Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Chapter 30 Summary

How It All Goes Down

The White Tomb

  • Dumbledore's funeral attracts wizards and witches from all across the country. Mermaids of the lake and Centaurs of the forest attend.
  • Everyone has come to honor Dumbledore one last time.
  • Hermione tells Harry that she has found evidence that the witch Eileen Prince was Snape's mother. Snape's father was a Muggle. So it seems that Snape was proud of being part Prince.
  • At the funeral, Dumbledore's body is engulfed in white flames, which leave a white tomb in their wake.
  • Knowing that his life from now on will have to do with defeating Voldemort, Harry realizes that it is too dangerous for Ginny to date him. Worried that Voldemort will harm Ginny, Harry decides to break up with her.
  • Ginny understands this, but their parting is difficult.
  • After the funeral, Scrimgeour tries to get Harry to tell him where he and Dumbledore went the night of Dumbledore's death. He tries to woo Harry with promises of protection.
  • Harry tells Scrimgeour that there's no amount of protection that will keep him safe – Voldemort wants him, and so they'll have to fight. He asks Scrimgeour if he has released Stan Shunpike yet, and Scrimgeour doesn't respond.
  • Harry basically tells Scrimgeour to take a hike.
  • As the funeral party disperses, Harry walks along the lake.
  • He is joined by Ron and Hermione, and tells them he won't be coming back to Hogwarts next year. He needs to continue to hunt down Horcruxes and defeat Voldemort.
  • Ron and Hermione pledge to stand by him no matter what.
  • Harry is filled with peace and a sense of love, in spite of the great loss he feels and even in spite of the dangerous unknown that lies ahead.