Harry Potter, #6
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 30: The White Tomb
Overview
Dumbledore’s funeral draws allies and officials to Hogwarts, culminating in his body’s entombment in a white marble tomb. Hermione confirms Eileen Prince as Snape’s mother. Harry ends his relationship with Ginny to protect her, rejects Scrimgeour’s overtures, resolves not to return to Hogwarts, and commits to hunting Horcruxes with Ron and Hermione’s support.
Summary
In the days after Dumbledore’s death, lessons and exams stop, some students depart, and visitors flood Hogsmeade for the funeral. Madame Maxime arrives by Beauxbatons carriage; Ministry officials, including Rufus Scrimgeour and Percy Weasley, take rooms in the castle. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny stay close, visiting Bill and Fleur and dreading the funeral.
That evening, Hermione reveals she has identified Eileen Prince as Severus Snape’s mother, confirming Snape as the Half-Blood Prince. The friends grapple with guilt and anger over Snape’s betrayal and the book, while Harry fixates on the remaining Horcruxes.
On the funeral day, the school processes to the lakeside. A diverse crowd—Order members, Ministry figures, staff, students, ghosts, centaurs in the forest, and merpeople in the lake—gathers. Hagrid carries Dumbledore’s body to a marble table. After a perfunctory eulogy, white flames consume the bier, leaving a white tomb encasing Dumbledore.
Amid grief, Harry tells Ginny they must end their relationship to keep her safe from Voldemort; Ginny understands but is pained. Walking the lake shore, Harry is confronted by Scrimgeour, who presses for details of the last night and tries to recruit Harry as a Ministry symbol. Harry refuses, declaring himself “Dumbledore’s man.”
Ron and Hermione join Harry beneath a beech tree. Harry says he won’t return to Hogwarts and intends to visit the Dursleys briefly, then Godric’s Hollow, before hunting Horcruxes. Ron and Hermione pledge to go with him, reminding him of Bill and Fleur’s upcoming wedding. Despite the ominous road ahead, Harry takes heart in one last peaceful day with his friends.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterGrieves Dumbledore, fixates on Horcrux quest, ends relationship with Ginny, rebuffs Scrimgeour, vows not to return to Hogwarts.
- Ginny WeasleySupports Harry at the funeral; accepts his protective breakup with resolve and understanding.
- Hermione GrangerConfirms Eileen Prince is Snape’s mother; pledges to accompany Harry on the Horcrux hunt.
- Ron WeasleyMourns Dumbledore, stands by Harry, commits to joining the quest; mentions Bill and Fleur’s wedding.
- Rufus ScrimgeourSeeks information and Harry’s public support; rebuffed as Harry declares loyalty to Dumbledore.
- Rubeus HagridCarries Dumbledore’s body to the bier, mourns openly; sits with Grawp.
- Professor Minerva McGonagallLeads the school to the funeral and presides among staff.
- GrawpAttends the funeral quietly, offering clumsy comfort to Hagrid.
- Bill WeasleyRecovers in the hospital wing; scarred but unchanged; wedding to Fleur approaches.
- Fleur DelacourDevoted to Bill, lightens mood; present at the funeral.
- Severus SnapeAbsent but central; revealed as Half-Blood Prince via his mother, Eileen Prince; hunted by Ministry.
- Neville LongbottomAttends the funeral, supported by Luna; one of the DA who answered the call.
- Luna LovegoodHelps Neville at the funeral; one of the DA who responded.
- Dolores UmbridgeAttends with feigned grief; keeps distance from Firenze.
- Cornelius FudgeFormer Minister attending, subdued and miserable.
- Horace SlughornLeads Slytherins to the funeral in grand robes.
- Percy WeasleyWith the Ministry delegation; avoided by Ron.
- Nymphadora TonksAttends the funeral with pink hair; appears to be with Lupin.
- Remus LupinAttends, seemingly holding hands with Tonks.
- Kingsley ShackleboltOrder member present among mourners.
- Alastor MoodyOrder member attending the funeral.
- FirenzeCentaurs’ representative by the lake; draws Umbridge’s fear.
- MerpeopleSing a haunting lament from the lake as tribute to Dumbledore.
- CentaursPay respects from the forest, loosing a tribute of arrows.