But it HAS to be said. As some of you know, earlier this year I passed the trials and became one of the million beta testers for Pottermore, JK Rowling's new interactive website. We talked about the Sorting ceremony and we dreaded the outcome. What if we didn't get the House we thought we were in? What if we didn't get the House we KNOW we belong to? Because we sorted ourselves and WHO knows better than US what House we belong in?
Well, Pottermore. According to Queen Rowling herself, SHE made the sorting process the unbelievably scary and nauseating process that it is. SHE developed the questions. SHE is, therefore, the Sorting Hat as this is the closest thing to an actual Hogwarts sorting that there ever will be.
Well, I'm here today to say that I AM OFFICIALLY RENOUNCING MY INDUCTION INTO SLYTHERIN HOUSE.
I know it's hard to believe but, if you know me, you know that I am a Gryffindor in the true sense of the word. I believe that I possess each and EVERY quality of a true Gryffindor and I have always believed this to be true. And I REFUSE to believe that turning left or right is going to determine whether my ambition exceedes that of my bravery. And I REFUSE to believe that by being sorted on a certain day determines whether I'm in Slytherin or Hufflepuff and that Gryffindor was never an option. I believe this was set up to ensure that all of the Houses were even and that, depending on what day you were sorted, you were either going to be Slytherin/Hufflepuff or Gryffindor/Ravenclaw. On the same day that I was sorted into Slytherin, 5 or 6 of my friends were ALSO sorted into Slytherin or Hufflepuff. Coincidence? I think not.
As much fun as it's been to do naughty things in the name of Salazar Slytherin and fail Potions to piss off Snape that a Slytherin could be this inept at the subject, I am ready to go back to the loving arms of my fellow Gryffys and snuggle next to the fire in the Common Room with my Won Won.
Last night, I posted a video on youtube. It showed me getting sorted (in a really long extended version) and freaking out because I did not want to be sorted into the WRONG house. If you know me, you know I'm in Gryffindor. That. to me, is the RIGHT house. All of the others are WRONG. The quiz took me by surprise. At LeakyCon we got a sort of preview of Pottermore with screenshots and even a short demo and Jaime (the Pottermore guy) told us that you could not cheat the system. I actually had no intention of cheating the system because I had faith that my answers would be the most Gryffindor-y (new word alert) answers there could possibly be. I mean, I'm brave, loyal, chivalrous....
I answered the questions as HONESTLY as possible. I knew The Queen (Jo Rowling) herself made up this quiz. This quiz is the CLOSEST we'll ever get to an actual Hogwarts sorting. Unless, of course, they open up Hogwarts for real and let us magic folk in but I doubt it. So I reviewed each answer. Some had only 2 choices. Some had 6 or 7. And when it was all said and done, I was sorted into
So what happens next? I did what ANY Gryffindor would do when sorted into the House of Slytherin. I say "OMG. I just got sorted into Slytherin" and IMMEDIATLY try to be okay with it. Put on a BRAVE face and say "At least I'll be with Ashley and Cissy" (my besties). Then I think "I'm freaking Muggle-born! How did this happen?". Will I be welcomed there with open arms? Will I ever feel comfortable in the glass and marble common room rather than the cozy Gryffy common room? Will my WonWon still love me? They say Gryffindor and Slytherin are 2 sides of the same coin. If this true, have I ALWAYS been in the middle? I know ONE thing's for sure: I'll never again be the only one in the Gryffindor tie in our bestie photo :(
When JK Rowling announced the opening of Pottermore, millions of Harry Potter fans began to speculate about what online wonders await. Many were (and are) desperate to gain early access to the site. I have to admit I was one of them. I managed to find the magic quill on day 2 of the early beta testing sign-up in early August. When I wrote this, I was still waiting for my owl to let me into the beta site. Although the full site will open to the public from October, there’s already been a lot of excitement surrounding the site.
Get sorted!
The books were first published in 1997 and then shot to cult-status popularity not long after, and now seven books, eight films, and one theme park later, most Harry Potter fans have a Hogwarts house they already identify with. Of course the Sorting created by JK Rowling herself trumps any of the online quizzes, but what strikes fear in most fans’ hearts is: What happens if the Sorting Hat places me in the wrong house? There has been a lot of buzz on the internet about this already from wizard wrock songs to twitter, where Evanna Lynch, an avid Harry Potter fan who played Luna Lovegood in the films, announced she was sorted into Gryffindor (For those not in the know, Luna is a Ravenclaw). I do however, have it on good authority that the actress who played Pansy Parkinson, Scarlett Byrne, did in fact get sorted into Slytherin. There have been rumours that Tom Felton (who plays Draco Malfoy, another Slytherin) was sorted into Hufflepuff! This is of course, only a rumour and has been denied by Mr Felton, who is also still awaiting his Pottermore owl.
If like me, you’re also anxiously awaiting your Pottermore owl, and stupidly nervous about getting sorted, let’s have another look at the Hogwarts houses. You may not end up where you thought you’d be!
Home of the brave
Gryffindor House is always described by the Sorting Hat as for those who are brave of heart, daring, chivalrous and full of nerve. Although all these attributes are often thought of as positive, many Gryffindor haters often dote on the negative connotations of bravery, such as its’ more ostentatious nature or that to recklessly rush in without a plan is actually not always the best course of action. Gryffindors and especially Harry get teased for playing the hero without thinking of the consequences. In fact, bravery has in the past has had more negative connotations and was associated with boasting, swaggering, bravado, and showing off. Lions are an obvious choice of a mascot, brave and fearless and known as the king of the jungle. So, if you’re brave and full of daring, then perhaps the Hat will place you in Gryffindor.
All for one and one for all
Hufflepuff House often gets billed as the ‘other’ house, but those sorted here are known for being just, loyal, patient and true. They are not afraid of toil and their founder Helga Hufflepuff was quoted by the Sorting Hat to have said she’d ‘teach the lot and treat them just the same’ which 1,000 years ago is pretty progressive in terms of equal rights for wizarding folk. Sounds like a pretty good house and hard to find any negative attributes. Not sure why they get teased so much, but I suspect it’s probably because their mascot is a badger and their name is reminiscent of an empty threat or a puff of air. Perhaps the origin for Hufflepuff is from huffle an obsolete usage meaning ‘a sudden gust of wind’ and puff. Either way, if you’re all for equality, this sounds like the house for you.
None the wiser
Ravenclaw house is the house for the clever swots. Probably most Potter fans *think* they fall into this category and maybe if you read as much as Hermione does, then you are a Ravenclaw. The house of the wise, those of wit and learning with steady minds, Ravenclaw seems the most one-dimensional of all the houses – it’s just the place for clever people. Despite the name, their mascot is not a raven, but an eagle. Ravens have been associated with death or as harbingers of bad news, while eagles are known as the king of birds with sharp sight and the ability to soar to great heights. Eagles have also been associated with various reigning powers throughout history. Perhaps if you have a sharp eye and an insatiable quest for knowledge, Ravenclaw is where you belong.
The end justifies the means
Last, but certainly not least (I saved the best for last!) is Slytherin House. Slytherins are known for their cunning and ambitious nature and described as shrewd and power-hungry. I can understand why being sorted into Slytherin may not make many people jump for joy. Of course, the Harry Potter books are told from a Gryffindor’s point of view and there are a lot of preconceived notions and generally negative rumours surrounding the house of the snakes. It probably doesn’t help matters that He Who Shall Not Be Named was in Slytherin and many of the Death Eaters come from the same house. There is also that obsession with pure blood ancestry that is beyond acceptable by today’s standards. Okay, so they’re a bit elite and old school, but not all Slytherins are bad – let’s not forget about Severus Snape! Slytherin attributes aren’t that bad either. Cunning didn’t always have its negative connotation; in fact it originally referred to someone who possessed knowledge. Ambition can be a very good thing and drive people to achieve great feats. The snake as house mascot may also hurt a positive view of Slytherin. Snakes have long been associated in the West as a symbol of temptation and evil, of course, for almost as long, snakes have been revered by many other cultures as a symbol of wisdom and magic. Perhaps if you can have a bit of perspective and are keen to achieve, you may belong in Slytherin.
No post on Sundays
I hope that helps alleviate any potential sorting pressure that you may be feeling while you wait for your Pottermore owl to arrive. Although the sorting seems important, I’d like to end with an excerpt from the Sorting Hat’s song in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which reminds us that although we may be split into different houses, we shouldn’t let that divide us.
‘I sort you into Houses
Because that is what I'm for,
But this year I'll go further,
Listen closely to my song:
Though condemned I am to split you
Still I worry that it's wrong,
Though I must fulfil my duty
And must quarter every year
Still I wonder whether sorting
May not bring the end I fear.’
Guest blog by: Ashley Wagner who hopes the Sorting Hat places her in Slytherin, or else her father will hear about this!
Update: I did receive my Pottermore owl, and I was sorted into Slytherin without paternal intervention. Good luck to everyone still waiting!
What House do you think it sounds like? Gryffindor....probably because of the fact that I "spark" Crimson
What House do you want to be in? I want to be in Gryffindor. I've sorted myself into Gryffindor because I think I know EXACTLY what it means to BE a Gryffindor and overcome fears on bahalf of myself and the people I hold most dear. I'm a loyal friend and confidant and I am fierce when it comes to protecting those dear to me
Does your username relate to you at all? Yes. My alterego is Scarlett and she's the reason I can be who I want to be without fear. My TRUE self is much more socially akward.
What kind of wand would you wish to get? My wand is Rowan with a Unicorn hair core Swishy. It helps me excel at Charms which I am especially good at. However, i recently acquired a Purpleheart Oak wand with a Unicorn Hair core which is chosen for royalty and Charms :)
Are you pure, half-blooded or Muggle born?Muggle-born and proud :D
Which day did you get into Pottermore? Day 3. My friend helped me get in because, truthfully, I had doubts about my own ability to get myself in
What shape is your Patronus? Lionness. Queen of the jungle
What does your boggart look like? A spider >.<
Would you rather be an Animagus or a Matamorphmagus? Animagus. I think it would be fun to go all "Sirius" on my friends lol
If you were an Animagus, what animal would you be? I think I'd like to be a black cat Rawr!
Me and my Monkey Man were having a discussion about Pottemore and about how exciting it is that we both got in (and my sissy got it and my besties got in and other awesome people I know got in) and we started talking about the particulars and how exciting it will all be when we get sorted. Sorting.....has me kinda worried. I'm not going to lie. I'm a Gryffy and I'll FOREVER be a Gryffy but there's a part of me that's scared that I won't be SORTED into Gryffindor. It will be kinda fun to be in Slytherin and I'll be proud if I'm in Ravenclaw but we ALL have that ONE house that we don't want to be in. For me, that's Hufflepuff. Don't hate me, Huffies!! I like yellow. I like how you're all non-conformed and edgy and all that jazz but I'm NOT a Hufflepuff. And I don't want to be. My bestie will DIE if she's in Gryffindor and I'm not offended. It's awesome that Slytherins don't like us. :)
Anyways, my Monkey Man got this idea that he would VIDEO me getting sorted since I said I would burst into tears if I was sorted into Hufflepuff. He thinks it will be FUNNY to see my reaction. And then he suggested we start a GROUP and post links to our videos. I am going to face my fears and put mine on youtube but you don't have to be THAT brave...unless you're in Gryffindor ;)
So we're BOTH going to video the other getting sorted and if you want to do it too, just post the link in the comments on THIS blog post and we'll all revel in the awesomeness that is Pottermore! May we forever be Gryffindor/Slytherin/Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw!!
Today, I did Pottermore watch to get my Monkey Man and my sissy into Pottermore and I freaking woke up EARLY to troll Twitter and Pottermore.com and it was the most exciting, crazy thing!! It kept redirecting me to the Sony online store and there was NO quill and I was freaking out and like ZOMG! FINALLY it went through!! It was nervewracking! I didn't think I'd do it and I started to hyperventilate and WoW!! I wanna do it AGAIN!! :)
Pottermore opened up last night or VERY early this morning to us Americans. Now I was trolling the internet all night last night to see if anyone got in yet but my email from LeakyCon pretty much told us when to expect it. I fell asleep and woke up 3 HOURS after it opened and Day 1 registration has already been CLOSED!! All of the magical quills have been found. Now I'm going to say something that everyone probably already knows: NEVER underestimate the Harry Potter fandom. We do incredible things daily. Not just with our imaginations but with our hearts.
We:
-do local charity work
-help out other countries that have been struck by disaster
-make Harry Potter trending topics everyday on Twitter
-crash websites cuz we REALLY want to get in
-make Wizard Wrock albums list on Billboard
so I'm not SURPRISED that I didn't get in after a nap. I'm disappointed! I wanted to be sorted today. I wanted a wand today. I wanted a really cool login name like theycallmeStanShunpike :(
