Day 31

Happy Birthday, Harry! (And Happy Late Birthday to Neville, whose birthday was yesterday!)

The Last Question: What is the effect of Harry Potter on your life/how much does it mean to you?

This might be a long answer (or short, since I should be fixing lunch).

I first read Harry Potter in college, right before Deathly Hallows (the book) came out. 

I've been through a lot -- maybe just as much as the next person.  The death of my baby brother, several moves (in and out of country), new schools, horrible roommates, an awful romantic relationship that caused severe depression and suicidal tendencies, family drama (the tragic kind, not the funny kind), a kidnapping* and always, always saying goodbye. 

When you pile all that up, it looks pretty bad.  I have trust issues, authority issues, attachment issues, I suffer from depression and unhealthy cravings (alcohol, smoking, cutting) and I think I have alexithymia ("no words for feelings" -- a slightly autistic-esque disorder where I can't process emotions in words, so my body feels them physically).

Pretty rough for a twenty-five year old.

But when I read Harry Potter, my world became brighter.

I was afraid of death prior to reading the HP books.  Even though I believe in God and trust (sometimes) that He is making arrangements for me, because of the death of my brother I had a hard time dealing with death.

The Harry Potter series, at its core, is about death.

Going with Harry on the journey through his years at Hogwarts helped me come to terms with death.  It's a fact of life.  And it's not a scary fact (or doesn't have to be).  You can 'greet death as an old friend' and live while you're alive.  And you can grieve for the ones you've lost.  You can remember them and honor their memory.  They don't have to be gone forever.

That was the first lesson.

There are several more -- learning that your choices make you who you are; that love triumphs over evil (ultimately, even if not immediately); that good friends make life worth living; that people (even evil ones) have value; and that people are more than they seem are just a few of the things I learned.

Harry Potter helped me:

• theologically/spiritually: my theology of death, faith/belief, trust, and mercy/forgiveness have all been shaped by reading these books.
• 
  
• mentally: when I feel down, I pull one of them out and retreat from the world for a while.  I come back, having learned something or read something that inspires me to go on.  Being sorted into Hufflepuff on Pottermore has allowed me to see that I am of value and that I can do something with my life.
•  
• emotionally: I've learned the importance of communication and letting my feelings have a safe place to come out and it has been slowly, slowly helping me come out of my shell.
•  
• relationally: I've made more friends since reading Harry Potter and can have conversations with complete strangers.  I feel more connected to the world and to people as we discuss what this series means to us (or just how much we'd love to be in a Quidditch match)

HP has helped me in ways that no amount of therapy has been able to do.  I am a better, more whole person for reading the series.  Even now I can see bits of myself changed or changing because of the HP books.

Rowling will probably never know how many lives she's touched with these books.  They're a big part of why I want to write. 

Thank you, Ms. Rowling, and thank you, Harry.

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What do the Potter books mean to you?

 ------------------------

*This is a semi-long story.  Some of my parents' friends (on request from my parents) took away all forms of communication and shut me up in a bedroom for days because they thought something was going on that wasn't.  I never went to the police (I was in shock and couldn't even think straight) so I'm the only one still reeling from the occurrence.  My family pretends it didn't happen.

Day 30

Since there are only 30 questions in this challenge and 31 days, I'm going to make up my own question today and answer the challenge's last question tomorrow (because it's a very good question and a great way to end the month).

So, my question: Do you ever have Harry Potter dreams?

Answer: frequently.  Usually I'm Harry but sometimes I'm just me.  Ron and Hermione (and the twins) are usually there, although at least one dream had Remus Lupin and Professor Snape in it.  Voldemort's even shown up in a few.  (And on occasion there'll be a crossover -- I did have a Buffy/Harry dream once)  They don't occur with any regularity but I always look forward to them because I'm usually fighting evil, or flying on a broomstick, or hanging out at Hogwarts. 

Have you ever had a Harry Potter-influenced dream?

Day 29

Question: is there a job you'd like to have, if you were part of the wizarding world?

Hmmm...I like the *idea* of being an Auror but that's probably too scary and adrenaline pumped for me. Working at Hogwarts is somewhat tempting but I don't want to teach.

I could see myself working as a correspondent for The Daily Prophet, or working at Flourish and Blotts or a other wizard bookstore...maybe even working for George Weasley in Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes! There's also Quidditch... Too many jobs to choose from!

What would you choose?

Day 28

Question: Who would be your nemesis at Hogwarts?

...as a Hufflepuff, I'm not sure I'd have one!  I mean, Puffles tend to keep their heads down and work hard -- they might be loyal to Harry and stand by him during Quidditch or the Battle of Hogwarts, but a typical day at Hogwarts?  We're probably just trying to do our best.  Not a lot of us are in the limelight.

Now...if I just *had* to have a nemesis, let me think...it would probably be someone from Slytherin (like Pansy Parkinson) or Mrs. Norris and Mr. Filch.  Or PEEVES, the Poltergeist.

But that's all I can think of.

Would you have a nemesis?

Day 27

Question: which would you rather own - the Elder Wand, The Resurrection Stone, or the Invisibility Cloak?

Obviously, I'd choose the Invisibility Cloak. It all goes back to the three brothers -- do I want power, love, or to greet death peaceably?

 The Elder Wand breeds greed and evil intentions, too dangerous for me to carry around. The Ressurection Stone proved useful to Harry, the one time. No matter how much I love my brother, I couldn't drag him out of heaven down here for a half life just because I can't deal. In the end, I'd choose the Invisibility Cloak -- it's the most practical and useful of the three and it served Harry very well in a variety of circumstances.

It's also interesting when you see Rowling connect the dots between the three brothers and Voldemort, Snape and Harry.

Voldemort wanted the Elder Wand and died because of his hunger for power.  Snape died for love (in a way) and Harry chose to go to his death, embracing it.

I'd rather be like Harry so I'd take the gift he was given.

What about you?

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Day 26

Question: If you were able to use one spell without a wand, which would it be?

Ooooh this one is difficult...hmmm...

I'd have to say either Expecto Patronum (to ward off dementors) or Lumos (to cast light).

Which spell would you choose?

Day 25

Question: Are you satisfied with the epilogue?

...I guess I'm one of the people that respect's the author's final say on what happened.  Loads of people have written fanfic and re-written parts of Rowling's stories so that they're completely satisfied, but honestly I think authors deserve a little more respect than that.  I may not be completely happy with someone's ending but they're the writer and they get to choose.

Now if they craft a poor ending, that's different.  If it isn't a strong, clear resolution/denouement then we have a problem.

But I think Rowling knew what she was doing and I'm happy with the epilogue.

For one, she gave Harry what he needed -- a normal life.  (Sure, chasing Dark Wizards isn't *completely* normal, but if you're Harry Potter that's really the only job for you)  He had a wife and children, friends, a job, and PEACE.  That was a great resolution to his story, which was, let's face it, a pretty emotional rollercoaster, and it definitely took its toll on him.

Second, The ending brought the story back full circle -- another generation of kids are going to Hogwarts -- Harry and Ginny's, and Ron and Hermione's own children.  (And Draco's)  Their adventures are just beginning (although I doubt they'll be as epic as Harry's, which I think he would be grateful for).

Thirdly, the biggest evils are gone.  The world is better because of Harry.  And that is a beautiful, hopeful thing. 

I'm not sure why some people dislike the epilogue so much -- it was a bit of a change-up from the craziness of what usually happens to Harry -- but Rowling, again, really thought this through.  She's a brilliant, intelligent author and I trust she knows best.

So I loved the epilogue.

Did you?  Why or why not?

Day 24

Question: any particular scene from the books that you wished was in the movies?

Several.

 Some pretty big ones like:

• The scene with Neville's mother and grandmother in St. Mungo's 
• Harry fixing his wand with The Elder Wand 
• Lee Jordan's commentaries on the Quidditch matches 
• A ton of stuff from The Order of the Phoenix (lots of The Weasley twins) 

And some stuff that was cut out for good reasons but would have been fun to see:

• The house-elf/S.P.E.W. storyline 
• More time in classes (potions and herbology particularly) 
• Firenze and his class 
• More Quidditch games!!

What would you want to see included in an extended release of the Films?

Glutted on Goodwill

After months of craving a trip to the Goodwill Clearance Center, I was finally able to glut myself on the incredible, incredible savings.  I'm a thrifty girl (and poor) and to have, at my disposal, a dozen enormous bins full of linens, clothes, shoes, and purses for 75 cents a pound is like giving me a map to buried treasure and then putting me on the island where it's buried -- pointed in the right direction.

I was afraid I'd spend all my money (what little there was of it) because my bag was really, really heavy but it weighed in at 13.5 pounds for a total cost of a little under $9.

NINE DOLLARS.

For:

1 twin bed sheet (khaki)
1 plaid shower curtain
1 striped...something (enormous pillowcase?)
1 pair of pleather pants (for an 8-year-old...SERIOUSLY?!  I'm cutting them up to make hair accessories and doing my duty of protecting children from growing up too fast)
2 pair of flats (one silver, one grey canvas)
1 tie
1 pair of fancy suspenders (for Stu's birthday...sssshhhhh!)
3 sweaters (one from Anne Taylor, one from Old Navy, one from Target)
1 purse (Banana Republic)
1 pair dark jeans (from Target)
3 collared shirts to cut up
3 tee shirts to cut up
1 plaid dress (think Halloween -- it's incredible)
1 pair Old Navy pajama pants
1 awesome hipster tee from Old Navy (it has a Victrola on it)
1 nice work shirt (...I think it's Banana Republic)
1 brown skirt
1 white handkerchief
1 silky, swirly dress to cut up

I bought most of the stuff to alter or use as fabric for craft projects, but all the stuff I bought to actually wear (except the jeans, which need to be taken in) fits perfectly.  I've become better at gauging what's going to fit regardless of what the size tag says since there aren't changing rooms at the Clearance Center.

My friend Abbie was kind enough to take me, and we spent a good hour plowing through the bins.  They also have a random assortment of furniture, books and toys.  You have a big rolly bin that you push around while you pile stuff in...

I can't describe to you how FUN it is.  Discovering buried treasure, thinking up all the things you can use something for...and best of all, it does get a lot of great brands -- my best find to date has been an authentic Coach bag (it even had the "How to Care for Your Coach Bag" brochure in the inside pocket!).  For mere pennies.

If you ever want to go, it does help to have a list of what you're looking for -- that way you can stay on task and not get overwhelmed by the enormity of the piles.  They're open on Sundays 1:30-5:30 and they have a half-off deal -- the 75 cents/lb.  I think it's $1.50 during the week.  (Still not bad, but who can resist a seventy-five cent discount?!)

Anyway -- got some good ideas from Pinterest and I'm aiming to either alter the clothes (like the charcoal grey men's shirt I got -- that's going to be a dress with a red belt and puff sleeves when I'm done with it), make tee shirt yarn (for a rug or trivet or hairbands), or make something else from it entirely (like the khaki sheet and plaid curtain -- I'm using those to make a big sling bag for myself).

I'm hoping to post pictures on here and at the end of the year I'll make a board on Pinterest showing all the stuff I've made that was inspired by stuff I found on Pinterest.

Stay tuned.  :)

Day 23

List any/all sections of the books/movies that made you cry.

...Ok, not really a question, but whatever.

I don't think I cried until book six but I might have teared up when Sirius went through the veil.

1. Dumbledore's death
2. Snape's death (and the chapter "The Prince's Tale")
3. The Battle of Hogwarts (Fred's death, Colin Creevey's death, Lupin & Tonks' death)
4. The chapter(s) where Harry confronts Voldemort (the Resurrection Stone scene, the death of HP, and Hagrid carrying Harry back to Hogwarts)
5. The epilogue
6. Hedwig's death

In the movies, I cried pretty much through the same scenes.

And now, for something funny:

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Day 22

Question: Harry Potter or Twilight?

...Why??

Obviously Team Potter for several reasons:

1. Quality of writing -- which feeds into everything -- character development, symbolism/theology, plot, story arcs, etc.
2. Connection to the characters -- I identify with Harry and Professor Snape while Twilight has a cast of either incredibly too-perfect vampires or stupid humans or hot-blooded werewolves.  While I used to identify with Bella (being a normal, plain human being dreaming of someone who'd love me for who I am), I don't anymore.  :)
3. Spiritual (and emotional/mental) help vs. emotional rollercoaster -- I can't abide love triangles and I was so helped in every way by reading Potter.  It changed my life.
4. The movies were FAR superior
5. Harry Potter has changed the lives of millions -- getting people to read, imagine, write, create art (and musicals!), music, contribute to charity, etc., along with Rowling 'baptizing the imagination'.
6. Harry Potter is about death (and so much more) -- the story is bigger than the characters.  Twilight is a love story, *only* about the characters.
7. The dialogue.  The dialogue, the dialogue, the dialogue.  You have *got* to have good dialogue and the HP characters are *funny* (and British), and real.

This isn't to say I think Twilight is complete crap.  Stephanie herself says she dreamed part of it and wrote the story down for herself and wasn't contemplating publication.  I think with a better editor she would have had a stronger series, because The Host was, frankly, awesome.  So much better than the Twilight saga.  And the Cullens' history is interesting.  I want to read Alice and Jasper's story.  Bella and Edward are not sympathetic so if the story was focused elsewhere it would have been much more intriguing.

That's my two cents.  What are your thoughts?

Day 21

Question: If you could bring one character back to life, who would it be?

...I can't even think about this question without tearing up.

There are, of course, the villains who died (Lord Voldemort, Bellatrix, Professor Quirrell, Nagini, The Basilisk, Igor Karkaroff, etc.), those we know of who died but had no connection to (The Bones, the Prewetts, etc.), the ghosts at the school (Moaning Myrtle, Nearly-Headless Nick), and those who meant so much to us that we sobbed while reading of their untimely demises:

-- Hedwig
-- Dobby
-- Sirius
-- Remus and Nymphadora
-- Professor Snape
-- Professor Dumbledore
-- Alastor Moody
-- Fred Weasley
-- Colin Creevey

Hedwig's death was symbolic of Harry's loss of innocence and entry into adulthood, according to Rowling.  Sirius and Remus died as symbols of Harry's own lost father (he never had a father figure).  Remus and Nymphadora also died because their deaths meant that their son would grow up, like Harry and Voldemort, without parents, and this would shape him in a way their lives never could (Rowling also points this out) -- despite the two orphans' similar backgrounds, they become very different people.  (Dumbledore's speech on the choices we make that define us comes to mind)

Dobby died saving Harry.  Colin's death was to show the horrors of war -- the death of innocents.

Dumbledore died because of the curse on his hand -- but he chose his death (by Snape's hand) to protect the innocence of Draco Malfoy.  His death also spurred Harry into action to find the Horcruxes.

So this leaves us with three seemingly senseless deaths.

Alastor Moody, an Auror of great distinction, died because his cowardly partner whisked himself away.  Alastor was part of the plan to get Harry safely to the Burrow after the charm over Privet Drive broke as Harry came of age.

Fred Weasley died fighting Death Eaters -- his twin could never produce a Patronus again, and while George did marry and have a child named Fred, I don't know if he ever fully recovered (does anyone?) from the loss of his brother.

Professor Snape died because Voldemort thought Snape was the owner of the Elder Wand.  It was a senseless, senseless killing, perhaps the most senseless of the series.  No one except Harry and Dumbledore knew the entire truth about Snape, and Voldemort didn't even realize how amazingly gifted in several branches of magic Snape was until Harry told him about the deception.  Snape died unrecognized and unloved, the unsung hero of the entire saga.

So who would I choose?  I feel it would be kinder to leave Professor Snape in the afterlife, and Moody as well.  They were both broken and lonely and I wouldn't have them come back, even for a peaceful life.

So in the end, I'd choose Fred.  Fred's death broke my heart perhaps more than any other death (beside Snape's) because he had a twin.  Seeing half of you die would be the most traumatic experience I can imagine, and it was extremely difficult for the actors (Oliver, I think) to do.  They could only do so many takes because he was really crying and couldn't handle doing more.  Fred's death serves no purpose except to show you the horror of war and we already have that with Lavender being bitten by a werewolf, the Lupins and Creevey dying, and Snape dying.  That's enough for me.

Here's to you, Fred.

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Day 20

Question: If you could meet one member of the cast, who would it be?

...I feel as if this pertains less to HP than to film in general, so I'm gonna turn it into:

Question: If you could meet one character from Harry Potter, who would it be?

Oh my, what an interesting question! ;)

But seriously.

Who would I choose?

Well...

Let's imagine that I'm meeting up with one of the characters for butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks or even The Leaky Cauldron...who'd be the most fun/interesting person to spend time with?

I don't think I can pick *just* one, so here are my top 5 (in no particular order):

1. Fred & George Weasley (or the entire Weasley family)
2. Neville Longbottom or Luna Lovegood
3. Nymphadora Tonks
4. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore
5. Oliver Wood (we'd talk Quidditch for HOURS, I bet!)

What about you?  Who would you choose to spend a few hours with?  (What would you do?)

Day 19

Question: Do you prefer the books or the films?

...


....



......

Ok.  Here's my deal about the movies/books.

a) The extended versions of the movies are fantastic.  Seriously.  But ABC has the rights so you have to catch them on television during the summer or at Christmas.  So watch those if you can.

b) When introducing people to Harry Potter, I suggest where they start depending on their personalities.  Because here's the thing -- I don't want you to love the books and hate the movies.  The movies have some brilliant performances, music, scenery, special effects, etc.  They are pretty great.  So sometimes I'll suggest they watch the first few movies first.  Then read the books.  Or I'll suggest they read the books first.  I let my brother watch all the movies first because he only visited for a weekend and couldn't get through all the books (He did read Deathly Hallows b/c Pt. II wasn't out yet and seriously, how can you leave off at Deathly Hallows Pt. I???).  So now he loves the movies AND the books, which, in the end, is the perfect result.  Why can't you love both for various reasons??

c) No film will ever be able to include EVERYTHING.  It's what you choose to keep in that's important.  You have to trim the fat and make the story more visual, and sometimes you'll have to drop things or change them and that's just how it works.  So most of the changes, I have no problem with.  (Except for Harry not using the Elder Wand to fix his own wand.  That was dumb and there was no good reason for it)

d) I love the movies for the actors and the music (and all that other good stuff) -- Alan Rickman, Jason Isaacs, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Matt Lewis, Dame Maggie Smith, etc.  It's amazing to see the kids grow up and the adults be awesome. 

So there you have it.  My little mini-rant about how people can enjoy BOTH.

But yeah, I prefer the books -- the detail and character development and her writing style, her symbolism and theology all rolled together = BRILLIANT.  I just think the movies are supplemental and don't have to be at odds with liking the books.

How do you feel about books vs. movies?  Is there a movie you prefer OVER the book?  (I have one -- Coraline!)

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Day 18

Question: Your least favorite of the books?

Uh...why do I have to have a *least* favorite??  I have a difficult time picking my favorite (because I think, "Half-Blood Prince" and then it's, "Oh wait, Prisoner of Azkaban was so good..." or "Chamber of Secrets. That book is DEEP."  or "Order of the Phoenix has so much great stuff in it!").

But if I *had* to choose, it's the one I'm currently reading, Goblet of Fire.

For a few reasons.

- It is kind of lagging at the moment (that may be that I'm reading it very slowly)
- Harry is kind of a dumb champion (I mean that in the nicest way possible.  He's young, he doesn't know about the Tri-Wizard tournament...but he's not even going to study?!?!?!  SERIOUSLY, HARRY?!?!)
- Just realized last week that the Gryffindors are sometimes bullies (especially toward Hufflepuff -- even though there's no proof, even Ron will talk about how dumb Hufflepuff is, usually goaded into it by remembering that Cedric beat them in the last Quidditch match of the year in POA).
- I really *hate* Rita Skeeter.  So glad Hermione was able to get some dirt on her and USE it. >:)

I'm not cool with bullies (Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Dudley, I'm looking at you), and it's aggravating to see Gryffindor stoop to saying nasty things just because Cedric didn't know that Harry was falling when Cedric grabbed the snitch.  (Cedric asked for a re-match because he didn't think it fair but Madame Hooch said they won fair and square) 

Also, Snape is *really* mean to Hermione in this one and it breaks my heart.  Poor little Hermione (I love Snape as a character but fully admit that he bullies his least favorite students and is in no way an ideal teacher when it comes to having favorites/least favorites).


So this is my least favorite in terms of characters being stupid or cruel  (Order of the Phoenix used to be my least favorite because Harry was SO ANGSTY but there's so much good stuff with McGonagall and the twins giving Umbridge what-for that I can look past Harry).

But Goblet of Fire does starts with a bang (THE QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP) and at the end, you think, "ISH JUST GOT REAL!!!" 

So...this is just a "if I *had* to choose" hypothetical question.  Because I love all the books.

What about you?  Do you have a least favorite?  (Or is your least favorite people who ask you what your least favorite is??)

Day 17

Question: What would your wand be made from?

...Since I'm on Pottermore I already know what it is.  And, I have to say, my wand fits me perfectly:

Dogwood, Phoenix Feather core, 10 inches, surprisingly swishy.

Here's what Mr. Ollivander (according to Pottermore) has to say about my wand:

Dogwood -- Dogwood is one of my own personal favourites, and I have found that matching a dogwood wand with its ideal owner is always entertaining. Dogwood wands are quirky and mischievous; they have playful natures and insist upon partners who can provide them with scope for excitement and fun. It would be quite wrong, however, to deduce from this that dogwood wands are not capable of serious magic when called upon to do so; they have been known to perform outstanding spells under difficult conditions, and when paired with a suitably clever and ingenious witch or wizard, can produce dazzling enchantments. An interesting foible of many dogwood wands is that they refuse to perform non-verbal spells and they are often rather noisy.

Phoenix Feather Core -- This is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike.  Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalise, and their allegiance is usually hard won.

Wand Length & Flexibility --Many wandmakers simply match the wand length to the size of the witch or wizard who will use it, but this is a crude measure, and fails to take into account many other, important considerations. In my experience, longer wands might suit taller wizards, but they tend to be drawn to bigger personalities, and those of a more spacious and dramatic style of magic. Neater wands favour more elegant and refined spell-casting. However, no single aspect of wand composition should be considered in isolation of all the others, and the type of wood, the core and the flexibility may either counterbalance or enhance the attributes of the wand’s length.

Most wands will be in the range of between nine and fourteen inches. While I have sold extremely short wands (eight inches and under) and very long wands (over fifteen inches), these are exceptionally rare. In the latter case, a physical peculiarity demanded the excessive wand length. However, abnormally short wands usually select those in whose character something is lacking, rather than because they are physically undersized (many small witches and wizards are chosen by longer wands).

Wand flexibility or rigidity denotes the degree of adaptability and willingness to change possessed by the wand-and-owner pair - although, again, this factor ought not to be considered separately from the wand wood, core and length, nor of the owner’s life experience and style of magic, all of which will combine to make the wand in question unique.

If you know me, do you think my wand suits me?  If you're on Pottermore, do you agree with Ollivander as to your wand?  What kind of wand would you want if YOU could choose?

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Day 16

Question: Who is your favorite Hogwarts professor?

Oh, dear...hmmm...

I think either Albus Dumbledore (he taught Transfiguration before McGonagall) or Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape...or maybe Professor Lupin.  Or even Professor Sprout.


Part of this is -- which one would I choose as a favorite teacher?  Probably Professor Lupin.

Another part is -- which one would teach my favorite class?  (Probably Professor McGonagall or Professor Snape)

And -- which one would I choose based on which class is my favorite, or as an individual?

...for most interesting class, it might have to be Professor Snape or Professor Lupin, and as an individual, I'd probably prefer Professor Sprout or Professor McGonagall.

But Albus Dumbledore is just the most awesome professor.  Hands down.  (McGonagall takes a close second)

Who's your favorite professor?

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Day 15

Question: who would be your best friends at Hogwarts (up to three)?

This is another difficult question. Who would I like to be friends with the most (the Weasleys, Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom) or who would I actually be friends with (depending on what year I came in, Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott)? Who would your friends be?

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Day 14

Question: Team Harry or Team Voldemort? Answer: Seriously??? Who in the Potterverse would choose Voldy?? But there are some young Death Eater fans (even with the Dark Mark tattoo) so I guess not everybody would choose Harry. But I'm with Harry. To the end.

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My Song

Rango

Day 13

Eek, Friday the 13th.  :/ 

Today's question:  Your least favorite of the movies?

Hmmm...well, it used to be Order of the Phoenix because it left out about 3/4 of the book, but last year I caught the extended release on ABC and was *much* happier about it.  So I'm not quite sure which one would be my least favorite...

The first one is just really slow-moving.  I don't mind that it's long (I don't mind any of them being long!), but it does move very slowly, even while throwing out some things they should have kept in.

So it would have to be be Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, just because I'd watch any of the others (provided they were extended release) over it.

What about you?

Day 12

Question: Who's your favorite pairing?

Contrary to what might be everyone's opinion, my favorite pairing is not Snape/Lily (mostly because it isn't canon and I'm a canon kind of girl.  Rowling mentioned that it *could* have happened if Snape hadn't been so interested in the Dark Arts or if Lily hadn't met James, but since neither of those occurred, I'm semi-happy just tearing up over "what could have been").

Although I'm hard pressed to think of which one it actually is.

The one that amuses me the most is Luna/Neville, which is NOT canon except for in the movies, because the fans were adamant that THAT is how they ended up (according to Rowling, Luna married Newt Scamander's son.  I don't know if Neville got married, but he ended up a Hogwarts Professor).  Everybody loves Neville/Luna and I do think it makes sense for them to be together -- they went through so many of the same things (lost parents, fought in Dumbledore's Army, went with Harry to the Ministry, fought in The Battle of Hogwarts, close friends of Harry, etc.).  So I'm not canon about that -- I rather think the movie ending for them was perfect.

Other than that...I love Ron/Hermione.  It reminds me of a lot of couples I know, and I rather think Hermione is slightly reminiscent of Mrs. Weasley.

I also think Harry/Ginny is perfect, no matter what anyone says -- Ginny and Harry were the only ones ever possessed by the Dark Lord, and Harry rescued her from that.  They also went through a lot together and Ginny is tough and gutsy -- just what someone like Harry needs.  He needs a partner who is brave and has a lot of nerve without being *too* intellectual (Hermione would have driven him crazy).

Those three are probably my favorites.  I also adore Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Remus and Tonks.

The silliest pairing I can think of is Professor Trelawney and Hagrid.  What a catastrophe.  (So glad that's not canon!)

Who's in your favorite pairings?  Do you ship a couple that isn't canon?  Why or why not?

Source: browse.deviantart.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: browse.deviantart.com via Kate on Pinterest

Days 10 and 11

I was sick for most of the day yesterday, so forgive me for skipping a day.  I'm making it up today with a double blog post and some pictures.  :)

Question 10: Horcruxes or Hallows?

...what does this question mean?  Would I be interested in just collecting them for educational purposes?  Which ones would I *use* myself?  Which ones are more interesting?

Anyway, the only answer for all three of those are the Hallows.  Horcruxes are evil, bits of someone's soul -- someone who murdered to create them.  No thanks.

My favorite Hallow is the invisibility cloak.  While I wouldn't use it all the time, it would come in pretty handy...delivering Christmas presents, using it to sneak up on dark wizards (if I was an Auror), or just wanting to be alone.

Which group would you choose?  Which of the Hallows is the most interesting to you?

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Question 11: Which character do you most relate to?

It used to be Professor Snape.  I felt alone, bitter, angry, resentful, and underneath all that nastiness was a bit of love attempting to blossom.

Now, it's probably Harry.  I'm always Harry in my Potter dreams (if I'm not just regular ol' me), and I feel like I grew up with the Dursleys.  Nobody will tell me what's going on in life and I'm different than the people I grew up with.  (Maybe not quite so magical as Harry but my imagination is pretty magical at times)

I'd love to identify with Luna, but she's of a higher intelligence and coolness factor than me (Not trying to say anything other than that her brain and my brain don't work the same, and she actually doesn't care what anyone thinks about her while I'm trying to get over that).

So...yeah, it's probably Harry.

Who do you relate to?

--------

And now, without further ado...

some of my favorite HP pictures at the moment:

Source: etsy.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: lunalouise.deviantart.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: i-am-rose-weasley.tumblr.com via Kate on Pinterest

Day 9

Question: Your least favorite male character and why

Hmmm...

This is a tough one...because there are male characters I just dislike, there are those that don't interest me, and those I don't care for a mite.

Here's the list:

Crabbe and Goyle (just...dislike.  They're too dumb to hate)
Argus Filch (just creepy)
Gilderoy Lockhart (ugh)
Barty Crouch & Barty Crouch, Jr. (the first is a hard man and the second is crazy)
Peter Pettigrew (hateful)
Voldemort (evil)
Percy Weasley (stuck-up little prig)
Peeves the Poltergeist (just...not cool until he takes orders from the Weasley twins)
The Carrow brother (I forget his name -- but he's cruel)
Cornelius Fudge (stupid for not believing Harry)
Vernon and Dudley Dursley (dumb and mean -- but Dudley has a redemptive moment)

Funnily enough, I don't hate Draco.  I understand perfectly why he's unlikeable -- he's stuck-up, proud, arrogant, cruel, and a bully.

But underneath that there's a boy desperately wishing to measure up.  Someone who wants to be part of something (somewhat like Severus Snape), and who cares about his family.  And who, in the end, isn't a killer.

Rowling says that while Draco and Harry never became friends, they did learn to respect each other.  So there was hope for Draco where a lot of the above list (minus Percy and Dudley) had none.

If I had to boil it down to one that I just really don't like (based on how I feel about their characters), I'd have to choose Peter Pettigrew -- the "friend" who betrayed Harry's parents.  Sometimes I wonder if he never really felt accepted by the other Marauders so when he was offered a chance at joining "power" he thought he could impress them (or even lord it over them), sort of like Edmund in The Chronicles of Narnia. 

Rowling's writing has helped me become more aware of how complex people are, and I am more careful about how I treat others -- you never know who's fighting a battle, and if you're kind to them, you might help them win.

More pictures to come -- the next few q's for the week look quite interesting.  :)

Day 8

Question: What do you think your favorite subject at Hogwarts would be?

Hmmm...

There are caveats to this question.

IF Professor Lupin was still there -- Defense Against the Dark Arts
If Professor Snape didn't hate me (we never saw him with Hufflepuff since the Gryffindors had dual Potions with Slytherin so I don't know how they were taught), I think I'd like Potions
Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class would be awesome

also, Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures (depending on who was teaching CofMC).

Or Charms with Professor Flitwick.

Which would you choose?

Day 7

Question: Your favorite female character and why

I honestly can't answer this one.  J.K. Rowling has written so many strong, likeable, intelligent, logical, kick-ass female characters I can't choose just one.

Heading the list:

Luna Lovegood (because, as Rowling says, she has the amazing quality of "not caring a damn what anyone thinks of her)
Molly Weasley
Professor Minerva McGonagall
"Tonks" a.k.a. Nymphadora Tonks (sorry, Tonks)
Ginny Weasley
Hermione Granger

I think Luna's my favorite female because of how zany and brilliant she is; Ginny's got guts and an adventurous, hardy spirit, and Molly Weasley (and Professor McGonagall) are forces to be reckoned with.

Who's your favorite?

Day 6

Question: What Hogwarts house would you want to be in?  Which house do you think you would get?

There's a long, long story behind my answer.

When I first read the Harry Potter books, I decided I'd be in Slytherin House.  I love the Water element (their glassed in rooms look out into the Forbidden Lake), I identified with the outcasts/loners, and I love Professor Snape.  I felt as if I belonged there because I wasn't brave or smart or hard-working.  But I have a little cunning (Ask Stu about the sulfuric eggs).

In reality, I really do like Slytherin House but at the time I also felt as if that was the only house that would accept me like I was -- I wasn't worth as much as a Gryffindor or Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff was too warm and friendly.

The cold dungeons and darkness fit how I felt and I reveled in the thought that at least there, I wouldn't go unappreciated (plus, I think I might have been good at Potions) -- they would understand how I felt.

When the time came for me to be sorted on Pottermore, I had no doubt that I'd be a Slytheirn.  I'd be welcomed into the arms of my sly, power-hungry housemates and we'd have each other, even if the rest of the school was against us.

Imagine my surprise when the Sorting Hat placed me in HUFFLEPUFF.

I'd always liked Hufflepuff (more than Gryffindor, actually), but it was the house that least fit me.  Then I read the description and it was a spiritual experience.

Loyal.  Patient.  Hard-working.

All the good things I wished I could be.  And it was like God reached down and patted my shoulder and said, "See, Kaitlin?  I see this in you.  You are valuable to me."

(Not that Slytherins aren't, but because I didn't feel valuable I identified with that house the most)

Being sorted as a Hufflepuff changed my life.  I felt, for the first time, that God could use me, even if it was in a small way (and for a Hufflepuff, it usually is a small way.  We are there, in the background, working quietly, making sure we are doing our best).

I began to see that if I did work hard, and was patient, I could accomplish things -- and already had been doing that!

And when I read our House Letter, I really felt like I had been put in the perfect house.

So -- I know what I am.  I'm a Hufflepuff, through and through.  A proud Badger.

(But if I couldn't be in Hufflepuff, I'd still pick Slytherin.  Somebody needs to set a good example in that house)

While Hufflepuffs often get made fun of, it isn't true that they're a large, dumb lot.  They are mentioned much more in the books than you think they are, even before Goblet of Fire (the first student ever recorded Sorted in the books is a Hufflepuff -- Susan Bones.  Her parents were killed by Voldemort because they refused to support him -- so they must have been of good quality, and it's likely one or both of them was a Hufflepuff).

Also -- Tonks was a Hufflepuff (and an Auror -- how cool is THAT?).

I'm doing research right now throughout the books and writing down every instance of Hufflepuff activity.  It's amazing how many of them are mentioned by name, and often supporting Harry/Gryffindor.

So that's my long-winded answer.

Here's some art that I dearly love having to do with my house:

Source: pink-martini.tumblr.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: 30.media.tumblr.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: browse.deviantart.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: justnerdgirlproblems.tumblr.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: acciohedwig.tumblr.com via Kate on Pinterest

Day 5

Question: Favorite Male Character & Why:

My favorite character in all of the Potterverse is Professor Severus Snape.

For several reasons:

1. He's the most complex character
2. I love tragic heroes
3. The reason behind why he does everything (love)
4. He's a badass (Occlumens/Legilimens, Potions genius, a double agent, a protector of children on both sides, and isn't afraid of Delores Umbridge or Voldemort, apparently)
5. ...He's played by Alan Rickman in the movies


Would I want to be a Gryffindor student in one of his Potions classes?  Probably not...but Snape is an amazing professor in that he can keep a class interesting (and the students interested), he protects the students (against all orders -- think the Carrows and Umbridge), and despite his nasty temper and seemingly dour (and sometimes downright mean) personality, he is an emotional man who has (almost) mastered self-control and will do anything to save the child of the woman he still loves.

He rises above his imperfections and past mistakes to become the Bravest Man I Ever Knew.

What's not to love?

Here's some of my favorite fan art:

Source: dweebist.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: snapeandlily.tumblr.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: snapeandlily.tumblr.com via Kate on Pinterest

Honorable Mentions Awards go to:

Fred & George Weasley
Ron Weasley

Love those guys.  :D

Day 4

Your least favorite female character -- and why:

Um, DELORES UMBRIDGE.

That hateful, detestable little toad of a woman.

She's the one that burns me up -- there's a meme somewhere with a picture of her that reads, "Admit it -- you wanted her dead more than Voldemort." -- IT'S TRUE.

The thing with Umbridge is that she's acting for THE GOOD SIDE.  And she's a terrible leader.  She is rigid, hyper-strict and "above the law" which means no good will come of her poor decision making.

The way she treats children?  Unbearable.

Nothing makes me more angry than an unjust authority figure.

Umbridge can go die.

That being said -- J.K. Rowling is brilliant for dreaming her up.  It gives us all something to root for, and when the Weasley twins leave -- "Give her hell from us, Peeves!" -- that's one of the greatest moments in the series.  So in one way I think her character is an incredible chance for Harry, Ron and Hermione to rise up against the injustice.  (And McGonagall has some AMAZING things to say to Delores -- "What I meant to say was, Harry Potter passed all his Dark Arts exams set by a COMPETENT TEACHER."  Whew!!)

My least favorite female character in terms of simple dislike and not much love for the written character is Cho Chang.

I just don't see the point of her existence.  (I mean, I sort of do -- Cedric Diggory, comparison with awesome Ginny, Harry's first crush, blah-blah-blah, but seriously -- she just isn't likeable)

So...there you have it.

On a positive note, here's a funny:

Source: harrypotterhumor.tumblr.com via Kate on Pinterest

Happy Independence Day!!!

I'll be back tomorrow to mention my favorite male character -- it's one of the two above.  :D

Day 3

3. Which (if any) of the films have made you angry because they've ignored important parts of the book?

I think this question was specifically written because of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.  The theatrical release was the shortest HP movie, which was a terrible decision because a) it was the biggest book at that point and b) there is so much GOOD in that book (particularly Fred & George Weasley) that we missed out on.

HOWEVER,

while I detest the theatrical release, the extended version (airing on ABC throughout the year, usually at Christmas) is really great -- it's quite long (I think 2-2 1/2 hours?!) and includes much more of the important stuff.


Other things that irk me are the exclusion of Charlie Weasley, the House Elf subplot (although I can see why that was cut out), Harry not fixing his wand with the Elder Wand (IMPORTANT!), and just generally not giving Fred and George Weasley their due.  Also, LEE JORDAN'S QUIDDITCH COMMENTARIES!

But overall, I'm pretty pleased with the series. 

My husband came up with the best idea on how to produce an HP storyline -- a seven season anime!  One can dream, right?

I'll leave you with this -- until next time!

Day 2

Source: redbubble.com via Kate on Pinterest

I want this tee.

Today's Question (which I'm altering a bit because the challenge is old):  Which of the movies is your favorite?

I think it's a tie.  In terms of overall quality, I would have to say Deathly Hallows Part 1.  Everything about that movie is phenomenal.  It was the first time I actually felt like I was *in* the world of Harry Potter while watching the movies (and the opening/ending are just...chilling).

In terms of the one I would watch most often, it would have to be Prisoner of Azkaban -- I love the book and movie for the reason that it's an entire story in and of itself and it wraps around to the beginning -- the time turner keeps everything coming back full circle.  (Also, the brilliant yet creepy move of having Ron's "pet" turn out to be Peter Pettigrew)

What about you?

Day 1

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Day 1: Favorite of the seven books -- Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince

Why?  1. Snape is my favorite character and this is when everything comes down to the wire for him.  2. The horrific ending of HP&OOP results in a darker tone, which causes the reading to be much more serious.  Everything hangs on this book.  3. There are some awesome moments in this book -- including Dumbledore and Harry's trip to the cave to uncover the locket.

If I could pick a favorite book *in* the series, however...I might be tempted to choose Quidditch Through the Ages (it's one of the best things about the magical world -- the only sport they have because it is so EPIC), or Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (I love reading about crazy critters), or even A History of Magic (I don't care what Ron and Harry thought, that book saved their butts loads of times!).

So...that's my answer.  I'll be posting some fan art tomorrow with another question's answer.

Feel free to answer the question(s) in the comments!