CHAPDISC HBP 15, The Unbreakable Vow

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 152076

 
> 3) Harry expresses real interest in the Prince's notes on Everlasting
> Elixirs and defends his book against both Hermione's aspersions and
> Madam Pince's grasping hands. 
> 4) We later learn that Madam Pince is not the only person listening
> behind the shelves: Draco is there as well. 

 
Potioncat:

Wonderful summary and questions. Right now I only have time for one, so 
here goes:

Isn't it hard to believe that Draco and Madam Pince both were standing 
so close to the Trio they could each hear? While it isn't out of 
character for Madam Pince to go crazy over the mistreatment of books, 
grabbing the book seems unlike her. I would think she'd have a few 
spells up her sleeve for saving books from careless students. She did a 
pretty good of using magic when she chased Ginny and Harry out of the 
lbirary once before.

I think we saw Draco!Pince. Think about it. Draco was researching for 
his mission. He wouldn't want to be seen by Snape or anyone else. So 
when he knew Madam Pince would be busy elsewhere....Filch's 
office?...answering questions from other Slytherins?... He slugged down 
Polyjuice and went looking for his information.

If he also heard that Harry was getting tips from some Half Blood 
Prince, he might have decided to grab the book as well.

Potioncat, who thinks the real Madam Pince was trying to convince 
Crabbe and Goyle that a Table of Contents was not a magical piece of 
furniture that could tell them the answers to homework questions.