Nice review as always whitefang. But many reviewers got a head start, I understand they are either in regions where this CMF set is released earlier or have them shipped overseas.
I'm still waiting for my local sellers to start listing individual packs. They're listing entire sets and boxes for sale at the moment. Like usual, I'm buying just a select few, not the entire set. Can't afford it really, to go collecting it all.
On my buy list are Ron, George, Fred and Luna. I'm also very fond of the dark red scarf on James but I'll wait for this element in BL. Hermione leg assembly is a fine piece too which I hope to get in BL.
One good thing about this CMF is the unusual number of wands. I like this element (in sprue form) a lot. I expect to see prices of it dropping as more sets/minifigs come with this element.
I'll be hunting down a couple of new elements from BL .... more butterbeer mugs ... Sword of Griffindor. First time I'm seeing a double-moulded sword piece. Not the best looking sword I've seen (I don't just live in a purist LEGO world) but I appreciate the double-moulding effort.