Harry Potter, #6
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J. K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 4: Horace Slughorn
Overview
Dumbledore Apparates Harry to Budleigh Babberton to recruit Horace Slughorn, who initially refuses but is swayed by Harry’s presence and agrees to return to Hogwarts. Along the way, Dumbledore explains Harry’s scar quieting due to Voldemort’s Occlumency and mentions Inferi and recent Ministry changes.
At the Burrow, Dumbledore comforts Harry about Sirius, authorizes telling Ron and Hermione about the prophecy, announces private lessons, ends Snape’s Occlumency training, and urges heightened caution.
Summary
Dumbledore collects Harry from Privet Drive, authorizes defensive magic if needed, and Side-Along Apparates him to Budleigh Babberton. En route, Dumbledore explains Harry’s scar has been quiet because Voldemort is using Occlumency, mentions Scrimgeour’s rise, Amelia Bones’s murder, and defines Inferi.
They find Horace Slughorn’s borrowed Muggle house seemingly ransacked. Dumbledore exposes Slughorn disguised as an armchair; together they restore the damage. Slughorn resists returning to Hogwarts, citing danger and a desire for comfort, while revealing his penchant for cultivating talented, well-connected students (including Lily Potter). Harry argues staff safety under Dumbledore and pointedly uses Voldemort’s name, unsettling Slughorn.
Dumbledore prepares to leave, calling the effort a lost cause, which prompts Slughorn to capitulate and accept a post. As Dumbledore and Harry depart, Dumbledore notes Harry’s influence on Slughorn and warns that Slughorn will try to “collect” Harry as the “Chosen One.”
They Apparate to the Burrow. In a private talk, Dumbledore acknowledges Harry’s grief over Sirius and praises his resolve. He permits Harry to tell Ron and Hermione about the prophecy, announces private lessons with himself, confirms Snape’s Occlumency lessons will not continue, reminds Harry to keep his Invisibility Cloak at all times, and notes Ministry security over the Weasleys’ home and that OWL results are imminent.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterAccompanies Dumbledore, helps sway Slughorn’s return, processes grief for Sirius, is authorized to tell friends about the prophecy, and will take private lessons.
- Albus DumbledoreLeads the recruitment of Slughorn, explains Voldemort’s Occlumency and Inferi, counsels Harry, ends Snape’s Occlumency lessons, and plans private tutoring.
- Horace SlughornRetired professor hiding in Muggle homes; initially refuses but agrees to return to Hogwarts, driven by comfort and connections, intrigued by Harry’s fame.