I've decided...

[agilebrit]

that my opening scene strikes just about the right balance between "flippant" and "ohholyshit." Because not!Harry can't turn off those sarcasm circuits, even when people are beating him and drowning him and he's peeing blood. At the same time, well--people are beating him and drowning him and he's peeing blood. So, not only is this a way to throw readers face-first into the action, but it also tells us something about his character. This scene thus plays a dual role and carries its weight quite well.

I should make a "the mighty sarcasm of not!Harry" tag...