JK Rowling's Harry Potter series has become one of the most popular children's series in the world over the past decade. Through these books, children and young adults were immersed in a fantasy world in which they explored the problems that their protagonist, Harry Potter, faced. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth book in the Harry Potter series, Harry took on the challenge of proving to his peers and teachers that Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape were no longer trustworthy. Still, Harry hadn't realized that the author of the notes to his book Advanced Potion-Making was corrupt. In this book, JK Rowling uses point of view, style and irony to demonstrate the need for people to be more analytical towards sources of authority. Through Harry Potter's interactions with Rufus Scrimgeour, Albus Dumbledore, and her book Advanced Potion-Making, Rowling shows how a lack of criticism of one's sources of influence can lead to undesirable consequences. In doing so, Rowling demonstrates how “the more we [people] give in to base instincts – base in the sense of base and depraved – the more criminal and destructive we [they] become” (Zipes). For starters, Rowling uses Harry. Potter's point of view and style portrays Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister of Magic, as a deceptive man. After Scrimgeour becomes Minister for Magic, Harry notices his deceptive methods of maintaining the morale of the wizarding community. Harry's opposition to Scrimgeour's methods intensifies after reading about the unjust arrest of Stan Shunpike. Harry doesn't believe the Ministry can take Stan's playful claims seriously when Stan has a reputation for lying to impress people. Hermione responds to Harry's confusion, "They [the Min...... middle of paper...... Works Cited" JK Rowling at Carnegie Hall reveals Dumbledore is gay; Neville Marries Hannah Abbott and Much More - The Leaky Cauldron." Harry Potter News, Books and Movies - The Leaky Cauldron. Np, October 20, 2007. Web. May 9, 2010. .JK Rowling: A Year in the Life. Dir. James Runcie. JK Rowling, James IWC Media, 2007. DVD Rowling, JK . Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Hardcover). . Print.Zipes, Jack. “Are fairy tales still useful to children” Show on the art of storytelling with Brother Wolf. may 2010. .