I just finished the first three chapters. Unlike all the previous five books, this one does not start slowly. War is at hand, the tension is palpable and that is, perhaps, the reason the book starts in the office of the Prime Minister (Tony Blair? Could JK Rowling be drawing parallels with the Iraq war?). Snape reveals that he remains loyal to the Dark Lord (but I suppose it remains to be seen whether this is, in fact, true). And Dumbledore finds it necessary to personally escort Harry from Privet Drive.
Don't worry, this will be my last post about the latest Harry Potter book until I finish it. By the way, as the first person to pick up the book at the bookstore this morning, I got a Hogwarts keychain. Photos will follow.
Harry Potter!!!
