by Ryan Yost

Created on: February 09, 2007   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

Summary

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the latest installment by J.K. Rowling, opens with the Prime Minister having a meeting with the Minister of Magic. Here we learn how Death Eaters have been killing and running amuck, and how dementors have left Azkaban and are now reproducing everywhere.
We then see Snape make an unbreakable vow with Narcissia Malfoy that he will aid Draco Malfoy, her son, in completing his task. If he breaks this, as we later find out, he will die. Here we see how involved Snape is with the Death Eaters and we find out exactly why it is that Voldemort trusts him.

Next we pick up with Harry for the first time in this book. He is eagerly awaiting Dumbledore's visit to Privet Drive. He arrives and, after an awkward conversation with Harry and the Dursleys, where Harry discovers that he inherited Number Twelve Grimmauld Place and everything within, he and Harry embark on a journey to try to get a new teacher for Hogwarts. They eventually accomplish this task and Harry returns to the Burrow where Ron and Hermione are. We also discover that Fleur and Bill are to be married.
On a trip to Diagon Alley Harry has a confrontation with Narcissia and Draco Malfoy in the robe shop. The Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione then get to see the huge success of Fred and George's joke shop. While inside, however, they see Draco sneaking outside so they follow him under the invisibility cloak down Knockturn Alley where they see him discussing something with the owner of a Dark Magic shop.
Back at Hogwarts Harry, and the rest of the school, discovers that the new Professor, Professor Slughorn, will be teaching Potions and Snape will now be teaching Defense against the Dark Arts. This now makes it possible for Harry to take potions and for him to still possible become an Auror (he had only made an E on his Potions O.W.L).
Harry is now captain of the Quidditch team. He still believes that Draco is up to something; however Ron and Hermione have started ignoring him when he gets on the subject. A trip to Hogsmead proves almost deadly for Katie Bell when she inadvertently touches something wrapped in brown paper. As it turns out it is a cursed necklace that was given to her and she was told to give it to someone at Hogwarts. Harry immediately suspects Draco, but McGonnagal assures Harry that Draco was in detention at the time.
All of this time Harry has also been receiving "lessons" from Dumbledore. As it turns out, however, he is really viewing old memories showing

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