Those long necked giraffes and snazzy dressed penguins
Name: Melanie
Age: 22
1.Why would you like to join Hogwarts Home? Will you participate in both the process of sorting new applicants and the sub-communities one you have been sorted?
I would like to join Hogwarts Home because it seems to be the most in-depth and thorough when it comes to the sorting. Not to mention, it also gives us, the applicants, a chance to learn more about ourselves with these thought-provoking questions. Another reason is because I would love to be a part of such a large, active, and intelligient Harry Potter community. The friends I hang around with in real life, while they are Harry Potter fans, are no where near as hopelessly obsessed as I am - and they tend to get quite bored and tired of my endless chatter about it. I just need to be around my own kind ;)
Of course I will most definitely participate in the sub-communities and future sorting of new applicants. I'm actually quite excited and can't wait to do so. This will give me a chance to finally become active in the LJ community and to hopefully make some new friends. And I think it will be fun and interesting in helping to sort new applicants.
2. Have you read all 6 of the Harry Potter books? Which book was your favorite and why?
Yuppers I have! I'm in the process of re-reading my favorite book at the moment, and that book would be 'Order of the Phoenix'. There are a couple reasons why this book is my favorite:
First, the plot and action starts right from the first page and never lets go! The other four books took several chapters before we really got into the meat of the story. But with OotP, it seems Rowling is really using each and every page to the fullest to move the plot along, and not wasting a single one. Also, if for nothing else, 'Order' has the most exciting and suspenseful climaxes of any of the Harry Potter books thus far. The entire part at the Ministry of Magic/Department of Mysteries had me eagerly turning the pages unable to put the book down. From the room with the spinning wall, the Death Eaters chasing the kids through the Ministry, the battle between the Death Eaters & members of the OotP, and of course Sirius' tragic death - all come together to form a truly edge of your seat kind of climax. (I absolutely cannot wait to see these scenes in the movie!)
Secondly, we learn more about Petunia. I always thought there was more to her than meets the eye. Why else would she so easily take Harry into her protection, if she despises the Magical World as much as she claims? I've also wondered how much of the Magical World she actually knew about and was exposed to. This book definitely clears some of those questions up, especially when she let slip her knowledge of Azkaban. I'm hoping to find out more about her character in the last book, because she really does interest me.
Third, we learn more about James and Snape. When Harry spied in on Snape's memories during an Occlumency lesson, we see that James was quite the bully towards Snape. Shows us just a tiny bit, on why Snape may have something against Harry.
3. What character do you most relate to? Why?
Well, I would have to say Ron. It has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he is my favorite character. Actually, he's probably my favorite character because I relate to him so much.
First, I'm loyal to the end. My friends and family are the first and most important things in my life. I would do anything to help them out, including facing and over-coming my own fears. I would also sacrifice anything in the world for them, including my life. Ron's line to Sirius in PoA, as he overcomes the pain of his broken leg and stands to protect Harry, "If you want to kill Harry, you'll have to kill us, too." - is definitely something I would do for any of my friends or family members without a second thought.
Second, I act before I think. I don't spend the time thinking ahead of the trouble my actions could cause or get me into. I'm just a very impulsive person - and if I want to do something, I will more than likely do so with no hesitation.
Third, I'm quite oblivious when it comes to the opposite sex. I have a hard time telling if a guy is interested in me. Infact, it was my best friend who pointed out my now fiance's interest in me. If it wasn't for her, Adrian and I more than likely would have never went out on that first date. He was too shy to ask me, and I was to naive to notice. So, I have her to thank for helping me find my soul mate :)
Fourth, never was all that great in school. I found studying boring and couldn't really retain any of the facts I did study. If it wasn't for the friends that helped and tutored me in certain subjects, I woulda had a hard time graduating from High School.
Fifth, absolutely terrified of spiders!
4. Who is your least favorite character? Why?
Easy, Peter Pettigrew. He betrayed his best friends, simply to save his own life. I would have, as Sirius said, "You should have died! Died rather than betray your friends" Pettigrew only thinks of his own well-being and couldn't care less about what happens to others. Even when those others were his friends, and trusted him with their lives. He's nothing more than a spineless weak coward, and that's the only reason he rejoined and resurrected Voldemort. It was out of fear for his life, not loyalty as he claimed. Pettigrew embodies betrayal and cowardliness. Two of the biggest sins in my eyes.
5. What part of the series would you change if you were J.K Rowling? Why?
Well, the beginnings of a few of the books were a bit boring. I know many people enjoy reading about Harry's time with the Dursleys and all - but really, we didn't need that in every book after SS/PS. Other than OotP the Dursley's were quite a bit useless in moving the plot along. We know Harry's life at home sucks, we don't need to be reminded of it at the start of every book. I was very pleased to see Rowling broke that cycle with THBP.
6. If you were Headmaster/Mistress at Hogwarts, what changes would you make? Why?
Possibly mix the classes up a bit - or at least come up with different ways the students from different houses and years could socialize with each other. Cause as it is now, it seems that the houses are all very segregated, and the kids are only friends amongst fellow house members of the same year. Interacting with different houses would not only improve their socialization, it would allow students to pick up the different traits of each house, and just become a much better rounded individual.
7. If you were faced with a boggart what would you see?
As I said in question 3, I'm like Ron in the way I'm absolutely terrified of spiders. So more likely than not, my boggart would be a giant spider of some kind. Living here in Arizona we get plenty of those enormous hairy tarantulas. What really cemented my fear of them though, is one night when I was laying in bed reading - one crawled up from the foot of my bed or something, cause I didn't notice it until it was around my mid-torso area since I had the book up in front of my face. But as soon as I felt that weight on my stomach slowly crawling up, I completely freaked out. At first I was just frozen staring at it, but I eventually worked up the courage to flick the cover and it went flying across the room. I had to call my neighbor to come and get it out - cause there was no way I was going to be able to sleep with that thing in my room. And of course there was no way in hell that I was going to chase it down.
8. What are your top 3 positive traits that you feel define you? Why?
1. Stand up for my beliefs/sense of justice: I guess this could be separated into two separate categories, but I just felt they belonged together. At least in my case anyway. I will always stand up and voice my opinions if I feel that some sort of injustice has been done, or will be done if farther action is taken. I will not easily be silenced, and will give my last breath defending my beliefs.
2. Honest: I try my best to be completely honest with everyone I know. If they ask my opinion on something, I will give them my true thoughts and feelings about it. Some may say that this could be considered a negative trait - since you could end up hurting someone your close with. But, I haven't run into any problems like that. People who know me know what I'm like, and when they ask my opinion they are expecting my honest answer, and not just some sugar-coated lie to make them feel better. They know I won't lie to them, so they come to me a lot with questions.
3. Loyal: As I've already said, my friends and family are everything to me. I would gladly sacrifice everything for anyone of them. Including my life.
9. What are 3 negative traits that you feel hinder you?
1. Reckless: I often run head-first into situations without first thinking out the consequences of my actions. If it sounds like a good idea at the time (heck, even if doesn't!), I throw caution to the wind & go for it.
2. Stubborn: I do what I want to do. Well, as long as no one or nothing gets hurt. I may stop if someone asks me to, but I couldn't promise that I wouldn't try it again when they weren't around.
3. Procrastination: The Queen Procrastinator here! I'm always putting off necessities that I need to get done. Especially the cleaning. I've been putting off the cleaning for weeks now, and this place is a complete and utter pig-sty! I'm just too lazy for my own good.
10. Please tell us why you should or should not be placed in each of the four houses.
Gryffindor
For:
I am very brave and courageous. Especially when it comes to standing up for justice or protecting my friends. I'm constantly seeking out new thrills, and really am not afraid to try anything at least once.
Against:
I do sometimes let my fear get the best of me on the rare occasion.
Slytherin
For:
I am resourceful and determined. I do the best with what I have, even though what I have may be small. I put everything to a use and don't waste anything. I'm also very determined in obtaining things I want.
Against:
I'm not all that ambitious nor cunning. I dropped out of college because I failed my first semester, shows how un-ambitious I truly am. I also don't really agree with "using any means to obtain an end". I care about the well-being of others, and more often than not, using any means, would hurt others, with myself being the only beneficiary of those 'means'.
Ravenclaw
For:
I can be quite imaginative and very witty. My preferred choice of getting back/even with people is sarcasm. I also used to write fantasy children stories my mother would take to school (she's a teacher), to read to her class.
Against:
I was only a very average student and find studying very boring. One of the main reasons I don't attempt college again, is because the thought of studying just scares me away from the whole idea.
Hufflepuff
For:
I highly value friendship and honesty. My friends mean everything to me and I will stick with them to the very end.
Against:
I'm not very patient. If something takes too long, I tend to get frustrated quite easily and forget about the whole thing. I'm also not all that hard working. I tend to procrastinate a lot and can be quite lazy.
11. Which of the four houses do you feel you are least suited for? Why?
Honestly, I could see myself in any of the houses except Ravenclaw. I'm not really interested in learning new facts. Studying was nothing but a chore to me and I always had to force myself to pay attention in classes. More often than not I spaced out - and got my friends to help with their notes and other stuff later. I know Ravenclaws are more than just bookworms, but that's a major part of them, and I just absolutely do not fit into that category in the least.
12. If you could place one memory in a pensieve, what would it be? Why?
Would have to be when Adrian, my fiance, proposed to me infront of Sleeping Beauty's castle in Disney Land. It was completely and totally unexpected. I thought the whole Disneyland trip was just a belated birthday gift. But, when he insisted we go to see the castle, and then got down on one knee - it is just the single most beautiful and cherished memory I have in my life thus far.
13. Many say our choices are what make us unique. How easily do you make choices? Do you often regret those choices later?
I often have a hard time making choices, I'm very indecisive. Whether it's simply picking out what type of ice cream flavor I want or something more important, like deciding on the names for my future children - I just have a very difficult time making up my mind. I don't usually regret the choices I make later - once I make up my mind about something, that's how my mind usually stays set. So even though I am very indecisive, once I come to a decision, I'm nearly unswayable.
14. Which of the four Hogwarts Founders (Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin, Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff) which would you be most interested to meet and why?
I would be most interested in meeting Salazar Slytherin. I would like to ask first hand why he thought pure bloods were the only wizards/witches that deserved to learn the magical ways. Why he stood for what he stood for and wy he believed what he believed in.
15. What do you feel makes Hogwarts so magical?
Hogwarts to me, has always embodied all of our fantasies. We've all wanted to look like someone else or be able to create a love potion. We've all wondered what it would be like to fly through the air or be able to transport ourselves instantly from place to place. We all have a favorite mythical creature, be it dragons, unicorns, centaurs, etc ... that we would oh so love to be real and see. Hogwarts just offers us a chance to exist in a world that we wish were real - where pretty much all of our fantasies can play out.
16. The Second war between Light and Dark is taking place; who do you think will win the final battle? Why do you feel this way?
Without a doubt, the Light will win. I cannot really come up with a good reason why - I just have always believed it was some sort of unwritten rule. Not to mention, one of the major HP themes is good triumphing over evil. So, if the dark were to triumph in the end, well that just wouldn't make any sense. I do however believe that the Light will suffer very heavy extensive losses in the battle. So even if they do win, it will be a bittersweet victory.
17. What is your favorite spell in the Potter Universe? Why?
Appareo. Cause come on! Being able to transport ones self instantly from place to place would just be awesome! Wouldn't have to worry about gas money for the car, or insurance on a car for that matter. Wouldn't have to get yourself up all that early to make sure you have enough time to get to work/class. Wouldn't have to worry about traffic making you late. No fear of getting into accidents. Being able to go on vacation pretty much anytime you want, since the major time spent on the vacation is spent actually getting to your destination. Would just save a lot of time and money. And of course, it's just cool ;)
18. If you were given the opportunity to own and run one shop in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, what would it be? Why?
I have to say I'd want to run a shop in Hogsmeade - simply because the setting is so much more quaint and cozy. As for the shop, well that would definitely have to be the Three Broomsticks. It would be exciting and I'd be able to meet many different individuals. Would allow me to socialize amongst my customers, and that's something that I cherish highly.
19. From reading the first book, we know Harry was almost placed in Slytherin. If you were the Sorting Hat which of the four houses would you have placed him?
I think the Sorting Hat made the right choice. Cause even though Harry definitely does posses some of the Slytherin qualities, such as determination, ambition and resourcefulness. He wouldn't use any means to achieve an end, if it meant others would have to suffer. He cares about others well-being and not only of what would benefit him. He is of course brave and loyal; strong Gryffindor traits. He also really doesn't seem to want fame or glory either.
20. There are many wonderful sorting communities on Livejournal; Why would you like to be a part of Hogwarts Home? Have you read and understood all the rules?
Like I said in the first question, it's because it seems to be the most thorough and in-depth sorting process I've seen among all the sorting communities. I'm quite impressed with how much time and effort must be put into keeping the whole thing running smoothly - and am quite excited to have a chance to be a part of these great communities. I've read all the rules and understand them all perfectly.
21. How did you hear about Hogwarts Home? If it was a member please give their name so they can earn points.
I was just surfing through HP communities, trying to find an interesting and active one to join.
22. Would you like to tell us anything else about yourself?
Wow, I think this quiz pretty much told everything about myself. I certainly hope it was good enough for a sorting, because I invested several hours into thinking each question through and coming up with the best answers that described myself.