Does Harry Potter conflict with Catholic Values?

Not look for a debate, just some opinions. I got through the first Potter book and found it to be very refreshing, then the series took a turn for the worse.

Opinions?

The Harry Potter books are/were refreshing because it's a new take on a magical world running parallel to ours. It requires somewhat less of a suspension of disbelief for the reader, and as such in a fresh breath in fantasy.

As far as does it conflict with Catholic values that's a very much yes and no answer. Of course the theme of witchcraft and magic as presented in the books runs contrary to catholic teaching, and yes the things done by the characters set up for the readers to identify with does clash with catholic teaching on morality, particularly the follow the rules bit.

However, any story with realistic characters means a concupiscent, broken hero who at times is going to get it right for all the wrong reasons. The stories do have some moral lessons to them, including a power to love that evil cannot comprehend, the value of friends, not giving up on doing what's right in the face of death, and those lessons they teach without mitigation. There's also positive examples of family values, as well as redemption.

A reader grounded in morality already, should not have any moral issues with these books. For children however, I could see where they set the wrong example.

Excellent analysis. Thank you.