Harry Potter, #6
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 14: Felix Felicis
Overview
Harry navigates rising tensions: he replaces the hospitalized Katie with Dean, Ron’s nerves threaten Gryffindor’s opener, and Harry pretends to spike Ron with Felix Felicis to boost confidence. Ron plays brilliantly and Gryffindor defeats Slytherin while Malfoy is absent. Afterward, Ron publicly kisses Lavender, devastating Hermione, who retaliates with conjured birds, and Harry recognizes newfound feelings for Ginny.
Summary
On the way to Herbology, Harry recounts Dumbledore’s lesson about Voldemort’s past to Ron and Hermione. In class, the trio battles a Snargaluff and tensions flare over Slughorn’s exclusive “Slug Club” party, hinting at shifting feelings between Ron and Hermione. Harry worries about replacing the cursed Katie Bell and, unwilling to hold full tryouts, appoints Dean as Chaser, irking Seamus and some Gryffindors.
At practice, Dean meshes well with Ginny and Demelza, but Ron’s nerves worsen until he injures Demelza by accident. Ginny scolds Ron; Harry heals Demelza and tries to rebuild Ron’s confidence. Later, Harry and Ron stumble upon Ginny and Dean kissing. Ron explodes, arguing with Ginny, while Harry is shocked by his own jealousy and begins to realize he fancies Ginny, resolving not to betray Ron.
Ron grows surlier and plays even worse, prompting Harry to threaten benching him. The night before the match, Harry devises a plan to improve Ron’s mindset. At breakfast, Hermione accuses Harry of adding Felix Felicis to Ron’s drink; Ron downs it anyway. In the changing room, news arrives that Slytherin’s Vaisey is injured and Malfoy is absent; Harry also lets Ron believe he was given Felix.
During the match, with Zacharias Smith’s snide commentary overhead, Ron excels in goal while Gryffindor’s Chasers score freely. After a collision with Harper, Harry spots the Snitch when Harper fumbles, taunts him about Malfoy, and secures the catch, clinching victory. Ginny crashes into the commentary podium in celebration, and the team rejoices.
In the aftermath, Hermione confronts Harry for cheating, but Harry reveals the Felix was never used; Ron succeeded on confidence alone. Hurt by Ron’s attitude, Hermione storms off. At the common room party, Harry sees Ron passionately kissing Lavender. Hermione flees; Harry finds her in a classroom, conjuring canaries. When Ron barges in with Lavender, Hermione unleashes the birds on him and leaves in tears. Amid the fallout, Harry’s feelings for Ginny intensify.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterGryffindor Captain; appoints Dean as Chaser; fakes giving Ron Felix to boost confidence; catches the Snitch; realizes feelings for Ginny.
- Ron WeasleyStruggles with nerves, then excels in goal believing he had Felix; helps win; later kisses Lavender, hurting Hermione.
- Hermione GrangerSuspicious of Harry doping Ron; upset by Ron’s behavior; later attacks him with conjured canaries after seeing him kiss Lavender.
- Ginny WeasleyPairs well with Dean on pitch; argues with Ron over her dating; scores multiple goals; celebratory crash; draws Harry’s romantic feelings.
- Dean ThomasChosen as Katie’s Chaser replacement; dates Ginny; celebrates the win.
- Lavender BrownPublicly kisses Ron at the victory party, triggering Hermione’s heartbreak and outburst.
- Zacharias SmithMatch commentator; delivers biased, snide remarks about Gryffindor players.
- HarperSlytherin Seeker substitute; collides with Harry and fumbles the Snitch after Harry’s taunt.
- UrquhartSlytherin Captain and Chaser; leads early attacks but is repeatedly denied by Ron.
- Professor SproutLeads the Snargaluff lesson; admonishes chatting and pushes students to work.
- Madam HoochReferees the match between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
- Professor McGonagallScolds Ginny after her celebratory crash into the commentator’s podium.
- Demelza RobinsGryffindor Chaser; plays well; accidentally injured by Ron in practice.
- Jimmy Peakes and Ritchie CooteGryffindor Beaters; improve steadily; Peakes defends Demelza, Coote targets Harper.
- Seamus FinniganResents Dean’s selection; sulky during team announcement.
- Neville LongbottomClassmate in Herbology; successfully harvests a Snargaluff pod early.