Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

The story moves fast, but I wonder if the emotional depth was enough to fully connect with Harry's growth. Did others feel the same about the pacing?

Seeing the wizarding world through Harry's eyes made it feel fresh and mysterious. I'm curious if this was a conscious choice to keep the magic accessible.

The school feels so vivid and lived-in. I wonder if the author based it on real schools or created it entirely from imagination.