[HPforGrownups] CHAPDISC: HBP28, Flight of the Prince

[Kemper]

No: HPFGUIDX 163596

> CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter
> 28, Flight of the Prince
>
>
> DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
>
> 1. Why so much blood? The blood in the corridor by the tower, bloody
> footprints, blood on the flagstones. Who was wounded? Malfoy? Snape?
> The blond DE? The brother & sister act was behind Harry, so it could
> not have been them.

Kemper now:
Great catch, colebiancardi!
Perhaps the blood is from Fenir's victims dripping from Fenir...
though Fenir isn't described as being particularly bloody he is
described (in the previous chapter) as smelling 'unmistakably, of
blood coming from him.'  Also, 'blood was dripping down his chin...'


> 2. Harry's state of mind is understandably chaotic and confused Yet,
> Harry seems to be holding his own with the Death Eaters and he is able
> to jinx them successfully. However, against Snape, he was unable to
> get one jinx or curse off fully. Why is that?
>
> 3. Since Snape is able to deflect every one of Harry's spells, do you
> think that Snape is an extremely powerful wizard or do you think it is
> due to Harry's lack of experience in comparison with Snape? If the
> latter, explain why Harry didn't have this problem in the battle from
> Order of the Phoenix? If the former, who trained Snape to be so powerful?

Kemper now combining q's 2 & 3:
It is evident in the previous chapter that the DE's and the werewolf
cowed to Snape on the tower which suggests fear of Snape which I
imagine is due to his capability as a wizard.  They seem to know
something of Snape that Harry and the reader do not.

I think Snape does not take Harry for granted.  He knows that Harry is
skilled.  Bellatrix and the other DE's at the MoM assume that they are
dealing with a child of little experience, Dumbledore's pet.


> 4. Much discussion has already been had on whether Snape was imparting
> his last lesson to Harry with his advice of no Unforgivable Curses,
> his reference to Harry's lack of nerve and ability, and his
> instruction to shut his mouth and close his mind. Explain why you
> think Snape did this if it was not in order to help Harry in the long run.

Kemper now:
I think Snape was imparting a last lesson.
Why didn't Snape kill Buckbeak as he killed Dumbledore?
Why didn't he lure Harry to the gates of the school or take the
wandless Harry to the gate himself?


> 5. Snape has the same expression of hatred on his face as he did right
> before he killed Dumbledore. This is right before he tells Harry that
> he is the Half-Blood Prince. A lot of discussion has been generated
> around this expression when we've talked about Dumbledore's death and
> the parallel of Harry's feelings in the cave. We've never talked about
> this particular chapter and this same expression on Snape's face. Do
> you think it really is the same expression? The same feelings behind
> it? Those who believe that Harry's feelings of hatred and revulsion
> are the same as Snape's look of hatred and revulsion (self-loathing,
> perhaps?), explain this same expression that it is this chapter. I
> hope question made sense!!

Kemper now:
I think Snape's expression on the tower and his expression on the
grounds are different.

I think on the tower, the expression paralleled Harry's feelings in the Cave.
Harry making Dumbledore drink the water that caused DD such anguish.
Snape killing Dumblledore for DD's cause.

On the grounds, I think the expression mirrors Harry's feelings in the
moment.  Harry hates Snape for killing Dumbledore.  Similarly, Snape
hates himself for the same reason.


> 6. Snape loses his sardonic cool when Harry calls him a coward and
> refers to Dumbledore's death. This is the only time during the battle
> that Snape actually hits Harry with a curse. Why did Snape show his
> weakness to Harry? What was it about that statement that pushed Snape
> over the edge? Harry called Snape a coward earlier, yet Snape just
> jeered at him then. Was it really about being called a coward or that
> Harry accuses Snape of killing Dumbledore? This is my favorite
> question, BTW. I can't wait to read the responses.

Kemper now:
I think Snape loses his cool because Snape had to kill DD so that
Harry, someone he dislikes severely, could live.

But the question makes me wonder: what does Snape think the cowardly
thing to do was?


> 7. When a DE curses Harry, Snape states that "Potter belongs to the
> Dark Lord" and the curse is lifted. However, that doesn't explain why
> Snape only deflects Harry's spells during the battle. Snape could have
> issued a "Petrificus Totalus" curse on Harry, which would not have
> harmed him. Why didn't Snape do such a spell? And who lifted the
> curse from Harry?

Kemper now:
Snape lifted the curse.
Overcoming Harry would mean he would have to explain to Voldemort why
Harry wasn't given to Voldemort as a prize.  Maybe???

>
> 8. Hagrid has always defended Snape's trustworthiness. Why is that? Is
> it just because of Dumbledore's steadfastness or something else? After
> all, Hagrid was around at Hogwart's when Snape was a student - does he
> know something more about Snape than the rest of the Order?

Kemper now:
I suspect Hagrid knows that Snape helped Harry out as a little boy who
lived shortly after Harry's parents had been killed.  Maybe with other
parts of the destroyed house falling on baby Harry and perhaps cutting
him deeply, Harry required Snape's song-like incantation.  Hagrid bore
witness to that... maybe???

Thanks for the questions, colebiancardi!