Sort me, please.

[nyxalinth]

• What sort of profession in the wizarding world would you choose and why?
  
  I could see myself being very happy as Arthur Weasley's assistant in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts department. I see myself as being Muggleborn or a Half-Blood, and my experience and knowledge of Muggle devices would come in handy.
  
  
• If you could teach one class at Hogwarts, what would it be and why?
  
  I'd teach Muggle Studies, with an emphasis on Muggle Myth and Culture. I think it's an important subject for everyone, even Purebloods ;-) If you think about it, many beloved Muggle stories echo the struggle told in the Harry Potter books. Finding a way to show the class the Star Wars films, say, might show them things within themselves they might not see otherwise. For instance, someone on a dark path might see Anakin Skywalker's eventual fate and look within him or herself and question things.
  
  
• This year, The TriWizard Tournament is being held once again and you're of age. Do you put your name in the Goblet? Why or why not?
  
  Ooh, tough one. The spirit is very willing, but the flesh is weak. I am not terribly athletic, so I'd be great at the stuff requiring daring or brains but I'd suck at the more physical aspects. I'd waffle for a while then probably do it on impulse.
  
  
• If you could choose your animagus form, what would it be and why?
  
  I'd rather be a Metamorphamagus. But as for being an animagus, I'd love to change into a raven. I strongly identify with them: they're smart, resourceful, gutsy and I'll admit that shiny things always get my attention :) They don't have the nicest voices as birds go, but then neither do I.
  
  
• If you could be written into any HP Series book as a new character, which book would it be, and who would your character be? Why did you choose that book/character?
  
  Up until Arthur Weasley is promoted, I'd be his assistant at the office for Misuse of Muggle artifacts and a good friend of the Weasley family. After he is promoted, I would take over as head of the department, and perhaps slip a few illegal but very useful items to those in need in the war against Voldemort.
  
  
• What is your favorite magical spell/charm? Why?
  
  I would have to say Alohomora. I have a tendency to lose or forget my keys, and a set of keys flying to me might attract undue Muggle attention. With Alohomora, who cares if the keys are upstairs in my other purse?
  
  
• Name three reasons why you would like to be sorted into each House.
  
  Gryffindor:
  1. I have an intense, emotional personality, and I feel that Gryffindors might be the most tolerant of this.
  2. I've had many times where if it weren't for my continued bravery in the face of tough times (being homeless twice, quitting a job without back up because I knew it was the right thing to do, etc.) I might have done myself in ages ago out of despair.
  3. Gryffindors may take the mickey out of each other at times, but in the end if a Gryffindor is your friend, you can be sure that they really are your friend.
  
  Hufflepuff:
  1. I am a deeply loyal person. It takes a *lot* for me to turn against someone, usually an act of some kind of cruelty against myself or someone else or an animal is what it takes.
  2. If it's something I enjoy, I *can* work very hard on a project. Hufflepuff would help me stay focused.
  3. Hufflepuffs seem like the type who can roll up their sleeves, buckle down, and it get it done, working together as a team.
  
  Ravenclaw
  1. I like the company of people who have a clever wit and a sharp sense of humor.
  2. I don't deal well at all with stupid people, and being in Ravenclaw, I would have to deal with far fewer of them ;-)
  3. To quote Potter Puppetpal Hermione: 'I love to learn!' Really, I do. The problem is, I also have ADHD which severely interferes with my ability to stay with one subject for very long.
  
  Slytherin
  1. While I have a good heart, I'm not exactly 'Miss Happy Sunshine Sparkle Fun'. I tend towards dark moods, I brood, and I have a bit of a dark sense of humor. I feel that Slytherins are best able to deal with this.
  2. When my ADHD isn't interfering, I find I am quite able to set tough goals for myself and achieve them. Being in Slytherin would help me to develop this further.
  3. I like the idea of having good connections and contacts. Networking doesn't come easily to me, but if I were in Slytherin knowing that I am with like-minded people would make it easier for me to form advantageous contacts.
  
  
• You've received your O.W.L results. What are your results? (You have to have failed or done poorly in at least one subject)
  
  History of Magic: P. Proffessor Binns is so boring that he could take a subject that I normally enjoy, such as history, and put me to sleep. The fact that I like the subject is all that saves me from a T.
  
  Potions: E. While certain aspects of chemistry (mostly involving math and complex chemical formulae) eluded me, I was enthralled with the sense of discovery that came with it. I think this would apply to Potions as well. Also, I enjoy making brews and aromatherapy blends and I imagine that potions has some similar elements.
  
  Charms: E. I would have entirely too much fun with this class in order to do poorly. I also feel it would come naturally to me.
  
  Transfiguration: A. I like the subject but whenever I'm watching to movies I keep wondering over the welfare of the animals involved, so I know I'd be fretting in class. To say the least this would be a distraction for me. Still Transfiguration is a very useful subject and one that I would benefit from learning to the best I am able.
  
  Muggle Studies: O. Almost too easy for me, considering that as I said I would likely be a Muggleborn or Half-blood. I would take it just for the wizarding perspective on Muggle life. It's interesting to see how the Wizarding world reacts to things I would take for granted.
  
  Defense Against the Dark Arts: E. I might actually be a little too fascinated by it, though. I do have a slightly dark nature: I love horror stories and films. I'd probably do all sorts of unnecessary extra reading on it, and the Restricted Section in the library would be very tempting to me where this subject is concerned.
  
  Care of Magical Creatures: A. I'm sure I'd find them all fascinating, but I would really prefer to keep creatures like Blast-Ended Skrewts as far away as possible. I'd tend to react better to the prettier dangerous creatures like hippogriffs, and I'd love the unicorns.
  
  Arithmancy: T. A big fat T. I suck at math beyond about a sixth grade level, and imagine that Arithmancy would be no different.
  
  
• If you could have any superpower - but only ONE - what would it be?
  
  I'd have to go for being able to shapeshift into any form I wanted at any time. I'd never have to worry about my weight again, and if I wanted to see what it was like to be a snake or a horse or a teacup, I could.
  
  
• What HP character do you identify with most and why?
  
  Neville Longbottom. I know what it's like to feel like you'll never amount to much in life. I also know what it's like to slowly discover my strengths and develop a sense of self that does not involve the opinions of others, and I see Neville headed in that direction. I got harassed a lot in school for being different, and Neville takes a lot of rubbish in life, too. Neville doesn't lack for courage, but he does have low self-confidence, something that I struggle with, too.
  
  
• What would you see if you looked into the Mirror of Erised?
  
  As a plus-sized woman, I would see a day come where a woman's beauty is celebrated for being unique, not some cookie-cutter, nearly unattainable ideal. I would see myself surrounded by deirable men who love and want me as I am.
  
  
• If you won a million dollars, how would you spend it?
  
  I'd pay off all the people to whom I owe money, share some with family and friends, put some in the bank, and use the rest wisely so I could quit my grunt jobs and concentrate on a writing career. Also, I'd donate money to charities that are important to me such as the Humane Society and to causes like Amnesty International.
  
  
• Which HP book is your favorite and why?
  
  I think my favourite would have to be The Goblet of Fire. It was the most exciting, the characters are developing into teenagers and I thought she hit it on the nose with their actions and emotions. It also had some excellent humorous bits, which I miss as the stories grow darker.
  
  
• Which HP book is your least favorite and why?
  
  I didn't dislike any of them, though Order of the Phoenix comes close. It's a good story, but I detested Kreacher and Mrs. Black, and Sirius' death struck a deep chord that brought back unpleasant memories for me. Also, I disliked discovering that Harry's dad was an arrogant jerk who picked on Snape just because he could.
  
  
• What was your ideal job as a kid? Has that changed? What is your ideal job now?
  
  When I was a kid, I had wanted to be a doctor. That changed because I didn't fancy the idea of so many more years of school. Now, I'd say I'm still searching for my ideal job. I'm sorting out what that would involve. I feel, though, that if I could knuckle down and just do it I want to be a published writer.
  
  
• 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 would invent a potion that while it would not cause a phsical change, it would cause the drinker to reflect outwardly his or her inner beauty or lack thereof, and people would react accordingly. In other words, if someone like Eloise Midgen drank it, she would appear as lovely to onlookers, whereas someone like Bellatrix Lestrange would be seen as a corrupt and twisted old hag. I'd call it the Inner Light potion. It wouldn't make people fall in love, though--it would just show them the person's truest face.
  
  
• 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?
  
  I think the boggart would appear to me as one of those horrid Ash Zombies from the Morrowind computer game (they look humanoid but from upper lip to just above the eyebrows, they have no face and hollow skulls. Icky and creepy! Often scared me half to death while I was playing.) and its Riddikulus would be the same thing dressed as Frank N. Furter from Rocky Horror Picture Show.
  
  
• What do you look for in a friend?
  
  Someone who accepts me as who I am while at the same time helping me to develop my better qualities. Things in common are nice, but I feel that what's more important is how I feel when I am with him or her, and vice versa. I like someone who does their best to understand me and why I think or feel a certain way. Someone who knows how to really listen, will stand up for me, and knows to let me vent when I need to without allowing me to wallow in misery.
  
  
• What is the one thing you would most like to accomplish?
  
  Provided that I can get myself to sit down and do it, I'd like to finish the novel I am working on and get it published. I don't necessarily need to be rich and famous, but I would enjoy being able to make a comfortable living while entertaining myself and others with my stories.
  
  
• What trait most annoys you about other people?
  
  I dislike stupidity and cruelty the most out of anything. I also can't stand what I think of as 'sheeple', those who like or do or think something because it's the accepted or most popular or it makes them look good to their friends.
  
  
• What do you think are your top five abilities or qualities?
  
  1. I have a great imagination, and I know how to make good use of it.
  2. I care deeply about people, even though they piss me off some days.
  3. I do my best to behave in a way that conforms to my own personal code of honor.
  4. I am very resilient and even though I might feel down, I bounce back from negative situations.
  5. I am very smart, especially in the areas of reading and writing.
  
  
• What do you think are your top five weaknesses or worst qualities?
  
  1. I do not suffer fools gladly. I tolerate idiots even less so.
  2. I am very impulsive, sometimes reckless.
  3. My ADHD, for which I prefer not to be medicated, can interfere with my ability to concentrate on tasks that I find less than interesting.
  4. I lack self-confidence, especially where my writing ability and the opposite sex are concerned.
  5. I get horribly jealous of people that seem to have things handed to them or who have an easy time without really deserving it, even if the person is my friend.
  
  
• Define in your own words the following key traits:
  
  • Courage: Knowing what needs to be done, feeling the fear, and doing it anyway. Taking the hard road because it's the right road.
    
  • Loyalty: Standing up for loved ones or a cause you believe in no matter the cost. Keeping your word and being there for someone even if it isn't convenient.
    
  • Intelligence: Being able to discern what is right, true, and logical. Learning a number of things easily and well. Having a wide variety of talents.
    
  • Ambition: Knowing what you want to achieve, making a plan, and achieving it. Not being willing to settle for anything less than that of which you are truly capable. Living up to your potential or beyond.
    
  
  
• Name: Sheila aka 'Raven'
  
• Age: 40
  
• What house do you think DOESN'T fit you? (This question is optional for those who feel they just DO NOT fit in a house. Please explain WHY.) I am not going to say I don't belong in any one house. I know that we all have blind spots, including me, and I would prefer to see what others have seen in me, even if I initially think it may not fit.
  
• Where did you find out about us? ladyrishikesh