Whatever you may think about the Harry Potter books, either content or writing-wise, they do contain many ideas to ponder. And there are some worthy examples to consider, like this one of Dumbledore’s wise authority and “masterly inactivity” while confronting Harry over an unfinished assignment (from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince):
A hot, prickly feeling of shame spread from the top of Harry’s head all the way down his body. Dumbledore had not raised his voice, he did not even sound angry, but Harry would have preferred him to yell; this cold disappointment was worse than anything.
“Sir,” he said, a little desperately, “it isn’t that I wasn’t bothered or anything, I’ve just had – other things…”
“Other things on your mind,” Dumbledore finished the sentence for him. “I see.”
Silence fell between them again, the most uncomfortable silence Harry had ever experienced with Dumbledore […] Harry felt strangely diminished, as though he had shrunk a little since he had entered the room. When he could stand it no longer he said, “Professor Dumbledore, I’m really sorry. I should have done more…I should have realized you wouldn’t have asked me to do it if it wasn’t really important.”
“Thank you for saying that, Harry,” said Dumbledore quietly. “May I hope, then, that you will give this matter higher priority from now on? […]
“I’ll do it, sir, I’ll get it from him,” he said earnestly.
