I see what you're saying. For example, I can't help thinking about how in CoS, Hermione has the plan to brew the polyjuice potion which seems like it ought to further the plot. But what really happens? The Trio comes to a dead end. All they "discover" is that Malfoy isn't the Heir.

And Hermione doesn't even get to make it that far. The plan immediately backfires on her by giving her a cat face and tail.

I would say that Hermione moves the plot forward in OotP, though, by creating the D.A. A whole lot of things happen because of that--none of which carry on to the next book, however.

And we have Umbridge pushing things along as well.