Snape: Is there a remnant of semi-sadistic attitude to Harry in making him get the sword by diving into a frozen lake? I can imagine him smiling at the thought, in a "oh, my, god save me from Gryffindors and their heroics" kind of way. Not in an evil way. More in an "I'll be damned if I make this too easy" way. Perhaps not. More likely, I suppose, it is in order to make it make sense to Harry, as it does.

Harry: I like how his chivalry extends to not asking Hermione to dive into the lake for him.

Ron: Is saving Harry his first real act of bravery? I mean, he has followed Harry into scary places before, but this seems like the first time he has done something brave impulsively and by himself. Or is there something I have forgotten?

Regarding what the horcrux says, it was mostly insecurities we knew of. But it had never occurred to me that he might think that he was only born because his mother wanted a girl. Now that it has been brought up, however, that is strangely plausible.

Hermione: I really liked her reaction to the reappearance of Ron. The whole scene is well played. Both the anger and the sarcasm at his hardships.

Xenophilius: I like his name. I had a moment where I realised what it means, and it suits him. It also occurred to me that his tendency believe in the non-real is strange in a magical person. Or, rather, I don't know that it is. He is after all the equivalent of the muggle who believes in magic. He believes in the unverifiable, the unseen.

Luna: Her hearbreakingness continues with the painting on the ceiling.