I realised how much I love Gilderoy Lockhart. He is the bright point of this book. He is glorious. He is an overdone charicature, but he is lovely.

Of other things, the trip to Knockturn Alley was a treasure trove of Chekov's guns: the cabinet Harry hid in, the Hand of Glory, the necklace of opals -- all important to later books. Not to mention the further indications of what goes on at Malfoy Manor.

And Mr Weasley did magic in silence (when fixing Harry's glasses), like he has to learn later. Not to mention the "bigger on the inside" charm, which was also introduced early. And the Whomping Willow....