[SuziQ]

magic in fiction which is merely "mechanical" (point a wand, say some words, presto, ya got magic) is very, very different from magic that is based on connecting with a dark spiritual power of some sort.

There is no 'occult' in the modern sense in Harry Potter.

[Mr. Silverback]

Exactly...and the Potterbashers seem unable to grasp the idea that Potter lives in a different world from the one we’re in.