I loved, loved, loved the scene where Hermione convinces Harry and Ron to break the rules. She seems so excited, but it is probably about the complexity of the potion. It is a lovely character moment.

I am a little stumped by her admiration for Lockhart, though. She is usually so level-headed about that sort of thing, and sees through people like that. Also, I would think Hermione would be the first to dislike someone who so clearly did not know what they were talking about. Perhaps her character is still growing. I think perhaps the astuteness I am thinking about all shows up later. If so, that is a good sign of development of character.

A plot clue I noticed, which I have never noticed before:

Dumbledore comments that it is not a question of who did it, but how -- of course he knows that Voldemort is the culprit. He just needs to figure out how Voldemort is acting in Hogwarts.

And Dumbledore's office made me realise I want a revolving stone staircase and a phoenix.