Harry Potter has overcome some sticky situations during his six years at Hogwarts, but none of his magic tricks have been as impressive as the spell he cast over Antioch resident Nancy Brown.

The devout Catholic woman once banned the “Potter” series from her home, believing the boy wizard’s fantastical adventures endorsed witchcraft. She wanted to keep the novels’ alleged subtle evils away from her two children, voracious readers whom she has home-schooled for 12 years .

“People said not to read them because they were trying to suck you into the occult,” she said. “I didn’t have time to investigate for myself, so I said, ‘fine, we won’t read them.’”

Years later as she was searching for new books for her kids to read, a trusted friend made a stunning confession: Her family had read the books — and thoroughly enjoyed them.

Brown, who reviews books for a Catholic home-schooling magazine, assumed either her friend had misread the novels or the things she heard about J.K. Rowling’s series weren’t true.

When the Lake County woman finally read the books for herself, she reveled in their message of love and friendship. And now she has become, quite surprisingly, Harry Potter’s biggest champion since Albus Dumbledore.

“There was definitely a spirituality to Harry that I didn’t expect,” Brown said. “I didn’t see anything evil about the books.”

To the contrary, she saw ample evidence of Christianity: The characters celebrate Christmas and Easter. Sick wizards are treated at St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Harry’s owl is called Hedwig, the same name of a famous Catholic saint who gave away her royal fortune to enter the monastery.

Brown’s analysis also centered upon a scene in the fifth book in which Luna Lovegood tells Harry that they’ll see their deceased parents again someday. It’s proof, Brown says, that the characters believe in the afterlife.

When Brown combined those literary references with Rowling’s talk of her personal faith, favorite hymns and Christian baptism, she decided the books were sending a positive message.

“All these clues led me to my decision,” she said. “They reassured me.”

Brown’s new view on Harry Potter prompted her to write a book, “The Mysteries of Harry Potter: A Catholic Family Guide.” The book examines the series’ moral and ethical lessons, while suggesting the novels may be Christian classics in disguise.

The guide, which was published this summer in anticipation of the release of the seventh — and final — Potter book at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, has drawn a mixed reaction in Brown’s religious circles. Some parents have thanked her for dispelling the myths about Potter’s occult ties, others have chastised her for falling prey to the evil tomes.

“Some people say I must not be thinking straight,” she says. “I’m not saying it’s the right book for all families. I’m saying parents should read it themselves and decide if it’s right for their children.”

Brown’s findings are backed by the University of Notre Dame’s Center for Ethical Education, which recently ranked Potter and his schoolmates among the most ethical characters in children’s literature.

“The books are filled with ethical action,” said Darcia Narvaez, the center’s director. “Harry and his friends put themselves at great risk to help others. They try to change things that are cruel and follow through on completing a moral goal, no matter the cost.”

Narvaez also dismisses suggestions that the plots are filled with Satanic subtext. In fact, she believes the books’ message is a testament to Judeo-Christian values.

“It’s about all love. Harry is alive because of love. He has his powers because of love,” she said. “And love is the foundation of Christianity.”

Some religious scholars, however, disagree. Before becoming Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger warned the books could “deeply distort Christianity.”

Brown believes the pope’s comments – which were not part of an official Vatican decree — were meant to urge caution when considering the series. Catholics are not barred from reading the novels.

It’s also unclear whether the pope has read the books. Brown says if critics actually read the stories, they will know Rowling does not teach witchcraft nor does she describe Satanic rituals.

“It’s a story. We’re not talking about real witches and wizards,” Brown said. “It’s fake witchcraft. The potions include phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Good luck finding those.”

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