While I'm not a die-hard fan, I did enjoy them quite enough to both read and watch the whole series. I think I relate somewhat to your own reasons. I always liked to think that my -real- family was out there somewhere and that they would acknowledge my being in the way I wanted acknowledgement. My own family was not much like Harry's (they were more smothering), but nonetheless the thought of a new, different, and magical 'family of choice' appealed to me greatly as a kid and the appeal remains for grownup!me. I almost shudder to think what might have happened if I'd been a kid when the books were published...I think my longing for such a place might have been intolerable. ^_^