This is the power of myth: that we can experience invisible spiritual realities and truths greater than visible, material things in story form.

Second, the reason to embrace and celebrate these novels as the countercultural event that they are is due largely to the subliminal messages delivered by Harry and friends in their stolen wheelbarrows. Readers walk away, maybe a little softer on the occult than they were, but with story-embedded messages: the importance of a pure soul; love's power even over death; about sacrifice and loyalty; a host of images and shadows about Christ and how essential 'right belief' is for personal transformation and victory over internal and external evils.

i'm going to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed or worse expelled

Christian allegories are a dime a dozen. You can find them in any story, if you look hard enough. Even Harry Potter.

Does this mean Harry Potter really exists?

Potter, do something. Tell them I mean no harm.

I'm sorry, professor. But I must not tell lies.