The Harry Potter Tag

I don't talk about it nearly as much as I could or should, but I am a BIG fan of all things Harry Potter. I grew up as the books and movies were being released, so I have a ton of nostalgic feelings attached to the series. So I was beyond ecstatic when I saw that Maggie over at The Caramel Files tagged me for The Harry Potter Tag! This isn't a book tag, just a general tag in which I will be answering questions which are themed around Harry Potter. Anyhow, this is gonna be a long one, so let's get cracking!

1. What house are you in?
So, this is actually kind of a complicated question because I've taken Pottermore's sorting quiz not once, not twice, but three times and each time I was sorted into a different house. The original time, I was sorted into Slytherin. I accidentally locked myself out of my account, though, so later I had to start a new account and retake the sorting quiz and that time I was sorted into Gryffindor. But then! (ah, the plot thickens!) Pottermore revamped and I opted to take the quiz a third time and was sorted into Ravenclaw. So where do I belong?

Well, every other quiz I've taken me has given me a pretty even response of "Gryffindor" and "Ravenclaw." Personally, I actually strongly identify as both. So I used my Ravenclaw side and did some research into housing systems. I discovered hybrid houses, as well as the primary/secondary house system and I really think both are much better and take a lot more into account than the typical black-and-white Standard Hogwarts Model. That being said, I deeply identify as a Gryffinclaw/Ravendor (a.k.a. the Gryffindor/Ravenclaw hybrid house) and as someone whose primary house is Gryffindor and whose secondary house is Ravenclaw.

Maybe you're not a fan, though, and you want me to choose just one. Well tough luck, chickadee! That's what I got to say to you! Humans are complex and malleable and we don't simply fall into four categories. But. If my life depended on only choosing a single house, then 100% I'd go with Gryffindor. Not because it's popular but because one of my deepest core beliefs is that kindness, intelligence, and cunning mean absolutely nothing if we are not brave enough to use them when it really matters.

So that's my story and I'm stickin' to it, folks!

2. What is your patronus?
According to Pottermore, my patronus is a black stallion, which I think is actually pretty darn fitting. Horses typically represent freedom and independence, two qualities which I really value and identify with. The funny thing too is that I actually used to train wild mustangs and developed quite a bond with a black mare in particular (close enough).

3. What is your wand?
My wand is 11 inches and is sycamore with a unicorn hair core and has reasonable flexibility. Supposedly this means I am curious, loyal, difficult to turn to the Dark Arts, and reasonably flexible in my ability to change.

4. What would your boggart be?
Honestly? It pains me to admit it, but probably myself. For me, especially with anxiety and dysthymic depression, it really is true that I tend to be my own worst enemy. Like, my daily life consists a lot of me metaphorically shooting myself in the foot. I've been witness to the terror that my own mind can cause for me. So, yeah, my boggart would probably be me.

5. What position would you play in Quidditch?
Does commentator count as a position? I'm not very sporty, but I think I could make a hilariously sassy commentator!

6. Are you a pure-blood, half-blood, or muggle-born?
This question actually kind of tugs at my heart a bit. There has been some (unconfirmed--as far as I know) talk that the wizarding blood system is kind of a representation of race in which "pure-blood" = "pure white," "half-blood" = "person of color," and "muggle born" = "mixed race." This makes sense as one of the slurs that white supremacists throw at mixed race folks is that we have dirtied blood, which one can easily correlate to the Wizarding World slur "mudblood." So, with that being said, I, as a mixed race person, would be a "muggle-born." And proud of it, too!

7. What job would you want to have after graduating from Hogwarts?
I'd love to be someone who invents new spells! Which...I guess is kinda like the wizarding equivalent of a science and/or engineering job, so I suppose it fits, lol!

8. Which of the Deathly Hollows would you choose?
Oooh this is interesting and quite a tough question! I've lost so many people in my life that it's tempting to say the stone. The wand does have a certain allure to it, as well, but I also feel like owning that wand is kinda like opening up a can of worms. I know that the wise answer is probably the cloak, though, so I think I'll go with that.

9. Least favorite of the books?
I've never been a massive fan of Prisoner of Azkaban. It just feels like the odd book out because nothing involving Voldemort really happens, so it almost felt like  detour from the main storyline.

10. Favorite and least favorite of the movies?
My favorite has to be Sorcerer's Stone. There's just something about that movie that was so magical (no irony or pun intended). Plus, in my opinion, the production on the first two films was the best (the rest seemed too CGI heavy). I think it's also that I have fond memories of going to see Sorcerer's Stone in theaters when I was six or seven and just being so awestruck at this whole new magical world!

As for my least favorite film, that would have to be Prisoner of Azkaban. I just feel like in that particular film the acting  went down a notch, as well as the storytelling. The production seems to me to rely more on CGI, as well, and that wasn't my favorite. Just everything about the third movie kinda irks me. Sorry?

11. Least favorite/most hated lead character?
Of the golden trio? Hmmmmm...That's a tough one. I think I'd have to go with Ron, unfortunately. I think this is probably because I can't relate to Ron's flaws and many of those very flaws actually really irk me. Ron can be jealous and petty, two things that I can't really identify with.

12. Favorite teacher at Hogwarts?
Minerva Mcgonagall for sure! I love her snappy comebacks, her deep loyalty, her good heart, her fierce intelligence, and her bravery!

13. Do you have any unpopular opinions about the series?
I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion, per se, but I think the Hogwarts house system could definitely use some work! As I said before, people are incredibly complex and to sort them based on four core values alone seems to be a gross oversimplification.

14. If you could've saved one character in the Final Battle, who would you have saved?
...Can't I just bring them all back??? Pretty please with a cherry on top???



15. Character you most identify with?
I've always really identified with Luna Lovegood because both of us are highly intelligent, but in a quirky way. Like Luna, I believe that more often than not the answers lie in the "impossibilities" and that you must look beyond the current landscape to find the truth. Doing this means that I've always been seen as a tad bit peculiar and kinda "out there" by my peers, but, like Luna, I'm not particularly bothered by what others think of me.

16. Hybrid Hogwarts House?
As I mentioned above, I strongly identify as a Gryffinclaw/Ravendor. I strive to live my life bravely and to stand up for what's right. But I also tend to fight with my wits. I know where my talents lie and I endeavor to use those talents bravely to better the world.

17. Ilvermorny House?
I'm a Thunderbird and I think that couldn't be any more accurate! I've always been quite the adventurer, always looking for a new journey to begin, both within myself and outside of myself too.

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