Harry Potter, #6
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J.K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 22: After the Burial
Overview
Blocked from Malfoy and Slughorn, Harry uses Felix Felicis and follows a hunch to Hagrid’s late-night burial for Aragog. Harry lures Slughorn there, where drink and talk of Lily Potter’s sacrifice move Slughorn to surrender the crucial, long-suppressed memory about Voldemort’s Horcruxes. The investigation finally advances.
Summary
Harry, frustrated by Malfoy’s secrecy and Slughorn’s evasions, receives Hagrid’s tearstained request to attend Aragog’s burial. Despite Hermione’s warnings about security, the trio decide Harry will try Slughorn again; if that fails, he’ll use Felix Felicis. Ron fails his Apparition test; Hermione passes. A sparse Potions class finds Harry brewing Euphoria, while Malfoy appears strained and withdrawn. Slughorn dodges Harry’s attempt to talk.
Back in the dormitory, Harry drinks a measured dose of Felix Felicis. Feeling guided, he heads for Hagrid’s rather than Slughorn’s office. On the way, he encounters Slughorn with Professor Sprout and deftly invites him to the burial, enticing him with the prospect of fresh acromantula venom. Slughorn agrees, promising to bring wine.
At Hagrid’s, the group buries Aragog beyond the pumpkin patch. Slughorn covertly harvests venom, then toasts Aragog inside the hut as he and Hagrid drink heavily. Harry, remaining sober, keeps the wine flowing with a Refilling Charm, steering conversation through Hagrid’s memories and Slughorn’s acquisitiveness.
As Hagrid dozes off, Harry gently presses Slughorn, invoking the murder of James and Lily and Slughorn’s affection for Lily. Confronted with his guilt and fear of Voldemort, Slughorn wavers; Harry insists he is the Chosen One and needs the memory for Dumbledore. After a tense silence, Slughorn extracts the silver strand into a bottle and gives Harry the unaltered memory.
Exhausted and emotional, Slughorn falls asleep, having finally yielded the key to Voldemort’s Horcrux secret. Harry has broken the stalemate, advancing Dumbledore’s hunt for the truth.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterUses Felix Felicis, orchestrates Slughorn’s attendance at Aragog’s burial, and secures Slughorn’s true Horcrux memory.
- Horace SlughornTempted by acromantula venom; drinks with Hagrid; moved by Lily’s memory; surrenders the unaltered memory.
- Rubeus HagridGrieves Aragog; hosts the burial and drinking; unwittingly helps soften Slughorn.
- Ron WeasleyFails his Apparition test; encourages Harry to use Felix Felicis.
- Hermione GrangerPasses Apparition test; urges Harry to use Felix and focus on Slughorn.
- Draco MalfoyAppears pale and strained in Potions; his mission seems to be going badly.
- Professor SproutProvides Slughorn with plants at twilight, enabling Harry’s approach.
- AragogHagrid’s giant acromantula; dies and is buried, prompting Slughorn’s involvement.
- Ginny WeasleyBriefly encountered at portrait hole; tension with Dean noted.
- Dean ThomasArgues with Ginny at the portrait hole as Harry slips out.
- Lavender BrownConfronts Ron outside the dormitory, fueling his ongoing romantic turmoil.