"Stop and think my friends, what would Harry do for you?"

Favorite Harry Potter book?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows because it is the end. It ties together everything you’ve just spent years reading about - and in the most complete way. I was amazed on every page how J.K. managed to make the seemingly least important moments from books 1-6 matter immensely in book 7.

Favorite chapter in your favorite book?
“The Prince’s Tale.”

Is there any of the films adaptations that have made you angry because they’ve ignored important parts of the book?
Every single movie has managed to annoy me because they ignore important parts. However, over the years, I’ve come to respect the films as a separate entity than the books and, therefore, don’t get quite as agitated as I did when I was - say - twelve.

Least favorite female character and why?
I really don’t like Sybill Trelawney because she’s such a total fraud, but my least favorite female is Dolores Umbridge. She is just so terrible. Actually, if you look at her objectively, she’s even more evil than Bellatrix Lestrange because Bellatrix is upfrontly evil - no conscience and no morals - but Umbridge attempts to mask her nastiness with a giggle and a cardigan. So, she’s a horrible person anyway and then she lies about it.

Favorite female character and why?
I’ve split this question into two divisons because I like to cheat on things like this. My favorite female student is Luna Lovegood and I really don’t feel like I should have to explain that. My favorite female adult, on the other hand, is Minerva McGonagall because she is both a caring, albeit stern motherly figure as well as an absolutely badass. McGoogles, I salute you.

Favorite male character and why?
I really love both Fred and George, as well as Ron. I can’t really choose between them. Fred & George are two of the best characters ever created: they are flawless in their carelessness, which carefully masks true heart. And then there’s Ron. The anti-hero. The second best. My literary love.

Who is your favorite Marauder?

Sirius Black, definitely. I love absolutely everything about him, flaws included.

Least favorite male character and why?

Professor Quirrel is my least favorite. Like, what was even the point of him? He was spineless. He couldn’t even make a good accomplice.

What house would you want to be in?

I think everyone wants to naturally be put in Gryffindor. But I think, realistically, I would either be in Ravenclaw or Slytherin.

What do you think would be your favorite lesson?

Charms would most definitely be my favorite lesson. To me, it’s the most day-to-day useful.

If you could work one spell without a wand, what would it be?

Expelliarmus. That might seem lame, but think about it - if you didn’t have a wand and the person you were up against did, wouldn’t you want to get their’s away from them? 

What are your three favorite spells?

1) Expelliarmus, 2) Lumos & Nox (same thing, really), and 3) Alohamora. I like simple spells because I think they’re the most useful.

What are your three favorite potions?

1) Felix Felicis, 2) Polyjuice Potion, and 3)Veritaserum. 

Horcruxes or Hallows?

They both have their drawbacks. But there’s at least one entirely useful Hallow, and Horcruxes were never really a good idea.

Would you rather have the invisibility cloak, the resurrection stone, or the elder wand?

The invisibility cloak, hands down. It’s genius - it has no flaws. The other two fail epically in comparison.

What character would you say you are most like?

If I’m being 100% honest, I’m probably the most like Ron. Very dry sense of humor, not much tact, and a bit of a coward. But with good wit and rare moments of heroism and true value.

Favorite relationship?

My favorite relationship is Hermione and Ron because it’s just so obvious, awkward, and wonderful, you have to want it to work. I also have a soft spot for Marauder-era James/Lily, but that’s never really covered in the series. Also, Siremus.

Who would be your best friends at Hogwarts (pick three)?

If I don’t cheat and use the Golden Trio, then my three best friends at Hogwarts would be Luna Lovegood and Fred and George Weasley.

Least favorite book?

My least favorite book is Order of the Phoenix. Even though there are some great and really important things in that book, it just doesn’t have as much magic to me as the others do. It doesn’t flow as well, Harry is pissy for 75% of it, and I really don’t think it should’ve been the longest of the series. Also, I really, really don’t like Cho Chang and there’s just far too much of her in this book.

Do you prefer the books or films?

The books, for sure. There’s just more…captivation there.

If you had to meet a member of the cast, who would it be?

Oh, this is so hard. Because I would want to meet all of the main three. And Alan Rickman. And Helena. And Tom and Matthew. And Evanna. Ugh. This could go on forever. I can’t choose.

If you could bring back one of the characters that has died, who would it be?

Fred. I am eternally traumatized by Sirius’ death…but I still say Fred. I’m not sure why.

Harry Potter or Twilight?

HARRY POTTER. There is no competition whatsoever, nor comparisons to be made. 

Any part of the books/movies that made you cry?

I cried when Dumbledore died in the books. Also, when Dobby died in the movie - yes, I teared up. You’re dumb if you didn’t. Oh, and I nearly cry every time in Deathly Hallows: Part One when Harry goes over to his cupboard and sees his little horse toys from the first movie. Not sure about the reason for that. And then, naturally, I loose all self-control for the majority of Deathly Hallows: Part Two.

Any particular scene you wished had been in the movies, but wasn’t?

Instinctively, I wish any scene that wasn’t put in the movies had been. Also, a re-do of Snape’s memory in Phoenix would be nice because they totally ruined it and it’s my favorite part of the book.

Nineteen years later: are you happy how it turned out, or do you wish something was different?

I’m very happy about the way they turned out. Although, I do wish JK had included what happened to some other vital characters, even though it is common knowledge now.

What effect has Harry Potter made on your life and how much does it mean to you?

Harry Potter are, without a doubt, the best books I’ve ever read. It’s the best series ever written. I get so sucked in. I can’t really even put it into words how much these books have changed the way I look at writing. They are fabulous and I owe JK Rowling more than she’ll ever know.

Who are your top five favorite characters and why?

My top five favorite characters are Ron Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Sirius Black, Neville Longbottom, and Fred & George Weasley (who only count as one). Ron because, not only is he the comic relief (the goofy sidekick character that I’m fond of falling for), but he is also very multidimensional - I think a lot of people were surprised at how interesting Ron turned out to be, but I wasn’t. Luna is the type of person I aspire to be - she is 100% happy with being herself, is unusually selfless, and genuinely cares about everything. Sirius is more or less one of my favorite types of characters - a bad boy with a heart of gold. Also, he’s hilarious, as is Luna. There are no reasons why I don’t love Neville - he’s adorable with all of his dorkiness, but he is also one of the strongest-willed and most heroic characters in the entire series. I really enjoyed watching Neville become such an important character. And finally, the Weasley twins are fantastic because they are not only hilarious, but also some of the best big brothers anyone could ask for.

Did it take a while before you got into the series, or did you immediately fall in love?

I was a bit behind in reading the books, as compared to the rest of the world. I didn’t start them until the third grade, which was the year that the first film came out (and the first three books had already been released), because - honestly - I thought all of the hype was for nothing. I was convinced that if so many people liked something, it couldn’t really be that good (sort-of like…oh, I don’t know…Twilight?). However, once I learned that Sorceror’s Stone was worth 13 AR points - translation: third grade gold - I had to give them a shot. And I was hooked from the very first page. I very quickly got myself up-to-date and was soon salivating with the rest of the planet in anticipation for Goblet of Fire.

Who is your favorite villain and why?

Oh, Bellatrix Lestrange, definitely. There is just so much to love about her. She is so consumed with the evil she does - it’s all that matters to her. She has no conscience and I think to be a good villain, you have to be that way. That’s one of the reasons Draco Malfoy isn’t really a villain. Also, Bellatrix has this ridiculous, kind-of revolting obsession with Voldemort - it’s a very pure sort of passion that I admire and fear at the same time. And, Helena Bonham Carter is lovely.

(I also enjoy Lucius Malfoy - but I think that’s more an affection for Jason Isaacs.)

List all of the books in order from your favorite to your least favorite.

Deathly Hallows, Half-Blood Prince, Goblet of Fire, Chamber of Secrets, Sorcerer’s Stone, Prisoner of Azkaban, Order of the Phoenix.

List all of the movies in order from your favorite to your least favorite.

Deathly Hallows: Part II, Deathly Hallows: Part I, Half-Blood Prince, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix*, Sorceror’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban. (*only gets ahead of the first two because of a) Luna Lovegood, b) Dolores Umbridge, & c) the Dumbledore’s Army scenes)

Which of the deaths did you have the hardest time with?

I had a hard time with all of the deaths - I even cried when Dumbledore died - but I think the ones I had the hardest time with (all pretty much tied) were Sirius, Moody, Hedwig, and Fred. Sirius’s was just sort-of a, “wtf, JK?!” and I didn’t really believe for like, a really long time. But the rest were truly very saddening, for different reasons.

What is one of your favorite quotes from the series?

“You said to us once before that there was a time to turn back if we wanted to. We’ve had time, haven’t we?” One of my favorites overall, and my all-time favorite from Hermione.

Which is your favorite movie?

Deathly Hallows: Part Two. It is at once the most wonderful and the most horrible film I have ever watched. Horrible because I sobbed the whole way through it - but that’s also why it’s wonderful. The fact that it was so precise and so beautiful that it actually brought me to tears in front of tons of others - who, consequently, were in the same situation - means more than I can convey. It was the perfect ending to something that means so very much to me.

Is there a character you didn’t like in the books, but loved in the movies or vice-versa?

As far as a character that I didn’t like in the books, but loved in the movies, it’s more like the character was alright or even really good in the books but the actor who played them was so great that even JK Rowling had to be like, “WOAH.” Like Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy and Alan Rickman as Severus Snape. As for the other way around, that’s happened several times. Or, at least, I just didn’t think the actor/actress did the best job they could do. Like, Mundungus. He was fine, in general, but if he’d been closer to the written version, it would’ve been better. Oh, and Narcissa - I freaked out when she came onscreen for the first time because she was so not the way she should’ve been. Helen McCrory seems like a nice woman, but really.

Who is your least favorite character, overall?

Here’s where I’m supposed to say someone like Voldemort or Umbridge, who’re evil, or Lockhart, who’s annoying. But I can’t totally hate any of them because they’re so great in the roles they are - Voldemort is fantastically evil, Umbridge is ridiculously vile, and Lockhart is so obnoxious that it’s almost kind-of fascinating. So, my least favorite character, overall, is Quirrel. I just see no point to him. He’s just…dumb.

Who are your other four least favorite characters?

1) Peter Pettigrew, 2) Barty Crouch Sr. & Jr. (count as one), 3) Mundungus Fletcher, 4) Pansy Parkinson.

What is your favorite location in the movies?

Well, obviously, Hogwarts is legit. But that’s kind-of cheating because, like, who doesn’t like Hogwarts? So, my all-time favorite location is The Burrow. There’s so much greatness about it - it like is the Weasleys, in place form. With the mismatched chairs and the chickens and the boots outside the door. I just love it so much.

Favorite magical building, other than Hogwarts?

Also The Burrow.

If you could work at any place in Hogsmeade, which would it be?

Honeyduke’s is really cool because it’s a magical candy shop - I mean, c’mon. But I’ve always thought it would be kind-of cool to be a bartender. So, it’d be sort of rad to work at The Three Broomsticks. Either way, I’d be fine.

Favorite shop in Diagon Alley?

Weasley Wizard Weezes, naturally.

Favorite movie scene, overall?

Every scene in Deathly Hallows: Part 2, except all the Voldy’s-turned-into-an-octopus-and-now-we’re-going-to-flail-around-in-the-air-as-one nonsense and Voldemort’s death (which would have been 100 TIMES BETTER if it had followed the book), were pure gold.

Favorite scene in the movies not included in the books?

The Felix Felicis scene in Half-Blood Prince, which is technically in the books but not as extensively, is fantastic.

If you could ask your favorite character one thing, what would it be?

If I got a chance to speak to Ron Weasley, I don’t think I could stop myself from asking, “WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG TO ADMIT YOU LOVED HERMIONE?!” Because…really?

What would your Patronus be?

Some weird quiz on Facebook told me that my Patronous would be a horse. Which, is kind of cool because it’s fancy-sounding and strong or whatever and also the same Patronous as Ginny Weasley. But I don’t think it really fits me. I don’t know - I think maybe I’m a dog of some type…or an otter…or something.

Which book have you read the most?

I have read Goblet of Fire 10+ times.

If you were to date a character, who would it be?

Ron Weasley, obviously. I’m thinking it would be a perfect match. Also, I’d be fine with his real-world counterpart. Just saying. UNLESS we were talking about in any era of the Harry Potter series. Then, of course, I would most definitely be going after Sirius Black. Damn. That’s all I can say.

What would a your boggart be?

This question is hard. I have many, many, many irrational little fears (like birds) that wouldn’t really be boggart-worthy (because, seriously - a bird?). I don’t have one BIG MASSIVE fear that beats all the little ones. Except maybe like, dying. But then I’d have the same boggart as Voldemort and I’m not that crazy.

What is your favorite magical creature?

I really like phoenixes and house-elves because house-elves are really sweet and such and then phoenixes are just EPICALLY AWESOME. Basically. I also really like thestrals. 

Have you ever been to a midnight showing of a movie/midnight release of a book?

Oddly, I have only been to one midnight showing, for Deathly Hallows: Part 2. It was a “double dose of Potter,” where they showed the first part first. Also, I attended the midnight releases of Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, and Deathly Hallows.

Who is your favorite Dursley?

My favorite Dursley - although this is sort-of a ridiculous question - is Petunia, because she’s not really a Dursley (she’s an Evans by birth and therefore generally a tiny bit cooler than Vernon, Dudley, Marge, etc) and because of that whole little scene at the beginning of Deathly Hallows, where she and Dudley both kind-of made up for being total pretentious douchebags for books 1-6.

Who is your favorite family?

The Weasleys, obviously.

Who is your favorite professor at Hogwarts?

McGoogles, definitely.

Which character do you think they did the best job casting for the movies?

Although I probably complained about almost all of them the first time I saw them because I’m irrational and don’t like that casting directors can’t read my imagination, there are few casting choices I’m truly unhappy with. I think overall, they’ve done a marvelous job.

Does it bother you that the movies differ from the books?

It will always bother me that the movies can’t be exactly like the books just because I don’t know why anyone would stray from JK Rowling’s unbelievable words, but I’ve kind-of gotten over it. The movies are awesome in their own special way, so it’s ok that some things are different. 

Which movie have you watched the most?

I’ve watched them all too many times to count, but I’ve probably watched Half-Blood Prince the most. When I watch any of the others, I usually feel like I have to watch the one before or the one after too. I can just watch HBP all by itself and be ok.

Do you plan to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

ABOSOLUTELY. Now, when people say, “Where’s one place you want to go before you die?” I can’t answer as fast as I used to. I still want to go to LA but my life will not be complete if I don’t get to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

What would be the first thing you’d buy at the Twins’ joke shop?

A Pygymy Puff.

Do you like Draco?

I do, yeah. I always did because he was just so terrible and I have a fondness for characters that are really nasty. And then I really like the way he kind-of came full-circle in the last one. I like that being Voldemort “chosen one” kind-of terrified him into being a better person.

Biggest surprise of the series?

There were few times I wasn’t surprised, but some of the people she chose to kill really threw me off.

Three things Amortentia would smell like to you?

Old-books, pavement after it rains, and chocolate cake.

You would use Felix Felicis to ________?

So many things. I couldn’t possibly list them all.

Quick Questions

Do you own the books/movies? Of course.

Have you ever played any of the video games? Only the computer ones.

Don’t they kind of suck? I like them, actually. I mean, I only have the first two, so the graphics are really terrible, but I still like them.

Do you think it would be cool to have a pet owl? Well, of course. But I know it’s impractical.

How about a rat? “No, no, definitely not.”

Have you ever listened to the soundtrack? I haven’t, actually.

Would you ever enter the Tri-Wizard Tournament? No.

Would you keep your money in Gringotts? Where else?

Do you think you would enjoy being a witch/wizard? This question is dumb. Of course I would enjoy being a witch.

Other Favorites

Unforgivable Curse? Avada Kedavra. Quick and painless death isn’t that bad of an idea really.

Mode of wizard transportation? Apparation. Flying would be cool, though.

Weasley? Ron. 

Order member? Sirius.

DA member? Luna.

Pet? Hedwig.

Non-human Hogwarts resident? Nearly Headless Nick

Tri-Wizard champion? Harry, obviously.

House elf? Dobby.

Wizard sweet? Oh, I don’t know. I can’t choose.

Friendship? The Golden Trio are one of the greatest examples of what friendship should be that the world has to offer.

Hogwarts’ room? The Gryffindor Common Room, though I like Dumbledore’s office also, as well as the Room of Requirement.

This or that?

Death Eaters or Dumbledore’s Army? Dumbledore’s Army.

Fred or George? Fred.

The Ministry of Magic or Gringotts? As a building? Gringotts. As a place to work? The Ministry of Magic, nineteen years later.

Sirius or Lupin? Sirius.

Occlumency or Legilimency? Legilimency.

Animagus or Metamorphagus? Metamorphagus.

Mermish or Parselmouth? Parselmouth might come in handy since I live in Texas...

Draco or Lucius? Character-wise, Draco. But they’re both quite nice to watch. And Jason Isaacs’ voice is amazing. 

Peter Pettigrew or Mundungus Fletcher? I hate them both. They’re both traitors and the reason behind important people’s deaths.

Invisibility Cloak or Pensieve? Invisibility Cloak.

Grimmauld Place or the Burrow? The Burrow.

Werewolf or Inferi? Werewolf.

Herbology or Care of Magical Creatures? Care of Magical Creatures.

Professor Binns or Professor Umbridge? Professor Binns. He’s boring, but he’s not evil.

Peeves or Nearly Headless Nick? Nearly Headless Nick.

Hippogriff or Thestrals? I like Thestrals as creatures a little bit better because they’re misunderstood and such. They do have the drawback of having to have seen someone die though…

Durmstrang or Beauxbatons? Beauxbatons.

Portkey or Apparation? Apparation.

James/Lily or Snape/Lily? Oh, good one. James and Lily though, because without them, there would be no Harry and because I just really like them as a couple. But I really love that Snape loved Lily.