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Top Ten: Favorite Harry Potter Characters

melydia suggested I write this list, and I thought it a good theme for a list. However, it was harder to write than I’d expected. I seem to like characters in Harry Potter most when they’re with other characters. I love the Marauders, for example, but I wouldn’t put Peter Pettigrew on my list of favorite characters. I love the trio, but I just don’t think I love Ron enough to put him in the top ten. Sorry, Ron. So creating this list forced me to look at each character alone… which is not something one typically gets in a book that’s from one character’s point of view.

Harry Potter Characters by  Marta/Art Dungeon

Harry Potter Characters by Marta/Art Dungeon

 

Top Ten Favorite Harry Potter Characters

  1. Remus Lupin- No big surprise that Remus is first on this list (which is really not in any particular order, honestly). I love Remus; he’s my absolute favorite character in the series. He is kind, damaged, strong, wise, brave, friendly, supportive, fun-loving, bookish, and a whole lot more.
  2. Sirius Black- I must admit that my fanon Sirius is probably the reason he makes this list. I do really love his moments as a godfather to Harry. And though he has his faults, I do truly love his character, his desire to be useful and to help Harry, his fun-loving nature, the fact that he entered a war when he was a teenager and then never got a chance to really grow up, and his single-minded quest for revenge.
  3. Neville Longbottom- Neville is the character I most admire and wish I could be. He’s… himself, which is not always perfect but is many times just fine. And he’s brave exactly when he needs to be, brave enough to be a BAMF and get the last horcrux.
  4. Harry Potter- I’ve noticed not a lot of people would call Harry their favorite character (it’s almost like Harry is too easy an answer), but most people would put him on a list of top favorites as without Harry, there wouldn’t be much of a story. I will always love following Harry on his journey from a muggle-raised little kid to an adult who’s saved the world multiple times.
  5. Rubeus Hagrid- There’s just something about Hagrid; maybe it’s Harry’s fondness for him that rubs off on me? I love how he cares for Harry, being supportive and friendly and telling him what he needs to know even when maybe he shouldn’t (I have a thing about grown-ups in YA who don’t tell kids important things, which is why Sirius and Hagrid make this list and Dumbledore does not). I love the Hagrid knows his place and is grateful for a job and home, but still aspires to be more and help however he can; he’s got a Hufflepuff’s loyalty.
  6. Molly Weasley- My favorite mother in the series, Molly is such a strong woman and a great example of motherhood. She’s a stay-at-home mother and certainly all the cooking and cleaning chores fall to her, but you know she had to be strong-willed to raise seven children. I love how she cares for Order members and for Harry like she does her family. And then there are so many great moments like her boggart and protecting Ginny during the battle.
  7. Luna Lovegood- I love Luna. It’s impossible for me to not love her. Sometimes I think she’s way too weird. Sometimes she reminds me of kids I knew at school who were a bit eccentric. But I’ve got to admire her for just being herself, for being creative, and for doing what’s right every time.
  8. Hermione Granger- I probably resemble Hermione more than any other character in the books… though I see a lot of myself in many of the characters and I definitely don’t have Hermione’s bravery. I love her role in the trio, but I also really admire her as a standalone character–her respect for knowledge, her morality, her selflessness, her dedication, her friendship.
  9. Severus Snape- I’m maybe not as in love with Severus as some of my friends (or as Remus in some of my stories), but I respect the man a lot… even though, if he hadn’t blabbed part of the prophecy to Voldemort, the story would have been a whole lot different. He went through a lot of changes in his life, which are interesting to see. But I mostly feel sorry for the man. I also think he was, despite being brilliant, a terrible teacher.
  10. Oliver Wood- Feels a little weird to go with a tertiary character when characters like Ron and McGonagall aren’t on this list. But I just had to include Oliver, probably because I’ve spent so much time with him in fics. I love his obsessiveness and passion for what he loves–that sometimes makes him forget common sense. And I’m pretty sure my cheer and happy dance when he showed up at the battle was honestly the LOUDEST cheer I gave while reading the entire last book.

Craft: Arrietty Matchbox

Arrietty

This is one of only a few matchbox crafts I’ve done. This one is based off The Secret World of Arrietty, a Studio Ghibli movie based off The Borrowers. I obviously used an orange-red theme and a mix of sewing and nature imagery. The yellow pin is like the one Arrietty uses in the movie. As it’s a matchbox to hold Arrietty’s Treasures, I included a lot of little items she might find useful.

ArriettyMatchbox2

ArriettyMatchbox1

Top Ten: Time Loops

I love time travel in my fiction (heck, I’d take it in my real life as well if I could manage it). But what I love the most are time loops. I love knowing what to expect, the humor that comes from repetition, and the clever differences from loop to loop. I love seeing the loops finally broken. As Groundhog Day is less than a week away and as I recently watched Source Code for the first time, what better subject matter for this week’s list?

Mystery Spot

 

Top Ten Time Loops

  1. Groundhog Day- The movie has to be the first one on my list, of course! I usually rewatch it every year on or around Groundhog Day.
  2. Blood Ties “5:55”- It’s honestly been a while since I saw this episode, but it still stuck in my memory. Poor Vicki. Plus, it’s fun to have a character trying to insist to everyone else that they all died… when you’re also dealing with a vampire character who is, technically, already dead.
  3. X-Files “Monday”- a day where everything goes wrong… and then it happens all over again! Not the most paranormal of episodes, but that was fine by me.
  4. Day Break- I’d watch Taye Diggs in anything, but I really enjoyed watching this during its run on TV (I bought it on DVD too). It’s a clever concept to turn into a show, building more and more on every day.
  5. Buffy the Vampire Slayer “Life Serial”- It’s only a portion of the episode, but I still love watching Buffy try everything in the world to satisfy a customer at the Magic Box.
  6. Eureka “I Do Over”- Hey, it’s Eureka, so the time loop concept had the potential to be super silly. Instead, the loop breaks with the one thing I never expected.
  7. Charmed “Déjà Vu All Over Again”- It’s interesting that many of these time loops involve significant deaths (I guess if you’re going to do a time loop show, might as well do something big and kill off some significant characters for shock value; they’ll be back when the loop resets). But several of these time loops are stopped finally because of a death.
  8. Supernatural “Mystery Spot”- This episode came at the exact right moment in the series. Not only is there a reemergence of the Trickster, but Sam’s already facing a future without Dean… and he has to see what that’s like by losing Dean every day. We see what it turns him into in an episode that is equal parts hilarious and seriously deep. Plus, it’s Asia!
  9. Stargate SG-1 “Window of Opportunity”- Another great example of hilarious and tragic rolled into one, with so many great moments from a certain kiss to Teal’c with a thermometer to golf to Jack’s incredibly moving speech at the end. And even though he’s not one of the characters who knows it’s happening from loop to loop, Daniel still has some fantastic moments.
  10. Star Trek: the Next Generation “Cause and Effect”- My absolute favorite episode of Star Trek TNG tops off my list. Though I adore repeating lines along with every loop, I also really love that none of the characters fully remember things from loop to loop, like in many of these types of stories. Yet, some of them get a sense from loop to loop that something is happening.

Honorable Mention Goes To…. Captains Jack & John from Torchwood being stuck in a two-week time loop for five years. I would totally watch that series!

Oh Netflix, You Think You’re So Clever

I love Netflix, don’t get me wrong. But sometimes their recommendation algorithms are a little… hinky.

More like Thor: The Dark World? Well, you’ve got the first Thor movie–that makes sense. You’ve got some other action/adventure-type movies. You’ve got some movies starring Chris Hemsworth and others with Natalie Portman. All of that makes sense. And the latter reason explains this next bit, but when I put Thor: The Dark World on my list, I was NOT expecting Netflix to recommend Sesame Street: Abby and Friends: P Is For Princess:
NetflixRecommends

One of these things is not like the others…

Just goes to show that even Netflix has trouble with the superhero movie genre. Is it action? Is it adventure? Is it sci-fi? Uh, better just to be safe and recommend movies with the same actors.

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“Meeting” Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch seems to be everywhere these days, and I’m not complaining. I first took notice of him in BBC Sherlock, where he amazed me with his acting skills. He’s got a distinctive look and certainly a distinctive name.

sherlock_image_Benedict_Cumberbatch.jpg

But then I realized he was in Atonement. I’d seen that. So I guess that was the first time. Such a creepy, wonderful role. But that had to be it; even though I didn’t know he was him, that was the first time I saw Benedict in anything.

atonement_image_Benedict_Cumberbatch.jpg

Then I saw War Horse. I made it almost to the end before I realized Benedict was supposed to have been in it. How in the world had I missed him? That look, that voice. I’d seen all of BBC Sherlock multiple times; how had I missed Benedict. He’s not the main character, but his role isn’t even a small one. I ended up watching the movie over again, feeling embarrassed and foolish for not noticing it was Benedict to begin with. How does someone so distinctive blend into a movie like that? Cate Blanchett, I understand; she’s like a master of transfiguration. But Benedict?

war_horse_image_Benedict_Cumberbatch.jpg

Last night, I watched Amazing Grace. Despite having bought the DVD the second it was out, I hadn’t watched it since the movie theaters. I love the movie, and Ioan Gruffudd is amazing in it. Plus, there’s Rufus Sewell, Michael Gambon, and Albert Finney; it’s a great cast, and a great look at a part of abolition that (as an American) I’d been unaware of. The second the movie started, I practically screamed. Benedict Cumberbatch was in the movie? Seriously? I checked the DVD case. He isn’t mentioned ANYWHERE on it, not by picture or by name. He doesn’t even play a tertiary character in the movie–he plays William Pitt, one of the main characters’ best friends and the PRIME MINISTER OF ENGLAND. He just wasn’t “known” back when the movie came out the way he is now and so they didn’t bother to mention him on the DVD case or in the posters. Which is a shame, because he’s fantastic in it. And it was a delight to watch the movie again, now knowing Benedict for the great actor he is. The movie still made me feel inspired and made me cry.

amazing_grace_image_Benedict_Cumberbatch.jpg

So that had to be it. The first time I met Benedict Cumberbatch in a movie and he just hadn’t stuck in my mind. But, just to be sure, I checked IMDB. Tipping the Velvet? He was in Tipping the Velvet? As Freddy?! I’ve seen Tipping the Velvet far too many times to count, and I hadn’t noticed him? Luckily, there is Youtube.

tipping_the_velvet_image_Benedict_Cumberbatch.jpg

So that was it. Tipping the Velvet. That was my first time seeing him in something.

I think.

Top Ten: Christmas Wizard Rock

There’s a whole lot of Harry Potter Wizard Rock out there for the holiday season. There are even a few songs about Hanukkah and Ramadan out there. I managed to cut my list of over 150 songs down to, um, ten favorites. The first seven or eight were easy. After that… how do I choose just a few more? The songs I chose are a wide variety, but mostly ones that evoke strong emotions in me. Also, for someone not so fond of the latter Jingle Spells albums, I sure did pick a lot from JS4. Surprise!

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Top Ten(ish): Fandom Holiday Moments

Some of my favorite Christmas or holiday moments in fandom. I’m utterly indecisive (why did I think that weekly top ten lists was a good idea?). So here’s my top ten… and a couple others thrown in. I expect this post will contain possibly a spoiler or ten.

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Magical Music

DracoandtheMalfoys-CheattoWin Draco and the Malfoys released a new single today and the promise of their first new studio album in almost five years. I’ve only listened to the single six times now 😉 There’s something so thrilling about the prospect of new Wizard Rock. I don’t like to say that it’s dead, because art doesn’t ever die. But it certainly isn’t as popular as once it was. Only a couple touring groups came to my town last year, for example.

“Faced with two choices–To die or to sin–
You know we would all cheat to win.”
~Draco & the Malfoys, Cheat to Win

 

Cheat to Win isn’t necessarily my style, musically, but I really like it. It’s catchy and, well, speaks a bit of truth. I’m a rule-following Hufflepuff. Not all Hufflepuffs are as anal about rules as I am, but I hold the concept of fairness to all above almost everything else in this world (note to self: remember to grab that Nelson Mandela book out of the car before the next snow/ice storm hits tonight). So, no, I would NOT cheat to win at most things. But if it’s a matter of cheating or dying, heck year I’m going to choose cheating. But it brings up the question: why do I like this song so much, even if the underlying Slytherin concept in it is against the core of who I am as a person?

“We’re not always well-behaved, we don’t always do what’s right
We’re really good kissers, but I must warn we bite.”
~Swish and Flick, SLY in Slytherin

 

And it’s not just this song, either. I’m completely guilty of jumping up and down and shouting “Gryffindor” at Ministry of Magic concerts when Gryffindor Rally Cry is played. I could not have bought Swish and Flick’s album fast enough and I listen to its Slytherin songs far more than the Hufflepuff in me is willing to admit. So, yeah, my WRock playlist has its fill of JFF and Oliver Boyd songs. But you’ll also find Draco & the Malfoys and the Parselmouths popping up just as often. Why is that?

“Fools underestimate me; I am a woman.
I’m more pure than you’ll ever contemplate
There’s no denying fate.
You’re just jealous about my purpose.
It’s not my fault that your blood
Leaves you second-rate.”
~Snidget, Bella

 

One of the things I like most about fan creations is getting to see someone else’s interpretation and passion for something I love. We all come at fandom with a shared understanding of canon. But the way individuals and fanon interpret it is not just fascinating but appealing to me. I love reading fanfic that shows me a brand new angle on characters I already love. I love going to meetup discussions with people who have different thoughts, viewpoints, and interpretations. And I adore fandom music that makes me feel different things. Most WRock is just plain fun–not deep, not life-changing. And I have a special place in my heart for the music that speaks right to me, completely in-line with my thoughts and favorite things about the characters and story. But when a song is actually able to convert me for 2-5 minutes into another person, to let me see things from a different point of view, and to let me rejoice in some of the values I don’t even share, that’s true magic right there.

Catching Fire Review

CatchingFireI went to see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire in theaters with my local Harry Potter meetup group on opening night. I liked the first movie a lot, but I thought Catching Fire was even better. There’s more character development, some phenomenal new characters portrayed well, and the depiction of the arena really brought it to life for me (I had trouble picturing a few aspects from the book, like where the beach was exactly). The pacing, drama, and action were well done. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Spoilers below! BEWARE!

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District Identity

I’ve liked TheFandom.net since it launched a couple years ago. As a multi-fandom fangirl, I like the idea of lots of different fandoms all in one place. Their latest Hunger Games test SPONSORED BY FANDANGO let me down a bit, though. The questions, designed to figure out what district I’m from, was a mix of obvious/revealing questions like what sports team I like best (to figure out geographic preference) and questions like how I I like to use FANDANGO for purchasing movie tickets. Did I mention it was SPONSORED BY FANDANGO?

This is the result it gave me:
District6

A morphling? The quiz thinks I’m a morphling? I know I’ve got an addiction to a lot of fandom things, but I’m no quite as bad as a drug addict! I can’t imagine anything less like me than someone in District 6. I don’t even like driving around town if I can help it. To have my livelihood depend upon transportation? Ugh! I’m not thrilled with this result at all. I blame that question about what reality show I like best. Just because I like watching The Amazing Race doesn’t mean I like it because I want to be on it; I like it because it’s a great show and shows me places to which I will never travel!

Geographically, I think I’m supposed to be in District 12. Although, technically, I think my exact location might actually be underwater. So I’d be dead. But that wasn’t one of the choices in the quiz.

Panem