this quote actually follows the trend out of OoTP when Harry would always take note of how good Hermione is as a witch. As to the meaning of 'at a time like this' you know how people who are in love tend to 'daydream' and couldn't help thinking about how admirable a person is even if he/she looks horrible ( imagine a very upset Hermione with birds circling above her head )? Normally it won't be a pretty sight. But our hero seems to think so . . .

HBP had many more H/Hr moments that i first thought. I was pleasantly surprised on my second re-read of the book. It started off more H/Hr than anything else. I especially loved the "more fanciable than ever" bit

Hmmmm, very nice way of looking at the scence, and I definitely agree with you. It really wouldn't be a pretty sight, but Harry looks at it in a completely different light, he knows she's upset, but...ugh. It just annoys me how there are absolutely no talks between them on this subject. They're supposed to be best friends!

Referring to the password "abstinence", it is referring to abstinence from alchohol, since the fat lady and her witch friend had spent the holiday drinking.

Not sure if this is considered as H/HR moments, but like it

Chapter 16 - Page 309
"..he had barely had time to wish her a Happy Chirstmas and to tell her that he had some very important news when they got back from the holidays. But he was not entirely sure that she had heard him, though; Ron and Lavender had been saying thoroughly non-verbal goodybye just behind him at the time..." *harry mentioned IMPORTANT NEWS*

Chapter 17
[Page 329] Harry talking to Hermione when they got back from Christmas
"..I've got loads to tell him..and you..." *he now mentioned "LOADS TO TELL"

[Page 340] Hermione said "...so what was this important news you wanted to tell me.." *she asked IMPORTANT NEWS*

Harry had THOUGHT Hermione might be distracted by Ron's non-verbal thingy to have heard him BUT she was actually NOT

I don't know if it's shippy but I noticed this two parts... I'm sorry I can't give you the exact quotes for I don't have my book with me.

1 - the part where Ginny told Hermione something like being glad that Harry was not hurt or something like that (it is in the chapter about that Sectusempra curse) and Hermione was clearly STUNG.

2 - the part where Hermione told Harry that he thought girls can't be clever enough. Harry was clearly STUNG.

*Isn't it that stung gave a very *strong* emotion or something (Meriam Webster, anyone?). Given that, why would Harry and Hermione be STUNG by the given comments? Is it because...

1 - Hermione cared so much for Harry (he's her 'friend', agreed?) and when Ginny implied something about her not caring whether or not Harry is hurt, she was clearly STUNG?

2 - Harry admired Hermione's intellect to the highest level (given that he had openly expressed his thoughts about her intellect to Slughorn earlier in HBP) and that Hermione implying that he thought so lowly of girl's (and Hermione's in particular) intellect... he was clearly STUNG?


Just my thoughts...