Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Chapter Notes

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Chapter 6: Draco’s Detour

• We learn that both Ollivander and Florean Forstecue are missing. We learn in book 7 why Voldemort had an interest in Ollivander, though we never find out what happened to Florean. The only things we know about him are that he sells ice cream and had a profound knowledge of History of Magic. Though this is never included in the book his knowledge is the reason why the Death Eaters took interest in him, and he was meant to give Harry clues on his Horcrux hunt in book 7, but Rowling cut his scenes, according to Pottermore.

• “Bill, who would be staying at home with Fleur (much to Hermione and Ginny’s pleasure), passed a full money bag across the table to Harry. ‘Where’s mine?’ demanded Ron at once, his eyes wide.” – I wonder what those two did all day long with an entire house to themselves? *cough*

• Harry’s trip to Diagon Ally mirrors his previous trips there: he is accompanied by Hagrid and meets Draco at Madame Malkins as in the first book, and makes a trip to Borgin & Burkes as in the second book.

• “You know,’ said Hermione, looking up at Harry, ‘that really is extraordinary magic!’ ‘For that, Hermione,’ said a voice behind them, ‘you can have one for free.’”- Fred and George are in fact quite talented. In the previous chapter Mrs Weasley mentioned that the two of them together didn’t get as much O.W.L.’s as Ron alone, but as they are obviously quite intelligent they were either incredible lazy or felt rather unchallenged at school.

• Fred and George develop a “Defence against the Dark Arts “-line, after they realized there is a market for it. Later though we learn that Draco used their Instant Darkness Powder for his own use, showing that even if something is meant to protect you it can be misused in the wrong hands.

• “Near the window was an array of violently pink products around which a cluster of excited girls was giggling enthusiastically. Hermione and Ginny both hung back, looking wary.” – Throughout the books there is a very negative view of what you can call the stereotypical teenage girl: those who giggle and like everything that is pink and glitters. Both Hermione and Ginny are very much not those girls; they are both a bit tomboyish. Still, there is absolutely nothing wrong with those giggling girls and I wish media would stop making fun of them.

• Casual sexism: George saying the love potions work depending on the attractiveness of the girl using them and moments later he and his brother start questioning Ginny about her love life, telling her she is going through her boyfriends too fast, which is, you know, a) none of their business and b) slut shaming. Life is hard when you have not one, but six older brothers.

• “‘The thing is, that – er – boy who was in here just now, Draco Malfoy, well, he’s a friend of mine, and I want to get him a birthday present, but if he’s already reserved anything I obviously don’t want to get him the same thing, so … um …’  It was a pretty lame story in Harry’s opinion, and apparently Borgin thought so too.” - Confirmed: Hermione is the worst liar/actress.