I read through it like a hot knife through butter...it just flowed. Just when you think its getting unbearably grim, along come the Weasley Twins to make you laugh out loud. And, hey, how many Dolores Umbridges have YOU had in your life? What a great depiction of the abuse of power. Loved how Prof. McGonagall cut her down to size...
Maybe because I work in DC I found the description of the Ministry of Magic wonderfully evocative of well oiled bureaucracy (ok, I can't spell it, but you know what I mean!) - loved the flying memos!
But the big joy, surprise, hook, whatever, is the new information on Prof. Snape, Harry's absorbing what it means about his parents, and what I suspect will happen over the course of the next 2 books... a redemption, of sorts...?
