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 7: The Slug Club

Previous: Chapter 6: Draco’s Detour Next: Chapter 8 — Victorious Snape

Overview

Harry fixates on Malfoy’s Knockturn Alley dealings, concludes Draco is a new Death Eater, and alerts Mr. Weasley, who remains doubtful. On the Hogwarts Express, Slughorn courts promising students for his “Slug Club,” including Harry, Neville, Ginny, and Zabini.

Under the Invisibility Cloak, Harry overhears Draco hint at a mission for Voldemort and disdain for school. Malfoy then ambushes, petrifies, and injures Harry, hiding him under the cloak as the train arrives.

Summary

As the holidays end, Harry broods over Draco Malfoy’s triumphant visit to Borgin and Burkes. Frustrated by Ron and Hermione’s skepticism, he hypothesizes that Draco has replaced his imprisoned father as a Death Eater, recalling Draco’s reaction to Madam Malkin touching his left arm. At the Burrow, Fleur’s wedding talk irks Mrs. Weasley, and the next morning Ministry cars and Aurors escort them to King’s Cross.

At the platform, Ron and Hermione go to prefect duty while Harry privately warns Arthur Weasley about Draco’s threats in Borgin and Burkes and his possible Dark Mark. Mr. Weasley doubts a sixteen-year-old would be recruited but humors the concern. On the train, Harry sits with Neville and Luna, declines restarting the D.A., and defends them when Romilda Vane belittles them.

Invitations arrive to lunch with Professor Slughorn. In compartment C, Harry, Neville, Ginny, Zabini, McLaggen, and Belby are plied with food and questions. Slughorn flatters well-connected students, praises Ginny’s Bat-Bogey Hex, and probes Harry about the Ministry battle and the “Chosen One.” Ginny and Neville downplay the rumors, but Slughorn’s interest in forming his “Slug Club” is clear.

Afterward, Harry tailors a plan to shadow Zabini to the Slytherin sixth-year compartment under his Invisibility Cloak. Hidden in the luggage rack, he overhears Draco dismiss Slughorn, hint he may not be at Hogwarts next year, and suggest Voldemort values service over qualifications. Draco implies he has a special task, impressing Pansy and shocking his friends.

As the train nears Hogsmeade, Goyle’s trunk strikes Harry, eliciting a gasp. When the others leave, Draco lowers the blinds and reveals he sensed someone. He hits Harry with Petrificus Totalus, stamps on Harry’s face “from my father,” and hides him beneath the Invisibility Cloak, intending he won’t be found until the train returns to London, before departing.

Who Appears

Harry Potter

Suspects Draco is a Death Eater, warns Mr. Weasley, joins Slughorn’s lunch, eavesdrops on Draco, then is petrified and injured.
Draco Malfoy

Hints at a task from Voldemort and disdain for school; discovers, petrifies, and stomps Harry, hiding him under the cloak.
Horace Slughorn

Hosts a selective “Slug Club” lunch, flatters well-connected students, probes Harry about the Ministry and rumors.
Ginny Weasley

Invited for her impressive hex; defends Harry and Neville against rumor; previously hexed Zacharias Smith.
Neville Longbottom

Joins Slughorn’s lunch; modest about the Ministry fight; proud of new wand and family legacy.
Luna Lovegood

Supports Harry, muses about Wrackspurts, and remains serenely loyal despite others’ judgments.
Blaise Zabini

Attends Slughorn’s lunch due to famous mother; returns to Slytherin compartment, enabling Harry’s eavesdropping.
Ron Weasley

Skeptical of Harry’s Draco theory; performs prefect duties; briefly reports Draco skipping patrols.
Hermione Granger

Doubts Draco is a Death Eater; on prefect duty; suggests Malfoy misses Inquisitorial Squad power.
Arthur Weasley

Receives Harry’s warning about Draco and Borgin and Burkes; doubtful but considerate.
Molly Weasley

Manages travel preparations; tense with Fleur; bids Harry a worried farewell at King’s Cross.
Pansy Parkinson

Fawns over Draco; awed by his hints of a mission; present during eavesdropped conversation.
Gregory Goyle

In Slytherin compartment; trunk accidentally strikes hidden Harry, betraying his presence.
Vincent Crabbe

In Slytherin compartment, largely passive, reading a comic during Draco’s boasts.
Cormac McLaggen

Slug Club invitee; valued for influential connections, chats about hunting with notables.
Marcus Belby

Slug Club invitee; questioned about his famous uncle Damocles; awkward and overlooked.
Romilda Vane

Attempts to lure Harry to a ‘cooler’ compartment; snubs Neville and Luna.
Fleur Delacour

At the Burrow discussing wedding plans; irritates Mrs. Weasley.