Harry Potter, #6
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J. K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 19: Elf Tails
Overview
In the aftermath of Ron’s poisoning, friends and family visit while Harry, Hermione, and the twins debate the poison’s intended target. Hagrid reveals Dumbledore argued with Snape about Slytherin investigations.
With Ron bedridden, McLaggen keeps and sabotages Gryffindor’s match, injuring Harry. That night, Harry enlists Dobby and Kreacher to secretly tail Draco Malfoy.
Summary
In the hospital wing after Ron’s poisoning, Harry recounts using a bezoar while Hermione, Ginny, and later Fred and George debate who the poison was meant for: Ron, Harry, Slughorn, or Dumbledore. The Weasleys arrive, thanking Harry. Hagrid visits and, on the way back, reveals he overheard Dumbledore arguing with Snape about overwork and Slytherin investigations before Filch interrupts.
Back in the common room, Cormac McLaggen presses Harry about keeping for the next match. Over the following day, rumors minimize Ron’s poisoning as accidental. Harry grows more fixated on Malfoy’s disappearances while McLaggen undermines his captaincy and Lavender pesters Harry about Ron. Ron feigns sleep to avoid Lavender.
Before the Hufflepuff game, Harry spots Malfoy slipping away with two reluctant girls but chooses the match. On the pitch, Luna Lovegood gives eccentric commentary while McLaggen ignores instructions, criticizes teammates, and seizes a Beater’s bat. He mishits a Bludger into Harry, cracking his skull and dooming Gryffindor to a heavy defeat.
In the hospital wing, Harry rages at McLaggen while Ron, secretly pleased, reports the disastrous score. Discussing Malfoy’s absences, Harry longs to tail him but lacks resources. Remembering house-elf visits during past injuries, Harry summons Dobby and Kreacher. After Peeves incites a scuffle, Harry stops it, binds Kreacher with strict orders, and assigns both elves to follow Draco Malfoy constantly, report discreetly, and avoid any contact or tip-off.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterSaves Ron with a bezoar, suspects Malfoy, is injured by a Bludger, and orders Dobby and Kreacher to tail Draco.
- Ron WeasleyRecovers in the hospital wing, avoids Lavender, and delights in McLaggen’s failure after missing the match.
- Hermione GrangerQuiet but analytical; links Katie’s attack and Ron’s poisoning as misdirected attempts.
- Ginny WeasleyVisits Ron, challenges theories, plays Chaser in the match, and questions Harry’s focus on Malfoy.
- Fred WeasleyVisits Ron; speculates on the poison’s target and Slughorn’s role.
- George WeasleyVisits Ron; debates suspects and offers dark possibilities like Imperius.
- Rubeus HagridWorried about school safety; reveals Dumbledore argued with Snape about Slytherin investigations.
- Albus DumbledoreOffstage; reportedly argued with Snape and informed the Weasleys of Harry saving Ron.
- Severus SnapeOffstage; argued with Dumbledore, complained of overwork, and was told to investigate Slytherin.
- Cormac McLaggenTemporary Keeper; arrogant and meddling; mishits a Bludger that cracks Harry’s skull and costs the match.
- Luna LovegoodProvides quirky Quidditch commentary, amusing the crowd and Ron.
- Madam PomfreyTreats Ron’s poisoning aftermath and heals Harry’s cracked skull, keeping him overnight.
- KreacherHouse-elf bound to Harry; brawls with Dobby; begrudgingly ordered to tail Draco without contact.
- DobbyEager house-elf; fights Kreacher; happily accepts mission to follow Draco and report.
- Draco MalfoySpotted sneaking off during the match; becomes the target of Harry’s surveillance plan.
- Argus FilchNearly catches them out late; argues with Hagrid in the corridor.
- PeevesPoltergeist who incites the elves’ fight; silenced by Harry’s Langlock hex.
- Molly WeasleyThanks Harry emotionally for saving Ron; visits her son.
- Arthur WeasleyGrateful to Harry for saving Ron; visits the hospital wing.
- Professor McGonagallOversees Luna’s commentary, correcting her and announcing the score.