_belong appli
I know I posted only like 5 minutes ago or something but I wanted to see if my application is alright and have something to fondly look back one when I'm hopefully a member. Again, fingers crossed (I would cross my toes if I could do so.
1. Name:
Ornella
2. Age:
14
3. Gender:
Female.
4. What are your hobbies/interests outside of HP? How do you feel these hobbies/interests contribute to your personality?
Outside of HP? There’s a world outside of HP? Wow…I’m joking. Outside of HP, I focus mostly on music and writing. I’m currently the proud owner of a flute, clarinet and guitar and soon to be owner of a keyboard, all of which I love with a passion even though I sometimes don’t practise as often as I should. The flute is my main instrument and I’m proud of having started playing and stuck at it for so long. In my books three years is long and I’ve achieved up to Grade 5. I took up the guitar to fulfil my need of rock/western music and it’s free.
As for writing, it’s something I’ve enjoyed doing since I was eight. I think it was after Harry Potter actually. I started doing some rough fanfics and from then on I’ve been hooked. Although my main dream isn’t to be writer, I’d like to publish something before I die. It’s on my to-do list. And like all good writers should do, I read a lot. I’ve always got a book on the go, but it won’t be much specific. One day I’ll pick up a classic and the next I’ll be reading the latest chick lit and the day after that an autobiography. Reading and writing are just two things that go hand in hand.
5. Which Harry Potter character do you feel you can relate to the most? Explain. Which character is your favourite? Again, explain.
It took me really long to find a character that I could truly say I related to, and after much consideration, it was Molly Weasley. Alright, I may not be a mother of seven children struggling to make ends meet, but when I think about it, I get her the most. I don’t think I’ll ever have seven children but I know if I had, I’d be almost a clone of her, running around worrying about them. When it comes down to it, I’m a homely person. Sometimes I like to be on my own but I’m happiest plonked in the middle of a big family. I’d go out of my way to make sure they felt loved and happy. I also relate to Molly Weasley because she reminds me of my mum, the way she tries to make everyone feel comfy even during the dark times, and my grandma who had six kids.
Favourite character? Again, that’s tricky. I don’t think I actually have one. All the characters have a bit about them that makes me love and hate them. I can, however, tell you which character intrigues me the most, and that would be Snape. At first I just thought he was…well, a snarky git, but then in Prisoner of Azkaban, I began to think ‘Hold on, there’s something else to him as well’. From then on, his character has just gripped me. He’s one of these people that makes me want to, almost need to, piece his life together and find out everything about him because he hides it all so well. At the end of HBP, I just sat there for a good half an hour after I put the book down trying to work out why he’d done what he did. I still am actually. Snape is good exercise for my brain.
6. Give us the reasons for and against you being sorted into each of the houses.
a. Gryffindor
For:
I like to think myself brave when I need to be. In potentially dangerous situations, sometimes I find my gut instincts taking over, and I do what feels best. I was in the Army Cadets for a short while, and in one of the camps, I was made leader of a squad despite me not even being an officer. During all the expeditions, I had to lead my squad through and get from A to B intact, and I did quite well. If I had let fear, nerves, etc. get in the way, I don’t think I would have been able to do it for a week.
Against.
I don’t have that Gryffindor aspect where they are a little rash in their actions. A lot of the time, I may speak first and think later but I don’t tend to act first and think later. If Harry asked me to fight alongside him and the rest of the Gryffindor house, I’d have to consider it very carefully. For example, in OotP when Harry rushed to Sirius’ rescue because he thought he was in trouble, had I been alongside him, even if we were close friends, I’d give it a good thought before jumping on the back of Threstrals and flying to London.
b. Hufflepuff
For:
I like to think I’m fair. I don’t judge people by looks, beliefs and so on. I like to give them all an equal change. Even if I don’t particularly like someone, I’ll give them a chance to prove my reasons wrong. And I like bringing people together and going all motherly. It’s just my nature. If I were in Hufflepuff I’d probably the one that handed out mugs of hot chocolate and tea in times of need.
Against:
I’m hardly hardworking and my loyalty to the House would have it’s limits. I prefer to be lazy and sit back and watch with interest the world flying by me. As for loyalty, I’d stick by the House and my friends as far as I felt comfortable doing. It’s not often I go out of my way for non-family members, but there are times when I do.
c. Ravenclaw
For:
I’m always reading something, no matter what the subject is. A few nights ago, I was keeping my Mum company through a rare moment when she decided to iron (yes, at night) and I decided I’d pick up my Astronomy book and do a bit of revision for an exam I have coming up. When I’d finished reading the chapter I needed, I looked around for something else and found a book about microwave recipes. I can safely say I now know how a microwave works and what you can make in it. To round the evening off, I moved onto one of my Mum’s self-coaching books about empowerment. In the space of two hours, I’d learned the history of Astronomy, how a microwave works and that there is still inequality in the world but that I, yes me, can do something about it.
Against:
When it comes to most things academic, I’m extremely lazy about it. For example with homework, I’ll either procrastinate until the night before or the morning it’s due in or not do it at all. It’s not something I like. Revision is only done when I know there’s no way I can achieve the bare minimum. And I’m not exactly intelligent and knowledgeable. Even if I am (which my teachers tell me), I don’t use it very often.
d. Slytherin
For:
I’m secretive which can in turn can make me cunning. For example, if I were planning to commit murder (which I assure you I’m not), I’d not only keep it to myself but I’d make sure that my behaviour stayed the same as to not draw attention to myself. When I struck, it would be the last thing they were expecting.
Against:
I lack ambition. Even though my dream is to become a criminal psychologist, I’ll do my best to get there eventually but I’m not going to put myself out of my way. If I’m destined to get there then I will. If I’m destined to be an Assistant Manager in McDonalds then I’m happy with that. I don’t really exert myself more than I want to.
7. What was your least favourite moment in HP?
It’s so sad my least favourite moment in HP out of all the bad moments to pick from has to come from my favourite book, Prisoner of Azkaban. It’s the moment right after Lupin has transformed into his werewolf form and Peter has got away and you hear Sirius’ moans. And then you see him encircled by the Dementors. The first time I read that book I was nine and I had to put the book down because I didn’t want to find out what happened next. I knew Harry would get out of it somehow (it would be the end of Harry Potter if he didn’t) but it just seemed that it was the end of the road for Sirius. I just kept thinking he’d be gone by the time I finished that chapter. When I finally did pick it up (curiosity won over fear of whether it was the end for Sirius), I had this strange chill down my back. I think I even cried a little then. It was just so heart-wrenching as Harry’s attempts got worse and the Dementors were coming closer. I think that’s probably the reason why it’s my least favourite. As much as I find happy endings cheesy and sometimes annoying, I actually prefer them. Of course Sirius doesn’t actually die there and he ends up being set free, but that moment when I thought he was going to die was much worse than when he actually did die. It’s similar to when Dumbledore was weak after drinking from the bowl. I was more upset then than at his actual death. I’m not sure how that works, but that moment with Sirius and the Dementors till this day, is a bit I either miss or read with a chill down my back.
8. What about HP appeals to you (e.g. the romance, the adventure, the friendships, the fantasy, the mystery)?
I think it would have to be the fantasy and the mysterious element that it holds to it. Since the first time I began to read Harry Potter, it’s been my safety net. I can escape into the world JKR has created and forget what is going on around. I know deep down that it’s not possible for it to exist but there’s the part of me that wants it to. The mystery allows my imagination to wander. If we knew everything about the wizarding world and what’s going on, I don’t think there would be much eagerness to read the books. What I don’t know makes me want to find out so I do know. Combining the two to give a mysterious fantasy is book heaven to me.
9. What would you do if your friend was in danger? What would you give up in order to save them? Would you lay your life on the line?
To be completely honest, I don’t think I’d lay my life on the line for a friend. Family members perhaps, but I’m not so sure about a friend. For a friend in danger or trouble, I’d drop everything I was doing in my life then and there to try and save them but if it came to a breakpoint where it was me or them, it would have to be me. A lot of the time I do put others before me but to me, like with a lot of things, there’s a limit to how much I’m willing to do.
10. Given a choice between fame and money, which would you choose?
Fame. Fame, used in the right way can be bring money so it would be killing two birds with one stone. Fame without the money, fame can be manipulated to have advantages besides being known by a lot of people. I’d use my fame to bring awareness to issues that affect me such as Autism (two of my cousins are). And a famous poor person also brings awareness to poverty.
11 If you could only store one memory in the Pensieve to visit over again, which one would it be? Why?
If I could store one memory in the Pensieve to visit over and over and over again it would be when I was five/six and my father and I were planting plants in our back garden because he used to love cooking home grown stuff. I would store it because it’s the only good memory I have of me with him. For the past seven years, and I have no recollection of what started it, we haven’t seen eye to eye. So even when I was old and frail, him having passed away (if he doesn’t outlive me) and my memory is slowly going, I can remember that once upon a time it wasn’t all screaming and door slamming.
12. What excites you the most in life? Where do you get the most joy and fulfilment?
I think it would have to be music that excites me the most. Even if I’m standing in front of the examination board for my flute grade and I know I’ve messed up everything, I still manage to get a joy at just knowing I had the guts to stand up there. And I get this thrill when I manage to play a particularly hard solo or chord on my guitar. Even listening to music has a way of calming me. I can’t imagine a world without music. Get rid of Harry Potter (shock!), television, the internet and all modern forms of entertainment but keep music and I’d survive. I get part of my joy from there and the rest, as well as fulfilment I get from my family and friends. Even though my little sister annoys me to no end, spending an afternoon with her in the park has the power to make me feel like the happiest person in the world. Spending all night gossiping with my mum has the same effect. I also love the feeling I get when I see my friends after I’ve been on holiday. I can’t describe it but it has a way of making me feel better, closer to feeling ‘whole’ (If that is possible).
13. If you were in Harry's position during the "Snape's Worst Memory" incident, how would you view Peter, James, Sirius, Lily, Remus, and Snape differently? Why?
I’m not entirely sure how but I do know that I’d be confused. What I’d just seen would contradict all I’d been told for the past four years or so or at least what I’d gathered from the evidence around me.
Peter: I don’t think I’d view him differently. I would have just continued to wonder with more intensity as to how they didn’t see that he was going to betray them before.
James: I’d be disappointed. Everyone compares some aspect of him to me and all of a sudden I discover that he was some obnoxious big head, just as Snape had said. I’d begin to think that I don’t want to be associated to him as much as used to.
Sirius: I’d be disappointed with him as well. He would probably be my role model in some ways and now I have to rethink that.
Lily and Remus: The way I viewed Lily and Remus wouldn’t really change. Lily didn’t really do anything particularly bad except reject James, I’d just wonder why she did that, and as for Remus, I’d have a feeling it would be hard to take on two obnoxious idiots and stop them from behaving like that.
Snape: My view on Snape would change the most. Now I would see a reason behind his hate for me and that maybe that everything non-Potions related that comes out of his mouth aren’t just lies to spite me. So, maybe when he said my father strut, he did in fact do that.
14. Imagine you were an eleven-year-old Muggleborn witch/wizard who did not know about magic and had just received your Hogwarts letter. How would you react to leaving home and going to a magic school?
First I’d be unconvinced that the whole thing was real and if it was proved real, then like most eleven-year olds finding out their going to a magical school I’ll be excited -but- then I’d be reluctant. I moved countries at seven eagerly only to be extremely disappointed to find that there’s no place like home (go Belgium!). I wouldn’t want to move from my home where I was used to everything and to a place I had no idea about it. I like my comfort. When that is threatened, I usually do everything to keep hold of it. If I had to go, I would ask the person they send round a whole bunch of questions or request more information about what I was getting myself into.
15. If you had access to a time turner and there were no regulations regarding its usage, what would you use it for and why?
Within the Harry Potter verse, I’d turn back time to the birth of Severus Snape and watch over him as he grew up, banishing all the obstacles in his way that would all add up to make him who he is today. As much as I like him the way he is, I would want to see him grow up ‘good’. And if that didn’t please me, I’d just turn back time and not meddle. Within my own life, I’d go back to the day before we move and refuse to move. I’d kick up a fuss to stay in Belgium and even if they managed to get me on English soil, I’d kick up such a fuss they’d send me back. There’s nothing wrong with England. It’s just that there’s no place like home.
16. In the Philosopher’s Stone (AKA Sorcerer’s Stone) Neville had a choice: he could let his friends go out at night when they weren’t supposed to and potentially they could lose points for his house, or he could confront them and stop them from breaking the rules. What would you have done in his situation?
Let my friends go out and lose the points. If they want to go out after curfew and lose points, its their problem not mine. It’s not me the House will be angry at. I’d be more curious to find out what they were doing so that if they weren’t back by a certain hour, I could inform a teacher or something. I prefer to avoid confrontation so that’s probably why I’d let them go in the first place. I’m scared about which way the confrontation will go.
17. Who (dead, alive, or fictional) do you most admire? This can be someone from real life or from Harry Potter.
I admire my mother the most. I think it’s because I’ve seen what she’s gone through and that includes raising me and I’m not exactly the easiest of people. She’s also lived with my father 15 years, a lot more difficult than me, and I can’t see how and why she did so. I admire the way that whatever life throws at her, she’ll just throw it right back and continue with life. If it’s a never-ending boomerang, the she’ll just catch and keep hold of it until she finds a way to destroy it so it never comes back. There are so many other little things she does that I just sit there and think “Wow, she’s so strong I want to grow up to be like her.” I just admire and love her.
18. What is your favourite book outside of Harry Potter? What is it about this book that endears it to you?
Jane Eyre. I don’t think it’s the book itself, although like Harry Potter I could read it a thousand times and not get bored, but the person who gave it to me and why. It was given to me as a leaving present by my primary school teacher and as she handed the book to me, she said something along of the lines of “Jane Eyre is a strong character and one day, I’m sure of it, you will be too.” Those words aren’t anything deep but she’d helped me through three years of bullying, encouraging me all the way through, and those words just inspired me before I left. I don’t think my character is as strong as Jane’s but I’m working towards it.
19. You're sitting the final examination for a class that has given you a lot of trouble. Your grade is borderline, you really need to do well on this final to get an A. You can see the paper of your friend who sits next to you and who happens to excel in this subject. You've gotten to a question that you're stuck on. Do you glance at your friend's paper to figure out the answer or not? Why?
I glance. If there’s an easy way to doing something, more often than not I’ll do it. And most of my friends know that so after the test I’d thank her/him for given me the extra boost I needed. I wouldn’t copy it word for word or anything, just an idea of the direction I’m going in. Depending on the friend we’d either joke about it together later or that friend would be miffed for awhile, especially if she’d worked hard for it. However, I’ll only glance if it’s easy to. If there are like three or more invigilators, I wouldn’t risk it. I’d rather fail than risk having all my tests ripped up on the suspicion of cheating on every single one.
20. In Goblet of Fire, Harry was chosen for the Tri-Wizard Tournament even with the age-line. Ron was unable to enter because of the age restriction even though he really wanted to be a part of the Tournament. Was Ron right to be jealous/angry at Harry? Were Harry's reactions appropriate? Why?
Ron had a right to be jealous. I know I’d be and it’s not difficult to see why. Harry is the almighty Boy-Who-Lived and he just happens to be the forgotten best friend. If Ron had been able to get into the tournament, then he’d be known for something other than being close to Harry. It would have also been a chance to prove himself as the youngest of boy of the family. And then, as usual, Harry comes along and steals the limelight again. Now Ron is the best friend of the Boy-Who-Lived, who somehow managed to get past Dumbledore’s age line and get into one of the most prestigious wizarding tournaments. As for being angry, he didn’t have a right to be but it’s understandable to see why. At a time when he should have stuck by Harry and told him it was going to be alright and him mysteriously becoming a champion wasn’t some kind of ploy to kill him, he was clouded by jealousy and thought that Harry had done it just to, once again, get fame and glory. Harry’s reactions were also understandable. His best friend had just turned him and was being a complete idiot, and he couldn’t talk to him when he needed to. If I were in Harry’s shoes, I would have probably done the same.
21. Which class would you look forward to the most at Hogwarts? Which classes do you/did you excel in most at school?
I’d probably look forward to History of Magic. So it isn’t taught by the most exciting teachers but I like learning about the history of things. The history of the wizarding world must be an extensive one, and I’d probably have my head in a history book all the time to supplement what Professor Binns droned on about (if I could stay awake that is). At school now I excel the most in History and Music because I enjoy those quite a bit therefore I put more effort in it than everything else. I also do well in Religious Studies (I go to a Catholic school) but that’s mostly because the head of that department is extremely scary and she threatens a life of hell if you underachieve. She once told our class she would crucify us if we got below 75% in the end-of-year RS exam. French is the last subject I do really well in but that’s because I have an advantage over other students. I’ve been speaking French fluently since I was in nursery.
22. What would be the first place you visit during a Hogsmeade weekend? Why?
Definitely Honeydukes. I have a bit of a sweet tooth and I’d want to try all the different varieties of sweets that they have to offer, never mind the morning after toothaches. How can anyone not be enticed when JKR describes it to have “ shelves upon shelves of the most succulent-looking sweets ever”? I’d want to see for myself if that was true.
23. In the wizarding world, all 5th year students are required to pick a career to focus on going into their 6th and 7th years at Hogwarts. What career path would you choose? Why?
I’d probably choose healing. The prospect of being a Healer has always seemed appealing. I used to want to be a doctor up until I was 12 when during this experiment in class dissecting a pig’s heart I just could not stand the sight of blood. Okay, I didn’t want to be a surgeon but if a patient rushed into my practise with a bloody gash, I think I’d faint more than help. As a Healer, I would like to work in the residential part of St. Mungo’s looking after patients like the Longbottoms and Lockhart. My current ambition is to be some kind of psychologist (preferably criminal), or failing that a social worker, and it would work well. I like helping people but I’m also interested in how their minds work. I’d definitely like to know what goes in the Longbottoms mind.
24. In the Wizarding world, some pure-blood wizards consider Muggle-borns "filthy" and "horrible." In our world, people are categorized by their wealth, racial background, and appearance. What are your opinions on Muggle-borns? What are the qualities that you value in others?
I see nothing wrong with Muggleborns. They’re the same as any other wizard except for the fact that they don’t have some kind of magical ancestry some way or another. Hermione is a Muggleborn and she is often smarter and does generally better than her pureblooded counterparts. Like it happens in our world, I wish it didn’t, because sometimes it results to really good people not getting the chance to really succeed. For example, if a Muggleborn was applying for a job in a company run by a prejudiced pureblood, even if the Muggleborn was the best applicant, the employer would turn them down because of what they are. It’s something I can’t stand, and if I had a strong enough voice, I’d join the thousands of people protesting for equality. As for what I value in others, there’s nothing specific, it varies depending in the group of people, but I suppose honesty is the main one. Even though the truth often hurts, lies tend to end up hurting a lot more. I don’t insist on it but it certainly raises that person in my eyes and I tend to have more respect for people who tell the truth.
25. You have stumbled across five magical wells. One is the Well of Common Sense and Logic, the second is the Well of Creativity, the third is the Well of Optimism, the fourth is the Well of Physical Strength, and the fifth is the Well of Beauty. You can only drink from one well, but once you do you will be endowed with that ability for the rest of your life. Which well do you think you would definitely not need, and which do you think you would want to drink from?
I don’t think I’d need the Well of Creativity. I’m not saying that I spout creativity out of my ears and everything I do is creative but I have enough to satisfy my creative needs. I have enough to compose music, write a half-decent bit of prose and doodle cute little pictures when I’m supposed to be listening in class. That’s enough for me, I don’t need any more. I think the well I’d like to drink from the most is the Well of Optimism. Being cheerful is something I have to really work at. I have a tendency to be pessimistic about a lot of things so I know I’m not setting myself up for disappointment. However, I’ve recently noticed that being pessimistic just makes those around you feel the same way. I may not be setting myself up for disappointment but along the way I might crush other people’s hopes, and it’s not fair. So being endowed with the gift of being optimistic for the rest of my life, where I’d see the positive side of everything and then pass that on to others is something that would benefit me greatly.
26. In Half-Blood Prince, we witnessed Harry force-feeding Dumbledore the potion that weakened him, even though it pained Harry to do so, because he promised Dumbledore he would do whatever he wished. If you were in Harry's position, would you have stopped feeding Dumbledore the potion, or would you have continued? Do you think it was right for Harry to do as Dumbledore wished? Explain.
I would have continued, knowing that it was what Dumbledore wanted and it’s not my place to stop people from doing what they want. And I would have also promised that I would fulfil his wishes and although I’m not going to say I never break promises, it would be an insult to a great man not to do so (and I’m not even a big fan of Dumbledore). So Harry every bit in right to do as Dumbledore wished even if it pained him to do so. As he told Scrimgeour, he’s Dumbledore’s man through and through.
27. Anything else you want to tell us before we sort you? Also, please tell us where you heard about this community. (Members who refer new applicants receive points, so please try to be as specific as possible.)
I heard about the community through bulemicrainbow’s fanfiction.net profile after I’d been reading her one-shot ‘Petunia’s Surprise’ and she mentioned it was actually a homework assignment for an LJ community. I curiously took a look and I liked.
1. Name:
Ornella
2. Age:
14
3. Gender:
Female.
4. What are your hobbies/interests outside of HP? How do you feel these hobbies/interests contribute to your personality?
Outside of HP? There’s a world outside of HP? Wow…I’m joking. Outside of HP, I focus mostly on music and writing. I’m currently the proud owner of a flute, clarinet and guitar and soon to be owner of a keyboard, all of which I love with a passion even though I sometimes don’t practise as often as I should. The flute is my main instrument and I’m proud of having started playing and stuck at it for so long. In my books three years is long and I’ve achieved up to Grade 5. I took up the guitar to fulfil my need of rock/western music and it’s free.
As for writing, it’s something I’ve enjoyed doing since I was eight. I think it was after Harry Potter actually. I started doing some rough fanfics and from then on I’ve been hooked. Although my main dream isn’t to be writer, I’d like to publish something before I die. It’s on my to-do list. And like all good writers should do, I read a lot. I’ve always got a book on the go, but it won’t be much specific. One day I’ll pick up a classic and the next I’ll be reading the latest chick lit and the day after that an autobiography. Reading and writing are just two things that go hand in hand.
5. Which Harry Potter character do you feel you can relate to the most? Explain. Which character is your favourite? Again, explain.
It took me really long to find a character that I could truly say I related to, and after much consideration, it was Molly Weasley. Alright, I may not be a mother of seven children struggling to make ends meet, but when I think about it, I get her the most. I don’t think I’ll ever have seven children but I know if I had, I’d be almost a clone of her, running around worrying about them. When it comes down to it, I’m a homely person. Sometimes I like to be on my own but I’m happiest plonked in the middle of a big family. I’d go out of my way to make sure they felt loved and happy. I also relate to Molly Weasley because she reminds me of my mum, the way she tries to make everyone feel comfy even during the dark times, and my grandma who had six kids.
Favourite character? Again, that’s tricky. I don’t think I actually have one. All the characters have a bit about them that makes me love and hate them. I can, however, tell you which character intrigues me the most, and that would be Snape. At first I just thought he was…well, a snarky git, but then in Prisoner of Azkaban, I began to think ‘Hold on, there’s something else to him as well’. From then on, his character has just gripped me. He’s one of these people that makes me want to, almost need to, piece his life together and find out everything about him because he hides it all so well. At the end of HBP, I just sat there for a good half an hour after I put the book down trying to work out why he’d done what he did. I still am actually. Snape is good exercise for my brain.
6. Give us the reasons for and against you being sorted into each of the houses.
a. Gryffindor
For:
I like to think myself brave when I need to be. In potentially dangerous situations, sometimes I find my gut instincts taking over, and I do what feels best. I was in the Army Cadets for a short while, and in one of the camps, I was made leader of a squad despite me not even being an officer. During all the expeditions, I had to lead my squad through and get from A to B intact, and I did quite well. If I had let fear, nerves, etc. get in the way, I don’t think I would have been able to do it for a week.
Against.
I don’t have that Gryffindor aspect where they are a little rash in their actions. A lot of the time, I may speak first and think later but I don’t tend to act first and think later. If Harry asked me to fight alongside him and the rest of the Gryffindor house, I’d have to consider it very carefully. For example, in OotP when Harry rushed to Sirius’ rescue because he thought he was in trouble, had I been alongside him, even if we were close friends, I’d give it a good thought before jumping on the back of Threstrals and flying to London.
b. Hufflepuff
For:
I like to think I’m fair. I don’t judge people by looks, beliefs and so on. I like to give them all an equal change. Even if I don’t particularly like someone, I’ll give them a chance to prove my reasons wrong. And I like bringing people together and going all motherly. It’s just my nature. If I were in Hufflepuff I’d probably the one that handed out mugs of hot chocolate and tea in times of need.
Against:
I’m hardly hardworking and my loyalty to the House would have it’s limits. I prefer to be lazy and sit back and watch with interest the world flying by me. As for loyalty, I’d stick by the House and my friends as far as I felt comfortable doing. It’s not often I go out of my way for non-family members, but there are times when I do.
c. Ravenclaw
For:
I’m always reading something, no matter what the subject is. A few nights ago, I was keeping my Mum company through a rare moment when she decided to iron (yes, at night) and I decided I’d pick up my Astronomy book and do a bit of revision for an exam I have coming up. When I’d finished reading the chapter I needed, I looked around for something else and found a book about microwave recipes. I can safely say I now know how a microwave works and what you can make in it. To round the evening off, I moved onto one of my Mum’s self-coaching books about empowerment. In the space of two hours, I’d learned the history of Astronomy, how a microwave works and that there is still inequality in the world but that I, yes me, can do something about it.
Against:
When it comes to most things academic, I’m extremely lazy about it. For example with homework, I’ll either procrastinate until the night before or the morning it’s due in or not do it at all. It’s not something I like. Revision is only done when I know there’s no way I can achieve the bare minimum. And I’m not exactly intelligent and knowledgeable. Even if I am (which my teachers tell me), I don’t use it very often.
d. Slytherin
For:
I’m secretive which can in turn can make me cunning. For example, if I were planning to commit murder (which I assure you I’m not), I’d not only keep it to myself but I’d make sure that my behaviour stayed the same as to not draw attention to myself. When I struck, it would be the last thing they were expecting.
Against:
I lack ambition. Even though my dream is to become a criminal psychologist, I’ll do my best to get there eventually but I’m not going to put myself out of my way. If I’m destined to get there then I will. If I’m destined to be an Assistant Manager in McDonalds then I’m happy with that. I don’t really exert myself more than I want to.
7. What was your least favourite moment in HP?
It’s so sad my least favourite moment in HP out of all the bad moments to pick from has to come from my favourite book, Prisoner of Azkaban. It’s the moment right after Lupin has transformed into his werewolf form and Peter has got away and you hear Sirius’ moans. And then you see him encircled by the Dementors. The first time I read that book I was nine and I had to put the book down because I didn’t want to find out what happened next. I knew Harry would get out of it somehow (it would be the end of Harry Potter if he didn’t) but it just seemed that it was the end of the road for Sirius. I just kept thinking he’d be gone by the time I finished that chapter. When I finally did pick it up (curiosity won over fear of whether it was the end for Sirius), I had this strange chill down my back. I think I even cried a little then. It was just so heart-wrenching as Harry’s attempts got worse and the Dementors were coming closer. I think that’s probably the reason why it’s my least favourite. As much as I find happy endings cheesy and sometimes annoying, I actually prefer them. Of course Sirius doesn’t actually die there and he ends up being set free, but that moment when I thought he was going to die was much worse than when he actually did die. It’s similar to when Dumbledore was weak after drinking from the bowl. I was more upset then than at his actual death. I’m not sure how that works, but that moment with Sirius and the Dementors till this day, is a bit I either miss or read with a chill down my back.
8. What about HP appeals to you (e.g. the romance, the adventure, the friendships, the fantasy, the mystery)?
I think it would have to be the fantasy and the mysterious element that it holds to it. Since the first time I began to read Harry Potter, it’s been my safety net. I can escape into the world JKR has created and forget what is going on around. I know deep down that it’s not possible for it to exist but there’s the part of me that wants it to. The mystery allows my imagination to wander. If we knew everything about the wizarding world and what’s going on, I don’t think there would be much eagerness to read the books. What I don’t know makes me want to find out so I do know. Combining the two to give a mysterious fantasy is book heaven to me.
9. What would you do if your friend was in danger? What would you give up in order to save them? Would you lay your life on the line?
To be completely honest, I don’t think I’d lay my life on the line for a friend. Family members perhaps, but I’m not so sure about a friend. For a friend in danger or trouble, I’d drop everything I was doing in my life then and there to try and save them but if it came to a breakpoint where it was me or them, it would have to be me. A lot of the time I do put others before me but to me, like with a lot of things, there’s a limit to how much I’m willing to do.
10. Given a choice between fame and money, which would you choose?
Fame. Fame, used in the right way can be bring money so it would be killing two birds with one stone. Fame without the money, fame can be manipulated to have advantages besides being known by a lot of people. I’d use my fame to bring awareness to issues that affect me such as Autism (two of my cousins are). And a famous poor person also brings awareness to poverty.
11 If you could only store one memory in the Pensieve to visit over again, which one would it be? Why?
If I could store one memory in the Pensieve to visit over and over and over again it would be when I was five/six and my father and I were planting plants in our back garden because he used to love cooking home grown stuff. I would store it because it’s the only good memory I have of me with him. For the past seven years, and I have no recollection of what started it, we haven’t seen eye to eye. So even when I was old and frail, him having passed away (if he doesn’t outlive me) and my memory is slowly going, I can remember that once upon a time it wasn’t all screaming and door slamming.
12. What excites you the most in life? Where do you get the most joy and fulfilment?
I think it would have to be music that excites me the most. Even if I’m standing in front of the examination board for my flute grade and I know I’ve messed up everything, I still manage to get a joy at just knowing I had the guts to stand up there. And I get this thrill when I manage to play a particularly hard solo or chord on my guitar. Even listening to music has a way of calming me. I can’t imagine a world without music. Get rid of Harry Potter (shock!), television, the internet and all modern forms of entertainment but keep music and I’d survive. I get part of my joy from there and the rest, as well as fulfilment I get from my family and friends. Even though my little sister annoys me to no end, spending an afternoon with her in the park has the power to make me feel like the happiest person in the world. Spending all night gossiping with my mum has the same effect. I also love the feeling I get when I see my friends after I’ve been on holiday. I can’t describe it but it has a way of making me feel better, closer to feeling ‘whole’ (If that is possible).
13. If you were in Harry's position during the "Snape's Worst Memory" incident, how would you view Peter, James, Sirius, Lily, Remus, and Snape differently? Why?
I’m not entirely sure how but I do know that I’d be confused. What I’d just seen would contradict all I’d been told for the past four years or so or at least what I’d gathered from the evidence around me.
Peter: I don’t think I’d view him differently. I would have just continued to wonder with more intensity as to how they didn’t see that he was going to betray them before.
James: I’d be disappointed. Everyone compares some aspect of him to me and all of a sudden I discover that he was some obnoxious big head, just as Snape had said. I’d begin to think that I don’t want to be associated to him as much as used to.
Sirius: I’d be disappointed with him as well. He would probably be my role model in some ways and now I have to rethink that.
Lily and Remus: The way I viewed Lily and Remus wouldn’t really change. Lily didn’t really do anything particularly bad except reject James, I’d just wonder why she did that, and as for Remus, I’d have a feeling it would be hard to take on two obnoxious idiots and stop them from behaving like that.
Snape: My view on Snape would change the most. Now I would see a reason behind his hate for me and that maybe that everything non-Potions related that comes out of his mouth aren’t just lies to spite me. So, maybe when he said my father strut, he did in fact do that.
14. Imagine you were an eleven-year-old Muggleborn witch/wizard who did not know about magic and had just received your Hogwarts letter. How would you react to leaving home and going to a magic school?
First I’d be unconvinced that the whole thing was real and if it was proved real, then like most eleven-year olds finding out their going to a magical school I’ll be excited -but- then I’d be reluctant. I moved countries at seven eagerly only to be extremely disappointed to find that there’s no place like home (go Belgium!). I wouldn’t want to move from my home where I was used to everything and to a place I had no idea about it. I like my comfort. When that is threatened, I usually do everything to keep hold of it. If I had to go, I would ask the person they send round a whole bunch of questions or request more information about what I was getting myself into.
15. If you had access to a time turner and there were no regulations regarding its usage, what would you use it for and why?
Within the Harry Potter verse, I’d turn back time to the birth of Severus Snape and watch over him as he grew up, banishing all the obstacles in his way that would all add up to make him who he is today. As much as I like him the way he is, I would want to see him grow up ‘good’. And if that didn’t please me, I’d just turn back time and not meddle. Within my own life, I’d go back to the day before we move and refuse to move. I’d kick up a fuss to stay in Belgium and even if they managed to get me on English soil, I’d kick up such a fuss they’d send me back. There’s nothing wrong with England. It’s just that there’s no place like home.
16. In the Philosopher’s Stone (AKA Sorcerer’s Stone) Neville had a choice: he could let his friends go out at night when they weren’t supposed to and potentially they could lose points for his house, or he could confront them and stop them from breaking the rules. What would you have done in his situation?
Let my friends go out and lose the points. If they want to go out after curfew and lose points, its their problem not mine. It’s not me the House will be angry at. I’d be more curious to find out what they were doing so that if they weren’t back by a certain hour, I could inform a teacher or something. I prefer to avoid confrontation so that’s probably why I’d let them go in the first place. I’m scared about which way the confrontation will go.
17. Who (dead, alive, or fictional) do you most admire? This can be someone from real life or from Harry Potter.
I admire my mother the most. I think it’s because I’ve seen what she’s gone through and that includes raising me and I’m not exactly the easiest of people. She’s also lived with my father 15 years, a lot more difficult than me, and I can’t see how and why she did so. I admire the way that whatever life throws at her, she’ll just throw it right back and continue with life. If it’s a never-ending boomerang, the she’ll just catch and keep hold of it until she finds a way to destroy it so it never comes back. There are so many other little things she does that I just sit there and think “Wow, she’s so strong I want to grow up to be like her.” I just admire and love her.
18. What is your favourite book outside of Harry Potter? What is it about this book that endears it to you?
Jane Eyre. I don’t think it’s the book itself, although like Harry Potter I could read it a thousand times and not get bored, but the person who gave it to me and why. It was given to me as a leaving present by my primary school teacher and as she handed the book to me, she said something along of the lines of “Jane Eyre is a strong character and one day, I’m sure of it, you will be too.” Those words aren’t anything deep but she’d helped me through three years of bullying, encouraging me all the way through, and those words just inspired me before I left. I don’t think my character is as strong as Jane’s but I’m working towards it.
19. You're sitting the final examination for a class that has given you a lot of trouble. Your grade is borderline, you really need to do well on this final to get an A. You can see the paper of your friend who sits next to you and who happens to excel in this subject. You've gotten to a question that you're stuck on. Do you glance at your friend's paper to figure out the answer or not? Why?
I glance. If there’s an easy way to doing something, more often than not I’ll do it. And most of my friends know that so after the test I’d thank her/him for given me the extra boost I needed. I wouldn’t copy it word for word or anything, just an idea of the direction I’m going in. Depending on the friend we’d either joke about it together later or that friend would be miffed for awhile, especially if she’d worked hard for it. However, I’ll only glance if it’s easy to. If there are like three or more invigilators, I wouldn’t risk it. I’d rather fail than risk having all my tests ripped up on the suspicion of cheating on every single one.
20. In Goblet of Fire, Harry was chosen for the Tri-Wizard Tournament even with the age-line. Ron was unable to enter because of the age restriction even though he really wanted to be a part of the Tournament. Was Ron right to be jealous/angry at Harry? Were Harry's reactions appropriate? Why?
Ron had a right to be jealous. I know I’d be and it’s not difficult to see why. Harry is the almighty Boy-Who-Lived and he just happens to be the forgotten best friend. If Ron had been able to get into the tournament, then he’d be known for something other than being close to Harry. It would have also been a chance to prove himself as the youngest of boy of the family. And then, as usual, Harry comes along and steals the limelight again. Now Ron is the best friend of the Boy-Who-Lived, who somehow managed to get past Dumbledore’s age line and get into one of the most prestigious wizarding tournaments. As for being angry, he didn’t have a right to be but it’s understandable to see why. At a time when he should have stuck by Harry and told him it was going to be alright and him mysteriously becoming a champion wasn’t some kind of ploy to kill him, he was clouded by jealousy and thought that Harry had done it just to, once again, get fame and glory. Harry’s reactions were also understandable. His best friend had just turned him and was being a complete idiot, and he couldn’t talk to him when he needed to. If I were in Harry’s shoes, I would have probably done the same.
21. Which class would you look forward to the most at Hogwarts? Which classes do you/did you excel in most at school?
I’d probably look forward to History of Magic. So it isn’t taught by the most exciting teachers but I like learning about the history of things. The history of the wizarding world must be an extensive one, and I’d probably have my head in a history book all the time to supplement what Professor Binns droned on about (if I could stay awake that is). At school now I excel the most in History and Music because I enjoy those quite a bit therefore I put more effort in it than everything else. I also do well in Religious Studies (I go to a Catholic school) but that’s mostly because the head of that department is extremely scary and she threatens a life of hell if you underachieve. She once told our class she would crucify us if we got below 75% in the end-of-year RS exam. French is the last subject I do really well in but that’s because I have an advantage over other students. I’ve been speaking French fluently since I was in nursery.
22. What would be the first place you visit during a Hogsmeade weekend? Why?
Definitely Honeydukes. I have a bit of a sweet tooth and I’d want to try all the different varieties of sweets that they have to offer, never mind the morning after toothaches. How can anyone not be enticed when JKR describes it to have “ shelves upon shelves of the most succulent-looking sweets ever”? I’d want to see for myself if that was true.
23. In the wizarding world, all 5th year students are required to pick a career to focus on going into their 6th and 7th years at Hogwarts. What career path would you choose? Why?
I’d probably choose healing. The prospect of being a Healer has always seemed appealing. I used to want to be a doctor up until I was 12 when during this experiment in class dissecting a pig’s heart I just could not stand the sight of blood. Okay, I didn’t want to be a surgeon but if a patient rushed into my practise with a bloody gash, I think I’d faint more than help. As a Healer, I would like to work in the residential part of St. Mungo’s looking after patients like the Longbottoms and Lockhart. My current ambition is to be some kind of psychologist (preferably criminal), or failing that a social worker, and it would work well. I like helping people but I’m also interested in how their minds work. I’d definitely like to know what goes in the Longbottoms mind.
24. In the Wizarding world, some pure-blood wizards consider Muggle-borns "filthy" and "horrible." In our world, people are categorized by their wealth, racial background, and appearance. What are your opinions on Muggle-borns? What are the qualities that you value in others?
I see nothing wrong with Muggleborns. They’re the same as any other wizard except for the fact that they don’t have some kind of magical ancestry some way or another. Hermione is a Muggleborn and she is often smarter and does generally better than her pureblooded counterparts. Like it happens in our world, I wish it didn’t, because sometimes it results to really good people not getting the chance to really succeed. For example, if a Muggleborn was applying for a job in a company run by a prejudiced pureblood, even if the Muggleborn was the best applicant, the employer would turn them down because of what they are. It’s something I can’t stand, and if I had a strong enough voice, I’d join the thousands of people protesting for equality. As for what I value in others, there’s nothing specific, it varies depending in the group of people, but I suppose honesty is the main one. Even though the truth often hurts, lies tend to end up hurting a lot more. I don’t insist on it but it certainly raises that person in my eyes and I tend to have more respect for people who tell the truth.
25. You have stumbled across five magical wells. One is the Well of Common Sense and Logic, the second is the Well of Creativity, the third is the Well of Optimism, the fourth is the Well of Physical Strength, and the fifth is the Well of Beauty. You can only drink from one well, but once you do you will be endowed with that ability for the rest of your life. Which well do you think you would definitely not need, and which do you think you would want to drink from?
I don’t think I’d need the Well of Creativity. I’m not saying that I spout creativity out of my ears and everything I do is creative but I have enough to satisfy my creative needs. I have enough to compose music, write a half-decent bit of prose and doodle cute little pictures when I’m supposed to be listening in class. That’s enough for me, I don’t need any more. I think the well I’d like to drink from the most is the Well of Optimism. Being cheerful is something I have to really work at. I have a tendency to be pessimistic about a lot of things so I know I’m not setting myself up for disappointment. However, I’ve recently noticed that being pessimistic just makes those around you feel the same way. I may not be setting myself up for disappointment but along the way I might crush other people’s hopes, and it’s not fair. So being endowed with the gift of being optimistic for the rest of my life, where I’d see the positive side of everything and then pass that on to others is something that would benefit me greatly.
26. In Half-Blood Prince, we witnessed Harry force-feeding Dumbledore the potion that weakened him, even though it pained Harry to do so, because he promised Dumbledore he would do whatever he wished. If you were in Harry's position, would you have stopped feeding Dumbledore the potion, or would you have continued? Do you think it was right for Harry to do as Dumbledore wished? Explain.
I would have continued, knowing that it was what Dumbledore wanted and it’s not my place to stop people from doing what they want. And I would have also promised that I would fulfil his wishes and although I’m not going to say I never break promises, it would be an insult to a great man not to do so (and I’m not even a big fan of Dumbledore). So Harry every bit in right to do as Dumbledore wished even if it pained him to do so. As he told Scrimgeour, he’s Dumbledore’s man through and through.
27. Anything else you want to tell us before we sort you? Also, please tell us where you heard about this community. (Members who refer new applicants receive points, so please try to be as specific as possible.)
I heard about the community through bulemicrainbow’s fanfiction.net profile after I’d been reading her one-shot ‘Petunia’s Surprise’ and she mentioned it was actually a homework assignment for an LJ community. I curiously took a look and I liked.