HE App.
||IN ESSENCE UNITED||
1. Have you read all 6 Harry Potter books? Which one was your favorite?
Yes, I have, and my favorite was The Order of the Phoenix for so many reasons (but I'll try not to make this a novel, lol). The focal point of the series is a young, abused, bewildered boy's journey into adulthood, and though there are a lot of distractions along the way, Harry's growth and change has always been one of my favorite parts of all the books. Though most people see this book as the pinnacle of Harry's immaturity, he shows the most development in the events of OotP, especially the events that make up the end. Before, his actions had never really produced any negative consequences, and most of the bad things that happened to him were due to the misunderstandings of others and not because of something he did. But in OotP Harry learns that mouthing off to teachers will earn him nasty detentions (Umbridge), and that his rashness can lead to some severe consequences (guilt over seeing Snape's Worst Memory and losing his Occlumency lessons; Sirius). Also, before OotP, Harry had never had to pay the price for his distrust of Snape, even though Dumbledore tells him time and time again that he is trustworthy; I'm of the opinion that the lesson Harry learns from that distrust will play a major role in the last book, so I particularly liked it. Relating to that, I've always been interested in the dynamic between Harry and Snape, and how if Harry put aside his prejudice against the man, he could really learn a great deal from him. Though Harry still has some growing up to do in Half-Blood Prince, he learns so much in OotP that helps him along the way. Another aspect about this book that I liked was that it dealt heavily with politics and injustice, in both the characters' every day lives and in the government, and I really enjoyed the way JKR handled the more mature topics. I was the most emotionally involved in OotP and, for me, that's the mark of a good book, when it can really make me angry or happy or utterly despise some characters and love others.
2. Who is your favorite character in the series?
What, you mean today? Lol. In all seriousness, my favorite character alternates between several people depending on what mood I'm in and what causes I happen to by sympathizing with at the time. But, if I had to go with the next best thing and pick the character that I relate to most, I'd have to say it's Remus Lupin. We both have very similar temperaments - slow to anger and tolerant to a fault, and wary of trusting others, whether out of necessity or desire. I, as JKR says of Remus in an interview, "like to be liked" and "cut (my friends) an awful lot of slack" if they make mistakes or make me upset because I don't like people being upset with me. By a teacher who knew me well (a little too well, I think) I was described as having "a sweet, soft outside with crunchy, evil bits inside" (we were discussing candy, if that seems weird to anyone); I think Remus fits this description as well - he's an absolute sweetheart on the outside, but he was still a Marauder, so must have at least a little mischievousness hidden away inside. We're both incessant bookworms, love teaching, and generally care about people, even if they've done nothing to earn it. Though none of the events in my life have even come close to the tragedy Remus suffered, I admire his courage to make it through all that (both being a werewolf and the loss of all his friends) and still have the will to survive, and be a pleasant person.
3. Who is your least favorite character in the series?
My least favorite character would have to be Umbridge. She embodies everything I hate - she's the representative from an oppressive government, a child abuser, disgustingly prejudiced, a blind follower, someone who treats adolescents like ignorant little non-people just because of their age, self-important with no reason to be so, and doesn't show any remorse for her actions, especially where Harry is concerned. She is one of the main reasons Order of the Phoenix was so emotional for me - I hated her with a passion.
4. What is your least favorite part of the series?
I'd have to say the middle part in Half-Blood Prince that dealt with all the relationship issues. I love a good romance like anyone else, but it just didn't do anything for me in terms of the plot and just stirred up trouble for the main characters. I didn't mind that they were predictable so much that I'm really not a fan of fights between the Trio (even though I know they're likely to happen).
5. What traits and characteristics do you think define the true qualities of each of the four houses?
Gryffindor
-- Courageous: This trait has been established by Gryffindor characters over and over again in the books, and I really think Dumbledore explains all their different sorts of courage best when he gives out the extra points at the end of Philosopher's Stone. They are allowed to have fear, but it is how they act in the face of that fear that makes them courageous.
-- Emotional: By this, I do not mean that all Gryffindors are moody or unstable by any means; I mean that they seem fairly in tune with their emotions and aren't afraid to feel them or show them. Take Harry, for example: having worked with abused/neglected children in the past, I know that many are withdrawn and have trouble trusting others with their feelings, but Harry, though he fits into that category, is openly emotional. Other Gryffindors, as well, have shown this trait throughout the books - you can almost always tell what's going on with them by their outward emotional state. This also means that Gryffindors appear to be much more passionate about things, ideas, or people they love.
-- Ethical: Gryffindors seem to have a strong sense of the difference between right and wrong; that's not to say they always (or even usually) choose right over wrong, but when it comes down to knowing and believing in that difference, they have the upper hand.
Hufflepuff
-- Loyal: Though most of the Houses seem to have this trait when it comes to people in their own House, I think it's the strongest between Hufflepuffs. They'll stick together through thick and thin, and once they commit themselves to a cause, they'll keep their allegiances, and only with great difficulty (and probably other moral conflicts) will they break those bonds.
-- Social: I see Hufflepuffs as quite social people, meaning a majority of their lives are centered on their friends and their identity as a social being. I don't mean that they're petty or only care about their social lives, but they generally gain a lot of confidence and strength from their friends, and in the same measure, they lend support and strength to their friends as more than a last resort.
-- Diplomatic: Usually, when I think of Hufflepuffs, I think of politicians (and NOT in the bad way). Diplomatic people know how to read others; they take care to observe those around them, note their weaknesses and strengths, learning to avoid sore spots and create an active, productive discussion between people who may not have very much in common and would otherwise be at each other's throats. I hesitate to call them peacemakers, because this skill involves more than that, but in essence, that's what they do - create tolerance between others so that things can be accomplished, whether it's a school project or working to end some global threat - they get things done.
Ravenclaw
-- Logical: The pathways of a Ravenclaw's mind are not clouded by emotion or confusion; they can deal with situations in a logical manner, using whatever information they have gathered throughout their lives to make informed decisions, especially when those decisions affect a great number of people.
-- Critical: This is not a negative trait in the sense I mean. Ravenclaws aren't content to just take what people say for the truth, even if those people are their teachers. They are naturally curious and love figuring things out on their own. They will look for proof of something before they're convinced that it's true. Though they're not necessarily criticizing people all the time, they are generally useful when people are looking for advice on how to improve, whether it's in academics or other fields.
-- Hate Willful Ignorance: I can't think of a single word for this, so I'll just try to describe it. Put it this way, if someone was planning a book-burning, Ravenclaws would be the first on the scene with their protest signs. They have no problem with people who aren't as smart as they are as long as those people don't shut out knowledge; for example, I can see a Ravenclaw being an excellent teacher, helping students who are confused or slow as long as they want to learn, but being extremely annoyed with students who just want to fool around or don't really care about the subject. They're passionate about knowledge, and don't understand why others aren't the same way, and it can make them angry at times.
Slytherin
-- Manipulative: Most people think of this trait in a negative light, but all it really means is that a person has a talent for convincing others to believe or do whatever the person wants them to. Manipulation can be used for good or for evil, for the benefit of oneself or the greater good, and is an incredibly powerful and useful skill to have no matter what a person uses it to accomplish.
-- Ambitious: Most Slytherins, whether because of a desire to live up to their pureblood status, or a need to prove themselves worthy of their prestigious house, are almost forced into being ambitious. They strive for excellence so that they can obtain high positions in society and have influence over others (whether they use this influence for good or bad is entirely dependant on the individual). If they aren't going after societal positions, they are ambitious in achieving whatever goals they might have, and aren't afraid to use unconventional means to obtain those goals. What good is pride if you don't have what you want?
-- Adaptable: Above all, I think, Slytherins are survivors; they can adapt to any changing situation and remain calm, unfazed by the adjustments they are forced to make. They must have an innate sense of necessity, of the things they must do to keep themselves intact. They don't necessarily like change, but they are willing to put all else aside, to do whatever it takes to ensure their survival, and this can also transcend to ensuring the survival of those they love (Draco for his mother, Snape for Draco).
6. Describe the house qualities that you feel accurately reflect you. Please try to include traits from each of the four houses.
In all the ways that I describe them above, these are the traits that best describe me.
-- Manipulative
-- Adaptable
-- Hate Willful Ignorance
-- Diplomatic
-- Ethical
7. Given the choice, which house would you NOT want to be a member of?
I really wouldn't mind being in any of the houses, but I think my inner personality is least like a Gryffindor's.
||MIRROR OF ERISED||
8. What do you wish to accomplish in life?
So much that I wish I had fifteen lifetimes, lol. I've always wanted to be a mother, so I'd like to accomplish that; having children and raising them to be good people is the greatest thing I think I can do. If not, however, I'd really just like to do whatever I can to know myself and develop into who I want to be. I'd really like to go to Africa and work in a refugee camp for a little while after I get my nursing degree. I've always had a dream of opening and running my own orphanage, but I doubt that will ever happen. I'd like to travel around and see what it's like to live in different places, experience different cultures and learn as much as I can.
9. Describe exactly what you would see in the Mirror of Erised. (This is not the same question as #8.)
Myself, healthy, happy, and proud of who I am, and preferably not alone.
10. What makes a person deserving of your respect?
I think I have a healthy level of respect for everyone who isn't openly rude or cruel. As for people I look up to, they are intelligent, know how to make the best out of situations, are successful in terms of their level of contentedness with their lives, people who can get up after they fall, people who don't refuse to learn from their mistakes, and people who protect their loved ones.
11. Do you consider yourself to be more of a thinker or a feeler? Give examples from your daily life that support your answer.
To be truly honest, I'd have to say I'm both. On the outside I try to be as logical as I can, and deal with problems in an intelligent way, without letting emotional bias rule my thoughts. When faced with a situation where I have to convince others of my opinion or prove a point, I tend to remain calm and calculating - I can section off my emotions and save them for when they won't get in the way. But, on the inside, I have to admit to being a slave to my emotions. I'm usually fairly good at hiding it, but my mind seems to be on a constant roller coaster ride. I also love things that are usually considered more emotionally based, like poetry, and I consider myself a very empathetic person.
12. What's one thing you would do if you knew you would suffer no consequences from it?
This is an incredibly difficult question, but I think after months of thought I can finally answer it. I'd stand up more for my beliefs, be more of an activist (something that quite literally makes me sick). Though I like the idea of voicing my opinion, protests and rallies just aren't for me, and believe me, I've tried.
13. What do you think are your top 5 positive characteristics?
- Trustworthy: I've had way too many secrets of mine betrayed in the past, so I know how it feels to have that kind of trust shattered. If someone tells me something in confidence, it stays with me and me alone - in fact, my sister calls me the family Secret-Keeper, lol (and no, she doesn't read HP). I try my best not to gossip, even when I've been told I don't have to keep something a secret, not because I just like keeping secrets, but rumors are nasty things
- Non-judgmental: This one really delves into reasons that are more religious for me, but I sincerely believe in the phrase "Judge not, lest ye be judged". Nobody deserves to be treated badly because of the mistakes they've made, and people are only being hypocritical if they think anyone else's sins are worse than their own. I hate it when people place stereotypical labels on others without really knowing the whole truth or even a bit of the truth - it's one of my biggest pet-peeves.
- Caring: This one doesn't really need too much explanation - I'm just a caring person. I have an inherent empathy for others, and believe they should all be treated with respect and deserve to be cared for.
- Responsible: I take any responsibility given to me very seriously because I know people are depending on me.
- Appreciative: The little things in life have a tendency to make me ridiculously happy. I'm easily amused and can content myself for hours doing next to nothing. I don't take things for granted, and am extremely grateful for everything and everyone I have; I'm not a complainer.
14. What do you think are your top 5 negative characteristics?
- Good liar: Yeah…this is a bad one. Lying has always been second nature to me, even when I was little; I spit out lies like the truth and generally have a pretty good memory of what I've told to whom. There are very few people to whom I can't bring myself to lie, and even then, I can usually manage little white lies. Usually it's nothing too big, but the reason it makes me feel so bad is that it's gotten so easy. It's a terrible habit, lol.
- Massive guilt complex: I owe this one to my mother. I love her and all that, but man, I can't help be guilty about everything now, even if it's something I haven't done. I just hate hurting others, and when I do, or I let them down, I really let it get to me and it's hard for me to let it go. I think this is one of the reasons I'm so responsible - I'm terrified of disappointing people and sink into guilt when I do so.
- Lazy: Hopelessly, incurably lazy - that's me. It gets to the ridiculous point sometimes where I won't want to get out of bed or up from my computer to hang out, but thank goodness my friends usually drag me out, lol.
- Withdrawn: Whenever I get really involved in a book or am in the middle of having a revelation, I tend to become incredibly withdrawn from reality, moody, snappy, and spaced-out. Anyone who knows me well knows not to bother me when I'm reading, lol. I also tend to be withdrawn in social situations, so some people tend to see me as a snob, but I'm really just painfully shy in unfamiliar environments.
- Apathetic: This one relates to being withdrawn as well, but I have a lot of trouble getting in contact with my emotions. Most of them are fleeting, only lasting for a few moments of anger or joy, then fading again. Anyway, this one wouldn't be so bad except I feel bad about not feeling things as strongly as I think I should (especially sadness or outrage). Like I said in an earlier response, this helps me a great deal when I need to section off certain emotions, so I'm quite good at that (kind of reminds me of Occlumency actually, lol), but sometimes I have trouble getting those emotions back.
||HOGWARTS EXPRESS||
15. Name: Megan
16. Age: 20
17. Why shouldn't we squib you?
Well, I really do love the books, and I love listening to theories about book seven and anything 'Harry Potter' that I can get my hands on. I've helped convert a few people who looked down their nose on the books to actually read and enjoy them, one of whom is now fairly active in the fandom.
18. How much time can you and do you intend to actually contribute to this community? I'm sometimes quite busy with schoolwork, but I enjoy doing things online, so I could contribute 5-6 hours a week at least.
19. How did you find out about Hogwarts Elite? One of my friends, kittehkat, was sorted and joined, and she loves it.