Harry Potter, #6
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J. K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 17: A Sluggish Memory
Overview
Harry returns to Hogwarts, where Apparition lessons are announced and tensions around Ron and Lavender persist. In Dumbledore’s lesson, memories reveal Voldemort murdered the Riddle family and framed Morfin Gaunt, stealing Marvolo’s ring. A tampered Slughorn memory hides discussion of Horcruxes, and Dumbledore assigns Harry to obtain the unaltered memory, while reaffirming trust in Snape.
Summary
After New Year, Harry, Ron, and Ginny return to Hogwarts via a special Floo connection. In the common room, Hermione delivers Dumbledore’s summons for the next evening, while Ron is intercepted by Lavender, deepening tension with Hermione. Harry updates Hermione on overhearing Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape; Hermione remains cautious, noting possible alternative explanations and recalling Malfoy’s threat involving Greyback.
The next morning, a notice announces optional, paid Apparition lessons for those turning seventeen by August. The sixth years are excited; Seamus’s mishap in Charms underscores the buzz. Harry fields questions about Side-Along Apparition until leaving for Dumbledore’s lesson.
In Dumbledore’s office, they first discuss Harry’s clash with Minister Scrimgeour; Dumbledore notes the Ministry’s attempts to trail him and reaffirms boundaries. When Harry raises Malfoy and Snape, Dumbledore dismisses it as unimportant and reiterates his trust in Snape, frustrating Harry.
Dumbledore then shows a hard-won memory: teenage Tom Riddle visits Morfin Gaunt. Learning of his Muggle father, Riddle Stupefies Morfin, steals his wand and Marvolo’s ring, murders Tom Riddle Sr. and grandparents, then implants a false memory. Morfin confesses and dies in Azkaban; Dumbledore later extracts the buried true memory too late to free him.
A second memory, from Horace Slughorn, is clearly tampered: fog obscures the moment Riddle asks about Horcruxes. Dumbledore explains Slughorn altered it out of shame and cannot be easily compelled. He assigns Harry to win the unedited memory, calling it crucial, and ends the lesson with his continued confidence in Snape.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterReturns to Hogwarts, debates Malfoy/Snape with Hermione, attends Dumbledore’s lesson, learns of Riddle’s murders, and is tasked to obtain Slughorn’s true Horcrux memory.
- Albus DumbledoreDiscusses Scrimgeour, reaffirms trust in Snape, shows Morfin and Slughorn memories, and assigns Harry to secure Slughorn’s unaltered memory.
- Hermione GrangerBrings Dumbledore’s note, remains skeptical about Malfoy/Snape, recalls Malfoy’s Greyback threat, and pointedly avoids Ron and Lavender.
- Ron WeasleyPublicly entwined with Lavender, anxious to pass Apparition test, avoids discussing relationship tension with Hermione.
- Horace SlughornSeen in a past memory hosting students; his recollection is tampered to hide a conversation about Horcruxes.
- Tom Riddle (Voldemort)As a teen, murders his Muggle father and grandparents, frames Morfin, steals Marvolo’s ring, and seeks knowledge about Horcruxes.
- Morfin GauntDrunkenly confronts Riddle; later Stupefied and framed for the Riddle murders; dies in Azkaban mourning the lost ring.
- Lavender BrownClings to Ron in the common room, intensifying friction with Hermione.
- Professor McGonagallReceives students returning via Floo in her office.
- The Fat LadyPortrait guardian with a new password, hungover from holiday indulgence.
- Seamus FinniganExcited about Apparition; causes a Charms mishap and is disciplined by Flitwick.
- Professor FlitwickCharms teacher doused by Seamus’s miscast spell; assigns lines as punishment.
- Phineas Nigellus BlackPortrait who snipes at Dumbledore’s plan; overheard after Harry leaves.