Feelings when re-reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I just finished rereading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and this time, the feelings were even stronger than before. Not only is this one of the most important books in the series, but it is also one filled with loss, mystery, and beautiful yet heartbreaking moments.

 

 

When I first read it, I was really drawn into the secrets surrounding the Half-Blood Prince's identity. The spellbook with its creative and dangerous spells intrigued me, and I was like Harry - admiring the genius behind those lines. But when the truth was revealed that Snape was the Half-Blood Prince, my feelings exploded.

 

Snape has always been a conflicted character, and in this installment, he becomes more mysterious than ever. He was both the traitor who killed Dumbledore and someone whose motives we couldn't fully understand until the end. When I reread it, I realized that Snape's actions had two sides, and until the end, we were still not sure which side he was on.

 

Half-Blood Prince is not only about magic or Voldemort's secrets, but also an emotional book about love and loss. Harry experiences true love for the first time with Ginny, but at the same time, he also has to face the pain of witnessing Dumbledore's murder.

Dumbledore has always been Harry's strong support, a guide, a symbol of wisdom and safety. But then, in just one moment, it all collapsed. The scene where Dumbledore falls from the tower is one of the most painful scenes I've ever read, and when I reread it, the feeling is still intact - an irreplaceable loss.

 

What bothered me the most was that Dumbledore knew about his death, and he arranged everything to ensure that his plan would not be interrupted. That made me wonder: Did he ever regret it? Or did he truly believe that this was the only way?

 

 

This time, I paid more attention to how the Half-Blood Prince delved into Voldemort's past. The memories of Tom Riddle - from a lonely child to becoming the Dark Lord - showed his coldness, ambition, and inhumanity.

 

But when I reread it, I couldn't help but think: What if someone had reached out to help Tom Riddle when he was young? Would he have become Voldemort if he had a teacher like Dumbledore, a friend like Ron or Hermione?

 

The chapters about the Horcruxes also made me realize that this war is not just about power, but also about the soul. Voldemort couldn’t accept death, and it was that fear that turned him into a true monster.

 

 

This reading made me realize that Half-Blood Prince is not just a book leading up to the final battle, but also a book about growing up and irreversible decisions. It is a story about love, loyalty, sacrifice and unanswered mysteries.

 

Did you feel the same way? Were there any moments in this book that haunted you? And what did you think about Dumbledore’s decision and the truth about Snape? I’d love to hear your thoughts!