Half-Blood Prince, Chapters 1 - 7

[Rachel-K]

Please use this thread to discuss HBP from the opening chapter, "The Other Minister," through chapter 7, "The Slug Club."

[maggie21]

just wondering what some of you think about Fudge telling the other minister about the Amelia Bones murder.On pg.13 US edition,Fudge says "We think LV may have murdered her in person,because she was a very gifted witch and all the evidence was that she put up a real fight."I wonder every time i've read this,what could Ameila have had that LV was so determind to have or find out about,that he went personally instead of sending his trusted DE's?any thoughts? In Chapter Three,I also hope that Harry will get to read the letter that DD left with his Aunt explaining about the murder of his parents.I wonder how worried Aunt Petunia really is, after DD calls her and Vernon out for their horribe treatment of Harry?When he tells them after Harry turns 17,it won't be necessary for him to be there anymore,why the odd flush from Petunia? In Chapter Four...DD tells Harry that Horace Slughorn has an uncanny kncak for choosing those who would go on to become outstanding in their fields.I wonder if this is a hint of great things from Harry,Hermonie,Ginny and Neville,some of his Slug Club picks for yr.6?

[Psychee]

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maggie21 wrote:
just wondering what some of you think about Fudge telling the other minister about the Amelia Bones murder.On pg.13 US edition,Fudge says "We think LV may have murdered her in person,because she was a very gifted witch and all the evidence was that she put up a real fight."I wonder every time i've read this,what could Ameila have had that LV was so determind to have or find out about,that he went personally instead of sending his trusted DE's?any thoughts? In Chapter Three,I also hope that Harry will get to read the letter that DD left with his Aunt explaining about the murder of his parents.I wonder how worried Aunt Petunia really is, after DD calls her and Vernon out for their horribe treatment of Harry?When he tells them after Harry turns 17,it won't be necessary for him to be there anymore,why the odd flush from Petunia? In Chapter Four...DD tells Harry that Horace Slughorn has an uncanny kncak for choosing those who would go on to become outstanding in their fields.I wonder if this is a hint of great things from Harry,Hermonie,Ginny and Neville,some of his Slug Club picks for yr.6?

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Amelia Bones... I thought that death might have been connected with Voldemort's desire to take over the Ministry. Maybe there was an attempt to put her under an Imperius curse which she successfuly repelled? She was pretty high up in the Ministry hierarchy.

Petunia's odd flush... I've thought about this one a lot. Have wondered what kinds of emotions give rise to a "flush". All I have is a pet theory, though. I think Petunia was very jealous of her sister and really really wanted to be a witch herself after her parents made such a big fuss over Lily. It's hard for me to explain, but I think that flush was Petunia's jealousy that Harry was now becoming a real wizard (an "of age" wizard, that is), the second person in the family to do so, leaving her, once again, in her eyes, that is, just an insignificant and humiliated Muggle.

The Slug Club... I think we know already that the four kids you mentioned will be famous -- after all, they have seven books written about them! lol...just joking... But what about the others that Slughorn has chosen? Where will their fame come from, I wonder, besides what their parents are known for, that is...

[Nelsmom]

I think that I would be like Harry and not want to be a member of the Slug Club. I don't want that kind of attention. Especially since it would keep me from helping or being friend with those that I want. As far as Harry ever seeing the letter that Dumbledor wrote to Aunt Petunia I don't think that Harry will see it even if it still exists which I doubt. As far as Harry being a horcrux, I am with Dumbledor and doubt that he is. He got some of Voldemorts poweres and so that is why he got a smiliar wand.

Toni

[Wrighty]

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Psychee wrote:
Petunia's odd flush... I've thought about this one a lot. Have wondered what kinds of emotions give rise to a "flush". All I have is a pet theory, though. I think Petunia was very jealous of her sister and really really wanted to be a witch herself after her parents made such a big fuss over Lily. It's hard for me to explain, but I think that flush was Petunia's jealousy that Harry was now becoming a real wizard (an "of age" wizard, that is), the second person in the family to do so, leaving her, once again, in her eyes, that is, just an insignificant and humiliated Muggle.

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I agree that she was jealous of her sister and is now jealous of Harry. They have also just learned that he is wealthy despite the fact that they have never given him anything. I also think she may have been angry and embarrassed by the fact that DD chastised them for the terrible way they have always treated Harry when they have always convinced themselves they were doing a noble thing by taking him in. They were also very careful to keep Harry as secluded as possible and probably never expected anyone to know how poorly Harry was really treated. I'm sure the biggest insult of all was to be accused of mistreating "Dudders". His parents think he is such a prize and they have done so well with him! The most interesting word to me was her "odd" flush. It makes me think there is more to this (perhaps in one of the letters?) and I hope we will find out what it is.

[dcsbelle]

Amelia Bones--that idea about resisting an imperius curse seems right on the mark. Big loss for the good guys.
DD's letter--perhaps the contents will be revealed via pensieve. DD may have banked significant memories in his before he died.
Aunt Petunia--her odd flush may have more to do with the protection afforded to the whole house while Harry was protected there. When he turns seventeen he loses it and so do they. And they think DD is crazy for accusing them of mistreating Dudders.
Slug Club--Yeah, he can pick 'em but this group won't play along with him and don't appreciate his invitations (unless the alternative is detention with Snape).
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maggie21 wrote:
just wondering what some of you think about Fudge telling the other minister about the Amelia Bones murder.On pg.13 US edition,Fudge says "We think LV may have murdered her in person,because she was a very gifted witch and all the evidence was that she put up a real fight."I wonder every time i've read this,what could Ameila have had that LV was so determind to have or find out about,that he went personally instead of sending his trusted DE's?any thoughts? In Chapter Three,I also hope that Harry will get to read the letter that DD left with his Aunt explaining about the murder of his parents.I wonder how worried Aunt Petunia really is, after DD calls her and Vernon out for their horribe treatment of Harry?When he tells them after Harry turns 17,it won't be necessary for him to be there anymore,why the odd flush from Petunia? In Chapter Four...DD tells Harry that Horace Slughorn has an uncanny kncak for choosing those who would go on to become outstanding in their fields.I wonder if this is a hint of great things from Harry,Hermonie,Ginny and Neville,some of his Slug Club picks for yr.6?

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Message Edited by dcsbelle on 06-05-200705:26 PM

[Psychee]

Why did the Death Eaters go on a destruction binge in the West Country? What is there?

Other than Lucius Malfoy living in Wiltshire, which is normally included in the territory known as "West Country", I can't yet think of a reason... it is supposed to be mostly rural...

Some believe that Godric Gryffindor came from this area...

[maggie21]

I liked the idea of Amelia being Imperiused,and i enjoyed reading everyone's takes on some of my questions.Perhaps,the attacts on the west country were done because LV is furious.When Fudge did'nt step aside for LV to take over the ministry,i'm sure it was'nt just the bridge that was destroyed,but the west country as well.What better way to keep the Ministry officals busy,modifying all those muggle memories.

[jftapia88]

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maggie21 wrote:
I liked the idea of Amelia being Imperiused,and i enjoyed reading everyone's takes on some of my questions.Perhaps,the attacts on the west country were done because LV is furious.When Fudge did'nt step aside for LV to take over the ministry,i'm sure it was'nt just the bridge that was destroyed,but the west country as well.What better way to keep the Ministry officals busy,modifying all those muggle memories.

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i like the idea of amelia bone being imperiused too, because it just fits well. from what i remember of Ootp she was present at harrys trial right, she must have been fairly high up at the ministry as well, im sure LV would have loved to have somebody of her status in his control.

[amm1]

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dcsbelle wrote:
Aunt Petunia--her odd flush may have more to do with the protection afforded to the whole house while Harry was protected there. When he turns seventeen he loses it and so do they.

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Yep. The protection afforded to Harry is about to be gone. Petunia is oddly flushed right after Dumbledore informs the Dursley's the protection will be gone once Harry turns seventeen.

[Psychee]

Someone mentioned before that if it was fear she was showing on her face, wouldn't the color leave her cheeks instead of being infused with it?

That's what made me think of humiliation / embarrassment or rage, and I'm thinking the first one... either as a response to Dumbledore's lecture about them not being nice to Harry or causing damage to Dudders or (my favorite) anger and humiliation that Harry was going to come of age as a wizard and she herself will remain simply a Muggle.

[b-a]

But she's gotten angry at Harry before and while Uncle Vernon is always described as turning purple with rage, Petunia isn't. She's more the tight lipped and flaring nostrils type. Though your idea of it being embarassment is very interesting.

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Psychee wrote:
Someone mentioned before that if it was fear she was showing on her face, wouldn't the color leave her cheeks instead of being infused with it?

That's what made me think of humiliation / embarrassment or rage, and I'm thinking the first one... either as a response to Dumbledore's lecture about them not being nice to Harry or causing damage to Dudders or (my favorite) anger and humiliation that Harry was going to come of age as a wizard and she herself will remain simply a Muggle.

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[dcsbelle]

She was flushed not from fear but from conflicting emotions--finally getting rid of Harry versus losing the protection his presence affords them. And somehow I can't see Petunia genuinely envying Harry his wizard status.
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Psychee wrote:
Someone mentioned before that if it was fear she was showing on her face, wouldn't the color leave her cheeks instead of being infused with it?

That's what made me think of humiliation / embarrassment or rage, and I'm thinking the first one... either as a response to Dumbledore's lecture about them not being nice to Harry or causing damage to Dudders or (my favorite) anger and humiliation that Harry was going to come of age as a wizard and she herself will remain simply a Muggle.

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[amm1]

I found this today while looking for quotes. This doesn't really tell us anything but thought I'd post it anyway.

Unknown (1): I'm 18 years old and I'm from New York. My question is, in Half-Blood Prince, Aunt Petunia is said to be oddly flushed when Dumbledore announces that Harry will be returning only once more to Privet Drive. Does this mean that Aunt Petunia harbors a hidden love or fondness for Harry and the connection he provides her to the wizarding world? (crowd laughs and applauds).

JK Rowling: That's an excellent question (crowd laughs). And like all the best and most penetrating questions, it's difficult to answer. But, I will say this. There is a little more to Aunt Petunia than meets the eye and you will find out what that is in book seven (crowd roars and applauds).
http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2006/0802-radiocityreading2.html

[jftapia88]

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amm1 wrote:
I found this today while looking for quotes. This doesn't really tell us anything but thought I'd post it anyway.

Unknown (1): I'm 18 years old and I'm from New York. My question is, in Half-Blood Prince, Aunt Petunia is said to be oddly flushed when Dumbledore announces that Harry will be returning only once more to Privet Drive. Does this mean that Aunt Petunia harbors a hidden love or fondness for Harry and the connection he provides her to the wizarding world? (crowd laughs and applauds).

JK Rowling: That's an excellent question (crowd laughs). And like all the best and most penetrating questions, it's difficult to answer. But, I will say this. There is a little more to Aunt Petunia than meets the eye and you will find out what that is in book seven (crowd roars and applauds).
http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2006/0802-radiocityreading2.html

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makes me even more anxious for book seven!

[WOLF]

Thanks for the quote about Petunia. I,too, am now anxious to see what her role is in book 7. I am just now reading OoP. Petunia knows about the dementors being the guards at Azkaban. Wow. I keep wondering if Vernon and/or Dudley will have a surprising contribution in book 7.

[osito2626]

Wasn't Amelia a researcher and a bit of an explorer that traveled for the ministry? If so, LV through oculamy may have discovered that she knew the location of of on of the horocrux or that she being of such a high rank would be able to undo the snow job that lucious was do with fudge as far as LV not being alive. There are many reasons because of her position and astuteness that LV would have wanted her dead or at least under his control.

[osito2626]

As for Petunia, What do we covet? We covet what we see everyday. It is not far out of range that Petunia would have been extremely jealous of Lily and her 'specialness.' Just as the middle child feels as though something is lost once a younger sibling is born, Petunia was easily overlooked and not viewed as special once Lilly came along. Also, explains a bit of the psychology behind only having one child... Not wanting him to receive the competitive distance she probably felt with Lily. Also, examine her life a bit. They don't appear to be poor by any standard, but there is no since of adventure or real happiness... Where as Lily would have the best of everything Petunia has no power and no independence. She has no ability to create anything for himself no career just taking care of her family. Not that there is anything wrong with that at all its just appears that she is still wanting more. Lily has everything that Petunia did not which start seemingly with their parents love and attention.

Just as mentioned in one of the other threads as a plausible reason for Snape hating Harry, (Snape was in love with Lilly and Harry remained a constant reminder of the betrayal he felt from LV, for killing her, and James for taking her away from him,) Petunia criticalness and cruelty of Harry her own flesh and blood, seems heightened and hardwired into her psyche. The sorta of hatred that can only be breed in childhood.

I think the flushness was breed out of the fact that she came to the realization that this was what she was doing. Hating a child for the sins of her parents not Lily and defiantly not the child. (the years of therapy it takes for here to realize that part of it was that but for the most part she can overcome that and move on she will never see,)And now the opportunity to be decent has passed. That the last living part of her and her connection to her family will be gone probably forever. And that moment perhaps she realized the gratuitousness of her behavior all of these yeas.

[amm1]

I would like to believe Petunia has some love for Harry but I can't see it. I believe she's only concerned for herself and her family (minus Harry). I hope I'm wrong.

[Chris_s_Mom]

I just starting my reread of HBP. I was wandering if there is anything to Scrimgeour's yellow eyes? His description made me think of a cat and actually his description made me think of Crookshanks (also with yellow eyes). Also, I thought someone else in a prior book was described as having yellow eyes but I cannot remember who. Any thoughts?