Naturally Shirley had known, as they slid stock words and phrases back and forth between them like beads on an abacus, that Howard must be as brimful of ecstasy as she was; but to express these feelings out loud, when the news of death was still fresh in the air, would have been tantamount to dancing naked and shrieking obscenities, and Howard and Shirley were clothed, always, in an invisible layer of decorum that they never laid aside.

NO!” The scream was the more terrible because he had never expected or dreamed that Professor McGonagall could make such a sound.

The stories we love best do live in us forever.

The owls are gathering; find out why soon.

Now, you two – this year, you behave yourselves. If I get one more owl telling me you've – you've blown up a toilet or –" "Blown up a toilet? We've never blown up a toilet." "Great idea though, thanks, Mum.

I thought it sounded a bit like Percy singing... maybe you've got to attack him while he's in the shower, Harry.

If I wasn't a writer, I would be depressed.