Harry Potter, #6

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

by J.K. Rowling

Genre

Fantasy, Young Adult, Children's

Year

2005

Pages

640

Contents

Chapter 7: The Slug Club

Previous: Chapter 6: Draco’s Detour Next: Chapter 8 — Victorious Snape

Overview

Harry fixates on Draco Malfoy’s Knockturn Alley dealings, even suspecting him of becoming a Death Eater. On the Hogwarts Express, Professor Slughorn forms his “Slug Club,” courting well-connected students, including Harry and Ginny. Later, Harry eavesdrops on Slytherins and hears Draco hint at serving Voldemort. Draco then ambushes, injures, and conceals Harry under the Invisibility Cloak.

Summary

As the holidays end, Harry obsesses over Draco Malfoy’s behavior in Knockturn Alley, concluding that Draco may have replaced his imprisoned father as a Death Eater. Ron and Hermione remain skeptical. At the Burrow, Fleur irritates Mrs. Weasley with wedding talk. Ministry cars and Aurors escort the group to King’s Cross, where Harry separates from the Weasleys and boards the Hogwarts Express.

Harry asks Arthur Weasley to investigate Draco’s Borgin and Burkes visit, reporting the bullying, secret item repairs, and Draco’s reaction to his left arm. Mr. Weasley doubts Voldemort would recruit a sixteen-year-old but agrees it’s worth noting. On the train, Ginny departs to meet Dean, and Harry finds a compartment with Neville and Luna, enduring stares linked to the “Chosen One” rumors.

Ron and Hermione leave for prefect duty. A summons arrives for Harry and Neville to join Professor Slughorn in compartment C. There, Slughorn courts promising or well-connected students—Zabini, McLaggen, Belby—and, impressed by Ginny’s hexing, invites her too. Slughorn probes Harry about the Ministry battle and the supposed prophecy, while Ginny and Neville downplay the rumors.

Afterward, Harry tails Blaise Zabini under the Invisibility Cloak to the Slytherin compartment. Hidden in the luggage rack, he overhears Malfoy mock Slughorn’s choices and boast he might not return to Hogwarts, implying he has more important work for Voldemort that does not require qualifications. This strengthens Harry’s belief that Draco serves the Dark Lord.

As the train nears Hogsmeade, Goyle’s trunk strikes Harry, prompting a gasp. When the others leave, Malfoy lowers the blinds, reveals he suspected an intruder, and casts Petrificus Totalus on Harry. Malfoy breaks Harry’s nose, drags the Invisibility Cloak over him, and departs, intending Harry to remain undiscovered on the train.

Who Appears

Harry Potter

Obsesses over Draco’s activities, informs Mr. Weasley, attends Slughorn’s lunch, spies on Slytherins, is paralyzed and injured by Draco.
Draco Malfoy

Hints at serving Voldemort, skips prefect duties, boasts of bigger plans, then stuns, injures, and hides Harry.
Professor Horace Slughorn

Hosts the “Slug Club” lunch, courts well-connected students, probes Harry about the Ministry and rumors.
Ginny Weasley

Invited to Slughorn’s lunch after hexing Zacharias; defends Harry and Neville from rumor-mongering.
Neville Longbottom

Attends Slughorn’s lunch due to famous parents; supports Harry and downplays prophecy talk.
Blaise Zabini

Attends Slughorn’s lunch; returns to Slytherins and discusses invites; scorns Ginny; unwittingly leads Harry.
Pansy Parkinson

Fawns over Draco; hears his hints about leaving Hogwarts; leaves before Draco ambushes Harry.
Gregory Goyle

His trunk hits hidden Harry, alerting Draco to an intruder.
Ron Weasley

Skeptical of Harry’s Draco theory; on prefect duty; notes Draco skipping patrols.
Hermione Granger

Skeptical of Draco-as-Death-Eater; on prefect duty; suggests Inquisitorial Squad explains Draco’s behavior.
Luna Lovegood

Shares a compartment with Harry; naively candid; mentions Wrackspurts; supports Harry and Neville.
Marcus Belby

Attends Slughorn’s lunch; chokes; fails to impress despite his uncle’s renown.
Cormac McLaggen

Attends Slughorn’s lunch; talks about influential connections and hunting with Scrimgeour.
Arthur Weasley

Hears Harry’s report about Draco; doubts but acknowledges it; arranges secure travel.
Molly Weasley

Manages departure; flustered by Aurors and Fleur; bids Harry a careful goodbye.
Fleur Delacour

Discusses wedding plans, irritating Mrs. Weasley; bids Harry farewell.
Romilda Vane

Invites Harry to a ‘cooler’ compartment; snubs Neville and Luna; is rebuffed.
Cho Chang

Avoids Harry on the train; seen conversing with Marietta.