Latest Posts by jjayolsen - Page 8

Bartemius Crouch Senior

I love Barty Crouch Senior, I just do. Maybe it’s because when we meet him I just see this bright man who got shafted by his family, the public and was alone; I feel for him. Now, he’s not perfect. We know that he could be cruel, as we see with him and Winky and hear from others in regards to the trails of other Death Eaters not connected to his son. But while he was ambitious and made mistakes as department head, they were misguided mistakes and not with the background of the mistakes or self-promotion ones made by Fudge or Scrimgeour. And while we hear about how he was an absentee father working late at the ministry, we know Barty Crouch Jr. had his mother to over-indulge him similar to how I believe James Potter was overindulged, and we know that Barty Crouch Sr. adored his wife so I feel there were limits or levels to his cruelty, especially as at any moment he could have handled his son differently after his wife passed, but he didn’t.  

How Barty Crouch Dr. became who he was, we’ll never know, but once brought to the light I feel that Barty Crouch Sr. wasn’t as shocked as he would otherwise be, he just wasn’t in denial anymore. Maybe Barty Crouch Jr.’s nature turned his father away from him and not the other way around because regardless of the speculation that Barty Crouch Jr. might have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time, we know that’s not true. Barty Crouch Jr. was a proud Death Eater. When it comes to Barty Crouch Sr.’s errors, I put them more in line with Dumbledore’s. While not as understanding of his own faults, Barty Crouch Sr. was not malicious, but strict. Why he could not get the sympathy following the death of his wife and child as Dumbledore had with his sister I don’t understand. Barty Crouch Sr.’s main fault seemed to be in his appearance of being cruel (also alluded to in why Ludo Bagman got more praise than him) because the public first hated that he sentenced his son so ‘unfairly’ by treating him like any other Death Eater, then blaming him when he died in Azkaban, then hating him when they found out he had taken him from Azkaban but had him imprisoned in his home….I think they just wanted to hate him.

Bartemius Crouch Senior was not perfect or innocent, but for the most part, he tried to do what he believed was best for the world even if his methods to get there are more than questionable, and, he honoured his wife more than anything, which counts for something. His story reminds us that life isn’t fair but it is complicated.

Road to Change

Today in Chicago, the two-month summer tour “Road to Change” by the March for our lives movement, begins. Along with open-discussion and proposals on how to make US citizens safer in the daily lives, the Road to Change is working to get the youth and others who are either generally ignored or kept out of the voting and political process active. 

Earlier this month, as part of NYC mandates, we had our semi-annual fire safety drill instructions: test if the door is hot, don’t take the elevator, call 911, etc.) but a new segment of this discussion was added, active shooter drills. We were told to turn our cell phones on silent (not vibrate), how a fire extinguisher is a good weapon is needed for the chemical can disarm the eyes and then you can knock the shooter out, how to barricade the door, and how to exit with your hands out and empty so you are not mistaken as the shooter. 

We were also told that the below video is good to watch, just about 6 minutes, that gives you additional tips on the three main ways to survive. First Run if you can and Hide if you can’t, and if left with no other options, Fight. 

Whether you agree with them or not, the activists related to March for Our Lives are keeping the discussion at the forefront and are doing everything they can so that everyone has a voice in not only this issue but all issues. Click on: Road to change tour dates, and you will be brought to their schedule for June on the March for Our Lives website where you can also find more information about how to register to vote, how to encourage others to vote, tips on how to become an activist yourself and other changes they are fighting for and how you can help. 

Scrimgeour and Fudge

There are many different types of leaders in our world, teachers, pop stars, activists, CEOs and of course, actual political or governmental leaders. As within our daily world, the wizarding world showed Harry Potter and the rest of us that there are all types of leaders, even within the same field. Two of the biggest political leaders that would show different ends of the spectrum were Cornelius Fudge and Rufus Scrimgeour

Before we knew how bad things would get, we knew Fudge was an oaf. While some of his calls were good (increased efforts in protecting Harry Potter from Sirius Black), most of them were done out of self-preservation, for glory and prestige. Why he ever got involved in government, probably stems mostly from that wanting to see important as he portrayed no backbone, showed extreme jealousy and little critical skills. His role in the rise of Voldemort is not large, but important. As the spokesperson and leader of their world any small thing he did differently would have had a tremendous impact, but when the opportunity finally rose not only did he freeze at the challenge, he purposefully put everyone at greater risk just so he could keep his glory days. Seriously thou, what did he think was going to happen?

As former Head of the Auror Office, Scrimgeour was more experienced with the current priorities the ministry faced and was expected to be better at handling the situation when compared to Fudge as a leader. However, in terms of leadership, they were unfortunately, very similar. Considering the threat everyone was under and previous year of administrative secrecy, Scrimgeour should have operated with as much transparency as possible for both the safety and trust of the wizarding and muggle world. Instead, he was very much like Fudge: temperamental, would push for ridiculous propaganda with Harry Potter and bogus arrests, and an illogical paranoia and hatred against Dumbledore. While his death and life focused on the greater good, one cannot help but wonder what would have happened, how many more lives would have been saved, if he were more like Potterwatch being honest, hopeful and encourages those to not only fight for themselves but for others. 

June 12th 2018: National Die-in

Two years ago was a bad time for Orlando Florida. In a short time, a child had been ripped away from the beach and his parents and killed by an alligator, the Zika virus had become more prominent and in the early morning hours of June 12th, 49 people had been murdered in the largest domestic terror incident in the US history, and the highest casualty terror incident in US history except for 911.

At the time I was going to Orlando for a vacation, and to visit family, and while I noted how there was a lot going on as I heard about the attack in a taxi cab later that morning, I had come to a more startling realization. I had no reaction, I knew it was upsetting, I knew many had been murdered and I was sad but I was not shocked, confused, or in wonder.

The incident at Pulse was the first acknowledgement that I had become desensitized to mass casualty incidents, to terrorism, to violence and to hate. Thinking back, maybe this should have been a warning to the outcome of the 2016 Presidential elections that were focused and promoted hate, elitism, and close-mindedness. At this moment, 12-minute Die-in’s, are happening in remembrance of these losses and in honour those who were taken by working towards lessening these events in the future

Lucius and Narcissa

While I cannot say I like these two, I don’t mind them as much as one would think. Partially, because both really have no substance to dislike; yes, they are cruel, greedy, elitist, and quite a few horrible other things but really all they are, is the greatest example of snowflakes in the wizarding world

“wah.....some person with no history of magic is more skilled than me”

“wah....those with power are trying to help those without”

“wah....people don’t think my son is as great as I think”

on and on and on 

Regardless of their complete lack of character and spine, there were a few things I enjoyed. For starters, they really were perfect for each other. True, they needed to be assisted in every aspect of their lives, but they both fawned of their son in separate ways, both held strong beliefs with no interest in taking any related action (my belief about Lucius joining the Death Eaters was because it was the cool thing to do at the time), and both were just blinded by ego and wealth. They are just a morally gross version of Arthur and Molly, they support each other completely in being boringly horrible. 

Related to their lack of character, I do enjoy snowflake Lucius as he loses his place in the world and the realistic outcomes he and Peter Pettigrew experience by just being followers, but there are different levels with Narcissa. In a small level, it is funny to see how similar she is to everyone else as, as a side character, we see typical family relationships as she has with her sister, husband and son. And it’s just nice to get that background and reminder. 

More telling, unlike Lucius who I think was not only too stupid to see why Voldermort brought Draco into the Death Eaters but also would gladly use Draco just to gain status, I have no doubt that Narcissa would sacrifice herself for her son just as Lily had. And I know I’m right because she already did. Similar to Draco’s questions of morality and evil, while she may have had more alignment with the beliefs of the Death Eaters she had more strength than Draco in knowing and fighting for what truly was most important to her. Considering both put each other over the stupidity of murdering muggles and Death Eaters it’s upsetting, annoying and that dumb-poetic of just TALK to each other and they really could have avoided all this mess. Leave Lucius behind, he’s the weakest link and really it didn’t seem that either would be too heartbroken over it. I mean you guys are already weak, why not just be weak for the good guys. But whatever. 

I do enjoy these two, mostly just for a laugh, but also for the reminder that there is no black and white, and that we all need to remember to look past the surface

Draco Malfoy and Sirius Black

First, I know she has come to the understanding that people are more crushing on Tom Felton than Draco Malfoy, but I cannot understand why JK Rowling is so unnerved by it. Yes, Draco Malfoy is a shitty person, but it’s so typical that it really is quite a gift. Be glad we’re wasting our ‘fall for the bad guy’ on a literary character over an actual guy who smokes cigarettes in 2018.

There are a few core things we could learn about from Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter. Two of the main ones being how people change, and that the world isn’t black and white. But the biggest understanding I think can be gained is comparing his life and struggles with Sirius Black. Whether Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor first and then got a deeper understanding of how his beliefs and morals were different from the majority of his family or if he knew he had these beliefs before starting school, Sirius’ showed us the result fighting for what is right and against your family when your family doesn’t have the same moral standing you do. In comparison to when Percy either let himself be blinded or was just obsessed with power, his family continued to try and connect with him and love him, while Sirius’ family disowned him.

Both Draco and Sirius at points were bullies, but there is a huge difference between being a bully and being evil. When it came down to it, neither was evil, and at times I’m sure both were scared in trying to do what was right under extreme pressure and thru their stories we got to see both sides. While Sirius’ story focused on the results of his fight he was abandoned, depressed and obsessed with fighting against the Voldemort and the beliefs of those who abandoned him. During the struggle we see Draco, who once demanded and forced to do the wrong thing, couldn’t handle it as it wasn’t him. As Dumbledore remarked he cowardly tried to kill Dumbledore and even when push came to shove and his life depended on it, still couldn’t. He was frozen and like Sirius he overtime became depressed and alienated himself from all around him.  It’s tricky, but I don’t know if Draco would ever had been able to choose either side by himself, he seemed unable to go against his family and what was a burden on him to protect them; only ending up morally okay when his mother realized how the battle would end.

Thru their parallel struggles we see what happens when you are able to go against your family and when you cannot. While Draco was able to live a fuller life and Sirius had a truly supportive family in his friends, both suffered and arguments for both can be made for against when we remember these characters were children at the time of this crossroad. It’s hard, it’s heartbreaking, and there are so many people in the world who while they should be themselves and are accepted by others, we need to be reminded that since your family is supposed to love you unconditionally—you can turn yourself into a Horcrux with the pain and fear of what may happen if they don’t and be more open-minded with those struggles.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

There are quite a few things that come to mind when I think about this book. First and foremost, is that I recall this is the edition I was reading (whether for the first time or reread I don’t know) when I discovered JK Rowling wasn’t a man, how I ran back to look at the book and wondered why I thought she must have been from the title, and understood why she wrote her name so as not to be identified and turn others off (oy! how nothing has changed). 

Next, while I was young at the time I do not know what I anticipated but following the events of their first year we expected Harry, Ron and Hermione to either be dealing with Voldemort again or not--and I love how we got both. While in some ways the fact that they were all included again makes no sense, but again it all does. Harry can speak Parseltongue and therefore gets more information and gets Ron and Hermione involved, Ginny comes from a family with morals and is the exact opposite of the Malfoys and Death Eaters so Lucius trying to frame them, being the coward as he is, all makes sense and while seems a bit stretched is just coincidental. As Minerva McGonagall and Ron later discuss, however, why it is always them? Must just be their fate. 

Relatedly, we continue to get depth with our main trio: Hermione, Ron and Harry and the wizarding world in general while they continue to grow. While in the previous year Hermione broke some rules, they were only in regards to emergencies (stopping Snape from getting the Sorcerer's Stone, lighting him on fire) or to stop others from breaking rules (stopping Harry from getting in trouble with the dragon). But in her second year she sees breaking the rules as more of a means to an end; even when the end isn’t as near or dire. She becomes less rule-obsessed or rigid in this sense and tries weighing the options and looking more at the big picture (both with stealing the ingredients of the Polyjuice Potion and just in making it and knocking out Crabbe and Goyle). With Ron, we learn more about who he really is as we see him interact more with his siblings, with Hermione (my uncle caught onto that one, not me) and learn about how he feels about himself overall even if we don’t realize it all in depth at the time. Finally, We also learn more about Harry and, with him, the wizarding world in general; how there is a class system, the downfalls of being a hero or celebrity, what it actually means to be a hero or role-model and many other somewhat small things that create a deeper meaning combined.

Finally, holy hell was this the novel with annoying people; see Myrtle, Dobby and Colin. While Dobby and Colin grew on me, and I believe all of us, they both just wouldn’t shut up or listen and you would cringe with Harry as he deals with all their drama. But on both, Harry changed; growing to be broken by Colin’s death in the final battle and of course Dobby, one of his best friends. Both of these characters represented innocence, kindness, friendship, truth, honesty and so many other admirable qualities before even getting to the fact that they risked their lives for others. 

Myrtle? No, just creepy; I mean she was a younger teenager at the time. Do ghosts get older? Ugh, sorry, no love there. 

19 Years Later, not everything has changed for the better

19 Years ago a school shooting shocked the US, our families, our friends, strangers, the world. It was everywhere, 13 people were murdered in a public school. People around the world watched the news, spoke about the tragedy, felt guilt, confusion, compassion, pain, everything. We felt everything

 In these 19 years, things have changed by getting worse. I have become numb, for all of us it has become par-for-the-course. These students were taught how it’s part of their lives and to be prepared as 75 years ago they were prepared to hide under desks from nuclear bombs. These children here, they weren’t even born 19 years ago.That’s why they want change; this should have never been their issue to deal with but the generation of gun violence they are rightfully pissed off and are going to make it so those after them don’t have to. 

18,262 days later

Today has been a sad week, my heart has just had a constant ache the past few days, it hurts to the point where I can physically feel it pulling me down, holding me back. I am sad, for a feeling that nothing much has happened in the past 50 years, and that we have become more complacent with hatred and prejudice, tolerant and desensitized to injustice

We have seen it all, and are surprised by nothing. You can say you refuse to get used to it or accept it, but eventually, you will as that’s how our brains work. We see something shocking enough, it becomes something we expect and it becomes normal, no matter how terrible it is. It is not a choice. And when that day comes when we all accept, we will officially not be able to create change

Martin Luther King Jr. is known as an advocate for civil rights to bring equality to African Americans, but he was a civil rights advocate for all; regardless of race, gender or economic status he believed that everyone should be given the tools they needed to reach their full potential, especially if they worked for it. While progress continued, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. greatly impacted the rights of all US citizens and unfortunately at 50 years later, I do not think we have recovered. We are still divided by race, religion, gender, poverty, sexual orientation and so many others. We are not a people of a country but individuals of ourselves, disconnected 

I have become desensitised by gun violence, it saddens me but it doesn't shock me and that sadness doesn’t last. Like the news stations, and in the offices we hear about it and then move onto traffic, we scroll past it on Twitter, we hear it and move on. It has become a part of my everyday life. The similarities today from 50 years ago of those who are still fighting for equality, for our lives, do not give me hope but dread, for when we become desensitised by injustice to others I know our chance for equality and true prosperity for all will be over. 

Let me explain, I knew who Etan Petz is, but I didn’t know who Emmett Till was

Fred and George

Fred and George are the final of this short thread of sad characters and unfortunately, it’s all because of their ending. We all lose people, but to lose someone your age adds an effect to your life afterwards because it’s a shock and reminder that you to can die, at any moment. For that death to be someone who you not only looked liked and was your sibling when you were so young, they weren’t referred to Fred and George because they’re twins, but because they were twins who spent all of their time together, and just understood each other so well. 

Fred and George were born on April 1st, seriously JK, perfect! Regardless of their pranks and humor, everyone loved them because they were great guys to have around. They were smart, brave, funny, nice, friendly, athletic; they had everything going for them, including each other and themselves. While thinking back on them makes me sad because Fred died and George nor anyone else thought one would be without the other, when I reread the books or see the movies I am able to go back into that world and enjoy them. Enjoy them both. While they looked alike and acted alike, they were different. Both kind, George was more compassionate and worked slow and Fred jumped the gun a bit more, taking risks. But they helped balance each other and showed how working with others helps bring you forward. 

What I also loved is that they always did the right thing with their humor. They didn’t cross over the line too much and they knew when things were serious and when they had to focus. They were open with forgiveness, confident in their skills and what they could do with those skills and didn’t put anyone down. They were examples of good friendship, and just did everything right; knowing when to stop ‘having their fun’ and showing up for what was needed in the final battle. 

Remus Lupin

Unlike Hagrid, Lupin, had a very hard time getting over eveything that happened to him, which is part of why I’m always very sad when I think of him. Similar to Harry and Hagrid, Lupin’s life started out with difficulty and made him more of an outcast than either, getting bitten by a werewolf. 

Going to Hogwarts, he made good, true friends, but had to keep this secret from them; when he tells them, they accept him but then he deals with the guilt of betraying Albus and allowing his friends to break every benefit and precaution that allowed him to come to Hogwarts, along with the reputation and status of the school if anyone else found out. Then the First Wizarding War came but during that time his friends got married and had a child and the war only ended with the murder of his friends, the orphanage of their son, and the betrayal of another. 

The majority of Lupin’s life was between the two Wizarding Wars, when he was all alone. For over 10 years Lupin believed that one of his best friends, had betrayed not only his friends, but for power and out of hate, while he was left all alone. While the truth was similar, considering the bond Sirius and James had, and the possibility that they knew Peter wasn’t always at their level, there was a small reprieve when Lupin learned the truth. But again, the return of his friend lasts only two years before he is murdered and in that time the Second Wizarding War had begun. Again overcome with loss, loneliness and guilt, he holds himself back from love and happiness until he accepts, continues to feel guilt and shame when his child is born and soon after he and his wife are murdered.

There are many things that were so great about Lupin, he was honest, a good man, a good father, great friend and teacher. He was strong, brave, compassionate; he is a man who deserved and should have had it all but whose life was plagued, and spirit his overshadowed by ridiculous judgement and personal grief. Today is Trans Day of Visibility, a day dedicated to celebration of one’s true self and highlighting the cruelty and misguided hated those who are Trans receive. When I speak of Hagrid, I speak of how he was able to overcome his misfortunes, but Lupin was not; this, is not on Lupin. He should have had it all, he deserved to have an amazing life but was never given the opportunity to truly shine or love himself. It was not planned that I’d write about Lupin on Trans Day of Visibility, but the message I would say about both are linked.

Do Good, Be Good. While we can learn so much from Lupin, what the world needs to understand is how much they miss out on by judgement, prejudice, hate and fear. Bullying and discrimination do not bring peace, safety or justice, but they do put people at pause, holding back so much from the world and stealing from us all true love, prosperity and happiness. 

Hagrid

Rubeus Hagrid; Half-giant, great giant, great Gryffindor, great man, great brother, great friend, great everything. The two things I love the most about Hagrid both have to do with his love, (1) his love for Harry, and (2) his love of everything else

We all know that Sirius loved Harry, but he wasn’t the only one and on another note, I feel part of Sirius’ love for Harry was connected to James. When I think of Hagrid’s love for Harry I think of Molly (and Arthur), who loved him unconditionally. I think of someone who saw Harry as an equal, as a friend, as someone with their own reactions and thoughts; not as someone to be manipulated, convinced or as a child. 

One of the biggest issues I will always have is that none of Harry’s children were named after Hagrid, mostly, because Harry never truly appreciated Hagrid. While he did care for Hagrid, he never had all the respect for him that he should have, some of the respect that he gave to Dumbledore should have been with Hagrid. This is a shame for both of them, as they have a lot in common that Harry didn’t with anyone else. For starters, they both had terrible childhoods and adolescence that related a lot to their loss of parents and community. when they were both young Hagrid’s mother left him and Harry’s parents died. In their teens, Hagrid’s father died and he was kicked out of school and Harry would consistently have to deal with the Dursleys and would become an outcast whenever the admiration of the wizarding world turned to disgust or pettiness (not a very strong bunch). This is in addition to being a standout; Hagrid for being a half-giant and Harry for being “the boy who lived”. 

These are also only a few of the reasons why both end up like lost boys in the wizarding world, whom both turn to Albus Dumbledore as a guide. Hagrid, like Harry, was given a very rough deal early on, but so was Lupin who I also deeply treasure but must point out did not handle it as well as Hagrid. Unlike Harry and Lupin, who both managed to get great friends in their youth, part of what I love and think we can all learn from Hagrid is how he so strongly persevered thru everything. Without all the skulking and pity-parties. At any point in his life he could have run off to be with the other giants, or just hid out by himself with his little bit of magic, but he didn’t, he continued to try, do good and be good. Obviously, he found and had reasons to stay, Hogwarts was his home, but there was an easier way, a path with less rejection and side-glances (just think of him being out in the world will all the different creatures he could be with and care for); regardless of everything Hagrid not only persevered, but he was so, so kind, almost always trusting there to be good in people, giving people the benefit of the doubt and even when he got a bit of temper, he never got mean.

Another thing with Hagrid that was so amazing giving his upbringing was how much he loved and was king, to himself. While he kept it quiet in the beginning, he was never ashamed of being a half-giant, and while he wasn’t happy about getting kicked out of school, he knew he hadn’t done anything wrong and just wished he could learn more magic. When he made mistakes, he owned up to them. Finally, the most endearing thing sounds like all the others but is truly unique: he loved everything. Every creature, he found beauty in it, regardless of everything he saw beauty, believed in love, friendship, the truth and the good. How can anyone not completely admire that, love that

So again, Hagrid is someone to be honoured and admired and to try and live up to, for he never gives up, is incredibly kind, loves himself and loves everything else

Today we, a we of those meeting up in 842 cities around the world, gather to march as promised by the leaders of March for Our Lives announced back on February 18th. We March with them as they ask for simple, common sense gun measures: banning AR-15s, 3-day waiting periods, and universal background checks.

We March with them because thoughts and prayers don’t work for those in their last moments as they are gunned down by old partners, by strangers, by officers or by accident; and it doesn’t work for us after.

Others with guns should not infringe on our right to move forward, our want to express equality, and our loved ones desires for us to see another day

Today We March because they should never have had to, because we want to show what true power is and that change is coming; because they outnumber us, and they know it

Be safe everyone

PS–> these victims are survivors who are still processing, these children who weren’t even born when Columbine happened, these youth who are rising above the hate and rhetoric, these students who are learning as they go and are going to win

17 minutes

Today at 10 am local time across the US, students, teachers, staff will be walking out for of their schools. 17 minutes, one minute for each of the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting that occurred four weeks ago. These 17 minutes are not a distraction or disruption of their day. More time is lost to these students every year for the drills hoping to prevent these tragedies and the news outbreaks when they occur

It has been four weeks since the MSD shooting and two weeks since they returned to school where on their first day back news broke out that a teacher in Georgia brought a gun to his school, locked himself in his classroom and contemplated suicide. So today they walk out, today they march, not just as symbolism or a performance or as a statement. They are showing the adults how big this problem is, how far it spreads, all of those whom it impacts. It doesn’t just affect the students who survived the shooting, had to sit in their classrooms wondering if this was it; or the family members who lost their children, cousins, sisters, brothers, their parents and those who lost their friends. The intense gun drills that aim to sacrifice themselves for others when a shooter has entered their classroom and how to be quiet in your greatest, hour-long moments of fear has become part of their lives, part of their school prep like fire drills and the bomb drills of World War II

This affects everyone, and that’s part of why today they walk out, they March; because this is so important to them and so vital to them and their lives. We can’t say that children are too young to understand when they are the ones literally taking the hits for it. We cannot say their opinions are invalid or that they don’t know, that we know better and are taking care of them and are handling things for them while passing over a true epidemic that is killing and terrorizing them.

These 17 minutes are a request for thoughts and prayers; thoughts of those that lost their lives, prayers that they are at peace, both to be followed by real action. This isn’t about concert tickets, clothes, or youtube stars. You could see the bodies they had to pass on their way out when it was finally over, their classmates, their friends; because when it was finally over, it had just begun. And they are saying that enough is enough.

So this is a statement, they cannot vote but are supposed to be protected by us and we should be voting with them in mind. If we say their opinions are not valid or misinformed than we should be working with them, but we’re not because their opinions are not wrong or invalid and we are failing them by letting this continue. They are reminding us that we have the power to protect them and we need to step it up.

In the most three weeks since the shooting (February 21st until now) some of the tags that pop under Florida related to the MSD shooting have disappeared, but Parkland and Gun Control are still up there. It will not leave and this will not leave them. 

Sybill Trelawney

Sybill

This picture describes you the best to me. This doe-eyed, whiny, annoying middle school child (probably another reason her and Lavender connected so well). As a Hermione-type to begin with (and only increasing as I age) it’s not surprising that I found Sybil and her class to be ridiculous, but there are two parts to that. First, not being religious or believing in how when I was born controls that much of my life, the class itself was a bit frou-frou and crap and would be no matter who was teaching it. Secondly, she is the queen of frou-frou. For the most part, she had no real talent or skills but pretended she was this great predictor of everything and just a fraud, and that’s what upset me the most. 

The universe is amazing, we can learn so much, but for her, it was all about her and the universe! (and how was she a Ravenclaw? More than Pettigrew I need a recount on that one) it was how she approached the material and how she saw herself that made her most distasteful because she wasn’t even a semi-good seer (that she knew of). She thought she was better than everyone else (much like Gilderoy--another Ravenclaw, definitely a pattern) for things that weren’t even her strengths, she was just of damn full of herself and annoying. But really, I don’t care. All of these things were annoying, she’s annoying but that’s it. She’s nothing more to me, so one lesson to glean, don’t be like her. But of course, the other lesson she also wouldn’t know about it as she didn’t know herself, expect the unexpected. 

In a way it’s sad, thou she didn’t need to know and didn’t need to be a Seer, she actually was one, in the most crucial of times. Damn Universe.  Somehow, through all that fluff and pompous, she made two predictions that greatly altered the world and never knew this. On one hand, you could say this means that you should believe in yourself, but I’m not saying that, what I am saying is that there are miracles, there is the universe and people can do unexpected and extraordinary things: even if they don’t know it. Crazy

Ron Weasley

Ron Weasley is the cliche of cliches. He was the hero’s best friend, the one who (eventually) got the girl and who glowed up  from being a dumb bloke to a great man.

I don’t know if it was his early treatment of Hermione or seeing a bit off ass hat in him when I got older and re-read, but I’m not the biggest fan of Ron. But it might also just be that in comparison to other characters (Hermione’s love of knowledge, Harry’s home life, Neville’s bullying and Luna’s eccentricity) that I’m just missing that connection that I have with other characters. While over time I always felt that Ron was a good match for Hermione, and he would usually be with Harry through thick and thin, even when they’re going after a bunch of spiders but regardless, Ron always stood by Harry. After the first few weeks of school, let’s be honest, the cool factor of Harry Potter had settled (until he killed a Professor, rescued Ginny, was the youngest seeker in century, etc, etc.)Ron had his siblings and less drama, and could’ve had other friends but that first gesture by Harry and the kindness of Ron’s mother brought them together and Ron wouldn’t leave him behind, they had a real friendship. But even when he stood by Harry, he more stood by his truth. showing that you could do both, and that the true support of someone is being there for them, even if you don’t agree with them (within limits, obviously)

While there is a lot we saw of Ron, what we saw the most of and was his most important attribute, as how much he grew; he grew not just into a hero but also into a great person, a wonderful and exemplary human being. many readers have pointed out that Ron had similar viewpoints to Malfoy, he even momentarily got afraid and thought differently of Hagrid when he discovered he was half giant.  It’s important to know that even the classic mean girls or bullies aren’t the only ones who can have bad opinions or beliefs, people are shades of grey. But eventually, people can understand that there isn’t a difference of blood status or between creatures as their aren’t differences between races, genders, orientation; not to bypass, this change was also extremely important for Hermione. 

Along with understanding that the good, funny, charming best pal can be a bit of shit face and how people can change, Ron also matured a lot over the series, and became more comfortable with himself. With most growths there wasn’t a makeover or relationship that changed Ron, but overtime and with the help of his friends he became less jealous and more confident in who he was and that he wasn’t second class to his family or friends. This was important for us, for us to grow with Ron in ways we didn’t grow with Harry or Hermione. We grew with him, more than anyone else.

Peter Pettigrew

I don’t think anyone likes Peter Pettigrew. People have gotten Dark Mark tattoos and have found compassion for Bellatrix and Voldemort, but no one likes Peter Pettigrew. A non-major character, but one of the most crucial in the overall story (factor in ending first and second Wizard Wars, killed both of Harry’s chances at a good family), Peter Pettigrew reminds us a lot of friendship and moral codes that some people forget. I don’t know if he even deserves a picture

“ The road to hell is paved with good intentions”--NO, that is not it, but it is similar, that “ The safest road to hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts ” (C. S. Lewis)

Once you make one concession, the next one is easier; then all of the sudden the decisions you are considering are miles away from any you would have considered if thrown in that first concession, but they were all only one small step over from your last act. 

It is part of the Christian faith that if you accept Jesus into your life, even in your final moments, that you will be brought to heaven upon death. This is crap, and if it’s real, it should and still would be complete crap. You should not be judged just by your final moments, whether it be good or bad, out of remorse or desperation. 

Something that was lightly touched on throughout the series, is that people change. We see this with Snape, Malfoy, Dudley, Neville and Peter Pettigrew, Ron and others I’m sure (like James, supposedly). Snape and Malfoy were both put into Slytherin, but with very different outcomes (and beginnings). Snape was already a bit angry at the world, but with Lily as a friend and had he not been put into Slytherin in the first place, he may very well have not become a Death Eater. That’s who he spent his time with, other Slytherins; so the chances were higher. They say you are a combination of the 5 people you spend the most time with, and here I think that shows. Malfoy, on the other hand, came to Hogwarts excited and thrilled when he ended up with his friends. But in reality, 1st year Malfoy is just a spoiled brat, and not evil as he would need to be a true Death Eater (see Peter Pettigrew’s death). I don’t think that Malfoy would have realized he wasn’t evil if he hadn’t been put into Slytherin or with Peter Pettigrew, who wound up friends with those in his house (seriously, what else was there to tie them together?); he overtime showed he wasn’t brave, kind, smart or strong. Maybe the houses don’t choose who fits them most, but what they need the most, whether they rise above (Malfoy and James) or fail the challenges presented (Severus and Peter Pettigrew). 

As stated earlier while our final moments do not excuse us, they may show our true selves. I don’t know how much Peter Pettigrew changed as we never really knew him, and, I don’t think he ever really did change. I see this most when he turns back into a RAT after Lupin starts to transform at the end of the third year. It wasn’t a cowardly exit or a confused exit, it was an evil exit. He was escaping them, hahaha. But at the same time, he couldn’t strangle Harry, so maybe there was a young old part of him that knew what was right and had regrets. But I suspect it’s more because he’s a little shit. 

                                    Alyssa Alhadeff (14)                  

                                       Scott Beigel (35)

                               Martin Duque Anguiano (14)

                                  Nicholas Dworet (17)

                                    Aaron Feis (37)

                                Jaime Guttenberg (14)

                                   Chris Hixon (49)

                                   Luke Hoyer (15)

                                 Cara Loughran (14)

                                 Gina Montalto (14)

                                Joaquin Oliver (17)

                                  Alaina Petty (14)

                              Meadow Pollack (18)

                                 Helena Ramsay (17)

                                 Alex Schachter (14)

                              Carmen Schentrup (16)

                                    Peter Wang (15)

I don’t know these people, and now I never will. But I don’t have to know them, to know that they are pleading, they are crying, they are begging 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

let me be the last one, let my death bring more than just pain. Talk about me, talk about how I died too young for no reason at all, about how I should have been protected

PLEASE, let me be the last one to join this club

** Side note: there have been comments about how survivors have “stepped up”; they have not stepped up. That is to imply this was their battle and their responsibility to handle; what they have done, is risen above. Risen above the adults those whose jobs it is to protect them and ensure their safety but discarded them and their safety, their innocence and their futures. So thank you, not for stepping up, but for rising above the rest of us and demanding more, demanding better for yourselves and others than others have for you xoxo

Teddy Lupin: New Generation

We know nothing about Teddy Lupin (except he’s a Metamorphmagus like his Mum and is a fan of PDA). But while we know very little, he is such an important character. Another child like Harry alone in the world because of a war (and a main reason why we got the Epilogue) he represents, and reminds us of, the continuous and generational effects war, violence and inaction have on individuals, families and society. But also, the impact that we can make when we make changes to those evils in the world. 

I originally chose February 19th as the day for this entry as with other entries whose birthdays aren’t available, as it is the birthday of the actor who portrayed (or in this case was cut from portraying them. So the timing for the rest of this piece, related to the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School) is somewhat a coincidence, as in the States we would always be coincidentally close to a school shooting. 

The students from Stoneman Douglas High School have had enough, and regardless of age are refusing to be bystanders or that these are things outside of their control. It reminds me of the old Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,        Courage to change the things I can,                                                            And wisdom to know the difference

now includes Angela Davis’ quote

to change the things I cannot accept

I didn’t expect Teddy’s post to be more than the first paragraph about how there are always unexpected tragedies of war, and how far those tragedies spread.But JK Rowling and Harry Potter taught us, reminded us that anyone can be a force for change, for a better world and with that, I am just simply loving this younger generation, I am in awe of their strength, courage and high moral standards 

Lavender Brown

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

While some may adore this holiday, others find it grotesque, so to honour both the day and the feelings everyone relates to it (both good and bad) today is the perfect day to relate and explore Lavender Brown

Lavender Brown was just so god-damn annoying. I hated her, I still hate her, rewatching and rereading I still hate her and while for some it might be because she was “between Hermione and Ron getting together”--Lavender wasn’t, Ron was; there isn’t that level of dislike for Victor Krum, because he’s not a pain in the ass. In class we saw her barely paying attention or whining (you’re learning MAGIC girl, focus!), was very overdramatic, gullible and influenced (relationship with Trelawney), didn’t trust Harry or Dumbledore about Voldemort, infatuated with Lockhart (weird, that’s what they have in common) and Trelawny, had no independce or confidence and for us who had been growing up with Hermione, Lavender was always a contrast (and a bit of a bully to Hermione) and we just saw more of what we didn’t always like about her in Year Six. With Ron she’s in that (and from what we feel would always be) someone who is having their first boyfriend/girlfriend, OMG I totally love you even though it’s only been 3 days, we’re going to get married, live happily ever after, middle school romance...but at 16/17, and incredibly one-sided. Would they have lasted forever? No, from the beginning it was clear, to those he told, that Ron was more about being in a relationship than the relationship itself (yeah, asshole move). And, while Lavender was right that there was something going on between Ron and Hermione, it wasn’t right to act on it as 1) they weren’t acting any differently than they used to and 2) no romantic relationship should replace any friendships. Yes, over time people split up, but as an ultimatum, it’s the first step of the romantic relationships quick demise (and true with friendships where one tries to rid other friendships). She was just a whiny, petty, privileged American, ugh. 

Now, what did we learn? Regardless of her judgement and attitude she joined Dumbledore’s Army and fought in the Battle of Hogwarts, reminding us that everyone has layers. She also was a great friend to Seamus and Pavarti. Who knows, maybe had Harry, Ron and Hermione not been constantly busy saving the universe they would have all been friends, or at least friendlier and found they had more in common than we thought because we know a lot about Lavender’s annoying traits and her personality, but little else because it was easier to see her more dramatic side. So, Lavender Brown, you do remind us that not everyone is the same, not everyone will get along, not everyone is going to best your very best friend but that everyone still deserves respect, understanding and compassion

Luna Lovegood

There are many, many, many reasons to love Luna Lovegood as well as lessons about how we should be:

she’s honest

she’s conscientious, and not the center of the universe

she’s confident in herself

she’s brave for herself and others

she’s supportive and understanding of her friends and others

she's not prejudiced and address’ it in others

this list can go on for pages and pages of a tumblr article. 

Along with all Luna (and Evanna Lynch) taught us, and was a role model for those who didn’t feel like they belonged or were considered less than, she taught us a lot with the unexpected relationships she had with two characters: Hermione and Harry

Hermione, seen as a brilliant, kind and caring Witch, was cruel to Luna at first as she was opposite, but not opposite, of Hermione. Luna showed us with her relationship with Hermione a few flaws of Hermione along with growth and with Luna, what it meant to be truly open and accepting. Both intelligent, heroic and compassionate, their core similarities ended there. While important, Hermione let the values of acceptance and appearance overshadow curiosity and open-mindedness; which are both very important and defining characteristics of any person. It is so, so, so important to not only be open-minded and interested in the world around you, people’s beliefs, but also people in general. Even the villains in Harry Potter weren’t all evil or heroes all good.

Harry, this is one of my biggest umphs, Luna was the best character we knew for Harry romantically, because of how natural they were together. Sure, like all relationships Luna had there was a bit of a warming up period, but once they met and interacted, she just got him. When he wanted to hide after the battle, she could recognize him even when disguised with Polyjoice Potion, how it felt to not know one’s parent(s), she just got him. It’s rare, and doesn’t have to be romantic, but is such a beautiful relationship and connection that some people have. That without words or  

Aberforth

Aberforth, oh Aberforth how I wish we knew of you aBEFORth...yeah

Aberforth represents someone we all know. For every person who wants to be in the spotlight, there is someone (much more actually) that aren’t and either don’t mind or are glad. While referenced as “the simple life”, Aberforth choices and life is one that is more complicated and I hope people who read Harry Potter tried to understand and think about how terrible his life was on some level and who is truly was as a person. While we don’t learn much about him, the few things we did spoke a lot about the character of those who decide to shine away from the spotlight. While not obvious, Aberforth has a lot more in common with Harry Potter than Dumbledore ever did or would and how these characteristics can be in all of those who choose to act on them. 

1. Both Harry and Aberforth grew up being seen as second best, as many do. To the girl in your class who got the perfect SAT score or the guy in your computer science class who just started his own startup company and doesn’t have to go to college; their sibling's lives can be awful if not handled properly. Being second best is something that creates a dark (and usually not addressed) cloud that encompasses your entire life. Not everyone is good at everything and no skill or talent should directly outrank another; heck, look at Petunia (another reason why she really should’ve treated Harry better knowing how it felt to be him), she never got over Lily being a wizard and her parent's treatment of her afterwards. So again parents, grandparents and humans in general: don’t pretend that you treat your children the same if you don’t and definitely don’t act as if it’s something to just accept and get over. Yes, everyone is not created equally, there is always out there that is better at something than we are, but it’s being treated respectfully, as a person that makes ALL the difference. 

2. Standing up for what’s right, especially against those that are supposed to be your allies.

But Aberforth went against his brother and his friend, two people who were considered out of his league but at the time were morally repugnant. Regardless of what others thought they knew Aberforth held his ground, defending his sister and his mother against his superstar brother and friend and that takes courage, bravery, self-confidence, and gumption. 

For the most part, Harry had the support of his friends and chosen family, and while the times that others should have listened to him (Draco year Six), you can also see why they always didn’t. Harry and his friends did continue, no matter the odds of success, to always try to help others and protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. 

3. Short and sweet: Neither did anything they did, for glory (maybe Harry a bit when he was younger thought it’d be cool....but it wasn’t why he KEPT ON TAKING ON Voldemort)

Arthur Weasley <3

As you can probably could tell by the heart, I could go on for a while about how wonderful Arthur Wealsey is as a father, a man, a husband and a human being in general. So let’s start with his picture, as dignified as he is and commanding as much respect and honor as the world can offer (that will never be enough)

The main things I want to focus on with Arthur is how he was as a father and husband, and how much he just loved the world. 

As a father and husband, Arthur is the gold standard as well as a gold standard in human being all around. First in regards to fatherhood, his children adored him and he was part of their rock that was him and Molly. Yes, he caved, a lot. He was the good guy to Molly’s bad cop, that’s just who they were, but that’s not why they adored him, admired him and gave him that look of “oh brother” whenever he went on a rant or couldn’t figure something out; Arthur loved his children unconditionally, 100%. Something that is much less common than realized. Bill and Percy at banks and in government, sure; Charlie chasing Dragons and growing out his hair, Fred and George experimenting and taking risks...just be safe! He loved and supported his children with whatever they wanted to do and it just makes him so endearing and heart warming. Plus, while we didn’t see it much, we know he did the same with Molly, even thou he couldn’t scare the way she could, he would back her up (when he could control himself) and also knew how to calm her down, without “calming her down”. 

Thirdly, Arthur was an outstanding role model for being a fabulous human being, and a man. While gender based stereotypes are outside my preference, it is noted that strong, positive male models are crucial for girls and boys growing up. And Arthur exemplified all of these by showing how his children could be sensitive and be excited, being supportive and caring with his wife, and being caring to others with how he and Molly took in Harry as their own and did what he knew was right and holding onto the truth and his convictions with his job long before and even during Voldemort’s return--> he was on Umbridge’s list for a reason!!

While always seen by some as a joke and good for a laugh by all, the one who laughed the most at Arthur was himself. While mostly fixed on Muggle items (and separately the respect he had for those who lived and survived and engineered without magic--> told you there would never be enough time), Arthur loved the entire world around him. He enjoyed life, learning new things, going to new places and always wanted to test himself. Similarly to Hermione who always wanted to learn and mostly did so from books, Arthur always was up for a new experience, new adventure, and to learn by doing and mastering. 

I always will love Arthur Weasley for the honest and compassionate person that he is. One in a million, Molly is just as noble, kind and brilliant and it is not mystery to why they fit so well and raised such an impeccable group of children. 

Gilderoy Lockhart

Another Ravenclaw embarrassment, Gilderoy Lockhart’s biggets lessons to us were more lessons to Hermione: that crushes aren’t real, and that it’s important to look past the surface of people and how they aren’t always what they seem; while very similar these two lessons are two important and different beast life stories to learn.

Attractive and intelligent were two qualities Lockhart had but like anyone who has ever had a crush, Hermione filled in the gaps she didn’t know about Lockart’s personality with qualities and explanations that could fit, and ones she also admired.

Hermione thinks: Lockhart wants to get some hands on experience (when he released and then left them to ‘round up’ the Cornish Pixies

She fills this in because she likes to be independent and smart. This happens to everyone, and unfortunately for some more than once. Crushes are different than true relationships with depth. This is also why we should evaluate all of our relationships as time goes by. This is because people can grow distant and people change and just because we connected with someone once or had the same values doesn’t mean we do now. These are relationships that without pain or malice we can let go.

Similarly, certain things about Lockhart just didn’t add up. Yes, he wrote autobiographies, but not one other person from his cases or towns that he saved ever came forward, joined him on tour, or admitted to have been save by him and was a fan. Given his charm and ‘wanting to help others”, this doesn’t fit even the part of his personality he promoted: where he would have wanted to seem more accessible and like the “every-man”, and therefore better than the everyman. No one confirming his stories or telling his historic and impressive saves as a victim are two crucial clues that show have allowed even the distant observer insight into the fraud he was.

So Dumbledore is correct, “there is plenty to be learned even from a bad teacher: what not to do, how not to be” and I cannot help but feel this was especially true of a lesson to give to Harry Potter, probably more than any other lesson. That no one, for talent, intelligence, beauty or charm, is better than anyone else

Why We March

Today around the world we march again. We march for the women who give themselves, to allow us to come into the world. We walk for cisgender women, transwomen, black women, poor women, brilliant women, all women. 

We march because women who in 1920 were allowed to raise their voice and speak their mind in public to vote, but not at home. Until the 1990s, and even in many states today a women’s vocal pronouncement of “NO” when her husband wanted to have sex, was not an option. Even today, there are many states where it is only marital rape if there is proof of extreme threat of violence or violence. 

We march because women, who on average go for higher degrees and do better in the classroom, on average only make $0.79 for every dollar a man makes. An average, Black woman and Hispanic woman make less. 

We march because men have to do so little to be considered great leaders and parents, but one misstep and women are seen as being harmful and neglectful to their children. Those first nine months where women not only couldn’t eat, drink, smoke, exercise as well as were the incubators for their chidren, means nothing. Perfection is the bare minimum asked by society. 

We march because harassment, sexual violence and intimidation are not a rarity that women experience, but something that their whole lives are focused on, there is no day off. They know how many paces back the cute neighbor with the dog is, how long that car has been at the end of the block, where the bulbs are to replace the bulb in the entry way. Women know these things not because they’re mothers, or it’s part of their DNA, because they have to, TO SURVIVE. 

These are the shameful reasons why we march. We march because society has allowed these and other aspects of women lived to continue as second rate, as not good enough, when they are the ones dragging us ahead. This why we all march.

Severus Snape

This picture, of this expression, is perfect for him because I am still so unsure of him. I remember reading the 6th book and becoming even more uncertain (thou, of course, a large part of that was probably confusion from reading it within 48 hours while travelling cross-country) and still am to this day. But as the biggest contradictory and confusion, he has a lot to teach us.

Bullying is horrendous. I remember that Lily separately both (1) ended her friendship with Snape because of the whispers/rumours of him and his friends that were all related to pre-Death Eater activities and (2) later dated, fell in love, and married James Potter (which is a whole different thing that I need more information on because he really was privileged asswipe). But while they both hurt Snape tremendously, this was just on top of the years of torment James, Lupin, Sirius and Peter bullied him. In the flashbacks and history, we know that Snape had a terrible home (unlike James) and then, with this hatred of the world, goes to a school where he thought things would get better and this guy just beats down on him for being poor and odd. Dumbledore’s statement that “maybe we sort too early” was accurate, and came a bit too late. As later expressed Snape was courageous in the moment and whom you are housed with matters and maybe had Snape been in a different house he would have had more time with positive and loving peer influencers like Lily and less with future Death Eaters. So yeah, things could have all been very different. That picture of Daniel Radcliffe probably not, but could have been an outcome for Harry with his parents being Lily and Snape but the things that happen to us when we’re young may not break us but do define us. 

This one is also tricky and not one I 100% agree with but see accurately represented in the books. Albus always insisted Harry call him Professor Snape. While I don’t believe in “respecting your elders” and, yeah, Dumbledore could’ve done more to ease this relationship he was overall right. Snape had a very traumatic life and while he was selfish and only came thru when it came to Lily, he still did with great harm to himself and was someone who should be respected because there were things he could teach Harry, thou not easily as both were incredibly stubborn. But on the other side, while Snape really needed to grow up when it came to Harry personally, there are teachers who are truly terrible and because of tenure stick around and should be fired and looked at to more by parents and teachers. On the other hand, especially in the states, teachers do so much more than parents and students and outsiders who don’t listen to the teachers they know realize. In one of the best funded and elite public-school districts we have, there are still young teachers I know who shell out a minimum of $400.00 a semester for thing their students NEED, let alone extra things they think can help their students progress. So before we whine and moan, remember that in most cases our teachers (and most people in public service) do more than we realize and are human; but there is a chance they might not be and if after a bit of reflection see that a teacher is either lazy or a bully report them, and parents, please listen. 

Touched on by both parts above, we are reminded by Snape that (1) Bullying is bad, and (2) People are Human, both of these combine and remind us about the terrible cycles that people and generations can get involved in. The bullied become the bullies, the abused become the abusers. You never know what someone is going thru. Like the Dementors, Snape (which I feel weird referring to him now from writing our passage two) represented a lot of rough and upsettings things that can happen in life. But as with most clouds, there is a silver lining. If given another chance Snape would have tried to have been a better person, hold his temper more, see evil for what it truly was earlier on. If not able to change a thing, then I have no doubt he would have relived his life again in order to save Harry for Lily, all in the name of love. Always. 

Side note: As contradictory and confusing as Snape is, and why with no one really knowing him, Harry felt he and those like him should be honoured. I get that part. But I will never accept that a child was named after him instead of Hagrid. Never! (But that’s a different issue of course). 

Parking Wars

Today is the 10th Anniversary of Parking Wars. A dramatic reality-TV show the focused on the daily interactions those with parking enforcement that dealt with ticketing, booting, towing and releasing you car from impoundment. While in some aspects it filled my screen with shenanigans to laugh at similar to others who watched The Jersey Shore: the woman who repeatedly hid her sticker but then got angry and called the officers incompetent when she got ticketed, the stalker who said “so” about parking in front of a fire hydrant, and the many didn’t see an issue with parking in the fire lane of a mall parking lot ( a factor in how a cashier got hit by a car near me because neither could see the other); it was also somewhat educational and gave the opportunity for viewers to understand why things were, when not in the heat of the moment: why you get towed for no insurance, that you can’t leave and come back to a timed spot and why and others. I enjoyed this show, and continue to this day as it reminds me and hopefully others that there are consequences to their actions and that people in various service industries really are trying to serve the public as a whole, so maybe not just you. 

Tom Riddle

Tom Marvolo Riddle, oh boy. 

What did we learn from him? About love, courage, bravery, compassion? ahhhhh. No one can say he had an uneasy childhood, and we don’t know if Harry had discovered his magical capabilities one his own without supervision, how he would have ended up or the choices he would have made. But I would believe that it wouldn’t be too different as it is our choices, not chance or circumstance that shows us who we are. 

Relating to him more as with other, previous, erroneous leaders it did always astonish me how the Death Eaters just followed him even thou they all knew him and themselves were less “pure blood” than they were. It ALSO drew me crazy that no one fighting him (except Dumbledore of course) would call him Tom, that would drive him CRAZY and knock him off his game, but, oh well. 

While again I’m not sure about the hypothesis that he couldn’t love because he was conceived under a love potion, I do agree that he really didn’t understand love. So while I agree he probably didn’t love Bellatrix, I do think he cared and admired her, or at least appreciated her loyalty to him. 

Happy New Year loves, please resolve to not be like Tom in the new year, and to do your best fighting your demons.

PS We did get reminded about not too much plastic surgery (hahaha) and with a final annoyance, with all his evil deeds, I am most upset about the timing of Tom Riddles return as Lord Voldemort as it’s influence on Hermione Granger. While I think she should be with Ron, once Lord Voldemort had returned she could not continue any real relationship with Victor Krum as she would focus on the second Wizarding War, she would have gotten to be her own (Princess Belle) great role model. What a GREAT role model as the girlfriend of a Quidditch star: a reader, someone for equal rights for “half breeds”, and a Muggle Born which  already had upset Igor Karkaroff. 

Charlie Weasley

Whatever it is, do it. If you love it, if you want it, just DO IT