The fact that the bottle was intended for Dumbledore, but was likely to detour into Slughorn is important. It means Draco could look like he was trying while still not be likely to succeed.

Hagrid's assumption that Dumbledore cannot know who is doing this or they would have been stopped is a good one. It is problematic that Dumbledore lets Draco continue, knowing it is him, when clearly the danger is not purely one to himself.

The conversation Hagrid has overheard is also a well made red herring. Very ambiguous. It is obviously meant to suggest that Snape will no longer work for the Order, or something along those lines, while in reality Snape is rebelling against the idea of killing Dumbledore.

The two girls who look sulky and resentful are introduced. I couldn't help laughing at the unwilling giggle from one of them. And we see one of them break the scales. And then the whole enigma is resolved as Harry finally figures it out. Well done, Harry.

We are also finally told the explanation for the curse on the DADA position.

Dumbledore's comment about being friendly with the local barmen is also interesting, considering they are talking about the Hog's Head, in view of what we learn about his relationship with his brother.


The house-elf issue (I cannot help feel that this is approaching harping on a subject, but what can you do?) pops up again. Twice. First in Harry's setting Kreecher and Dobby (the latter less problematic than the former) after Malfoy. And then Hokey (what a name). I wonder whether Hokey is really lying, or if it is a case of love making you blind. Harry shows that he does not think twice about making Kreecher do something he does not want to do. And then Voldemort exploits the wizarding world's thoughts on house-elves.