Just a bit of background: I am a huge fan of classic literature, works that stand the test of time, from Beowulf to the Canterbury Tales, through Shakespeare and Dickens, right up to modern classics like the works of Tolkien and Lewis. I have found the HP series to be every bit as engaging, even if it is not in the uppermost stratasphere of literary works. A lot of readers pass on the series because of the first book or because of the quality of the movies, and that is a shame. They are missing out on a wonderful surprise.
I agree with your comments. And I found the HP books MORE enjoyable than the LOTR, since (IMHO) Tolkein couldn’t write a sympathetic female character no matter how hard he tried. They also don’t have the cutesy, “look at how clever I am” asides that you find in the Narnia books.
Look at how beautifully JKR created likeable and/or interesting women: her Hermoine, Luna, Mrs. Weasley, Winky, Ginny, Minerva M, Fleur, and Sybill Trelawney are each distinctive and, in their own ways, likeable. And her secondary male characters, like the twins, Neville, Draco, etc., all touch something within each of us as well.
Was anyone else hoping that Neville’s parents were released from their maladies upon the death of Bellatrix, as Harry was released from the paralyzing charm when DD died?