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 11: Hermione’s helping hand

Previous: Chapter 10: The Hour of Gaunt Next: Chapter 12: Silver and opals

Overview

Coursework intensifies as fear spreads across Hogwarts: Stan Shunpike is arrested, parents withdraw students, and Dumbledore is often absent. Harry secretly keeps the Half-Blood Prince’s book, assembles a Gryffindor team with Ron as Keeper after Hermione Confunds McLaggen, and visits Hagrid, who grieves over dying Aragog. Slughorn courts Harry and Hermione, but Snape enforces Harry’s detention.

Summary

Sixth-year work intensifies: nonverbal spells are required across subjects, and even Hermione struggles. Despite Hermione’s resentment, Harry excels in Potions thanks to the Half-Blood Prince’s annotations. Hagrid pointedly avoids them, and they resolve to visit after Quidditch tryouts.

At breakfast, Hermione notes Harry’s heightened popularity and the “Chosen One” label. Hedwig brings Harry a new Potions textbook; Harry swaps covers to keep the Prince’s copy. The Daily Prophet reports more Dementor attacks and the arrest of Stan Shunpike, prompting discussion about Ministry optics. Dumbledore’s frequent absences worry them; Hannah Abbott’s mother has been murdered.

Quidditch trials draw a crowd. Harry selects Chasers Katie Bell, Demelza Robins, and Ginny Weasley, and Beaters Jimmy Peakes and Ritchie Coote. For Keeper, Cormac McLaggen performs well but errs; Ron saves five in a row and wins the spot. McLaggen angrily demands a retest but Harry refuses.

They visit Hagrid, find Buckbeak tethered, and learn Hagrid’s devastated because Aragog is dying. After an emotional outpouring, Hagrid brightens when they insist they missed his lessons, and they depart at dusk.

Back inside, Harry deduces Hermione Confunded McLaggen; she admits it, citing his attitude toward Ron and Ginny. Slughorn invites Harry and Hermione to a select supper, snubbing Ron, but Snape’s already-postponed detention blocks Harry’s attendance. In the common room, Hermione reads that Arthur Weasley searched Malfoy Manor; security checks at Hogwarts and on owls undercut Harry’s theory that Draco smuggled something in. Ron, jealous and irritable, leaves. Demelza delivers Snape’s message confirming Harry’s detention and unpleasant task sorting flobberworms.

Who Appears

Harry Potter

Excels in Potions using the Prince’s notes, captains Gryffindor, selects Ron as Keeper, suspects Hermione Confunded McLaggen, and receives Snape’s detention.
Hermione Granger

Observes Harry’s popularity, disapproves of the Prince’s book, secretly Confunds McLaggen to help Ron, and worries about rising dangers.
Ron Weasley

Wins Keeper position by saving five penalties; buoyed by attention, then sulks after Slughorn snubs him.
Rubeus Hagrid

Avoids students until they visit; breaks down over dying Aragog, then cheers after their support.
Cormac McLaggen

Confident Keeper candidate who performs well but loses to Ron; angered, likely Confunded during trials.
Professor Horace Slughorn

Invites Harry and Hermione to a private supper, ignoring Ron; plans to ask Snape to postpone detention.
Professor Severus Snape

Insists Harry serve detention sorting flobberworms, overriding Slughorn’s party invitation.
Ginny Weasley

Outflies competitors to earn Chaser spot; subject of McLaggen’s disparaging comments.
Katie Bell

Rejoins the team as Chaser after a strong trial performance.
Demelza Robins

New Chaser; delivers Snape’s detention message to Harry.
Ritchie Coote

Chosen as Beater; accurate hitter despite a weedy appearance.
Jimmy Peakes

Chosen as Beater; powerful swings that impress during trials.
Aragog

Hagrid’s giant spider, gravely ill; source of Hagrid’s grief.
Buckbeak

Hippogriff outside Hagrid’s cabin; acknowledges Harry respectfully.
Lavender Brown

Cheers Ron during trials, adding to his confidence and Hermione’s discomfort.
Parvati Patil

Seen with Lavender; notes parental fears about safety.
Stan Shunpike

Arrested per the Daily Prophet, symbolizing panic and questionable Ministry actions.
Arthur Weasley

Reported to have searched Malfoy Manor; his inquiry fuels Harry’s suspicions about Draco.