||IN ESSENCE UNITED|| 01. Who is your favorite character in the Harry Potter series?

This is a very hard question to ask! Harry Potter carried a lot of fantastic and in-depth characters for me, I could never pick just one. But for the sake of this application I will choose to talk about Severus Snape. He was one of my favourite characters because he was the most developed (in my opinion) and involved. He was insanely interesting, until the last book you had no idea which side he was on. One of the best part of the series was trying to figure out which amazingly powerful wizard he was fooling. He put his life in threatening situations for a boy he didnt even like and it just made him all the more interesting. And the fact that he was horrible to Harry was a plus, I never liked Harry much. His personality, or maybe it was just the way he grew, intrigued me as well. It was obvious to me from book one that there was more to his hatred for Harry than just a bullying father, surely a grown man knew how to let go of a grudge? But that was the fun, Why was he so angry at Harry? I conluded very early on that Severus must have been in love with Harry's mother, only love can consitiute such hatred even if his father was cruel to him. So, coupled with the fact that I believed he loved Lily, there was still the weighing of why he kept bringing up James. Did he really still hate James so much just because of some schoolyard ridicule? If this were true, it certainly said something about how impressionable Snape is. That led me down the path of deatheater. If he was so impressionable it wouldntve been hard to convert him to their side, and he was the only one who called voldemort 'the dark lord'... IN SHORT, Severus Snape gave my mind a run for it's money. When I read I keep indepth character profiles and psychoanalysis', just something I do for fun and Severus Snape was probably the most fun I ever had trying to figure out in my entire reading career. Jo is good with her mysteries. My other favourite characters consist of Sirius Black (for his history with the marauders, his hatred of Severus and his family background), Bellatrix (for her odd obsession with purebloods and voldemort and her unabated despicable personality. Ah how wonderfully horrid she is!), Fred Weasley (Mainly because I found it so amazing that Jo actually wrote the two twins as separate people even though most spoke of them as one, and because he was the more forceful of the twins and had more personality to him then George) and Remus Lupin (for his sweet nature, history with the marauders and distinct characterization. There are certain things that he does that just make you THINK Remus Lupin, its kind of amazing!) 02. Who is your least favorite character in the series? Least favourite is a little easier, afterall its easier to hate than love. The least enjoyable characters in my opinion are Harry(AH HOW COULD I?!) and Lily Potter and Ginny Weasley. Now, of course there are side characters like Pansy Parkinson who I DONT hate because she hangs all over Draco (Draco is seriously a dork, hes hard to like but so easy to make fun of it in turn makes it hard to DISlike him if that made any sense) but because shes just an extremely nasty piece of work. If you ask me, her wickedness is right up there with Umbridge's and I have no doubt that in time it could have surpassed hers. Then theres Nymphadora Tonks... who's lack of personality and random apperance into the series not only annoyed me but threw other characters personalities into dissary. It just seemed completely out of character to me for Lupin to even consider dating her, much less marrying her and fathering a child. Anyway, I figured the seemingly more main characters would be more enjoyable for you to read about than those, I dislike Harry Potter because, well when you spend to much time with someone (and 7 - 10 years is a long time) especially in their head, you cant help but find things that irk you or make you want to hurt stuff. I think I just spent to much time listening (reading

actually lol) to Harry's egotistical and angsty thoughts to put up with it anymore. He just got annoying. He always had to be right, it was always "poor Harry, hes so famous" it was just sickening. I think Ron had the right idea in GoF when he stopped talking to him! Although I do believe that if I had a Ron or Hermione or anyone elses perspective on Harry throughout the series I would've liked him alot more for a lot longer. But being so close to someone, knowing all their thoughts and views on everything... It happens to me almost everytime I read. I always end up disliking the main characters.

As for Ginny and Lily, two dimensional characters that really had no purpose in the series at all. Sure, Lily served an important purpose but she was so flat as a character, there was no life in her at all she was just... there. To be the one that saved Harry by dying. She was buffed up to be extremely important(not unlike Ginny) by being loved by Severus and chosing James. Having Harry and apparently being one of the strongest in the Order... and then we get to the last book where we get to know more about her and... its just flat. Lily Potter... she loved Harry very much the end. I felt there was so much more Jo could've done with her character. Ginny as well, I admit I liked her just fine through the books, but that was because I believed she would have a role to play in the finale and she had quite a fun little attitude. I also loved how she wasn't girly (what do you expect from 6 brothers?). But no, she was simply there to serve as Harry's freudian love interest (which is still so wrong to me in so many ways) and nothing else. I was highly disappointed in that which, unfortunately, pushed her way down on my favourites list.

03. If you could spend a day as one of the Harry Potter characters, who would you choose? That would be a difficult choice between Ron and Luna, Ron mainly so I could have his biting wit. He really is one of the funniest characters... It would also be interesting for ME to see what having Harry Potter as a best friend would be like. But for the most part, it would be to feel the wide array of emotions that I know Ron was feeling throughout the series. Most of the emotions (that you really only get told he was feeling in the last book) are ones that I can identify with from my own life. He wants to be the best but will always be foreshadowed by his brothers and Harry, he feels he's loved least of all in his family because his mother wanted a girl and he was the last born before she got it. Basically I would love to be Ron to know for sure, was he keeping the emotions in the entire time? Were they slowly building to overflow? Or was he simply oblivious to them. He seems the type right? Luna because her perspective on things is so out of the ordinary that it would have to be interesting to be her! Normally I push aside what others think and do what I want but I always think about it later. To have no concerns about others at all? Thats got to be such a freeing feeling. Not only that but to have faith in so many things that no one believes, I would give anything for that again. I remember when I believed in so much... now to much logic has gotten to me and I cant believe anything I havent seen myself. It would be downright amazing to go back to that feeling of anything is possible. Fred is high on this list as well, causing that sort of mischief would be one heck of a great time. ;D 04. What would you change about the series? Unbelievably theres not much I would change about the series... there is quite a few things I would add ONTO it though. First, what I would've changed; I would've killed poor Dumbledore off alot earlier (or at least had him in the books very little.) so that Harry would've had to do much much more on his own. He would need a mentor for a while of course but by book three I grew

slightly bored of Dumbledore having all the answers to everything all the time. It would've been a much more thrilling ride if we'd gotten to work through the difficult times with Harry on his own and not have had it spoon fed to us by the all knowing wizard. Yes, he had more roles than just harrys mentor but he could've easily still taken those while leaving Harry a little more to his own devices. As for what I'd add, I would love to add backstories on all the older members you meet and dont get very much information on. I feel James in particular was not given a fair light. You only hear about him through the one person who hates him, you only see him in his memory. For Lily to fall for the boy later on he couldnt've been all bad. Peter Pettigrew is probably the one I want the most information on. I just cannot understand how someone so unloyal, so weak and impressionable could possibly be set in gryffindor. Dont get me wrong, I really dont hate his character, I actually love it for the mysteries it presents. I'd also love to have more on Minerva but I would absolutely DIE for stories about the founders of Hogwarts -le sigh-

05. What traits and characteristics do you think define the true qualities of each of the four houses? Hufflepuffs would have to be fairness, loyalty and talent, yes talent. I think the hufflepuffs are quite gifted. When you look at them, most people think theyre "the rest" and in a way they are but really its just that theyre not ENOUGH of one of the other house traits to be in that house. I think they have a mixture of all the traits from the other houses which is good for diversity and I would think would make them very good at what they do. And fairness is a very dominant trait I believe, if you look at Cedric Diggory, he did everything trying to be 'fair'. The quidditch rematch, helping Harry in the tournament, suggesting they both take the cup. And he was pretty talented which was seen from all the trials in the triwizard. Slytherins are self-aware and ambitious. Not all of them are biased arseholes, they helped in the final battle, they just take care of themselves and their own first. They do what they want and dont really care about others opinions on it (which isnt always a bad thing). They are indeed ambitious I believe, its probably their most dominant trait. They know what they want and will do what they need to achieve it regardless. Ravenclaws obviously keep, not the intelligence trait, but more so intellect. Not that all the students here are already smart. I believe that the ravenclaws are the students with the strongest desire to learn, not the ones that have the potential to be brilliant. Rowena wanted to teach those with a 'ready mind', those that wanted to give their all to learn. This explains, to me anyway, how people such as Hermione did not end up in ravenclaw and those like Cho Chang did. Hermione had a brilliant mind, but I think her want of friends and acceptance combined with the fact that she did have courage and wanted to be a good person outweighed her want to learn when she sat underneath the hat. Gryffindors are simply the genuinely good people. I dont believe bravery has anything to do with it. Theyre just good people with good views who are not easily swayed by the peer pressure of others. People who want to be the best people they can. All of them are brave in their own ways, all of them still fear but they make good decisions. I came to this conclusion when trying to figure out Neville Longbottom and Peter Pettigrews places in this house. I think the want to be as good as they could be, the want to make friends and be accepted as I said above is what put both of them in Gryffindor. This house, to me, is the most simple of the all.

06. Describe the canon house qualities that you feel accurately reflect you. Please try to

include traits from each of the four houses. Hufflepuff - I am very fair, even if I dont agree with something. If my enemy is the one telling the truth, as its very important to me, I will help them. Of course this goes against the feirce loyalty to friends everyone else seems to think Huffles have... I normally try to avoid confrontation though, unless I cant and I only work hard if it's something I have a particular passion for. Slytherin - I do have ambition and will do whatever it takes to achieve whatever my goal is AS LONG AS I do not have to lie. I'm a pretty selfish person (not a trait but) so getting what I want is kind of important to me and without the ability to lie, being manipulative and cunning is kind of a must. People tell me Ive very good at manipulating but its something that's become so natural to me that I dont even realize it. Which is seriously scary to think about. Ravenclaw - I have a very ready mind, I love learning and analyzing things. Theres very few things that could make me happier than KNOWING things. If I could have been a student as an occupation and just travel around learning things I most likely would've. Im also pretty clever and a quick thinker, but I say that only because my friends tell me that I am. Gryffindor - There is nothing I want more than to be a good person to my friends and family. Though that isnt a canon trait so... I am a fairly brave person with a thirst for adventure(most of the gryffindors seemed to like adventure). I am scared of alot of things but I force myself to face those fears in hopes of over coming them. I suppose that counts as brave as well. Im not confrontational as Ive said but I wont back away from a fight if I know Im in the right. I believe justice has a way of working itsself out in the end. 07. Which house do you feel the least affinity towards? The least affinity, Im sorry to say, does lie with Hufflepuff. While I think the house is perfectly suited for many I just feel that I have much stronger traits that should grant me entry into other houses. I am loyal but have no problems in switching loyalty if the other side is where the truth lies or if it will help me get what or to where I want. ||MIRROR OF ERISED|| 08. What do you wish to accomplish in life? Simple, I want to make an impression on everyone I meet. I want them to think of me when they see an odd reminder and smile at the memory of their experience with me. 09. Describe exactly what you would see in the Mirror of Erised. easy. I would see my parents completely happy in the life they want. Once that was achieved, obviously it would change to me travelling, looking for adventure or working on a film. But that is my top priority in life because they sacrificed everything for me i want to show them how much I truly appreciate them 10. What makes a person deserving of your respect? Honesty. Its very hard for me to trust a person so when they're extremely honest (good or bad truth) I respect them alot more. An open mind certainly has my respect along with intelligence. I can completely disagree with someone but I will respect them a hell of a lot more if they can explain to me why they think feel and act like they do. I cant stand people that think a certain way because others do, people that blindly follow others without any concern for themselves... Confidence, but not misplaced if that makes sense. I dont like it when people are confident for all the wrong reasons, but if they have one then it certainly gets my respect. Lastly, Im a pushover for people with a good sense of humour! If you can laugh at yourself especially you'll have my respect. 11. Do you consider yourself a leader or a follower?

I am completely sure that I am a leader, I have far to strong opinions to be a follower. Its not always a good thing as I tend to forget what the word responsibility means. But I like what I like and I say whats on my mind no exceptions, even if my opinions might hurt someone (though i do try to keep it nice). Friends have always come to me, its very rarely the other way around (though there is someone sometimes that catches my interest) I've always been a little off path with things, but people seem to find that interesting so my friends have always sort of followed me. Its weird, I could never exist without my friends, but I hardly ever make an effort myself to initiate the bond... I just work on solidifying later. 12. What would you do if you had a time turner? well that depends... would I be changing the present at all by going into the past? Really, I dont think I'd care haha! I would use it to go to the past and go on all sorts of adventures. I think firstly I would love to go back and live with the native americans, their culture is something that I love to read about and it would be fascinating to live it! Then I'd go through the different time periods that I've dreamed of living in. Medieval Times, the early 18th century! The swinging 20's and the Rat Pack/mobster era. Ahhh it excites me just THINKING about it! Though Im not sure if the time turner takes you forward in time as well as back... because if it cant take you forward my answer would be different haha! 13. What do you think are your top 5 positive characteristics? Forgive me, I dont know myself well at all, I probably put these last two questions off for hours haha! i. I am easy going and very easy to get along with. I can secretly hate you on the inside but you'd never know it from the way I treat you. I am a firm believer in accept everyone and give them all a chance. Unless you were to ask directly, in which case I couldnt lie, I would tell you. Many would tell you this is a negative characteristic, but I dont think so... I think its a good thing ;P ii. I love laughing and hate awkward silences and have gotten good and keeping conversation to stay away from them. They tell me my laugh is contagious which is good because I can always find something appropriate to laugh at in tense situations. People hardly ever fight with me around because its easy for me to joke and ease the tension. Its not a concious thing I do really either, it just happens and soon everyone is laughing! iii. Im talkitive! Like the previous trait, I am a good speaker. Now, I get horrible nerves when talking to new people or in front of groups but I can still do it and do it well. My head is full of knowledge, useful AND useless, so it doesnt matter who you are I can find SOME topic you would enjoy. iv. Passion. I have passion for everything I do. I pour my heart and soul into things and do my best and thats all I can ask. I might not want to do whatever it is but I always find something pleasent in it that allows me to persue it vigourously v. Im Open minded and I love it. I love being able to consider and try new things, I love forming opinons on them. If you suggest it most likely Ill try it unless its something harmful or dangerous (extreme sports not included haha!). I hate it when I suggest music to people and they automatically wont listen to it because its a certain genre, same with films or anything else. Its frustrating that they wont even give it a chance. My range of likes is so broad that even I have trouble keeping up with it! And I wouldnt have it any other way. 14. What do you think are your top 5 negative characteristics? i. Selfish. I hate to admit it but I am a selfish person and I know it. I love getting what I want and I do manipulate people to get it which is awful but not something I can help. I know exactly why I

am this way, and exactly what happened in my past to make me so... I have come to accept it as part of me and luckily so have all my friends. ii. I like to argue. Oooh man do I love to argue. even if Im not right, though its better when I am, I love the emotion behind arguments. I was on the debate team for years just so I could 'respectfully' argue with others. It was a good (maybe not?) experience for me too because it taught me that in an argument, you dont have to be right... you just have to make others think you are. And Ive very good at doing that... I hardly ever lose an argument! iii. Ah yea, I have a bit of an ego. More than a bit. Most of the time I really do think Im better than whoever else is around me. Its another one of those things I cant help its just there. I find myself attracted to people with egos as well... I mean, I know that I cant possibly be better than everyone but my mind cant help but thinking it. And it does come out in my personality sometimes which cant be to pleasant... iv. Procrastination. My passions evil twin. While I can have a passion to do whatever it is Im doing, no doubt as soon as I start procrastination will show up and be like HEY, why dont you finish that game you started the other day. Go read that book eh eh?? And eventually I give in to it. Yeah, passion is around while Im working... but procrastination takes me away from that work. I set myself up for failure alot, but I always manage to get through it because determination! v. Addiction. I am easily addicted to things. Food, colours, films, books, everything. I went through a phase where I had to collect taco bell sauce packets for the amusing sayings on them. But my addictions arent always so cheap or easy. Some of them take up alot of my time, and always always my addictions nag in my head making themselves my top priority. Its very hindering to things I should be focused on and they often keep me from being as productive as I should and would like to be. vi. and just because it was going to be on this list but other things beat it. I am lazy. I would be perfectly content to laze about all day doing nothing and playing online. But luckily I have amazing will power (which should probably be on my GOOD traits list) that keeps me from doing to much lazing around.

Im terribly sorry if this seemed bland or boring, I wont lie when I see 'application' I automatically turn to professional mode (which fizzles out towards the end most of the time due to the lengths of them) and write as if I were applying for a job. It would've been much more beneficial for me to chat with someone. It wouldve gotten my personality across much better than with preconcieved questions and paragraph form answers. Also, I tend to over think when I have set questions =| ... BUT like always I did my best ^^ and I can only hope some of you found some enjoyment or amusement somewhere up there =D <3