Who Cursed Katie Bell and Forced Her to Deliver a Deadly Necklace?

In Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Katie Bell is caught carrying a cursed necklace back from her day trip into Hogsmead. She touches the necklace and flies into the air seemingly afflicted by some dark magic.

Katie Bell was supposed to deliver the necklace to someone. But to whom? And who put her up to it?

This is one of the discrepencacies between the novel and the movie version of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. In an effort to simplify several plot elements, the movie alters certain details about this little incident with Katie.

In the Novel, the Half Blood Prince...

First, the real story. What happens in the novel.

Harry immediately suspects that Malfoy is behind the attack. Harry already has already convinced himself that Malfoy is working for Voldemort, so this wouldn't be a stretch.

However, when he confronts McGonagall with his suspicions, she informs Harry that Draco Malfoy was in detention with her at the time Katie was given the necklace. He couldn't have possibly been in Hogsmead at the Three Broomsticks. Neither Harry, Ron, nor Hermione ever see Malfoy at the bar, either. There's some pretty good evidence against Harry's hunch, and there's no real concrete proof to support him.

Note, also, that no one knows for sure to whom the necklace was being delivered - Katie didn't tell her friend. Some other minor details of interest include the fact that Harry runs off to find help, and he is the one that warns Ron not to touch the necklace.

Near the end of the scene, Harry has a conversation in McGonagall's office. McGonagall, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are present, but Snape is not. Filch took the necklace and took it to Snape to have it inspected.

As the book draws to a close, the details become more clear. Dumbledore is aware, of course, that Draco intended the necklace to be sent to him. This was the first of his three assassination attempts.

However, Draco did not give the necklace to Katie directly. Draco had placed Madam Rosmerta, the owner of the Three Broomsticks, under the Imperius Curse. In doing so, he was able to make her an accomplice on several occassions. On this occassion, Madam Rosmerta was forced to give the necklace to Katie. It's never explicitly stated whether Katie herself is bewitched, but it is likely that she was - her friend Leanne suggests as much.

In the Movie, the Half Blood Prince...

Here, things are somewhat simpler.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione enter the Three Broomsticks during their trip to Hogsmeade. Looking around the bar, Harry clearly sees Malfoy lurking about. It's implied that he slinks into the bathroom and hides.

In the next scene, Harry and company are walking behind Katie and Leanne. Katie flies into the air from the curse, and Hagrid is on the scene to carry her up to the castle. Hagrid is also the one that warns the kids not to touch the necklace except by the packaging. They find out from the friend, Leanne, that the gift was intended for Dumbledore.

Rosmerta never enters into the story, nor does she ever play a pivotal role in the plot of the movie. The plot is moved along much more quickly, as it is made quite apparent that Malfoy was directly behind the attack and that his plan is to assassinate Dumbledore. The subtlety of his plan, such as it is, is lost entirely.

Bottom Line

In general, it would be accurate to say that Malfoy is behind the plot. However, the specific details and circumstances vary between the movie and the book.

In the book, Malfoy curses Madam Rosmerta and forces her to give Katie the object. In the movie, Malfoy hands the item to Katie himself.