Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Full Plot Summary

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Contents 1 The Other Minister 2 Spinner's End 3 Will and Won't 4 Horace Slughorn 5 An Excess of Phlegm 6 Draco's Detour 7 The Slug Club 8 Snape Victorious 9 The Half-Blood Prince 10 The House of Gaunt 11 Hermione's Helping Hand 12 Silver and Opals 13 The Secret Riddle 14 Felix Felicis 15 The Unbreakable Vow 16 A Very Frosty Christmas 17 A Sluggish Memory 18 Birthday Surprises 19 Elf Tails 20 Lord Voldemort's Request 21 The Unknowable Room 22 After the Burial 23 Horcruxes 24 Sectumsempra 25 The Seer Overheard 26 The Cave 27 The Lightning-Struck Tower 28 Flight of the Prince 29 The Phoenix Lament 30 The White Tomb

[edit] The Other Minister

We start out with an astonished British Prime Minister receiving a visit from Cornelius Fudge, who introduces him to the new Minister for Magic Rufus Scrimgeour. They discuss the state of the world and explain that the wizarding world is in a war against Lord Voldemort. It is made clear that innocent people, Muggles as well as Wizards, are dying.

[edit] Spinner's End

Bellatrix Lestrange and her sister Narcissa Malfoy visit Severus Snape at his private home on Spinners End for help. It is made abundantly clear that Bellatrix both dislikes and distrusts Snape, but a desperate Narcissa insists that he is the only one who can protect her son Draco Malfoy, who has been given a special task by the Dark Lord. Snape makes an Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa to watch, protect, and replace Draco in his objective, if necessary.

A visual of the Unbreakable Vow can be seen on the inside flap of the U.K. Children's edition.

[edit] Will and Won't

Dumbledore picks Harry up from the home of the Dursleys and explains to them that Harry must return to them one final time, after this school year, to keep Harry in the protective charm that Dumbledore placed when he was young. He also explains to them that this protection will only last until Harry comes of age at 17 in one year. He then explains to Harry that Sirius Black has left him 12 Grimmauld Place, along with Kreacher the house-elf.

[edit] Horace Slughorn

On their way to the Burrow, Dumbledore takes Harry to help recruit a new Hogwarts teacher, Horace Slughorn, who Harry assumes is to replace Dolores Umbridge as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. To Harry's great delight (and surprise), Dumbledore tells Harry that he will be giving him private lessons to help prepare him for his confrontation with Voldemort. He also advises Harry to carry his Invisibility Cloak with him at all times.

[edit] An Excess of Phlegm

Harry meets Fleur Delacour at the Burrow. Ginny and Hermione cannot stand her, but Ron on the other hand cannot keep his eyes off her. She is now engaged to Bill, the eldest of the Weasley siblings. Following Dumbledore's advice to confide in his two best friends, Harry tells Hermione and Ron about the Prophecy shattered in the Department of Mysteries at the end of the last school year.

Hermione, Harry, and Ron all get their O.W.L. report cards. Harry is relieved to have done better than he expected, but fears his "E" in Potions, though above average, is not the "O" that's required to continue studying Potions with Professor Snape. This might destroy his chance of becoming an Auror.

[edit] Draco's Detour

While checking out Fred and George Weasley's store, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley, Harry, Ron, and Hermione spot Draco Malfoy sneaking around and decide to follow him while they hide under the Invisibility Cloak. Draco goes into the shop Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley and the trio discover that he is trying to get something fixed. Harry suspects that Draco has replaced his father, who is in Azkaban, as a Death Eater, but nobody else believes him.

[edit] The Slug Club

On board the Hogwarts Express, the new professor, Horace Slughorn, invites Harry and Neville Longbottom to his train compartment. Others are there whom Slughorn is trying to influence or impress, including Cormac McLaggen, another Gryffindor, and Blaise Zabini, a Slytherin. Harry follows Zabini (hiding under the Invisibility Cloak) to the compartment where Draco Malfoy is, hoping to spy on him and get some more concrete evidence of his suspected 'Death Eater' status. Draco notices and paralyzes Harry. Draco then breaks Harry's nose and leaves him hidden under the Invisibility Cloak while everyone else leaves the train. Luckily, Harry is found by Nymphadora Tonks and arrives at Hogwarts only slightly late.

[edit] Snape Victorious

Snape is revealed here as the new DADA Professor, while Slughorn replaces him as Potions professor. Harry wasn't expecting to be able to continue with Potions since Snape told him last year that Harry would need to get an "O" to continue to N.E.W.T., but Slughorn only requires an "E" so now Harry and Ron are both able to take the class.

[edit] The Half-Blood Prince

Since neither Harry nor Ron were prepared to take the Potions class, they needed to borrow used books (Advanced Potion Making, pictured on U.K. adult cover) that had been left over from previous years. Harry's second-hand book has some notes and scribbles in the margins; some corrections or adjustments to the potion recipes.

Slughorn challenges the class to see who can complete a complex potion in the most correct fashion. Using the notes in his new book, Harry wins the challenge. The prize is a bottle of Felix Felicis a luck potion which promises to give Harry 12 hours of pure luck where nothing will go wrong for him. Harry discovers that the book used to belong to a person called the Half-Blood Prince.

[edit] The House of Gaunt

Harry meets Dumbledore for his first lesson. Using the Pensieve, they visit one of Dumbledore's memories and follow a man to a shack in the woods (pictured on our current front page and Deluxe Edition cover). The residents of the shack are the Gaunts, including the woman who would become Voldemort's mother. This is the first in a series of revelations regarding Voldemort's history/background.

[edit] Hermione's Helping Hand

Stan Shunpike from the Knight Bus is arrested on suspicion of possessing information about Death Eaters. Dumbledore is frequently absent from the school. Quidditch tryouts are held and several new players join the team. Ron stays on as Keeper after Hermione discreetly Confunds Cormac McLaggen. The trio visit Hagrid who is a bit offended they didn't take his class, Care of Magical Creatures. He tells them Aragog is unwell, and most likely dying. The Draco issue is further discussed following raids on the Malfoy mansion.

[edit] Silver and Opals

Harry tries some of the spells invented by the "Prince" which are recorded in the book. Predictably, Hermione disapproves of this activity. They make their first visit to Hogsmeade. Harry gets into a scuffle with Mundungus Fletcher who is trying to sell things stolen from 12 Grimmauld Place.

Katie Bell is given a cursed necklace to deliver to somebody at Hogwarts. However before she gets there she touches it and is nearly killed. Harry, Ron, and Hermione get help and she is rushed to the Hospital wing. Harry suspects Draco is involved and relays his susicions to Professor McGonagall, but she reveals Draco has been at the school the entire time.

[edit] The Secret Riddle

This is the second of Harry's lessons with Dumbledore and they once again take a trip into the pensieve. They witness 11-year-old Voldemort. The child likes to be alone and hates being associated as similar to others. Unusually for his age, he is able to control his powers and use them to have power over people. He (Voldemort) stated that he was able to make bad things happen to people who annoy him, and that he can make them hurt if he wants to.

[edit] Felix Felicis

Harry acknowledges that something appears to be happening between his friends. Unfortunately for Ron, he and Harry catch Ginny snogging with Dean Thomas. This stirs up emotions in Harry. Ginny makes some revelations about Hermione & Viktor Krum which horrify Ron. Ron decides to retaliate by going out with Lavender Brown who has been showing Ron extra attention. In return, Hermione seeks her own revenge.

[edit] The Unbreakable Vow

Love potions are discussed in some depth. A transfiguration class leaves many emotionally wounded. Hermione is ironically comforted by Luna Lovegood. Harry asks Luna to go with him to Slughorn's Christmas Party. Hermione invites Cormac McLaggen, one of Ron's rivals, to go to the party with her. Harry eavesdrops on Snape and Draco discussing a plan and hears about the Unbreakable Vow which makes him even more suspicious of both of them.

[edit] A Very Frosty Christmas

Ron and Harry spend Christmas at the Burrow with the Weasley family and Remus Lupin. Lupin reveals how he first became a werewolf and that Fenrir Greyback was the werewolf that bit him. Percy Weasley stops in for a short visit with the new Minister for Magic who tries to force Harry into giving an appearance that he is supporting the Ministry.

[edit] A Sluggish Memory

The Ministry is offering Apparition lessons to sixth years, and many students, including the trio, sign up. Harry has his third meeting with Dumbledore, where they discuss Tom Riddle's first year at Hogwarts and use the pensieve to view the memory of Morfin Gaunt Voldemort's uncle. Through this, Harry discovers how Voldemort killed his muggle father.The next memory they view with the pensieve belongs to Slughorn, who was Tom Riddle's potions professor. Dumbledore tells Harry that this memory is the most important, but that it has been altered. Dumbledore sets Harry the task of persuading Professor Slughorn to reveal his true response to Riddle asking him about Horcruxes.

[edit] Birthday Surprises

Harry is one of Slughorn's favourite students, thanks in part to the Half-Blood Prince's footnotes in Harry's potions book. Following the Prince's scribbled instructions has made Harry the best in his class. In spite of Harry's multiple attempts, Slughorn sticks to the altered version of his memory regarding Horcruxes, which are of very dark magic. So dark, that none of Hogwarts' library books even describe what they are. Harry starts using the Marauders Map to keep an eye on Draco Malfoy, who keeps disappearing off the map, much to Harry's dismay.

[edit] Elf Tails

Hagrid overhears Dumbledore arguing with Snape and Snape saying Dumbledore took too much for granted, and maybe he (Snape) didn't want to do it anymore. Dumbledore then asks Snape to make investigations in his house. Harry wonders if this means that Dumbledore doesn't really trust Snape as much as he pretends to, and figures Dumbledore wanted Malfoy watched closer. Becoming ever more suspicious of Malfoy, Harry assigns Dobby and Kreacher, a couple of house-elves, to follow Draco around and see what he's up to, giving Harry regular reports.

[edit] Lord Voldemort's Request

Harry meets Dumbledore for their fourth traning session, and must confess that he hasn't yet managed to get the unaltered memory about the Horcruxes from Slughorn. Dumbledore is disappointed, and says that this will then be their last meeting until Harry accomplishes that task. Using the pensieve, Dumbledore shows Harry two memories. The first one reveals Voldemort murdering once more - this time to collect some precious heirlooms. The second, one of Dumbledore's own memories regarding Voldemort. It is 10 years after Tom Riddle graduates from Hogwarts, and he returns to Dumbledore, who is now Headmaster, to ask for the DADA job. Dumbledore declines his offer and thinks this is when Voldemort put a curse on the job, making it impossible for any DADA teacher to stay for more than one year.

[edit] The Unknowable Room

The house-elves report that Draco is regularly on the seventh-floor with a variety of other students who keep watch for him while he enters the Room of Requirement

[edit] After the Burial

Hagrid is really upset when Aragog dies. Harry is more and more desperate to get the memory from Slughorn, so he decides to take a sip of the lucky potion. Harry gets Slughorn to come with him to Hagrid's hut for the burial. While intoxicated, Slughorn agrees to give Harry the true memory of his conversation with Riddle about the Horcruxes.

[edit] Horcruxes

Harry rushes off to tell Dumbledore about his victory and together they use the pensieve to view the unaltered memory. In the memory, Slughorn explains to Riddle that a Horcrux is the word used for an object in which a person has concealed a part of their soul. He also tells Riddle that this is done by commiting murder - which rips the soul apart. The torn part of the soul can be encased in an object by a spell. Riddle tells Slughorn that he thinks that seven Horcruxes would make the wizard even stronger, as it is the most powerfully magical number. Dumbledore explains to Harry that Riddle's Diary (from book 2) was proof that Riddle had created a Horcrux, and that there were others, which Harry must help him to locate and destroy.

[edit] Sectumsempra

Harry spies on Draco who notices and attempts to curse Harry. Using a spell that he discovered in his potions book (hand-written by the prince), Harry thwarts Draco's effort and instead causes Malfoy major harm - which horrifies Harry, as he wasn't sure what the curse would do. Snape intervenes and saves Draco, but is furious with Harry and demands Harry tell him/her where Harry learned this Dark magic. Afraid of losing the book that has made him master of potions, Harry passes Ron's copy to Snape.

[edit] The Seer Overheard

Professor Trelawney reveals to Harry some more details about the night of the Prophecy (from book 5), and Harry becomes ever more suspicious of Snape. Dumbledore tells Harry he has found another Horcrux and he and Harry leave in order to recover it.

[edit] The Cave

Harry assists Dumbledore in retrieving one of Voldemort's Horcruxes from a cave. Harry has to force Dumbledore to drink a green potion in order to get the Horcrux. The process is extremely draining for Dumbledore, and weakens him immensely.

[edit] The Lightning-Struck Tower

When Dumbledore and Harry return from the cave, they spot a Dark Mark in the sky above one of Hogwarts' towers. After arriving on the top of the tower, Dumbledore sends Harry to get aid from Snape whom Dumbledore insists is the only Professor who can help revive him from injuries sustained at the cave. Harry puts on his invisibility cloak and turns to leave, but before Harry is able, Draco Malfoy comes out to them on the roof, and Dumbledore immobilizes Harry to protect him from harm. Invisible and unable to move, Harry witnesses a revealing conversation between Dumbledore and Malfoy. Dumbledore tells Malfoy to come to the good side and they can hide him and his mother. Then a pack of Death-Eaters arrive on the scene, followed by Snape with several students and professors battling other Death-Eaters just down stairs. Dumbledore says "Severus ...please..." and then Snape kills Dumbledore with the Avada Kedavra curse

[edit] Flight of the Prince

Harry chases Snape and he reveals himself as the Half-Blood Prince. Harry tries to hit Snape with curses but Snape keeps deflecting them, and tells Harry that he needs to keep his mind shut and his mouth closed. Harry discovers a parchment note in the newly-obtained Horcrux, written by somebody with the initials R.A.B. who seems to have taken the real Horcrux and tried to destroy it.

[edit] The Phoenix Lament

The Ministry and the school staff meet in Dumbledore's office to discuss the future of Hogwarts.

[edit] The White Tomb

There is a funeral for Dumbledore and everybody shows up including the merpeople, the Centaurs, Grawp (Hagrid's giant brother), the Minister for Magic and many others. Scrimgeour tries again to get Harry to help out the ministry Harry is more determined than ever to find the remaining Horcruxes and destroy Voldemort.Ron and Hermione tell Harry they are going with him to search.