I'm dating the Potions Professor...
Name: Paige Gabrielle. I despise 'Paige', so I answer to Gabrielle, Gabby, Gabs, Fate, and Oh Captain My Captain.
Age: twenty-one
AIM Screename ( if you have one ): Black Angel Fate
Who referred you here - username and house, if possible: I saw a link at hat_sorting
1. Which of the Harry Potter books have you read? Which did you enjoy most?
I've read all of the books multiple times, but I'd be hard-pressed to say which one I enjoy the most, as I enjoy almost all of them for different reasons. I like Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets because they have a simple, innocent feel about them. There's a sense of wonder present in those first two books that fades as the series goes on, making way for fear and, eventually, angst. I'm not terribly fond of Prisoner of Azkaban, but that's really the only one I don't like much. I thoroughly enjoyed Goblet of Fire - there was a lot going on in that book, a half-dozen different plots to follow, a lot of action, a little romance, and worlds of clues to what would come in the rest of the series. It was good to see the wizarding world further explored, and I liked the introduction of the other two wizarding schools. Order of the Phoenix was a bit slow-paced, but very revealing, and Half-Blood Prince ties with Goblet of Fire as one of my two favorites. Despite the weakness of the plot and the overemphasis on romance, I enjoyed seeing Draco beat the hell out of Harry (that had been too long coming in my opinion), and every scene with Snape in it made me deliriously happy.
2. How do you feel about Voldemort as a character? (Not as a person.)
Every story needs to have conflict, and the easiest way to introduce conflict is to have a villain. But honestly... did it have to be THIS villain? Tom Riddle showed a great deal of promise as a student, but as soon as he left Hogwarts, he began making a plethora of elementary, idiotic mistakes that led to his eventual downfall in Godric's Hollow. Then, after reincarnating, he continually put himself in position to be defeated again and again, and by mere children! I'm sure he's necessary as a symbol of irredeemable evil in this series, and in some ways, he plays the part well, but I'm honestly not certain why the entire wizarding world is in terror of him. He's myopic, narrow-minded, and over-dramatic, and I find it difficult to believe that the Auror's College could neither find him nor take him down. His Death Eaters are inept and he himself seems to have lost most of his charisma as a leader when he lost his physical beauty. Having a Bad Guy is all well and good, but as an unbeatable arch-nemesis, Voldemort just seems extremely improbable.
3. Which Harry Potter character can you most relate to? (In the sense of personality, intelligence, character traits, etc.)
When I answered this question at hat_sorting, I used Voldemort and Sirius Black. However, at hp_stamping, I was stamped as Bill Weasley, and I can see the validity in that too, so I'll address each of them in turn.
I can relate to Voldemort's GOALS - to garner power over the entire wizarding world, to purify it, re-forge it, and make it stronger (if darker) than it ever was. Tom Riddle's seemingly effortless charisma suits me as well. But Voldemort has made so many idiotic and inexcusable mistakes over the course of his career that I am extremely reluctant to associate myself with him, post-Hogwarts. Had he made some simple changes, such as obtaining a copy of the Evil Overlord's Handbook and following it religiously, maybe he wouldn't have been soundly beaten year after year by a trio of minors.
On the flip side, Sirius Black's lazy charm, battered sense of humor, and barely-concealed mania post-Azkaban appeal to me greatly. I like the man, and I like him even more when he's angry enough to show the insanity that lurks under those scars. He seems brash and aggressive, a generous friend and an even more generous enemy, and almost fanatically protective of those he considers family. I try not to be brash, but the rest fits me very well, and while I try to maintain a calculated facade, when my loved ones are threatened, I am quick to show my teeth and have no qualms about biting hard.
Finally, Bill Weasley. We don't see too much of him in the books until Half-Blood Prince, and at that point, he's too busy snogging Fleur to contribute much to the plot. But we know a few things about him, namely that he's a curse-breaker for Gringotts, that he aggravates his mother by wearing his hair long, and that he has a sense of utilitarian glamour that makes him extremely sexy. From what I gather, he's something of a Lara Croft figure, exploring ancient tombs filled with curses, traps, and treasures, and retrieving the latter for his employers at great personal risk. This is a job I could get into - it requires quick thinking, creativity, a very well-rounded skill set, daredevil bravery, and a little insanity. Bill seems like a person who makes intelligent decisions with split-second timing, who has great confidence in himself, and who meets a challenge with relish, and I certainly relate to him on all of that. I like his sense of style, as well - a fang earring seems like the sort of thing I'd wear, and we both look hot in leather.
4. Who is your favorite Harry Potter character? Least favorite?
My favorite character is definitely Severus Snape. While I do wish he would let go of the past (I was treated just as poorly as he was in grade school, but I grew up and got over it) in situations where he isn't frothing at the mouth for James' and Sirius' blood, his cutting wit, cool arrogance, and rock-solid sense of proportion have won me over in every regard. He never lets himself be enslaved by fear, no matter how dangerous a situation he's facing, and always keeps that perfect facade firmly in place. His mental might is impressive - despite being a man who clings to brutal honesty in most facets of his life, he has managed to put forth a brilliant act that fooled either Voldemort or Dumbledore, the two greatest wizards of the age. On that note, I don't believe Snape was acting against Dumbledore's wishes in the sixth book. He is too smart to allow himself to be bound by the Unbreakable Vow into a situation that was not to his advantage, and the entire situation is just a little 'off' to me. Dumbledore begging? He was the one who said "To the organized mind, death is just the next great adventure". No, I think Snape and Dumbledore planned all this in advance. There's a loophole somewhere, I think I know what it is, and if I am right, I will contentedly wave my Snape banner in the faces of disbelievers.
However, if I turn out to be wrong and Snape did, in fact, commit murder, I still won't dislike him for it. Severus keeps promises he makes, and whatever he did, he always remained true to his own bruised, battered, but still-functioning sense of honor. And I can never fault him for that, as I would have invariably done the same.
As for my least favorite character, it used to be Trelawney, but recently, I've started to really dislike Harry. His sense of entitlement is mind-boggling, and his incredible blind arrogance makes me want to seize him by the throat and shake some sense into him. He whines incessantly, treats his friends appallingly, and he's always getting rewarded for breaking the rules, which contributes to his blatant disrespect of them. The worst part of it is, it really IS all about Harry Potter - he's The Boy Who Lived, the only one who can defeat Voldemort. And he's heard so much of that, I think he's become glutted on his own destiny. He may not be looking forward to fighting Voldemort, but he seems to think that everyone around him owes him their time, effort, allegiance, and tolerance, when they don't really owe him anything at all. He may be a fairly intelligent child, but he's still a child, and he treats the adults in his life as if they're idiots for not realizing that he's worthy to stand among them. Now, granted, he has taken more risks and survived more dangerous situations than many wizards twice his age, but last time I checked, he was neither an adult nor a trained Auror, and he really has no excuse to expect that sort of indulgence. His behavior when he's denied is sullen and tempestuous, and I'm waiting for the day when someone smacks the self-absorption out of that boy.
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!)
No need to think hard, there's only one person without whom I absolutely would not be the person I am today. In fact, it wouldn't be amiss to say that without this person, I wouldn't even BE here today. Ice (a nickname) was everything to me for several years, while I was growing up and trying not to collapse under the weight of the dislike of my peers. He taught me magic, the runes, inner strength, and self-love, and kept me from going insane on the many occasions when it would have been easy. We always had a unique relationship for mentor and student, more of a sibling-esque interaction, and given his own psychological scars, he cared more about me than should have been possible. He left me eventually, when he was convinced that I had both the strength and the grounding to carry on on my own, but I literally would not be anything without what he taught me. I still strive to be a student he can be proud of. He had a way of viewing the world, a sort of jaded amusement, that is still a source of inspiration for me, and he never let anyone get the better of him in any way. He was fearless and immortal, and there was never anyone else like him in the world, nor will there ever be.
6. What makes a friendship valuable to you?
I am a somewhat antisocial person at times. I like my space and my privacy, and I don't like my time, effort, or resources to be infringed upon without a good reason. Those who would be my friends have to be independent, whole people who are capable of standing up for themselves and chasing after their dreams without any help from me. The needy and the clingy repel me. I like people with strong, pure souls and great ambitions, who aren't afraid to reach for the sky with everything in them, people who are equals. Those who want to ride along on my coattails may be allies, but they will never be real friends - real friends will pursue their goals themselves, and they won't give up, even if those goals are in opposition to mine.
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!)
Hm. I had a long list to choose from, but I think in the end I'm going to go with Damon Salvatore from the Vampire Diaries series by L.J. Smith. Damon is the elder of two brothers (his sibling's name is Stefan) who were born in Renaissance Italy and turned into vampires by the same woman, who seemed to have the idea she could have both their affections at once. Understandably (and depressingly, for those who wanted sibcest), neither of them was very pleased with this. After an attempt to kill each other, they parted ways. Stefan mourned his predatory status ( a la Louis) and survived on the edges of Florence on rats and pigeons, but Damon became a pirate and mercenary and went on to become terribly successful, feared as a monster whose nickname (The Demon) was known across Europe. He killed cunningly and built up massive strength, until there were no other vampires (except the Originals) who could challenge him. After five hundred years, he and Stefan met again in Virginia, and again fought over a girl. Over the course of the series, they discovered that the culprit was their sire, whom they had believed dead for five centuries, and that she had, in turn, been sired by one of the Originals. They killed her, but not before the girl they loved (Elena) sacrificed herself, then joined forces against the Original with ghost!Elena on their side. They eventually managed to defeat him, and as a favor for ridding the world of a great evil, some random Higher Power sent Elena back to the world of the living to be with Stefan (she picked him over Damon... only the gods know why, stupid bint). There was much rejoicing, except for Damon, who stood looking on impassively at the end-of-the-series celebratory scene. When Stefan and Elena tried to convince him that he should join them, that he belonged with them, that he wasn't truly evil, he did something I will never stop admiring him for - he gave Elena his coat (it was raining), told her to stay warm, and walked off into the forest, refusing their invitation.
I am so heartily sick of seeing villains become heroes by the end of the book/series, this reaction literally made me cheer. Damon knew who and what he was, and he was unrepentant about it. He wasn't sorry for himself, and he wasn't weak. When it came to crunch time, he gave up what he wanted to remain true to himself, even though 'himself' wasn't acceptable to the people he loved, and he didn't complain about the loss, just accepted it and went on. And he's still a beautiful monster, and I still adore him, and that's why he's my hero.
8. What are your personal aspirations for your future?
For all my potential, my aspirations are rather simple. I want to live on a sheep ranch in Ireland or Scotland, get married, have two sons, and spend my days working with my hands and writing. I want to own a horse and be surrounded by cats. I have a great yearning for The Simple Life. I've also had aspirations to open up a magic shop, or school. The shop is possible, the school likely isn't, but it's fun to dream about. I currently teach Defense Against the Dark Arts and Ancient Runes over at hat_sorting, so that's been satisfying my teaching urge rather well. As for getting married, I think I may have found the guy. And it would make me insanely happy to have a pair of boys named Dwyn and Jei. But that's mainly because I'm a Farfarello fan-girl.
9. What are your most prominent personality traits, good or bad? Which one do you feel best defines who you are as a person?
My most prominent positive personality traits are definitely my pragmatic intelligence and my very straightforward personality. My answer's changed a bit, I think, from the last time I filled out a similar application to this one somewhere else, but over the past few months, I've really come to appreciate the uncomplicatedness of my own mind. I'm female, but I don't really behave like one, a quality which has won me the instant appreciation of all my boyfriend's friends. I don't play games, I don't mess with peoples' minds, I'm not over-dramatic, and I'm not petty or catty. I don't offend easily, and I don't pretend to be offended when I'm really not just to assert the power I have over my lover. This sort of behavior from the female sex frustrates me to no end. I realize that my boyfriend is physically more powerful than I am, but I am supremely secure in my own worth and prowess. I don't feel the need to prove it by twisting him around my finger - the women who DO need to do this are, in my mind, pathetic. My pragmatic intelligence is probably the thing I value most about myself, as well as the attribute that I feel defines me as a person. I have something of a reputation amongst my friends for being Cunning Plan Girl, to the point where whenever I say "I have a plan!" there are collective groans. My own moral system is a little bruised - I am willing to do things most people wouldn't in order to make sure we succeed, and I don't believe there's any such thing as overkill. Whatever results in the best result with the least risk and effort for my side is the route I'll take, and I don't really believe in honor on the battlefield.
My negative personality traits are really just my positive traits taken to extremes - I suppose that's true of anyone, really. I don't have many female friends because I find it difficult to relate to most girls. The things they care about, I couldn't care less about, and I'm usually not shy about letting them know it. I'm usually a courteous and friendly person, but I'm also aggressive and extremely opinionated, and while I'm willing to be diplomatic, I can't stand to see people espouse opinions that have no logical backing. I love to debate, but most people feel threatened when I try to start something with them, and since I also love a good fight, I rarely try to reel it in once it's gotten out of hand. I can't suffer fools easily and tend to get impatient and snappish with people whom I feel are not showing their intelligence, or who are not putting any effort into their work.
As for my pragmatic intelligence, I'm not sure it's necessary to spell out the downside of it - I'm ruthless. There are situations in which I really don't care who gets hurt, or how unfair my tactics are, or even what people think of me when I use them - if it's a choice between looking good and my own survival, I'll pick my own survival anytime. I am not a coward, but I do recognize the uses for strategic retreat, traps, spies, and underhanded tactics. Whether I'm playing a game or sparring on the mats, I'm in it to WIN. If I can't win, I'm determined to make my opponent work hard for every single inch he or she wins from me. My stubbornness knows no bounds, and I never surrender.
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.)
Whenever I take impersonal Sorting Hat tests, I'm invariably Sorted into Gryffindor. I can see why - I'm aggressive, courageous, strong-willed, and stubborn. I love a good contest, I'm fiercely loyal toward my friends and my family, and I refuse to allow myself to be intimidated by anything or anyone. I usually maintain a sense of good humor, letting most little things slide off my back in favor of enjoying my life, and I can sometimes act without thinking if I feel threatened. However, my secondary house is always Slytherin, and Slytherin is where I was Sorted at hat_sorting. I can also see why this is - I'm obviously cunning, rather elitist, and very ambitious. I'm not afraid of the Dark Arts and my moral system is a little dodgy, and I luxuriate in positions of power and leadership. I have a keen understanding of the shadows that lurk in the minds and hearts of people, and I'm not afraid to exploit them for my own benefit. In all honesty, as much as I tend to look down on Gryffindors (of course, that could just be because I dislike Ron and Harry), I think Slythiffin is probably where I belong. However, in my Sorting Hat Application, I got a surprising number of Ravenclaw votes. I'm not sure about this one - I am intelligent, and it's one of the things I pride myself on. Hell, I study for fun. But I'm not quite as devoted to learning as I think a true Ravenclaw is. I appreciate knowledge toward a purpose, not for knowledge's sake, but I do have a cutting wit and a great memory, so maybe Slytherclaw wouldn't be amiss.
The only place I know I don't belong is Hufflepuff. I have a fierce sense of justice and am loyal to those I love, but I believe in efficiency. The most benefit for the least amount of work is how I prefer to do things, and I'm not exactly known for great patience. I'm also a terrible procrastinator - unless I want to do the work, I'll put it off indefinitely in favor of something I enjoy more.
11. Why should we not squib you?
I'm told my personality comes through loud and clear in my writing, and I've never had any reason to believe that this isn't the case. I also read through every one of the rules, and have followed them to the best of my ability, because I respect your community. I put time and effort into this application because you're going to put YOUR effort into Sorting me, and I have no right to ask that from you if I'm not prepared to give something in return. Also, I made sure I edited this several times to correct any spelling, grammar, or html mistakes. *smirk* I'm not terribly afraid of being squibbed - I think I've shown you due effort and respect - but even if I am, I'm sure you'll have good reasons. So long as you allowed me to fix my mistakes and reapply in a month, I'd be content.