RE-SORT: Snitchers.
The Introduction
1. What is your name, and what do you prefer to be called? My name's Laurie, I prefer to be called Laurie.
2. How old are you? 18, I'll be 19 in 17 days.
3. How did you come across our community? (If you were referred by a member, please mention them so we can give them credit!) I am in it, in Ravendor. I'm applying for a resort.
The Canon
4. Choose a character not from Harry Potter (ie: from Lord of the Rings, House, etc) and explain what house (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin) you think they would have been in and why.
I find myself constantly sorting characters from other fandoms. It's a disturbing hobby. That makes it hard to pick just one to talk about here. I think I shall sort Scorpius from Farscape, because I think he's by far one of the most interesting characters in any fandom. He certainly has some Ravenclaw traits: he's incredibly intelligent, skilled at tactics and logical thinking. These traits are completely overwhelmed, however, by his complete Slytherin-ness. He is one of the most cunning characters I've seen on a TV show. He knows how to manipulate people, he knows what people really want and how to use it against them to get what he wants. He is a master of exploitation. He gets what he wants, and won't give up until he has. He has a unique sense of self-preservation. He somehow manages to stay alive in situations when you're absolutely sure he'll die, like being buried alive. I can say Scorpius is a Slytherin of the most admirable kind.
5. What character do you most relate to?
This is a difficult question, as I've never felt I really relate to a character in Harry Potter. There are characters I like, and characters I hate, but not really many characters I see myself in. I've been rated as Narcissa Malfoy in a few places, with Severus Snape coming in close second. I don't see the Narcissa, but I do see the Snape, so I guess I'll go with him. There are, however, a lot of reasons why I'm not like Snape, so I'll list both the fors and againsts.
For: I am a loner. I have one close friend, and a handful of acquaintances, and a bucket of people who feel animosity towards me. This is because, like Snape, I don't pretend to be someone I'm not in order to get people to like me. Also, like Snape, I just don't like most people I know in real life, and I let it show. I'm morally ambigious. I don't believe in right and wrong, I only believe in states in between. For this reason, I think I could very easily be a double agent the way that Snape was. I still haven't decided which side I would pick to be on in the Wizarding War, so I think double agent would suit me nicely. I am intelligent, and I think that Snape is also very intelligent. I hold grudges.
Against: I think I would be more likely to just run for cover in the Wizarding War than to be a double agent. I'd rather not get involved at all. It would be considerably safer. While I do hold grudges, if a person consistently proves to me that they have changed, I'll let the grudge slide. I have good hygiene, and wash my hair everyday.
6. Choose one aspect of the story as told by Rowling that you dislike, and tell us how you would change it. (Please avoid the subjects of romance and shipping.)
I dislike the fact that she made it seem like Voldemort was born evil. In the memories we see in HBP, Tom Riddle certainly seems to already be pretty damn dark at the ripe age of 10. I think that's boring. I was all set to see something, some event that turned Tom Riddle over to the dark side, but we get nothing. Just Dumbledore arriving to find an already sullied young boy. That makes it seem like he was predestined to be evil, like he fulfilled some sort of fate, and I hate that. I don't think that people are born good or bad. I don't think that there is a good or a bad. I think that people become the way they are because of circumstances in their life. I didn't see that happening with Voldemort. He could have been a much more interesting character if it had. Now he just seems to be playing a part.
The Person
7. If you could put a memory in a pensieve for the specific purpose of viewing it later, what would it be and why?
The day I turned away from the Catholic faith and organized religion in general. I used to go to Church every weekend, thinking I'd go to hell if I stopped, but not really believing anything of what was said in the masses. It was just a byproduct, a feeling of guilt left over from too many years being taught by priests and nuns. I was sitting in Church, listening to the homily, and it was disgustingly sexist. I got up, left, and told myself that I was never going back. This was four years ago. It started off a chain reaction that erased all the guilt and all the need to be approved of by some transcendent man. I want to remember that, so I never fall back into the trap of religious guilt again. I want to be able to be myself, without feeling sorry for it. I never want to have to apologize.
8. What are three traits that define you? How has each trait had positive impact and negative impact on your life?
Independence. This is probably my primary defining trait out of all the traits that I possess. I'm an independent, free-thinking woman. I exhibit this trait in everyday life by spending most of my time alone. I don't need other people to enjoy myself. Also, my opinions are my own, and no one else's. I was raised Catholic, and yet I've become a pro-choice, bisexual atheist. I decide things on my own, without being influenced by other people. However, this also leads to a reclusive streak in me. I shut myself off from other people because I don't need them. I've lost a few people who may have become good friends that way. I don't mind all that much, because I'm happy by myself, but every few months I'll want to go out and do something, and I find there's no one to do anything with.
Intelligence. I think things through before doing them. I also just think a lot in general. All my conversations in everyday life have an imprint of intelligence on them, even when they're about incredibly daft things. I love to learn, and have an inquisitive nature that causes me to be curious about all of the things around me, and ask a lot of questions. This trait, however, leads to anxiety. I overthink things, and end up having panic attacks for no reason in general. Sometimes I can't shut my mind off, which has led to bouts of insomnia, which are NOT fun.
Ambition. There are things that I want to do with my life, and no one and nothing can possibly stop me from achieving them. My ambition mostly comes out where whales are concerned. I want to spend my life studying them, so everyday I take the classes that I'll need to do this. I build relationships with people that will help me on the way. I read up about whales outside of class. I don't let other people's opinions get me down, when I'm constantly told that I won't be making any money. I don't care about money; I care about whales. The downside of this ambition is that it sometimes causes me to alienate people. I will step on the people in my way to get what I want. It's not something I enjoy doing, but it's also not something I will balk at. This leads to a rather nasty reputation that I'm a bad person.
9. What is one specific thing that you have never done but strongly wish to do sometime in your life?
There's a painting in my room that my Grandpa painted before he got sick and died. It's an absolutely beautiful landscape. I've recently discovered that he painted it based on his visit to the San Juan Range in Colorado in the fall of 1986. Sometime in my life (in the fall, of course) I'd like to go there, and see if it's as beautiful as the painting.
The World
10. What is your biggest pet peeve and why?
I have a lot of pet peeves. I'm an easily annoyed person. My biggest pet peeve, however, is probably organized religion. I realize I've talked about this a lot, but it's a big part of the person I am. People use organized religion to try and tell me that I'm wrong, to try and guilt trip me into believing the same things that they do. People use it to hate me and look down on me. People use it to try and take away my pleasure, to try and make me feel like I have to apologize for feeling good. I've gotten over feeling guilty for the things I do. I don't feel the need to be forgiven for anything in my life. But it's still kind of annoying when people say they pity me for being an atheist, for being bisexual, for enjoying sex before marriage, for never even wanting to be married. It annoys me when people say they'll pray for my soul, because I don't believe in souls. Also, it annoys me to see my friends succumbing to the guilt. A quote from Clive Barker that I totally agree with: "I find the hypocritical cant and derisive dogmas of organized religion grotesque and oftentimes inhumane." It doesn't always have to be that way, but it seems to always somehow turn out that way.
11. Describe the people you admire most. What do they have in common with each other? How are they different?
I don't really admire anyone for their personality, or for things they've done for the world. I find I'm pretty indifferent toward the achievements of most people. There are, however, a few people I admire for their creative achievements:
Clive Barker. His paintings are absolutely amazing. The colors are vibrant, the subjects are perverse yet somehow touching. He always manages to evoke a response from me, whether it be pity, disgust, amusement, sadness, etc. Also, he's an amazing writer. His writing is detailed and descriptive in a beautiful way. His stories and novels always manage to capture and keep my attention. He's brilliant.
Margaret Atwood. She's another person I admire for the beauty of her writing. She weaves words together in a way I've never seen paralleled by anyone else. Also, I admire her patience to plan things out so amazingly in her books, and write such long, in-depth novels.
Bruce Coville. I admire him because his books are fantastical, and he's been on my favorite author list since the second grade. Any author who can incite that much loyalty in me has to be admirable.
These people are all writers, so they have that in common. Clive Barker and Bruce Coville both write Fantasy. They are different in many ways, though. Bruce Coville writes young adult and children's books. Clive Barker writes books that I would never suggest a child read. Margaret Atwood writes books that are not as disturbing as Clive Barker's, but they certainly aren't for children. So, they all write for completely different audiences.
12. How do you think people see you? Does the person you show to the public differ from the person you are on the inside? Explain.
People see me as quietly rebellious. I don't make a big fuss over things, but I do stand up for what I want. People know that I won't take any shit from them, but I don't actively start fights. I'm not incredibly nice, however. I'm not friendly to people I don't know, and I don't pretend to like people who I don't like, unless I need something from them. What I'm trying to say is I won't pretend to like someone just to spare their feelings, and people know that. People see me as intelligent and talented, and willing to use these traits to achieve my goals. This is the person I am on the inside, most of the time.
The Community
13. Which hybrid house do you believe you are the most like? Make a case for and a case against your placement there.
Slytherclaw
For: I've always thought of Ravenclaw as my primary house. I'm intelligent and I think things through before doing them. I think outside the box, and decide things independently of what others tell me. That independence can also be seen as a Slytherin trait. I don't need other people, and I don't pretend to. I'm only nice to people that I really like. I'm ambitious and morally ambiguous. I don't believe in good and evil (I see this as a Slytherin and Ravenclaw trait). I do things that will further my goals. Once upon a time I was altruistic, but I gave that up in order to have more time and willpower to achieve what I want. I don't believe that I can fix the world's problems. I don't really believe that anyone can. So, I just focus on fixing my own problems.
Against: I'm not really fond of power over large groups of people. I don't want to have control over the masses or anything. I don't value blood more than other things. I don't have any prejudices like hating Muggles or Mudbloods.
14. Which hybrid house do you believe you are the least like? Make a case for and a case against your placement there.
Gryffinpuff
For: I guess I am loyal to one person, so that could make me a little Hufflepuffy. I was once pretty altruistic, but as I said, I've given that up. I have a passion about whales, and I feel nurturing towards them. I'm passionately against whaling.
Against: I'm not nice. I'm not friendly. I'm not loyal to anyone but my little sister. I don't really care about the fate of the human race. If they want to screw themselves over, I can't really do anything to stop them. Hopefully I'll be dead by that time. I'm not an incredibly hard worker if I'm not getting something I want out of the deal. I get good grades, but I don't really have to study for them. I think things through a lot more than most Gryffindors.
1. What is your name, and what do you prefer to be called? My name's Laurie, I prefer to be called Laurie.
2. How old are you? 18, I'll be 19 in 17 days.
3. How did you come across our community? (If you were referred by a member, please mention them so we can give them credit!) I am in it, in Ravendor. I'm applying for a resort.
The Canon
4. Choose a character not from Harry Potter (ie: from Lord of the Rings, House, etc) and explain what house (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin) you think they would have been in and why.
I find myself constantly sorting characters from other fandoms. It's a disturbing hobby. That makes it hard to pick just one to talk about here. I think I shall sort Scorpius from Farscape, because I think he's by far one of the most interesting characters in any fandom. He certainly has some Ravenclaw traits: he's incredibly intelligent, skilled at tactics and logical thinking. These traits are completely overwhelmed, however, by his complete Slytherin-ness. He is one of the most cunning characters I've seen on a TV show. He knows how to manipulate people, he knows what people really want and how to use it against them to get what he wants. He is a master of exploitation. He gets what he wants, and won't give up until he has. He has a unique sense of self-preservation. He somehow manages to stay alive in situations when you're absolutely sure he'll die, like being buried alive. I can say Scorpius is a Slytherin of the most admirable kind.
5. What character do you most relate to?
This is a difficult question, as I've never felt I really relate to a character in Harry Potter. There are characters I like, and characters I hate, but not really many characters I see myself in. I've been rated as Narcissa Malfoy in a few places, with Severus Snape coming in close second. I don't see the Narcissa, but I do see the Snape, so I guess I'll go with him. There are, however, a lot of reasons why I'm not like Snape, so I'll list both the fors and againsts.
For: I am a loner. I have one close friend, and a handful of acquaintances, and a bucket of people who feel animosity towards me. This is because, like Snape, I don't pretend to be someone I'm not in order to get people to like me. Also, like Snape, I just don't like most people I know in real life, and I let it show. I'm morally ambigious. I don't believe in right and wrong, I only believe in states in between. For this reason, I think I could very easily be a double agent the way that Snape was. I still haven't decided which side I would pick to be on in the Wizarding War, so I think double agent would suit me nicely. I am intelligent, and I think that Snape is also very intelligent. I hold grudges.
Against: I think I would be more likely to just run for cover in the Wizarding War than to be a double agent. I'd rather not get involved at all. It would be considerably safer. While I do hold grudges, if a person consistently proves to me that they have changed, I'll let the grudge slide. I have good hygiene, and wash my hair everyday.
6. Choose one aspect of the story as told by Rowling that you dislike, and tell us how you would change it. (Please avoid the subjects of romance and shipping.)
I dislike the fact that she made it seem like Voldemort was born evil. In the memories we see in HBP, Tom Riddle certainly seems to already be pretty damn dark at the ripe age of 10. I think that's boring. I was all set to see something, some event that turned Tom Riddle over to the dark side, but we get nothing. Just Dumbledore arriving to find an already sullied young boy. That makes it seem like he was predestined to be evil, like he fulfilled some sort of fate, and I hate that. I don't think that people are born good or bad. I don't think that there is a good or a bad. I think that people become the way they are because of circumstances in their life. I didn't see that happening with Voldemort. He could have been a much more interesting character if it had. Now he just seems to be playing a part.
The Person
7. If you could put a memory in a pensieve for the specific purpose of viewing it later, what would it be and why?
The day I turned away from the Catholic faith and organized religion in general. I used to go to Church every weekend, thinking I'd go to hell if I stopped, but not really believing anything of what was said in the masses. It was just a byproduct, a feeling of guilt left over from too many years being taught by priests and nuns. I was sitting in Church, listening to the homily, and it was disgustingly sexist. I got up, left, and told myself that I was never going back. This was four years ago. It started off a chain reaction that erased all the guilt and all the need to be approved of by some transcendent man. I want to remember that, so I never fall back into the trap of religious guilt again. I want to be able to be myself, without feeling sorry for it. I never want to have to apologize.
8. What are three traits that define you? How has each trait had positive impact and negative impact on your life?
Independence. This is probably my primary defining trait out of all the traits that I possess. I'm an independent, free-thinking woman. I exhibit this trait in everyday life by spending most of my time alone. I don't need other people to enjoy myself. Also, my opinions are my own, and no one else's. I was raised Catholic, and yet I've become a pro-choice, bisexual atheist. I decide things on my own, without being influenced by other people. However, this also leads to a reclusive streak in me. I shut myself off from other people because I don't need them. I've lost a few people who may have become good friends that way. I don't mind all that much, because I'm happy by myself, but every few months I'll want to go out and do something, and I find there's no one to do anything with.
Intelligence. I think things through before doing them. I also just think a lot in general. All my conversations in everyday life have an imprint of intelligence on them, even when they're about incredibly daft things. I love to learn, and have an inquisitive nature that causes me to be curious about all of the things around me, and ask a lot of questions. This trait, however, leads to anxiety. I overthink things, and end up having panic attacks for no reason in general. Sometimes I can't shut my mind off, which has led to bouts of insomnia, which are NOT fun.
Ambition. There are things that I want to do with my life, and no one and nothing can possibly stop me from achieving them. My ambition mostly comes out where whales are concerned. I want to spend my life studying them, so everyday I take the classes that I'll need to do this. I build relationships with people that will help me on the way. I read up about whales outside of class. I don't let other people's opinions get me down, when I'm constantly told that I won't be making any money. I don't care about money; I care about whales. The downside of this ambition is that it sometimes causes me to alienate people. I will step on the people in my way to get what I want. It's not something I enjoy doing, but it's also not something I will balk at. This leads to a rather nasty reputation that I'm a bad person.
9. What is one specific thing that you have never done but strongly wish to do sometime in your life?
There's a painting in my room that my Grandpa painted before he got sick and died. It's an absolutely beautiful landscape. I've recently discovered that he painted it based on his visit to the San Juan Range in Colorado in the fall of 1986. Sometime in my life (in the fall, of course) I'd like to go there, and see if it's as beautiful as the painting.
The World
10. What is your biggest pet peeve and why?
I have a lot of pet peeves. I'm an easily annoyed person. My biggest pet peeve, however, is probably organized religion. I realize I've talked about this a lot, but it's a big part of the person I am. People use organized religion to try and tell me that I'm wrong, to try and guilt trip me into believing the same things that they do. People use it to hate me and look down on me. People use it to try and take away my pleasure, to try and make me feel like I have to apologize for feeling good. I've gotten over feeling guilty for the things I do. I don't feel the need to be forgiven for anything in my life. But it's still kind of annoying when people say they pity me for being an atheist, for being bisexual, for enjoying sex before marriage, for never even wanting to be married. It annoys me when people say they'll pray for my soul, because I don't believe in souls. Also, it annoys me to see my friends succumbing to the guilt. A quote from Clive Barker that I totally agree with: "I find the hypocritical cant and derisive dogmas of organized religion grotesque and oftentimes inhumane." It doesn't always have to be that way, but it seems to always somehow turn out that way.
11. Describe the people you admire most. What do they have in common with each other? How are they different?
I don't really admire anyone for their personality, or for things they've done for the world. I find I'm pretty indifferent toward the achievements of most people. There are, however, a few people I admire for their creative achievements:
Clive Barker. His paintings are absolutely amazing. The colors are vibrant, the subjects are perverse yet somehow touching. He always manages to evoke a response from me, whether it be pity, disgust, amusement, sadness, etc. Also, he's an amazing writer. His writing is detailed and descriptive in a beautiful way. His stories and novels always manage to capture and keep my attention. He's brilliant.
Margaret Atwood. She's another person I admire for the beauty of her writing. She weaves words together in a way I've never seen paralleled by anyone else. Also, I admire her patience to plan things out so amazingly in her books, and write such long, in-depth novels.
Bruce Coville. I admire him because his books are fantastical, and he's been on my favorite author list since the second grade. Any author who can incite that much loyalty in me has to be admirable.
These people are all writers, so they have that in common. Clive Barker and Bruce Coville both write Fantasy. They are different in many ways, though. Bruce Coville writes young adult and children's books. Clive Barker writes books that I would never suggest a child read. Margaret Atwood writes books that are not as disturbing as Clive Barker's, but they certainly aren't for children. So, they all write for completely different audiences.
12. How do you think people see you? Does the person you show to the public differ from the person you are on the inside? Explain.
People see me as quietly rebellious. I don't make a big fuss over things, but I do stand up for what I want. People know that I won't take any shit from them, but I don't actively start fights. I'm not incredibly nice, however. I'm not friendly to people I don't know, and I don't pretend to like people who I don't like, unless I need something from them. What I'm trying to say is I won't pretend to like someone just to spare their feelings, and people know that. People see me as intelligent and talented, and willing to use these traits to achieve my goals. This is the person I am on the inside, most of the time.
The Community
13. Which hybrid house do you believe you are the most like? Make a case for and a case against your placement there.
Slytherclaw
For: I've always thought of Ravenclaw as my primary house. I'm intelligent and I think things through before doing them. I think outside the box, and decide things independently of what others tell me. That independence can also be seen as a Slytherin trait. I don't need other people, and I don't pretend to. I'm only nice to people that I really like. I'm ambitious and morally ambiguous. I don't believe in good and evil (I see this as a Slytherin and Ravenclaw trait). I do things that will further my goals. Once upon a time I was altruistic, but I gave that up in order to have more time and willpower to achieve what I want. I don't believe that I can fix the world's problems. I don't really believe that anyone can. So, I just focus on fixing my own problems.
Against: I'm not really fond of power over large groups of people. I don't want to have control over the masses or anything. I don't value blood more than other things. I don't have any prejudices like hating Muggles or Mudbloods.
14. Which hybrid house do you believe you are the least like? Make a case for and a case against your placement there.
Gryffinpuff
For: I guess I am loyal to one person, so that could make me a little Hufflepuffy. I was once pretty altruistic, but as I said, I've given that up. I have a passion about whales, and I feel nurturing towards them. I'm passionately against whaling.
Against: I'm not nice. I'm not friendly. I'm not loyal to anyone but my little sister. I don't really care about the fate of the human race. If they want to screw themselves over, I can't really do anything to stop them. Hopefully I'll be dead by that time. I'm not an incredibly hard worker if I'm not getting something I want out of the deal. I get good grades, but I don't really have to study for them. I think things through a lot more than most Gryffindors.