Harry appears to be giving into depression. That’s consistent with what we know about Next Book. No sign of the Gargoyles at this point, could this presage them?
I disagree, he isn't giving in to his depression like he did at the beginning of Summer Knight. What he is going through is normal grief, which is complicated by physical injury, stress, and exhaustion. He also appears to be a lot more injured than he did at the end of Battle Ground, or his injuries turned out to be a lot more serious than first appeared. That also isn't unusual given the situation, stuff turns up after the fact. As to Harry's depression, he went into a clinical depression after Susan was half turned, left him, and he couldn't find a cure for her. He could be flirting with that now, but at that time it was just him. That is no longer the case, he is attempting not to fall completely into it by meditating. Oh and add PTSD into that mix as well, just witnessing Murphy's murder is bad enough, Harry has seen/suffered/done, a whole lot more than just that. He knows now he has a family to take care of and a lot other pressing matters. Wonder if Butters is or will attempt to give him some medication to help with that? Or do those kinds of drugs mix with his wizard biochemistry? I see Harry turning a lot more to Michael for "bull" sessions now, he desperately needs his common sense, faith, and sanity.
As to Mister, he is the same age as my cat, and sadly Gabby is beginning to show her age. Yeah, Toot is taller than Harry's ankle, but his English still isn't that great, what he might have meant is he protects at his ankles not that he is as tall as his ankle.. Also just because Toot has physically grown, it doesn't mean that his soldiers have. Toot also only understands things from a sprite's perspective, not the human one.
Harry appears to be giving into depression. That’s consistent with what we know about Next Book. No sign of the Gargoyles at this point, could this presage them?
Going back to what I said before, I disagree. Feeling that kind of grief/depression just weeks after losing Murphy is normal. Actually if Harry didn't feel that way it would be a danger sign that he was in total denial, that could be worse for everyone. The fact that he is trying to meditate says he is trying to deal with all the emotions that he is feeling.. One of the stages of grief is anger, that is something that while Harry may justifiably feel it, given his power, he cannot give into it, and he is well aware of it.
Oh one more thing the kitchen seems to contain a lot of stainless steel.. Toot doesn't like it, yeah it is more sanitary than other materials, but I also wonder if Harry ordered it to keep the little guys from going in on their own and stealing pizza?
