Karkaroff: If the last bunch of chapters did not convince us, he is now properly pegged as a bad guy. Not only by treating Krum differently from his other students (in stark contrast with anything Dumbledore might do), but also his fear of Moody (and Moody's look of intense dislike). He is the main candidate for evil guy, I'd say, in Rowling's flock of potential baddies in this book.

Moody: his look of intense dislike, of course, has a very different reason than what the first-time reader will attribute to him. I like this consonance of Moody and Crouch Jr. If all we had got from him had been acting a part, the ending would not have been as satisfying.

Fleur: arrogant. I smell a British idea of the French: unhappy with the weather and refusing to eat their cooking. And we get the explanation of the Veela grandmother. But I cannot help but feel Fleur is a bit of a cypher. She is pretty and arrogant, and that is it. I don't see her as being fleshed out until a little bit right at the end of book 6.

Krum: he isn't all that interesting, either. His lack of interest in fame is shown during the photography session, and I suppose that is both a plot (regarding Hermione) and a character point. He is clearly good at Quidditch because it interests him, not because he wants to be famous. It must be very annoying for him to suddenly be surrounded by all these people who want his autograph and stand on chairs to look at him. In that way he is a reflection of Harry, I suppose. But still. He seems to have no personality.

I liked the discussion that Harry's entry into the Champions' room provoked in that it highlighted the characters of the participants. Dumbledore is level-headed and employs common sense (as well as literally seeing to the truth of things), MacGonnagall has unflinching faith in Dumbledore, Snape will use any excuse to attack Harry, Crouch is rule-oriented (not to mention a little out of it), Bagman is oblivious to the problematic side and shows that he has no sense of fair play. Karkaroff and Madamme Maxime rant and rave.

Ron: he really is astonishingly unreasonable. I don't think it is controversial to say that I think the fractures in the trio later on is as much down to Ron's deep seated issues as Harry's.

Hermione: thank goodness she is sensible. She has insight. I like it. She is coming into her own more and more in this book. She is not just smart anymore. She is getting wise.

Snape: his comment to Hermione when he teeth are growing is one of those I find it hardest to forgive him. I don't understand why he would treat Hermione like that, though. She should appeal to him. Yes, she is Harry's friend, but she is smart and good at potions. Yes, she is muggle-born, but so was Lily.

Rita: we get to see her in action. I wonder at the importance of sucking the quill -- does it somehow transfer her "voice" to the quill? And to what extent is her writing the result of the spin of an independent magical artefact, and how much her personality.