Harry's trials were full of interesting things, including annoying new characters. I hated Umbridge, basically from this point on. Strange how such a short statement and description can impact your immediate impression of a character. Makes me laugh though when her bow is described as a fly sitting on her toadlike face.

Lucious Malfoy being on hand and influencing the Ministry on Voldemorts behalf was not subtle, but hinted at things to come and the ease at which the Death Eaters will penetrate the wizarding world.

Also, the trial being held in the full court and the chaining chair was a partial set up to the later pensieve scenes. The description of that gave me the willies right away also and set the tone for how serious those earlier trials were. I only remember reading a scene or two where it was in use (Bagman and Karkarov) and it seemed a rather intimidating way to hold the trials. Suppose that was the point back then with the paranoia around suspected Death Eaters and the overzealous Aurors / Wizengamot. Was it used in the younger Crouch trial? I didn't think it was.

Dumbledore owned the Ministry here too and let Umbridge play right into his hands. Ironic that she was the one challenging him on the Ministry sending the Dementors when she sent them, without orders, on the Ministry's behalf. This is the first direct time that he visibly ignores Harry and it still strikes me as the exact opposite way he should have handled Harry (as discussed above).

The Weasley's are probably one of my favorite things about the book. Their interfamily relations are fun to read, funny at times, and heart wrenching at times. The last few chapters result in some humor from the Twins and Ginny (who seems to share a similar attitude with Fred and George). I was struck this time, that there are sometimes small groups within the kids. The Twins and Ginny seem to be one here, Bill and Charlie are one, out on their own, and Ron and Percy seem to get lumped together quite a bit. The Twins are kind of a social lubricant between them all and take the brunt of the heat from Mrs. Weasley.

It really is a shame about Percy's rift with the family and that he lets ambition get in the way of that relationship. I feel for Mrs. Weasley and the break down with the boggart. With everything they're going through, it's not really surprising that she'd react that way. I don't know that I'd call it purposeful foreshadowing, since it cycled through the entire family, but it does come to mind during the battle at Hogwarts in Deathly Hallows.