Hogwarts Herald

Chapter Nineteen of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is called “Elf Tails.” The chapter opens with Fred and George coming to see Ron in the hospital wing. They had been in Hogsmeade checking into buying Zonko’s. The discussion turns to how Ron was poisoned. The theory that Slughorn slipped the poison in and that Harry could have been the target arises. Then they think perhaps someone wanted to kill Slughorn because he refused to become a Death Eater. Then Ginny brings up the point about Harry saying Slughorn meant to give it to Dumbledore and that he might have been the target. Hermione thinks that it is the same person that the necklace that harmed Katie Bell involved in the poisoning and the same target was meant, although both times the items did not reach the intended victims.

After leaving the Weasleys in the hospital wing with Ron, Harry and Hermione talk with Hagrid. He tells them that Dumbledore is worried and the school is at risk of closure with the attempted murders happening against the students. He also lets it slip that Dumbledore is angry with Snape. Hagrid had heard the two arguing about something that Snape not wanting to do something anymore.

Back in the common room McLaggen confronts Harry about being the Keeper for the next match since Ron will probably still be unfit to be Keeper. Over the next week Harry keeps being bothered by McLaggen trying to convince Harry to keep him as the permanent keeper and Lavender Brown who keeps wanting updates on Ron. Lavender says Ron is always asleep when she visits and she seems to be jealous that Hermione and Ron are friends again.

As Harry goes down to the Quidditch match he encounters Malfoy coming into the castle with some girl friends. He wants to follow and find out what he is up to, but he has to go to the match. Luna Lovegood commentates for the match. The match goes horrible with McLaggen continuously trying to tell the teammates what to do and Harry trying to get McLaggen to focus on being Keeper. Harry ends up hit in the head with a bludger and in the hospital wing with Ron.

In the hospital Harry has trouble sleeping as he thinks about what Malfoy could be up to and how to follow him. He thinks back to his other Quidditch injuries and the time Dobby visited him in the hospital. That reminds Harry that he now owns Kreacher, Siruis’ house elf. Harry summons Kreacher and he arrives scuffling with Dobby. After Harry and Ron break up the fight he asks them both to tail Malfoy.