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hih_appeals2008-07-31 10:48 am
itsfirefight.livejournal.com) wrote in hih_appeals2008-07-31 10:48 am
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Name: Theresa
Age: 19
House you were sorted into: Slytherin
Link to original application: Link!
Are there any questions you would like to elaborate on?
Quite a few, I'd say. I hope completely changing the answer is okay too... >_>
¤If you could teach one class at Hogwarts, what would it be and why?
My original answer was astronomy, but... I think I would rather learn that than take it. I think a more likely choice for me would be Potions, charms, or Transfiguration. I love how all three have the potential to be -extremely- hard, but once you get the hang of it, you can excel quickly. I had a hard time paying attention in school... A lot of my teachers were kind of boring... didn't do anything exciting in classes... I feel like I would be the kind of teacher Slughorn is/was, minus the whole... slug-club thing... I don't like to pick favorites. He was able to incorporate fun into the learning process, which I think is one of the most important things, especially in a difficult subject. It allows the students to relax a bit, which helps in so many ways.
¤If you could choose your animagus form, what would it be and why?
I would choose a bobcat. First off, they are beautiful. I like pretty things. :)
In all seriousness though...
Bobcats are relatively small, but can be fierce when they need to. I may not be much physically, but if something threatens me or mine, I will do anything in my power to protect them.
I tend to adapt reasonably well to most changes.One of the things that I admire most about the bobcat is the way they can adapt. They can go from having plenty of food to having almost none for a good long while. Their environment can change radically, and they will still thrive.
They are solitary animals, which I can relate to... Most of my good friends have moved away or just drifted out of contact, so I have very few people I can trust fully. I'm sure the bobcat isn't a loner because it doesn't trust other bobcats, but... They do travel and hunt alone.
¤What HP character do you identify with most and why
I've started re-reading the books again, and I think, honestly, the person I can relate most to is Ginny. She grew up in a family with only one other female. She isn't a tomboy, necessarily, but she definitely isn't a girly girl. [I'm thinking... Lavender Brown as a girly girl...]I have always had a bit of a rough time getting along with girls in general... I just have more in common with guys... I feel more comfortable, like I am able to be myself, and Ginny, because she grew up in that atmosphere, makes me feel like she could be one of the few girls I could really get close to.
I also see a bit of Tonks in me, as I originally stated in my application. I always pictured her as 'bubbly' and excited, trying to cheer people up when the mood is low... She is a bit of a klutz, which, I hate to say, I can relate to 190%, which endears me to her a bit. :)
¤If you won a million dollars, how would you spend it?
First thing I would do, instead of putting it into savings, I would start school. I have been craving to do -something- since I got out of high school, but... it didn't really work out that way... [My poor brain is rotting!]
I would take a couple classes that I didn't need, probably psychology, astronomy, biology, theater... I want to make up for my slacking years in high school! I'd go somewhere nice. Not like.. Yale or Harvard, but... not the community college either...
Next, I would buy new furniture for my apartment; Nice lighting, new couch, TV stand, book cases to hold all my books, a new TV, some art for the walls, a new bed, and various extra decorations.
Third, I would buy myself that wardrobe I've been wanting forever. New -everything- [I'm getting excited just thinking about it.] [with that wardrobe, I'd probably pick up the books I've been wanting to read, because I realllly need some more...]
I would either fix up my car, or by a new one [VW rabbit is my current desire], I would buy my mom and step dad anything they wanted, I would offer to get my boyfriends parents out of their debt [they'd try to refuse... I'd figure out a way...] and then help my sisters get out of the rutts they're stuck in.
After all that, I probably won't have much left over, so what I do have, I'd put into savings, or maybe some kind of stock, CD, whatever [assuming the economy isn't shit by then... :\]
¤What do you think are your top five abilities or qualities?
I just wanted to elaborate on this, and change a couple. :)
-I am very perceptive. I may not show it all the time, but I am very good at reading people. Their moods, their thoughts, their reasoning. I usually keep it to myself because when I don't, people close themselves off, and then I'm left with only half the picture.
-I am very easy going. It takes a lot for something to really upset me. Sure, a direct attack at my character isn't cool, but if something is said as a joke, chances are, no matter what the joke is, I won't be bothered by it.
-I have a good memory and I pay attention to detail. I like to pick things up that others miss. A comment from a friend that was off hand, I'll keep it in the back of my head, and a few weeks/months later, I'll pull it out and remind them about it. In a movie, or a TV show, I am good at spotting things others miss, like the transition from day to evening in a freeze scene, or an extra doing something extra goofy...
-Learning is a passion of mine. I don't really mean from books... reading is great, but... I prefer to learn from experience. I love to teach myself how to make things work, or how to create something... I taught myself how to use Photoshop with very few tutorials, and could probably walk into a school and have a good idea of what was going on.
-I am very loyal. If someone tells me a secret, I will not let it out. I don't gossip or stab people in the back.
¤What do you think are your top five weaknesses or worst qualities?
-I have a hard time meeting people for the first time. Online, it's not a problem, but face to face, I freeze up. I can never think of anything to say, and I have a difficult time keeping a conversation going, which makes it hard to have them.
-I prepare for the worst. I don't mean in a pessimistic 'every thing's horrible' kind of way... I just mean that I look for possible negative outcomes, so just in case that happens, I will be prepared. The main downside to that is that I am focusing more on the bad that -could- happen, instead of the good that -is- happening, so it's hard for me to relax and have a good time.
-I am very picky about incredibly stupid things [probably a little OCD... eh!]. I like my laundry washed and folded very specifically. My dishes have to be taken out of the sink before I can wash them, and I always have to keep certain surfaces spotless. But not the ones that make sense. Instead of making sure my computer table is good, I make sure the bookshelf is alphabetical... etc.
-I get overly jealous, way too easily. I don't think I'm going to go into detail about this one... I just.. uh... am dumb about it. ^_^
-I can do the same thing over and over, for a very long time. I guess this really isn't a fault... but I have now read the HP books about... 13 times each, [the first one waay more than that] His Dark Materials I have read through 4 times, Tamora Pierce books I have read 3 times... while all my other books in the shelf lay there and get dusty. I will start one book, and it will remind me of something in another book, so I'll go look it up in that other book, and then start reading that instead... it's -crazy- I'm almost halfway through so many books. lol.
What would you see in the Mirror of Erised?
I would be successful, and look the part. I would be respected for my intelligence and strength, instead of looked at as too young, or ditsy. [grr] I'm naturally blonde, but I hate it, and would love to have brown hair.. so I'm sure that would be there. I would be obviously happy, probably married, probably to my current boyfriend, because I would love that. I would have a few very close friends, and a many acquaintances that are good enough friends that i could call up any time and hang out. It would show me traveling, getting ready to, or coming back... with many experiences to add to my memories.
Pick one or two canon qualities from each of the four houses that you possess and explain why you picked them:
Slytherin: Resourceful- I like to create things out of other things... I tend to take around-the-house items and turn them into storage, or some kind of organization... thing... I also tend to hear people say something, or see something written a specific way, and like the way it sounds... and I'll change it to my own wording... and use it. >_>
Persuasive- I'm really good at getting my way... and a lot of time people won't realize what they have done until it's already happened.
Ravenclaw: Witty- I make a lot of side comments when I listen in on conversations... They are usually only meant for a few people in the conversation, but they're usually pretty great. or... at least... i think so... :P
Creative- As I said above, I like to make things out of other things... I also love to draw, knit, paint, sew... I've recently gotten really into Photoshop, and I'm doing pretty great with it so far. ;)
Hufflepuff: Generous- The way I show my affection for people is by giving gifts... or sharing my food, even if it's my favorite thing. Not quite enough to call it selfless, but... I do things for people because it makes me feel good about myself. :)
Hard Working- I've been the youngest in just about everything I've done for a while. I was a year ahead in school, so i was a year younger than everyone, I'm the youngest of three daughters, and at work, everyone I work with is at least 3 years older than I am. I've always wanted to stand out... to be the best... and it's hard to do that without hard work. [it's frustrating though, when no one notices. :\]
Gryffindor: Genuine I don't hide who I am from my friends. When i first get to know someone, I might sensor myself until I know how they will react, but... I don't have two faces. I don't have ulterior motives... once you know me, it's me you know... not some fake-out.
Cheerful. Pretty straightforward on this one... I prefer to be happy and upbeat, to being mopey and blah. It makes me feel better, and it makes the people around me seem happy too!
Explain why you feel misplaced in your current house: I can't quite put my finger on it... I really enjoy being able to say that I am in Slytherin... It makes me feel kind of like a bad ass... But... I just don't feel like I belong.. There's not really one specific thing... I just... Guh. It's infuriating that i can't put my finger on it. I guess a lot of it is that.. As amazing and awesome as the people are... I don't feel quite like we click... :\ I fail.
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Which house do you think you belong in? Really sell me on this one, please. An appeal is an argument to our judgment (generally to change our opinions). Give me the best argument you've got to go to your new house.
How do you feel about Severus Snape? Do you believe love can change a person?
Finally, your old application refers to secrecy and The Occult in a really subtle way. How do these interests of yours fit into other houses?
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I started answering this question, but it turned more into an answer for Which house do you think you belong in? Really sell me on this one, please. An appeal is an argument to our judgment (generally to change our opinions). Give me the best argument you've got to go to your new house.
So for the first bit, my favorite house is Ravenclaw. I don't know why, but something about Hufflepuff and Gryffindor annoys me. Not the people, just... the things that I personally associate those two houses with are things that I prefer not to be a part of, or prefer not to interact with. I know I have said this a good few times, but the traits I tend to put together for Gryffindor, just from the books, and my own thoughts I would put in the category of 'obnoxious'. I am mostly an introverted person, but I like to change it up sometimes and go extroverted. It takes a bit of mustering up to get me to be more outgoing, so people who are loud and boisterous all the time make me feel like I won't have a chance if I come out of my shell.
With Hufflepuff... I'm not really sure why the idea of that house bothers me. It's nothing against the house, or the people in it, I guess I just don't really like the idea of the fairness and honesty they seem to show as their main face.
Slytherin... well, I have nothing against Slytherin. It would be my second in a list of favorites, because I do see a lot of snake in me. I just feel that they are too... Guh! here I go again, not being able to describe why I don't feel like I belong in Slytherin... I just feel that they tend to go to more of the 'evil' side of the spectrum, whereas I don't think that I am quite that far. Even this... I don't mean evil, I just... feel like they are too much for me... I feel like Snakes are all about nobility and blood and... all that, and I don't have any of that at all in my personality!
Okay, so on to the next bit:
Which house do you think you belong in? Really sell me on this one, please. An appeal is an argument to our judgment (generally to change our opinions). Give me the best argument you've got to go to your new house.
I've always been drawn to Ravenclaw... up until I was sorted into Slytherin here, I was convinced I would be one... I just feel like from the characters we know, and the things they do, I would fit in well. I know Ravenclaw isn't all about riddles and learning and being really really smart, But those aren't really the only things that draw me to them. For one, Rowling stated that if the houses were elements, Ravenclaw would be closest to air. When I think of elements, and air, I think of the wind, the clouds, and the stars at night, because they show through. I may or may not have mentioned this in my last app, but Astronomy is something that I would love to learn about. I know stars and planets are not directly related to Ravenclaw, but for me that is what comes to mind. Another reason I prefer Ravenclaw over the other houses is because I just really, honestly don't think I would fit into the other houses. Say if I were a character in the books, and I came from a Muggle family, going to Hogwarts for the first time and I have nothing to base the houses off of aside from the Sorting Hat's first song; "
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends."
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shit. I have a hard time with doing things that involve a lot of bravery... I worry a lot that something horrible is going to happen if I step too far out of my comfort zone. It's something I am working on, but especially when I was 11, I wouldn't have done much that would get me in the limelight, which is what I feel a lot of Gryffindor's do.With Hufflepuff, Justice and Loyalty aren't too high either. Sure I think that things should always be fair, and I am very loyal to people that mean a lot to me, but I also think that fairness is really just in the eye of the beholder, and what may be fair to one person will not be fair to someone else. Even so, I never like to be on the unfair side of that, but in most cases, I deal with it, even if I feel that I don't deserve it, because I don't think that it's my place to say I am better for any reason.
Even being loyal to those I care about has it's limits. I love my family to death, but if worst came to worst chances are I would have a hard time standing up for them, helping them, or even living with them for long periods of time. That's not to say that I would never help my family, because I would, but if I felt that my needs were greater than theirs, or even if I was just feeling particularly lousy, I would help myself first. Reading back on that makes me feel kind of like horrible, but... It's the only way I can really explain it to get my point across.
A ready mind, wit, and Learning A ready mind, to me, is just that. A mind that is ready to do _______. Learn, play, joke, study, etc. I like to keep myself ready for any situation. Granted, it doesn't always work, but I would like to think that I am always ready for something to happen.
I have always considered myself to be pretty quick on the uptake. I can figure things out without much outside help, and a lot of people tend to be surprised when they realize just how much I know, compared to what they thought. I think that I would be able to mold that to fit into the category for whit. Wit to me also means being able to throw comebacks quickly. Not necessarily in a fight, but in every day conversation, thinking of something to say that is funny or factual, even mean, or sarcastic. Sarcasm is wonderful, in my opinion, but it can go too far, so I would prefer to consider myself witty, as opposed to sarcastic, which i believe I did say in my old application.
For Slytherin, the Sorting Hat didn't give specifics like it did the other houses, but I think the main thing to touch on there is that Slytherins will do just about anything to get what they want. Not always, and I'm sure not every student would do so, but I see a Slytherin being the most likely to blame an enemy, -or a friend, for that matter- for something they did, just to get out of trouble. I also think that they would likely be able to talk their way out of a lot of punishments or accusations. I don't like to get other people in trouble. Regardless if the person is my best friend, or someone who has been extremely mean to me in the past, I do not want to be the person who tells on them. Even if I really want something, like a higher paying spot at my job, I wouldn't go as far as to tell the person doing the interview all the things the other person was not doing wrong, or what they weren't doing at all. I pay attention and catch a lot of thigns that are going on, but I will. not. use that information against them.
Ugh. I feel like that last bit makes me sound like I think all snakes are jerks and bastards who like to get other people in trouble... that's not what I mean at all if that's how you took it. I just mean that they are more willing than I am to get their hands dirty to get what they want.
Bleh. that was long.
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How do you feel about Severus Snape? Do you believe love can change a person?
I adore Snape's character. I won't lie, I thought he was the worst person in the books for a while, but after a while he started to grow on me. I don't really think that he was right to treat Harry as he did, but I think I understand why he treated him that way, and the motives behind it. As of the 7th book, he's one of my favorite characters.
I believe, in his case that the love he had for Lily was so strong, and so true, that when Voldemort killed her, even though Snape had begged him not to, his hurt overcame his desire for power. We all know that the Dark Lord is unfeeling and incapable of love, so he could have cared less for Snape's feelings for her... but I think that Snape felt he was an important enough part of the Death Eaters that his one wish would be granted. I think he was always hoping for that one chance to get to be with her, and with James and Harry out of the way, that would be much easier, but when she was killed, he lost that hope. I think he just wanted to do right by her, and felt that the best way to do so would be to switch and help the side she fought for.
Finally, your old application refers to secrecy and The Occult in a really subtle way. How do these interests of yours fit into other houses?
I guess 'Occult' is not quite the word I was looking for... Well, I guess it was, but... I guess I mean more... Tarot cards, palm reading... things like that which I guess would be considered more divination. They are really both part of the same thought process, but when I said Occult, I meant more things like ghosts, spirits, and my curiosity about those things. I believe fully that there are spirits, and I believe that Tarot cards, astrology, and palm reading have the potential to be very accurate. I think that the best way for me to associate those interests with other houses... well... It really depends on the house...
I'm not going to connect any of this to one specific house, because they could easily fit into any of the houses... but i'll just start with the basis of Occultism. It is the study of the truth, or finding knowledge about things that can't be measured scientifically. There is a certain dark element to it, but there can also be a light element that it can be used for... It all depends on the person finding the information, and what they do with it. It requires a lot of self control, a lot of awareness of your surroundings, not just visually or physically, but with your mind and spirit. A lot of people think that it's rubbish, and I can see why... A lot of the basis of occultism is very generalized and open, allowing you to get what you want from it, as opposed to only seeing what it shows you as most sciences will do.
Secrecy... I guess I'm not so secretive... I don't like to hide things, and I like to trust and be trusted, and I think that a lot of times, secrecy will have a negative affect on that.
I think you're mostly referring to my mention of wanting to be an unspeakable... I think my reasoning should have been less "ooooh, secrets! I know them and you don't!' and more because I think that it would be fascinating to learn about the things they deal with there. The concept of time, how to manipulate it, death, prophecies... I wouldn't want to work there just so I could say I was special, I would want to work there because I think that in any work environment, there should be room for learning, and that would be one of the best places to go for that kind of position.
... I forgot about LJ comment limits... oops!
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