How we cite our quotes: Chapter.Paragraph or Chapter.Section.Paragraph (depends on whether or not the chapter had sections - some did not)
Quote #1
"I see," said Aunt Marge. "Do they use the cane at St. Brutus's, boy?" she barked across the table.
"Er –"
Uncle Vernon nodded curtly behind Aunt Marge's back.
"Yes," said Harry. Then, feeling he might as well do the thing properly, he added, "all the time." (2.1.78-81)
Harry's dry sense of humor doesn't get to come out and play all the time, but we get a great demonstration of it here, as he manages to find the absurd in his overall crappy situation.
Quote #2
With a feeling of unease, Harry saw Stan's eyes move tot he scar on Harry's forehead.
"Woss that on you 'ead?" said Stan abruptly.
"Nothing," said Harry quickly, flattening his hair over his scar. If the Ministry of Magic was looking for him, he didn't want to make it too easy for them. (3.24-26)
Poor Harry – he's always trying to avoid attention. So it's no wonder that, when he can get away with it, he fibs to keep the focus away from himself.
Quote #3
"They'ad a job coverin' it up, din' they, Ern?" Stan said. "Ole street blown up an' all them Muggles dead. What was it they said 'ad 'appened, Ern?"
"Gas explosion," grunted Ernie. (3.76-77)
Details like this really emphasize how separated the wizarding community is from the wider Muggle world. Being a wizard is a lot like being a secret agent, and lying is often a necessary part of the job.