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LUMOS SORTING APPLICATION
Name: Stephen Morin
Age Nineteen
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico is home. I go to college in New Haven, Connecticut.
Where did you hear about this community? Interest Browsing
How much time are you willing to invest in this community? I have a lot of time as the summer ends, due to conflicting school schedules with my friends and the strange gaps that have resulted from living 2,000 miles from home most of the year. I am normally very busy during the school year, though I still find at least an hour or two a day for private leisure.
PART 1 - Canon
1. Have you read all the books? Yes, I've been a reader for a little over half a decade. Despite not having too many friends who care for the series, I've always been in love, and have been there at midnight for the past two books. I was hoping not to be done with HBP by now, since I swore to read it slowly and savor it, but sadly, I couldn't keep myself from devouring it in 3 days.
2. Give us your personal interpretation of each Hogwarts house (in
terms of atmosphere, mentality, intra-house relationships et cetera -
these are just a few examples).
Gryffindor - The words 'outgoing' and 'courageous' jump to the mind whenever I hear it. Clearly, as readers, we know a lot more about Gryffindor than the other houses, and thus there is a lot less speculation. I've always felt it is a bit resented by its two non-rival houses, due to its continued victory in most everything it attempts. The fame brought to the house by Harry, and the all the special 'ins' he has with the headmaster, certain teachers, and people of note would get old after a while, even if you had nothing against the core ideals of the house. Certainly the house is full of do-gooders, though I think its residents a bit quick and rash in their actions, with a few notable exceptions.
Hufflepuff - The most mysterious of the houses, I've always viewed it as the more creative and eclectic of the houses. A bit of variety helps foster growth, and the lack of a solid alignment along the straightforward lines Gryffindor and Slytherin tend to stand by allows for more freedom of expression. I see the most potential out of Hufflepuff students for this reason, though with a less focus than students of the other houses. I always got the feeling it was the house most looked down upon by the others due to its hodgepodge mix of students and slightly odd ghost, mascot, etc. I can see most Hufflepuff students doing very well in a range of fields, but rarely being truly exceptional.
Ravenclaw The intellectual house, Ravenclaw seems to also sit in the more flexible ideals category with Hufflepuff, though with a more specific focus. I appreciate Ravenclaw's generally neutral stance among the other houses, and its student's ability to stay out of some of the grander conflicts and rivalries. I've alway viewed Ravenclaw as being more willing to ponder a situation, instead of rushing head-first into a dungeon or room filled with death-eaters. It seems to be a house more prone to quiet conversation than loud parties, and a clearer focus on academics and joys of scholarship, while still allowing students a healthy social life. I see Ravenclaw students as either succeeding greatly in an area or simply not being right for the position and doing...below average.
Slytherin - A bit dank, and a bit too obviously related to the darker arts, I can certainly see why anyone would have apprehension of its membership. Not once have I seen an individual I truly can relate to or like sorted into Slytherin, and the general malicious nature of the students tends to grow with each passing year. I think part of the reputation and the rivalry with 'good' Gryffindor are partially responsible for the lack of good eggs in the house. Clearly there are some promising students, though the environment doesn't foster positive growth, and I don't see anything too great or positive ever arising out of Slytherin. I don't think all the students are evil or bad by any means, but they seem to have the same 'act first and think later' mentality as Gryffindor, just with a bit of prejudice and darkness thrown in.
3. What would be your favourite flavour of Bertie Bott’s Every
Flavour Beans and why (note: as the name implies, all possible flavours
exist)? Crème Brûlée - it's my favorite desert, and assuming the texture could at least be partially simulated, it would just be...amazing.
4. If you were on your House’s Quidditch Team, which position would
you preferably play and why? I would be a beater. I'm not much for sports, but when I do play, I've always enjoyed the more defensive positions than the up-front ones. The strategy in both defending others and using strategy to utilize bludgers as an offensive weapon seems the funnest position, and offers a lot of variety. I imagine it would also offer the most ability to alternate and learn new strategies, to keep the game fresh and my team in the lead.
5. (Optional) What HP conspiracy theory do you hold true unless it
is textually proven otherwise? (i.e. Snape is a vampire, Ron is
Dumbledore, etc. -there are loads of these theories. Feel free to contribute
your own)? Most of my theories were bashed to bits after reading Half-Blood Prince.
6. (Optional. If you can't answer #5, make sure you answer this
one.) What is your favorite book aside from HP and why? It's hard to choose a single book, but I do love Orson Scott Card's Ender series, Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye (I'm a stereotype *cough*), Cervantes' Don Quixote, and most everything by Kafka and Vonnegut. I love variety in the books and genres I read, though good writing has to tie it all together. I think a protagonist and characters you can relate to are most essential, especially when you're going to invest in a longer series of books. Hopping around from style, author, etc. keeps things fresh, and makes returning back to a series or genre more rewarding. I really am not sure how to describe why certain books tickle my fancy and others do not...I'm generally terrible at 'favorite' or 'best' questions.
7. What would your Room of Requirement look like? Apart from it looking exactly like Hagrid's Hut, it would contain a comfortable chair, a large selection of books, and possibly a charm to slow the speed of time. One of the joys of life I find myself missing with dormitory life is the time to read for pleasure, and peace and quiet. Even in the library, there are people coming and going, hustling and bustling, and generally creating an atmosphere that makes studious reading difficult and pleasure reading all but impossible. A room lacking in distraction would allow me to be more efficient in my work as well as grant me more time for other activities. It is always nice to have a place to escape to in those awkward moments and annoyed moods that accompany school life. I doubt anyone would think the room would consider the room would be used for such a trivial reason, and I doubt anyone could ever find me in there if I didn't wish them to.
8. Describe your wand and tell us why you picked that design. 9" Yew with Hippogriff Talon. I've always had a fondness for Yew wood, both in its coloration and properties, and I don't feel the more tradiitional wand cores seen in the books are for me. I'm not too interested in the element of fire or purity, which would rule out both feather and unicorn hair, and I doubt I have any association with anything too foreign, so Hippogriff seemed the most logical. I also prefer shorter, more nimble accessories than anything too large or impressive. I don't strive to be different, but having something as important as a wand be a little exotic is a plus.
PART 2 - You
Please go here
and fill out the short Myers-Briggs test.
9. Paste the URL of your results (TOP 5) including its description
here.
Your #1 Match: ISFJ
The Nurturer
You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal.
A good listener, you excell at helping others in practical ways.
In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music.
You find it easy to be devoted to one person, who you do special things for.
You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist.
Your #2 Match: INFJ
The Protector
You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity.
Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is.
You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience.
You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them.
You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher.
Your #3 Match: ISFP
The Artist
You are a gifted artist or musician (though your talents may be dormant right now).
You enjoy spending your free time in nature, and you are good with animals and children.
Simply put, you enjoy bueaty in all its forms and live for the simple pleasures in life.
Gentle, sensitive, and compassionate - you are good at recognizing people's unspoken needs.
You would make a good veterinarian, pediatrician, or composer.
Your #4 Match: ISTJ
The Duty Fulfiller
You are responsible, reliable, and hardworking - you get the job done.
You prefer productive hobbies, like woodworking or knittings.
Quiet and serious, you are well prepared for whatever life hands you.
Conservative and down-to-earth, you hardly ever do anything crazy.
You would make a great business executive, accountant, or lawyer.
Your #5 Match: ESFJ
The Caregiver
You are sympathetic and caring, putting friends and family first.
A creature of habit, you prefer routines and have trouble with change.
You love being in groups - whether you're helping people or working on a project.
You are good at listening, laughing, and bringing out the best in people.
You would make a great nurse, social worker, or teacher.
What's Your Personality Type?
10. Who do you admire most and why?
A difficult question. I will be cliche and go with Franklin Roosevelt, because he truly looked beyond his class and Harvard education in order to start many of the great social programs the United States has ever seen. He also had the insight to see past the ruse of the Axis powers and understand the logical implications of the German violation of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. He managed to make difficult decisions in the war and push some of the most important socialist-leaning and egalitarian programs and concepts through Congress and the Supreme Court (not that I approve of his court-bullying, but the roots of the civil rights movement can be seen in some of the decisions and justices appointed at the time). Once more, I have a hard time with single choice questions such as this, because there are a lot of people I admire for a wide variety of reasons.
11. What would you like to have accomplished at the end of your
life?
I hope to get to a point in my life where I am truly content with where I am and no longer obsess over the future. I never let myself rest, and always am thinking, worrying, and pondering an upcoming exam, my LSATs in two years, graduate school admission, how I presented myself in a certain meeting with a certain person. I am my own harshest critic, and I often times ruin what should be the more enjoyable moments in life by thinking of what is to come. The road to getting to this point is hard and all but impossible, because I dissapoint in myself a bit too often, despite giving something my best effort. if I can accomplish getting past all these obstacles I put in front of myself, I think I can live a quite happy life (not that my life isn't happy right now...but...you get the point), which is one of those grand goals everyone strives for.
12. Would you sooner commit a crime against your kin or your
countrymen?
Hard to make such a decision when circumstances aren't presented. I would hate to commit a crime at all, but my kin would most likely be a countryman as well, so I would choose countrymen. It is easier to escape of the guilt of shooting into a crowd blindly than it is to shoot someone close to you. Very bad analogy...but I tend to form very tight relationships with those around me, and I do not think I would have the nerve or emotional capacity to commit a terrible crime against my kin.
13. What would your animagus be and why? I would probably be a roadrunner. They really are quite small, and considering I don't like heights, but do have a really like the idea of being a bird, it seems optimal. Their size and ability to blend would work well with my nature of not liking to be conspicuous, and I could hide and run away with ease.
14. What would your patronus be and why? I think it would be a Fox, since I prefer to run rather than face things head-on. Distractions and the ability to escape are more important to me than actually facing an enemy directly, since it would allow time to consider strategy and gain composure, both of which are valuable if there are any surprises. I also find the fox to be a very beautiful and graceful animal, which is just a plus in an animal that plays an important role in your life.
15. What career would you consider if you were indeed part of the
wizarding world and why? Probably a librarian or researcher. I enjoy reading, and looking through older manuscripts and books has always greatly interested me. I have respect for the history that comes with age, and being able to learn interesting new things, and come to unique and new conclusions based off them is one of the most fulfilling things I have encountered in life. I have unique perspectives at times that have proved useful in the odd allegory and riddle, which I think would be of great use in the wizarding world, considering the infinite possibility of new spells and enchantments to be discovered. It is also rewarding to use your abilities to help others and further progress, which a researcher would do, even if it was indirectly. I don't seek glory as much as happiness and fulfillment.