HP book 6: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

[BiggusGeekus]

Here's my question - is anyone important going to die in this book, and if so, who do we think it's going to be?

Honestly? I'm not sure about this book but looking at Ron, Dumbledore, and one of the other Weasleys. I wouldn't loan any of those people lots of money if you know what I mean. Of course, this is 100% speculation. It isn't like JKR is returning my phone calls or anything.

 

[Jeremy Ackerman-Yost]

Yeah, heaven forbid that the characters should actually be human.

The problem was not so much that he was being human. It was that he was being such a poor example of a human being, even for a 15 year old. I know people in real life who have dealt with tragedy at that age with half the ill-grace with which Harry dealt with being kept out of the loop by adults (which is just part of growing up). And these aren't people I would designate "heroes" just decent people dealing with problems.

It seriously hurt my ability to think of Harry as one of the good guys.

 

[kingpaul]

It seriously hurt my ability to think of Harry as one of the good guys.

Perhaps that's intentional?

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Perhaps that's intentional?

He's a jerk just like his old man? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, no matter how hard the apple tries or something like that.

P.S. If she killed Ron I'd be pissed. Really pissed! I loved how
Ron got some glory in OotP.

P.P.S. I think who your parents are does have a big impact on if you are a Wizard or not. I am under the impression that if your parents are both magical you are most likely going to be magical as well, and if not you are a squib. If you are half blooded by birth then you still have a chance but not as good of one. If you have muggles for parents it's a low odds random crap shoot. I think the message is that it doesn't matter if you are from any background, anyone can do it, like Hermione. She's far better at magic, or just being a decent person, than Malfoy or his goons in every aspect, and she's muggle born.

 

[WizarDru]

He's a jerk just like his old man? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, no matter how hard the apple tries or something like that.

As far as we know, Harry's dad was only a jerk as a boy, and mostly only towards Snape. We have testimony elsewhere that he was a pretty good fellow, after he matured a little. Of course, it's assumed that part of that was the love of a good woman. But as far as we know, Harry's parents stood up to Voldemort at the height of his power...fairly heroic thing to do. In that respect, the apple surely doesn't fall far.

Frankly, I didn't think Harry was being a terrible human being...in fact, at points, I agreed with him. Was he being a jerk at times? He sure was. But he's earned a little pettiness, I think - especially with the treatment he's gotten from day one. It's hard to feel very good about folks telling you that they're protecting you when they've done such a shoddy job for the last four years. And let's not forget, Harry's still dealing with the constant emotional turmoil of just being him, let alone the murder he personally witnessed and all the troubles he's had in the last four years prior to OotP. Turns out he's not without flaws. I rather liked that aspect of OotP, personally.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

As far as we know, Harry's dad was only a jerk as a boy, and mostly only towards Snape. We have testimony elsewhere that he was a pretty good fellow, after he matured a little. Of course, it's assumed that part of that was the love of a good woman. But as far as we know, Harry's parents stood up to Voldemort at the height of his power...fairly heroic thing to do. In that respect, the apple surely doesn't fall far.

Frankly, I didn't think Harry was being a terrible human being...in fact, at points, I agreed with him. Was he being a jerk at times? He sure was. But he's earned a little pettiness, I think - especially with the treatment he's gotten from day one. It's hard to feel very good about folks telling you that they're protecting you when they've done such a shoddy job for the last four years. And let's not forget, Harry's still dealing with the constant emotional turmoil of just being him, let alone the murder he personally witnessed and all the troubles he's had in the last four years prior to OotP. Turns out he's not without flaws. I rather liked that aspect of OotP, personally.

It was more of a question. I don't think the books support the idea of Potter being as arrogant or jerky after his sixth year at school. He does become Head Boy after all. So I assume something happens to deflate his ego.

 

[kingpaul]

He does become Head Boy after all

He does? I don't recall that.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

He does? I don't recall that.

Yeah, James Potter was head boy and Lilly Potter was head girl.

 

[kingpaul]

Yeah, James Potter was head boy and Lilly Potter was head girl.

Oh, I thought you meant Harry.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Oh, I thought you meant Harry.

I'm betting he does too. His dad was HB without being a prefect so it would just be following in his footsteps.