IS it just me who finds some of the fads poor?

I'm with you with Twilight, but I think Harry changes a lot. He goes from stupid kid who gets by on almost pure luck, and grows into a leader with genuine skills. He wouldn't be able to lead an army of students against the Ministry of Magic unless he had the pain and experience that comes from facing Voldemort and the horror of witnessing a murder of a fellow student firsthand.