Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Chapter Notes

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Chapter 15: The Unbreakable Vow

• “Determined as he was to remain friends with both Ron and Hermione, he was spending a lot of time with his mouth shut tight.” – I think it is clear that Harry is a bit more on Hermione’s side when it comes to this conflict, because she had done nothing wrong, except that Ron found out she kissed someone two years ago. And obviously she is no longer interested in Krum, otherwise she wouldn’t have asked Ron to go with her to Slughorn’s Christmas party. And the way Ron acted when Hermione went with Krum to the Yule Ball it is obvious why she never told him that they kissed. So really it is Ron who acts like a major jerk, and Harry knows that, but he feels like he can’t say anything or might risk his friendship with Ron. Which, you know, is stupid. Friends should be allowed to call you out if you act stupid. Hermione does it all the time and Ginny as well tells Harry when he acts like an idiot. So Harry stays silent because he feels that whatever he might say on the subject is wrong, hoping the two of them fix things eventually (and hey, it only takes Ron nearly dying).

• “’[…]But something that’s just been put in the wrong bottle wouldn’t register – and anyway, love potions aren’t Dark or dangerous –’ ‘Easy for you to say,’ muttered Harry, thinking of Romilda Vane.” – Slughorn was right in telling his class that the love potion was the most dangerous potion in their classroom. They are the magical version of rape-drugs. And yet they are not illegal, they wouldn’t even register as dangerous. Of course the potions the twins sell might not be comparable with the love potion Merope Gaunt used on Tom Riddle, but still. You abuse someone’s consent, but as I wrote about several times consent isn’t that valued in the Wizarding World it seems.

• “‘It’s just a book that’s been written in!’ said Harry, tugging it out of her grip. She looked as though she might have a seizure; […]” – As someone who doesn’t like to write in books as well I think she kinda has a point.

• “‘It’s not my fault she’s barking mad, Hermione. Or d’you think she overheard you being rude about Filch? I’ve always thought there might be something going on between them …’” – To be honest, this is the only spin-off I’m interested in: Pince & Filch, the early years.

• Also, think about Hermione, who has to share a dormitory with Lavender, the person she probably dislikes the most at the moment.

• “‘He says very funny things sometimes, doesn’t he?’ said Luna, as they set off down the corridor together. ‘But he can be a bit unkind. I noticed that last year.’” – I think this sums up Ron quite well. He is the friend you can always have a lot of fun with, but he can also be very tactless and mean. And among the three friends (Harry, Ron & Hermione) Ron is the most immature, who doesn’t grow up until book 7, whereas Harry is already more grown up here in their sixth year (Hermione has always been mature).

• “‘You could’ve taken anyone!’ said Ron in disbelief over dinner. ‘Anyone! And you chose Loony Lovegood?’ ‘Don’t call her that, Ron,’ snapped Ginny, pausing behind Harry on her way to join friends. ‘I’m really glad you’re taking her, Harry, she’s so excited.’” – Perfect example of Ron being a jerk: he still calls Luna ‘Loony’, despite the fact that they fought in the ministry together. And I love Ginny for a) calling out her brother and b) being genuinely happy for her friend.

• “[…]… oh, hi, Hermione!’ Parvati positively beamed. Harry could tell that she was feeling guilty for having laughed at Hermione in Transfiguration. He looked around and saw that Hermione was beaming back, if possible even more brightly. Girls were very strange sometimes.” – I mean yes, they are, but don’t tell anyone.

• “‘What’s happened to you?’ asked Harry, for Hermione looked distinctly dishevelled, rather as though she had just fought her way out of a thicket of Devil’s Snare. ‘Oh, I’ve just escaped – I mean, I’ve just left Cormac,’ she said. ‘Under the mistletoe,’ she added in explanation, as Harry continued to look questioningly at her. ‘Serves you right for coming with him,’ he told her severely.” – Like it is obvious that McLaggen groped Hermione against her will, if anything Harry should be angry and jinx him instead of telling Hermione that she deserved this. Just… don’t. DON’T.

• And then Harry’s biggest concern is that Hermione might tell Ron she confuded McLaggen at the try-outs, and what it would mean for Ron’s performance as keeper. Can I just hit him?

• “And why was Snape looking at Malfoy as though both angry and … was it possible? … a little afraid?” – I don’t think Snape is afraid of Draco, but rather for him, wondering how far he is with the task he has been given, because I do believe he genuinely cares about him after all.

• “There was a pause and then Snape said quietly, ‘Ah … Aunt Bellatrix has been teaching you Occlumency, I see. What thoughts are you trying to conceal from your master, Draco?’” – I think Rowling herself once said that the reason Draco succeeded at Occlumency, whereas Harry had failed, is because Draco is used to shut down his emotions. It is something he has been doing his entire life. Perhaps in some ways it was expected from him, even as a child, but later in life it was necessary for him to become the bully he is. And even though Harry does not like to talk about his feelings he has a hard time controlling them, especially his anger.

• “‘If your friends Crabbe and Goyle intend to pass their Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. this time around, they will need to work a little harder than they are doing at pres—’” – So, does that mean Crabbe and Goyle have to retake their fifth year because they didn’t get enough O.W.L.’s?

• I really find the display of the relationship between Draco and Snape quite interesting in this chapter. We know that Snape usually favours students from his own house, especially Draco, and that Draco in return sucks it up to Snape. Of course Snape and Lucius Malfoy know each other from the days when they were both Death Eaters and it is possible Draco had contact with Snape outside school. In her time of crisis Narcissa turns to Snape of all people, showing the deep trust she has in him. I do think that, Unbreakable Vow or not, Snape does care about Draco and wants to protect him. But we see here the kind of effect Voldemort has on his followers: instead of accepting his help Draco accuses Snape that he wants to steal his glory; they are pitted against each other. Voldemort does not want his followers to form bonds, to help each other, afraid that united they could turn against him. He wants them to live in fear and to see each other as competition.