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HLBoES: Defense Against the Dark Arts quiz

1. Who is the author of the books prescribed for Defense Against the Dark Arts?
   d. Quentin Trimble (is the best answer, though all of the books used in HP's 2nd year were by Gilderoy Lockhart & 5th years used a book by Wilbert Slinkhard when taught by Dolores Umbridge... Snape used Confronting the Faceless for the NEWT level class, but the author of that book was never mentioned)
2. When conjuring a Patronus, the user is supposed to produce what type of thought? a. Happy & b. Powerful ("Make it a powerful memory, the happiest you can remember. Allow it to fill you up… Just remember, your Patronus can only protect you as long as you stay focused… Think of the happiest thing you can." -- as stated by Harry Potter, teaching the students in Dumbledore's Army)
3. Who was the teacher of Defence against the Dark Arts in Tom Riddle’s time? c. Galatea Merrythought
4. Which Defence against the Dark Arts teacher is an accomplished Occlumens? c. Severus Snape
5. Which of these spells is the Full Body-bind Curse? b. Petrificus Totalus 
6. Lord Voldemort used Avada Kedavra on Harry Potter in the Little Hangleton graveyard. But another spell used by Harry at the same time caused the Priori Incantatem effect. Which spell did Harry use? b. Expelliarmus
7. Which of the following can the Unforgivable Curse not do? c. Make parts of the body fall off
8. Which kind of people are known to use Unforgivable Curses very commonly? b. Death Eaters 
9. One of the Horcruxes was a ring. Whom did the ring belong to? a. Albus Dumbledore (I know I'm out on a limb -- let me explain: Though the ring was mentioned to be the possession of (b.) Marvolo Gaunt & later his son Morfin Gaunt, but neither of the Gaunts never had possession of the ring after it became a Horcrux. The only two people to have possession of the ring, while it was a horcrux, were Tom Marvolo Riddle/Lord Voldy-thingy & Albus Dumbledore -- who became the "owner" after removing the horcrux/ring from the House of Gaunt. T.M.R./L.V. was not an answer option, though he would be the best answer to who owned the ring during its horcrux state).
10. The creation of a Horcrux requires: c. Killing someone

Extra Credit: Name the 3 Unforgiveable Curses. Describe how to cast each and the effects of each curse. Why are they unforgiveable and what will happen to the person who cast them?

1. Spell: Cruciatus Curse
    Incantation: Crucio
    Effects: Causes severe, torturous pain to the recipient

2. Spell: Imperius Curse
    Incantation: Imperio
    Effects: Causes recipient to be under the influence of the spellcaster (can be resisted with practice)

3. Spell: Killing Curse
    Incantation: Avada Kedavra
    Effects: Causes instant death to recipient (one exception: "the boy who lived")

These curses were named "unforgivable" by the Ministry of Magic because of their effects.  Any person who casts any of these spells will be sent to Azkaban, the Wizarding World Prison.

wand at the ready...

The second round of the HLBoES dueling club begins tomorrow and I am preparing my materials.  More on that later, when I get a chance!

HLBoES: History of Magic Quiz (contains spoilers)

Based on your reading of the websites previously listed and your own personal knowledge of Hogwarts history, write a short essay on the meanings of the House symbols. Include all 4 Houses, not just your own.

I have decided to use a different (and perhaps unique) lens to look at through in my analysis of the house animals/mascots. It may not entirely fit the criteria of our History of Magic professor, but it certainly has sated my curiosity.  I will be analyzing the House animals in terms of "Animal Totems."

Ravenclaw
Animal: Eagle
Values: Intelligence, Creativity, Wit, & Wisdom
Totem significance: The eagle is noted as a symbol of strength, ferocity, vision, & endurance.  Vision, in this sense, has dual meaning -- both optical (sight) and mental (foresight & insight).  These characteristics are fitting for Ravenclaw because, though they do not value ambition like Slytherin, they need an outlet for their intelligence and creativity. 
Element: Air; associated with mental realms. This fits naturally with Ravenclaw -- all of their values are related to thought.

Hufflepuff
Animal: Badger
Values: Hardwork, Loyalty, Tolerance, & Fair Play
Totem significance: Badgers are associated with healing (caregiving), tidiness, & organization -- all fitting of Hufflepuffs.  They are also recognized as aggressive, especially in protecting their young. They will fight to the death (like Cederic Diggory ::sniff::) if cornered.  This trait well corresponds with Hufflepuff loyalty & stick-to-it-ness.  Badgers are diggers & create their entire home underground.  Their dens are clean and well-organized.  Such an effort clearly requires hard work.  The one element of the Badger totem that does not seem to fit with the Hufflepuff is that they are often solitary creatures.
Element: Earth; associated with physical realms.  This fits Hufflepuff as their tidiness and organization, as well as many forms of showing tolerance & care for others, play out physically.

Gryffindor
Animal: Lion
Values: Courage, Daring, Nerve, & Chivalry
Totem significance: Courage and family are the two main traits of the Lion totem, as well as an underlying current of female strength.  Lions travel in prides (the name given to a family of lions) and the Gryffindors certainly become a sort of family for Harry -- with all of the emotions and drama of family, as well. Ron and Harry, who share a brotherly bond, have some of the most sensational blow-ups at each other.  Indeed, Ron's sister Ginny literally becomes family when she and Harry marry. Lily, Harry's mother, was also a Gryffindor, she demonstrates lioness-like qualities in her fight for the survival of her young against Voldemort. Finally, lions are also known for their ability to disappear into the scenery and their preference to live a leisurely life.  Harry's adulthood is a testament to these traits.  With his fame, Harry could have easily gone on to be Minister of Magic or another cheeky Gilderoy Lockheart.  Instead, he chooses a (relatively) normal career and family life, in essence disappearing from the spotlight (despite the fact that everyone still acknowledged who he was & the feats he had accomplished).
Element: Fire/Heart; associated with dynamism (change).  The greatest change I've seen amongst the Gryffindors is the evolution from meek to bold, growing from uncertainty to boldness.  A prime example is Neville Longbottom. Originally uncertain & lacking in self-esteem, he first stands up to his friends in their first year at Hogwarts.  In his final year at Hogwarts, Neville becomes the quintessential Gryffindor -- standing his ground against Voldemort himself. As an aside,both  Fire & Passion/Zeal can have dire consequences if they run unchecked.

Slytherin
Animal: Snake
Values: Ambition, Cunning, & Resourcefulness
Totem significance: The Snake totem is associated with rebirth of power, the secrets of the underworld (a trait that it, unexpectedly, shares with the Badger), charm, and the death/rebirth cycle (by shedding of skin).  These elements are definitely seen among prominent Slytherins, especially Voldemort (Tom Riddle); he was easily able to charm a variety of people (Slughorn, Hepzibah Smith, etc.) to get what he wanted, he "died" and then was "reborn" in the cauldron after the Triwizard Tournament, he sought many secrets -- especially those related to death & triumphing over it.
Element: Water; associated with the realm of emotions. The best way to describe the Slytherin relationship to the emotional realm is "extreme."  Pride, Envy, Disgust, the list goes on.  Voldemort himself shows the emotional extreme in the negative.  He is cold, lacking most emotion, from his endeavors to split his soul.

Resources:
eagle - http://www.serioussilver.com/totemenergy/eagle.html
badger - http://www.sayahda.com/cycle.htm
lion - http://www.fortunecity.com/millenium/bertisevil/537/projects/totems/lion.htm
snake - http://dovelove.wordpress.com/2007/09/21/snake-totem-symbol-of-rebirth-wisdom-sexuality-healing/

HLBoES: Flying Homework #4

County Laois Cluricauns
(Laois is pronounced “leash”; Cluricauns are relatives of leprechauns. You can find out more about them here.)

Robes:

Emerald green (one-shouldered for the ladies, standard robes for the men) with golden embellishments on the front & a golden harp embroidered on the back (such as the Leinster province flag below).
 
Players can also be recognized by their rouged their cheeks & light blue stockings.

Brooms:

Our brooms are made within County Laois, from Monterey Cypress trees grown outside of Emo. Each broom carries special charms to repell livestock and open flame (cypress can cause cattle to miscarry and can be extremely flammable) and to enhance the natural strength and reddish-gold color of the wood.

Trademark Formation:

Sláinte Slant

Most Effective Move:

Luath Lunge

Pitch:
Our pitch is located in the bog below the Rock of Dunamase (Dún Masc is Irish Gaelic for “the fort of Masc”) in Leinster Province, Ireland. Our historic pitch was originally built in the early ninth century, but was demolished in 845AD when the Vikings of Dublin attacked the fort. Though the fort remained unoccupied for the next few centuries, the farmers and shepherds in the area attempted to maintain what was left of the pitch, using it for pick-up-games. In the late twelfth century, a muggle nobleman, William Marshal, built a castle on the Rock of Dunamase (see picture of ruins below). His wife, Isabel (née Strongbow), who was -- unbeknownst to him -- a witch, secretly funded the renovations of the nearby quidditch pitch. The original County Laois team included the noblewoman’s handmaiden, one of the stable boys, and the castle’s chief gardener. Later teams would include the magical heirs of William Marshal, as well as members of the Moritimer and Moore clans -- leading to the tradition of the County Laois team consisting solely of players with “M” surnames. Over the years, the castle fell into disrepair and, by the early fourteenth century, was abandoned. By this time, the countryside near the Rock of Dunamase had drawn a number of magical families. While the area is not exclusively magical, most of the local muggles are in some way related to a magical family, leading to a fairly loose interpretation of Clause 73 of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy. (Yes, we have quite a few muggles who hold season tickets -- don’t tell!)

 

Ruins of the Castle
 
View from the Ruins (pitch is beyond hill on right)

Our current pitch is not as aesthetically pleasing as others made of marble or magicked to be invisible, in homage to the surrounding natural beauty. The County Laois stands are, like our broomsticks, made of Monterey Cypress (don’t worry, we have anti-splinter charms steadfastly affixed!). They are decorated with garlands of holly and ivy. The pitch itself is a carpet of shamrocks, naturally. Our hoops are embellished with golden celtic knots & look as if they were strung with silver harp strings. The strings are merely an illusion charm -- the quaffle can sail right through!

Mascot:

We have one cluricaun, Cassán, who comes and goes as he pleases.

 

a stitch in time saves nine...

Well, our Charms professor for the HLBoE Swap has given us a most righteous assignment (EXCELLENT!).  We have been assigned to finish one UFO/WIP or item on our "to do" list.  Since I have a million projects (but can't seem to find the appropriate yarn, pattern, and/or needles for any of them), i figured i should begin an item that's been on my "to do" list for quite some time --> clean & organize my craft room.

Here's the before shot:
(sorry for the poor quality -- it's a stitched panoramic photo w/ bad lighting)

Since this shot was taken, I have organized the mess into numerous piles (see below) & I will strike them out as I finish organizing them:
- Knitting & Crocheting Books
- Knitting & Crocheting Magazines
- Assorted Papers (some patterns, some notes on patterns, some sketches of ideas, etc.)
- Sewing/Mending Projects
- Catalogs (which I really should just throw out...)
- WIPs/UFOs (50% complete)
- Yarn
- Finished Projects (that don't have a home)
- Stuff that Belongs Elsewhere in the House (10% complete)
- Knitting Needles & Paraphernalia (who decided it was a good idea to throw an extra "r" in there?!)
- Bags & Other Storage Containers (90% complete)
- Keepsake Stuff from High School, College, Grad School, etc.
- Sewing Paraphernalia
- "Other" Craft Paraphernalia