You may ask yourself this question if you are into the entire storyline of Harry Potter and have picked up and started reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I’ve just finished the story myself, and while normally I am not one to read rumours, especially about Harry Potter, I’m just curious to know what people thought. What people have started to speculate. I don’t pretend to know, and I surely won’t, until Book 7 is finally released…whenever that would be.
There are spoilers contained within this entry, so if you have already read the book, then continue futher, otherwise, wait till later, or get spoiled now.
Sad. Sad sad sad ending. I can’t say I didn’t see it coming, and neither can I say that I did not see the “betrayal” of Snape. Of course, I reserve all judgement till later. Oh, I don’t doubt that Dumbledore is dead. I just don’t believe 100% that Dumbledore was fooled into trusting Snape. While Snape is a great occlumens, who’s to say he was better than Dumbledore? Who’s to say he isn’t better than Voldemort? It’s really tough to say I think.
Which brings me to something else. Perhaps I missed it before in another book, but why exactly is Voldemort afraid of Dumbledore and Dumbledore alone? Yes, we know Dumbledore was an extremely powerful wizard. But why is Voldemort afraid of him? We do get to learn more about the relationship between Voldemort and Dumbledore, and yes, I concede it could be because Voldemort could never see what Dumbledore knew. (as demonstrated in Dumbledore’s memory of their last meeting at Hogwarts.) This tells me that Dumbledore is a greater occlumens than Voldemort. So, in essence, Snape must be a greater occlumens than Dumbledore if he indeed fooled him into thinking he could trust Snape. Which in turn, would make Snape greater than Voldemort. It’s a bit crazy in there for theories.
I did love the history lessons that Dumbledore was giving Harry, using the pensieve. It’s always a good strategy to know your enemy before you defeat them. Considering Voldemort knows incredibly more about Potter, than vice versa, it was good for Dumbledore to even (somewhat) the odds. At least now, Potter knows what he has to do to defeat Voldemort (In a vague sort of way).
There was definitely a heightened bit of romance/teenage obsession in this book. I was rather happy to see that Ginny and Harry did finally (for a short time) get to spend time and be with each other. Very nice touch, I thought. I was also glad to see that the Hermione/Ron romance is kinda progressing, although it did seem redundant to me, as it seems like they’ve been doing the same thing since Goblet of Fire. (Hermione goes out with boy, Ron gets upset, stir, mix, repeat.)
I was glad to see that Luna Lovegood was not forgotten, although I felt there could have been much more of Neville in the story. I still feel that Neville has a crucial role to play in the last chapter of Book 7. I often think of him as the unsung hero.
Oddly enough, I did not catch who exactly was the Half-Blood Prince until about 3/4 of the way into the book. I had my suspicions, thinking at first that it was indeed Voldemort (since his father was a muggle), but when Snape reacted the way he did when Harry used the SectumSempra spell, I knew there was something going on there.
I knew, however that J.K.R. just couldn’t leave something for us to think about, and that would be the note and the locket. The identity of R.A.B. is probably not important (or very important, hard to say), but I am just curious to know who it would be. Obviously someone who did not expect to live to see The Dark Lord get killed. I can only suspect that it is a former Death-Eater who despised Voldemort, and knew him in his younger years. That would be a very big speculation.
So what will Book 7 be about besides Harry Potter running of and trying to get Voldemort? Will there be another year at Hogwarts? Harry mentioned it himself, that even if there was, he would not be there. He wants to avenge the deaths of those he truly loved (well, we can’t say he loved Cedric, now can we?) and visit his old home. It’s tough to say, but I am really looking forward to it.
J.K.R, I love your work, never stop writing.
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Snape could be a better occulumens than Voldemort, but a lesser occlumens than Dumbledore.
Which makes Snape still a double agent, and really IN with Voldemort. The conflict that may be exposed through book 7 is that Snape was caught in the Imbreakable Vow and his loyalty to Dumbledore. The argument between DD and Snape could have been on this, and DD could have said, you then must kill me to keep your cover, and to protect Harry (AND Molfoy).
Snape promised to protect Molfoy, he didn’t specify as to what, and he kept trying to figure out what Molfoy’s task was. His promise might be taken as to protect Molfoy from Voldemort, which would also require DD death, since a failure would put Molfoy at risk.
RAB == Regulus A. Black (Sirius father)
Is Harry a Horcrux?
Ahhh… Regulus… very good, apparently J.K.R. has already mentioned that that is “a fine guess”.
Well, sadly we’d have to wait for book 7, i’m already ready for it lol.
As for harry being a horcrux, interesting.
My thoughts on Snape killing Dumbledore is that Dumbledore told Snape to do it. Remember when Hagrid told Harry about Snape and Dumbledore arguing? Also, being that Dumbledore was dying anyway (the curse on Morvolo’s ring and drinking the potion), it was the only way. Seemed funny that Dumbledore was sort of jovial with Draco and the other Death Eaters. Almost like he was stalling for time. Time for Snape to get there.
Yeah, i’m thinking that’s about the theory that DD knew it had to be done. JKR had mentioned in an interview that “the hero stands alone”, so DD couldn’t really be there when Potter was to finally confront Volde. It’s tragic, but it just had to happen that way.
In OotP, there’s mention of a locket in Sirius’ house.
While I didn’t want DD to die, I’m not surprised that Snape did it. I would have been more surprised if he HADN’T been the one. Snape’s always walked that fine line – and no matter what side he’s on, it ALWAYS looks like he’s on the other. As much as I’m not a Snape fan, it makes him a great character.
I was more surprised by Harry’s maturity at the end of the book. I think Harry’s finally over the pain and shock of the last couple of books and in the final chapter, he’ll be the hero. Or he’ll die a really tragic death – either way, its apt to be excellent. I can’t wait for Book 7.
I was thinking too, i think in the interview with JKR that someone had mentioned how yes, the “long haired bearded old wise guy would always perish (or die)” and JKR just nods. Well, while this does seem to be the true thing in many stories, I was thinking, yes, even in Tolkien, Gandalf does die. But he comes back as something greater.
I really hope that JKR doesn’t bring back DD. Both DD and Sirius. Honestly. If you kill off a character, unless it was part of a big hoax or trick or a major part of a twist in the story, they should never ever come back.
In Tolkien, it was perfectly acceptable for Gandalf to come back because he was reborn, reborn as Gandalf the White, not Gandalf the Grey. Technically they’re different folks.
So while I too am very sad that DD was killed, I seriously hope he doesn’t come back at the end of book 7.
Oh, and I love how JKR eliminated the possibility of the time travel theories how DD is Ron or Harry from the future kind of thing by having Hermione say that all the clock turners were destroyed in the Ministry.
it just occured to me. Did DD put Snapes as the new DADA teacher because he knew he would kill him and leave the school? The post of that class has been cursed ever since Voldemort requested the job. Or was it just coincidence? I mean, DD knew that it was cursed, and that anyone who took the post of DADA teacher wouldn’t stay the year…