Harry Potter, #6
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 11: Hermione’s helping hand
Overview
Crushing coursework and nonverbal magic strain students as fears outside Hogwarts rise. Harry leads Quidditch tryouts, selecting Katie, Ginny, Demelza, Peakes, Coote, and Ron—helped by Hermione secretly Confunding rival McLaggen. A tense visit to Hagrid reveals Aragog is dying. Slughorn courts Harry and Hermione, but Snape enforces Harry’s detention. News of Stan Shunpike’s arrest and Dumbledore’s absences deepen anxiety.
Summary
Sixth-year studies intensify, with nonverbal magic now required across subjects. Harry, aided by the Half-Blood Prince’s notes, unexpectedly excels at Potions, irking Hermione. Hagrid avoids them, and Hermione insists they explain their dropped class after Harry’s Quidditch tryouts.
At breakfast, Hermione bluntly notes Harry’s new notoriety. Harry disguises the Prince’s Potions book by swapping covers. The Daily Prophet reports dementor attacks and Stan Shunpike’s arrest, prompting debate about Ministry overreach. Dumbledore’s frequent absences and the news of Hannah Abbott’s mother’s death heighten unease.
Quidditch trials draw a crowd. Harry selects Chasers Katie Bell, Demelza Robins, and Ginny Weasley, and Beaters Jimmy Peakes and Ritchie Coote. For Keeper, Ron faces Cormac McLaggen; McLaggen saves four, but Ron saves five. Later, Harry deduces Hermione Confunded McLaggen, which she admits after his temper and insults.
The trio visits Hagrid, who initially rebuffs them but relents. He reveals his acromantula, Aragog, is dying and that the colony is dangerous. Comforted by their (white) lie that they preferred him to Grubbly-Plank, Hagrid’s mood lifts.
Back in the castle, Slughorn invites Harry and Hermione to a private supper with “rising stars,” snubbing Ron. Harry anticipates Snape will not postpone his already-delayed detention. Ron sulks over Slughorn’s slight and Harry’s suspicions about Malfoy stall when Hermione explains stringent school and owl security. As tensions simmer, Demelza brings word: Snape’s detention stands, complete with unpleasant flobberworm-sorting.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterQuidditch Captain; disguises the Half-Blood Prince’s book; selects the team; challenges McLaggen; visits Hagrid; must attend Snape’s detention.
- Hermione GrangerHighlights Harry’s fame; disapproves of the Prince’s book; secretly Confunds McLaggen to help Ron; comforts Hagrid; invited to Slughorn’s party.
- Ron WeasleyWins Keeper spot by saving five penalties; buoyed by praise, irked by Slughorn’s snub; skeptical of Harry’s Malfoy theory; visits Hagrid.
- Rubeus HagridHurt by their dropped class; reveals Aragog is dying; reconciles after their visit; remains devoted to his creatures.
- Cormac McLaggenCocky Keeper candidate; saves four but loses to Ron; accuses Ginny of favoritism; likely Confunded; shows a nasty temper.
- Professor Horace SlughornCourts Harry and Hermione for a select supper; ignores Ron; tries to supersede Snape’s detention.
- Professor Severus SnapeSets and enforces Harry’s detention, overruling Slughorn; assigns flobberworm-sorting.
- Ginny WeasleyExcels at trials, scores seventeen goals; makes the team as Chaser; target of McLaggen’s complaint.
- Katie BellReturns as Chaser after an excellent trial; bolsters the new lineup.
- Demelza RobinsNew Chaser; delivers Snape’s detention message to Harry.
- Jimmy PeakesNew Beater; powerful Bludger hits secure his selection.
- Ritchie CooteNew Beater; accurate aim earns a place on the team.
- Lavender BrownCheers Ron at trials; later observed by Ron, hinting mutual interest.
- Parvati PatilWith Lavender during trials; seen leaving after Ron’s success.
- AragogHagrid’s acromantula; gravely ill, prompting Hagrid’s distress and isolation.