Essay on Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

First off, I’d like to mention my sources for some of the viewpoints presented: (1) dumbledore is not dead (dot com)/a/ and (2) W. Frederick Zimmerman’s Unauthorized Harry Potter Book 7 News.

Some interesting theories are presented and J.K. Rowling herself has said she means to answer a few of these questions: 1) the importance of Lily Evans as an expert Potioneer, and 2) what Snape really did to gain Dumbledore’s trust.

My own beliefs are the all-too-convenient “Snape is Bad” storyline and I believe he has truly turned to the good side and is (as we know) a good Occlumens and therefore playing his part as Voldemort’s right-hand man. Many things (such as releasing information about the Order of the Phoenix to Voldemort) do disturb and make me question his true feelings, but there are some things that must be taken into account. First off, if Voldemort’s goal was to not let the public know of his return, why does Snape show Fudge his Dark Mark at the end of Book 4? Does he know for a fact that Fudge will disregard this and not even know the meaning of it? Or is Snape trying to alert the world to Voldemort’s return, along with Dumbledore and the rest of the Order (and Harry’s inner circle of friends)? Also, Book 5’s (albeit late rescue) ending where Snape alerts Dumbledore of his concerns about Harry’s brashness and the breach of Ministry security must also be taken into account. Remember, we STILL DON’T KNOW what it is that Snape has done or said to make Dumbledore believe him. And as both Dumbledore and Voldemort are excellent Legilimens, we must ask ourselves, who was the one wizard He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named always feared? I think, suffice it to say, Snape can probably fool Voldemort, but not Dumbledore. Harry Potter thinks (for a moment) in Book 6, that “here was another example of Dumbledore trusting someone he shouldn’t have” (or something along those lines) and yet Dumbledore never truly believed in Tom Riddle’s less-than-ulterior motives—he saw right through him. So Dumbledore knows something that nobody else does about Severus Snape, which I believe Rowling will release to the public next year. In Book 6, Snape also helps Dumbledore after Dumbledore’s turn with Marvolo’s ring, but that incident is more suspect to Snape-not-wanting-to-be-discovered than as proof of his loyalty to the good side, but I felt I should mention it just the same. And lastly, Snape does very little to harm Harry when he’s fleeing with Draco and the other Death Eaters. He stops the others from killing Harry (saying that the Dark Lord wants Harry for himself, which may be conveniently true) but also even seems to school him when he says, “Until you learn to keep your mind closed”—almost a chide instead of some sort of sneer.

Dumbledore’s death has many suspicious details that Rowling lets slip. For one, why would Dumbledore put his memory in a bottle when he can easily remove it from his head? Possibly, not all of Harry’s lessons were “taught” by Dumbledore. There may have been some Polyjuice Potioning going around. Again, this is just a hunch, but think about this and you’ll see what I mean. Also, Rowling lets other details such as “with the agility of a much younger man” even though Snape tells Narcissa and Bellatrix in Chapter 2 of Book 6 that Dumbledore is not as agile as he once was and Slughorn points out that his reflexes have slowed. Although most unlikely, I have a hunch that maybe—JUST maybe, that trip to the cave may have been someone else. But most likely it was Dumbledore, but there’s still the whole “agility of a younger man” (Chapter: THE CAVE) thing. Also, Dumbledore’s reaction on the “lightning struck tower” (more on that later) to the Killing Curse is a little odd. We know Snape is a superb Occlumens and obviously, nonverbal spellsman, so perhaps he was thinking another spell while saying the Avada Kedavra curse. The whole thing of Dumbledore’s being flung over the ramparts is a little over-the-top, since, with the last two instances where the Killing Curse was used, the people who died had a reaction of surprise (not to mention eyes OPEN) and they fell over like a “heavy sack”. Why then, does Dumbledore practically fly over the edge of the tower? Harry thinks that Dumbledore is surely dead since the Freezing Charm is immediately lifted, but can’t the same thing be said of when someone is stunned? We learn in Book 5 that when one of the Death Eaters is stunned (or knocked out), the last spell they cast is instantly lifted because they’ve been immobilized. Going back to the lightning struck tower, the green light from the A.K. curse is obviously the spoken part, but Dumbledore’s body in reaction to the spell goes more with an Expelliarmus or Stupefy jinx rather than the actual A.K. And when Dumbledore’s body is discovered at the bottom, Harry notes that he even looks as if he is merely resting. Dumbledore’s wand is never found and the last scene with the white tomb is odd enough. Whose tomb can burst into flame? And the fact that it does means that it can hide any apparation or whatever transportation of the body that could have taken place (I’m not saying it did, but…?). Also, the “suspiciously looking like a Phoenix” flying away may not be just the trace of smoke left over from the tomb bursting into flame, but all the doings of Fawkes.

That said, I know it seems like I’m too hopeful and grabbing at happy endings, but really, too many things are left open-ended. Snape HAS to be good, since Harry’s never been right about him (Half-Blood, trying to kill him, and lying about Harry’s Father), and Dumbledore’s death is highly suspect. The portrait that shows up in the office? Who says it’s because the headmaster has died? Maybe when it comes time for the next rightful headmaster to take his or her place, the portrait of the last (either surviving or dead) headmaster would probably show up—just as an enchantment of the place. So that is easily explained off. (I don’t believe Armando Dippet died before Dumbledore took office, and there’s no proof that the portrait only showed up after he died as well)

So, to go back to the lightning-struck tower. Sybil Trelawney mentions this (when conversing with Harry in front of the Room of Requirement and incidentally, right before Harry discovers Snape’s hand in his parents’ death) as some sort of omen and keeps repeating and reiterating its meaning, even though (with obvious explanation) Dumbledore would probably have not taken her seriously. Well, she was right, wasn’t she? Sometimes (even though a “right old fraud”), Trelawney is right about certain things that happen and this just happens to be one of those times. Harry is also right about Draco Malfoy’s “death eater” business, even though heavily refuted by all he knows (even his two best friends). That is because, when it comes to suspicions, Harry is always wrong (Quirrell, Tom Riddle, Sirius Black, Moody, and the relationship between Snape and his father), but this is the one time he is right. So this may or may not be relevant or important, but it’s interesting nonetheless.

Finally, there is the statement that two of the characters will die, and that, although Rowling never initially meant for these two dear characters to snuff it, she (I think) found it necessary or at least, more fitting, that two characters shall meet their demise in Book 7. Odds are on Hermione and Ron (or Hermione or Ron and Voldemort, but we all know Voldemort has to DIE… right?) and some say Harry Potter will kill Voldemort, but be fatally wounded and die himself.

Also, one final note (I know I said “finally” already), Pettigrew still owes Harry for the life-saving turn of events in Book 3 (“I don’t think my father would have wanted his best friends to become killers”—again, don’t quote me, I’m going from memory here!) and I think Snape will redeem himself. ALSO (News Flash! jk), where’s that hook-up everyone’s been hoping will happen? (Many thought Book 6 would definitely illustrate this, but with a surprising and other long-anticipated hook-up instead) Ron and Hermione! Ron’s “Er-my-knee” after being poisoned in Slughorn’s office on his birthday is so endearing and these two have all the reactions of a married couple (jealousy, vengeance, etc…) that it’s almost a wonder J.K. saved this for Book 7 (and if they don’t get together, I’ll be so disappointed and possibly even angry).

And that’s my take.

I may update my views with more plot twists/analyses or theories, but for now I’m done, and I hope you can share some views with me, too. All opinions are welcome, so opine away!

“ANN”

/a/ this is all one word followed by "dotcom" (earlier this didn't show up since I guess the network thought it was a link or something)