Accio? Apparate? ALOHOMORA!

This a sorting application I filled out for a Hogwarts hybrid sorting community. I enjoyed doing it and I think it reveals a lot about me so I'm posting it here. BTW, hybrid sorting is when they combine two of the houses (sometimes noting a primary and secondary). There are six combinations: Gryffinpuff, Ravendor, Ravenpuff, Slytherclaw, Slytherdor, and Slytherpuff.

1.) What do you think are your two most defining personality traits?

To gain another perspective I asked a friend what he thought. He said (and I agree with him) :

Rational I am always analyzing my values, actions, relationships . . . pretty much the world in general. I don't analyze other people as often as myself (if I do it's usually because something they are doing is effecting me or they ask me about something in their life or it just comes up in conversation) but I still do it a lot. And my goal for doing this is to try to be rational in my evalutation of things (including myself). And though I have my flaws (which I try to rationally evaluate and improve) I think I am rational most of the time. Everyone who knows me, even if they don't agree with me, knows I am like this. I like to understand people, why they do things, why they hold certain opinions (especially myself). I constantly question tradition, conventionality, rules, etc (as they pertain to morality, an ought) so that I know if I should go along with it. To understand my self and these things I try to get to the core of things, which is why I am so interested in philosophy (because it is our guide in life, whether we realize we have a philosophy or not). And I think that the best way to understand or develop a philosophy is by approaching it rationally. By using reason to analyze one's senses, perceptions, conceptions, etc and to build or adopt a set of values off of that by which to guide one's life. I would say this is different than just having the desire for knowledge, being curious (though I do have that as well), because I desire to evaluate what I know (as it pertains to my life anyway) and to evaluate it based on reason (or by using reason).

and

Individual or, as my friend calls it, Robert-like. I wont be pushed or pulled, but I also don't do that to others. Meaning, I am who I am, I will not change for anybody (which isn't to say I wont change, just that I wont change simply because they want me too) but I don't ask people to change for me either. I don't go with the flock unless they happen to be going the same place I want to go. Not to say I would never do anything for anybody, but I will not change who I am, who I want to be or what I want to do (I don't mean if a group of friends want to grab food at one place and I dont, that I wont hang out with them there. I can compromise on things like that, but I wont compromise my self for anyone). "I will never live for the sake of another man (or woman), nor ask another man (or woman) to live for mine" (parentheses and emphasis in the quote were added by me).

2.) What is, in your opinion, the world's biggest issue? What would you change?

That people do not uphold reason and use it to evaluate their values and actions, to make sure that they are in line with truth and consistent with each other. To relate this to another question, I think it is because of a lack of reason that people form and act on prejudices (whether because they hold tradition as their guide or because it is uncomfortable for them to change their ways). This is a trivial problem compared to something like war, but I think they, and any other problem I can think of, stem from this.

To completely change these problems would require a massive movement in philosophy. Whether or not this is plausible or in what time frame, I don't know. One of the things I plan to do to help (because it interests me and I enjoy thinking and talking about it, not because I feel a responsibility to do so) is to write/talk about philosophy in general and to promote the one I agree with (by writing essays/articles and, hopefully, talking at conferences or things like that). For that reason I will get a degree in philosophy. Because, as sad as it is, I think an argument would carry more weight with most people if it is backed by a degree than one that isn't.

3.) What non-Harry Potter character do you feel you relate to most?

Probably someone from Atlas Shrugged (one of the protagonists, like Francisco, John, Ragnar, Rearden, Dagny, etc). Because, out of any character(s), I felt the most philosophical similarity with them, the most similar conflicts with the world. And it was the biggest "Aha!" moment of my life. But if I had to pick one of them I would probably pick Francisco.

SPOILER Because Galt isn't flawed in any way and because we dont know very much about him, I would probably identify or relate to Francisco the most. Although he may struggle with what he should do, he knows he should do it, he doesn't evade the knowledge even though he may want to some times. Where as Dagny and Rearden seem to take too long to catch on. And we don't know as much about Ragnar.

4.) What are your dreams/aspirations?

Dreams: An acting career in film and theater. To make my own cross-media production company. To design video games. Publish books (fiction and nonfiction) and papers on many of my interests. To make Bill Gates wallet look small. To travel the world many times a year for vacation or business (whether it be investing in, starting or running different companies, talking at conferences on philosophy, etc). To design my own mansion and have it built. To design my own restaurant and have it built. To have a few houses in different countries. To found and fund private schools. To have a wife and kids.

Aspirations: To get a degree in philosophy and have a complete understanding of my personal philosophy. To act in community theater and independent films and see how far I can go with that. To become financially secure and start investing.

5.) What memories would you put in a Pensieve?

If I could keep them private until or unless I decided to share them, I would store as many of my memories as I could. One reason would be to have a back up in case something ever happened and I lost my memory. Another reason would be in case I ever needed to prove something.

If I couldnt put everything in, I would cram in as much could, starting with what is most important. Of course family and friends. But I would also put in my memory of being in love and the memory of when I realized I wasnt in love with her, just the idea of her. The memory of getting over the fear of not believing in god. The memory of the being on stage playing romeo (the first time I realized it was truly my passion). And, most important, all the memories of learning about my philosophy (not mine as in I invented it, but mine as in I chose to validate and adopt it) and why I am who I am today.

6.) What are you most afraid of?

What I am MOST afraid of is death. But it all relates to my self ending, whether that's through death, brain damage, etc. I love living, but, more specifically, living consciously. To loose that is what I'm most afraid of. After that I would be afraid of not achieving those goals that I'm most passionate about. And so on.

7.) Do you consider yourself a leader or a follower?

As it said in my jung typology (ENTP) profile, I am a natural leader but do not like to control people. I can fit into either role, but I don't desire or try to be a leader or a follower (most of the time). This is why I don't often find myself in either role. It's just a matter of what would help me achieve my goals. However, in most cases, if I have to choose between one, I would rather take the role of leader than wait around for someone else to take the role. Mainly because I know my own strengths, I know what I can do and what I'm good at, and, obviously, I know I can trust myself. So if I have to choose a role, and there isn't someone that appears to be able to do the job better than I could and has a similar vision, I would do it. But, because I don't desire to control people (or be controlled) I don't seek out leadership or follower.

8.) If given the chance to live in someone else's (Harry Potter character or not) shoes for a week, would you? If so, who?

And I get to come back to myself exactly as I am (except for the additional knowledge of what it is like to be in that person's shoes)? Fictional character? John Galt.

9.) How do you feel about the use of unforgiveables in war? Is it ever justified?

I am against anyone initiating force against anyone else. I would only argue for the retaliatory use of force. So, if one or more people are defending themselves against an aggressor (such as in a war) I think any measure of violence necessary to defend themselves is justified (any measure taken against the initiators, not innocent people) this includes the use of "unforgivables".

10.) What qualities from each house do you possess?

GRYFFINDOR I have never been a daring person (although I'm becoming a bit more that way as I grow older). I don't often seek out thrills in dangerous situations. I don't try to appear to be brave. I don't agree with most people's definitions or expectations of chivalry. But on the rare occasion, when I have found myself in a dangerous or trying situation, I was able to stand my ground and face my fears. To do what I thought was the right thing. I enjoy being courteous to people, but when I am courteous I am that way to everyone. I am known for both of these qualities, being courteous and to everyone (women AND men, for example). I am also known for rejecting gender stereotypes and any moral claims that are based on them (such as, a man should never hit a woman, even in self defense, a man should pay for the woman, a man should open a door for a woman, etc.). I treat people based on their values and actions, rather than gender, race, age, etc. And when I don't know people's values and actions I treat everyone equally. Though it may be unconventional, I think it is true chivalry, true equality, true respect. Maybe this is more of a hufflepuff quality.

HUFFLEPUFF I am not a person that values "hard" work. That doesn't mean that I never work hard when it is the only way to get something done, but I don't value hard work over easy work, smart work, etc, just because it is harder. I dont value physical labor over mental labor. I do value having the determination, dedication or whatever you like to call it to buckle down and do the hard work when it is the only way to get something done, but if I can take a short cut, I probably will (unless it would diminish the quality of whatever Im trying to do and I want it to be the best it can be). I do not value loyalty in the normal sense of the word. I try to be "loyal" to my values/morals and anyone else that encompasses them, but Im not the type of person to support someone just because of sentamentality. Not to say I would abandon anyone because of any mistake or disagreement, but, in essence, I would never show blind favor. So if that's what loyalty is, I am not loyal (or try not to be). As I mentioned in the Gryffindor section (and now think it would be more applicable here) I like to be courteous but I also like to treat people fairly, to interact with people based on who they are as an individual, rather than having a premeditated plan of behavior based on their race, gender, etc. And those I dont know I treat equally.

RAVENCLAW Throughout most of my academic career (elementary-highschool) I became less and less studious (I'm just becoming more studious again now). I didn't care for school very often, or for getting good grades. And until very recently I wasnt going to go to college for a degree. I thought I would take classes that interest to me, but, since I didn't think I would need a degree for financial security, I wouldnt bother fulfilling someone else's education requirements. BUT, I have always loved learning. A library or bookstore is one of my favorite places to hang out. Most of my passions involve knowledge, wisdom or being creative (philosophy, acting, writing, drawing, cooking, etc). And even if I wasnt going to go to to college for a degree, I was going to try to educate myself on my own. But the quality of ravenclaw I think I exhibit most is that I am very much into philosophy and rationality and those seem like something that would be in ravenclaw.

SLYTHERIN I am definitely not an advocate of pure-blood heritage, or any other prejudice, but from what I understand slytherins dont have to be (there are good and bad in every house). Or does the sorting hat say that blood purity IS an element in sorting slytherins? I am usually very ambitious (see my dreams) but sometimes not so much. But more than that I am very individualistic and try to follow my rational self-interest (see second personality trait) and that seems to be a slytherin quality (more than any other house).

11.) Which Harry Potter character do you feel you relate to the most?

Before today, I might have picked ANYONE before this character, but, thinking more about one of his goals, I relate most to . . . . Voldemort. You probably think I'm either sick or slytherpushing, but, hopefully, by the end of this answer, you wont think I am either.

I really like the idea of maximizing one's potential, of expanding the horizon. Voldemort's goal to be immortal, I think, makes him a very interesting and cool villain, but I also think the goal is a respectable and virtuous one. Before you light the torches and start the witch hunt, let me clarify. I think the methods or the means voldemort used to attain immortality are despicable (as of course are all of the other violation of people's life, liberty, property). But I don't think the goal of immortality is a bad one just because he did bad things to achieve it. I also like him because he seems like he tried to push magic to its/his limits more than anyone else. Again, I don't like the violent means (nor do I think they are justified by his goal) but I do like the goal itself. And the reason I feel I relate to him so much is because, in my experience, things like wanting or willing to actually become immortal are so unconventional. I cant tell you how many times people have either laughed or scolded me for saying I would be immortal if I could. But voldemort didnt care to stay within the conventional. I dont think a person should try to be unconventional, but if there is something they want I dont think they should stifle their desires because it is unconventional. They shouldnt try to be either way, they should just do what they want (as long as it is rational).

If I was in the wizarding world and could create a horcrux (or any other means of immortality) through non-violent, non-coercive means, I totally would.

This is why one of my aspirations is to be cryogenically frozen so that if medicine ever advances to the point to where they could revive me, my body will be preserved. If there were computer chips that I could implant that would make me smarter, faster, stronger, whatever, but allowed me my same stream of consciousness, memories, personality, I would buy one as soon as I could.

12.) Which Harry Potter character is your favorite?

Same as above and for same reason. My second (and previously first) choice would be Sirius.

13.) Least favorite?

I don't have a least favorite. I don't mean that I like all the characters the same, just that there's not 1 character, or even 5, that stand out to me as worse than the others. I guess for the sake of answering this question and for having my favorite and least favorite being the same person, I'll pick Voldemort. He's my favorite for his goal of immortality, and my least favorite for his violent, coercive methods.

14.) Which of the four canon Hogwarts houses do you feel you belong in most?

I think I have qualities from each house, maybe not completely evenly, but enough so that I can't point to one and say for sure I belong there. Because of my interest in philosophy and how that seems to me to be a Ravenclaw quality, my best guess would be Ravenclaw.

15.) Least?

Again, similar to above but I'll give my best guess: Hufflepuff. I do not value hard work or loyalty. With Gryffindor Im not daring but I am courageous. I don't believe in convention chivalry but I still try to be courteous, considerate, etc. With Slytherin Im not always ambitious and I'm not prejudice, but I am very much an individual and think of it as a virtue. But I do not value hard work in itself (only that Im willing to do it if it is the only way) and not only do I not value loyalty (if loyalty is blind favor) but I think it is irrational and actually lacking in virtue. So I'm going with Hufflepuff.

But, I am completely open and interested in your ideas of where I fit (and don't) and why.

16.) Which of the known spells in the Harry Potter universe would you like to learn most?

Thinking about this question reminds me of one of the ways I've grown since the last time I filled out one of these applications (which was about a year ago).

I have a hormone deficiency and because of problems I've had with health insurance, I am behind on my treatment. Because of this I look pretty young for my age, which always made me feel insecure. The last time I answered a question like this I wrote that I would like to learn transfiguration, so that I could change my appearance.

This time when I read the question I immediately thought of a different one: apparition. Remembering what my previous answer was this kind of brought a smile to my face because it made me realize that I've gotten over the insecurity of looking young (or, even if I haven't completely gotten over it, it has greatly diminished).

All of the spells/magic in Harry Potter sound appealing. But the one that I think would have the most positive impact on my life would be apparition (unless I could become immortal without murdering or causing harm to someone else). Some of my family and friends live in California (and so do I), but others live in the mid-west. As much as I get to see them, I wish I could see them so much more. But because of responsibilities and travel costs/time I can only visit the people in the mid-west every few months. Being able to, basically teleport, would be the closest I could get to being in two places at once. To be able to go anywhere, anytime, is the ability I desire most. Not even just to visit family. If I want to check out New York for the night, POOF. If I'm around an accident and they'll die before the ambulance would get there, POOF to the hospital. If I want to find myself inside a bank vault, POOF (just kidding).