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 19: Elf Tails

Previous: Chapter 18: Birthday Surprises Next: Chapter 20: Lord Voldemort’s Request

Overview

In the aftermath of Ron’s poisoning, friends and family keep vigil while theories surface about the intended target. Hagrid reveals Dumbledore argued with Snape over Slytherin investigations, sharpening Harry’s suspicions about Draco. A disastrous Hufflepuff match ends with McLaggen injuring Harry. That night, Harry enlists Dobby and Kreacher to secretly tail Draco Malfoy.

Summary

Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, and George visit the hospitalized Ron and rehash the poisoning, debating whether Slughorn, Dumbledore, or Harry was the target. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley arrive, thanking Harry for the bezoar. Hagrid bursts in from the forest, worried, and later, while escorting Harry and Hermione back, inadvertently reveals Dumbledore argued with Snape about obligations and Slytherin investigations. Filch interrupts, and they return to Gryffindor Tower.

Late that night, Harry reflects that Dumbledore may have downplayed Harry’s Malfoy suspicions to keep him focused on lessons and Slughorn’s memory. Cormac McLaggen emerges to angle for Keeper, pressing strategy ideas. Over the next days, McLaggen badgers Harry and belittles teammates, while Lavender pesters Harry about Ron, who is secretly feigning sleep to avoid her.

On match day against Hufflepuff, Harry almost follows Malfoy, who is slipping away with two unwilling girls, but hurries to the pitch. Luna Lovegood provides eccentric commentary. McLaggen undermines the team, berates players, and grabs a Beater’s bat to “demonstrate,” then mishits a Bludger into Harry’s head. Harry wakes in the hospital wing to learn Gryffindor lost heavily.

Regretting not tailing Malfoy, Harry debates Malfoy’s disappearances with Ron. After lights out, Harry recalls a prior hospital-wing visitor and realizes he can set a tail: he summons Kreacher and Dobby. After separating their scuffle (and silencing Peeves), Harry orders them to follow Draco constantly, report only to him (or Ron and Hermione), and forbids Kreacher from contacting or warning Draco in any way. Both elves accept, securing Harry’s plan to surveil Malfoy.

Who Appears

Harry Potter

Saves Ron with a bezoar, fixates on Malfoy, suffers a cracked skull in Quidditch, then orders Dobby and Kreacher to tail Draco.
Ron Weasley

Hospitalized from poisoned mead; avoids Lavender; frets about McLaggen; later chats with Harry about Malfoy.
Hagrid

Visits Ron; hints Dumbledore argued with Snape over obligations and Slytherin investigations.
Cormac McLaggen

Stands in as Keeper, undermines teammates, grabs a Beater’s bat, and accidentally injures Harry, costing Gryffindor the match.
Ginny Weasley

Keeps vigil for Ron, plays Chaser, confronts Harry’s lateness to the match.
Hermione Granger

Quietly analyzes the attacks’ patterns; visits Ron; leaves Harry to rest.
Fred Weasley

Visits Ron, discusses possible poisoning targets and suspects.
George Weasley

Visits Ron; debates motives behind the poisoned mead.
Mr. Weasley

Thanks Harry for saving Ron; reassures the family.
Mrs. Weasley

Embraces Harry gratefully for saving Ron; deeply worried mother.
Madam Pomfrey

Treats Ron and later mends Harry’s cracked skull; enforces hospital wing rules.
Draco Malfoy

Spotted leaving the castle during the match; target of Harry’s new surveillance plan.
Dobby

House-elf eager to help; fights Kreacher; accepts mission to tail Malfoy and report to Harry.
Kreacher

Grudgingly obeys Harry’s strict orders to spy on Draco and not contact him.
Luna Lovegood

Provides whimsical Quidditch commentary, distracting but amusing.
Professor McGonagall

Oversees Luna’s commentary, corrects scores and names during the match.
Argus Filch

Attempts to assign detention; argues with Hagrid in the corridor.
Peeves

Delights in the elves’ fight until Harry silences him with Langlock.
Lavender Brown

Pesters Harry about Ron’s feelings; Ron pretends to sleep to avoid her.
Madam Hooch

Referees the Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff match.
Zacharias Smith

Hufflepuff Chaser, frequent target of Luna’s commentary barbs.
Cadwallader

Hufflepuff Chaser who scores amid McLaggen’s disruptions.