Harry Potter, #6
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J. K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 30: The White Tomb
Overview
Dumbledore’s funeral gathers the wizarding world as his body is sealed in a white tomb by the lake. Hermione confirms Snape is the Half-Blood Prince through Eileen Prince. Harry ends his relationship with Ginny to protect her, rebuffs Scrimgeour’s pressure, and resolves to hunt Horcruxes, with Ron and Hermione pledging to join.
Summary
In the days after Dumbledore’s death, lessons cease and visitors flood Hogsmeade for the funeral. Beauxbatons arrives with Madame Maxime, and Ministry officials, including Scrimgeour, take rooms at Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny keep close; Harry delays telling Ginny what he must. In the hospital wing, Bill recovers with Fleur’s devoted care.
That evening, Hermione reveals she has linked Eileen Prince to Tobias Snape, proving Severus Snape is the Half-Blood Prince. Harry wrestles with guilt over trusting the book and fury at Snape’s betrayal. They brace for the funeral, Harry clutching the fake locket as a reminder of the cost and the Horcrux quest ahead.
At the lakeside funeral, a diverse crowd gathers: teachers, students, Order members, Ministry officials, and magical beings. Hagrid carries Dumbledore’s body; merpeople sing and centaurs watch from the forest. After a brief eulogy, white flames consume the bier and a white marble tomb forms around Dumbledore, sealing him in.
Moved by grief, Harry tells Ginny they must end their relationship to protect her from Voldemort’s leverage. Ginny accepts his “stupid, noble reason,” and they part sadly. Scrimgeour confronts Harry for details about Dumbledore’s last trip and to recruit him as a Ministry symbol; Harry refuses, declaring himself “Dumbledore’s man through and through.”
Under a beech tree, Harry tells Ron and Hermione he will not return to Hogwarts, intending to visit the Dursleys briefly, then Godric’s Hollow, and hunt the remaining Horcruxes before facing Voldemort. Ron and Hermione insist on accompanying him. They agree first to attend Bill and Fleur’s wedding, finding a small moment of hope amid the looming quest.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterGrieves at Dumbledore’s funeral, ends things with Ginny, rejects Scrimgeour, and commits to hunting Horcruxes instead of returning to Hogwarts.
- Ginny WeasleySupports Harry at the funeral; accepts his protective breakup with fierce composure despite lingering feelings.
- Hermione GrangerResearches R.A.B.; proves Snape is the Half-Blood Prince via Eileen Prince; pledges to accompany Harry.
- Ron WeasleyMourns Dumbledore; supports Harry; insists he and Hermione will join the Horcrux hunt; reminds them of Bill and Fleur’s wedding.
- Rubeus HagridCarries Dumbledore’s body to the bier, grieving openly; sits with Grawp during the funeral.
- Rufus ScrimgeourPressures Harry for information and to be a Ministry figurehead; is rebuffed.
- Minerva McGonagallLeads the school to the funeral and presides with dignified control.
- GrawpAttends the funeral respectfully, comforting Hagrid in his grief.
- Bill WeasleyRecovers from Greyback’s attack; scars remain; supported by Fleur; wedding plans continue.
- Fleur DelacourDevoted to Bill, unfazed by his scars; present at the funeral.
- Madame MaximeArrives in the Beauxbatons carriage to pay respects at the funeral.
- Neville LongbottomRecovers from injuries; attends the funeral, helped by Luna.
- Luna LovegoodSupports Neville and attends the funeral; one of the few DA responders earlier.
- Dolores UmbridgeAttends with false grief; unsettled by Firenze’s presence.
- FirenzeStands sentinel by the lake; his presence unnerves Umbridge.
- The MerpeopleSing a mournful tribute from beneath the lake’s surface.
- The CentaursPay tribute from the forest, loosing arrows that fall short.
- Horace SlughornLeads Slytherins to the funeral in ornate robes; otherwise silent presence.
- Percy WeasleySeen with the Ministry delegation; avoids interacting with family.