Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth book in J. K. Rowling's fantasy series, follows Harry during his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It delves into Lord Voldemort's childhood and sets the stage for the final confrontation between Harry and the Dark Lord.

Bloomsbury released the book in the United Kingdom, and Scholastic published it in the United States on July 16, 2005, with other countries following suit. Within its first day on sale, it moved nearly seven million copies—a record later surpassed by its sequel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The novel sparked several controversies, including early deliveries of copies in Canada before the official release date. Critics generally praised the book, which earned multiple honors, such as the 2006 British Book of the Year award.

Reviewers observed that the story had a darker mood than earlier installments, though it still included moments of humor. Many pointed to love, death, trust, and redemption as central themes. The growth of Harry and other teenage characters also drew significant notice.

Narcissa Malfoy persuades Hogwarts professor Severus Snape to make an Unbreakable Vow: protect her son, Draco, while Draco carries out a mission for Lord Voldemort at the school. Meanwhile, headmaster Albus Dumbledore escorts Harry to the Weasley home for the summer, stopping along the way to convince former professor Horace Slughorn to return to Hogwarts and teach Potions. While buying school supplies, Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger spot Draco asking questions at a shop linked to the Dark Arts. Later, Harry overhears Draco claiming he has become a Death Eater.

At Hogwarts, Harry excels in Potions after finding an old textbook filled with notes from someone called the "Half-Blood Prince." He wins a vial of Felix Felicis, a luck potion, in a class competition. With Dumbledore, Harry views memories in a Pensieve to learn about Voldemort's past: Voldemort grew up in a Muggle orphanage, using his powers to hurt other children, and later, as a Hogwarts student, questioned Slughorn about a dark magical object called a Horcrux that grants immortality. Dumbledore asks Harry to retrieve a true memory from Slughorn, since the one Slughorn showed was altered.

Gryffindor student Katie Bell is nearly killed, and Harry suspects Draco but lacks proof. He keeps trying to expose Draco while serving as captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Harry also realizes he has feelings for Ron's sister, Ginny. Ron feels left out because he is the only one not invited to Slughorn's exclusive club. Hermione invites Ron to the club's Christmas party, but they argue after she reveals a past relationship with Viktor Krum. Ron then starts playing poorly in Quidditch.

Harry tries to mend Ron and Hermione's friendship and boost Ron's confidence, but fails. Ron dates Lavender Brown to upset Hermione, who lashes out at him. At Slughorn's party, Harry overhears Draco refusing Snape's help with his mission. Harry tells Hermione, Arthur Weasley, and Remus Lupin, but they believe Snape is spying for Dumbledore. Ron and Hermione reconcile after Ron nearly dies from poisoning. After several failed attempts, Harry uses Felix Felicis to convince Slughorn to give up the memory.

The memory shows Slughorn telling Voldemort how to create a Horcrux: by murdering someone, a wizard can split their soul and place parts into enchanted objects. Dumbledore believes Voldemort has split his soul into seven parts, each in a Horcrux. Two Horcruxes are already destroyed, but four remain hidden. Meanwhile, Harry starts dating Ginny and duels Draco, injuring him badly with spells from the Potions textbook. Harry learns that Snape told Voldemort about the prophecy concerning Harry, leading to his parents' murder. When confronted, Dumbledore defends Snape, saying he regretted his actions.

Dumbledore and Harry face obstacles while retrieving a Horcrux from a remote cave. Back at Hogwarts, a weakened Dumbledore is ambushed by Death Eaters who entered the castle with Draco's help. Dumbledore immobilizes Harry under the invisibility cloak, and Draco disarms Dumbledore. Harry then watches as Snape arrives and kills Dumbledore. The Death Eaters flee; Harry chases and subdues several but is defeated by Snape. Before escaping with Draco, Snape reveals he is the Half-Blood Prince.

Harry discovers the Horcrux he retrieved is a fake. At Dumbledore's funeral, Harry ends his relationship with Ginny to protect her and decides to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes with Ron and Hermione.

Half-Blood Prince is the sixth novel in the Harry Potter series. The first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, came out from Bloomsbury in 1997, followed by Chamber of Secrets (1998), Prisoner of Azkaban (1999), Goblet of Fire (2000), and Order of the Phoenix (2003). The final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, followed Half-Blood Prince. The sixth book sold 9 million copies in its first day worldwide.

J. K. Rowling said she had planned Half-Blood Prince for years.