I've read all the books for the first time recently and I knew he was a bit of a dick (more than in the films) but I wasn't aware exactly how he could be almost downright cruel for no reason. I think that's lost in the films. Also, I struggle with it because he's picking on children. I still like the character and get why he's popular but there's some sort of internal screening process in my head that can't get over that. Not saying it's any better to bully adults and he has some issues that made him hostile towards Harry in particular but yeah, I found it hard going sometimes.

On the other hand at least he didn't go for Umbridge levels of bullying kids. I've never wanted to punch a screen and/or book so much.