- It was a little annoying that Horace was all excited to meet Harry and such. Just the way he went on about it was a bit too much for me.

- When Harry gets to the Burrow, I thought it was funny how Ginny, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley all didn't like Fleur. That was funny for me.

- I was sad that Harry didn't get enough high of a grade in Potions to be qualified for an Auror. That was a bit sad, but maybe his battle with Voldermort will give him special permission to become an Auror.

First off I'd like to say how much I loved the first line of the 3rd chapter. 'Harry Potter was snoring loudly.' I laughed out loud when I first read it just because of the image it presented me . . . anyway.

I quite liked Hoarce in that chapter. He was quite amusing and slightly mysterious at that point and I have a very vivid image of how I think he looks which just made it all the more amusing.

More amusing though was the Dursley's confusion at Dumbledore's comment about Dudley being very unfortunate because of what they have done to him. :D I love the Dursley's even though they are horrible . . .

Reading the parts about the Dursleys always makes me uncomfortable. I always think to myself, "How can anybody be that rotten to a kid?" But I know that people can indeed be that rotten to kids, so the Dursleys kind of creep me out, even though they're comical in their own way. But the comment about Dudley was a real zinger. I think JKR wanted to make a point there.

Slughorn reminds me a bit of Lockhart, the way he's very bombastic and overly impressed with himself. I wonder who will portray him in the movie? I started feeling a lot more sympathetic toward Lockhart after I saw Branagh play him in the movie. I hope they cast somebody good for Slughorn!

Really? After the movie Lockhart annoyed me even more. :mellow:

I found it interesting that there isn't all that much comment made about Sirius in these first few chapters with Harry in them. Sure he is mentioned throughout, Hermione constantly tries bringing him up and it has been said that Harry did mourn for him badly for the first 2 weeks or so but that's about it. Why's that do you wonder?

Interesting points for me from these chapters:

Petunia has never met Dumbledore although they have corresponded.

Dumbledore wants Harry to confide in Ron and Hermione. This, in retrospect, seems to signify that DD seems to know he won't be there to help Harry in the final battle, but is determined that other people are in the picture and able to help him.

Why does Tonks run off as soon as DD appears? She can't even meet his eyes. We know she blames herself for Sirius's death, but does she think DD blames her too?

And just another small thing - what will happen to the Aurors when Voldemort's finally gone???!!

Slughorn is a great character and a typical Slytherin, with his ambition obsession and dubious ideas about muggle-borns. Can't think of anyone who seems suitable enough to portray him in the film though!

I think that the lack of mention of Sirius is explained in the fact that Harry can't bear to think about him. To do so would be to open up all his emotions and he can't afford to do that while his life's still in dnager. He's been on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster after all. Losing his parents, finding Hogwarts, nearly getting expelled several times, finding Sirius, losing Sirius, nearly dying Jo-knows-how-many times, all that and being a teenager too. I'm suprised he's not twitching and rocking in a corner somewhere!

I'm sure that there will still be lots of work for Aurors after Voldemort is gone (assuming that he goes, of course). There will still be lots of rotten apples in the wizarding world who will want to take his place as the supreme baddie. The Aurors will not die of boredom!

Ah, let's see. Will and Won't

I found it interesting that first; Dumbledore would show in person to get Harry and Second; that he should do so so late at night! I mean, yes, both were explained, but it just fascinated the beejeebers out of me! Moreover, I am just dearly in love with the interaction between Dumbledore and the Dursleys. I mean, the goblets smacking the family 'round their heads--- Classic moment! Further, I agree with Shonkie, the quote about Harry having escaped the travesty that Dudley seemed to have endured just made me burst out laughing.

Rogue, you'll be happy to know this one chapter inspired several great quotes to add to that quotes page, all thanks to Dumbledore.

Also, the entire bit about Sirius leaving everything to Harry did not surprise me, though I like how JKR tied up the loose end with Kreacher by having him sent off to Hogwarts to work the kitchens. But, do we think this could have any possibility of coming back to haunt them in book seven? Even though the trio wont be at Hogwarts?

And, Horace Slughorn.

Loved finding the place in a wreck, and Dumbledore stabbbing Horace the Armchair smack in the gut. This scene was only made better by the offhand discussion about when the mess was made, where the blood came from, and the offer to “help clean it up.” I can't say as Horace came off as exactly a likable character in this chapter, but you get the feeling that nothing about him is evil either. He's just... sort of a Puppet Master, as it were.

As a side note, I found Harry and Dumbledore's discussion at the beginning of this chapter about Inferi to be very insightful... and full of a sense of forboding.

Finally, An Excess of Phlegm.

Thank the white strands of Merlin's Beard, Harry finally told Ron and Hermoine about the prophecy! And moreover, he felt better for having done so. Thank you, Dumbledore, for telling him to go through with that!

Also, may I say, all of the goodies in Fred and George's room just made me laugh. Nearly as hard as the all inclusive hatred of the women folk toward 'Phlegm.' And Ron's continued inability to avoid her, ah, lovely attributes.

Okay Ankaa I found that some of your ideas were actually pretty good.

This one does make it seem as if maybe Dumbledore knew that he wouldn't be around to help Harry much longer. I like it.

This one could be a possible answer for why Tonks seems to be avoiding the school and Dumbledore as much as is humanly possible.
I like this one too.

The Aurors were not just solely there to help get rid of Voldie, but all of the evil that there is in the wizardry world. So I would assume that when Voldie meets his match, they would just move on to a different evil person/force.

- I agree with Rogue that the whole Phelgm thing OMG that was hilarious... Why does Ginny nickname her Phelgm? Jealousy broods when dealing with veela!

- It think it was sweet that Dumbledore wanted Harry to be more open with Ron and Hermione. I'm sure he realized that Harry neded more support and not telling the whole true wouldn't get him there.

- That darn Snape never gives Harry a break. He knew Harry wanted to become an Auror and purposing gave him a grade that wouldn't allow him to. But maybe just being Harry Potter will grant him that! lol

I'm not sure how Kreacher could actually get up to any mischief at Hogwarts, remember Dobby's there to keep his eye on him! That said though, if Harry's not around, he's got no one to take orders from so could take it upon himself to create havoc. Maybe he'll team up with Peeves?

I totally agree with this one.