And finally we get some, though not much. Nott gets a bit of an upgrade, and Zabini is introduced (finally determining the character's gender in the process; the name had been mentioned in the first book's Sorting, and used enthusiastically by fan fic writers for both male and female characters, so Rowling decided to settle the matter for once and for all).

Zabini is a welcome reminder that not *everyone* in Slytherin worships Malfoy, though in terms of blood purity he's just as bad as the rest of them (interestingly, his race doesn't seem to matter to the likes of Malfoy; evidently, Death Eaters are sexist and misogynist, but not racist). The bit about his black widow of a mother (or female Bluebeard, if you prefer) is interesting, if slightly random. And what is it with Slytherin boys and having their mothers fawn over them?

Of course, Rowling balances that out by showing Malfoy's extreme disappointment to notice that former head of Slytherin Slughorn (which the Trio doesn't know, but Malfoy presumably does) isn't biased against Muggle-borns. Or, well, not really anyway (see previous discussion).

Is she EVER going to mention Ernie Macmillan without repeating the comment about him being somewhat pompous? We get it already, especially since his manner of speaking hardly leaves any doubt. Also, his maniacal studying seems to have paid off.

Ron and Harry end up in all of the NEWT classes they wanted to be in - rather surprising if you consider how Rowling generally depicts their homework and exams. And they do better in Potions than all but four Ravenclaws? Remarkable. Great stuff with the schedules scene and McGonagall, though, not only the Neville bits. Incidentally, Neville's Exceeds Expectations on DADA puts him on equal footing with Hermione (and, presumably, Ron).