I always try and reply to all my reviewers, i figure it's only polite since they took the time to leave a review and I also like discussing topics with reviewers since I don't do chat rooms. 

That could be why the Slytherins didn't stand up and declare themselves, but I was waiting for some of them to just say "Down with Voldy" and go and stand up for themselves.  I was disappointed when that didn't happen. 

Part of the reason Harry sounds so human is because he's an Animagus, but also it's how the potion "translates" the hawk language for Severus to comprehend.  For instance, i would assume a bird has more vocal cues and such than a dog or a cat, who communicate more with body language, but a bird also uses posture for defense and to indicate fear and aggression and affection, and all of that is translated into human speech by magic.  But even in hawk form, Harry's personality comes out, which would fit with how an Animagus keeps his own mind while in animal form, along with the animal instincts. Plus, it's fun to have Severus and Harry banter with each other, especially since Severus doesn't know who he's really talking to.  It increases the bond between them, which will be important later on.