Ron: His bragging by the water. I like how it redeems James by showing it as an endearing trait rather than deep seated and unpleasant arrogance.

Neville: I really, really, REALLY wish the trio would just tell Neville they admire his parents.

Harry: I really like the moment when he produces the Patronus in front of Umbridge. It is so satisfying.

Hermione's description of him as having a thing for saving people is very apt. I don't remember whether that is something we have discussed. She is quite right: it has been building throughout the books (book 2: Ginny; book 3: Ron; book 4: everyone in the pond; book 5…). I wonder whether it is due to some trauma related to the loss of his parents.

Hermione: I sympathise entirely with her bad temper during exams. Exams can do that. Especially when you are completely unable to evaluate your own work.

I am also impressed with her manipulation of Umbridge later on.

McGonagall: I like how she warns the students that while their results will reflect on Umbridge's rule, that is no reason not to do their best.

I was so terrified she was dead after she was stunned the first time I read the book. There had been rumours that someone was going to die, and I was secretly hoping it would be Hagrid. In retrospect I wish it had been. At any rate, I like how she objects to the treatment of Hagrid at this point. I like that Rowling's good guys are not just "good", they act on it. They are not content to fight the good fight and tolerate whatever injustice might go on in the mean time. At least not always. I like how they may consider that the sensible way, and that they may caution Harry and tell him to not risk his neck, but that they themselves find that almost impossible to do.

Professor Tofty: The reaction to Umbridge's actions is excellent.

Snape: I like how he refuses to give Umbridge Veritaserum. I assume he did not give her the real thing last time as well … it could have incriminated him as well as the rest of the order. I am sure he actually does have Veritaserum, however. His reaction to Harry's information is also spot on. It is his job to not show on his face what he thinks.

Umbridge: the defining moment of her character is of course when she decides to use the Cruciatus Curse. "What Cornelius does not know will not hurt him" indeed. And you can see the sadist in her tipping the scales.

And then she gets what is coming to her.

The second trio: They show their true mettle. I love them. I think they have no idea what they are letting themselves in for. I think Ginny is partially spurred on by the memory of her famous siblings and their great exploits; I think Neville is doing it because of his parents; and I have no idea about Luna. Their argument that this is what the DA was for falls a little flat, as defending oneself against Voldemort is one thing, but actively seeking him out is quite another. But there is also a strong sense of doing the right thing. I like that the second trio consists of the less than conventionally heroic (although Ginny is only hampered by being a little sister, and not really hampered by that).