(no subject)

[munanna]

• What sort of profession in the wizarding world would you choose and why?
  I'm going to be boring and say author, because it's the kind of profession that I eventually hope for here in the muggle world. But say I couldn't make a living as an author (not that hard to imagine). I suppose I would love to open a shop in Diagon Alley. "Ye Olde Book Shoppe" or something like that. I love books, especially old, worn ones that smells like library. So I would buy and sell books for a living and write them in my spare time.
  
  Hah, I remember wanting to be an Unspeakable once and while the thought of unraveling mysteries still intrigue me it seems like a job I'd love in theory but would actually be a job I'd find too dangerous in the long run. And it would leave precious little time for dreaming up stories.
  
  
• You have to venture deep into the Forbidden Forest one night. Pick one Harry Potter character other than Hagrid and one object (muggle or magical), besides your wand, that you'd want with you.
  Given that he had a good reason to want to keep me alive, I’d say Severus Snape. I doubt we’d come across anything more dangerous than him. It’s harder to choose an object , but I guess I’d go with an Invisibility Cloak. I like the idea of a possible enemy not being able to see me, and me being able to see them clearly. No fighting, just getting out of there as quickly and efficiently as we could. Unless, ofcourse, we had encountered the big spiders, because I think that I would be out like a light. And hopefully Snape would pick me up and apparate away. I'm not sure if the Forbidden Forest counts as Hogwarts grounds, though... if the anti-apparition spells include the forest. Ah well, if it does then he'll have to save me another way, because I will not fight big spiders. Ever. I'll happily admit to being a wuss if I never have to be confronted with an army of dog sized spiders.
  Oh, and I’d never enter the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid. He sent two eleven-year-olds out by themselves with no more protection than a scared dog. To find something that was killing unicorns. I mean, try explaining to Lucius Malfoy why his only offspring got eaten during a detention. “Sorry sir, you’ll have to make a new one.”
  
  
• If you had the opportunity to live forever, but your family and friends did not, what would you choose? And if you did choose to live forever, what would you do with eternity?
  Given that I would stay young and healthy, I would choose to live forever. No doubt about that. No matter what you do, death will separate you eventually, and if you like the life you have made for yourself I see no reason to let it end. But then, I don’t believe you’ll meet your loved ones in the afterlife, but rather back on Earth in different forms. A little reincarnation tidbit there, but I’d hate to sound flippant about not seeing my friends and family again.
  Now, what would I do with eternity? First of all, I’m one of those people who wishes to remain at the University forever (I’d set up camp there if that was allowed). To have eternity to learn everything would be wonderful. I’d probably learn quite a few languages, and there’s few (if any) subject that wouldn’t intrigue me. Possibly math. I would also spend eternity writing. Since my main ambition is to be a published writer, I’d probably write forever. Boredom with life is not a possibility for me, I think.
  
  
• If you could travel back in time to one point, when and where would you go? Why?
  I love these questions! I have two of these; the Victorian Era(1837-1901) and the Flapper Period (1920’s). Honestly, I can’t choose between the two.
  I’d like to visit the Victorian Era as young woman from a rich family(none of the poverty and horrible living arrangements, thank you.) I have a thing for those fabulous dresses, the social interaction and well… let’s just call it my “Mr. Darcy-Obsession” and be done with it, shall we? Actually post-Mr. Darcy… I’m aware that the book was written in 1913, but I still say it counts. *grabby hands*
  If possible I would go to Chicago around 1920-1925 and be a flapper girl. The whole package; jazz clubs, smoking (hey, I’m on vacation to the past!), drinking, flirting and generally having a grand time. Also, just having fun was in itself a subversive act for a woman of that time, so I’d be able to justify it all politically too. Neat.
  Now that I think of it, maybe I should have answered something different, like exploring the mysteries of the pyramids, but I honestly am more interested in corsets, luxury and decadence if I’m going back in time.
  
  
• What HP character do you identify with most and why?
  That’s a hard one. I can’t say I fully identify with anyone, but I do have a couple of character whose distinctive traits feel familiar.
  Narcissa Malfoy because of her devotion to family among other things. Like her I’m content with minding my own business in the background but if something threatens my family I’ll drop everything to help them (Cissa-style. No dramatic gestures that would get them all killed). Like her I recognize when it is time to compromise or sacrifice my own principles if I consider it worth it. And for the safety of my family I'd leave those behind without looking back.
  Luna Lovegood. Like her I’ve got my head in the clouds a lot of the time. I sometimes say weird things that make people stop and stare, but I think that has something to do with me being creative. I hope. Okay, and maybe a little weird. I also admire her for her ability to not care what other people think. I’d like to think I have at least a portion of that.
  And like her I am thankful for my friends; I love my close friends dearly and if it was esthetically possible I'd plaster their faces all over my ceiling too. You know when you take a step back and take a look around sometimes, ponder your current life situation and all that? When I do that now I find myself surrounded by a few close friends who would have my back no matter what, and that sort of humbles me.
  
  
• What would you see if you looked into the Mirror of Erised?
  I see myself as a famous author, a horror writer right up there with H.P Lovecraft, Clive Barker and Stephen King. I’m sitting in a comfortable chair with my laptop perched on my lap. I’m working on my latest project. The walls are lined with bookshelves of which one is full with my own published works and the rest with my favorite books. There’s a warm glow from the crackling fire in the fireplace and my lover is sitting on the sofa with his/her own laptop, working on his/her own projects. Beside me on my pillow my pet chinchilla is fast asleep, finally able to take it easy (and not run around my apartment tearing up my books like he does today!)
  
  And since it's the Mirror of Erised I would probably see Christopher Walken and Ron Perlman rubbing my feet while Jareth the Goblin King is busy giving me a neck massage.
  
  
• Do you believe that moral actions should be judged by the intentions behind them, or by the consequences they create?
  Both. If a kid pulls a prank that accidentally results in the death of five people, then you have to look at the intention behind the crime. Likewise, if a murderer fails to kill you, the intention to do that must count. However, the consequences must also be taken into consideration. Intentions matter, but you can't dodge the consequences. The kid must understand and live with what he did. I suppose I’m for judging mainly by the consequences but if we do not look at the intentions behind them Lady Justice is truly blind. It's difficult for me to have a solid opinion about this, since it varies so much from situation to situation. I see the world in shades of gray and I have yet to come across any black or white. And if we're talking about moral actions, as in, legal but questionable, then even more so. Right or wrong will always depend on your perspective, and most of it can be traced back to people being, well, people.
  
  
• What was your ideal job as a kid? Has that changed? What is your ideal job now?
  Haha, I’m doing today exactly what I was doing as a kid, namely creating stories and making pictures. I’m practical dreamer; I know how rare it is to be able to get by on writing, and I’m far too fond of luxury to become the Poor Writer or the Starving Artist. Therefore I have managed, after a labyrinth of educations, courses and odd jobs here and there, to land myself a job as a Media Coordinator, taking care or everything media- and/or information related for a small company. I'm well on my way to realizing my dream, as I have currently two short stories published and a third on the way and I hope to be able to send in a longer manuscript to a publishing house come fall. I have worked hard for this and I am well aware of how much hard work there is ahead of me, but I'll do it in a nice apartment, in nice clothes while eating good food.
  
  
• If you were able to invent one spell, potion, or charm, what would it do, what would you use it for or how would you use it, and what would you call it?
  I’m sure this is a cliche answer, but I’d create a charm for creating money, basically. The Munny Charm! It would be a hard one to master. The pose would be similar to the one used in duels, but the actual gesture requires a certain dexterity in your wrist and fingers. The word used is "Pecuniate!" and if you pronounced it correctly and did the gesture just right a steady rain of gold coins would fall where you pointed. The charm would last as long as you could hold perfect focus.
  The cold hard truth is that money really does solve a lot of things if you know how to use it right. I could write without having to work extra at customer support (and that would be a blessing), I could do relaxing things, I could help my mother out, since she can’t work because she’s sick. She can get by, but I’d love to be able to help her out. I know my sister would appreciate a little something, and my dad would be able to invest more in his company. I have friends I’d like to be able to help out too. There’s even a few charity organizations that I’d like to support. But to sum it up: money, if used wisely, can help you a great deal on your way to the top of whatever mountain you’re climbing, and if you can take a number of loved ones with you, all the better.
  
  
• If you were to face a boggart, what would it turn into? And what does it turn into when you throw the counter-spell, Riddikulus?
  Did I mention I love these questions? I think my boggart would turn into inferi versions of my family. I’m scared to death of zombies, the thought of a dead person moving around freaks me out (although I still like it from the safe distance of movies and fiction). But the sight of my family in such an undignified and horrible way would paralyze me. The loss of them combined with that horror… I think it would take me a lot of time to overcome it. Possibly with ridiculous, low-budget special effects, like a spray of fake blood, or if part of the inferi/zombie makeup fell off. Actually, I believe that a person's boggart form would probably change over time. I could easily see my boggart take a spider shape a few years ago, for example.
  
  And this is just a thought, but I feel that the inferi boggart would somehow represent a loss of control. Meaning, I sometimes feel like my weak spots (loved ones) are walking around doing whatever they please (which they do, naturally) and I can't control it one bit. (Would Achilles be worried if his heel lived it's own life? Ofcourse he would.) My biggest fear is something happening to them, and that tiny little loss of control would eat at me every day if I let it. Maybe the inferi boggart is the worst possible combination of all my fears, then. I hope I make sense, this fear is a bit hard to explain, and difficult to defend since it's impossible to control the actions of another person and a fundamentally silly thing to wish for. Not to mention unhealthy.
  
  
• What do you look for in a friend?
  Summed up in three things: brains, loyalty and sense of humor. They have got to be reasonably intelligent for us to have meaningful conversations. Loyalty is a must because I’m a bit sensitive about backstabbing due to past experiences. Friends who spreads rumors about me are not my friends for very long. Sense of humor is also a must! And it’s good if they appreciate mine too, since my sense of humor can be a bit morbid sometimes. Oh, and I might have a problem being your friend if you’re a gay-bashing, sexist/racist, but that’s implied in the first criteria.
  
  I never thought I'd grow tired of making lists(because oh how I love my lists!) but honestly, nowadays I'm not looking for friends. I have wonderful friends. The more the merrier and if somebody wants to be my friend that person is welcome - it's a gut feeling now, though. Do you get me, at all? If the answer is yes, then chances are I get you too and from there I'm sure we'll find more superficial common grounds to play on.
  
  
• What trait most annoys you about other people?
  Except for bad grammar and spelling, my pet peeve is drama. Drama kings and queens, jumping on and off their soapboxes or barricades or wherever they happen to be at the moment, attention-whoring so loudly their corsets almost burst. And martyrs, a charming sub-category that sets my teeth on edge. I must seem horribly unreasonable, but I don't mean that you're not supposed to express your opinions. I'm just saying that internet seems to have given some people a free ticket to act like asshats and call it 'honesty' or vent their bad days, opinions and personal hang-up in the most inappropriate of places.
  
  
• What do you think are your top five abilities or qualities?
  1. Intelligent - It took some time, but I’m finally able to say it. I am intelligent, and although like most intelligent people I was treated like I was radioactive at school (back when knowledge was frowned upon) I’m proud of it now. I love learning and if it was at all possible right now I would go back to the University and never leave.
  2. Likeable - I show interest and I’m a good listener. Also, I like to make people feel good about themselves, because mostly they really deserve it but hide for some reason or another. I don’t hold back compliments, and a compliment from me is always genuine. I've never understand people who are intentionally and unnecessarily unkind.
  3. Sentimental - I put this here because being sentimental makes me happy. I tear up when I find an old Christmas Card in a drawer, or remember moment-moment with a friend or family member, or ahem... when I find a lollipop that smells exactly like a scented eraser I loved as a child, and consequently nearly shoved it in my friend's nose in my excitement. If you wonder, it was grapes-flavored.
  4. Diplomatic - I dislike rudeness, and I’m very rarely blunt. I will give you my honest opinion, but I’ll wrap it up in diplomacy before I hand it over. And no drama. Drama gives me hives.
  5. Creative - Writing is my life. I also paint and draw, and a few years ago I did comics. I love creating things and four years ago I even found a way to keep in shape that appealed to me: bellydancing. I love it, I’m reasonably good at it and do it a couple of times a week right now.
  
  
• What do you think are your top five weaknesses or worst qualities?
  1. Indecisive - Sometimes I’m having a hard time deciding everything. From which flavor of ice cream I really want to what movie I want to see. Or even what I’m going to wear. Every little choice becomes the focus of intense analysis, like the day would stand and fall with whether I’d eat Rocky Road and Strawberry Sorbet. Give me too many options and I become a very sad little (insert proper house animal here).
  2. Introverted - I know it sounds weird considering what I’ve already told you about myself, but this is something that I’m working with. I’m not a party person who stays out drinking and dancing all night(for that to happen I need to be in the right mood, and that is rare). The time travel thing mentioned above would be followed by a few days of solitude. Some people gain energy from hanging out with other people, but for every hour I spend in another person’s company I need two hours alone, by myself, undisturbed. I’ve come to accept that, even embrace that part of me, but it turns into a problem when I should network, or when new friends take it the wrong way. My close friends know me and respect my need for space and privacy. But well… the world belongs to the extroverts (gross generalization, but I think introverts know what I mean), and I’m tired of being misunderstood.
  3. Lazy - I’m lazy in an everyday fashion. I hate cleaning, I take the bus if I can, and if I can get people to do something for me, I jump at the opportunity if the shame doesn’t overwhelm me.
  4. Absentminded - I'm more often than not living in my own little bubble, only visiting planet Earth when I really have to. Actually, I like that a lot which is why it's not a problem I work on. The reason I put it here is that it's sometimes annoying to the people around me, and sometimes it's something of an everyday challenge when I work.
  5. Prone to ramble - Oh dear, yes. I get something in my head, an idea or an antsy thought I can talk talk people's ears off. And that goes double if it's about one of my many random interests. Nerdy, enthusiastic monologues that I'm very grateful my beloved friends and family have decided to find charming. I find it embarrassing myself, which is why I put it as a negative trait.
  
  
• Define in your own words the following key traits:
  
  • Courage: A quality that allows you to do something despite being terrified of it, to face your fears. And to do it with a certain amount of confidence.
    
  • Loyalty: Loyalty meaning a person’s devotion towards a particular idea, object or person. If you’re loyal you will stand by your friend/family member through good times and bad.
    
  • Intelligence: Intelligence is the ability to learn, both from theory and from past experiences (your own as well as others’). I also include the ability to analyze and reflect upon a situation or issue in that ability.
    
  • Ambition: Ambition is a strong desire to achieve something. That something may be everything from wealth, success and influence, to smaller things such as… hm… a pet turtle. If your ambition is to get a pet turtle, and you work hard to reach that goal, then yes, by my standards you’re an ambitious person who probably have other ambitions that will eventually receive the same attention as the turtle.
    
  
  
• Name: Lova
  
• Age: 29
  
• Where did you find out about us? From my past. ;)
  
• Do you plan on being active in the communities once you are sorted? Yes, hopefully!