Voldemort: his sadism is what makes him lose. If he had used Avada Kedavra immediately, Harry would not have stood a chance, but choosing the cruciatus curse bought him time. He must be kicking himself about that afterwards. Then again, I suppose he had to demonstrate his power.

It is interesting to see that the emergence of his victims frightens Voldemort. I had not seen that before. I suppose it is partially due to being faced with magic he cannot control, and possibly his terror of death, but it makes him somewhat less of a caricature.

Harry: I like how there is something that is finally due to Harry which turns the tide. Not just his resistance to the Imperius curse, but the bead on the line between the two wands. It shows, if not his ability, at least his strength. It is not just luck that makes it possible for him to stand up to Voldemort.

Dumbledore: I love, love, love his entrance. I am not a fan of the all-round heroic type, but I have a very soft spot for power that is not normally on display when it finally is shown.

Once Harry tells him of the blood Voldemort took, we get the reticence which forms the pattern for the next book. I get the impression that while he has up to this point kept things from Harry because he is too young, he will now keep things from Harry that he does not Voldemort to find out. And I suppose this is a key point.

Dumbledore also sees Fudge for what he really is. I am a little surprised that he had not already done this, but I suppose it takes a great crisis to bring out the mettle of the man, and Fudge has not had to face one before. Still, I like to think of Dumbledore as a good judge of character.

But one of my favourite parts of Dumbledore in this book is that he thinks of Winky's comfort when everyone else (incuding me) had forgotten all about her.

Snape: He is brave. I suppose this is the central point: if crises brings out the best or worst in people, he is the exact opposite of Fudge. He is a bastard in everyday situations, but once the worst has happened, he not only tries to convince Fudge, but goes unblinking to spy on Voldemort again.

Ron and Hermione: their mutual jealousy is still cute, but getting a little worn now.

Edit: corrected typing error.
Edit 2: clarification.