My thoughts on the halfblood prince.

[lupinlore]

No: HPFGUIDX 130745

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "phoenixgod2000" <jmrazo at h...> 
wrote:
> I've been thinking about the identity of the HBP. Everyone seems 
so 
> concerned about it because they think he is going to play a role 
in 
> the story. I'm not so sure thats true.  Most of the other titles 
in 
> the HP series are merely things that serve as a catalyst for the 
> story, but without being overly central to Harry. I think the HBP 
is 
> going to serve a similar function.

That is a very interesting perspective on things, phoenixgod.  I 
don't know that I would agree, however.  The Goblet, for instance, 
is basically shorthand for the TriWizard Tournament, which is 
certainly central to Harry in GoF.  And the Prisoner of Azkaban is 
definitely a matter of deep concern to Harry in the book of that 
title.  As for the Stone, I agree the stone itself is not central, 
but the things inextricably bound to it most certainly are, as is 
the case with the Chamber of Secrets.  I would argue that Rowling 
just fixes on whatever catchy title suggests itself from the 
storyline, without their necessarily being a fixed relationship 
between Harry and the thing named.


> 
> My opinion on the half blood prince is this: I think the HBP is a 
> story, piece of history, or Allegory that Harry is going to learn 
> about in the next book. A story of a man who will have been put in 
a 
> similar situation to Harry as the victim of a prophecy and beat 
it. 
> I think Harry is going to draw upon that story for strength. An 
> example he can follow and maybe even get some ideas from.  How 
will 
> he learn the story? Maybe Hermione or Binns will tell him about 
it, 
> but I personally think that based on the art of the books that 
> Dumbledore is going to tell him the tale. I think that DD is going 
> to be taking Harry under his wing to learn some special skills and 
I 
> think the story is going to be part of it.
> 

What a fascinating idea!  I don't think I've seen it anywhere 
before, and it sounds perfectly logical.  It would certainly be a 
kind of plot device we haven't seen before, at least not in such a 
central position.  Of course, it also dovetails with the idea that 
Dumbledore himself might be the Half Blood Prince.  The story might 
involve his fight against Grindlewald.  Or maybe not.

I agree that the covers seem to portend the the Harry/Dumbledore 
relationship is central to HBP.  I, personally, find that a good 
omen.  Hopefully this will provide a conduit for many of 
the "answers" JKR has promised.  I would not be adverse to several 
more answers about the Harry/Dumbledore plot thread itself -- nor do 
I think you would be, phoenixgod. :-) 

Whether the two of them will be involved in training, per se, I 
don't know.  I imagine there will be some of that, at least. 

I still suspect that the HBP is a person.  However, I would not be 
suprised for it to be a story, or an inn (as some have suggested), 
or a drink or potion (as others have suggested), or a diamond, or 
whatever.


Lupinlore