copse

If Voldemort had never murdered your father, would he have imparted in you a furious desire for revenge? Of course not! If he had not forced your mother to die for you, would he have given you a magical protection he could not penetrate? Of course not, Harry! Don’t you see? Voldemort himself created his worst enemy, just as tyrants everywhere do!

uncommon skill

“He will only be gone from the school when none here are loyal to him,” said Harry, smiling in spite of himself.

the last and greatest of his protectors had died, and he was more alone than he had ever been before.

“But there are some injuries you can’t cure . . . old curses . . . and there are poisons without antidotes. . . .”

benumbed

It seemed extraordinary that Hermione’s mania for upholding rules could have abandoned her at this crucial juncture.

He thought he saw, dimly, where they were heading, but he was not going to help Scrimgeour get there.