Application
Name: Ashley
Age: 13 (I’ll be 14 on March 1st)
Where did you find out about us? From a post on harryhermione.
What Wizarding World profession/occupation would you choose and why?
Hmm. I’ve always been very interested with Charms, so perhaps becoming a Charms teacher would suit me well. There’s something about incantations and the huge variety of spells that just captivates me, and I’ve always seriously thought of becoming a teacher later on in life.
What Hogwarts subject would you like to teach and why?
Okay, well, this question may call for a certain repeat of my answer to the last one. Well, Charms has always been my favorite Hogwarts subject, and I love how many things you can make happen just with an incantation and waving your wand.
What would your animagus form be, if you had a say in the matter, and why?
Probably a cat, I’d say. I’ve always had a thing for cats... they’re sweet, comfortable, and very loving creatures, for the most part.
What HP character do you identify with most and why?
Probably Hermione. I’m a bit of a bookworm just like her, and I tend to have that need once in a while to be the first to know the answers in class. She’s a very well-rounded character, and that’s how I’d like to see myself - well-rounded. She’s a friendly person, even if she can be a bit bossy sometimes... she means well.
What do you think you would see if you looked into the Mirror of Erised?
Hmm... what a difficult question. Probably myself later on in life, with a family. A husband, a few children, and a house just big enough for us, but still cozy. I’d love to live a life like that when I’m older.
If you were could invent one spell/potion/charm, what would it do, how would you use it, and what would it be called?
Ah, a creative question. Probably a charm to relax people... I hate to see my loved ones stressed. I suppose they’d need to sit down, attempt to clear their mind, and then perform the charm on themselves. They’d feel as though all their troubles were being cleared from their head at that moment, and would be able to sigh in utter relaxation to escape the stress of life for a moment or two. If I had to choose a name right now, it’d be... the Relaxation Charm, I guess. Relaxio.
If given the chance, would you put your name in the Goblet of Fire to compete as a Triwizard Champion? Why or why not?
I think I’d want to, but then end up deciding not to. While I can be brave at times, I honestly don’t think I could withstand such challenges if I were chosen for my school.
If you were to face a boggart, what would it turn into? And what does it turn into when you throw the counter-spell, Riddikulus?
It’d probably turn into one of my loved ones dead. I’m very close to the people I care about, and one of my fears is that I’ll lose them. When I threw the counter-spell, hmm... I guess they would get up, brush themselves off, and smile, fully healed. Sure, it’s not exactly laugh-out-loud funny, but I’d be relieved enough to laugh.
What do you look for in a friend?
I look for someone unique. Someone kind, honest, and loyal, who shares some common interests with me but can still get me into completely new hobbies. Someone with a sense of humor, and just a good soul.
What trait most annoys you about other people?
I hate to say it, but probably stupidity. And I think discrimination falls under that category, especially when people discriminate against others without knowing much, if anything, about them. And as for stupidity in general, it really gets on my nerves when people are really slow in class or something, but then won’t accept help.
What trait most annoys you about yourself?
I’m a very sensitive person, and if someone says something to trigger my sensitivity, I can get quite upset. It’s good to be sensitive, of course, but it annoys me at times when I can’t brush things off like other people can.
What do you think are your top four abilities or qualities?
One would probably be my kindness. I try to smile at strangers when I pass, and especially at little kids. I try to put people in a good mood and cheer them up when they’re sad. Another would be my love of music. Music puts people in better moods, and my creativity with music (I play the cello, and I’m always listening to music) is a good thing. The third would probably be my sense of humor. I’m not sure where it comes from, but I can make people laugh and I love that about myself. As for the last, hmm... probably my open-mindedness. I always try and find the good in people, and I try not to judge people before I know them.
What do you think are your top four weaknesses or worst qualities?
One would be, perhaps, my trust in people. I’m very quick to trust, which can sometimes be a bad thing when I trust the wrong person. Another would be my sensitivity, as I mentioned earlier. When I get upset and sad, I get quiet and that’s not always a good thing, especially when people need my help. The third would be my need for people to not be mad at me... sometimes, when I apologize to people, I may not have done anything that they’re still even annoyed about, and I tend to apologize too much, sometimes to the point where my apologizing gets annoying. As for the last one, let me see... probably my impatience. For example, when someone raises their hand in class, if they’re called on and they wait forever before answering, I get annoyed pretty easily.
You were just given a pensieve as a gift, what memories would you choose to place in it and why?.
I would place memories from my early childhood in there first, before they disappear. Then I would place memories from good times with my friends in it... like birthday parties, long talks, and other things that I’d love to look back on when I’m older.
What are your feelings on the Dark Arts? Are you for it, against it, or indifferent about it?
The Dark Arts, to me, is a dangerous concept. While there are sure to be a few helpful things hidden in it, people who delve too deeply into the Dark Arts tend to lose their concept of reality.
Which character from Harry Potter is your favorite and why?
Hermione, definitely. She’s such a wonderful character... friendly, bossy in that it’s-good-for-you way, a wonderful friend, loyal, brave, and intelligent.
Which character from Harry Potter is your LEAST favorite and why (You may not say Voldemort, Umbridge, or any known Death Eaters since they are written with the intention of dislike)?
Hmm... well, this is a tricky one. I’d have to say Snape, actually. While I actually really enjoy some of the other Slytherin characters, to me Snape always seemed like a man who held grudges for too long and then placed them upon the wrong people.
As a student at Hogwarts, how would you spend your free time?
Probably getting to know other students, and then some time in the library learning all sorts of charms for everything... charms and spells always really interested me for some reason.
And of course I’d spend tons of time exploring the castle, which sounds like a fantastic adventure because with Hogwarts, you never know what’s around that next corner.
Which class do you think you would do well in? Why?
Probably Charms would be the easiest for me, since it interests me so much. The more interesting a class seems to me, the more I can get into it and enjoy doing the work.
Which class do you think you wouldn't do well in and why?
Probably Transfiguration, even though I’d want so much to succeed in it. It seems very difficult, changing one object into another.
If you were on your house Quidditch team what position would you LIKE to play and why?
I’d say Chaser, but then again, I don’t have the best aim. I suppose, cliche as it is, that I’d like playing Seeker. There would be a certain thrill in that position, and the rare risks that I take give me an almost overwhelming sense of excitement. Or perhaps I’d be Beater. It’d be lovely to take my frustration on people out in such a healthy way... although I wouldn’t want to seriously injure people, so then again maybe that wouldn’t be the best position for me.
If you were on your house Quidditch team what position do you think you SHOULD play and why?
Again, probably Seeker. With my bad aim, reluctance for hitting people with Bludgers, and the fact that if I’d play Keeper I’d probably shield myself instinctively from the oncoming Quaffle rather than try to keep it out of the goals, Seeker is probably the best position for me.
Which of the Harry Potter books was your favorite and why?
The Goblet of Fire, naturally. I just fell in love with the storyline in that book. The Yule Ball was always a favorite scene of mine, and I loved Rita Skeeter’s character. I loved the idea of a tri-school competition, and the twisting plot of a Death Eater at Hogwarts, and Voldemort’s return, were all very exciting plotlines to me.
Which Harry Potter book was your least favorite and why?
Probably HBP, honestly. Hermione’s character, whom I had always looked up to and loved so much, seemed a little warped. While I really liked the Voldemort/Tom Riddle developments in the storyline, and the whole Horcruxes thing, the characters seemed off to me. I didn’t care much for Ginny’s sudden explosion of perfection, either.
Which Harry Potter movie was your favorite and why?
The Goblet of Fire. The Yule Ball was a good scene, and I really liked the Voldemort’s return scene. Although I really didn’t care for the way the jumped from one scene to the next throughout the movie, I thought it was still the best yet.
Which Harry Potter movie was your least favorite and why?
If I had to choose... hmm... I’d say the Sorcerer’s Stone. It was a good movie, but... hmm. Well, you made me choose one, so there you have it. I did like it, though, but it’s just that I liked the others a teensy bit more.
If you could change ONE thing in the series, what would it be and why?
Probably the whole Harry/Ginny thing. I honestly think it was put in there to give Harry a real “teenage” relationship. But we really could have seen more of it, if it was such a necessary storyline.
I think it is safe to say that Harry Potter is full of symbolism, so to go along with that, please click on the specified links and follow the directions.
Go to this site: Symbolism: Colors
Pick the color that most appeals to you and copy and paste what it says about you:
Orange
Orange can represent energy, balance, warmth, enthusiasm, flamboyant, and demanding of attention.
Do you agree?
Somewhat. I have warmth and enthusiasm, and I suppose that yes, I do need attention sometimes.
Go to this site: Symbolism: Elements
Pick the element that appeals to you most and copy and paste what it says about you:
Water
As stated in the Intro, water is an element usually associated with girls and women. Water can also be used to show love or concern. Characters and things that are shown to have a 'watery' quality to them usually have a blue-colored theme to them. Blue because of the primarily blue color of water. Characters that have a 'watery' quality to them are more likely to 'go with the flow', but can also show very chaotic responses as well.
Water is frequently associated with women because it is theorized that life first came from water (new life comes from women), without water every living thing would die (without women, a species would die), it can take many forms and shapes (as can women), and religiously women are tied to water (such as the Greek Parthenon goddess Aphrodite who was born of the sea foam). This can be shown by the female character being a swimmer, with the girls touching still lakes or ponds, or with a water colored costume, or with a preponderance of water pokemon. Water can also be shown to show a female character being scared and frightened about the changes happening to her; physically, mentally, and emotionally - that is water has no fixed shape or form, and is in a state of constant flux, just as girls are as they go through adolescence. This can be shown by having the girl panic when she gets into a pool or lake, or be afraid of water. In addition, water can be used as an erotic tool. Hair and skin look much different when wet; and when you normally see a girl with dry hair and skin, it can add a bit of eroticism to her if her hair is wet. Clothes also fold and adhere differently when they are wet.
However, water can also symbolize love because it isn't stagnant (and love is constantly evolving), it can come in many forms (people love different things for many different reasons), and it is very difficult to grasp water (as it is usually very difficult for the heroines in shoujo stories to sort out their feelings for the other characters). This can be illustrated in an Anime by showing two leaves in a pool of moving water... where you're not sure if they two leaves will meet, or part. Or by the rain when the hero or heroine realizes that the one they love they might not be able to be with. Common symbolisms include storms and rainfall indicating sadness or heartbreak, snow indicating coldness of heart, dark clouds covering the Moon (eternal symbol of femininity) indicating dark events for the girl(s), bright fluffy clouds indicating positive change and optimism, and clear skies indicating perfect events and a clear future.
Do you agree?
Yes, I do, actually. It makes a lot of sense.
Go to this site: Zodiac
Click on your Zodiac sign and copy and paste what it says about you:
Pisces
Ruler: Neptune / Element: Water / Mode: Mutable
Pole: Negative / Third: Universal / Half: Objective
Surrender to the universe, to higher goals; ego sacrifice; compassion and empathy, selfless work; seeing the unity of all things; the ends of cycles, forming "seeds" for the next cycle of growth; spirit as individual dissolving back into pure spirit.
Mysticism, escape into the One; sees the unity, fails to make "normal" distinctions, often weak ego; victim, martyr, servant; tends to escapism, fantasy, drugs (especially alcohol), religion; very receptive, sensitive, even psychic; co-dependency, care-taking; withdrawn from the world; release from the world.
Do you agree?
For the most part, I do. The way it’s written makes it a little difficult to understand (at least, to me), but some of those fit me.
Go to this site: Choose your wand.
Pick your wand and then paste what the site says about your wand:
With this wand you are sure to put your ideas to work, for you show lots of effort!
(I chose: Inches-10 and 1/4, Flexibility- Springy, Wood- Holly, and Core- Phoenix Feather)
Let’s do a little word association here (you may go over one word, but please keep it concise). When you hear the following words you immediately think…
Courage: Bravery
Loyalty: Friendship
Intelligence: Brainy
Ambition: Success
Name a person, alive, dead or even a character from a movie or book, that you most admire. Why do you admire this person?
Well, I know that I really admire Hermione. (I know, I know, I’m completely going over the Hermione limit, aren’t I? ;) ) She’s worked so hard to learn everything she can about the wizarding world, and she’s so determined to learn and grow and succeed in life. She’s such a loyal and caring person, and she really seems to care about others. With SPEW, she really showed a caring for the house elves (even if it may not have been the best cause to be concerned about), and I like that. And all those times when people said things about her, she held her head high and tried her best to ignore that - I look up to her to try and do that myself.
If you could own any magical creature, what would it be?
Hmm. I’d have to say a phoenix. They’re so beautiful, powerful, majestic, and really intelligent.
What is the worst quality you believe that a person, any person, can possess?
Well, there are a lot of bad qualities someone can possess... let’s see. If I had to choose right now, I’d have to say closed-mindedness. Closed-minded people can’t see anything beyond their own beliefs, which causes major conflict.
Which house do you feel you belong in and why?
I think there’s a little of each house in me... I can be a little bit manipulative, which would direct me towards Slytherin. I’m loyal and caring and I try to work hard, leading me towards Hufflepuff. I can be brave, moving towards Gryffindor, but then again I like to learn, which seems to be a Ravenclaw trait. If I had to choose, I’d say Hufflepuff. I’m a loyal friend, I care about people, and I may not always be the hardest worker, but I have a determination to get work done and do it well.
What house do you think you WOULDN'T belong in and why?
As I said above, there’s a bit of each house in me. If I had to choose which one I would belong to the least, I’d have to say Slytherin. While I have the ability to be manipulative, I often feel guilty on the occasion that I use that ability.
Why do you want to be part of this community? Will you remain active in the sub-communities and voting after you've been stamped in a house?
This community seems extremely interesting, fun, and there seem to be lots of fantastic people here. If accepted, I’m going to try my best to remain as active as I can. It seems like a really great place to be.
Well, there you go. Gosh, I'm nervous. I hope it's okay.
<3, Ashley