During a SXSW seminar in which he and Steven Johnson "laid out their agenda defending the youth of America as a sophisticated, information literate generation with the power for democratic change," Henry Jenkins described Harry Potter as an impetus for social good.  From the Guardian:

Did you know that Harry Potter is a source for social good? It has inspired fantasy fiction and role playing, but also political engagement, said Jenkins, talking about the Harry Potter Alliance which raises support for child-related issues like child soldiers in Uganda.

"The premise is that Harry Potter is a young man who stood up to want he believed in, and so young people inspired by Hogwarts can go forward and do things to try and change the world. In an information society, kids play with information. Young people as they become adept at processing this information will become a powerful social force."

The Harry Potter Alliance is "dedicated to using the examples of Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore to spread love and fight the Dark Arts in the real world."  They ask you to join them in creating "the real Dumbledore's Army."  Awesome.

I propose a vigilante group to be called the Night's Watch, whose mission shall be the quick and merciless tarring and feathering of violent terrorist leaders, who shall then be hung off the side of a glacier to cool off.  But maybe I'm missing the point.