Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince -Discussion Thread - Eternal Allegiance

Starshine · 07-22-2005, 10:22 AM

I thought I'd start this thread, because the other thread about the cover of the book was trashed by all who posted in it. :P I thought maybe we could start fresh and have FANS of the book dicuss how they feel.

1 rule though. I myself just finished the book, so obviously not everyone finished it on the Sunday after its release. Please make sure that all spoilers (no matter how small) are behind a [*spoiler] [*/spoiler] cut.

Spoiler!

This book answered so many questions, as well as brought MANY new ones to the surface. I cried in OotP when Sirius died, so when Dumbledore was murdered, I was sobbing. It was terrible. Especially because of how he died. There are still questions about Snape to be answered though. Such as, why Dumbledore trusted him so much. There was a reason, he wasnt by any means, a stupid man. Im curious about the things he shouted while drinking the potion to get to the locket though. Right away when he said that it was his fault and to hurt him instead, I thought of James and Lilly. Maybe he trusted Snape because he himself had a dark past, and knew that people could change?

I was so excited when Harry finally kissed Ginny, and naturally dissapointed when he had to end things with her. However, if everyone survives, Im sure they'll end up together. Did anyone else notice how much they'll look like Harry's parents? He looks like James and Ginny is a pretty girl with long red hair, just like Lilly.

Oh and Lupin + Tonks.. <33333333333333333333

I cant help but think that there will be a terrible, unhappy ending in the next book. I have a really strong feeling that Harry wont make it. JK has said before that we shouldnt expect a happy singsong ending, and from the tone of Half Blood Prince I wouldnt be surprised.

I hate how I felt sorry for Snape in Azkaban because of how he turned out in the end. JK doesnt usually shoot for the obvious though, and everyone assumed Snape a Death Eater from Book 1. Something tells me that something is up with that and it wont be how it looks. Especially because she gave us that insight to the torture James and Sirius made Severus endure during his childhood. She made us sympathetic towards him, and showed us James in a different light. She didnt do that accidently, I can almost bet that something huge will come of that.

Im excited for Book 7, even though I know that its going to be a real long time before its released. Im anxious to find out who R.A.B is. Especially because, like I said, she doesnt usually shoot the obvious.

Birgerhar · 07-23-2005, 09:13 AM

Spoiler!

I was absolutely crying (and I never ever cry) at the end of the book. Dumbledore was like a father to me, even though he never existed. You could always depend on him. The one character you could ALWAYS depend on. And now he's gone.

R.A.B. to me is DEFINATELY Regalus Black. Even in the interview with her that TLC and Mugglenet gave, she seemed that way. Now, we need to figure out Regalus's father's name and if it starts with an A, HURRAY.

I was always leaning for Harry/Ginny. They just seemed perfect from the start. I liked how Ginny never lost interest in Harry.

To me, and I hope I'm true, that Snape is still working for the Order. And through many polls most people resoundingly agree. I dont think that Dumbledore would EVER beg for his life. He even stated that there are worse things than death. I definately think he was pleading for Snape to kill him. And Snape being the bastard he is put a hateful expression on his face because he knows what will happen to him now if he's caught. And Snape practically yelled at Harry when he called him a coward. And Dumbledore, yes he said he always looks too much to the better of people, but ALWAYS insisted that Severus was to be trusted. And if you can't trust Dumbledore, who can?

In that same interview JK said Dumbledore's now infamous "gleam of triumph" at the end of Book 4 is enourmously significant! And we could if we read closely enough see what that significance is, but really no one has. She said it will be answered in Book 7.

Btw, if any of you havent checked it out, check out this GREAT interview:
http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/ex...nterview1.html
http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/ex...nterview2.html
http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/ex...nterview3.html

Kattie · 07-23-2005, 03:54 PM

Spoiler!

Quotes between asterisks because they show up otherwise.

****To me, and I hope I'm true, that Snape is still working for the Order. And through many polls most people resoundingly agree.*********

I also agree that Snape is working for the Order.

******** I dont think that Dumbledore would EVER beg for his life. He even stated that there are worse things than death. I definately think he was pleading for Snape to kill him.*******

I think Snape told DD about the unbreakable vow and DD wanted Snape to kill him in order to save Draco. DD knew he was going to die retrieving the horcrux, so he brought Harry along to learn. That is also why DD immobilized Harry.

It is also why Snape got peeved at being called a coward. He went on a black ops mission and risked his neck literally for the Order.

*******And Snape being the bastard he is put a hateful expression on his face because he knows what will happen to him now if he's caught.********

I think that Snape just didn't want to do it. He didn't seem terribly thrilled to do the Unbreakable Vow either.

******And Snape practically yelled at Harry when he called him a coward. And Dumbledore, yes he said he always looks too much to the better of people, but ALWAYS insisted that Severus was to be trusted. And if you can't trust Dumbledore, who can?*****

True, throughout the series Harry has always hated Snape and that has poisoned him against any possibly of Snape being good. I think Snape is unlikable ,but ultimately good.

Plus, as you said, DD isn't dumb. I'll bet he made Snape take an Unbreakable Vow.

It's possible DD left a pensieve to vindicate Snape. One of the things DD kept telling Harry during the Voldie memory lane trip was that things may not be as simple as they seem. For example, Voldie tampered with the house-elf's memory in order to get away with murder and theft. And then the barmaid in real time was under the Imperius Curse allowing the Death Eaters entrance to the school. I think that in book seven we will have Ron, Ginny, or Hermoine under it at some point. And you know that Neville will have to help save the day in a significant way. As long as Snape doesn't die, I'm happy.

As for R.A.B., I agree that it is Sirius's brother especially when there was that whole deal about the thief stealing the Black family belongings.

Another funny thing was the Voldie came from a white trash wizard family. LMAO I'm so glad that they finally explained his history.

Overall, I give the book a 10/10. Not only because I am a Snape fan ,but because it didn't feel like filler like the fifth did.

Starshine · 07-23-2005, 09:48 PM

Spoiler!

Interesting R.A.B theory..

http://www.livejournal.com/users/gar...d=57681#t57681

Im telling you, JK doesnt shoot for the obvious.. lol

Birgerhar · 07-23-2005, 10:41 PM

Spoiler!

Hmmm... that was a good theory. I liked those quotes at the end. What people should be talking about but aren;t is Dumbledore's words when he was drinking the potion. And that quote that was posted on that live journal made me think... was Dumbledore present at the night of the killing of James and Lily. Did he have something to do with Voldemort killing them? Did he set up for Snape to eavesdrop on his meeting with Trealwney to give the prophecy to Voldemort for some great reason unknown. Remember the "gleam of trumph"? JK said that would be answered (FINALLY) in book 7 and I feel that it might be connected to that very night. Hmmm...

Starshine · 07-25-2005, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Amar
Spoiler!
Hmmm... that was a good theory. I liked those quotes at the end. What people should be talking about but aren;t is Dumbledore's words when he was drinking the potion. And that quote that was posted on that live journal made me think... was Dumbledore present at the night of the killing of James and Lily. Did he have something to do with Voldemort killing them? Did he set up for Snape to eavesdrop on his meeting with Trealwney to give the prophecy to Voldemort for some great reason unknown. Remember the "gleam of trumph"? JK said that would be answered (FINALLY) in book 7 and I feel that it might be connected to that very night. Hmmm...

Spoiler!

Thats what Im talking about! LOL The first thing I thought of after Dumbledore had drank the potion and said 'Its my fault, dont hurt them, hurt me instead..' I thought of James and Lily.

AngelOfDeath_ea · 07-27-2005, 01:40 PM

Spoiler!

I absolutely loved the book. I went onto a HP chat room where they also speculate that RAB is Sirius' brother, Regulus, who I believe used to be a Death Eater until he quit and was killed by Voldemort. According to the peeps on the chat room, JKR has started on the 7th book and said that the very last word in the book is 'scar'. I cannot WAIT for it!!!!!

Birgerhar · 07-27-2005, 02:24 PM

Yeah. JK hasnt started writing #7 but started planning it. But she said it will take at least another 2 years.

Well at least we have a time period to look forward to, instead of brooding for two years on when it will be announced.

CrAZyBeAuTiFuL4 · 07-27-2005, 02:50 PM

*dies* Do you have any idea how tempting it is to read these spoliers?!?!?! I'm finally up to pate 300 and I'm dying not knowing the ending!! I just have no time to read with work and everything...argh!!!!

Starshine · 07-27-2005, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Amar
Yeah. JK hasnt started writing #7 but started planning it. But she said it will take at least another 2 years. Well at least we have a time period to look forward to, instead of brooding for two years on when it will be announced.

Book #7 has been planned since before book #1 came out. lol She has the entire story, she just needs to work it all out and get it down in print.

ALLIE! DONT! omfg Its so worth it!