The Ministry of Magic
As usual, what she said, especially as regards to the firebreathing chicken and the Ministry's changing of Harry's trial time.
And:
* Are we to assume that a picture taken when Percy was happy with his family has been changed by his estrangement? (One wonders why nothing odd happened to that Potter wedding photo.)
Yes, one would think that if portraits could sense their 'real' selves emotions, that the Order picture would have a large gap around Peter Pettigrew, for one.
Maybe it only works when the subjects are alive?
* Arthur makes a big show of not knowing Order members at work, while whispering asides that make it clear it's a show.
Good cover, man! So if someone has a listening device on the level of a child's prank, like 'Extendable Ears', you're pretty fucked.
And of course, with the current climate and the building being Government property; the Ministry'd probably be in their rights installing such things.
And my comments.
Fairly short, because this is a short chapter (I'm dreading TEH ANGST return for the trial and the Prefect news, though.)
* All were fully dressed except Mrs Weasley, who was wearing a quilted purple dressing gown. She leapt to her feet the moment Harry entered.
Ahahaha. Well-trained, isn't she?
* Mrs Weasley sat down on his other side and started fussing with his T-shirt, tucking in the label and smoothing out the creases across his shoulders. He wished she wouldn't.
Reiterating the feelings Harry has about the Weasleys discussed here - however touched he is by Molly's affection, Harry doesn't see her as a parent figure.
This is an interesting contrast to the end of GoF, when he nearly cried over her hugging him 'like a mother' (her hug sentences later recieves no reaction); and is a relationship viewed by outsiders as a weak point and something Harry is sensitive about (Malfoy comments on it several times and Harry reacts violently.)
* 'Amelia Bones is OK, Harry,' said Tonks earnestly. 'She's fair, she'll hear you out.'
Ooh. So Amelia Bones is alright by the Order's standards? What's the betting she's an ex-Gryffindor and politically sympathetic to Dumbledore?
I do recall Susan Bones as being one of the more radical members of the DA...
* 'Don't lose your temper,' said Sirius abruptly.
Hee!
* Mr Weasley folded himself in beside Harry and closed the door. It was a tight fit...
Ew. Arthur/Harry, anyone? No, I didn't think so.
* A group of golden statues, larger than life-size, stood in the middle of a circular pool. Tallest of them all was a noble-looking wizard with his wand pointing straight up in the air. Grouped around him were a beautiful witch, a centaur, a goblin and a house-elf. The last three were all looking adoringly up at the witch and wizard.
JKR is taking pains to establish the WW as equal with regards to gender.
Has she succeeded?
What no_remorse said.
* Thank you, Eric,' said Mr Weasley.
Mr. Weasley even knows the name of the security guard!
He is a man of the people and should immediately become MoM. Or something.
* ...Several paper aeroplanes swooped into the lift. Harry stared up at them as they flapped idly around above his head; they were a pale violet colour and he could see Ministry of Magic stamped along the edge of their wings.
Books imitating the movies? Or vice versa? Who cares, I like paper aeroplanes! Whee!
* Magical Maintenance decide what weather we'll get every day.
The Wizarding World is the ultimate nanny state, it seems.
* ...two illustrations of postboxes he seemed to have cut out of Muggle children's books...
Actually, I did find this quite endearing. I'm sure I'll get over it soon. Don't take my Whiny Snarker badge away!
* 'Will it be Aurors who catch them?'
'Oh no, this is too trivial for Aurors, it'll be the ordinary Magical Law Enforcement Patrol - '
Despite Harry's ambition to become an Auror, he's still unclear as to what the job involves: murdering Death Eaters or catching pranksters. (Can't imagine him succeeding too well at the last, considering his attitude towards Fred and George.)
And of course, even Arthur, the "liberal" sees the 'baiting' as 'trivial'.
Also, I wonder what the difference between a Magical Law Enforcer and an Auror is. Like a police sergeant and a member of M15, I suppose.
* Harry barely had emotion to spare for Bode
Heh, that just reminds me of this discussion.
No-one acknowledges poor Bode. Where's the 806 community equivalent? Where's the Bode tribute icons and poems?
* Harry's heart was beating a violent tattoo against his Adam's apple.
Was this such a golden description JKR had to use it twice?
But Harry was already ripping open the envelope and pulling out the letter inside, his heart pounding somewhere in the region of his Adam's apple - A Peck of Owls, Chapter Two