Neville: I like the effect of the break-out on him. Again, because he has been set up as slow to control magic, the change is so powerful. It is especially interesting in view of the earlier theory that the reason he has trouble with magic is that he has developed some block as a result of the trauma of what happened to his parents. If so, the possibility of being able to fight the Lestranges makes even more sense as a catalyst.

Harry: Are teenage boys really that clueless? I feel I should be protesting an unfair stereotype, but then I realised I don't know whether it is accurate or not.

The teachers: I think this is what I love the most about this book. The conspiratorial side to the teachers. Here exemplified by the showering Harry in points and candy after the interview. It makes me happy when the teachers band together with the students against a common enemy. Especially when that enemy is Umbridge. Especially Trelawny's prediction that Harry would not die. I love it (incidentally, her final prediction is also a true one -- with the possible exception for the exact number of children).

Snape: His memories. I like this scene. It gives the first bit of insight into his background. I wonder whether the girl who is laughing as the scrawny boy is trying to mount the broomstick is someone we know ... Lilly has a tendency to pop up before Snape reacts, and that is the last memory before he stops it.

His reactions really point to him wanting Harry to learn. The fact that he gets the most angry from proof that the link to Voldemort is as strong as ever ...

I also love (no, I don't think "love" is too strong a word) how he handles the scene in his office. Telling Harry to lie outright and tricking and plotting -- it is beautiful. I like this ability to see the need for cheating. And how he does not hesitate to sacrifice himself in order to keep Harry in school, and how he dismisses the idea of being sent to Azkaban. The complete rejection of following the rules. Lovely, lovely, lovely.