CHAPDISC: HBP 23, Horcruxes

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 160262

> CHAPTER DISCUSSIONS: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, 
Chapter 
> 23, Horcruxes

 "Goddlefrood" wrote a very nice summary and questions. Good job! 
 
> 2. Do you think there is any significance in the Astronomy Tower 
> being the Bloody Baron's favourite haunt (pun intended) when it is 
> also later the scene of Dumbledore's death?

Potioncat:
I loved the joke in this section---at least I did the first time I 
read it. Doesn't it sound like DD had returned via the Astronomy 
tower? I mean, we're told that's where The Bloody Baron is and that 
he spends a lot of time there. So we could guess that's where Nick 
saw him. Is that where the Baron saw Dumbledore? I suppose the Baron 
could have been on the tower and seen DD arrive on foot below---but 
it sounds to me that DD may have come in via the tower.
> 

> 
> 4. However insignificant the distinction, is the difference in the 
> description of Slughorn's wagging finger between the two versions 
> perhaps a clue to something?

Potioncat:
JKR has done a nice job of giving us the same information without 
repeating herself. I think she was showing the first as a sugar-
coated version. She was also able to have Harry pick up something 
different the second time even from the parts that were the same.
> 
> 5. This segment of his memory, although perhaps embarrassing and no 
> longer a view that Slughorn holds, does not appear to do any harm 
to 
> Slughorn, unlike the later part regarding Horcruxes, so why do you 
> think he covered up this portion from his fogged memory?

Potioncat:
It is interesting. DD told Harry earlier that Slughorn offered to 
write him a recommedation to the MoM and that other teachers were 
also willing to write letters. Does the fact that Slughorn hints that 
he would expect favors in return part of his reason to remove the 
memory? Has he helped the DEs or Tom in other ways after graduation? 
> 
> 7. Was Tom Riddle initially listening to information he already 
> possessed, or did he have no knowledge of Horcruxes at all prior to 
> this conversation?

Potioncat:
I think he knew something and was looking for both confirmation of 
his information and additional information.
> 
> 8. What compelled Horace to continue answering Tom's questions when 
> he was clearly described as being uneasy about the subject, was it 
> more than just a natural conversation in other words? 

Potioncat:
He seems to have mixed feelings himself. It's natural for a wizard of 
a certain caliber...what has old Slughorn done in his past I wonder? 
I also find it interesting that Slughorn says DD is fierce about the 
ban. Not Dippit, Dumbledore.
 
> 10. How had Dumbledore acquired his knowledge of Horcruxes and why 
> was it such thorough knowledge?

Potioncat:
JKR says that Dumbledore is self taught in some ways. He's been 
around a while and would have had to learn something about Dark Arts 
in order to combat them.
> 
> 
> 15. At this advanced stage of the series do you think that the 
> summary of the remaining Horcruxes is correct or think that 
> Dumbledore is wrong, as he himself professes to be on occasion?

Potioncat:
I think it was prepping us for the next book. There may be a small 
error within the summary, but I think for the main part it will be 
sound.
> 
> 16. Do you agree that Lord Voldemort is unaware when a Horcrux is 
> destroyed and if so, and given that he knows of the loss of the 
Diary 
> Horcrux, do you think he would create another?

Potioncat:
I think he is unaware and I don't think he will create a new one. He, 
himself, seems to lose something by the effort. Based on DD's comment 
that LV's anger was horrible to behold, I'm sure he didn't know. I'd 
love to hear Snape's description of it, as I'm certain it was Snape 
who told DD about it.

 The comment about Lucius "feeling safe" to be in Azkaban is 
haunting, now that we know what DD will offer Draco. It also makes me 
think DD may have plants at Azkaban who communicate with Lucius. or 
at least report back about him. Haven't we seen 2 Order members go to 
Azkaban?
> 
> 17. Why does Dumbledore not categorically say that Lord Voldemort 
> could be killed if his Horcruxes are destroyed, but only that it 
will 
> take uncommon skill and power to kill him?

Potioncat:
Because even without the Horcruxes, he will be hard to kill.

>>>>I'm adding this bit from the summary:

. Harry, having heard 
> Dumbledore's view, quite honestly says that he has no special 
power, 
> at which point Dumbledore repeats his oft stated view that Harry 
has 
> the power of love (TM) whereas Lord Voldemort does not and indeed 
is 
> incapable of understanding love and its power. (Q17)<<<<

It's interesting that we have 3 wizards with many similarities: Tom 
Riddle, Severus Snape and Harry Potter. TR seems to feel nothing but 
hate and revenge and no love. Snape feels a deep need for revenge. 
Does he feel love? and Harry who has some aspects of revenge in his 
nature, but is more loving and forgiving than either of the other 
two. I wonder how the 3 of them will interact in the next book?


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