It would be very interesting if "the book" were one of the library books that have been encountered by students -- hide in plain sight, indeed!
I'd enjoy the irony if it were Sally-Anne who'd gotten close, but I thought that the biting book was The Monster Book of Monsters, which Hermione mentions (admittedly in a circumstance that makes it seem likely that it wasn't really the book that caused the injury) (http://alt-hermione.livejournal.com/1609.html?thread=4937#t4937).
I think #2 is the more likely scenario. McGonagall might well have taken the precautionary measure of providing herself with a concrete excuse for not being able to show Malfoy the book (and then he failed to ask).
The bigger point that I think you are making is that the players are doing a fabulous job of layering in plot details that may seem irrelevant in their moment of mention, but which are beginning to have significant pay-offs.
Re: But then Questions Arise...
I'd enjoy the irony if it were Sally-Anne who'd gotten close, but I thought that the biting book was The Monster Book of Monsters, which Hermione mentions (admittedly in a circumstance that makes it seem likely that it wasn't really the book that caused the injury) (http://alt-hermione.livejournal.com/1609.html?thread=4937#t4937).
I think #2 is the more likely scenario. McGonagall might well have taken the precautionary measure of providing herself with a concrete excuse for not being able to show Malfoy the book (and then he failed to ask).
The bigger point that I think you are making is that the players are doing a fabulous job of layering in plot details that may seem irrelevant in their moment of mention, but which are beginning to have significant pay-offs.