Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Chapter 29 Summary

How It All Goes Down

The Phoenix Lament

  • Ginny leads a sorrowful Harry to the hospital wing where the Order of the Phoenix has assembled to discuss the battle that has just taken place.
  • Bill Weasley has been bitten and maimed by Fenrir Greyback. Lupin doesn't think that Bill will become a werewolf since Fenrir was in his human form during the attack, but Bill will never look the same, and his wounds will never completely heal.
  • Fleur is not rattled by this information, but pledges her undying love for Bill – an act that comes as a surprise to everyone who knows her. As it turns out, she wasn't in love with the handsome Bill Weasley for superficial reasons.
  • Tonks and Lupin reveal their love for one another. When Lupin tries to tell Tonks that he is too old and dangerous for her, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley urge him to realize the depth of Tonks's love.
  • Professor McGonagall comments that it would have made Dumbledore happier to know that there was more love in the world.
  • Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, sings a mournful lament. There is no other sound but Fawkes's song.
  • Professor McGonagall summons Harry to her office where she asks him to tell her where he and Dumbledore were that night.
  • Harry does not comply, telling her that information is a secret.
  • The heads of the houses and Hagrid assemble to discuss what happens next and whether Hogwarts should remain open next year.
  • Before Scrimgeour arrives, Harry asks for permission to leave.
  • Back in the Gryffindor Tower, Harry tells Ron and Hermione about the mistaken Horcrux and about the message inside from R.A.B.
  • Harry realizes that Fawkes has stopped singing and that he has left Hogwarts for good.