Probably. Surely he could've controlled himself on that one, though, it's not as if it really left him traumatized or anything. Not like Cedric.

It is kind of vague, and they'd make the connection easier if they knew more about the Order, but yes, agreed.

Yeah. It's a way of showing the traditional problems with emancipation, I suppose - not only do the oppressed groups not necessarily want to be free, but their self-appointed champions can be quite patronizing and claim to know what's best for them. Hermione seems to be so frustrated about the lack of enthusiasm from the house-elves about freedom that she tries forcing the issue (you have a point that it's unclear whether her clothes would count, but we'll see later that at least the house-elves do correctly guess her intentions).

One could argue it shows Hermione is still more in the academic world than in the real world, despite her significant progress, and is suffering from youthful excess confidence and optimism.

Yeah. And quite disturbing, particularly with goblins fitting a few of the traditional anti-Semitic clichés.

Oh, and I was going to mention this Monday - calling Lupin a "half-breed" really does not make any sense. Hagrid is a "half-breed", Lupin isn't. His problem has nothing to do with breeding or blood purity.

And the theme of taking one's wishes - or fears, as in Fudge's case - for reality. Hermione, Percy, Sirius, Fudge and Umbridge, they all do it. Might be a coincidence, though, I suppose it's the sort of thing you find everywhere once you start looking for it.