Chapter Twenty-Two: After the Burial
In chapter twenty-two of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Harry gets high on lucky juice, Slughorn exploits Hagrid’s grief for profit, and I want more Lily Evans.
(Please be advised that this is a reread and I will be discussing book and movie spoilers.)
Aragog’s died and while I *understand* Ron not particularly wanting to go out of the castle to pay his respects, I have to say I’m really over the trio not giving a shit about Hagrid and his feelings this book. It’s like our trio has had their empathy for Hagrid taken away and replaced with hormones and WHO GAVE ME THIS TRADE I want my money back, dammit!
Harry my lovely child is more inclined to go to the burial, but Ron and Hermione are like “pffft who cares Aragog sucks let Hagrid cry alone.” Sigh. This book really covers the following characters in non glory: Hermione, Ron, Tonks, Remus, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley.
However the one remaining brain cell in Ron’s head that isn’t a pile of puberty is like “hold up take the Felix, Harry!” and what follows is by far the best scene in the sixth movie.
Y’all, why did they force Daniel Radcliffe to be the bland wonderbread hero as Harry when he’s HILARIOUS as a comedic actor?! Think of all the brilliant Sassy!Harry moments we were robbed of!
To keep my last shreds of sanity I’ll skip over all the moments of the CHEST MONSTER and skip straight to the part where Harry buries a giant spider with Slughorn and Hagrid while they get tanked and sing pub songs. I know I’ve insisted you listen to Wizard Rock a bunch, but you guys, this one is particularly apropos and amusing for this scene:
“Let’s drink to him until we pass out, he would have liked that, I have no doubt.” –Harry and the Potters
I’m impressed against my will that Slughorn drinks Hagrid, a half giant under the table and then Harry remorselessly tells Slughorn the horrifying details of his parent’s deaths. Slughorn to me is such a complex character and I love it. We spend all chapter reveling in his cowardice, his greed, his innate obsession with gathering every ounce of money by any sketchy means necessary, and then right when we’re truly grossed out by this dude we’re reminded how much he admired Lily Evans. In my opinion, anyone who adores Lily Evans, badass witch I dearly wish to know more about, has got fabulous taste. (…sigh yes even Snape. Yes that hurt me to admit.)
Slughorn gives in and surrenders his memory to Harry, who presumably prances off to troll Malfoy while tripping balls on his golden magic juice. Hey, I can only hope!
<—Previous Chapter Next Chapter —>
Join in with your thoughts below, on twitter, or instagram with #ReadHarryPotterWithMe. Follow me on my twitter @HSecretLibrary, pinterest, and my instagram @hermionessecretlibrary
What is your favorite scene in movie six?
Are Ron and Hermione right to ignore Hagrid’s request to join him for the burial?
What would you use Felix Felicis for?
Picture taken at Conwy Castle in Conwy, Wales. Send me/tag me in your pics of you reading Harry Potter!