re: LotR and Potter
Like podrock, I have read the Tolkein opus more times than I can count. I've also read all of the HP books except the final (which reminds me, I ought to get myself on the interminable reserved list at the library...). So many different things arise from your post, ER, that after more than two hours I still can't focus on one to comment about.
I hope to be back with something at least coherent, if not cogent.