[HPforGrownups] HBP - who was the royal?

[heather the buzzard]

No: HPFGUIDX 130367

saraquel_omphale wrote:

>One thing has always puzzled me about the Half Blood Prince.  As far 
>as know, I can't find any reference to royalty in the WW.  If there 
>was no royalty, then the HBP must be royal from his muggle side. I 
>ask myself who and when?  
>

The first time I heard the suggestion that this might be the title of 
the next book (before it was confirmed), I said "blech... no way... 
that's not even a *believable* rumour."  For exactly that reason -- 
there is never any mention of royalty in Rowling's universe.  The idea 
of 'royal' wizards just does not fit with the society as it has 
heretofore been described.  Besides which, it sounded 'cheesy'.

Then it was confirmed, and Rowling has gone on to say that she *loves* 
this particular title (and it was originally a working title for what 
turned into CoS, and held that title even after the plotline had been 
removed simply because she loved it so much).  I normally have great 
respect for her sense of taste... heh...

So I had to re-think a lot of things.  I still think it's a cheesy 
title.  But, I thought "Goblet of Fire" was a horridly cheesy title too, 
and it turned into a fantastic book.  And come on... "Chamber of 
Secrets"?  Okay, they are kids' books, after all.  So I'm allowed to be 
less than impressed with the titles, even though I deeply admire and 
adore the stories themselves *heh*.

So I'm not predisposed to think the story will be cheesy just because 
I'm not fond of the title.  The Goblet of Fire, for instance, was not 
actually the focal point of its book.  It was relaly just a small part 
of the tale.  The Triwizard Tournament was the main element of the 
story, and the book was almost called that, but GoF had more dramatic 
punch. 

The HBP might, therefore, only be a minor part of the plot.  Integral, 
but not momentous, if you would. 

Anyway -- back to the royalty issue.  JKR hasn't disappointed me yet 
with her plotlines, so I'm optimistic that it will all be explained 
convincingly.  I admit I hadn't thought of the idea of it being a prince 
on his MUGGLE side, that could work.  Also, I would guess it's a 
foreigner, from eastern lands perhaps, where royalty is treated 
differently (and perhaps even there is royalty in the WW in other 
countries).

If there is all of a sudden a royal wizarding family in Britain that has 
never been mentioned before, then I'll be P-O'd.  Heh.

>If the description was not the HBP, then my bet would be on Sirius 
>having an affair, but that would mean that his son was around 
>Harry's age, and that Sirius didn't know of his existance.  
>  
>

I doubt the HBP will be the result of any 'affair'.  These are, after 
all, kids' books.  I mean, it's possible.  If she did it, she would find 
a way to work it in inoffensively, I'm sure.  But I still doubt it would 
be Sirius -- he was only a few years out of school when he went to 
Azkaban, and there's been no mention of his ever having a girlfriend or 
anything.  Just my opinion.  :)

heather the buzzard