Slughorn: I like many of Rowling's non-heroic characters, and this one is no exception. You have to love a man who will use age as a card not to help when faced with Dumbledore. And who still cannot help boasting about how quickly he set the scene. Not to mention the comment about making sure the neighbours not seeing you bring in the piano. I was intrigued by his comment that Voldemort could hardly count him as a friend, however. It struck me that if Voldemort remembers the Horcrux conversation, he should have tried to get hold of Slughorn in order to a: see whether he has told anyone about it and b: kill him before he can tell anyone. It is a wonder that he did not kill him years ago.

Hermione: you'd think her reaction to knowing exam results are coming are a humorous exaggeration, but I am here to tell you it is perfectly realistic.

Narcissa Malfoy: I like how she threatens the trio. Very cool and collected. It provides an insteresting contrast to her appearance in the second chapter.