I just read them through once, so I don't have the knowledge to address the points in-story, but I remember feeling sorry for them, mostly because of the way the faculty shit on them. That bit with awarding Gryffindor juuuust enough points for Harry, Ron & Hermione engaging in that otherwise pointless adventure in the basement to beat Slytherin, at that last minute was some serious favoritism bullshit. Also, because of the trope you referenced where they suck so hard, you balk at what the author plainly wants you to think, and start looking for the good in them.

And nowadays the "cool" thing to do is explain why the author or heroes of something you love, are doing something wrong. Go around on the internet and you can find posts or even essays or Youtube videos explaining why the Old Republic deserved to be overthrown, or the Jedi are plainly evil, or Gondor is a repressive, fascist theocracy, while Mordor is all marginalized and excluded, and can't be blamed for their aggression.