Like a Block of Edam (Simile)
Immediately before the Quidditch World Cup begins, Rowling describes Ludo Bagman's face as round and "gleaming like a great, excited Edam" (41). Edam is a type of cheese that is typically sealed in a wax coating, thus "gleaming." This simile reinforces Bagman's image as an ineffectual manchild who is unqualified for a high-powered Ministry position, suggesting that his head is as dense and ponderous as a block of cheese.
Working like House-Elves (Simile)
When Hermione scolds Harry and Ron for making up their Divination homework, Ron retorts, "We’ve been working like house-elves here!” (90). This simile touches a tender nerve for Hermione, who has just created an organization to promote the enfranchisement and welfare of house-elves.
Noises like Gunfire (Simile)
After the Quidditch World Cup, a commotion breaks out in the camp. Rowling writes, "By the light of the few fires that were still burning, he could see people running away into the woods, fleeing something that was moving across the field toward them, something that was emitting odd flashes of light and noises like gunfire" (47). The comparison of the magic to gunfire clues the reader to the fact that whatever is happening is dangerous and war-like; however, there is a certain irony to the comparison, seeing that Rowling's wizards historically have a very poor grasp of Muggle weaponry and warfare, and most wizards in her universe wouldn't know what a gun even is.
Hive Mind (Simile)
When Harry's name is drawn from the Goblet of Fire, Rowling writes, "A buzzing, as though of angry bees, was starting to fill the Hall; some students were standing up to get a better look at Harry as he sat, frozen, in his seat" (109-110). Comparing the students to angry bees emphasizes both their hostility towards Harry and their collective impression of him as a sort of "hive mind."
A Show Dog (Simile)
Of Harry's experience entering the Yule Ball with his date, Rowling writes, "Parvati seemed to be enjoying herself; she was beaming around at everybody, steering Harry so forcefully that he felt as though he were a show dog she was putting through its paces" (167). The comparison to a show dog feeds on Harry's insecurity about his celebrity status. He's afraid that some people (outside of his core friend group of Ron and Hermione) would use him for his fame.
