by bearvomit » July 16th 2005 8:17 pm
I didn't read the book, just got this spoiler in a newsletter. I have a more detailed one if interested.
Snape is the new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher. The new teacher, Slughorn, teaches Potions (Snape's old subject).
The Half Blood Prince is a name found in a used potions book that gives helpful potions tips and spells. The Half-Blood Prince turns out to be Severus Snape. Half-Blood refers to the fact that his father was a muggle-born (Tobias Snape) but the Prince part refers to his mother's maiden name (Eileen Prince).
Harry rightly suspects Draco Malfoy of being a Death Eater. Draco manages to sneak Death Eaters into Hogwarts using a pair of vanishing cabinets.
Dumbledore and Harry explore Voldemort's past, learning about Horcruxes, which are divisions of Voldemort's soul, making him immortal until they are all destroyed. There are Seven pieces (some already destroyed) including Voldemort himself. Harry and Dumbledore try to get one, but it leaves Dumbledore weak and unable to fight off the Death Eaters.
It turns out the Death Eater that overheard the prophecy and told it to Voldemort (leading to Harry's parents' deaths) was Severus Snape.Snape kills Dumbledore when he is defenseless. Hogwarts is probably going to be closed but Harry announces he won't be returning anyway; he will attempt to finish the work he a Dumbledore started, destroying Horcruxes so Voldemort can be destroyed.Relationships (if you're into that): Harry Potter ends up dating Ginny Weasley, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger get together, Bill Weasley and Fleur are going to get married, Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks are also together.