Effing idiot started thinking like Dumbledore by not stunning Ginny. Aside from that obvious plot device, I was impressed by this chapter. It almost made me laugh to discover that Harry's second way of killing the basilisk was nearly as tough as his first one.
Author's response
Yes, gentleness used where firmness is needed is usually a portent of failure. Just look at DD's treatment of Snape and Draco in canon. BJH