Since the new title is "Half Blood Prince" and I was very bored last night, I wrote my own theory in my LJ. I think it's either Godric Gryffindor or Salazar Slytherin.

I'll cut and paste:

My theory about the Half Blood Prince begins, not with canon, but with information taken directly from JK Rowling. She said that "Half Blood Prince" was a working title for Chamber of Secrets, and that she was going to put in a lot of information that she later decided to save for later -- and thus changed the title. This is the strongest clue to narrowing down the HBP's identity.

The newest information we get in COS is the story of Hogwart's founding. It shows up in COS, then reappears with the Sorting Hat's Warning Song in OOTP, wherein it sings about the founding, the fallout of Gryffindor and Slytherin, and it warns that inter-House unity must be restored if Hogwarts is to stand against outside evil. This warning is vital to the series -- it envelops the whole purpose of the books. What is JKR's favorite theme? It's the hatred of half-bloods and muggleborns. That is what first divided the Houses of Hogwarts -- and, in the end, I can see no other alternative for JKR but to have the four Houses finally come together. Her details of the fight between Gryffindor and Slytherin are almost nonexistant -- I take this as an indication that more is to come.

The story of Godric Gryffindor could have been inserted into COS -- but it wasn't. Instead, Rowling chose to have Harry pull the sword of Gryffindor out of the Sorting Hat. She would not have put this in as a life-saving plot device if Godric was not to be much more important in the future. The sword is possibly the direction she chose to take when she decided not to put in the information about the Half Blood Prince -- whatever that was.

She calls him a Half Blood. If this Prince is indeed Godric, this means that Godric would have supported Hogwarts' teaching half-bloods and muggleborns. His stance would have then antagonized Slytherin and led to the resignation of the latter. What else could have caused such a schism between such great friends (the Sorting Hat does call them the best of friends), but Slytherin's prejudice against half-bloods -- that is, against his best friend? Perhaps Godric did not tell Slytherin that he was a half-blood until this issue arose, or perhaps Slytherin considered Godric an exception to his rule. He may not have truly 'hated' half-bloods -- he could have had an attack of elitism, though, and wouldn't have expected such resistance from Godric. This might be the weakest part of my theory -- if Godric was a half-blood, then why was Salazar his best friend in the first place?

Now here's a thought: could it be Salazar Slytherin instead of Godric Gryffindor? We know that Voldemort was a half-blood himself, and the shame of that feuled his war against muggleborns, so it is possible for Slytherin to have been in the same boat. This might have given Rowling more of a reason to use the title HBP for COS, but I am not quite buying it. However -- it is intriguing that the Heir of Slytherin was a half-blood. Maybe that theory has more to it than I thought. Why was Tom Riddle the Heir? Was it because he was a half-blood with the same philosophy?

On another note, in COS (I think -- don't hurt me if I'm wrong) Hagrid said that there wasn't a witch or a wizard alive today that wasn't half-blood or less. This is because wizard blood had already begun to be "watered down" (or so Slytherin or Voldemort would say) in Salazar's day. If it hadn't been, half-bloods wouldn't have been an issue at all for the school. It seems like a very Rowling thing to do, to have one of the founders be a half-blood.

~~~If you follow the link to my journal, you can read the comments. Someone suggested Albus Dumbledore, and I think that's a good possibility, too.

~Olivia~
Ravenclaw

very interesting, i myself have not put much thought into godric gryffindor, ive her the idea tossed around a few times but never with the reasoning behind it. i will have to contemplate this idea more.

::thinks::

Yes. But someone just mentioned in a comment below that maybe Dobby isn't a House Elf . . . and . . . gah.

::thinks too::

OK, we're definitely on the same wavelength here, because I posted a theory in my own journal that it's Godric Gryffindor.

You can read it here (http://rohanshieldmaid.livejournal.com/64525.html) if you're interested.

I don't know how plausible this is, but it's fun trying to figure out who it is, IMO. :)

~~Tish~~
Ravenclaw

Hmmmmm. How about a thread on what we WISH could happen in the 6th book? Haha.
*cough*Sirius*COUGH*

I think Harry'll finally use that stupid mirror that gives fans a bloody headache. I'll have to give this more thought though.

predicitons can inculde wishes, sure. im open to hearing anything and everything :D

loosexleaves posted a very interesting theory in harry_potter that Dobby may not be a house elf after all. Maybe that theory will prove true in the sixth?

- Caroline, Gryffindor Prefect

wow, now there is a theory i had never heard before, thanks you so much for sharing :D

Let's see..theories.
Well I have this one about Dumbledore being an Animagus. This pretty much stems out from two facts.
1: the meaning of Dumbledore in Old English is bumblebee. Maybe he's a bumblebee?
2. Remember how Dumbledore seemed to practically disappear in OoTP? We all know that you can't apparate in Hogwarts. So how did he manage to do it? Well, he turned to a bumblebee and flew away. Pretty simple.

Now this is flawed because the animal you transform represents your personality. It seems a little off that he turns to a bumblebee. A leader like Dumbledore being a worker bee? Unless he was a queen bee but then that would be weird since he is a man. But maybe it could be a form of irony? A man who is considered a leader is the form of a tiny follower.

Wow... never thought about that. Nice theory.

Jenn // Hufflepuff

I dunno. Maybe if he were an unregistered Animagus -- becuase otherwise Hermione would have known about him, since in POA she looked up the names of all the known Animagi.

Though Dumbledore is a weird, eccentric character and has a childlike whimsy to him. I could see him buzzing about.

~Olivia~
Ravenclaw

for some reason, i can picutre dumbledore as a bee. not sure why. but yeah as olivia said he would have to be unregistered. little surprise, im sure he could do it though.

interesting theory, i like that youve done a little research on the names, thats neat. thanks for sharing :D

Here's my theory...mainly having to deal with the trio love triangle:

I think in book 6 everything will go to complete shit for Harry. He's already dealing with the loss of Sirius, but I think that even more things will be taken from him. Like the school will turn against him again. Also, even though I'm a HUGE supporter of H/Hr, I do think Hermione and Ron will get together. It will add to Harry's angst. When everything is looking it's worst, and Harry usually falls back on his friends, he won't be able to as much.

However I do think that the R/Hr relationship won't last, and Hermione will go to Harry...possible in book 7.

Just my silly little predictions. :-p

Molly, Hufflepuff

I'm getting kind of tired of the whole school turning against Harry. I don't think I could stand more of that kind of angst. Poor Harry.

And also, after Harry lead Dumbledore's Army, I think he'd be more inclined to have allies among the students, maybe?

~Olivia~
Ravenclaw

i kinda think the ron/hermione thing will last. ive always imagined harry being a bachelor forever. im not sure if i agree witht the school turning against him...but i can see where youre coming from. something happens and the switch is flipped and then they all hate harry again--but that usually doesnt last.

interesting ideas, thanks for sharing :)

I absolutely love that badger icon! did you make it?

It looks like its from the "Badger Badger Badger" song video..

Jenn // Hufflepuff

yeah i made the icon--original idea from the badger badger badger toon here http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/

you can use it if you want to :D

Oooh, sooo many predictions!

I don't know anymore! We had a ton, but I've been talked out of nearly all of them except...

I believe Snape is playing both sides against the middle. Harry's occlumency lessons... did anyone ever check to make sure that Snape was teaching Harry properly? For all we know he could have been making it easier for Voldemort to get into Harry's mind by using legilimency on him.

Also, Ron is not convinced that Snape is totally good, so I'm not either. Harry and Ron almost always seem to suspect Snape of SOMETHING, and I don't think that would be there if there was no doubt at all in his loyalty. Sirius didn't believe that Snape was turned, either.

Furthermore, Hermione says that Dumbledore trusts Snape... Does he? If Snape had his full trust, Dumbledore would have no problem giving Snape the DADA post. Even if someone is almost a fully recovered alcoholic, would you want them to work as a bartender? Maybe Dumbledore thinks that Snape will revert to his Death Eater ways if immersed in dealing with Dark Arts.

Er, that's it for me... ^_^

i so want to snape to be good ::pouts::

good theories, thanks for sharing :)

Hmm...I have a prediction...


JK Rowling stated in an interview that a character we all know whould come into their power late in their lives.

I always assumed it would be Dudley. If Lily's parents were so happy about having a witch in the family, is it possible that one or both of her parents were possible squibs. If thats the case, then even though they don't have magic they still have wizarding blood. Meaning its highly possible, at least for Dudley, that he could be a halfblood. It's also possible that his family's utter lack of acceptance has forced his magic to become hidden until a time when he is needed.


just my take on things.


Juppy of Slytherin

hmm, you would have thought he'd have done some sort of magic unknowingly by now...i dunno. but yeah, he could be half blood

::shrugs::

here's a thought. Whats with Harry's mean additude during the 5th book?

i mean, yes, he has angst up the wazoo. But still, such angst didn't make him act that way before the 5th book. At first, i threw it off as him finally acting like a teenager and showing his age.

But then two other thoughts came too me. One is very plausible (the death of Cedric). The other is that perhaps he is getting more than just thoughts and feelings from Voldamort, and is starting to absorb some of the Dark Lord's hatred.

....just a thought.

~Marty, Ravenclaw

curious, definitely curious. while all i could do was call him an ass while i was reading the book i didnt even think of that. what an interesting turn of events that would be...

::think::