SPOILERS FOLLOW

No Potterites in the park, writes Richard Lea, though the crowd at the swings is much reduced and there are definitely no children older than four. There's a boy nose deep in HP6 outside the cafe at the end of the street. He's much further along than me.

Ruth is back from the beach, where she got through 59 pages in between making sandcastles. "It's about as good as the other ones so far," she says.

She's been surprised by the sacking of Cornelius Fudge, and the troubled news he brings the prime minister way back in chapter one is news to her as well. The appointment of Rufus Scrimgeour as minister for magic seems like "a good idea" in the circumstances, though she's at pains to point out that Snape isn't working for Voldemort. We shall see.

Rowling is still pursuing her terrorism strand, with security escorts and 'harried, anxious' shoppers, but there's a surprising amount of humour too.

There's a whiff of James Bond visiting Q for supplies when Harry visits Fred and George's shop, but instead of stocking up on a stash of Shield Cloaks and Instant Darkness Powder Harry sets off in pursuit of the plot, catching a glimpse of Malfoy as the plan announced in chapter two begins to take shape.

The food count is still going as chapter eight swings into view. Time for a spot of lunch.