you've got style, and you've got grace; you've got the means to get out of this place
Name: Annalisa
Age: 21
House you were sorted into: Ravenclaw
Link to original application: here.
Are there any questions you would like to elaborate on?
Yes, a lot of them. And I'd like to completely change my answers to a few.
What sort of profession in the wizarding world would you choose and why?
As I am now undecided about whether I even want to continue in science, I'd like to change this answer. The past three years have been all about "omg science is awesome" and the last few months have been life path-changing (including some time before I applied, but I wrote that answer assuming that the turmoil would settle down so that I had the same ideas as I had beforehand). The truth is, while science fascinates me, it's mostly only something that I want to learn, which is completely different from something I want to work on. And yes, I think that putting the knowledge to use is important, but I have higher priorities now, those priorities being my health and happiness, having just come out of a distinctly unhealthy and unhappy period.
I'm not entirely sure what this would be in the wizarding world, but I want a profession that's challenging, prestigious (or at least well paid, so that I can live comfortably), and doesn't require too much compromise with others, except perhaps with a select few competent people who have reached the same level. There are so many parts of science that I don't want to incorporate into my life -- I'm less willing to live in rustic, backwoods conditions or in the middle of a forest for the sake of research, for example, I've grown too used to accommodations like internet, delicious food, and plumbing to be happy there for more than a few weeks; nor do I want to end up in a laboratory, which would be too confining, and the work would feel too small. And to be perfectly honest, the idea of devoting myself to something that will consume my life that much doesn't sound like my style, not to the point of losing touch with the rest of the world.
I would probably end up working for the Ministry, to be perfectly honest. Possibly as an Unspeakable, or a head of an interesting department, like the Department of Mysteries. Responsibility has never bothered me -- in fact, I work better when I have a title to uphold -- but I'm not sure I want to be the figurehead himself. For one thing, it seems like the Minister of Magic takes the brunt of all issues without actually doing anything about it -- and fame is fickle. Not to mention that the Minister position doesn't seem very secure, while the rest of the positions seem uncontested except in the case of war. Yet, if I had the opportunity to be the Minister, I might well take it -- and I'd be the best Minister I could possibly be.
What HP character do you identify with most and why?
I still agree with everything I said about identifying with Draco, Luna, and Snape, but in a debate, most of my friends provided extremely good arguments for Andromeda Black being my HP-world counterpart, and I must say that I agree with their reasons.
Andromeda strikes me as a strong-willed, self-made woman who had her own unique way of making the world work for her despite all adversity, which is how I like to think of myself. I get the impression her family is not nearly as tightly-knit as mine is, given the way the three Black sisters ended up, which means that I would not have to leave my family for someone I loved, but in her situation, I can see myself doing that. She still has the same value about family that I admire in the Malfoys, though she made her own, less conventional family network, which I may have to end up doing, if I end up falling in love with a woman in a homophobic world. I see Andromeda as one of the Slytherins that actually understood that being pureblood wasn't the only thing that made a person valuable (I am assuming that she was a Slytherin, since she wasn't disowned until her marriage, which I take to mean that her Sorting was not a disappointment like Sirius'). Had the love that Ted could offer her not been there, I like to think that she would have found her own path in that world anyway, and perhaps in a way that would be more like what I want to do (no children for me, thank you).
Still, in her situation, I am incredibly sad that she lost both husband and daughter to the war, and astounded that she didn't take more precautions in protecting them under persecution, despite her daughter's pregnancy. I don't want to think that she underestimated the toll the war would take, but in that extreme of a situation, I'd take a leaf out of her sister Narcissa's book and do anything I could to protect the people I loved without getting caught up in the matter of sides. That's always where my loyalty has been -- to the people that have earned it, that I care about.
List your weaknesses - specifically, my answer about laziness.
I think that listing "laziness" as my weakness was one of the reasons for the unanimity of my original sorting -- at least, from some of the comments. The main problem is that I am easily dissatisfied with routine, and try to avoid getting into a rut; that's when things become less important, I put less effort into them, and procrastinate. I can only stand routine for an enormous payoff -- an example of this is my current frustration with my school situation, but I stick with it because I cannot accept the fact that I might have put so much work into it without getting my degree. I need environments that challenge me (without involving too much risk) and reward me for my efforts, or I grow bored. Which is not to say that I live for adventure -- I also need security of the environment, letting me predict what general direction my life is taking, without it taking a completely unwelcome turn that I can't control. In those surprisingly awful twists of fate, like when I got sick last summer, is when I detach emotionally, grow apathetic, and get lazy, rather than attempt to fight a fight I can't win. When I think I can win, I'll push myself into a situation that I'm not entirely sure I can handle, in the interest of being challenged enough to discover the depth of my own ability. But even when I'm involved in incredibly important things, I have my lazy moments; I simply don't have the resources to keep going tirelessly, and it isn't fun to work myself that hard.
Recall that I listed laziness as a weakness, and weaknesses are things that I'm constantly forcing myself to improve. Also, it was summer vacation at the time, and one of the first things that came to mind. ;)
I'd also like to change the wording of one of my questions. Under weaknesses, I've also used the word "hopefulness" - and honestly, I'm beginning to think that it's just idealism; an ideal that doesn't involve right or wrong, only the drive to perfect the system as much as possible. My ideal is finding a balance, a middle ground that satisfies everyone enough not to tip the scales, the most improved society. Whether or not it was a right, just, or fair society, the point is to minimize the flaws in order to find the closest thing to perfection. I can't decide whether this is a weakness or a strength -- idealism can go either way, so I purposefully temper it with cynicism and organizing my priorities so that I don't waste my strength on a lost cause.
If you won a million dollars, how would you spend it?
I can't believe that I didn't mention my own retirement in my answer. I would definitely save or invest a great deal to have money for my own future, and now that I think about it, I'm not entirely sure that I would actually give money to my parents unless they needed it. They are well off, and it might even be an insult to them to try to pay back what they don't think of as a debt (I get my pride from them, after all), although they'd no doubt appreciate my being financially independent. This money would go a long way towards ensuring that I have enough money to take care of myself until I had a chance to get a high paying job (assuming I won it now, of course). I would pay off my college loans, then take a couple thousand out of it to go on a little shopping spree, because most of the things I want are not obscenely expensive, I just want a lot, and I'd donate some to important non-profits where I've worked in the past so that they can expand. But the majority -- more than half -- would go into a bank account for the future.
If you were able to invent one spell, potion, or charm, what would it do, what would you use it for or how would you use it, and what would you call it?
I'd just like to elaborate a little on this one -- to say that my reason for wanting a perfectly healthy immune system and perfectly functioning organs until they just get old is purely selfish. I hate being sick, hate that I can't control my own abilities to do things the way I used to, and I want to be a strong, independent person so that I can do everything I want with my life. There's just too much crap in my family history for me to be able to have that so easily in a world without magic. I don't want immortality -- I would hate having to watch the people I love die around me -- but I want everything that I can get out of the life I'm allotted.
What do you look for in a friend?
I didn't answer this in the context of my closest friends, but instead gave an answer that could include everyone, even an acquaintance. In my closest friends, I look for people with confidence, who can take care of themselves, rather than having to depend on me. And I look for people who have big ideas, who won't think me selfish or feel left out if I wanted to talk to them about having enormous dreams, and most of all, people who won't simply cheer me on or offer sympathy in what seems a superficial manner. People who earn my trust are people who solve their own problems in the end, even if they come to me for advice, and people who don't try to solve my problems. I expect them to be able to hold a conversation, to be able to form opinions, and to follow their goals. To be trusted, they have to understand how far my trust goes -- up to the point that they do something I can't forgive -- and not exploit it, but return it. And they will be forced to deal with my little quirks, like needing large amounts of time to myself.
This is not to say that I don't have friends who don't meet all of that criteria. A lot of the reason why I love people makes absolutely no sense to me, but I love them anyway. And again, I am friendly with most people, though there is a continuum from trusted to distrusted.
I'd also like to add here (even though it really belongs in the next question in the original application) that lack of self-confidence and constant reliance on others is my least favorite thing in anyone, not just a friend. Whether they can be trusted or not, I like people who overwhelm me with their awesomeness and don't expect me to do anything but appreciate it, especially if they appreciate my awesomeness in return. XD
What would you see in the Mirror of Erised?
Looking back at my application, I think that I've changed my mind even in the two months that have passed since. The essential concept that I was attempting to get across was that of challenge (in my career), success (shown by giving a speech), security (family and money), and love (significant other). But I really just want a nice house, someone to love that loves me back, and a job that satisfies me, pays well and leaves me time to pursue other things; being able to multitask and have the simple things that make me happy is as important to me as going far in a career. I wouldn't be satisfied if I don't end up being successful in something, but I'm not so narrow-minded as to shut out everything else for the purpose of being the biggest, best, and richest, because that's not true satisfaction, in my mind. Challenge, success, security, and love -- and self-improvement, as well, at least from this point -- are the keys to my happiness, and ultimately, it's the happiness that I want.
It's true that I will soon have a degree in biology, but I don't know that I'll actually do anything with it. Most people I know didn't actually end up doing anything with their first degree, but figured themselves out during their undergrad career and did something they enjoyed, and then pursued what they really wanted. I'm in the middle of the figuring out stage: I've got my priorities, and I'm scouting around for an opportunity that'll take me on my way.
Pick one or two canon qualities from each of the four houses that you possess and explain why you picked them:
Gryffindor: I always struggle to see the Gryffindor qualities in myself because I conflict with Gryffindor ideals so often, but people always seem to see a great deal of Gryffindor passion in me. I have been known to stand up for a cause I believe in -- but I don't champion them, to the point of putting myself in battle for them; I will lead a campaign and work hard for it, and make sure that it never fails be utterly disappointed if it fails, but I have never been much of a fighter or a martyr, only a strategist. I don't believe in heroic deaths, only heroic lives.
Hufflepuff: I am generally a fair and evenhanded person, willing to give anyone a chance. However, I disagree that all people should be treated equally. A certain amount of respect should be accorded to everyone, the acknowledgement that we are all human, but some stand out above the rest, and failing that, not everyone even wants to be treated the same; I certainly don't. I am also a hard worker when I need to be, though of course Hufflepuffs don't work hard all the time, only when it is really necessary, and the same is true of me. If the only way I can get something done is to grit my teeth and just DO it, I will.
Ravenclaw: I think that being intelligent is the best possible trait to have, and I am driven to keep honing my mental skills almost more than physical or emotional ones. Also, like a Ravenclaw, I don't believe that intelligence has anything to do with grades or even high degrees. However, I am less interested in intelligence for its own sake, but only in the ways that it can be used -- if only to draw connections and understand the world around me better.
Slytherin: My most Slytherin trait is my pride. I barely even bother to take my own opinions and desires out of the equation, especially in important situations. I have very high standards for myself -- almost ruthless, in some people's eyes. I am ambitious and resourceful - it doesn't matter what the goal, just that I have a fixed idea of it in my mind, and can formulate a way to achieve it, and without a goal I feel lost until I find one. Once I have achieved one goal (like my current goal of getting my degree), I will set my sights on another, until I have reached a certain standard of success that I'll know when I see it. I dream big and I make a point of making those dreams come true, no matter what it takes.
Explain why you feel misplaced in your current house:
Would it be too cliche to say that I think I've changed, even since being sorted? It's been a very difficult time in my life, the details of which I will elaborate on if necessary, and I've had to shed a lot of my childish wonder with the world, which was a lot of the reason why I wanted to pursue a career in science, to understand the world around me better. I've reached a point where I feel awfully cynical about learning, though I do still pretend that I am happy going mostly unnoticed in the biology department at my school, that it doesn't bother me how much I've been flying under the radar. Simply placing all value on learning, no matter what reward I got, has only gotten me so far; I don't think that's enough, not anymore. I have only a few months left before I can be out of here and can make something of myself, and I'm preparing. I don't think the person I want to be once I leave college -- the person I'm quickly becoming, though I can see why it may not be entirely obvious to others yet -- belongs in Ravenclaw, and that's why I don't feel quite at home in my house. I'd like to be in a house where I really feel like I fit in, so that I can take pride in belonging, which is really what drives me to participate and help my house win points. I really want to be an active member of this community, so I hope that doesn't come across the wrong way.