Analyzing the HBP Cover Art

The release of the cover art for the US and UK children and adult editions of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on March 8th, 2005 has sparked debate over possible plot hints the covers may give. This page contains random notes and observations about the art.

US Edition  by Mary GrandPré

1. The basin on the cover looks like a Pensieve, a very very old one.

2. But a sharp reader emailed with the scholastic press cutting saying it was a "basin." Could it be some sort of basin to brew ancient potions in?

3. Dumbledore looks knowledgeable, whilst Harry looks inquisitive. This probably means Dumbledore is showing Harry something.

4. The colour of the mist is green, a colour associated with magic and also to the Slytherin colors of green. It is also associated with the killing curse Avada Kedavra.

5. Dumbledore appears on this cover and also on the UK children's edition. Could this mean Harry and Dumbledore develop a closer relationship and have more contact in the sixth book?

6. Is there a possible error in this picture? In PS/SS, Harry said his wand arm was his right hand. He is holding his wand in his left hand. (Thanks Jess!) However, Harry was also holding his wand in his left hand in OOTP

UK Children's Edition by Jason Cockcroft

1. The book is similar in colouring to COS, just a darker shade of blue. This could be a link to Jo Rowling's spoiler that COS is one of the most crucial books to the series. JK has also said the first chapter of HBP is the similar to the one she was going to use to start off the second book.

2. Dumbledore is protecting Harry, who looks scared and vulnerable. It's possible he's in a threatening situation with Voldemort.

3. The swirling fire looks like a pretty complex spell coming out of Dumbledore's wand. It could be some form of protection for them both.

4. It is interesting to observe the faces of Harry and Dumbledore. Depending on your interpretation, Dumbledore looks angry, scared, or just fierce and powerful. If Dumbledore has a glimmer of fear in his eyes, what could possibly make him scared? (Thanks Jess!)

Here is a close-up of the cover:

UK Adult's Edition  Photograph by Michael Wildsmith

1. The photo is a very old and battered copy of "Advanced Potion Making," which could mean Harry is somehow studying NEWT level potions!

2. Because the cover is tatty, and Harry can usually afford to buy his books new, it might be a clue to the history behind Snape - in what way did he save Voldemort? Could this tattered book be a clue?

3. With Snape being the potions master, this cover is clearly about him. When introducing the book, editor Arthur Levine specifically mentioned rumors about Snape being the Half-Blood Prince, but wouldn't say anything either way. This certainly makes it more likely that he is.

3. The author of the book is Libatius Borage. Libatius means "libation" (liquid offering) in Latin, and Borage is a medical plant. Whilst this could be one of JK Rowling's interesting names, could the name be a hint to what type of potions are inside (medical potions)?

Whilst this analysis is only speculation, it is worth noting that Mary Grandepré has read the sixth book, whereas the UK artist  Jason Cockcroft has only been instructed on what to draw. This may mean the US cover is more likely to give away plot hints than the UK versions.

For further discussion of the covers, go to MuggleNet's CoS Forums!

Something to add here? E-mail helen@staff.mugglenet.com

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