Finished, spoilers for HBP
Basically all I have to say is
OMFG.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was totally unspoiled, and what a beautiful and treacherous thing that can be.
After digesting for the better part of the evening, I've been avidly reading everyone else's reactions, and I have to say "YES I AGREE" on most parts.
Something I haven't seen discussed yet is Dumbledore's pleadings in the Cave, while Harry feeds him the potion (pg 572, US hardcover).
"Make it stop, make it stop"... "It's all my fault, all my fault" ... "Please make it stop, I know I did wrong, oh please make it stop and I'll never, never again..."
and ... most mysterious..
"Don't hurt them, don't hurt them, please, please, it's my fault, hurt me instead..."
"No, not that, I'll do anything..."
What on earth is all this about? Possibly James and Lily...? Flist, what are your thoughts?
In the end, I am boggled, unsure about POV, Snape, and Draco, and totally at ease with the shippiness, as I always said that I don't care about that stuff, as long as JKR made me believe it. And, I do.
And I love Pansy stroking Draco's hair. AWESOME.
BOGGLED I TELL YOU. OMFG.