Another Nifty Application
LUMOS SORTING APPLICATION
Name: Liza (Pronounced Lie-zah. I’m mistakenly called Lisa a lot and I’m not sure why.)
Age (13 or up; we stick to LJ rules): 24. 25 on November 12.
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Where did you hear about this community? aelyaniara, told me all about this wonderful place. Which means she should get a billion points. Though if I'm placed into a different house, I request the right to take back that statement. Don't you just love me aelyaniara?
How much time are you willing to invest in this community? I’m attending my first semester in graduate school this fall. Though I can’t promise I’ll be on such and such day at such and such time, I can stress that I will make an effort to post regularly. Only I don’t think there will be a consistent pattern as to when you’ll be able to find me. It may drive some mad, but in the end I believe that participating on a regular basis, will overshadow my wacky times.
PART 1 - Canon
1. Have you read all the books? I have read all six of the Harry Potter books. My favorite out of the series is Goblet of Fire. What separates this one in particular, is in fact Cedric’s death. Though Harry knew that Voldemort was dangerous, up until that point, he was of no real threat to him. True, his parents did die at the hands of Voldemort, but like any young child he was not fully able to grasp the seriousness of the situation. In the three previous books Harry essentially won. He didn’t suffer any losses and thus he was led to believe that this may always be the case. The young boy was given the false sense that though danger may lurk, he would always come out on top. However, with the death of Cedric, Harry was forced to see that there would be losses on both sides, painful ones in fact, by the time the war against Voldemort has concluded.
Up until that point, Harry saw Voldemort solely as the figure who robbed him his parents. Tom Riddle, the man who would become Lord Voldemort was vilified though Harry never had a clear understanding of what this man was capable of. The whole book is designed for Harry to learn that Voldemort was no longer Tom Riddle, the handsome young teenager that could be defeated by luck and courage. He learns throughout the novel that Voldemort is dangerous, lethal, unpredictable, and savage.
There are of course the lighter moments with Cho Chang and witnessing what could be considered flirty moments between Hermione and Ron. Ultimately though, Goblet of Fire is where Harry loses his innocence and slowly becomes the man he is meant to be. It is the start of the darker themes yet to come and the realization that there was more at stake here than plain vengeance for his parents. There would be victims, innocents would die, and there was nothing that Harry could do to stop these atrocities from happening. With the death of Cedric, Harry is forced to grow up and do everything in his power to become the wizard meant to defeat Lord Voldemort.
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).
I hated this question. I found while trying to write an answer, it was too easy to either make blanket statements that aren’t necessarily true for everyone in that house or in an attempt to avoid that I'd only glorify their best qualities, without representing a fair and balanced picture. As a result, I thought it was best to write both the negatives and positives each house has a predisposition towards
Hufflepuff Negative: I started with this house, because the one thing that annoys me the most is when people keep assuming Hufflepuffs are stupid creatures with an IQ of 54. That is not the case. Their main weakness, comes with one of their strengths. They tend to help people so much, that they may be the target of manipulation. Extremely nice people tend to get used more often than those that are not. Another possible negative that I’ve seen is that people who are extremely nice tend to overlook the negative. I’m not here to say that people should focus on merely the negative, but their kind disposition may cause them to overlook the warning signs of what could be a backstabbing friend. There is nothing wrong with being kind. Just kindness when taken to the extreme can bring you pain as much as being a hateful irritable person.
Hufflepuff Positive: They are fiercely loyal and steadfast. They are not flashy and have no need to show off at all times. This doesn’t mean they don’t like the spotlight, after all Cedric is proof, that Hufflepuffs enjoy positive attention. Just they have no sick craving for it. They keep a low profile, and that is completely acceptable. They get underestimated due to their humbleness and kind dispositions. Being underestimated can be to their advantage, since this gives them the opportunity to outfox you. Extremely thoughtful and kind, they are a rather nice well rounded group.
Gryffindor Negative: Their need to protect and win can override all common sense if they let that desire get in the way. Rash thinking and last minute actions can be exciting, but if one always acts on instinct, than you may be prone to accidents or even worse overlooking the needs of others. It’s wonderful that that they want to protect their friends, but if they worry about that and let their fervor take over they can miss out on the smaller quieter moments in life. Spontaneity is great. Just be responsible.
Gryffindor Positive: They're zeal and love of life. Yes, yes, they are brave, but they are always so excited about everything. We always hear about them being brave, but that I believe is the result of them acting on instinct and doing what others may hesitate to do. What I like most about them is that they seem to enjoy life and live it to the fullest. It’s their most admirable quality. They may even have a reputation for being the life of the party. Though I think other houses would argue differently. Passionate, courageous, they have a lot of spunk.
Slytherin Negative: Blind ambition. Ambition is a great trait to have, but when one has blind ambition it can lead to possibly sabotage and backstabbing. One doesn’t have to be so painfully obvious about their ambition, it can be hidden. After all, Slytherins love to be subtle, but if you allow blind ambition to take over you risk doing a lot of questionable actions to achieve your ends. This is where their reputation comes from. Not everyone in Slytherin is blindly ambitious, but unfortunately those that are, have left Slytherin with the reputation it has today among some people.
Slytherin Positive: Focus. They are out to get what they want at all costs. Now this is completely different from blind ambition. Short cuts. A bit of mischief and careful planning (which can be mistaken for manipulation) will get them what they most desire. Blind ambition will just lead them down the wrong path. They may appear lazy to those who know nothing about Slytherin. They may even appear heartless cruel, and more likely to hold hateful ideologies. But that is because the Slytherin has this one interesting trait: mystery. One never really knows what a Slytherin is up to. It’s that mystery and aura that surrounds them at all times. And some may even like the fact that they have the “bad guy” rep. After all, they can make bad seem so good. When you stop to really think about it, you realize why. Why openly declare you are benevolent of heart, pure, and kind, when such a reputation gives you a slight upper hand? They stick together and may be picky, but with good reason.
Ravenclaw Negative: Ravenclaws may unfortunately forget to live here and there. They are meticulous people, but if they become too absorbed and obsessed with their studies, their career, their plans, they miss out on life. Life happens when you’re planning it. It’s not that they’re boring, just too involved. That type of focus can rob you of time better spent with friends and family. The only other true negative I can see is the stereotypical intellectual snob. But that can be found anywhere. I thought it was best to list a fault that might be found inside more Ravenclaws, than a stereotype that seems like the easy answer.
Ravenclaw Positive: They are the most rational, responsible, and meticulous people out of the whole bunch. They plan out things, like the Slytherin, but they make sure to pinpoint possible flaws and negative consequences that could be the result of their plan. This makes them appear to be very cold hearted. It’s not that they are not emotional, but they see things differently. They know what’s at stake at all times. Being cautious is not a bad thing. However, that causes people to think that they lack the kindness and loyalty of say a Hufflepuff. Due to their rationale, it tends to overshadow their more emotional characteristics. Ravenclaws, believe it or not are just like every other group. They are just more cautious and more thoughtful before acting.
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)?
I'd have a preference for all of the weirder flavors. I could see myself wanting to taste "Fluffy Clouds." I know they would have no taste in particular, but I just remember as a little girl always wanting to fly so I could sit upon fluffy clouds, play a harp, and eat them. We can blame this all on Warner Brother's cartoons. There was this one cartoon short in particular that had a lion with a harp, who was allegedly in heaven. He would always sit on top of a fluffy cloud. And for the longest time (up until I started Sunday school, but even then it took me a while to see that wasn't a true rendition of heaven) I was convinced there were a lot of lions on top of fluffy clouds playing the harp as new people arrived in heaven. Dreadfully silly, but I figure it's the closest to heaven I'll ever get.
4. If you were on your House’s Quidditch Team, which position would you preferably play and why?
I would be the seeker, without a doubt. I'm dreadful at sports. All of them. And since being a sassy commentator isn't an option, I'd just pick the one position that I feel I'd excel at the most. I hate group sports. Watching them is one thing, but being a part of a team is another. I'd want to direct everyone and in every which way possible. I'd hate having to depend on everyone so I could do my job. That's why the role of the seeker would fit me the best. I would just concern myself with catching the snitch. I wouldn't have to worry about what everyone else is doing and I'd do my job quickly, efficiently, and try to get it over wtih as soon as possible. After all, I wouldn't want to let on I'm lousy at sports.
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)?
I was almost swayed by the Snape is a vampire theory, until I read about the vampire in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. However, I do believe that Harry is a horcrux. What led me to this theory (though I prefer to call it foreshadowing) is the many similarties between Nagini and Harry.
Nagini is what led me to believe this was possible. Voldemort is described as having many snake like characteristics. Even Nagini seems to hold a special bond with Voldemort, as if though she shared something with him. If she was a horcrux that would explain the snakelike features that were transferred into him, by his own pet. And assuming that the horcrux was what caused that, it would explain why Harry has so many of Voldemort's powers and characteristics. By marking Harry as a horcrux, Voldemort unintentionally made him his equal.
I see how Nagini seems to be a bit more powerful than the average snake. I would suspect this is a result of having been made a horcrux by Voldemort, which means Nagini would to some extent have some of Voldemort's powers, as well. However, because it is a snake, the transfer of power wouldn't be as obvious as with Harry, being that he's human. Furthermore if Harry does end up becoming a horcrux then the chances of the series becoming a tragedy is greatly increased. Though Dumbledore did manage to save Marvolo Gaunt's ring, while destroying the horcrux there is no guarantee one can save a human or animal horcrux at this time. (Which would further prove that the Harry Potter series will have a typical Greek tragedy ending, with the world being saved but at great costs to the hero or heroine.)
6. (Optional. If you can't answer #5, make sure you answer this one.) What is your favorite book aside from HP and why?
7. What would your Room of Requirement look like?
Apart from it looking exactly like Hagrid's Hut...my room of requirement would most likely be an oversized Barnes and Nobles store with a few extra additions. Naturally the mandatory Starbucks would be part of this room. I just imagine computers galore, with either DSL or cable. Being this is a Barnes & Noble, aside from the comfy furniture and books, they would most likely tailor to my tastes and that of my friends. Books aside, I would also be certain to have a music section in my room of requirement, just like other Barnes & Noble stores. This may sound dreadfully boring, but I could stay content in a room filled with books, a computer with internet access, and the company of people I consider close friends and those I just find intriguing. It's not particularly snazzy, but I don't suspect that the Room of Requirement needs for all of its rooms to be "tre chic". It would be my personal spa if you will, minus the back massages by shady characters. And with a Starbucks in my Room of Requirement?!?! I'd be set to party...well not actually party but at least enjoy this room to its fullest extent possible.
8. Describe your wand and tell us why you picked that design.
My wand would most likely be a classic. It would be a dark mahogony wood, (since I find that attractive in furniture) with a feather from a phoenix. I choose the phoenix, because of what it represents for me as a Scorpio and person. Not that I'm entirely invested in astrology, but I do find it fascinating that the Scorpio has a scorpion, eagle, and phoenix as its representative entities. The scorpion representing it's darker fiercer side. The eagle for its nobleness and loyalty. And finally you have the Phoenix for its ability to always come back fighting no matter what lies in its way. I relate to that because my life has been obstacle over obstacle. Instead of relaying all of the dramatic points in my life, I think it's best to highlight just how I come out of each obstacle: stronger, fiercer, more alive than ever. Things can go dreadfully wrong, life can take time to smack me down, but I always come back fighting, stronger than ever. And I for one love the symbolism behind the Phoenix. From the ashes arises a new Phoenix ready to take on the world over and over again. Perhaps the similarties between the Scorpio and I are a coincidence, but I do find that the Phoenix best represents me and how I deal with life.
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: INTP
The Thinker
You are analytical and logical - and on a quest to learn everything you can.
Smart and complex, you always love a new intellectual challenge.
Your biggest pet peeve is people who slow you down with trivial chit chat.
A quiet maverick, you tend to ignore rules and authority whenever you feel like it.
You would make an excellent mathematician, programmer, or professor.
Your #2 Match: ENTP
The Visionary
You are charming, outgoing, friendly. You make a good first impression.
You possess good negotiating skills and can convince anyone of anything.
Happy to be the center of attention, you love to tell stories and show off.
You're very clever, but not disciplined enough to do well in structured environments.
You would make a great entrpreneur, marketing executive, or actor.
Your #3 Match: INFP
The Idealist
You are creative with a great imagination, living in your own inner world.
Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships.
It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close.
But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop.
You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist.
Your #4 Match: ENFP
The Inspirer
You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends.
You are also unconventional, irreverant, and unimpressed by authority and rules.
Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives.
You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're qutie the storyteller!
You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist.
Your #5 Match: INTJ
The Scientist
You have a head for ideas - and you are good at improving systems.
Logical and strategic, you prefer for everything in your life to be organized.
You tend to be a bit skeptical. You're both critical of yourself and of others.
Independent and stubborn, you tend to only befriend those who are a lot like you.
You would make an excellent scientist, engineer, or programmer.
What's Your Personality Type?
10. Who do you admire most and why?
No one. I've found the older I've become that the more you admire people, the more likely they are to let you down. Whether you intend to or not, those that you admire are put upon a pedestal. And eventually everyone must fall down from that pedestal. It only becomes worse if the person in question promised to never fall off that high statue you've placed them upon. Now, I do admire certain abilities and traits from several individuals. For instance I may values someone's creative abilities with music or another person's abilites with persuasion, but never enough that I start to see them as something bigger than they are. I do have a lot of respect for several individuals, but that doesn't necessarily mean I admire them. To me respect is much more important than being admirable. A person that is worthy of my respect has done something to gain my trust or have me view them as an equal. Someone that is admirable is akin to celebrity- fleeting, empty and without substance.
11. What would you like to have accomplished at the end of your life?
I want to be a novelist and a teacher. Now with teaching, I’m considering perhaps teaching at the university level. Though I still would like to teach high school for a few years. I’ve always wanted to teach world literature or Chicano literature. Classes like British and American literature would possibly bore me. I like the more detailed classes such as Gothic literature and Arabic-American literature.
As far as being a novelist is concerned, it’s only a matter of time before I do publish a novel. It only depends on how long it will be before I sit down and actually write out my novel. I always have ideas running around in my head. I’m in love with the art of writing. Somewhere along the line I would like to delve into screenwriting and perhaps even write for a comic, but those are only side goals. The one goal I must accomplish is publication of a novel. Otherwise, I won’t be happy with myself.
12. Would you sooner commit a crime against your kin or your countrymen?
I would say that I'm more than likely to commit a crime against my countrymen. They are faceless individuals to me, while my kin are those I'm most connected to. I could argue that the countrymen are the very same people who have held me down, or even Latinos in general, and though its true in some cases, that wouldn't be the complete truth, as to why I'd off them first. I would sooner kill a random stranger, a politician, a well known person than someone who is close to me, because I for one am a loyal person. I do not throw that word around carelessly. My kin is how I've gotten to where I am today. It's why am I the person that you see before you today. Countrymen? These are nameless individuals who have in no shape or form helped in creating the woman that I am today. My kin is my past, my present, my future. And on the less glamorous side, I'd feel less guilty having to commit a crime against a complete stranger than say my own sister.
13. What would your animagus be and why?
This one was quite hard actually. I considered a Phoenix, but that's not very practical should I want to sneak around the Muggle world. My next thought was a lady bug. Again, not very practical either. I would probably end up squished. The only reason I would see someone becoming an animagus is because they needed to get information on the sly and be discreet. You'd want to choose an animal that is not easily killed, while picking one that would keep you as anonymous as possible. At least that is why I, would choose to be an animagus. That said I would be a Siamese cat. I picked this specific breed, because if I wanted to be fed, then my chances of getting food would be increased. I don't see people allowing mangy alley cats to get near them. A Siamese cat is discreet enough that you wouldn't notice it if you weren't looking for that specific cat, but it's special enough that it could grab the attention of people, when necessary. Choosing say a Siberian cat would call too much attention, especially if you were in a city filled with alley cats. A Siamese would be able to blend in better, and because of its pure breed status the chances of cat lovers wanting to pamper me and feed me the best would be utterly fantastic. If I was to be really spoiled, I'd only eat tuna fish- not cat food. I really don't see any other choices other than a dog, but that wouldn't suite me either because of hygiene purposes. So Siamese cat it is!
14. What would your patronus be and why?
Definetly a polar bear. I adore polar bears. They are by far my favorite animal. Now a polar bear wouldn't be my patronus simply, because it's a polar bear. What I most like about these majestic creatures is that they appear to be so docile, innocent, and loving. They are beautiful, exotic, just wonderous things to observe. However, for all its beauty, you can easily forget that it's a wild animal waiting to lash out at you. The polar bear would be underestimated by so many people. In the culture we live in, we see polar bears as those cute mascot bears for Coca-Cola. However, if you were ever to watch one whether it be in the zoo, in their natural habitat, or even on the Discovery channel, you would witness firsthand the strength and beauty this animal holds. It's why I love polar bears so much. They are such unique creatures. And quite frankly if it wasn't a polar bear, I wouldn't be interested in learning to do a patronus. (Unless I could force my patronus into becoming a dragon, but that would be merely for show and have utterly no value to me.)
15. What career would you consider if you were indeed part of the wizarding world and why?
I would without a doubt work for the Department of Mysteries. Something about researching unknown magic and the mysteries of the world is quite exciting. While the aurors are off saving the day, I would be discovering fundamental truths. This information could prove useful and if not it would satisfy me to know that I was one of a select few that was able to research more about these ancient mysteries. It would be a bit like being a CIA agent in some respects. No one would ever know what I'm really up to, but my work is still of value. At worst, should this job be dull I'd expect it pays well and I can go around saying "I work for the Department of Mysteries!" There must be some fringe benefits to that job, after all.