Chapter 9: The Half-Blood Prince

Before breakfast, Harry recounts Draco Malfoy’s train boasts to Hermione. Amid school gossip, the trio discuss dropping Hagrid’s subject. In the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall confirms N.E.W.T. schedules: Hermione qualifies widely; Neville is urged to pursue Charms over Transfiguration, winning rare praise. Harry is approved for Potions under Slughorn despite not having supplies.

In Snape’s first Defense Against the Dark Arts class, the room is dark and grim. Snape lectures on the mutable nature of the Dark Arts and assigns practice with nonverbal spells. When Snape abruptly attacks, Harry reflexively uses a spoken Shield Charm, floors Snape, and then cheekily says, “There’s no need to call me ‘sir,’ Professor,” earning Saturday-night detention.

At break, Harry receives Dumbledore’s note scheduling a private lesson for the same Saturday at 8 P.M., superseding the detention. After homework, they attend Slughorn’s Potions, where he displays Veritaserum, Polyjuice, Amortentia, and Felix Felicis, offering the latter as a prize for the best Draught of Living Death.

Slughorn lends Harry and Ron battered textbooks. Harry’s copy is heavily annotated with alternative techniques. Following its tips—crushing a sopophorous bean and altering stirring patterns—Harry brews a superior potion and wins the Felix Felicis, to Slughorn’s delight and Hermione’s frustration. Malfoy’s attempt to curry favor with Slughorn fails.

At dinner, Harry explains the annotated notes. Ginny warns him after her experience with Riddle’s diary, and Hermione tests the book for enchantments but finds none. When the book drops open, Harry notices the inscription: “This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince,” setting up a new mystery that unsettles Hermione and Ginny.