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Description edit see section history

It's Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts, and he has many things coming his way. After revealing himself at the Ministry, Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters are free to commit crimes in both the magical world and the Muggle world.

Harry is becoming a young man, and thoughts of Ginny... read more

Summary edit see section history

As Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters commit crimes in both the magical and Muggle worlds, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge is replaced by Rufus Scrimgeour. In the second chapter, Professor Snape, appearing to have rejoined the Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort, is visited by Narcissa Malfoy... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

As Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters commit crimes in both the magical and Muggle worlds, Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge is replaced by Rufus Scrimgeour. In the second chapter, Professor Snape, appearing to have rejoined the Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort, is visited by Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. A terrified Narcissa tells Snape that her son Draco has received orders from Lord Voldemort, and asks Snape to make an Unbreakable Vow with her to protect her son and do the job for him, should Draco fail. Snape agrees, and the vow is sealed.

Harry Potter accompanies Albus Dumbledore on a trip to persuade retired Hogwarts professor Horace Slughorn to return to Hogwarts to fill in the vacant spot in the teaching staff. Harry notices that one of Dumbledore's hands is withered and burnt black, and that he is wearing a ring with a distinctively-marked stone. Harry spends the remaining holiday at The Burrow with the Weasleys and Hermione, where they receive their O.W.L. results. To become Aurors, Harry and Ron must take N.E.W.T. level Potions, but their O.W.L.s in the subject are too low to enrol in Snape's Potions class.

At Hogwarts, Snape is unexpectedly announced as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor, with Slughorn becoming the Potions teacher. Harry and Ron’s O.W.L.s are good enough to enrol in Slughorn’s class, which has lower standards, but neither had purchased a textbook, so Slughorn lends them old Potions textbooks. Harry's book has notes and corrections scribbled all over the pages. Harry discovers that these corrections yield better results than the textbook's instructions, and that the book is inscribed as having previously belonged to the "Half-Blood Prince". As the year continues, Ron dates Lavender Brown but eventually realises his feelings for Hermione and breaks up with Lavender. Harry realises that he has feelings (that are conflicting with his friendship with Ron) for Ginny, who has stopped pursuing him and is dating Dean Thomas.

During the school year at Hogwarts, Dumbledore privately tutors Harry, using his Pensieve to show Harry collected memories about Voldemort's past. Dumbledore asks Harry to retrieve a key memory from Slughorn that Slughorn has resisted providing, regarding Slughorn's conversation with a sixth-year Tom Riddle. After disappointing Dumbledore once by not getting the memory from Slughorn, Harry uses Felix Felicis potion (which bestows luck on its drinker) that he had been rewarded with for his newfound "skill" (derived almost entirely from written hints from the Half-Blood Prince) in potion making to gain the memory.

The series of memories reveals that to attain immortality, Voldemort splintered his soul (through committing murders) into six fragments attached to objects called Horcruxes, while leaving a seventh piece in his body. As long as any of the Horcruxes exist, Voldemort cannot be killed. Two Horcruxes have been destroyed: Tom Riddle's diary by Harry in the Chamber of Secrets<HP2> and Marvolo Gaunt's ring by Dumbledore (the ring Harry noticed on his hand earlier). The memories indicate that three other Horcruxes are most likely a locket formerly owned by Salazar Slytherin, a cup formerly owned by Helga Hufflepuff, and the snake Nagini; but the last of the six Horcruxes remains unidentified. Dumbledore speculates that it may be a possession of Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, as Tom Riddle would have wanted a possession of each of the founders of Hogwarts, his first and only real home.

After seeing Harry cast an unusual curse, "Sectumsempra" (a dark curse which leaves deep gashes) against Draco Malfoy, Snape attempts to repossess Harry's Potions book, but Harry gives him Ron's copy instead and hides his copy in the Room of Requirement, noting several other items hidden there over the years. He then distinguishes the cabinet that the book is in with an old bust wearing a wig and a strange looking tiara. Harry gets detention from Snape and misses the Quidditch finals, but Gryffindor wins the Cup with Ron and Ginny starring in the match. During the victory celebration, Harry spontaneously kisses Ginny and they begin dating with Ron's approval.

Dumbledore locates another Horcrux and asks Harry to accompany him to destroy it. They travel to a secret cave to retrieve Slytherin's locket. Harry and Dumbledore find the entrance, present a blood offering to a secret door, and row in a small boat across an Inferi-infested lake. To acquire the locket, Dumbledore must drink a mysterious potion. After drinking the potion, Dumbledore faints, and while attempting to minister to him, Harry provokes the Inferi which attack him and Dumbledore. Harry retrieves the Horcrux and guides Dumbledore to safety in Hogsmeade, but as they arrive they see the Dark Mark hovering over the Astronomy Tower at Hogwarts and hurriedly return to the school.

Dumbledore and an Invisibility Cloaked Harry are confronted atop the tower by Draco Malfoy, and before Harry can reveal himself, Dumbledore immobilises Harry. Malfoy disarms Dumbledore, who sacrificed the time to defend himself to immobilise Harry. Draco admits that he was behind a series of attacks on Hogwarts students, and that Voldemort has ordered him to kill Dumbledore. Dumbledore offers Draco the chance to change sides, and promises to hide Draco and his mother where Voldemort will never find them. Draco cannot bring himself to kill the headmaster, even with the urging of fellow Death Eaters once they arrive. Snape arrives and kills Dumbledore. Harry, enraged and freed from immobility by Dumbledore's death, pursues Snape, who reveals that he is the Half-Blood Prince and duels with Harry until he gets outside Hogwarts grounds and disapparates.

Harry recovers the locket from Dumbledore's body, only to discover it is a fake left by someone with the initials R. A. B. who had apparently stolen the real Horcrux and left a note about his opposition to Voldemort. The school year ends abruptly with Dumbledore's funeral. He is buried along with his wand beside the lake on Hogwarts's grounds. The fate of the school is uncertain, but Harry vows not to return to school and to hunt for the remaining Horcruxes. Harry breaks up with Ginny to keep her safe from danger during his quest, and Ron and Hermione pledge to accompany him.

Characters edit see section history

  • Harry James Potter: The sixteen year old protagonist of the story who is loyal and kind-hearted. He is known in the Wizarding World as 'The Boy Who Lived' and, in this book, he is also known as 'The Chosen One'. He is entering his 6th year at Hogwarts school for Witchcraft and Wizardry. His potions book is a used copy which has been scribbled in profusely by "The Half-Blood Prince." He is in Griffyndor. He's the Captain of the Quidditch team, where he plays as seeker. Slughorn adores him.
  • Ronald Bilius Weasley: Harry's best friend who comes from a very old pure-blooded wizard family; he has a very big family: parents, 5 brothers and 1 sister. He wants to play Quidditch this year too. He is also in the Gryffindor house and is a Prefect.
  • Hermione Jean Granger: A highly intellectual Muggle-born witch, Hermione is one of Harry's best friends and often acts as the voice of reason for him and Ron. She is also entering her 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She has curly brown hair and brown eyes. She is in Gryffindor and is a Prefect. Also known as a Know It All
  • Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore: Head Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot; He's a tall thin man with waist-lenght silver hair and beard. Harry sees a father-figure in him. He's the only wizard Voldemort ever feared. Head of Order of pheonix.
  • Professor Minerva McGonagall: Head of Gryffindor House and Professor of transfiguration. Deputy Headmistress
  • Professor Horace Slughorn: A new professor, returning to Hogwarts this year. Ex-Head of Slytherin House.He has interest in business/getting richer.Contributes a memory for the pensieve. Founder of the Slug Club, likes to "collect" students. Teaches potions. He is also interested in sucking up to rich people. Very interested in The Muggle World
  • Lucius Malfoy: This Death-Eater is Draco Malfoy's father and is married to Narcissa Malfoy, whose sister is Bellatrix Lestrange. Ex-owner of Dobby and has tried, like all other Death Eaters, to kill Harry on several occasions. Currently in Azkaban.
  • Professor Severus Snape: Head of Slytherin House and a teacher at Hogwarts; He despises Harry Potter but is deeply trusted by Albus Dumbledore. He likes the dark arts, and this year he finally gets the post as teacher of DADA
  • Ginevra 'Ginny' Molly Weasley: Ron's bold younger sister who is one year younger than the trio. She is entering her fifth year at Hogwarts. She's on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and is very popular among boys.
  • Draco Malfoy: He is a pureblood Slytherin and serves continually as a rival to Harry; He is a 6th-year Slytherin who is a Prefect and who plays on the Slytherin Quidditch team as a seeker. Son of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy Joins the death eaters.
  • Lord Voldemort: Also known as "He-who-must-not-be-named" and "You-Know-Who", he is a dark wizard and the main antagonist of the series. His very name strikes fear into the hearts of many witches and wizards. He also strives to be the most powerful wizard of all time. Dumbledore, his rival, holds that position.
  • Katie Bell: She is a Chaser on the Gryffiindor Quidditch team; a 7th-year student. Hexed by Draco Malfoy.
  • Rufus Scrimgeour: The newly-appointed Minister of Magic; Former Head of the Auror Office in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He looks like a lion
  • Luna Lovegood: She is Harry's friend, who is often called "Loony Lovegood" by those who consider her to be a bit crazy. She can be very awkward around her peers. Her father publishes a magazine known as "The Quibbler", which more often than not contains several conspiracy theories and articles about creatures that do not exist; a 5th-year Ravenclaw and former member of the D.A.
  • Molly Weasley: She is Ron's mother and is very protective of all her children and makes Harry one of her own; a very good cook according to Harry. She has a clock that tells not the time but where the family members are
  • Arthur Weasley: Ron's father, who has been promoted to the Head of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects; He's a thin balding red-haired wizard with a very big family. He's very interested in the muggle world
  • Remus Lupin: Harry's ex-"Defense Against the Dark Arts" teacher; He's a werewolf; Active member of the Order of Phoenix, friends with Sirius and James since school
  • Nymphadora Tonks: The youngest member of the Order of the Phoenix, Tonks is a Metamorphmagus, which means she can change her appearance at will; She's also an Auror working for the Ministry. She's a distanced relative of the Blacks
  • Rubeus Hagrid: Care of Magical Creatures teacher; Gamekeeper and Keeper of Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts; He is a half giant who has a very profound friendship with Harry and his friends. He likes monsters
  • Neville Longbottom: Pure-blood Gryffindor student in Harry's year, described as round-faced and "short and plump and blond and is scared of bullies such as Crabbe and Goyle. Throughout the series he is often portrayed as a bumbling, disorganised character and a rather mediocre student, though he is highly gifted at Herbology. He is often teased and hexed by other students, such as Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe. His parents, Frank and Alice Longbottom, were prominent Aurors and Order of the Phoenix members until they were tortured and permanently incapacitated by a group of Death Eaters led by Bellatrix Lestrange; Neville was subsequently raised by his paternal grandmother, Augusta. Neville plays a minor role in the first four books, but Rowling wanted him to perform an act of bravery in Philosopher's Stone, in which Neville "finds true moral courage in standing up to his closest friends — the people who are on his side" towards the climax. According to Rowling, Order of the Phoenix "was a real turning point for Neville" due to the bigger role he played therein. His magical abilities improve dramatically during D.A. meetings, and Harry comes to understand him on a deeper level after he and his friends learn about the fate of Neville's parents at St Mungo's. Neville participates in the battle in the Department of Mysteries, in which he accidentally breaks the prophecy about Harry and Voldemort. Dumbledore, to whom it was originally made, explains that it concerned "the Chosen One", a wizard who would have the power to vanquish Voldemort and who would be born "as the seventh month dies" to "parents who have defied the Dark Lord thrice"; thus could refer to either Neville, who was born on 30 July 1980, or Harry, who was born a day later.
  • Bellatrix Lestrange (born Black): A dark witch and very devoted death eater, who believes herself to be the most loyal servant of the Dark Lord; sister of Narcissa Malfoy, aunt of Draco. She teaches him Occlumency.
  • Narcissa Malfoy (born Black): Draco's Mother; sister of Bellatrix Lestrange, wife of Lucius Malfoy
  • Cornelius Oswald Fudge: Former Minister of Magic who stays however as an advisor.
  • Amelia Bones: Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and suspected to have been murdered by Lord Voldemort himself. Aunt of Susan Bones
  • Emmeline Vance: Found dead.
  • Augusta Longbottom: Grandmother of Neville Longbottom, mother of Frank Longbottom. She failed her Charms OWL.
  • Vernon Dursley: Uncle of Harry who hates the wizarding world and all its people completely. He gets purple when angry, and wears a walrus-mustache
  • Petunia Dursley: Aunt of Harry; sister of Harry's mother (Lily Potter). She's thin and has a horsey face. Mother of Dudley and wife of Vernon. Doesn't like anything to do with magic.
  • Dudley Dursley: Fat cousin of Harry. He's blond and enjoys punching children
  • Sirius Black aka Padfoot: Harry's Godfather, killed the previous year at the Ministry of Magic. Was in Azkaban for 13 years for murder. He killed 13 people with one single curse meaning to kill worm-tail (aka one of his best friends) because he told Voldemort were James potter and lily potter were hiding.
  • Phineas Nigellus Black: Portrait in Dumbledore's office; Great-great-grandfather of Sirius Black; former Headmaster of Hogwarts. He has portraits at Hogwarts and at Grimmauld Place
  • Kreacher: Longtime house-elf of the Blacks. He becomes Harry's elf when he inherits everything from Sirius
  • Lily Potter (born Evans): Mother of Harry who sacrifices herself for her son thereby offering him a unique protection; killed by Voldemort. She was very good at Potions, one of Slughorn's favorite students.
  • James Potter: Father of Harry who is killed by Voldemort.
  • Mundungus Fletcher (aka Dung): A dealer of stolen merchandise and con-artist who is a member of the Order of the Phoenix; very loyal to Dumbledore. However, he is very untrustworthy.
  • Fleur Delacour: Girlfriend of Bill Weasley; works part-time at Gringotts to improve her English, she's a former Beuxbatons student and champion for that school at the tri-wizard tournament
  • Fred & George Weasley: Twin brothers of Ron who have departed from Hogwarts in a very spectacular fashion; Owner of a Joke shop in Diagon Alley named Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes; they are doing very well in their new business. amazingly funny.
  • Percy Ignatius Weasley: Third-eldest Weasley Brother who is still not on speaking terms with his family. He's working at the Ministry
  • Madam Malkin: Robe-maker who has a shop in Diagon Alley.
  • Romilda Vane: A 4th-year Gryffindor. Has a crush on Harry, and tries to give him love potions. She is kind of weird. Instead
  • Cho Chang: A 7th-year Ravenclaw who is on the Quidditch team as Seeker. She is Harry's ex-girlfriend, but secretly still likes him. Is very shy and still loves her deceased boyfriend.
  • Madam Poppy Pomfrey: Matron and nurse in charge of the Hospital wing at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Excellent healer
  • Ernie Macmillan: A 6th-year Hufflepuff student; Prefect; friend of Harry and very pompous.
  • Stan Shunpike: Conductor of the Knight Bus.
  • Madam Irma Pince: The librarian at the Library of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
  • Wilkie Twycross: Ministry Apparition Instructor. He's fond of the motto: "3 D's: Destination, Determination, Deliberation"
  • Professor Filius Flitwick: Charms Master; Head of Ravenclaw. Short in height.
  • Professor Pomona Sprout: Head of Herbology department at Hogwarts; Head of Hufflepuff.
  • Avery: Death-eater
  • Yaxley: Death-eater
  • Carrows: Death-eater
  • Fenrir Greyback: A werewolf notorious for his savagery and preference for attacking children; allied with the Dark Lord. Can attack even if it's not full moon. Also a Death Eater.
  • Prime Minister: The Prime Minister of Muggles
  • Professor Sybill Trelawney: Divination teacher
  • Seamus Finnigan: Gryffindor student and Dean Thomas' best friend
  • Argus Filch: Hogwarts caretaker; a squib
  • Dean Thomas: Gryffindor student and Seamus Finnigan's best friend; Katie Bell's replacement Chaser for Quidditch
  • Bill Weasley: works for the wizarding bank, Gringotts; part of the Order of the Pheonix
  • Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington "Nearly Headless Nick": Gryffindor's ghost
  • Dobby: a free house-elf that works at Hogwarts for pay, was freed by Harry Potter
  • Parvati Patil: Gryffindor; in Dumbledore's Army a.k.a. DA
  • Pansy Parkinson: Slytherin crushing on Malfoy; part of his posse
  • Zacharias Smith: Hufflepuff student; in Dumbledore's Army a.k.a. DA; Hogwarts Quidditch Commentator
  • Madam Hooch: Hogwarts Quidditch referee
  • Lavender Brown: Gryffindor; in Dumbledore's Army a.k.a. DA Ron's girlfriend
  • Mr Borgin: Owner of Borgin and Burkes
  • Blaise Zabini: Slytherin; friends with Malfoy
  • Mr Marvolo Gaunt: Salazar Slytherin's last living descendant; Voldemort's grandfather
  • Morfin Gaunt: Mr Gaunt's son
  • Bob Ogden: Worked for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and Head of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad
  • Merope Gaunt: Mr Gaunt's daughter; Voldemort's mother, eventually Merope Riddle
  • Cormac McLaggen: 7th year Gryffindor student. He is pushy, rude, and has a crush on Hermione. Can you imagine what he'd be like in Quidditch? He is very naggy and tends to give unwanted advice.
  • Demelza Robbins: Gryffindor Chaser
  • Leanna: Katie's friend
  • Caractacus Burke: helped found Borgin and Burkes
  • Mrs Cole: Tom Riddle's matron at the orphanage
  • Harper: Slytherin substitute Seeker for Malfoy
  • Peeves: Hogwarts' poltergeist
  • Eldred Worple: an author
  • Sanguini: a vampire
  • Fat Lady: portrait that guards Gryffindor's Tower
  • Hokey: house-elf that worked for Hepzibah Smith
  • Hepzibah Smith: rich, big, old woman infatuated with Tom Riddle and possessed two heirlooms belonging to two Hogwarts founders, Hufflepuff and Slytherin
  • Moaning Myrtle: moody ghost, she was killed by a Basilisk, hangs around in the girls bathroom.
  • Madam Rosmerta: Three Broomsticks barkeep
  • Amycus Carrow: a Death Eater
  • Alecto Carrow: a Death Eater
Show all 87 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “"When we come face-to-face with one down a dark alley, we're going to be having a shufti to see if it's solid, aren't we, we're not going to be asking, 'Excuse me, are you the imprint of a departed soul?"”
    Ron Weasley
  • “Don't count your owls before they are delivered.”
    Albus Dumbledore
  • “Let us not deprive Molly any longer of the chance to deplore how thin you are.”
    Albus Dumbledore
  • “Does anyone really know what You-Know-Who would or wouldn't do?”
    Harry Potter
  • “People find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right.”
    Albus Dumbledore via Hermione Granger
  • “Once again, you show all the sensitivity of a blunt axe.”
    Nearly Headless Nick (Referring to Ron)
  • “The Dark Arts are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible.”
    Severus Snape
  • “Hissy, hissy, little snakey, Slither on the floor, You be good to Morfin Or he'll nail you to the door.”
    Morfin Gaunt
  • “Oh, come and stir my cauldron, And if you do it right,I'll boil you up some hot strong love To keep you warm tonight.”
    A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love by Celestina Warbeck
  • “Oh, my poor heart, where has it gone? It's left me for a spell... and now you've torn it quite apart I'll thank you to give back my heart!”
    You Charmed the Heart Right Out of Me by Celestina Warbeck
  • “When there's strife and when there's trouble Call on Peevsie, he'll make double!”
    Peeves
  • “Greatness inspires envy, envy engenders spite, spite spawns lies. You must know this Dumbledore.”
    Voldemort
  • “Age is foolish and forgetful when it underestimates youth.”
    Albus Dumbledore
  • “There is nothing to be feared from a body, any more than there is anything to be feared from the darkness. It is unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.”
    Albus Dumbledore
  • “Harry: "It's going to be all right, sir. We're nearly there. . . . I can Apparate us both back. . . Don't worry."Dumbledore: "I am not worried, Harry. I am with you."”
    Harry and Dumbledore
  • “Killing is not nearly as easy as the innocent believe. . . .”
    Albus Dumbledore
  • “Why are you worrying about You-Know-Who?You should be worrying about U-No-Poo --The Constipation Sensation That's Gripping the Nation!”
    Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes
  • “" That's three Galleons, nine Sickles, and a Knut," said Fred, examining the many boxes in Ron's arms. " Cough up" "I'm your brother!" "And that's our stuff you're nicking. Three Galleons, nine Sickles. I'll knock off the Knut" "But I haven't got three Galleons, nine Sickles!" "You'd better put it back then, and mind you put it on the right shelves."”
    Fred and Ron Weasley
  • “Perfect deliberation, divination, and desperation or whatever the hell it is.”
    Ron Weasley
  • “Dumbledore would have been happier than anybody to think that there was a little more love in the world.”
    Minerva McGonagall
  • “"He accused me of being 'Dumbledore's man through and through.'" "How very rude of him." "I told him I was." Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again. Behind Harry, Fawkes the phoenix let out a low, soft, musical cry. To Harry’s intense embarrassment, he suddenly realized that Dumbledore's bright blue eyes looked rather watery. "I am very touched, Harry."”
    Harry and Dumbledore
  • “He's certainly got a body and is walking and talking and killing, so I suppose, for the purposes of our discussion, yes, he's alive.”
  • “But she wants you...And after all Remus, young and whole men do not necessarily remain so.”
    Arthur Weasley
  • “But he understood at last what Dumbledore had been trying to tell him. It was, he thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the arena with your head held high. Some people, perhaps, would say that there was little to choose between the two ways, but Dumble­dore knew — and so do I, thought Harry, with a rush of fierce pride, and so did my parents — that there was all the difference in the world.”
    J.K Rowling
  • “"It was cruel," said Dumbledore softly, "that you and Sirius had such a short time together. A brutal ending to what should have been a long and happy relationship."”
    Albus Dumbledore
  • “"Just because you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have."”
    Hermione Granger to Ron Weasley
  • “"I don't think you should be an Auror, Harry," said Luna unexpectedly... "The Aurors are a part of the Rotfang Conspiracy, I thought everyone knew that. They're working to bring down the Ministry of Magic from within using a combination of Dark Magic and gum disease."”
    Luna Lovegood
  • “"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good... or Malfoy is anyway."”
    Harry Potter
  • “The trouble is, the other side can do magic too, Prime Minister”
    Cornelius Fudge
  • “...But if it is, I'll make sure I take as many Death-Eaters with me as I can, and Voldemort too if I can manage it.”
    Harry Potter
  • “Spoken both like your mother and father's son and Sirius's true godson!”
    Albus Dumbledore
  • “Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.”
    Albus Dumbledore
Show all 32 quotes from this book

Setting & Locations edit see section history

Modern-day England.
  • Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: The school in which wizards and witches are taught to use magic.
  • The Burrow: The Weasley's home.
  • Hogsmeade: A village that the students go to during the school year. It is one of the only all wizard villages in Britain besides Diagon Alley.
  • Diagon Alley: The shopping centre where Hogwart's students get their school supplies needed for their year at Hogwarts.
  • Number 12, Grimmauld Place: The headquarters of the Order of the Phoneix.
  • A Cave: The place where Voldemort hid his Horcrux.
  • The Orphanage: Voldemort's childhood home. Placed there by his Mother shortly before she died.
  • Azkaban: Azkaban, the wizarding prison, is located on an island far to the north of the North Sea

Organizations edit see section history

  • The Order of The Phoenix: A secret organization working to prevent the rise of Lord Voldemort organised by Professor Dumbledore
  • Gryffindor: One of the four Houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, founded by Godric Gryffindor. Its emblematic animal is the lion and its colours are scarlet and gold. Minerva McGonagall is the most recent Head of House. Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, also known as "Nearly Headless Nick", is the house ghost. The particular characteristics of students who are sorted into Gryffindor tend to be courage and chivalry, of which the lion is the symbol. Some Gryffindor students are: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, and Ginny Weasley.
  • Slytherin: One of the four Houses at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and is traditionally home to students who exhibit traits such as cunning and ambition. Its emblematic animal is the snake and its colours are green and silver. Founded by Salazar Slytherin, the house is comprised mostly of pure-blood students, due to its founder's mistrust of muggle-born witches and wizards. The house has a negative reputation, with many claiming that it is the source of most Dark Wizards in Britain, notably Tom Marvolo Riddle, a.k.a. Lord Voldemort, as well as many of his Death Eaters. Some Slytherin students are: Draco Malfoy, Goyle and Vincent Crabbe.
  • Hufflepuff: One of the four Houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Its founder was the medieval witch Helga Hufflepuff. The current Head of Hufflepuff House is Pomona Sprout. The Fat Friar is the house's patron ghost. Hufflepuff is the most inclusive among the four houses, valuing hard work, patience, friendship and fair play rather than a particular aptitude in its members. Its emblematic animal is the badger, and yellow and black are its colours. Some Hufflepuff students are: Hannah Abbot, Ernie Macmillan, and Zacharias Smith.
  • Ravenclaw: One of the four Houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, founded by Rowena Ravenclaw. The current Head of House is Filius Flitwick. Members of this house are characterised by their intelligence and eagerness to learn. Its house colours are blue and bronze, and its symbol is the eagle. The house ghost, who in life was the daughter of the house's founder Rowena Ravenclaw, is the Grey Lady. Some Ravenclaw Students are: Luna Lovegood and Padma Patil.
  • Death Eaters: Lord Voldemort's group of followers. Some death eaters include: Lucius Malfoy, Fenier Greyback, and the Carrows.
  • Dumbledore's Army: This organisation started in the 5th book, when students wanted to learn about real DADA, and not from Professor Umbridge. Harry is the leader. As the books progress, they become more serious. In the 7th book, they are fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts as an organisation.

First Sentence edit see section history

It was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind.

Table of Contents edit see section history

1. The Other Minister
2. Spinner's End
3. Will and Won't
4. Horace Slughorn
5. An Excess of Phlegm
6. Draco's Detour
7. The Slug Club
8. Snape Victorious
9. The Half-Blood Prince
10. The House of Gaunt
11. Hermione's Helping Hand
12. Silver and Opals
13. The Secret Riddle
14. Felix Felicis
15. The Unbreakable Vow
16. A Very Frosty Christmas
17. A Sluggish Memory
18. Birthday Suprises
19. Elf Tails
20. Lord Voldermort's Request
21. The Unknowable Room
22. After the Burial
23. Horcruxes
24. Sectumsempera
25. The Seer Overhead
26. The Cave
27. The Lightning-Struck Tower
28. Flight over the Prince
29. The Phoenix Lament
30. The White Tomb

Glossary edit see section history

  • Muggle: It is a term for a human who does not exhibit magical talents.
  • Mudblood: Often used by those who are prejudiced against muggles and muggle-borns, this word is a derogatory term for a witch or wizard who is muggle-born.
  • Azkaban: It is a prison fortress where wizarding criminals are sent. The prison is guarded constantly by the fearsome dementors, creatures who literally suck every happy thought and memory out of their victims.
  • Death Eater: A Death Eater is a witch or wizard who is a follower of Lord Voldemort.
  • Animagi: They are witches and wizards who can turn themselves into animals at will. It is required to register as an animagus (which is the singular term for animagi) with the Ministry of Magic, but many witches and wizards are illegally unregistered, such as Rita Skeeter and Peter Pettigrew.
  • Squib: A squib is a non-magical person who is born to at least one magical parent. Squibs are, in essence, the antithesis of Muggle-born wizards and witches. They are rare and are looked upon with some degree of disdain by some witches and wizards, particularly pure-bloods.
  • Quidditch: It is a wizarding game played on broomsticks. Each team has 7 players: 3 chasers, 2 beaters, 1 keeper, and a seeker. The beaters are responsible for hitting bludgers away from their teammates or at the opposing team. The chasers are charged with the task of scoring points with the quaffle. The seeker has perhaps the most important job of his or her team; he or she must catch the golden snitch, a tiny and fast golden ball. The catching of this ball ends the game and adds 150 points to the team of the seeker who catches it. The team with the most points wins.
  • Felix Felicis: A potion that, when drunk, makes the drinker extremely lucky. It is Latin for the luck of the lucky.
  • Mullion: A vertical support structure between adjacent windows.
  • Plinth: The base upon which a column stands.
  • Trundle: Describe this term.
  • Restive
  • Phial
  • Gormless: British term meaning simple, unintelligent.
  • Clamber
  • Accio: Summoning Charm
  • Aguamenti: Charm that produces jets of water from the caster wand.
  • Alohomora: Charm used to open and/or unlock doors, but can be bewitched so that this spell has no effect.
  • Anapneo: Charm that clears the target's airway, if blocked.
  • Avada Kedavra: The Killing Curse.
  • Avis: This charm creates a flock of birds from the caster's wand. When coupled with Oppugno, it can be used offensively.
  • Sectumsempra: Sectumsempra is a Dark Arts curse invented by Severus Snape (under his alias of "The Half-Blood Prince") for the use against his enemies, and it soon became one of his specialities. When uttered, its effect is the equivalent of an invisible sword, slashing the target repeatedly. The injuries appear to follow the movements of the caster's wand, and thus inflicts the most damage if cast with rapid waving movements. It works best on living targets and has no noticeable effect on inanimate objects or dead ones, such as Inferi, other than slashing them pointlessly. Sometimes the slashing cuts are continual, or it could be one cut.
  • Horcrux: A Horcrux is a very powerful object in which a Dark wizard or witch has hidden a fragment of his or her soul for the purpose of attaining immortality. Creating a single Horcrux allows one to gain the ability to resurrect themselves if their body is destroyed, but the more horcruxes one creates, the closer one is to achieving true immortality.
  • Lament
  • Sectumsempera
  • Slughorn
Show all 26 glossary entries

Errata edit see section history

p. 74 – 'I'll want a pay RAISE, Dumbledore!'

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 6 of 7 in Harry Potter. (standard series)

Preceded by Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and followed by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

This is book 8 of 195 in Shelfari Most Popular (June 2011). (authoritative list)
This is book 8 of 194 in Shelfari Most Popular (December 2010). (authoritative list)
This is book 8 of 195 in Shelfari Most Popular (December 2011). (authoritative list)
This is book 7 of 195 in Shelfari Most Popular (June 2010). (authoritative list)
This is book 83 of 30 in Top selling 100 books 1998-2010 (Guardian). (authoritative list)
This is book 83 of 95 in Estrela do Mar. (community list)
This book is in Best fantasy books. (community list)
This is book 6 of 11 in Harry Potter Universe. (universe)
This is book 3 of 145 in Whitcoulls Top 100 (2011). (authoritative list)
This is book 6 of 121 in Whitcoulls Top 100 (2012). (authoritative list)
This is book 4 of 216 in Whitcoulls Kids' Top 50 (2011). (authoritative list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. J. K. Rowling (Author)

Other Contributors:

  1. Jason Cockcroft (Illustrator)
  2. Jakob J. Kenda (Translator)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 16 July 2005
ISBN: 0747581088
Page Count: 607

Awards edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: PZ7.R79835 Halc 2005
  • Dewey: &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;Fic&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

As the series progresses and the characters age, the books are less and less aimed at younger children. The violence is more violent, the mood darker, the consequences greater.

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
  • The Tales of Beedle the Bard
  • Quidditch Through the Ages
  • Eragon
  • The Golden Compass
  • The Two Towers
  • Silver on the Tree
  • The Wizard Heir
  • Wicked
  • Magyk
  • The Chronicles of Narnia

Books with Additional Background Information edit see section history

   
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Books Influenced by This Book edit see section history

   
  • Harry Putter and the Chamber of Cheesecakes
  • Harry Putter and the Deathly Hairballs

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