I should really be doing my (potions) homework instead...
Name: Jennifer
Age: 15
AIM Screename ( if you have one ): downpouring
Who referred you here - username and house, if possible: sil3ntsir3n over at hogwarts_elite a while ago.
1. Which of the Harry Potter books have you read? Which did you enjoy most?
I have read all six of the books. My favorite keeps changing, just because I can never make up my mind, but I think right now it is Half-Blood Prince, though that may change when the seventh book comes out. I loved HBP because of the plot. I have to say, my favorite chapter was the one in which Snape made the Unbreakable Vow, because it made me keep thinking about what would happen in the end. (The first time I read it, I had to stop myself from jumping to the back of the book.) I also loved the anticipation about finding out who the Half-Blood Prince was, and I thought it was really interesting how JKR made it someone that we already knew about - Snape, as opposed to introducing a new character. I also really liked how it showed all of the characters as more grown-up. Harry finally understands the importance of the fight he will have to fight against Voldemort. And, I wasn't against the romance in the book either - it made everything more interesting.
2. How do you feel about Voldemort as a character? (Not as a person.)
As a character, I think he's really rather... confusing? Or maybe it's interesting. But I like how in each book we learn more and more about him. At first, he's portrayed as some powerful invincible villain whose downfall was brought upon by a little baby. But, why? In the end, we learned that his weakness was love. And as Harry's story progresses, we get to know more about him. I especially liked how in the sixth book, we saw glimpses of his childhood and learned about his horcruxes. Basically, I like how he's not one of those easy-to-figure-out antagonists. Just when you think you knew everything there is to know about Voldemort, there's more about him you find out in the next book.
3. Which Harry Potter character can you most relate to? (In the sense of personality, intelligence, character traits, etc.)
I think it would have to be Hermione Granger. While I can definitely relate to other characters, there are a lot more things I have in common with Hermione. First of all, anyone who knows me in real life probably knows that I'm definitely obsessive when it comes to grades, tests, SATs, etc. I seriously go around telling people I've failed the latest test I've taken, and actually to tell the truth (though I really hate to brag) I don't do so horribly on them (of course, then my friends get mad xD). Also, I can identify with her because she changes a lot throughout the story (as have many other characters) and she seems to be more open to taking risks in let's say, the sixth book, when compared to the beginning of the first book. I think I've been through a lot of changes in my personality. When I was younger, I was always the shy, quiet kid, but now I've learned to be more talkative - when the time is right of course. I think the one big thing though, that I differ from Hermione is that I procrastinate. So much.
4. Who is your favorite Harry Potter character? Least favorite?
Up until I read the sixth book, it was Hermione because I could relate to her so well and in a way, I admire her. But after reading Half-Blood Prince I have to say Snape intrigues me the most. It seems like we know so much about him and his personality, but there's still so much more about him that we don't know yet, and I love trying to guess or speculate about those things. It's like he knows something we don't.
So, the main reason is because he seems to be so hard to figure out, at least for me. I like how I have to think a lot to try and figure him out. JKR totally had me convinced he was evil in the beginning of the first book, and then at the end it was a shock to me that Quirrell was the evil one. Then, for the next few books, I was convinced that Snape was on Dumbledore's side, and I was (again) surprised at the ending of the sixth book. Now, after six of the seven books, I still haven't 100% figured out Severus Snape. I love how he despises Harry, yet never kills him or hurts him. He just seems like a good-hearted person even though he doesn't like to show it sometimes. I personally and guessing (and hoping) that Snape is on the good side, but it could really go either way right now. Basically, I just think he's a really complex character. There's a lot to him. He acts as a "double agent", but we don't know whose side he's on. He's also the Half-Blood Prince, and I wonder if that fact is more significant than I first thought.
My least favorite character is Cornelius Fudge. I don't think he's evil or anything, but I think he kind of misses the "big picture" sometimes. It seems like he likes to think of himself first. For example, he thought for the longest time that Dumbledore wanted to overthrow him as Minister of Magic. However, what he was missing was that Voldemort was back again. I think he cares about his reputation a lot and cares what other people think of him. He just strikes me as kind of "fake". He seems like someone who, forgive the "muggle world" metaphor, but, smile and pretend to be nice in front of the TV camera but then resume to being selfish when everyone's gone, if that makes sense. It seems like he thinks he's always right and doesn't like to keep an open mind, again, like when Dumbledore tried to tell him that Voldemort was back. I honestly think that he believed Dumbledore when he said that Voldemort was back, but he just didn't want to hear it. So he said that Dumbledore was wrong. And then the situation just got bigger and bigger, and he obviously had his reputation to take care of. I think the only reason that he finally admitted that Dumbledore and Harry were right at the end was that he and many other people saw him, and there was no more point in denying it any longer.
5. What thing, event, or person has had the most impact in your life? (Please don't use yourself because you can't think of someone/something else. Think hard!)
I think my mom, seriously. She's always been there for me pointing me in the right direction (though I don't always listen to her), but she always has my best interests in mind. Plus, I admire her because she's just so successful and happy and she's made something out of her life, and I want to make something out of my life. I certainly don't tell my mom everything, but if I have a problem I need to talk to someone about, usually the person I feel most comfortable talking to is her. She listens and she always gives me great advice.
6. What makes a friendship valuable to you?
I always seem to want things I can't get, and things I have I don't want (that is, until I lose them). What does this have to do with friendship? Well, people who really impress me are people who can do things I can't. I don't think that necessarily makes a friendship valuable, but it's what draws me to become friends with someone. What I value in a friend is someone I can talk to about anything and rest assured that he or she isn't going to go around telling the whole school about my secret or something. Someone who I can have fun with anytime. Someone who listens. Someone who can joke around but still be serious when they need to be. But most of all, someone who likes me for who I am and who isn't going to backstab me.
7. If you had a hero (real or literary) who would it be? (Please keep in mind that we're asking IF you had one, and again please don't use yourself because you can't think of someone else. Be creative!)
I really don't, but I guess Helen Keller. She didn't let her blindness or deafness get in her way and she worked hard anyway - and accomplished much more than many people who could both see and hear. I guess she's my hero because of her determination. I do have ambition - I dream big and I know what I want - but I'm not so great in actually working hard to get it. I'll tell myself to work hard and to do whatever it takes to get what I want... but then later, I'll get lazy and procrastinate. But sometimes, I just feel like I'm never going to get things done if I procrastinate so much. And just the fact that even though she started at a disadvantage, she still came out on top, and that's why I admire her so much.
8. What are your personal aspirations for your future?
I want to feel like I've done something with my life. I would like to see myself in the future: accomplished, respected, and famous. I want to be remembered for something good and great when my life is over. I don't want to be a "nobody". I want to be somebody. I would like to make a difference in other people's lives. I don't want to leave this earth and leave people thinking, "Jenn who?". I want to help the world in a good way. Honestly, at my age, I don't know exactly what I want to get this remembrance and respect. I want to make a difference in at least just one person's life.
But if you mean more immediate future, probably get good grades and go to a good university. I've always wanted to go somewhere on the east coast. Also, I would like to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life. I feel like now is the time that I should know, but I don't, so my goal would be to figure out what I'm passionate about, and to do it.
9. What are your most prominent personality traits, good or bad? Which one do you feel best defines who you are as a person?
- Procrastinator - Guess what I should be doing instead of typing up this application? Homework. XD But anything to get me away from work, really.
- Intelligent - But really, I can be smart when it's needed. I always do work hard on my homework and do last-minute studying for tests and usually end up with pretty good grades.
- Shy - I'm not really shy around my friends, but around new people, I'm really quiet. I never like making the first move and introducing myself to strangers. Usually I'm that girl who waits around for others to invite her to sit with them. Until I get to know them really well, that is. I'm considerably more outgoing when I'm around good friends.
- Envious - If I see someone better than me at something, I'll immediately envy them. Seriously, I may not show it, but I'm jealous a lot. If someone gets better grades than I do, I will be jealous, even if on the surface I am congratulating them. Somewhere in me, there's this desire to be better. If someone has something better than what I have, I want it or something better. Competition, I suppose, could be a good thing, but getting jealous isn't.
- Understanding - I can usually see multiple points of view on different issues and see where people are coming from in arguments. Granted, I do sometimes get hotheaded in arguments despite that. But if I'm on the outside of an argument, it's really interesting to see the different points of view and how they both (well, most of the time) have valid points. Also, I can usually tell what people are feeling. For example, if I'm talking with someone, and I'm annoying them, I can tell when they're starting to get annoyed - even if they don't show it directly by saying, "I'm annoyed with you." Also, I like that I can tell when someone is trying to be friends with me because they genuinely like me, or because they want homework help. And, if I'm talking to a friend or something, I can easily sympathize with them because I can see where they're coming from.
- As for which defines me most? I'm really not sure, because I don't really see a "most prominent" trait myself, but probably my understanding.
10. What house combination do you feel you're most like? Least like? (This is not pushing. It shows whether or not you are self-aware and may not have an influence on the voting process.)
I honestly don't know, still. I've applied to many sorting communities, and seriously, each time, I get different votes. I've been sorted into Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff, yet I still see Slytherin in me as well. I'm stubborn, impatient, and willing to stand up for what I believe in (to a point), I'm ambitious and can be subtle sometimes (though I get impatient when people just don't get what I'm trying to tell them if I'm not saying it in a straightfoward fashion), I'm intelligent, clever, and always want to know more, and I'm fair, hard working (sometimes), and value loyalty. I hope you all don't mind me not giving a straight answer for this one, even though it annoys me when people don't give me a straightfoward answer to my questions (yes, I can be hypocritical sometimes). But really, I'd genuinely like to get more opinions before I start categorizing myself. I know, I'm not self-aware, though I'd like to be.
11. Why should we not squib you?
Because you would be missing out on a happy and valuable member and I would be sad? But seriously, I hope you don't. I know this application might seem a bit informal (I can feel it as I'm typing it), but I think it's more honest because really, this is how I speak and think. I spent a lot of time on this and I really hope you're consider sorting me into a house. However, if you decide to squib me, I guess a reason would be appreciated. Thanks for reading my application! :)
Age: 15
AIM Screename ( if you have one ): downpouring
Who referred you here - username and house, if possible: sil3ntsir3n over at hogwarts_elite a while ago.
1. Which of the Harry Potter books have you read? Which did you enjoy most?
I have read all six of the books. My favorite keeps changing, just because I can never make up my mind, but I think right now it is Half-Blood Prince, though that may change when the seventh book comes out. I loved HBP because of the plot. I have to say, my favorite chapter was the one in which Snape made the Unbreakable Vow, because it made me keep thinking about what would happen in the end. (The first time I read it, I had to stop myself from jumping to the back of the book.) I also loved the anticipation about finding out who the Half-Blood Prince was, and I thought it was really interesting how JKR made it someone that we already knew about - Snape, as opposed to introducing a new character. I also really liked how it showed all of the characters as more grown-up. Harry finally understands the importance of the fight he will have to fight against Voldemort. And, I wasn't against the romance in the book either - it made everything more interesting.
2. How do you feel about Voldemort as a character? (Not as a person.)
As a character, I think he's really rather... confusing? Or maybe it's interesting. But I like how in each book we learn more and more about him. At first, he's portrayed as some powerful invincible villain whose downfall was brought upon by a little baby. But, why? In the end, we learned that his weakness was love. And as Harry's story progresses, we get to know more about him. I especially liked how in the sixth book, we saw glimpses of his childhood and learned about his horcruxes. Basically, I like how he's not one of those easy-to-figure-out antagonists. Just when you think you knew everything there is to know about Voldemort, there's more about him you find out in the next book.
3. Which Harry Potter character can you most relate to? (In the sense of personality, intelligence, character traits, etc.)
I think it would have to be Hermione Granger. While I can definitely relate to other characters, there are a lot more things I have in common with Hermione. First of all, anyone who knows me in real life probably knows that I'm definitely obsessive when it comes to grades, tests, SATs, etc. I seriously go around telling people I've failed the latest test I've taken, and actually to tell the truth (though I really hate to brag) I don't do so horribly on them (of course, then my friends get mad xD). Also, I can identify with her because she changes a lot throughout the story (as have many other characters) and she seems to be more open to taking risks in let's say, the sixth book, when compared to the beginning of the first book. I think I've been through a lot of changes in my personality. When I was younger, I was always the shy, quiet kid, but now I've learned to be more talkative - when the time is right of course. I think the one big thing though, that I differ from Hermione is that I procrastinate. So much.
4. Who is your favorite Harry Potter character? Least favorite?
Up until I read the sixth book, it was Hermione because I could relate to her so well and in a way, I admire her. But after reading Half-Blood Prince I have to say Snape intrigues me the most. It seems like we know so much about him and his personality, but there's still so much more about him that we don't know yet, and I love trying to guess or speculate about those things. It's like he knows something we don't.
So, the main reason is because he seems to be so hard to figure out, at least for me. I like how I have to think a lot to try and figure him out. JKR totally had me convinced he was evil in the beginning of the first book, and then at the end it was a shock to me that Quirrell was the evil one. Then, for the next few books, I was convinced that Snape was on Dumbledore's side, and I was (again) surprised at the ending of the sixth book. Now, after six of the seven books, I still haven't 100% figured out Severus Snape. I love how he despises Harry, yet never kills him or hurts him. He just seems like a good-hearted person even though he doesn't like to show it sometimes. I personally and guessing (and hoping) that Snape is on the good side, but it could really go either way right now. Basically, I just think he's a really complex character. There's a lot to him. He acts as a "double agent", but we don't know whose side he's on. He's also the Half-Blood Prince, and I wonder if that fact is more significant than I first thought.
My least favorite character is Cornelius Fudge. I don't think he's evil or anything, but I think he kind of misses the "big picture" sometimes. It seems like he likes to think of himself first. For example, he thought for the longest time that Dumbledore wanted to overthrow him as Minister of Magic. However, what he was missing was that Voldemort was back again. I think he cares about his reputation a lot and cares what other people think of him. He just strikes me as kind of "fake". He seems like someone who, forgive the "muggle world" metaphor, but, smile and pretend to be nice in front of the TV camera but then resume to being selfish when everyone's gone, if that makes sense. It seems like he thinks he's always right and doesn't like to keep an open mind, again, like when Dumbledore tried to tell him that Voldemort was back. I honestly think that he believed Dumbledore when he said that Voldemort was back, but he just didn't want to hear it. So he said that Dumbledore was wrong. And then the situation just got bigger and bigger, and he obviously had his reputation to take care of. I think the only reason that he finally admitted that Dumbledore and Harry were right at the end was that he and many other people saw him, and there was no more point in denying it any longer.
5. What thing, event, or person has had the most impact in your life? (Please don't use yourself because you can't think of someone/something else. Think hard!)
I think my mom, seriously. She's always been there for me pointing me in the right direction (though I don't always listen to her), but she always has my best interests in mind. Plus, I admire her because she's just so successful and happy and she's made something out of her life, and I want to make something out of my life. I certainly don't tell my mom everything, but if I have a problem I need to talk to someone about, usually the person I feel most comfortable talking to is her. She listens and she always gives me great advice.
6. What makes a friendship valuable to you?
I always seem to want things I can't get, and things I have I don't want (that is, until I lose them). What does this have to do with friendship? Well, people who really impress me are people who can do things I can't. I don't think that necessarily makes a friendship valuable, but it's what draws me to become friends with someone. What I value in a friend is someone I can talk to about anything and rest assured that he or she isn't going to go around telling the whole school about my secret or something. Someone who I can have fun with anytime. Someone who listens. Someone who can joke around but still be serious when they need to be. But most of all, someone who likes me for who I am and who isn't going to backstab me.
7. If you had a hero (real or literary) who would it be? (Please keep in mind that we're asking IF you had one, and again please don't use yourself because you can't think of someone else. Be creative!)
I really don't, but I guess Helen Keller. She didn't let her blindness or deafness get in her way and she worked hard anyway - and accomplished much more than many people who could both see and hear. I guess she's my hero because of her determination. I do have ambition - I dream big and I know what I want - but I'm not so great in actually working hard to get it. I'll tell myself to work hard and to do whatever it takes to get what I want... but then later, I'll get lazy and procrastinate. But sometimes, I just feel like I'm never going to get things done if I procrastinate so much. And just the fact that even though she started at a disadvantage, she still came out on top, and that's why I admire her so much.
8. What are your personal aspirations for your future?
I want to feel like I've done something with my life. I would like to see myself in the future: accomplished, respected, and famous. I want to be remembered for something good and great when my life is over. I don't want to be a "nobody". I want to be somebody. I would like to make a difference in other people's lives. I don't want to leave this earth and leave people thinking, "Jenn who?". I want to help the world in a good way. Honestly, at my age, I don't know exactly what I want to get this remembrance and respect. I want to make a difference in at least just one person's life.
But if you mean more immediate future, probably get good grades and go to a good university. I've always wanted to go somewhere on the east coast. Also, I would like to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life. I feel like now is the time that I should know, but I don't, so my goal would be to figure out what I'm passionate about, and to do it.
9. What are your most prominent personality traits, good or bad? Which one do you feel best defines who you are as a person?
- Procrastinator - Guess what I should be doing instead of typing up this application? Homework. XD But anything to get me away from work, really.
- Intelligent - But really, I can be smart when it's needed. I always do work hard on my homework and do last-minute studying for tests and usually end up with pretty good grades.
- Shy - I'm not really shy around my friends, but around new people, I'm really quiet. I never like making the first move and introducing myself to strangers. Usually I'm that girl who waits around for others to invite her to sit with them. Until I get to know them really well, that is. I'm considerably more outgoing when I'm around good friends.
- Envious - If I see someone better than me at something, I'll immediately envy them. Seriously, I may not show it, but I'm jealous a lot. If someone gets better grades than I do, I will be jealous, even if on the surface I am congratulating them. Somewhere in me, there's this desire to be better. If someone has something better than what I have, I want it or something better. Competition, I suppose, could be a good thing, but getting jealous isn't.
- Understanding - I can usually see multiple points of view on different issues and see where people are coming from in arguments. Granted, I do sometimes get hotheaded in arguments despite that. But if I'm on the outside of an argument, it's really interesting to see the different points of view and how they both (well, most of the time) have valid points. Also, I can usually tell what people are feeling. For example, if I'm talking with someone, and I'm annoying them, I can tell when they're starting to get annoyed - even if they don't show it directly by saying, "I'm annoyed with you." Also, I like that I can tell when someone is trying to be friends with me because they genuinely like me, or because they want homework help. And, if I'm talking to a friend or something, I can easily sympathize with them because I can see where they're coming from.
- As for which defines me most? I'm really not sure, because I don't really see a "most prominent" trait myself, but probably my understanding.
10. What house combination do you feel you're most like? Least like? (This is not pushing. It shows whether or not you are self-aware and may not have an influence on the voting process.)
I honestly don't know, still. I've applied to many sorting communities, and seriously, each time, I get different votes. I've been sorted into Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff, yet I still see Slytherin in me as well. I'm stubborn, impatient, and willing to stand up for what I believe in (to a point), I'm ambitious and can be subtle sometimes (though I get impatient when people just don't get what I'm trying to tell them if I'm not saying it in a straightfoward fashion), I'm intelligent, clever, and always want to know more, and I'm fair, hard working (sometimes), and value loyalty. I hope you all don't mind me not giving a straight answer for this one, even though it annoys me when people don't give me a straightfoward answer to my questions (yes, I can be hypocritical sometimes). But really, I'd genuinely like to get more opinions before I start categorizing myself. I know, I'm not self-aware, though I'd like to be.
11. Why should we not squib you?
Because you would be missing out on a happy and valuable member and I would be sad? But seriously, I hope you don't. I know this application might seem a bit informal (I can feel it as I'm typing it), but I think it's more honest because really, this is how I speak and think. I spent a lot of time on this and I really hope you're consider sorting me into a house. However, if you decide to squib me, I guess a reason would be appreciated. Thanks for reading my application! :)