Except that his theories about it are completely ludicrous. It sadly shows once again how badly he needs Hermione for any logical reasoning or thinking that doesn't involve what's standing right in front of him.

Not really. Don't forget he's barely slept and eaten, has had those dreams while he did sleep, and is totally paranoid with all kinds of silly theories - perfectly natural to have forgotten that. I like how she puts him in his place and things in perspective with that "Lucky you", though.

Yeah. Ron's behaviour there is interesting too, though. Precisely because he's being so low-key - for him the worry about his father is mixed with what he's seen and heard from Harry. And Ginny's place as one of the "adults" is confirmed once more.

Oh good, I wasn't paying attention this time, good thing you were.

I'm not quite sure whether we should assume his disobedience early on means he's really on the wrong side. Certainly he was in a rather Dark family, but does that mean he sympathizes with Voldemort?

Quite so. She's awesome as always.

I think it's just that Harry is finally starting to see the Ginny her brothers already knew. And so is the reader, because she's now part of the Second Trio. Which reminds me it's been a while since we've seen much of Luna, and that in turn reminds me I wanted to remark on her enchanted-lion-hat in the previous group of chapters. The first thought at reading that is of course "she's a bit out there", but then I realized something else: if it was easy to make such things, people wouldn't be so surprised by it. A subtle sign of her being quite skilled in at least one department.

Wow, did I ever go off-topic... oh well.

Keep in mind Dumbledore must've hushed the business up as much as he could. Percy may not have heard more than that his father had been wounded. As flimsy an excuse as that is.

Yes, this seems like a suggestion he actually knows he's in love with her, now... which makes it odd that he has to go out with someone else first in the next book.

I think Neville's never had a close friend and doesn't know how to confide such things in people - nor does he ever really get in a confidential tête-à-tête in which he could do so. Not shame, no.

I disagree, but then I don't share your adoration of Sirius. Let's not forget that Sirius was one of those who bullied him for no good reason back in the day - which Sirius evidently hasn't forgotten either, as he uses the old insult again. Surely being mean against someone your own level whom you can't stand and who can't stand you doesn't compare to taunting and cruelly mocking children.

No, he's perhaps nicer to Harry than he's ever been. I think in the speech about how Harry should control himself and not let his emotions control you, there's a lot of regret, a lot of having learned these lessons the hard way. Snape as a child wasn't so perfectly in control at all, and it led to him hurling that epithet at Lily which cost him her friendship and his hopes of more. Perhaps he feels his role in the Secret Keeper thing was because of him acting on emotion, as well.

Actually, now that I think of it... I'm paraphrasing because I still don't have the English version, but when he says "Fools who wallow in sad memories and are easily provoked - weak people, that is - stand no chance against him. He will effortlessly enter your mind, Potter!". Surely that is personal experience talking. He's been there, he's had it happen to him - God knows he had enough sad memories to wallow in which Voldemort could use against him. And then he gave in and became a Death Eater, until the shock of Lily's death brought him back and he spent the next fifteen years trying to become harder and a better Occlumens so he could move against Voldemort and keep him out of his mind next time. And feeling bitter about the weak man he used to be.

It's no wonder he's nicer to Harry than he's ever been - he is trying to protect Lily's son from what he went through himself and what led ultimately to Lily's death.

Definitely. This fits exactly with what I wrote above.