Gosh, I was so determined to avoid this board like the plague until I finish the book, but I just can't stay away. Posting as I read is really fun, actually. I'm glad to see that the anti-spoiler charms are working. 
Anyway, I'm so glad that Ron is back and I think that Harry's and Hermione's different reactions were totally within character. I agree with you, Psychee, about how great it was that Ron's first words to Harry were, "Are you mental?" I'm using paper to avoid looking ahead and as soon as I read those words, I knew immediately that it was Ron.
Interesting that there are other uses for the Deluminator. I sort of figured there must be, but I wouldn't have guessed that it worked sort of like a radio/guide. That Dumbledore is cool. As frustrating as the lack of knowledge is for Harry, I think that Dumbledore ultimately figures that if Harry can't work out the clues himself, he won't be able to defeat Voldemort anyway. (Don't know if that made sense to you all, but it sounded right in my head.)
Now, for the very first time in two years, I'm starting to waver in my certainty of Snape's evilness. Who cast that silver doe Patronus? And how did it lead Harry to the sword of Gryffindor? Is it possible that the doe is Snape's patronus and that it does, indeed, represent Lily, whose husband was able to transform into a stag? After I thought this, I recalled the punishment that Ginny, Neville, and Luna received for breaking into Snape's office: detention with Hagrid. Not with Filch, not with Snape himself, or with Amycus Carrow. With Hagrid. Someone that they actually like, and who happens to be a member of the Order.
Part of me has always hoped to be wrong about Snape. But now that I'm starting to think I might be, I desperately hope that I have always been right! I'm so torn!!!
Anyway, I'm so glad that Ron is back and I think that Harry's and Hermione's different reactions were totally within character. I agree with you, Psychee, about how great it was that Ron's first words to Harry were, "Are you mental?" I'm using paper to avoid looking ahead and as soon as I read those words, I knew immediately that it was Ron.
Interesting that there are other uses for the Deluminator. I sort of figured there must be, but I wouldn't have guessed that it worked sort of like a radio/guide. That Dumbledore is cool. As frustrating as the lack of knowledge is for Harry, I think that Dumbledore ultimately figures that if Harry can't work out the clues himself, he won't be able to defeat Voldemort anyway. (Don't know if that made sense to you all, but it sounded right in my head.)
Now, for the very first time in two years, I'm starting to waver in my certainty of Snape's evilness. Who cast that silver doe Patronus? And how did it lead Harry to the sword of Gryffindor? Is it possible that the doe is Snape's patronus and that it does, indeed, represent Lily, whose husband was able to transform into a stag? After I thought this, I recalled the punishment that Ginny, Neville, and Luna received for breaking into Snape's office: detention with Hagrid. Not with Filch, not with Snape himself, or with Amycus Carrow. With Hagrid. Someone that they actually like, and who happens to be a member of the Order.
Part of me has always hoped to be wrong about Snape. But now that I'm starting to think I might be, I desperately hope that I have always been right! I'm so torn!!!
This chapter was such a relief. I weren't looking good there for a while. Yeah! Ron is back. He is always good for a laugh. Now we got a clear picture of Ron's insecurities, and we are pretty clear on Harry's as well. But what are Hermione's. She is the only character that doesn't seemed flawed, besides being a know it all which comes in quite handy for the trio.
Wow, I am certainly from the Snape is Good camp, but I didn't even consider that the doe might be his. I was thinking it must be a woman. But that makes sense, who else would have had access to the sword and would have been able to find them. I was thinking Mrs. Weasly for a while, but that doesn't make sense. I am so glad that I am not the only one that is doing this chapter by chapter.
Finally a Horcrux is destroyed, poor Ron, but I think it helped there friendship for Harry to see what was bothering Ron, and for Ron to realize how much he is needed. I love the conversation Ron and Harry had after he saved him.
PAGE 379
"'You've sort of made up for it tonight,' said Harry. 'Getting the sword. Finishing off the Horcrux. Saving my life.'
'That makes me sound a lot cooler than I was,' Ron mumbled.
'Stuff like that always sounds cooler than it really was," said Harry. 'I've been trying to tell you that for years.'"
It really gave closure to the fight they had where Ron thought that Harry was dismissing the danger Ginny was in because he's been through worse. Anyway, I think Ginny is safe with Snape as Headmaster, but where is McGonical? Are all of the McGonical is evil folks already on the other board? I wish that Harry would pull out the maurauders a little more often and let us know what is going on at that school. I miss Hogwarts
Wow, I am certainly from the Snape is Good camp, but I didn't even consider that the doe might be his. I was thinking it must be a woman. But that makes sense, who else would have had access to the sword and would have been able to find them. I was thinking Mrs. Weasly for a while, but that doesn't make sense. I am so glad that I am not the only one that is doing this chapter by chapter.
Finally a Horcrux is destroyed, poor Ron, but I think it helped there friendship for Harry to see what was bothering Ron, and for Ron to realize how much he is needed. I love the conversation Ron and Harry had after he saved him.
PAGE 379
"'You've sort of made up for it tonight,' said Harry. 'Getting the sword. Finishing off the Horcrux. Saving my life.'
'That makes me sound a lot cooler than I was,' Ron mumbled.
'Stuff like that always sounds cooler than it really was," said Harry. 'I've been trying to tell you that for years.'"
It really gave closure to the fight they had where Ron thought that Harry was dismissing the danger Ginny was in because he's been through worse. Anyway, I think Ginny is safe with Snape as Headmaster, but where is McGonical? Are all of the McGonical is evil folks already on the other board? I wish that Harry would pull out the maurauders a little more often and let us know what is going on at that school. I miss Hogwarts
