Half-Blood Prince

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 183792

> Jen earlier:
> > > Although there is Hermione's comment: "I don't think he wanted
to associate himself with that book," said Hermione.  "I don't think
> Dumbledore would have liked it very much if he'd known." (Chap. 30,
> HBP)  I believe that's meant to be taken as true, meaning there was
> some aspect of the Half-Blood Prince Snape didn't feel pride about.

Pippin:
 Snape's association with Sectum Sempra was generally known. Lupin
declares that it's a specialty of his in DH. I have a feeling
Dumbledore knew all about the potions book, and probably
arranged for Harry to have it, still hoping for some degree of
understanding between Harry and Snape. Dumbledore after all knew that
Harry was and would be subject to far greater temptations than
teen!Snape's dabblings in Dark Magic. 

On the matter of "The Prince" -- there is something of old Niccolo in
Slytherin House's open appeal to ambition and self-interest. Which
brings me to an interesting observation. The true psychological
opposite of a Slytherin is not a Gryffindor. It's a House-elf. 

Pippin