Harry Potter, #6
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J. K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 8 — Victorious Snape
Overview
Tonks finds and frees Harry after Draco Malfoy immobilizes him on the train, then Snape pointedly escorts Harry to Hogwarts and humiliates him. At the feast, Dumbledore announces Slughorn as Potions master and Snape as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and warns of heightened dangers. Afterward, Hagrid shares news of Grawp as Harry confides Malfoy’s ominous boast and the trio confirm they’ve dropped Hagrid’s class.
Summary
Paralyzed under his Invisibility Cloak with a broken, bleeding nose after Draco Malfoy’s attack, Harry lies unnoticed as the Hogwarts Express departs. Tonks discovers him, frees him, mends his nose, and sends a Patronus message before leading him on foot to the castle gates, now sealed with new security.
Severus Snape arrives with a lantern, opens the gates, and pointedly dismisses Tonks, sneering at her changed Patronus. He docks heavy points from Gryffindor and forces Harry to enter the feast conspicuously. Harry reunites with Ron and Hermione, who clean him up, while Malfoy mocks him from the Slytherin table.
Dumbledore addresses the school, his blackened hand drawing whispers. He bans joke-shop contraband, seeks Quidditch sign-ups, announces Slughorn as Potions master, and reveals Snape as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, prompting outrage from Harry. Dumbledore then warns of Voldemort’s growing threat and stricter security.
After the feast, Harry recounts Malfoy’s earlier boasts of a mission from Voldemort; Ron remains skeptical. Hagrid appears, asks about Harry’s lateness, and happily reports Grawp’s improved situation in a mountain cave, hinting at training him as an assistant. As Hagrid departs, Harry and Ron realize with dread that neither they nor Hermione are taking Care of Magical Creatures this year.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterAttacked and immobilized by Malfoy on the train; rescued by Tonks; humiliated by Snape; witnesses staff changes and Dumbledore’s warning.
- Severus SnapeOpens the gates, taunts Tonks, docks Gryffindor points, forces Harry’s public entrance, and is named Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
- Nymphadora TonksFinds and frees Harry, heals his nose, sends a Patronus message; appears subdued; Snape derides her new Patronus.
- Albus DumbledorePresides over feast with a blackened hand; announces Slughorn for Potions, Snape for Defense; warns of Voldemort and tightens security.
- Ron WeasleyReunites with Harry, hears about Malfoy’s boasts but remains skeptical; realizes they dropped Hagrid’s class.
- Hermione GrangerCleans Harry’s face, fulfills prefect duties, reacts to staff changes and Dumbledore’s injury; not taking Care of Magical Creatures.
- Draco MalfoyEarlier attacker of Harry; later mocks him at the feast; subject of Harry’s suspicion over a mission from Voldemort.
- Rubeus HagridArrives late from visiting Grawp; shares Grawp’s progress; invites visits to Witherwings; unaware the trio dropped his class.
- Nearly Headless NickGryffindor ghost; mentions rumors about Harry being the Chosen One; retreats when Ron offends him.
- Sybill TrelawneyUnusually present at the feast; her past prophecy lingers in Harry’s thoughts.