pica_scribit was so dead right about so many things that happened in this chapter. or close enough at least. the moment the Gray Lady let Harry know exactly who she was I thought of her right away. it was very cool.

Ron and Hermione have been down in the Chamber of Secrets. very very smart of Ron, and he speaks parsletongue... so it can be learned. Granny Longbottom is another character who suddenly becomes all kinds of awesome, and Ginny runs into battle the moment she gets the chance, following Tonks who has left Teddy at home.

Ron and Hermione finally kiss, and it is because Ron thinks of getting the house-elves to safety. so in a way no matter how annoying Hermione has been in past books with S.P.E.W. it is because of her passion for it that finally gets her and Ron together. sort of. I Loved the Ron/Hermione kiss, and even though I knew it was coming, before opening this book I thought I would hate it, but Ron's major growth and change in maturity throughout this book had me seriously "awwwwwwweee"-ing at this moment. poor Harry hahaha.

Have you seen Remus?... He was dueling Dolohov wasn't that who JKR said was the one who..... in her interview after this book? *sobs*

Harry is confronted by Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. I really was disappointed here, I really was hoping for Draco to become something better, maybe even help Harry in some way. but it seems everyone has lost their respect for the Malfoys and Crabbe stands up to Draco for the first time in seven books, he even aims to kill both Hermione and Ron, Crabbe has definitely become a Death Eater.

and the cruelest thing I said JKR could ever write has happened, she has killed off one of the twins. at least he had the chance to reconcile with Percy. but of all the Weasleys I thought were marked for death, I don't think I considered Fred to be one of them.

Italics are impressions from my first read, when I did not yet know what was going to happen.

( DH:31 - The Battle of Hogwarts )