I am inclined to agree with you - it seems Rowling really cannot see that she wrote an empty story. Unless, as I surmised above, we are meant to end up contemptuous of the Wizarding World and admiring of Harry only because (1) he transcends its shallowness and racism by telling Albus Severus it's okay to be a Slytherin, and (2) he recognizes Snape's virtue? But that's simply not the clearest or most obvious reading.

In the clearest and most obvious reading, Harry never grows up. He never recognizes (as others have said) the potential Dark Lord standing right next to him, never mind his own potential darkness. And it really is hard to see what story Rowling thought she was telling.

Thanks for your comment!