!!!!!!!!!!!)
Ooh, Lavender likes Ron…
I knew Harry would be able to take Potions!! But then I think about these things way too much…
Ah, Harry and Ron discover the wonder of free periods…
Their first DADA lesson… oh, dear, Harry… “There’s no need to call me sir, Professor.” Ohh, that was GOOD.
The Amortentia potion sounds interesting… And the Felix Felicis! I’d love some of that on the day of Sports Day, Yeomen never wins anything… or to enter the Lottery…
And OMG THE POTIONS BOOK. PROPERTY OF THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE.
Snape’s!! It has to be Snape’s!!! Snape could be the Half-blood Prince, he’s not on the Black family tree so he’s not a pure-blood!!
*indescribable over-excited yell*
It could be Slughorn’s, though, of course…
MUST READ!!!
Chapter Ten – The House of Gaunt (What?)
Ooooh. OOOOH. This chapter was INTERESTING.
So Voldemort is descended from – for want of a better word – hillbillies? Oh, that’s a proud heritage, that. No wonder he doesn’t talk about it much.
Bob Ogden… a relation of Tiberius Ogden? I forget where I’ve heard that name before. And that boy on the train had an uncle Tiberius… Hmmmmm…
Morfin was WEIRD… but I can’t read his name without thinking ‘MIGHTY MORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS!’
I want to read more, but if I do I’ll never be able to stop… so now, I’m going on break and going swimming. I’m amazed at my strength of will, I’m more tempted by this book than I have been by French chips AND Maxibon.
***
Have been swimming. My sister, who is one of the fastest readers in the world and is already ahead of her friend Nez, who has had the book for two weeks, kindly revealed that the chapter title ‘A very frosty Christmas’ is apt in more ways than one, and that Ron is going out with someone by Christmas, as he is given a ‘chav necklace’. Lavender, I’m guessing – Hermione has more taste.
This has only piqued my curiosity, so on we go. I’m marking my place with my handy-dandy door hanger, by the way.
Chapter 11 – Hermione’s Helping Hand (… in what? Dare I ask?)
Harry… fanciable?? What IS the world coming to??
OMG… Stan Shunpike, a Death Eater??? I repeat my previous statement!
Hannah Abbott’s parents dead??
LAVENDER FLIRTING WITH RON??
Hermione Confunding people???
Hagrid being grumpy???
ARAGOG’S DYING???
Fanciable?
Chapter 12 – Silver and Opals (ok, no idea what this chapter’s going to be about… hopefully less shocking than the last chapter…)
WHOA… this chapter was shocking. First of all, Harry having some backbone and actually attacking someone rather than just whining… and second, Katie! Bloody hell!
Also, this Half Blood Prince person is starting to sound a little worrying… why do I always take Hermione’s point of view on these things?
Damn the fact that dinner’s in five minutes, I want to read more!
Chapter 13 – The Secret Riddle (Oooh. Wait – Harry’s next lesson with Dumbledore should be in this chapter – probably learning more from the pensieve – what if there’s another Riddle in the family??)
DAMN, DINNER!!!
***
Bolted down dinner as fast as I could. Again, had something revealed by Becca – I saw that chapter 21 was something to do with Dementors, I think, and Chapter 22 was called ‘After the Burial’. WHOSE BURIAL??? Also, she said “Ew!” at the end of chapter 21, and a few seconds later said, “Tonks was Sirius’s cousin, right??”
Now, back to the story.
Chapter 13 – The Secret Riddle (see above)
Another interesting chapter. Voldemort was creepy as a kid… veeery creepy.
What’s with the ring?? Where is it now? And – why was Harry asking questions about the mouth organ??
Chapter 14 – Felix Felicis (oh goodie, I’d wondered when we’d see this again)
Ohhh, weird mist… doooom…
… HARRY LIKES GINNY!!! When did THIS happen?
And when are Ron and Hermione going to give up and get together? Their hormones are eager to…
Oh, OH, hormones at war. I feel very bad for Ron, I haven’t had ‘experience’ either. But then I go to an all-girls school…
OHH, Harry. Using Felix Felicis at a Quidditch match?? I am ASHAMED.
Awww, I miss Lee Jordan’s commentating. Zacharias Smith is annoying.
Ohhh, he didn’t use it! That’s what comes from making comments when I haven’t finished the chapter yet… And why did Harper react so weirdly when Harry yelled about Malfoy? But again, Harry, I am ashamed… using something like that to get the Snitch…
Ohh dear. Ron and Hermione, tut tut tut. Especially Ron – LAVENDER?? She’s a – well, not right for him, anyway.
Chapter 15 – The Unbreakable Vow (dramatic chords please…)
OHHH, this is getting VERY exciting!!! It’s all I can do to stop myself from reading on…
Hermione, I never knew you could sink that low… Ron, too. McLadden, YEESH. Reminds me of someone I once knew…
And WHAT IS MALFOY UP TO?? What does Snape know about it?? Why is he learning Occlumency??
AAARGH!!
And nice of Harry to ask Luna… Luna’s lovely. One of my favourite characters – probably because she’s a fair bit like me…
Chapter 16 – A Very Frosty Christmas (ahh, here we are)
Ohh… the book’s fifty years old. It can’t be Snape’s then… maybe Slughorn’s? Or Dumbledore’s? It’s not Voldemort’s, JK Rowling already said.
Eeuuuurgh… Celestina Warbeck reminds me of having to listen to Enya at my granddad’s house…
Lupin’s story of being bitten… whoa… Fenrir is a massive wolf from Norse mythology, a son of Loki. Liked that little reference there.
HAHAHA, Ron’s chav necklace!! Maggots from Kreacher… nice.
Harry’s talk with Scrimgeour… WHOA. Harry is so much better this year. He’s not whingy any more – he’s definitely grown up. YAY HARRY!
Chapter 17 – A Sluggish Memory (oh dear, not Slughorn again. He PISSES ME OFF)
Won-Won!!! Ahhh, how sweet… as sweet as undiluted Slush puppy…
Apparition lessons – this just reminds me I need to learn how to drive…
ANOTHER interesting chapter. So the ring comes down through the Slytherin line…
I’d forgotten Slughorn was teacher when Riddle was at school… of course, he would have been his head of house. No wonder Voldemort’s so eager to get him on his side.
Keep picturing Riddle as he was in the Chamber of Secrets… ahhhh, bishiness at Hogwarts.
Chapter 18 – Birthday Surprises (Ron’s birthday, I suppose. Wait a moment… isn’t Hermione 17 by now? She can Apparate!)
Golpalott’s third law sounds too much like moles and algebra for my liking…
Haha, I thought of using a bezoar! But it is kind of cheating.
So WTF is a Horcrux??
Apparition sounds much better than driving…
… oh my. Oh my oh my. Ron is in love… with a bimbo??? Why?? Whywhywhy??? What about Hermione???
Oh. OHHH. The chocolate cauldrons… the Love Potions! I thought this all came on a bit abruptly! Aww, poor Lav-Lav…
OMG!!! RON!!!!! I was NOT expecting that!!!!! OK, no more writing comments before the chapter is done… thank God for Snape being mean to Harry and for the Half Blood Prince, that’s all I can say! Oh, and for stones in goats’ stomachs, I suppose…
I really ought to go to bed… screw it.
Where could the poison have come from?? Romilda Vane? She could have given that package to Katie Bell, too, she could have been in the Three Broomsticks’ bathroom… otherwise, it would have to be Slughorn…
Chapter 19 – Elf Tails (Kreacher, I suppose)
I knew I wasn’t going to make comments earlier, but… Luna doing the commentary?? BIBBLE BUGGINS??? Stop ripping off LOTR, JK! OK, done.
Quidditchy chapter again… McLaggen is SERIOUSLY annoying now.
I’m glad Ron’s all right, and that there is still some hope for him and Hermione…
Clever idea, setting Kreacher to follow Malfoy. Harry is getting a leetle obsessed though. And finally – Kreacher vs Dobby! FIGHT! FIGHT!
OK, I’m going to bed now…
***
Forget it, I ain’t going to sleep.
Chapter 20 – Lord Voldemort’s Request (OOOOOOOH)
Ohhh, Voldemort jinxed the position of DADA teacher!!! I LIKE that!!! Quite a few similarities between Voldy and Snape… interesting…
I’m enjoying these little excursions/ lessons/ chances for plot background. They’re showing a lot about Voldemort’s background, which is good, but not exactly very subtly done…
Chapter 21 – The Unknowable Room (ANOTHER weird room in Hogwarts? How many can that place hold??)
So it didn’t have anything to do with Dementors… whoops. Well, I did only glance over Becca’s shoulder at the chapter title… or, rather, try not to but inadvertently see…
Finally, Ron got round to saying “I love you” to Hermione! Not exactly in the right context, but never mind…
WHAT is Malfoy up to?? I wanna know!!!!!
Chapter 22 – After the Burial (Sirius’s? Wait, no, they don’t have his body… Wait, ARAGOG! NOOO!!!)
Awww, Aragog!!!
That Felix Felicis potion is AWESOME. I want some!!
And drunk Hagrid and Slughorn made reading this book worthwhile just by itself. Hehehehehe.
Chapter 23 – Horcruxes (YES! YES! YES!)
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH.
This is INTERESTING.
I wonder what the other Horcruxes are? Wait… if Harry’s one… I will break things.
OK, wanna read more!!
Chapter 24 – Sectumsempra (Oooh. OOOH. What would that do? Rictusempra is tickling… so what does rictu mean? Ribs, I think. And sectum? Uhhh…. Oh, for a Latin dictionary…)
OMG OMG OMG
Must go calm self OMG
*five minutes later*
OK… have recovered… OMG!!!!!!!! GINNY!!!!! THE SPELL, MALFOY-
I need another break.
Wait, no I don’t. OK. Calmer. Slightly.
This chapter – ohhh, Harry. Dark magic!!! I was NOT expecting the spell to do that!!!!
And MALFOY! He was about to use an Unforgivable Curse!! And he was crying, ohh, poor Malfoy… telling everything to the ghost of a Mudblood, of all people!
Oh boy… this chapter said a lot about who Harry and Malfoy are now. They’ve both grown up.
I need to go to bed… I’ll keep reading this in the morning… once more, OMG.
***
OK, I’m awake, and I’m reading this before I go down to breakfast. Am calmer than I was last night, but WANNA READ.
Chapter 25 – The Seer Overheard (uh-oh… Trelawney? Does a Death Eater overhear the rest of the Prophecy? That could be bad…)
OOOOOH! SNAPE HEARD IT! I had suspected something like that!
Eileen Prince?? That’s not exciting…
I still think Harry’s jumping to conclusions about Snape and Malfoy – he did that in the first one, and look where it got him.
Comments are getting shorter because I want to READ MORE.
Chapter 26 – The Cave (OOOOOH, ex-CI-ting)
Whoaaa…. This chapter was kind of disturbing. I really, really don’t like Inferi. I didn’t like them when I first read their description. Euurgh… I have a thing about zombies.
Smart defences, though. Wonder how long Voldemort spent coming up with them?
It was really creepy, seeing Dumbledore like that… he’s the one who’s going to die. It’s so obvious. This chapter was his last gleam of glory. Oh dear… poor Dubbledore…
Chapter 27 – The Lightning Struck Tower (Ooooooh…)
OMG!!!!
OK, I knew it was going to happen, but still!!! SNAPE KILLED DUMBLEDORE!! And Malfoy… poor, poor Malfoy…
Fenrir is seriously disturbing. I think he scares me most out of all the villains so far… along with Inferi…
Er… hate to nit-pick, but why exactly was the tower Lightning struck?
NEVER MIND KEEP READING!!!
Chapter 28 – Flight of the Prince (Snape, I knew it…)
Whatever happens, I must not cry…
NOOOOOO!!! DUBBLEDORE!!!!!!
Why do I not hate Snape, though? I just can’t accept that he’s evil… I don’t think he is.
Or Malfoy!! I don’t hate him either, I just feel sorry for him!!
So R.A.B. has – or has destroyed – the real Horcrux?? That can’t be… Regulus Black?? But then it would be at Grimmauld Place, so Kreacher would have it… or MUNDUNGUS!! But he’s in Azkaban! OK WANNA READ MORE!!
Chapter 29 – The Phoenix Lament (ohhhhh dear….)
Ohh, this chapter was sad… they can’t close the school!! And BIIILLL!!!! NOOO!
Chapter 30 – The White Tomb (Will not cry… WILL NOT CRY…)
Whooaaaa…. It’s over. It’s all over.
The next book is going to be GOOD.
***
That was the only comment I could think of at the time, but now, several weeks later when I’m typing up all the notes from my notebook, I’ve had my time to wander around the house in a daze occasionally saying, “Dubbledooore!! Snape CAN’T be evil!!” and can actually appraise the book.
It was good. Really good. Harry was a much more likeable character than he was in the fifth one, one that I actually care about what happens to him.
I thought this one was very well written as well. There was plenty of humour to counterbalance the drama going on in the outside world (Ron’s comment ‘Anyone we know dead?’ really hit home about how much the characters have grown) and even though there wasn’t endless drama and action – just Harry wondering what Malfoy was up to, really – it kept your attention.
So what’s going to happen in the next one? Harry has to find the other Horcruxes – the gold locket is either still in Grimmauld Place or Mundungus or Kreacher has it… then there’s Ravenclaw’s and Hufflepuff’s, and maybe Nagini… Again, if Harry is the seventh Horcrux, then – I don’t know how I’ll handle that.
R.A.B. is almost certainly Regulus Black, but since reading the book, I’ve also read several editorials on the subject, and they’re not all so sure. For one thing, this doesn’t seem like the sort of thing for Regulus to do, from the description Sirius gave us – but then Sirius wasn’t always right. He probably hadn’t spoken to his brother in years, and could have underestimated him.
There’s also the suggestion that Regulus didn’t know Voldemort well enough to know where the Horcrux was. The note did seem very personal.
But then, we already have the gold locket at Grimmauld Place… it would be simple for Regulus to be R.A.B.
So Harry will be going back to Privet Drive, and I’m guessing this last stay at the Dursleys will reveal quite a bit. He might go back to Hogwarts briefly, if only for him to maybe get Gryffindor’s sword, or to talk to Dumbledore’s portrait (maybe learn what happened to his hand?) and maybe to collect Fawkes to go with him. And then, off to Godric’s Hollow!! HOPEFULLY revealing some more backstory about Lily and James…
All I can say is, roll on book seven!! Bloody hell, by the time that comes out I’ll be in medical school…
Harry Potter 6
Today, Harry Potter 6 is released around the world… in many different countries, kids will be fighting their way into bookshops, grabbing the books, and rushing home with them so that they can read them first.
Of course, the sensible, more experienced readers, will have ordered them from Amazon and will be waiting contentedly for them to arrive.
I, however, am stuck in the South of France, and can’t lay my hands on a copy.
No matter though. I’ll get one eventually. So until then, I thought I’d write what I’d ascertained so far…
The title is HP and the Half Blood Prince, so I’m guessing a half blood prince is involved somehow. Claps to me.
Straight off, I have to say – if the line “I’m the Half Blood Prince! Well – the Half Blood Princess”, or similar, is ANYWHERE in this book, I will cry.
I’ve seen various different covers. The English one has Harry and Dumbledore, the former looking as though he’s just caught sight of himself in a mirror, the latter looking as though he’s about to smite the next person who mistakes him for Gandalf. And they’re surrounded by fire. Sooo they’re both going to be involved in a duel of some kind?
Also, on the back of the American cover is Ron, Hermione and some other students looking up at the Dark Mark over Hogwarts. Sooo I’m guessing a death takes place at Hogwarts. I’m guessing it’s Dumbledore – he’s had his showdown with Voldemort in the last one, he’s got to leave the path clear for Harry in book seven. So I’m guessing Dumbledore dies to save Harry in a duel with Voldemort – or maybe some Death Eaters.
So now I’ve just got to track down the book…
***
Chapter 1 – The Other Minister(Oooooh)
I FOUND IT!!! Eleven days after its release in England, it finally comes to Sarlat. I read this first chapter sitting outside a brasserie on the main square in Sarlat, because my mother kept waving it at me and overcame my resolve to wait till I got home.
Pretty good start, I’d say. Emmeline Vance is dead!! Nooo! And Kingsley Shacklebolt, YAAY! He’s always been a favourite of mine. Well – since he appeared in the fifth book, anyway.
Thank God Fudge has been kicked out. He did nothing but bug me. But this new guy – Rufus Scrimgeour, or something? – could cause problems too.
Voldemort’s acts of destruction are pretty ominous. Things can’t be about to get better. And the mist being caused by Dementors breeding… euuurgh. Dementors are creepy.
And a giant destroying the West country?... How did they get it past customs at Dover?
Chapter 2 – Spinner’s End (who the hell is Spinner?)
Again, mum overcame my resolution, and I read this chapter outside the brasserie as well while my mum had her dessert.
Straightaway, I guessed who Bella (booo!! Can’t stop picturing her as, er, that actress they’re saying is going to play her – forget her name – ELIZABETH HURLEY, that’s it. SHE KILLED SIRIUS, EVIL BITCH) and Narcissa (Cissy???) were going to see. YAY SNAPE. He’s awesome, one of my favourite characters.
Seriously intrigued as to what they’re up to. What are they using Draco for?? Which side is Snape REALLY on?? I’m guessing Dumbledore’s… but I could be wrong…
This Unbreakable Bond thing doesn’t bode well…
***
Have finally got home, get to read more, WANT to read more, so that’s enough said.
Chapter 3 – Will and Won’t (don’t tell Harry's going to whine again….)
Straight off – haha, Harry snores.
Harry, the Chosen One? Dear God, we’re all doomed.
Oh, forgot to say earlier – Rufus Scrimgeour… spent a while trying to find any Latin base, but none yet. But his lion-like appearance seems a bit like Gryffindor... link, mebbe?
I heart Dumbledore so much. If he does die, ‘twill be a sad day. But WTF happened to his hand??
Kreacher at Hogwarts… looking forward to how he gets on with Dobby… and Winky, for that matter…
This is all interesting. Why did Dumbledore need to come to escort Harry to the Burrow?? And the whole thing about mistreating Dudley – obviously, they’ve raised him badly, but it’s reminded me of what Dudley could have been forced to remember when they were attacked by the Dementors last year…
OK, going back to read.
Chapter 4 – Horace Slughorn (…. Again, who??)
Errr. Don’t like Slughorn much.
I’m actually most relieved that Sirius was a Gryffindor – I had been wondering that. Because Hagrid said that there wasn’t a wizard who went bad who wasn’t in Slytherin, and he’d have thought Sirius went bad, ergo he should be in Slytherin… I have way too much free time to think about these things.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH DUMBLEDORE’S HAND?? And HIS RING! The Ring on the cover of the book!! Well, there goes my theory, but never mind… hey, maybe Dumbledore’s the Half Blood Prince!! Hadn’t thought of that!
And it’s nice to see Harry isn’t whining any more…
Apparition sounds weird. And I was worried about learning to drive this summer.
These Inferi don’t sound too good… bet we’ll be seeing those at some point.
Closing note – Dumbledore rocks.
Chapter 5 – An Excess of Phlegm (… ooookaaaay…. Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes? I miss Gred and Forge…)
Of course! Tonks is Bellatrix’s niece!! I’d forgotten that!! So she’s Malfoy’s cousin… ew.
Again, slightly alarming that all the clock hands are pointing at mortal peril. But apparently you’re not in mortal peril when you’re travelling? That’s good to know, I’ll be safe for the next few days.
Mollywobbles… *SNRK*
Bill… and Fleur?? Wow… that was unexpected… ooh, goodie, hope they have an example of a wizard wedding in the next book.
OWL RESULTS!! Oh God, all they did was remind me that I get my AS Level results in a couple of weeks… eeeeep… Harry got an ‘E’ in Potions? That was surprising. But I know he takes Potions this year, because on the cover of the English Adult version is a book called ‘Advanced Potion Making’.
And I can really empathize with Hermione. I got seven A*s and three As at GCSE, and it’s the As you fret about, wishing you could have got them higher…
Chapter 6 – Draco’s Detour (YAY MALFOY!)
OMG! Karkaroff?? Florean Fortescue?? Mr Ollivander???
Harry, Quidditch Captain… not surprised… Moaning Myrtle will be happy to watch him in the bathroom again.
Ohh. OHHH. Run in with the Malfoys!! Harry vs Malfoy! FIGHT! And Cissy is such a BITCH… was slightly sympathetic in the second chapter, but not any more.
Wait… they’re not getting Potions books?? I’m confuuused… oh, maybe that’s what Dumbledore’s private lessons are going to be.
YAY FRED AND GEORGE’S SHOP! Wow… it’s AMAZING… I want one of those daydream charms!!! Actually, I wonder how many POTC fangirls would want one of them? The skiving snackboxes are brilliant too… and the poster outside!!! I heart Fred and George as much as Dumbledore. They should be headmaster if Dumbledore dies.
And whoa, their Defence against the Dark Arts stuff is really cool. Ginny has had more boyfriends than me already…
OOOH, what’s Draco up to? And Hermione really was very conspicuous… I may just have to go into ‘Via Mystica’ in Faversham and say, “Ooh, how much is this lovely, er, skull?”
This is all getting intriguing. And Draco is getting more and more bitchy with each book. That thing about Sirius… ooh, HARSH. Forget wands, I’d slap him.
Chapter 7 – The Slug Club (huh?? These chapters have the oddest titles. This isn’t anything to do with Professor Slughorn, is it?)
Ohhh. Luna. I feel so sorry for Luna. She’s a lot like me in some ways – as soon as I hear about HP 5 auditions, I’m going for it.
And those fourth year girls are BITCHES!!!
Just noticed – very early into the book, and they’re already on the train?? This book is alarmingly shorter than the others…
Oh goodie, Neville passed Transfiguration!! And I think my school is infested with Wrackspurts, my brain goes fuzzy as soon as I enter that place…
HAHA, Marietta still has spots.
I was right – Professor Slughorn IS becoming increasingly annoying. And not exactly subtle.
OH! OH! OH! Malfoy, vindictive little – oh, that was clever though… Didn’t learn much, sadly, but Malfoy certainly seems pleased with what he has to do… I hope Ron and Hermione find Harry, though…
Chapter 8 – Snape Victorious (so I assume someone does find Harry… what’s Snape got to be victorious about, though? OH! Maybe he gets to be DADA teacher, and Slughorn’s the Potions master! I hadn’t thought about that! That could be why Harry can do Potions… OK, enough speculation, I’ll read the actual chapter now)
Yay Tonks! I still feel sorry for her, too. There’s an Auror at Hogwarts called Proudfoot?... Since when are hobbits qualified wizards?
I wonder what her new Patronus is? I didn’t think they could change. Maybe Harry’s has changed as well?
I KNEW IT! Snape got DADA!! Ooh, what’s going to happen to him at the end of the year?...
Chapter 9 – The Half Blood Prince (OMG!!!!!!!!!!!)
Ooh, Lavender likes Ron…
I knew Harry would be able to take Potions!! But then I think about these things way too much…
Ah, Harry and Ron discover the wonder of free periods…
Their first DADA lesson… oh, dear, Harry… “There’s no need to call me sir, Professor.” Ohh, that was GOOD.
The Amortentia potion sounds interesting… And the Felix Felicis! I’d love some of that on the day of Sports Day, Yeomen never wins anything… or to enter the Lottery…
And OMG THE POTIONS BOOK. PROPERTY OF THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE.
Snape’s!! It has to be Snape’s!!! Snape could be the Half-blood Prince, he’s not on the Black family tree so he’s not a pure-blood!!
*indescribable over-excited yell*
It could be Slughorn’s, though, of course…
MUST READ!!!
Chapter Ten – The House of Gaunt (What?)
Ooooh. OOOOH. This chapter was INTERESTING.
So Voldemort is descended from – for want of a better word – hillbillies? Oh, that’s a proud heritage, that. No wonder he doesn’t talk about it much.
Bob Ogden… a relation of Tiberius Ogden? I forget where I’ve heard that name before. And that boy on the train had an uncle Tiberius… Hmmmmm…
Morfin was WEIRD… but I can’t read his name without thinking ‘MIGHTY MORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS!’
I want to read more, but if I do I’ll never be able to stop… so now, I’m going on break and going swimming. I’m amazed at my strength of will, I’m more tempted by this book than I have been by French chips AND Maxibon.
***
Have been swimming. My sister, who is one of the fastest readers in the world and is already ahead of her friend Nez, who has had the book for two weeks, kindly revealed that the chapter title ‘A very frosty Christmas’ is apt in more ways than one, and that Ron is going out with someone by Christmas, as he is given a ‘chav necklace’. Lavender, I’m guessing – Hermione has more taste.
This has only piqued my curiosity, so on we go. I’m marking my place with my handy-dandy door hanger, by the way.
Chapter 11 – Hermione’s Helping Hand (… in what? Dare I ask?)
Harry… fanciable?? What IS the world coming to??
OMG… Stan Shunpike, a Death Eater??? I repeat my previous statement!
Hannah Abbott’s parents dead??
LAVENDER FLIRTING WITH RON??
Hermione Confunding people???
Hagrid being grumpy???
ARAGOG’S DYING???
Fanciable?
Chapter 12 – Silver and Opals (ok, no idea what this chapter’s going to be about… hopefully less shocking than the last chapter…)
WHOA… this chapter was shocking. First of all, Harry having some backbone and actually attacking someone rather than just whining… and second, Katie! Bloody hell!
Also, this Half Blood Prince person is starting to sound a little worrying… why do I always take Hermione’s point of view on these things?
Damn the fact that dinner’s in five minutes, I want to read more!
Chapter 13 – The Secret Riddle (Oooh. Wait – Harry’s next lesson with Dumbledore should be in this chapter – probably learning more from the pensieve – what if there’s another Riddle in the family??)
DAMN, DINNER!!!
***
Bolted down dinner as fast as I could. Again, had something revealed by Becca – I saw that chapter 21 was something to do with Dementors, I think, and Chapter 22 was called ‘After the Burial’. WHOSE BURIAL??? Also, she said “Ew!” at the end of chapter 21, and a few seconds later said, “Tonks was Sirius’s cousin, right??”
Now, back to the story.
Chapter 13 – The Secret Riddle (see above)
Another interesting chapter. Voldemort was creepy as a kid… veeery creepy.
What’s with the ring?? Where is it now? And – why was Harry asking questions about the mouth organ??
Chapter 14 – Felix Felicis (oh goodie, I’d wondered when we’d see this again)
Ohhh, weird mist… doooom…
… HARRY LIKES GINNY!!! When did THIS happen?
And when are Ron and Hermione going to give up and get together? Their hormones are eager to…
Oh, OH, hormones at war. I feel very bad for Ron, I haven’t had ‘experience’ either. But then I go to an all-girls school…
OHH, Harry. Using Felix Felicis at a Quidditch match?? I am ASHAMED.
Awww, I miss Lee Jordan’s commentating. Zacharias Smith is annoying.
Ohhh, he didn’t use it! That’s what comes from making comments when I haven’t finished the chapter yet… And why did Harper react so weirdly when Harry yelled about Malfoy? But again, Harry, I am ashamed… using something like that to get the Snitch…
Ohh dear. Ron and Hermione, tut tut tut. Especially Ron – LAVENDER?? She’s a – well, not right for him, anyway.
Chapter 15 – The Unbreakable Vow (dramatic chords please…)
OHHH, this is getting VERY exciting!!! It’s all I can do to stop myself from reading on…
Hermione, I never knew you could sink that low… Ron, too. McLadden, YEESH. Reminds me of someone I once knew…
And WHAT IS MALFOY UP TO?? What does Snape know about it?? Why is he learning Occlumency??
AAARGH!!
And nice of Harry to ask Luna… Luna’s lovely. One of my favourite characters – probably because she’s a fair bit like me…
Chapter 16 – A Very Frosty Christmas (ahh, here we are)
Ohh… the book’s fifty years old. It can’t be Snape’s then… maybe Slughorn’s? Or Dumbledore’s? It’s not Voldemort’s, JK Rowling already said.
Eeuuuurgh… Celestina Warbeck reminds me of having to listen to Enya at my granddad’s house…
Lupin’s story of being bitten… whoa… Fenrir is a massive wolf from Norse mythology, a son of Loki. Liked that little reference there.
HAHAHA, Ron’s chav necklace!! Maggots from Kreacher… nice.
Harry’s talk with Scrimgeour… WHOA. Harry is so much better this year. He’s not whingy any more – he’s definitely grown up. YAY HARRY!
Chapter 17 – A Sluggish Memory (oh dear, not Slughorn again. He PISSES ME OFF)
Won-Won!!! Ahhh, how sweet… as sweet as undiluted Slush puppy…
Apparition lessons – this just reminds me I need to learn how to drive…
ANOTHER interesting chapter. So the ring comes down through the Slytherin line…
I’d forgotten Slughorn was teacher when Riddle was at school… of course, he would have been his head of house. No wonder Voldemort’s so eager to get him on his side.
Keep picturing Riddle as he was in the Chamber of Secrets… ahhhh, bishiness at Hogwarts.
Chapter 18 – Birthday Surprises (Ron’s birthday, I suppose. Wait a moment… isn’t Hermione 17 by now? She can Apparate!)
Golpalott’s third law sounds too much like moles and algebra for my liking…
Haha, I thought of using a bezoar! But it is kind of cheating.
So WTF is a Horcrux??
Apparition sounds much better than driving…
… oh my. Oh my oh my. Ron is in love… with a bimbo??? Why?? Whywhywhy??? What about Hermione???
Oh. OHHH. The chocolate cauldrons… the Love Potions! I thought this all came on a bit abruptly! Aww, poor Lav-Lav…
OMG!!! RON!!!!! I was NOT expecting that!!!!! OK, no more writing comments before the chapter is done… thank God for Snape being mean to Harry and for the Half Blood Prince, that’s all I can say! Oh, and for stones in goats’ stomachs, I suppose…
I really ought to go to bed… screw it.
Where could the poison have come from?? Romilda Vane? She could have given that package to Katie Bell, too, she could have been in the Three Broomsticks’ bathroom… otherwise, it would have to be Slughorn…
Chapter 19 – Elf Tails (Kreacher, I suppose)
I knew I wasn’t going to make comments earlier, but… Luna doing the commentary?? BIBBLE BUGGINS??? Stop ripping off LOTR, JK! OK, done.
Quidditchy chapter again… McLaggen is SERIOUSLY annoying now.
I’m glad Ron’s all right, and that there is still some hope for him and Hermione…
Clever idea, setting Kreacher to follow Malfoy. Harry is getting a leetle obsessed though. And finally – Kreacher vs Dobby! FIGHT! FIGHT!
OK, I’m going to bed now…
***
Forget it, I ain’t going to sleep.
Chapter 20 – Lord Voldemort’s Request (OOOOOOOH)
Ohhh, Voldemort jinxed the position of DADA teacher!!! I LIKE that!!! Quite a few similarities between Voldy and Snape… interesting…
I’m enjoying these little excursions/ lessons/ chances for plot background. They’re showing a lot about Voldemort’s background, which is good, but not exactly very subtly done…
Chapter 21 – The Unknowable Room (ANOTHER weird room in Hogwarts? How many can that place hold??)
So it didn’t have anything to do with Dementors… whoops. Well, I did only glance over Becca’s shoulder at the chapter title… or, rather, try not to but inadvertently see…
Finally, Ron got round to saying “I love you” to Hermione! Not exactly in the right context, but never mind…
WHAT is Malfoy up to?? I wanna know!!!!!
Chapter 22 – After the Burial (Sirius’s? Wait, no, they don’t have his body… Wait, ARAGOG! NOOO!!!)
Awww, Aragog!!!
That Felix Felicis potion is AWESOME. I want some!!
And drunk Hagrid and Slughorn made reading this book worthwhile just by itself. Hehehehehe.
Chapter 23 – Horcruxes (YES! YES! YES!)
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH.
This is INTERESTING.
I wonder what the other Horcruxes are? Wait… if Harry’s one… I will break things.
OK, wanna read more!!
Chapter 24 – Sectumsempra (Oooh. OOOH. What would that do? Rictusempra is tickling… so what does rictu mean? Ribs, I think. And sectum? Uhhh…. Oh, for a Latin dictionary…)
OMG OMG OMG
Must go calm self OMG
*five minutes later*
OK… have recovered… OMG!!!!!!!! GINNY!!!!! THE SPELL, MALFOY-
I need another break.
Wait, no I don’t. OK. Calmer. Slightly.
This chapter – ohhh, Harry. Dark magic!!! I was NOT expecting the spell to do that!!!!
And MALFOY! He was about to use an Unforgivable Curse!! And he was crying, ohh, poor Malfoy… telling everything to the ghost of a Mudblood, of all people!
Oh boy… this chapter said a lot about who Harry and Malfoy are now. They’ve both grown up.
I need to go to bed… I’ll keep reading this in the morning… once more, OMG.
***
OK, I’m awake, and I’m reading this before I go down to breakfast. Am calmer than I was last night, but WANNA READ.
Chapter 25 – The Seer Overheard (uh-oh… Trelawney? Does a Death Eater overhear the rest of the Prophecy? That could be bad…)
OOOOOH! SNAPE HEARD IT! I had suspected something like that!
Eileen Prince?? That’s not exciting…
I still think Harry’s jumping to conclusions about Snape and Malfoy – he did that in the first one, and look where it got him.
Comments are getting shorter because I want to READ MORE.
Chapter 26 – The Cave (OOOOOH, ex-CI-ting)
Whoaaa…. This chapter was kind of disturbing. I really, really don’t like Inferi. I didn’t like them when I first read their description. Euurgh… I have a thing about zombies.
Smart defences, though. Wonder how long Voldemort spent coming up with them?
It was really creepy, seeing Dumbledore like that… he’s the one who’s going to die. It’s so obvious. This chapter was his last gleam of glory. Oh dear… poor Dubbledore…
Chapter 27 – The Lightning Struck Tower (Ooooooh…)
OMG!!!!
OK, I knew it was going to happen, but still!!! SNAPE KILLED DUMBLEDORE!! And Malfoy… poor, poor Malfoy…
Fenrir is seriously disturbing. I think he scares me most out of all the villains so far… along with Inferi…
Er… hate to nit-pick, but why exactly was the tower Lightning struck?
NEVER MIND KEEP READING!!!
Chapter 28 – Flight of the Prince (Snape, I knew it…)
Whatever happens, I must not cry…
NOOOOOO!!! DUBBLEDORE!!!!!!
Why do I not hate Snape, though? I just can’t accept that he’s evil… I don’t think he is.
Or Malfoy!! I don’t hate him either, I just feel sorry for him!!
So R.A.B. has – or has destroyed – the real Horcrux?? That can’t be… Regulus Black?? But then it would be at Grimmauld Place, so Kreacher would have it… or MUNDUNGUS!! But he’s in Azkaban! OK WANNA READ MORE!!
Chapter 29 – The Phoenix Lament (ohhhhh dear….)
Ohh, this chapter was sad… they can’t close the school!! And BIIILLL!!!! NOOO!
Chapter 30 – The White Tomb (Will not cry… WILL NOT CRY…)
Whooaaaa…. It’s over. It’s all over.
The next book is going to be GOOD.
***
That was the only comment I could think of at the time, but now, several weeks later when I’m typing up all the notes from my notebook, I’ve had my time to wander around the house in a daze occasionally saying, “Dubbledooore!! Snape CAN’T be evil!!” and can actually appraise the book.
It was good. Really good. Harry was a much more likeable character than he was in the fifth one, one that I actually care about what happens to him.
I thought this one was very well written as well. There was plenty of humour to counterbalance the drama going on in the outside world (Ron’s comment ‘Anyone we know dead?’ really hit home about how much the characters have grown) and even though there wasn’t endless drama and action – just Harry wondering what Malfoy was up to, really – it kept your attention.
So what’s going to happen in the next one? Harry has to find the other Horcruxes – the gold locket is either still in Grimmauld Place or Mundungus or Kreacher has it… then there’s Ravenclaw’s and Hufflepuff’s, and maybe Nagini… Again, if Harry is the seventh Horcrux, then – I don’t know how I’ll handle that.
R.A.B. is almost certainly Regulus Black, but since reading the book, I’ve also read several editorials on the subject, and they’re not all so sure. For one thing, this doesn’t seem like the sort of thing for Regulus to do, from the description Sirius gave us – but then Sirius wasn’t always right. He probably hadn’t spoken to his brother in years, and could have underestimated him.
There’s also the suggestion that Regulus didn’t know Voldemort well enough to know where the Horcrux was. The note did seem very personal.
But then, we already have the gold locket at Grimmauld Place… it would be simple for Regulus to be R.A.B.
So Harry will be going back to Privet Drive, and I’m guessing this last stay at the Dursleys will reveal quite a bit. He might go back to Hogwarts briefly, if only for him to maybe get Gryffindor’s sword, or to talk to Dumbledore’s portrait (maybe learn what happened to his hand?) and maybe to collect Fawkes to go with him. And then, off to Godric’s Hollow!! HOPEFULLY revealing some more backstory about Lily and James…
All I can say is, roll on book seven!! Bloody hell, by the time that comes out I’ll be in medical school…