(Re)Sorting and Cavorting
Dec. 22nd, 2008 05:16 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
Name: Allie
Age: 23
House you were sorted into: Hufflepuff
Link to original application: http://community.livejournal.com/platform_934/687052.html#cutid1
Are there any questions you would like to elaborate on?
What HP character do you identify with most and why?
1) Luna. When I was in high school, I was pretty alienated from my peers, but I was known as "Optimist Allie" because I always maintained such a bright outlook. I can be pretty dreamy and spacey at times too. I'm a very unique person, with a strange manner of speaking and thinking. I'm always accused of being weird and strange, but its usually in an affectionate way. Like her fantastical animals, I believe in things others don't. I've seen ghosts. Experienced [what I believe] to be e.s.p. and prophetic dreams. I keep it quiet because people will think I'm crazy, but I wholeheartedly think things are out there beyond accepted science. I overly-decorate and paint, even having once done a mural of my friends similar to hers in DH.
2) Neville - In the past, others tended to underestimate me. I'm chubby and awkward. I was pretty unsure of myself in adolescence, but once I got older, I found a great spirit/person within. Like Neville in OOtP, in college I developed a penchant for adventure and refusing to let anyone hold me back. Now I'm known as the girl with all the crazy stories. In Philosopher's Stone when he stood up to the trio and tried to prevent them from doing [what he thought was] something really stupid - that was so me at the start of college. And by the end, I was one of the ones in the thick of all the stupid adventures.
3) Hermione - I crave knowledge and research everything. I spend more time in the library than my apartment and eagerly raise my hand in class when no one else will. People think I'm impressively smart, at least academically (street smarts are something else entirely). I inadvertently tutored half my class before exams this semester. I'm extremely passionate about equal rights and politics. I like to say 'I told you so.' Quote Wikipedia like 'Hogwarts, a History'. Frivolous flirty girls like Lavender annoy the hell out of me. I have a history of falling for my best guy friends. And I have the emotional range of several billion teaspoons.
4) Lupin - I'm a sensitive soul and the one people go to for advice. Supposedly I give amazing advice because I can put myself inside of others and really understand them. I see this as a hallmark Lupin quality. I've always considered myself lucky to be a part of the cool kids in college who included me in their circle of friends, and cherished every second of it as he did with James and Sirius.
5) Ron - I adore Ron. But he seems to represent the very worst qualities in me. We both have a huge capacity for jealousy and resentment towards our friends for having what we don't, and wanting what they do have. I don't hold grudges like he does, and internalize these feelings, but the jealousy and resentment is there all the same. I can be incredibly snarky, cynical, and sarcastic. Plus, we both love food way too much
What was your ideal job as a kid? Has that changed? What is your ideal job now?
Sporadically throughout my life, I've wanted to be a teacher. I taught part-time in college and loved it, but I never planned to continue teaching as a career. For a time I wanted to be a Marine Biologist, exploring the oceans and studying/discovering new sea creatures. Then I wanted to be a Pediatric Oncologist, kicking cancer's ass and saving kids' lives. In high school I had grand dreams of becoming a Journalist, and... a lot of other stuff. I've always secretly had great aspirations to be a detective, like Nancy Drew or Agent Scully or a secret agent like Sydney Bristow. There's rumored spy intrigue in my family a few generations back and I think it would be glorious to carry that craft - but I am not the spy type unfortunately. For now, I'm planning to be a lawyer, concentrating in Health, Education, or Family Law. I have a grand notion of being able to change people's lives for the better by devoting my life to law; making a lot of money and earning intellectual cred while doing so. Becoming a writer is a dream of mine too, and something many people have told me to pursue.
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?
Quite simply, emptiness and darkness, lost in a deep and endless wood - representing a future of personal failure, loneliness, and misdirection. On riddikulus, the woods would clear and I'd find myself on a gorgeous tropical island beach with snorkeling equipment. And a boat (with an awesome GPS) so that I could find my way back whenever I wished. Or use it to explore the world.
What would you see in the Mirror of Erised? Right now? It would be my law school graduation. I'd be graduating at the top of my class and giving the commencement speech (at a healthy weight!). Up at the podium with me would be two envelopes: one with an offer to work for a prestigious public interest law firm and the other with tickets to spend the summer traveling around the world. Out in the audience would be my whole family, friends cheering me on, and *maybe* a dorky yet successful boyfriend.
What do you think are your top five abilities or qualities?
*Adding a sixth* My Uniqueness. I've never been like other people my age and I've never tried to be. I'm a dreamer. I tend to think differently and talk differently and just - perceive life differently. I've never looked like my peers, nor do I strive to. I have my own unique sense of attractiveness. I have a personal moral code, an individual way of viewing life and others, and a vivid imagination. I'm one of those people that's often lost in my own little daydream, but totally aware and sharp as soon as I get back to reality. And I can be the most cynical or most idealistic person in the world depending on the circumstances. I'm a contradiction like that. People who know me IRL think I'm weird or strange. And they tell me this. But they always say it like its a good thing, something they not only respect, but are incredibly amused by. I'm memorable - I leave an impression on people. I always have and probably always will.
Pick one or two canon qualities from each of the four houses that you possess and explain why you picked them:
Hufflepuff - My family and friends are hugely important in my life. Too important sometimes, to be honest, and in the past my capacity for caring has been a huge detriment in my life. I'm also immensely loyal, empathetic, and passionate about equality and justice. I've actually developed a reputation among my fellow classmates for taking up the defense anytime I hear anyone saying anything bad about someone else. I just can't help it. Even when its behind their back, I can't deal with hearing people speak badly of another without speaking up for them and trying to justify who they are or what they did (even when there isn't much basis for it). And when I happen to spew word vomit of my own, I counteract it by reciting [a lot of] nice things about the person or I feel terrible about it for days.
Ravenclaw - Along with being a dork who loves nothing more than mythology dense entertainment that leaves my brain spinning, I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and learning. I'm determined to remain wrapped up in academia for as long as possible. I worked for a year without being in school, and it felt like my livelihood was withering away. Learning gets me high. I'll have marathon study sessions in the library, explain concepts to half the people in my class, and come home on top of the world, completely energized by the knowledge influx. I had FUN taking my law school exams this year. I'm also a creative soul - art is a huge part of my life. Whenever I have free time, I'm drawing or reading, singing or writing - I'm a creator and a dreamer - my mind never stops. If I'm not learning, I'm creating; or letting my imagination go wild.
Gryffindor - I'm deeply passionate about pretty much everything. I have strong convictions about politics, progressiveness, and equality. It takes very little to excite me. I'm known for being a fierce storyteller, partly because of the infinite crazy situations I find myself in that I can always twist into a great tale, along with a pretty good sense of humor. And I have a rambunctiously adventurous inner-imp that doesn't get to play nearly enough. Leadership is another quality I've always prided myself in but I think that's a trait shared pretty equally with Slytherin. I was president of my class in undergrad, house president, an SGA rep, etc. And, as I stated before, I have a habit for defending people, even against the majority. (I tend to be far better at sticking up for others than myself). I have quite a hero complex and delusions of grandeur. There's that whole secretly wanting to be an FBI/CIAagent/Spy so I can save the world on a regular basis. I want to be a lawyer in part because I honestly believe I can save the world one person at a time.
Slytherin - A lot of people don't know it, but I can be incredibly manipulative. I have a knack for getting what I want. And when things aren't in my favor, I can usually change the facts to make it so. I don't take it well when I don't get my way. My knack for twisting things is part of why my family always said I'd be a good lawyer. I'm a bit of a politician. I choose my words wisely when I speak [on important matters] and calculate exactly what needs to be conveyed without obvious bias. I'm also pretty ambitious, which is why I chose to pursue law to help people, as opposed to a career of lesser standing but that would be just as beneficial to others in the long run. I want to help people, but being respected, challenged, and financially well-off are pretty equally important to me. This goes along with the fact that I'm (ashamedly) an intellectual elitist who has a horrible tendency to equate one's worth with the degrees they hold.
Explain why you feel misplaced in your current house:
I haven't developed any real affinity or bond with anyone in my house, though I've befriended people from nearly every other one. I just - feel that perhaps our priorities aren't necessarily on par? I'm very future/academia driven right now, and it seems a majority of my housemates are a bit more family/romance goal based. That's a mass generalization certainly. Perhaps its hard to pinpoint one main thing - its just the very clear feeling that I don't fit quite right.
I think, the main thing, is that my puff traits are very much who I am - but not who I strive to be, nor what I hold as great deal of importance in my life. I come from a family of puffs. My mom, my dad - they live for other people. I was raised in an environment where friends/family/others are held to the utmost ideal. I know when I begin my career, I want to work to help people. Because that's just who I am. But I've always strived to be more than that.
My personal priorities and goals, that which I constantly work towards, lie in academia, creativity, and adventure. I've always been inclined towards introversion. I keep to myself unless others seek me out. I'm more comfortable spending Saturday nights researching or reading or drawing by myself, than out at a party with people. I have a hard time trusting people or letting them into my world. And I often feel lonelier around others than by myself, except when with the closest of my friends. My mind, creativity, and dreams have always been my greatest and most loyal companions. And academia, has always been my greatest love. I get high from class. Never stop talking about the new things I've learned. Have to show it off to everyone. Last year, when I took the year off from school. I had great people around, my family was there. But I had no intellect in my life. The work was mundane and unchallenging, and I was MISERABLE. My life, without a level of academic or intellectual rigor, feels empty. But of course, I never stop daydreaming about being off on some crazy adventure or traveling around the world.
I guess, to sum, I am a person who has always been raised to hold others at an ideal, and to devote my life to helping them. But my loves, passions, and hobbies rise above that; constantly striving for and pushing myself towards academia and learning, while dreaming of daring adventures and intrigue.
Since I was first sorted, I've settled into a completely new life. I've moved from home, started law school, become a far more independent person than I was a few months ago. I feel as if I've really settled into a clearer sense of who I am, and I'd like to see this reflected in sorting. On my initial application, I had a majority of Puff votes, but a significant number of Claw and Dor too - It was about 40-30-30. I'm curious to see if this internal trait ratio has changed at all.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-20 05:45 am (UTC)I completely acknowledge that I have a lot of Puff in me. However, I feel that Ravenclaw is my true primary house and Hufflepuff is my secondary home. I adore the close people in my life - they're incredibly important to me - and I have a great compassionate soul. But my mind has always been my greatest companion. Being as warm and welcoming and friendly as I believe is an inherent trait to true Puff's just isn't a part of my nature - rather, I've always had to struggle and push myself to be so except around my closest friends and family. (Not to say Ravenclaws are shy or antisocial, its just that social traits aren't a core part of them). I'm inclined to be introspective and over-analytical. Some of my greatest friends have been the ones I've created in my imagination. I'd rather spend my weekends reading and writing and going to the museum or a theater than spending time with peers. Creative endeavors are a source of constant pleasure in my life. Above all though, the key definitive factor, is that when it comes down to it, even if they both put up a good fight, my head rules over my heart almost every time. There are so many instances in my life that I can think of where I let over-analysis and rationalization get in the way of personal relationships, amazing opportunities, or potential romances. Its that mind that refuses to ever shut down. How is this evidenced in HiH? I focus my activities on debates and writing. Even trivia hunts don't necessarily fulfill me, because its just chasing down facts. Analyzing and creating are driving passions of my life. Canon proof of my Ravenclaw dominance? First, we have the house of wit, wisdom, and learning. I've already attested to my intellectual pursuits. For wit, I have a great sense of humor, both in my telling and listening (it may not come across in writing, its manifested more in face to face interactions). As for wisdom, this is something that's been remarked upon all my life. My friends, even my parents, come to me for advice both first and as a final word. They always seem amazed at my insights, that no one else can typically pick up, and often times they haven't even realized. I grew up listening, rather than engaging, so I was able to perceive a lot of human nature even when I wasn't a part of it. Many a conversation has ended with someone commenting on the depth of my 'wisdom' (not that I'd necessarily consider myself wise, its just something I've been told most of my life). To further canon support, I submit Luna Lovegood, who I believe is my HP kindred spirit. She may not be the greatest intellectual - to the point of coming across as spacey. But she's constantly analyzing and perceiving the world around her, looking at it with a unique view. She is truly introspective, off in her own world, and channeling creativity. But Luna longs to connect with people. And when she does, she holds them with all her heart. People are of immense importance in her life. She cherishes her friends, and I get the impression she'd never purposely hurt anyone - even in retaliation for cruel acts. But her true nature is that of introspection and unique wonder. This may not perfectly reflect me, but there are close parallels in our personalities. Just as Luna is a dominant Claw with strong Puff characteristics, I feel I am the same. A Ravenpuff with a Ravenclaw dominance.