# Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince finished **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 20, 2004, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882 "2004-12-20T23:25:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/1 "2004-12-20T23:25:22Z")
[JK Rowling](http://wwwjkrowling.com) has completed _Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince_ and it seems likely that it will be released midway through 2005. This is almost exactly 2 years after Order of the Phoenix was completed. Hurrah! The particularly good news is this means the last book will likely be fully completed before the last movie needs to get made. ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/2 "2004-12-20T23:29:44Z")
YAY!! But can you pre-order on Amzon yet?? ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/3 "2004-12-20T23:30:50Z")
Me good typer! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/4 "2004-12-20T23:33:09Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > The particularly good news is this means the last book will likely be fully completed before the last movie needs to get made. Is that the last book then, or is there another after it? Also, any hint as to whether Rowling’s editor is still afraid of her? (IMHO the last couple of books could have used a bit of trimming) ---
**Author:** ![sleeepy2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@sleeepy2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeepy2)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/5 "2004-12-20T23:38:23Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Is that the last book then, or is there another after it? Also, any hint as to whether Rowling’s editor is still afraid of her? (IMHO the last couple of books could have used a bit of trimming) Editor shmeditor. The last few books were great. Whatever they’re doing, don’t change a thing! ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/6 "2004-12-20T23:46:59Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Is that the last book then, or is there another after it? Also, any hint as to whether Rowling’s editor is still afraid of her? (IMHO the last couple of books could have used a bit of trimming) I would suspect (although I have no proof at all) that if the editor’s have been skimping it would be due to pressure to get a guaranteed cash cow on the shelves as soon as possible rather than because they’re in awe of Rowling. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/7 "2004-12-21T00:07:30Z")
The difficulty is, 90% of what she includes in the books may seem like unecessary padding, but often has relevance to the overall story which we won’t learn about until these last two volumes. ---
**Author:** ![Xan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ac8455/32.png) [@Xan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xan)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/8 "2004-12-21T00:38:06Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > The difficulty is, 90% of what she includes in the books may seem like unecessary padding, but often has relevance to the overall story which we won’t learn about until these last two volumes. Atleast this is what we hope. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/9 "2004-12-21T00:47:29Z")
_ahem_ SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! Sorry. Had to get it out somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/10 "2004-12-21T01:05:35Z")
I love it! How many other cites on the SDMB require you to answer six riddles to get the information you’re looking for? 😃 IAwhile back, I had a who-is-the-Half-Blood-Prince poll. The computer I’m on is too ancient and slow to search, otherwise I’d link it. My current favourites are:[ul][li]A new character[/li][li]Remus Lupin[/li][li]Godric Gryffindor[/ul][/li]But we still don’t know what the Prince is, so maybe my list is premature. 🙂 What do you guys think? And who do you think will be the new DADA teacher and the new Minister for Magic? ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/11 "2004-12-21T02:50:15Z")
> [@Hamish](#): > > And who do you think will be the new DADA teacher and the new Minister for Magic? 1. Harry. Didn’t Dumbledore say something about this at the end of OotP? I can’t check because the book is packed away somewhere. 2. Mr. Weasley. No reason, just a feeling. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/12 "2004-12-21T03:07:09Z")
:: squeals excitedly :: Too cool! > [@](#): > > And who do you think will be the new DADA teacher and the new Minister for Magic? DADA teacher: Somebody completely new. It’s _always_ somebody we’ve never heard of before (although I think Snape might get the position in Book 7). MoM: Well, I _hope_ it’s going to be Amelia Bones, but I have this sinking feeling it’ll be someone evil. Marietta Edgecombe’s mother, perhaps? And I’m pretty sure the HBP is either Godric Gryffindor or Salazar Slytherin, but I’ve got no idea which one. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/13 "2004-12-21T03:21:05Z")
I enjoy the padding of the books, I think it makes them richer and you never know what might be a clue about something down the line. I also think that Rowling is one golden goose that no publisher with any sense with want to tamper with. I think the half-blood prince will probably be a new character. Why six months before it can be published? That seems like an eternity. ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/14 "2004-12-21T03:24:06Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > 1. Harry. Didn’t Dumbledore say something about this at the end of OotP? I can’t check because the book is packed away somewhere. > 2. Mr. Weasley. No reason, just a feeling. Neat theories, but unfortunately she nixed both of them on her website. She says she doesn’t see Harry having a career in education – he’s too action-oriented. And she says that Arthur won’t be the next minister for magic. My guess is it’ll probably be Amelia Bones. ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/15 "2004-12-21T03:33:00Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > I enjoy the padding of the books, I think it makes them richer and you never know what might be a clue about something down the line. Put me down for another who likes the padding. Even if none of it turns out to be some kind of clue, her prose is brilliant, imaginative, and usually very funny. I’ve never found it tedious at all. > [@](#): > > I also think that Rowling is one golden goose that no publisher with any sense with want to tamper with. True enough, but every once in awhile she makes a mistake, and it’s helpful if her publishers call her up and say, “Uh, Jo? Did you mean to write this?” There are two different versions of _Goblet of Fire_ because no one pointed out That Lily’s shade should have come out of Voldemort’s wand last. In later reprints, the scene was slightly rewritten. That – plus spelling – is probably what editors are looking for. 'Course, the US will get it later than Canada, because the US distributor does an English-to-English translation. You guys also commission chapter art and different cover art. Raincoast Books in Canada just slaps the novel unchanged onto ancient-forest-friendly paper and ships it out. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/16 "2004-12-21T03:33:57Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Why six months before it can be published? That seems like an eternity. So they can print the 18 kajillion copies including the foreign language versions for a simultaneous worldwide release. ---
**Author:** ![Selkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@Selkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Selkie)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/17 "2004-12-21T03:46:30Z")
I know there’s supposed to be a clue as to the identity of the half-blood prince as early as book 1 or 2, but I still haven’t recognized it. My speculation is as follows: Prince: Hagrid DADA teacher: Someone new. Or Tonks. I agree with **Fretful Porpentine** that it will be Snape in book 7. Minister of Magic: Hmmm… Not a clue, really. Again, agreeing that it’s not going to be someone we like. Perhaps a relative of the Malfoys? ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/18 "2004-12-21T04:48:27Z")
> [@Hamish](#): > > You guys also commission chapter art and different cover art. Speaking of that…am I the only one who doesn’t care much for the American illustrator? ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/19 "2004-12-21T05:05:08Z")
> [@Hamish](#): > > Neat theories, but unfortunately she nixed both of them on her website. > > She says she doesn’t see Harry having a career in education – he’s too action-oriented. > > And she says that Arthur won’t be the next minister for magic. My guess is it’ll probably be Amelia Bones. Obviously, I don’t read the site. Think maybe I should? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882/20 "2004-12-21T05:32:34Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Obviously, I don’t read the site. Think maybe I should? :smack: The high-graphics version is some of the most fun on the net, but it can bring slower computers to a standstill. Fortunately, she has a text-only version, but you can’t play her weird little games on text only (For instance, following the link in the OP, you would have use the hairband portkey to get to the door of the Room of Requirement – where she puts her most interesting announcements. She makes you play a different game each time to get there, though.) Her FAQ section (the paperclips), her Extra Stuff (the coffee cup portkey) and her Rumours section and New section will tell you a lot that isn’t in the books. If you’re thinking about upgrading (or maybe downgrading) to rabid, obsessed fan, you could always try the [The Harry Potter Lexicon](http://www.hp-lexicon.org/index-2.html), an exhaustive compilation of _everything_ in the books, on the trading cards, the website, and every interview Rowling has ever done, arranged in carefully-constructed categories. A little terrifying, actually, but Rowling says she consults them on things when she doesn’t have her books and notes handy, so at least they seem to be accurate. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-finished/280882.md?page=2)