Harry Potter Half-Blood Prince – Chapters Guide

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Chapters Guide

• Chapter 1: The Other Minister

• Chapter 2: Spinner’s End

• Chapter 3: Will and Won’t

• Chapter 4: Horace Slughorn

• Chapter 5: An Excess of Phlegm

• Chapter 6: Draco’s Detour

• Chapter 7: The Slug Club

• Chapter 8: Snape Victorious

• Chapter 9: The Half-Blood Prince

• Chapter 10: The House of Gaunt

• Chapter 11: Hermione’s Helping Hand

• Chapter 12: Silver and Opals

• Chapter 13: The Secret Riddle

• Chapter 14: Felix Felicis

• Chapter 15: The Unbreakable Vow

• Chapter 16: A Very Frosty Christmas

• Chapter 17: A Sluggish Memory

• Chapter 18: Birthday Surprises

• Chapter 19: Elf Tails

• Chapter 20: Lord Voldemort’s Request

• Chapter 21: The Unknowable Room

• Chapter 22: After the Burial

• Chapter 23: Horcruxes

• Chapter 24: Sectumsempra

• Chapter 25: The Seer Overheard

• Chapter 26: The Cave

• Chapter 27: The Lightning-Struck Tower

• Chapter 28: Flight of the Prince

• Chapter 29: The Phoenix Lament

• Chapter 30: The White Tomb

1. The Other Minister – The Muggle Prime Minister recalls his interactions with Cornelius Fudge in this chapter, and we learn that Scrimgeour has been appointed as the new Minister of Magic after Fudge pays him another visit. We also learn about the ongoing battle between the wizarding world and Voldemort, in which dozens of Muggles have died alongside Amelia Bones and Emmeline Vance, giants and Dementors have allied with Voldemort, and the Ministry is struggling to hold out.
2. Spinner’s End – The one where Narcissa goes to find Snape secretly against Voldemort’s orders, and Bellatrix tries to stop her, but still joins her at Snape’s house. Snape prevents Wormtail from eavesdropping and tells Bellatrix her story about her, even though she still refuses to trust him; Narcissa then reveals that Voldemort has ordered Draco to do something difficult, and she asks Snape to take an unbreakable oath, which she then does, saying that she will help Draco accomplish the deed and that he will do it himself if Draco fails.
3. Will and Won’t – In which Dumbledore returns to Privet Drive, the Daily Prophet informs us about how Harry is viewed by the wizarding community and the measures the Ministry has taken to ensure safety during the war. Dumbledore sits down with Harry and the Dursleys before departing, gives Harry information about his inheritance from Sirius, and hands him Kreacher after ascertaining that he has in fact come into Harry’s possession. Dumbledore then reprimands the Dursleys for their treatment of Harry but requests permission to visit Privet Drive one last time before leaving with Harry.
4. Horace Slughorn – In which Harry and Dumbledore appear before Budleigh Blabberton, discussing Voldemort’s injured hand, Inferi and Dumbledore along the way, and meet Slughorn, shortly after he fakes his own death. Dumbledore asks Slughorn to teach Hogwarts and Harry convinces him while Dumbledore is out of the room. Dumbledore then takes Harry to the Lair, where before entering he tells Harry about Slughorn, tells him about Sirius and the prophecy, and tells Harry that he will be taking private lessons from Dumbledore for the school year.
5. An Excess of Phlegm – In this episode, Harry discusses the Ministry with Mrs. Weasley (and later Mr. Weasley), Fleur and Bill are revealed to be engaged—much to the dismay of Harry’s family—and Harry tells Ron and Hermione about Slughorn, his one-on-one lessons with Dumbledore, and the prophecy while they tell him about Fleur and Tonks. When the O.W.L. results are revealed, Harry receives seven O.W.L.s but realises that Snape won’t let him use N.E.W.T. potions, preventing him from becoming an Auror.
6. Draco’s Detour – In which we learn of several disappearances, including Florean Fortescue and Mr. Ollivander, and Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys go shopping in Diagon Alley, escorted by Hagrid. There they discover a much changed atmosphere and an empty Leaky Cauldron, collide with Draco and Narcissa Malfoy from Madam Malkin, take a tour of Weasley’s Bright Shots, and sneak in to follow Draco to Borgin and Burke, where they hear a mysterious message. conversation between him and Mr. Borgin.
7. The Slug Club – Everyone leaves for King’s Cross, and before boarding the train, Harry tells Mr. Weasley his suspicions that Malfoy might be a Death Eater. Harry discovers on the train that he is more well-known than ever, but he continues to sit with Neville and Luna until Slughorn invites him to tea. After listening to Malfoy boast about working with Voldemort for hours, Harry slips into the Slytherins’ compartment while remaining undetectable. However, when the train stops, Malfoy freezes Harry and abandons him.
8. Snape Victorious – The one where Tonks rescues Harry from the train and Snape takes Harry to the party, attacking Harry the whole time. Once inside, Harry discusses his status as “The Chosen One” with those around him and Dumbledore gives his opening speech, announcing that Slughorn will teach Potions and Snape will teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. Leaving the hall, Harry and Ron talk about Malfoy and run into Hagrid, who tells them about Grawp and makes them feel guilty for not attending his class.
9. The Half-Blood Prince – The Gryffindors receive their course schedules, talk about the Quidditch and Malfoy trials, and then report to their first day of classes. Harry fights back against Snape’s attempt to curse him in Defense Against the Dark Arts, learning that his first lesson with Dumbledore will be on Saturday. Harry also learns during break that his first lesson with Dumbledore will be on Saturday. In Potions, Harry wins the Felix Felicius for a perfect potion he brewed using the directions provided in his book by the Half-Blood Prince.
10. The House of Gaunt – In which Harry attends his first class with Dumbledore, who explains that they will delve into Voldemort’s past and take Harry to the Pensieve. In memory of Bob Ogden they go to the home of Marvolo Gaunt to see his son, Morfin, who has committed a crime; there they see a mean, impoverished and racist Marvolo abusing his daughter Merope, who is seeing Muggle Tom Riddle. Dumbledore explains that Merope then used a love potion on Tom and they became Voldemort’s parents.
11. Hermione’s Helping Hand – Harry experiences a frustratingly large-scale Quidditch tryout that includes a run-in with Cormac McLaggen and Katie, Ginny, and Ron making the team. He also learns that Stan Shunpike has been arrested. Harry confronts Hermione about misleading McLaggen during the tryout, and Slughorn invites Harry and Hermione to dinner. However, Harry is spared from going because Snape won’t release him from detention, so they visit Hagrid and learn that Aragog is dying.
12. Silver and Opals – In which Harry tests one of the Half Blood Prince’s spells while reading in bed and accidentally levitates Ron, discusses the Prince’s danger with Hermione and learns of his next lesson with Dumbledore. The trio then heads to Hogsmeade, where Slughorn corners Harry in Honeydukes and Harry sees Mundungus with things stolen from Grimmauld Place. On the way back, imperialized Katie Bell touches a cursed necklace and gets hurt; Harry is therefore suspicious of Draco and tells McGonagall, even though Ron and Hermione don’t believe him.
13. The Secret Riddle – In which Dumbledore gives Harry his second lesson, during which they briefly discuss Mundungus and Draco and Dumbledore once more goes over Merope with Harry. They then watch a memory of Dumbledore’s in which he visits Voldemort’s orphanage as a child to extend an invitation to attend school. In it, Riddle’s history is revealed to Dumbledore, who also learns that he has been using magic for some time, despises his name, enjoys stealing and collecting trinkets, and neither has nor wants friends.
14. Felix Felicis – Where Hermione and Ron talk about the Slug Club in Herbology and Harry notices an attraction between them, Dean takes Katie’s place on the Quidditch team, and Harry and Ron meet Ginny and Dean kissing. Ron gets angry and Ginny scolds him, but Harry starts thinking about kissing Ginny. Ron gets angry and plays terribly in the next practice, but for the match Harry pretends to pass Felix Felicis to him, giving him confidence, and Gryffindor wins. After the game, Ron is seen kissing Lavender, leaving Hermione distraught.
15. The Unbreakable Vow – Harry finds that girls are attempting to seduce him, and Romilda Vane tries to slip him a love potion. Hermione continues to be upset with Ron. However, Harry tries to maintain his friendship with both of them. Then, in an effort to anger Ron, Hermione invites McLaggen, and Harry invites Luna to Slughorn’s Christmas party. Malfoy is caught prowling the hallways after some general mingling at the party. Snape takes him to an empty classroom, where Harry overhears Snape’s offers to help Malfoy and Draco’s denials.
16. A Very Frosty Christmas – In which Harry and Ron discuss Malfoy and Snape, Harry tells Mr.Weasley of his suspicions and learns of the Ministry’s miserable fight against the Death Eaters, Lupine discusses Snape and Greyback, and Harry discovers that the Half Blood Prince book was fifty years old. Percy shows up at Christmas with Scrimgeour, who then asks Harry to support the Ministry, and Harry strenuously refuses, saying he disapproves of the actions the Ministry has taken.
17. A Sluggish Memory – In which Harry meets with Hermione back at Hogwarts to talk about Ron and Malfoy, finds out that apparition lessons are on the way, and discovers that both Ron and Ginny appear uninterested in their relationships. Then, during a lesson with Dumbledore, they talk about Scrimgeour and watch two memories: in the first, just before Voldemort kills the Riddles, Morfin tells him about his family; in the second (which Slughorn has altered), Voldemort queries Slughorn about horcruxes. Harry is given homework by Dumbledore to collect the remaining portions of Slughorn’s memory.
18. Birthday Surprises – In which Harry and Ron discuss Malfoy and Snape, Harry tells Mr.Weasley of his suspicions and learns of the Ministry’s miserable fight against the Death Eaters, Lupine discusses Snape and Greyback, and Harry discovers that the Half Blood Prince book was fifty years old. Percy shows up at Christmas with Scrimgeour, who then asks Harry to support the Ministry, and Harry strenuously refuses, saying he disapproves of the actions the Ministry has taken.
19. Elf Tails – In which Hagrid tells Harry that he overheard Dumbledore and Snape arguing, McLaggen approaches Harry to make sure he can play in Ron’s place in the upcoming Quidditch match, and Harry discovers that Ron has been avoiding Lavender. Also in which Harry discusses Ron’s poisoning with the Weasleys. McLaggen grabs a beater’s bat and cracks Harry’s skull during the Quidditch match (with Luna commentating!). Finally, Harry calls Kreacher and Dobby to the hospital wing and tells them to follow Malfoy and find out what he’s up to.
20. Lord Voldemort’s Request – When Harry receives a message from Luna informing him of a lesson with Dumbledore and finds Trelawney being asked to leave the lesson, Ginny fights with Dean and Ron with Lavender. They watch two new memories instead, in which Riddle visits Hepzibah Smith and sees Slytherin’s locket days before her death in the first and asks Dumbledore for the D.A.D.A. post at Hogwarts in the second, which Dumbledore admits started the curse on the position. Dumbledore makes Harry feel bad for not obtaining Slughorn’s memory.
21. The Unknowable Room – In which Harry talks to Ron and Hermione about the Apparition, Slughorn and Lavender’s memory, and Kreacher and Dobby show up to report on Malfoy, letting Harry know that Draco used the Room of Requirement with Polyjuiced Tiger and Goyle as a lookout. Harry spends some time trying to get into the Room of Requirement (to no avail), Snape disturbs him back in class, Crying Myrtle reveals that he has talked to a boy, and Harry runs into a disheveled Tonks and wonders if he loved Harry Sirius.
22. After the Burial – Aragog passes away, Ron and Hermione take their Apparition test, and Harry prepares a euphoria potion in a class with only Slughorn, Ernie, and Draco. He then tries to corner Slughorn but is unsuccessful. After passing her exam, Hermione persuades Harry to take Felix Felicis in order to retrieve Slughorn’s memory. Harry agrees and proceeds to Hagrid’s, where he runs into Slughorn and extends an invitation. Slughorn and Hagrid get drunk where they bury Aragog, and Harry eventually persuades Slughorn to give him the memory.
23. Horcruxes – In which Harry discovers that Dumbledore is back, he runs to his office and with it examines Slughorn’s memory, where Riddle finds out what Horcruxes are and plans to create more than one. Dumbledore explains his suspicions that Riddle made six of them, including the now destroyed ring and diary, the locket, the mug, and Nagini. Dumbledore promises Harry that he can join him in destroying others and explains to Harry what love and prophecy really mean.
24. Sectumsempra – Harry sees Malfoy with Moaning Myrtle on the Marauder’s Map and runs to eavesdrop; however, when Malfoy tries to hex Harry, Harry uses the Sectumsempra on him without realising what it does and slashes him apart. Katie Bell returns to Hogwarts but is unable to remember what happened to her. Malfoy is healed by Snape, but Harry is placed in detention while Gryffindor competes in the Quidditch match. Then, when Harry shows up at the celebration, he gives Ginny his final kiss.
25. The Seer Overheard – Dumbledore orders Harry to leave right away after Hermione learns about Eileen Prince. As Harry is leaving, he encounters Trelawney and learns from her that Snape overheard the prophecy and that Malfoy is incredibly happy. Harry is asked to join Dumbledore on a hunt for the Horcrux, but not before Harry confronts him about Snape once more. After giving Ron and Hermione his map and Felix Felicis, Harry runs off to get his invisibility cloak, and he and Dumbledore apparate to the seaside.
26. The Cave – where Voldemort hid a Horcrux before Harry and Dumbledore entered the cave. They cross a lake in a covert boat after Dumbledore swims to the entrance and splashes blood on him to gain entry. After obtaining the medallion, the Underworld emerges from the water, and a depleted Dumbledore casts a fire spell to repel them as the pair flee the cave; the Horcrux is protected by a potion that Dumbledore drinks, even if Harry has to coerce him to do so.
27. The Lightning-Struck Tower – In which Harry and Dumbledore return to Hogsmeade and see the Dark Mark above Hogwarts. They fly to the top of the astronomy tower, where Draco appears and disarms Dumbledore, but he can’t bring himself to kill him and Dumbledore tries to get Draco to take the good side. However, before Malfoy can decide, other Death Eaters appear, including Snape, who kills Dumbledore himself and blows up the body from the tower.
28. Flight of the Prince – In which Harry pursues Snape, Malfoy, and the Death Eaters as they flee. On the way, Hagrid’s hut is set on fire, the Death Eaters flee, and he runs through a fierce battle involving the Order while trying in vain to curse Snape, who we now know is unquestionably the Half-Blood Prince. After putting out the fire, Harry and Hagrid discovered students scattered throughout the campus and Dumbledore’s body. Additionally, Harry learns that the locket was a substitute Horcrux placed there by R.A.B., the person who stole the real Horcrux.
29. The Phoenix Lament – In which Ginny takes Harry to the infirmary, where the Order discusses Bill, Dumbledore, Snape and the events of the night. We also learn that Fleur still wants to marry a disfigured Bill and that Lupine has refused to date Tonks. McGonagall takes Harry to her (formerly Dumbledore) office and asks where she was, but Harry refuses to answer; then the heads of the families arrive and discuss the closure of the school. Eventually, when Scrimgeour arrives, Harry leaves for Gryffindor Tower, where he updates Ron on the Horcrux.
30. The White Tomb – The one where most students stay for Dumbledore’s funeral, while wizards from all over the country flock to pay their last respects. Hermione learns that Eileen Prince was Snape’s mother, Harry thinks about the Horcruxes a bit and then everyone attends the funeral, after which Harry breaks up with Ginny. As Harry leaves alone, Scrimgeour again tries to persuade him to help the ministry, and Ron and Hermione move closer. Harry tells them he won’t be returning to Hogwarts and they promise to stay by his side.