The biggest squabble over Harry Potter has been the occultic content. Some, like Alan Jacobs, a professor of English at Wheaton College, say "Christians are perhaps right to be wary of an overly positive portrayal of magic, but the Harry Potter books don't do that: in them the magic is often fun, often surprising and exciting, but also potentially dangerous." [2] Others, like Richard Abanes identify the 'magic' in Harry Potter with the 'magick' in the occult world. Abanes writes "...it is neither absurd, nor laughable, to suppose that the Harry Potter books might lead some children into the world of occultism since the series contains actual beliefs and practices associated with witchcraft and paganism, including: divination, astrology, numerology, familiars, pagan gods/goddesses, spellcasting, potions, necromancy, mediumship/channeling, crystal gazing, palmistry, charms, arithmancy, and magick." So obviously, Abanes has done his homework. In the first three books alone, Mr. Abanes found the things on that entire list of occult practices.
Mr. Abanes, who is, as previously mentioned, the author of Harry Potter and the Bible, explains clearly and precisely all of the occult found in the first three books of Harry Potter. Not only does he search it out and reveal it, he also shows Scriptural proof against it. In addition, he gives a general overview of the main systems in the occult world - Wicca, neopaganism, and Satanism. I'm going to give just a short paragraph sketching out what they believe and their general practices.
It should first be noted that Wiccans are generally Pagans but Pagans are not always witches. Regular Pagans believe in (1) a Mother Goddess, (2) her consort the Horned God, (Please note that 'God' is capitalized merely because it is part of that false god's name.) and (3) any other gods/goddesses and spirits. Except that they both reverence and worship nature, there is really no similarity between Wiccans and neopagans. The Wiccan code comes in many forms but this is basically the sum of it: "If you hurt none, do what you will." The biggest influence on Wicca is the study of Magick.
By this time you really must think that I have been spelling 'magic' wrong. Let me explain. Magic with a "k" is spelling used to refer to the occult spells, incantations, and whatever else they use. Magic without a "k" is merely the stuff we read of in fairy tales, like King Arthur's sword in the stone. It doesn't exist. So, whenever you see Magick used in a positive sense in anything, you must be wary.
Anyways, neopagans believe in, as shown above, a Mother Goddess, her consort the Horned God, and any other deities. These deities are usually chosen by the culture. For instance, some may believe in Druidic gods and goddesses while others follow the Greek ones. A few others are the Egyption, Norse, and Roman gods and goddesses. There are also other sects that follow Odinism (a cult centered around the Norse god Odin), the Dianic movement [in honor of Diana (Greek Artemis). It is a feminist movement.], and Shamanism (which is basically the "religion" of the Native American medicine men, Caribbean witch doctors, and South American priests and seers). Apart from this, neopagans also revere Magick, not spells and other things that Wiccans would do, but they do believe that they can harness powers that they supposedly possess.
The final group that I have mentioned is the Satanists. It must be noted from here on, so as
not to cause confusion, that all "Satanists" worship the Satan of the New Testament. As quoted in Abanes's book, that "it is expected that Satanism could have as many definitions as the practitioners." It is hard to group Satanists but they generally all can fall under two categories: "religious" and "self-styled." "Religious" Satanists are united groups that are member to neo-Satanic 'churches' such as the Temple of Set and the Church of Satan. They advocate many things that are considered vices by Scripture like egotism, indulgence, and corrupt use of personal and political power. "Self-styled" Satanists can be further split into two groups, "solitary" and "outlaw" Satanists. The majority of solitary Satanists are alienated teenagers that think that they have nothing to live for so they try to seek fulfillment in Satanism (which of course, will never work). Outlaw Satanists resemble a Wiccan coven more than anything but the sum of their beliefs is centered on the Satan of the Bible. When they meet, they usually read from The Satanice Bible and do other un-nameable things. The bottom line is, the outlaw Satanists are purely anti-Christian.
The occult groups mentioned and described above are the chief sources of the occult and Magick in the Harry Potter series. And let me stress, even if it wasn't real occult, even if it is "just fiction," even if you like to read the Harry Potter series, God has already laid His judgement on it. Deutoronomy 18:9-14 says "...do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or a spiritist or who consults the dead [necromancy]. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord...You must be blameless before the Lord." So not only is the practice, or even imitation of, Magick a sin, but something detestable to God. Galations 5:19-21 says, "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious...idolatry and witchcraft...and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Thus, to continue to practice witchcraft and idolatry (neopagans and Wiccans) is to condemn yourself to th eternal flames of Hell. Revelation 22:15, in which Jesus is talking about Heaven, he says of its holy city, the New Jerusalem: "Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts [Magick]...the idolaters and everyone that practices falsehood." I'm not saying that Christian Harry Potter readers are going to Hell or anything like that. However, God has condemned Magick and if you don't believe Magick is in the books, God condemned the "imitation" of Magick.
If you don't believe me, jump into the Word of God and ask Him to show you His Truth and what He has said. If you find anything contrary to what I'm saying, tell me so but please, don't reject what I have said merely because I have condemned Harry Potter. If you would like to read more about Mr. Abanes, please go to http://www.abanes.com/RIC.html.
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[1] Chuck Colson, "Witches and Wizards: The Harry Potter Phenomenon" - Commentary for November 2, 1999
[2] Professor Alan Jacobs, Wheaton College, First Things "Harry Potter's Magic"