4.5 This is definitely my favorite of the first four. Besides all the fat-shaming at the beginning 🙄, there is a lot to love. The complexities of Hermione and SPEW, Harry’s internal struggles/suffering, little hints at romance, lots of mystery, bits of Neville’s history, friendship development, and the beginnings of the larger story of the next three books. Also I’m realizing that Snape is not nearly as lovable in the books, at least at this point. But I found myself finally kind of liking Harry again in this one, flaws and all, and I got chills at the climax of his story.