Because Fudge was raked with paranoia and stubbornly believed that Dumbledore was training an army

to overthrow him, Umbridge had the Defence Against the Dark Arts class reduced to reading textbooks.
This proved an ineffective teaching method and did nothing to prepare students for what was to come.
Hermione proposed the idea that Harry teach the students, as he has previous experience defending
himself against the Dark Arts and various monsters.

B5C16M1

The meeting of students in the Hog's Head that would become known as Dumbledore's Army

The trio held a meeting at the Hog's Head to discuss with other students the possibility of Harry giving
them Defence lessons. Harry is stunned at how many there are various Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and
Hufflepuffs show up. Although he harboured the suspicion that a few, such as Zacharias Smith, only
wanted to hear about the night Cedric Diggory was murdered. After some initial scepticism, the students
started to list Harry's achievements: the rescue of the Philosopher's Stone from a disembodied
Voldemort, slaying of Slytherin's basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets with the Sword of Gryffindor, ability
to produce a corporeal Patronus, and winning of the Triwizard Tournament.

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Harry instructs Neville Longbottom and others during a D.A. meeting

Giving into Hermione's persistent urgings Harry secretly trained a group of students in practical
defensive magic. In an attempt to make light of the Ministry's fears the group called themselves
Dumbledore's Army (or the D.A.). Aware that arranging meetings and passing the word about them
verbally was not a secure method of communication, Hermione bewitched several coins with a Protean
Charm one for each member of the D.A. When activated by Harry, the numbers on each coin would
change to inform the bearer of the time and date of the next meeting. Feeling highly anxious and
frustrated most of the time Harry found that the D.A. was now his chief source of happiness, and the
thing to which he looked forward throughout his school day. This happiness was felt by most members,
as all of them (particularly Neville and the Creevey brothers) gained a lot of skills under Harry's tutelage.

B5C27M1

Harry teaching the members of the D.A. the Patronus Charm

Harry taught the group many different spells, ranking from the simplistic Disarming Charm to the highly
advanced Patronus Charm. The class progressed at a fair rate, practising the: Impediment Jinx, Reductor
Curse, Stunning Spell, and various other hexes and jinxes before temporarily breaking up for Christmas
break. Lessons continued during the early months of 1996, The class mastered the Shield Charm, and
began to work on the Patronus Charm. Some members were even able to produe corporeal Patronuses,
Harry thought this might have been due to the lack of Dementors present, as there was nothing to make
the students scared.

Occlumency

Severus Snape: "The headmaster has sent me to tell you, Potter, that it is his wish for you to study
Occlumency this term."

Harry: "Study what?"

Severus Snape: "Occlumency, Potter. The magical defence of the mind against external penetration. An
obscure branch of magic, but a highly useful one."

— Harry's mandatory extra lessons with Snape[src]

1harry-cho

Harry and Cho kiss for the first time underneath mistletoe

Cho Chang also became a member. During the meetings whenever Harry was near, she would become
so flustered that she had difficulty casting spells correctly. Before the Christmas holidays, she and Harry
were discussing how she had never been able to pull of the Stunning Spell before, when the room
generated mistletoe. The room did this due to sensing the tension that was present. Under the
mistletoe, the two kissed for the first time. This moment was confusing to Harry, as Cho, clearly still
suffering from her ex-boyfriend's death, had been crying during their kiss. Cho's crying during the kiss
also caused concern in Harry. Harry later informed Hermione and Ron of his disastrous first kiss and
Hermione comforted him saying that it was not his kissing that made Cho cry.

Order-of-the-phoenix-movie-screencaps.com-8309

Harry's first Occlumency lesson with Snape

However, Harry took on some much more pressing worries later that night. Lord Voldemort, wanting a
"secret weapon" against him, had heard of a prophecy hidden in the Ministry's Department of Mysteries
concerning both of them. Voldemort had been obsessing over the door to the Hall of Prophecy for the
past few months, and had been inadvertently allowing Harry to read his thoughts through Legilimency.
The link between Harry and Voldemort's minds had been growing stronger for quite a while. As a result,
after falling asleep on the night of his kiss with Cho, Harry witnessed Nagini attack Arthur Weasley in his
dream, and felt almost as if he had been the snake. Realising what could happen if the link grew more
powerful, Dumbledore commissioned Snape to train Harry in Occlumency in an effort to prevent further
problems.
Critically injured, Arthur was taken to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Harry, Ron,
Ginny, Fred, and George took a portkey to Grimmauld Place. When they arrive at headquarters, they
were greeted by Sirius, who ordered them to stay put and wait for news. Mrs Weasley stated that
Arthur survived the attack and was grateful towards Harry. Even though Arthur survived, he was
required to take a Blood-Replenishing Potion at regular intervals. Mr Weasley also shared the ward with
a man who had been bitten by a werewolf and a woman with a massive chunk out of her leg who
refused to tell the Healers what had bitten her, arousing suspicions she had been handling something
illegal.

B5C23M1 Christmas at St Mungo's

The trio and Ginny see Lockhart in the Janus Thickey Ward for spell damage

Hermione joined Harry and the Weasleys at Grimmauld Place for Christmas, and Percy sent back his
Weasley jumper, which made his mother cry. Hermione, Ron and Ginny discovered that Neville's parents
were insane and living at St Mungo's. They were informed of this by Neville's grandmother, who made it
known that Frank and Alice were tortured by Death Eaters for information regarding Voldemort. They
also saw their former Defence Against the Dark Arts professor Gilderoy Lockhart. Also Harry finally
admitted that he knew what happened to Neville's parents.

Unfortunately, Harry did not enjoy having his mind peered into and did not focus on using Occlumency,
having indeed been extremely curious about the door himself. During a lesson in Occlumency, Snape
stepped out of the room, and Harry's curiosity got the best of him. He looked into the pensieve, which
contained Snape's memories, and, to his dismay, Harry found images of his father bullying Snape and of
his mother rushing to his defence. Harry found himself siding with his mother, agreeing that James'
treatment of Snape was wrong and it bordered on being almost cruel.[80] The conflict escalated to the
point where Snape called Lily a "Mudblood," an act that cost him his friendship with her. Snape himself
discovered Harry's spying. Snape refused to give him any more Occlumency lessons, something that
Harry was not particularly concerned about and something he did not inform anyone of. Uncovering the
source behind Snape's hatred for James left Harry seeing his father in a slightly different light. He also
found comfort in the fact that at least his mother appeared to be person of strong morals while
wondering why she ever agreed to marry James in the first place.

Dumbledore's escape

"Dumbledore’s Army, Cornelius. Not Potter’s Army. Dumbledore’s Army."

—Dumbledore takes the fall for Harry[src]

B5C27M3 Dumbledore's escape

Harry in the Headmaster's office, just prior to Dumbledore's escape from Hogwarts
As the second term progressed, Harry's relationship with Cho became more strained. While the two did
like each other, Cho was mistakenly jealous of Hermione due to the latter's closeness with Harry, and
Harry still felt awkward about Cho's feelings over Cedric. When Cho's friend, Marietta Edgecombe,
betrayed the D.A. to Umbridge, the members were all punished and forced to end their meetings. Harry
was furious with Marietta but Cho insisted on defending her friend. Cho even claimed that it was not
Marietta's fault because she was being pressured by her mother. At this point, Cho's and Harry's
relationship "fell apart", and the two no longer saw each other romantically. Umbridge is appointed
Headmistress and imposes even tighter control. Fred and George Weasley rebelled against the new
authority at the school. On one occasion, the twins released enchanted fireworks through the castle.

James harry Lily

A memory Harry sees featuring Lily Evans standing up to James Potter

Fred and George took it easy during the Easter holidays, but then took their rebellion to a new level.
They turned a corridor of the school into a swamp to create a diversion for Harry to access the fireplace
in Umbridge's office in an attempt to contact Sirius, and were cornered by Umbridge and members of
the Inquisitorial Squad. In a final act of defiance, the twins summoned their brooms, openly mocked
Umbridge's authority, struck the Squad members with a variety of jinxes, and escaped the school behind
to pursue a career in their joke shop, with the money Harry lent them.

Careers Advice and Grawp

Rubeus Hagrid: "They were bullyin' him, Hermione, 'cause he's so small!"

Hermione Granger: "Small? Small?"

Rubeus Hagrid: "Hermione, I couldn't leave him. See — he's my brother!"

— Hagrid introduces Grawp to Harry and Hermione[src]

The fifth years begin the sessions on the advice of what they'll need to do to prepare for the careers
they'll pursue after graduation. During Harry's career advice session with Professor McGonagall, he tells
her that he wants to be an Auror. During this admission they are rudely interrupted several times by
Umbridge; she remarks against Harry's ambition of becoming an Auror. She stating that applicants can
not have a criminal record, these constant interruptions angered McGonagall. The meeting ends with
McGonagall supporting him, and having a screaming argument with Umbridge.

Order-of-the-phoenix-movie-screencaps.com-10709

Hagrid intoducing the trio to the sixteen foot giant Grawp

During the final Quidditch match of the year — in which Harry did not play as Umbridge had banned him
for life — Hagrid, who had returned to the school months into the term and very badly beaten, decided
to show Harry and Hermione why he was so badly injured. This caused them to miss much of Gryffindor
's Quidditch match. Hagrid also relayed to the trio were he had been during those months that he was
away. He along with Madam Maxime were given a mission to the Giant Colony, in order to persuade
them to join Dumbledore and his cause. This mission proved to be a failure to the Order, as the giants
chose to align with the Death Eaters, due to their shared love of violence and killing.

Hagrid had dragged a giant back with him from his mission over the summer. It transpired that the giant
(named Grawp) was Hagrid's half-brother on his mother's side, and that Hagrid had been attempting to
civilise the giant, but with few results. He made Harry and Hermione promise that they would look after
Grawp, should Hagrid be forced to leave the school for any reason. Hagrid was attacked and left the
school during O.W.L. examinations, and thus Harry never had to go down to Grawp in the forest.

Skirmish in the Forbidden Forest

Neville Longbottom: "We were all in the D.A. together. It was all supposed to be about fighting You-
Know-Who, wasn’t it? And this is the first chance we’ve had to do something real — or was that all just a
game or something?"

Harry: "“No — of course it wasn’t —"

— The six D.A. members prepare to depart to the Ministry[src]

Order-of-the-phoenix-movie-screencaps.com-11720

Harry's false vision of Voldemort torturing Sirius Black in the Hall of Prophecy

Eventually, late in the O.W.L. examinations on 18 June, while taking his History of Magic exam Harry
dozed off. He received a vision of Voldemort torturing Sirius and ordering him to get the prophecy.
Harry was prepared to go to the Ministry immediately, but Hermione advised him to check Grimmauld
Place first to see if Sirius was still there. Harry used the Floo Network in Umbridge's office to peer into
Grimmauld Place, where Kreacher stated that Sirius was gone. Unfortunately, Umbridge caught Harry
and his friends in the act.

Umbridge asked Snape to extract information from Harry through the use of Veritaserum, but Snape
claimed to have none left in his stocks. Umbridge then resorted to the Cruciatus Curse, revealing that it
was she who set the Dementors loose on Harry. Hermione managed to save him by luring Umbridge into
the Forbidden Forest. Once in the forest Umbridge attempted to harm Harry and Hermione, but was
dragged off by centaurs for calling them "filthy half-breeds! Beasts!" and "creatures of near-human
intelligence". Harry and Hermione escaped when Grawp stumbled into the centaur camp looking for
Hagrid. The trio, along with D.A. members Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood —
who had assisted in Harry's attempt to contact Grimmauld Place — used Thestrals to fly to London.

Battle of the Department of Mysteries

Main article: Battle of the Department of Mysteries

"Did you actually believe, or are you truly naive enough to think, that children stood a chance against
us? I'll make this simple for you, Potter. Give me the prophecy now... or watch your friends die."

—Lucius Malfoy's ultimatum during the battle[src]

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Death Eaters surround the six D.A. members in an attempt to retrieve the prophecy

After reaching the Department of Mysteries, Harry led them all through various rooms in search of
Sirius, without finding him. The group became doubtful until they came across a room filled with crystal
balls, later to be known as prophecies. One of the prophecies had Harry's name on it, and he picked it
up, much to the displeasure of Hermione. Upon picking up the prophecy Death Eaters appeared,
revealing that it was all a ruse to bring him there. Harry then attempts to buy time by fully mocking
Voldemort in front of his Death Eaters, which infuriates Bellatrix, yet Lucius stops her from hurting
Potter, not through defence, but so that they can protect the prophecy. Harry still refuses to hand over
the prophecy, so Lucius then begins to tease him that the prophecy holds the answer to his scar, why
Voldemort wishes to kill him, and the cause of the Second Wizarding War.

OOTP Death Chamber Sirius Harry Antonin Lucius

Harry and Sirius duelling Death Eaters Lucius Malfoy and Antonin Dolohov

Just then, on Harry’s signal, the six D.A. members all use the Reductor Curse to smash the shelves of
prophecies, distracting the Death Eaters so that they could flee. Ron, Ginny, and Luna had taken another
path and Harry, Hermione, and Neville did not know where they were. Chaos ensued, Harry's group was
chased through various rooms. When in he Death Chamber, all but Harry and Neville were incapacitated
in the fighting. Then reinforcements from the Order of the Phoenix, alerted by Snape, arrived to help aid
in the battle. In the ensuing fighting, Sirius Black was murdered by a killing curse from his cousin,
Bellatrix Lestrange, and fell through a mysterious stone arch. Harry pursued Bellatrix, using the Cruciatus
Curse, but he was unable to kill her.

Voldemort appeared, angered by the failures of his Death Eaters. For the second time, he attempted to
fatally curse Harry, who was too transfixed to even defend himself, but Dumbledore's sudden arrival
saved him. Voldemort then fully possessed Harry, hoping that Dumbledore would sacrifice Harry in
order to kill Voldemort. However, Voldemort was forced to leave Harry's body when Harry's grief for
Sirius became too overwhelming to bear, as Voldemort did not understand the concept of love.
Voldemort then grabbed Bellatrix and Disapparated, but not before the Minister and Ministry
employees saw him and finally accepted that he was back.

The prophecy

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... Born to those who have thrice defied
him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have
power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while
the other survives..."

—Sybill Trelawney's first prophecy[src]

Order-of-the-phoenix-movie-screencaps.com-14891

Dumbledore telling Harry the whole prophecy

Back at Hogwarts, Harry appeared in Dumbledore's office and tried to get out after Phineas Nigellus
Black mentioned Sirius, only to find the door locked. Harry was none too pleased about Dumbledore's
name being mentioned by the portraits. When the Headmaster returned, Harry lost his temper and
started destroying Dumbledore's possessions, trying to get Dumbledore to let him out; Dumbledore
refused, asking Harry to sit down and listen to what Dumbledore needed to say.

Dumbledore explained to Harry the real reason why Voldemort tried to kill him as an infant. A prophecy
stated that he was destined to defeat the Dark Lord, for he had powers Voldemort did not: the ability to
love, something that the Department of Mysteries was trying to research in a locked room. As a result of
the battle, the Ministry of Magic realised that Lord Voldemort had indeed returned, and Harry and
Dumbledore were vindicated along with Sirius (though he didn't live long enough to enjoy his freedom,
but was honoured as hero by the Ministry). Serious steps were taken following this change in policy,
such as the dismissal of Umbridge. However, this was not a sea of change, as the Ministry still had a
mistrust of Dumbledore.

Sixth year

Albus Dumbledore: "You are of course, wondering why I brought you here tonight?"

Harry: "Actually sir, after all these years I sort of just go with it."

— Dumbledore and Harry speak briefly of their tasks[src]

In the wake of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries Harry was sent home to 4 Privet Drive for the
summer holidays. There, he obsessed and brooded over his godfather's death where he hardly left his
room and refused meals. As the battle had taken place at one point in the famed Hall of Prophecy, many
in the wizarding community including the Daily Prophet began to speculate about the relationship
between Harry and that place, leading to, accidentally correct reports calling Harry "the Chosen One",
the one destined to defeat Lord Voldemort once and for all.

DumbledoreSlughornsHouse

Dumbledore and Harry searching for Horace Slughorn

Early in his summer, Dumbledore requested that Harry join him in some unknown adventure. He arrived
to pick Harry up at 4 Privet Drive on a Friday, late in the evening. Harry had not informed his aunt and
uncle of this development and it came as a great surprise to them. However, they could not depart
immediately, because there was a piece of business to attend to: Sirius's will. Much to his rage, Harry
inherited his godfather Sirius Black's estate. This included: 12 Grimmauld Place, the Black family vault,
and the Blacks' irritating and half-crazed house elf, Kreacher. Harry still retained animosity towards
Kreacher after his involvement in Sirius' death a few months previous. He also gave Dumbledore
permission to continue to use Grimmauld Place as Order headquarters. Afterwards they were off, and
Dumbledore Apparated Harry to the small village of Budleigh Babberton, where Harry was introduced to
Horace Slughorn.

Halfblood-00290

Harry meets Horace Slughorn, the former Hogwarts Potions Master

In their time together, Harry and Slughorn discussed some of the professor's old students and the
improved security at Hogwarts. When Harry and Dumbledore made to leave, Slughorn agreed to return
to the school if he got a raise and a larger office. Following their visit, Dumbledore dropped Harry off at
The Burrow, where Harry spent the rest of the summer playing two-sided Quidditch, but not before
informing Harry that he was to be given special lessons by Dumbledore himself. Later in the summer
Harry learned that he had achieved seven O.W.L.s: one 'Outstanding'[81], five 'Exceeds
Expectations'[81], and one 'Acceptable'[81]. He also received a surprise when he was made Captain of
the Gryffindor Quidditch team, which put him on equal standing with prefects.

N.E.W.T. classes

"This Book is the Property of the Half-Blood Prince."

—Harry finds the signature inside the book[src]

Having learned of Professor Slughorn's propensity for hand-picking favourites. Harry experienced this
first-hand. He and many others were invited to join Horace Slughorn's Slug Club, during the ride to
Hogwarts aboard the Hogwarts Express. Harry did not enjoy the experience, and made to leave as soon
as he possibly could. Instead of returning to his previous compartment, Harry made to eavesdrop upon
Draco Malfoy. Malfoy's precipitation in meeting weeks earlier had led Harry to believe he had taken the
Dark Mark. What he heard did nothing to dispel his suspicions.

640x480

Harry with Professor Slughorn being handed the vial of Felix Felicis

Arriving late to the Welcoming Feast, due to an encounter with Malfoy, Harry learned that Severus
Snape had been promoted to Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. While this disappointed Harry
greatly, his career as an Auror reopened, as Professor Slughorn would accept his 'Exceeds Expectations'
score in Potions. Harry proceeded to take five classes this year: Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts,
Herbology, Potions, and Transfiguration. As Harry had not bothered to buy a text book, Slughorn
allowed Harry to borrow an old one from the supply cabinet. When Harry examined it, he found that it
once had belonged to a student identified only as the "Half-Blood Prince". The book contained copious
handwritten notes that helped Harry excel in Potions for once. In fact, his skills won him a prize from
Slughorn — a small vial of Felix Felicis, also known as "liquid luck".

Private lessons

Main article: Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore's private lessons

"I told you everything I know. From this point forth, we shall be leaving the firm founda-tion of fact and
journeying together through the murky marshes of memory into thickets of wildest guesswork. From
here on in, Harry, I may be as woefully wrong as Humphrey Belcher, who be-lieved the time was ripe for
a cheese cauldron."

—Assumptions regarding Riddle's plans[src]

As promised Dumbledore begins the private series of lessons with Harry concerning Lord Voldemort. In
the first lesson, Dumbledore shows Harry the first of a number of memories he has collected concerning
Voldemort's past using his pensieve. These lessons regarding Riddle's past were in order to learn his
secrets and weaknesses. Dumbledore promised Harry that this information would help him survive and
would prove crucial to the eventual defeat of Lord Voldemort.

Harry pensinive

A private lesson with Dumbledore, Harry about to view a memory in the Pensieve

In their first lesson the pair delved into the origin of the boy Tom Riddle, by viewing the Gaunt family
that once lived around Little Hangleton. It shows a former Head of the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol,
Bob Ogden visiting a man named Marvolo Gaunt in order to summon his son Morfin to a Ministry
hearing in connection with an attack on a Muggle named Tom Riddle Snr. A huge commotion occurs:
Morfin attacks Ogden, with Marvolo stoutly defending his son's actions. Marvolo also tries to attack his
daughter Merope after finding out that she has an intense infatuation with Riddle.

After viewing this memory, Dumbledore tells Harry that both Marvolo and Morfin were sentenced to six
months and three years imprisonment respectively in Azkaban due to their behaviour. During this lesson
Harry also learned who Tom Riddle's parents were and how they came to be married. He also learned
what kind of mindset of the Gaunt family possessed. How Marvolo and Morfin believed strongly in blood
supremacy, something the Voldemort's mother (Merope) did not share.

Quidditch Captain

Harry: "I dunno why the team's this popular all of a sudden."

Hermione Granger: "Oh, come on, Harry. It's not Quidditch that's popular, it's you! You've never been
more interesting, and frankly, you've never been more fanciable."

— Harry as the new captain and his increased popularity[src]

Harry-potter-half-blood-captain

Quidditch Captain Harry supervising Gryffindor tryouts

The Saturday following Harry's first lessons, while in the Great Hall the trio find out (courtesy of the
Daily Prophet) that Stan Shunpike has been arrested for supposed Death Eater activity. Apparently he
was over heard talking about the Death Eaters secret plans while in a pub. Harry believed that Stan most
likely knew nothing regarding secret plans, as Stan had a habit of greatly exaggerating. Afterwards Harry,
as the new Gryffindor Quidditch Captain held trials to select the team for the annual Quidditch Cup. Due
to Harry's popularity, it proves to be extremely taxing and difficult, with even first-years, Ravenclaws
and Hufflepuffs turning up for the trials.

The first test he administered was a basic flying test, something that proved to be a good idea as it
became clear to Harry that most of the students present where not adapt flyers. After an arduous
morning of tantrums, foolishness, and many complaints Harry picked the members of his team. The
three Chasers, one of which was Ginny Weasley (who out flew all her competition and scored seventeen
goals), two Beaters, and Ron Weasley as Keeper. Ron had only survived the tryouts with Hermione's
help, whom confunded his competition, Cormac McLaggen.

HPBfilm

Harry becomes increasingly fascinated with the Half-Blood Prince's textbook

In studying the Half-Blood Prince's book, Harry discovered numerous hand-written spells that the Prince
supposedly invented himself, such as Levicorpus and Muffliato. He tried these spells and became
increasingly fascinated with the book, going as far as having it on him at all times. This was something
that his friends were quick to comment on, stating that "all he does is read that bloody book" and that
he "practically sleeps with it".[82] Harry even considered the book to be almost a friend, a teacher and
sort of guide.

Hermione disapproved of the book, partly because some of its spells have a dark nature, but mainly
because it allows Harry to outperform her in potions. Three times, Slughorn attempts to invite Harry to
one of his Slug Club parties, but Harry avoids them. Throughout the autumn, Harry used Quidditch to
dodge Professor Slughorn's Slug Club events, doing this because he disliked the idea and because it was
kinder than leaving Ron alone as Hermione had been invited as well.

The Opal Necklace

Harry: "I think Draco Malfoy gave Katie that necklace, Professor."

Minerva McGonagall: "That is a very serious accusation, Potter. Do you have any proof?"

— Harry's suspensions regarding Malfoy[src]

B6C12M1

The trio watch as Katie Bell is subjected to the curse on the Opal Necklace while in Hogsmeade

In October, during a Hogsmeade visit, Katie Bell was nearly killed after being bewitched to carry a cursed
necklace to Dumbledore. Remembering seeing the same necklace in Borgin's shop, Harry voices his
suspicions of Malfoy to Professor McGonagall. But she (like Ron and Hermione) rubbishes his theory,
stating that Malfoy did not go to Hogsmeade as he had a detention with her, and that there is no proof
that he bought the necklace. Harry felt annoyance towards Ron and Hermione, as they did not back him
up, but he did not give up on his theory.

Harry's lessons were quite sporadic that autumn, and he did not have another one until after tragedy
befell someone at Hogwarts. In this lesson, Harry first sees Caractacus Burke talking about Slytherin's
Locket which a pregnant and desperate Merope had sold him, her husband having abandoned her when
she stopped giving him love potion. Dumbledore then focused on Tom Riddle just as he was on the cusp
of his Hogwarts years, and Harry discovered a troubled orphan who consciously used his magic to bully
and intimidate the other children. Also Harry shared his suspicions of Malfoy with Dumbledore during
their lesson, only to be rebuffed.
Harry-Potter-Quidditch

Harry playing as Seeker in the first match of the season

Not long after that meeting, Quidditch season was upon them. In preparation for their first game, Harry
replaced the injured Katie Bell with Dean Thomas. The change produced some results, both expected, as
the team excelled on the pitch, and unexpected, as Harry found himself in a jealous rage after seeing
Dean kissing Ginny after practise. The team's only problem was Ron, who was suffering from a lack of
confidence. In an attempt to boost Ron's confidence, Harry blatantly acted as if he had spiked Ron's
pumpkin juice with Felix Felicis. Ron took the bait and played a flawless match; however, Hermione took
the bait as well and acted unkindly toward Ron and Harry. While she made up with Harry when he told
her of the ruse, Ron's sudden relationship with Lavender Brown led to continued strife, as it spiked
jealousy in Hermione.

A Frosty Christmas

Rufus Scrimgeour: "Dumbledore's man through and through, aren't you, Potter?"

Harry: "Yeah, I am. Glad we straightened that out."

— Harry's refusal to be used by the Ministry[src]

While Harry attempted to reconcile his best friends, the Christmas holidays were fast approaching and
with them the Slug Club Christmas party out of which Harry could not wrangle. Since "the Chosen One"
rumours had been printed, Harry had received an unnatural amount of attention from the young ladies
at Hogwarts. Specifically a fourth year named Romilda Vane, who's attention bordered on obsession. As
Harry could not ask Ginny to the party, he was left to ask Luna Lovegood to attend with him as a friend.
This made Luna extremely happy and hugely disappointed the gaggles of giggling girls who awaited
Harry below every doorway with mistletoe, they gave him resentful looks.

Harry in Hallway

Harry overhears a strange conversation between Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape

At the party, Harry was surprised to learn that Hermione attended with Cormac McLaggen, a large
Gryffindor seventh year whom Ron despised. Hermione confesed that she did this soley on the fact that
fact that it would annoy Ron the most. He told her that it served her right when McLaggen was less than
gentlemanly, only talking about himself and Quidditch. Harry was then forced to endure a conversation
with both Snape and Slughorn in regards to his potion making skills and his future career choice. Later,
after Malfoy was apprehended "gate-crashing" the party by Filch, Harry learned that Malfoy was indeed
up to something. He also learned that Professor Snape had made the Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa in
order to protect him.
Harry-potter-half-blood-christmas at the Burrow

Harry discussing the overheard conversation between Snape and Malfoy during Christmas holidays

Harry's Christmas was less than enjoyable, as he was cornered by the new Minister for Magic, Rufus
Scrimgeour. Scrimgeour had been hoping to speak with Harry for months and used Percy Weasley as his
in. The Minister interrupted the Weasley family Christmas. He tried pitching Harry on becoming the
Ministry's mascot, an idea that Harry was not prepared to accept. During the meeting Harry proceeded
to tell the Scrimgeour why he would not offer the Ministry his support. The main reasons for his lack of
support being: the Ministry's ineffectiveness in dealing with the Death Eater threat, the knowledge that
Dolores Umbridge still held a position within the Ministry, the Ministry's refusal to come to his aid when
he tried to inform the wizarding community of Voldemort's return the following year, and the mere fact
that Harry had no desire to be used. This discussion left Harry and Scrimgeour on increasingly bad terms.

Poisoned mead

"Half our family does seem to owe you their lives, now I stop and think about it... well, all I can say is
that it was a lucky day for the Weasleys when Ron decided to sit in your compartment on the Hogwarts
Express, Harry."

—Arthur Weasley expressing his gratitude[src]

Upon returning to Hogwarts, Harry's sporadic lessons with Dumbledore continued. Early in January,
Harry delved into a memory that all but proved that Riddle had murdered his own paternal family after
his fifth year at Hogwarts. Then Dumbledore showed Harry a most curious memory, a memory that
Professor Slughorn had apparently tampered with, and he gave Harry his first homework assignment: to
get the real memory from Slughorn. After impressing Slughorn using a bezoar in class, Harry tried the
direct approach only to be instantly shot down.

Harry-potter-half-blood-movie-screencaps.com-10726

Harry saving Ron, after the latter ingested poisoned mead

By 1 March, Harry had still not acquired Slughorn's true memory and had begun to grow more obsessed
with Draco Malfoy. That morning he awoke to find Ron under the influence of a very powerful love
potion, and he took him to Slughorn, only for Ron to end up poisoned. Harry managed to act quickly and
save him with a Bezoar. This was enough for Hermione to overcome her animosity toward Ron, and the
three became friends again. Ron survived, but was not fit for the upcoming Quidditch match, so he was
replaced by McLaggen. This turned out to be a bad choice, as McLaggen accidentally knocked Harry
unconscious mid-match. Upon his recovery, Harry had yet another lesson with the Headmaster.

One funeral, two memories

Harry: "But you won't help her son. She gave me her life, but you won't give me a memory."

Horace Slughorn: "Don't say that. It isn't a question... If it were to help you, of course... but no purpose
can be served..."

Harry: "It can. Dumbledore needs information. I need information. I am the Chosen One. I have to kill
him. I need that memory."

— Retrieving the true memory from Slughorn[src]

Slughorns Memory HBP

Harry retrieves the true memory from Slughorn

In his lesson with the Headmaster Harry was upbraided by Dumbledore for not completing his
assignment, witnessed the young Tom Riddle murder Hepzibah Smith for the famous artefacts
(Slytherin's Locket and Hufflepuff's Cup) she owned, and jinx the Defence Against the Dark Arts post at
Hogwarts. However, Harry still could not figure out how to obtain the memory and focused on Malfoy.
His interest was bordering on obsession. It was Ron who came up with the solution to Harry's dilemma
with Slughorn. He suggested Felix Felicis, liquid luck. In the evening, Harry took the potion and not only
managed to obtain the memory, but also solved many of his and his friends's problems, including
breaking up not only Ginny Weasley and Dean Thomas, but also Ron and his overly clingy girlfriend
Lavender Brown.

Half-blood lessons

Harry and Dumbledore prepare to witness Slughorn's true memory

Even though it was after midnight, Harry immediately went to Dumbledore with the new memory. It
confirmed Dumbledore's theory that Lord Voldemort had created not one but multiple Dark magical
objects called Horcruxes to ensure his immortality. Together, they theorised that the Dark Lord had
created Horcruxes out of special objects such as Riddle's diary and Slytherin's locket. Before Harry left,
Dumbledore promised to let Harry join him if he found another Horcrux. With the memory found, Harry
had only Quidditch and Malfoy on his mind.

Sectumsempra

"Harry looked around; there was Ginny running toward him; she had a hard, blazing look in her face as
she threw her arms around him. And without thinking, without planning it, without worrying about the
fact that fifty people were watching, Harry kissed her. After several long moments — or it might have
been half an hour — or possibly several sunlit days — they broke apart."

—Harry and Ginny kiss for the first time[src]

Meanwhile, a recovered Katie had returned to the school, causing Harry to ask her who gave her the
necklace. She states that someone Imperiused her in the girl's bathroom at The Three Broomstick. In the
week before the final Quidditch match, Harry discovered Malfoy crying in the toilet and a duel ensued.
With Malfoy on the verge of using an Unforgivable Curse, Harry cast Sectumsempra, a curse with
unknown effects that he found in the Half-Blood Prince's book. The curse nearly killed Malfoy and
earning Harry indefinite Saturday detentions with Snape and a telling off from McGonagall.