Week 6 - Character Discussion

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

How could we have reached the end of the first book so rapidly? By now you have learned a great deal about your character, what makes them tick, what makes them who and what they are.

There are a few prompts from which to choose, from both remaining chapters. You need to choose one and respond to it in 100 words or more to earn 20 beans and a dice roll for the board game. You’re more than welcome to do the other prompts for more beans but you won’t earn any extra rolls.

• Chapter 16 - from Tarma - How did your character cope with the revisions? Was your character just happy to get them done or were there some wishes (like Hermione had) to go over them again, mentally, and talk about them?
  from Amy - What was your character’s greatest challenge during their first year and how did they resolve it?
• Chapter 17 - from Amy - What did your character learn about themselves over the course of their first year?
  from Tarma - Was your character shocked or surprised or revolted when they heard about Quirrell? Or, did they even hear about him at all?

Again, you may use what we know about them from this or other books in the series but please do feel free to use your imagination. You can respond to the prompts in the first person (as they would, in their own voice) or you can tell us about them in the third person (like the book does with Harry), it’s up to you.

Post your responses below by 11:59 PM HOL-time on the 31st of May.

[Prof. Will Lestrange]

But I wanted to talk about the vibe in Ravenclaw House, from Terry Boot's perspective, after winning the Quidditch Cup due to Harry's absence in a pivotal match!

Was your character shocked or surprised or revolted when they heard about Quirrell? Or, did they even hear about him at all? (As always I am doing this as Terry Boot.)

The upper years in the Roost had been playing up Prof. Quirrell's return back at the start of the year; after all, he had been a Ravenclaw himself in his student days and was supposed to have returned to Hogwarts with all sorts of interesting knowledge to share with us!

But to be honest, the class he taught this year was very unenlightening; the professor almost convinced us that, if anything, he was scared of everything to do with the dark arts! Not a useful way to defend yourself, regardless of how good 'flee' can be as a first instinct. In any event, though, Defence professors seldom last longer than a year, and this was no exception... the biggest surprise as to how his year ended was learning that he had been aligned with Voldemort!

After all, the rumor around the school is that all dark witches and wizards were in Slytherin... and... could we really stand to have the first exception to that rule be one of our own? Well, the best thing to do is to simply not talk about Prof. Quirrell anymore... and, if people must bring him up, I think we can spread a rumor of our own that will be harder to debunk: let's all agree to say that Quirrell went to Durmstrang for his education! After all, it's not like any current student from there would ever enter our castle...

[Luna Ravenlong]

Dean Thomas

How did your character cope with the revisions? Was your character just happy to get them done or were there some wishes (like Hermione had) to go over them again, mentally, and talk about them?

I’m so happy that we’re finally done with all our exams! I’m not as big a swot as Hermione or the Claws, but I still wanted to do well on them (maybe there’s still a bit of me that needs to prove I deserve to be here). There were some subjects that it was easier to revise for than others, as the professors really helped- Flitwick and Sprout especially great at letting us come and ask questions if we were struggling. Potions was trickier, as no one wanted to ask Snape for any help-and to be honest, I’m not sure Quirrell even understood his subject! But I think I did OK on everything (being able to write neatly with a quill for that long was actually the trickiest bit).

[River Fenwick]

Seamus Finnigan
How did your character cope with the revisions? Was your character just happy to get them done, or were there some wishes (like Hermione had) to go over them again, mentally, and talk about them?

I was buzzin’ when them exams were finally done! Didn’t think the revisions would go that well, but sure look, I did grand. Me grades were never awful or nothin’, but exams just wreck me head with all the stress, y’know? I tried to take the edge off by messin’ about the castle with a few of the lads I’m pally with. Maybe I didn’t knuckle down as much as I should’ve, but me mum will be well chuffed with what I got, so that’s sound by me. Honestly, I’m fairly ready to head back home now. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve kinda gotten fond of Hogwarts during this year, but it’s still a school at the end of the day, and nothin’ beats home.

[Prof. Scarlet Leslie-Lewis]

Padma Patil
What did your character learn about themselves over the course of their first year?

The most valuable lesson I learned during my first year at Hogwarts is that I am not exactly the same as my identical twin, which is perfectly fine. In fact, it is acceptable (and encouraged) for me to have my own circle of friends and hobbies.

I have also discovered that I have a natural affinity for Potions. Perhaps being Mum's unofficial saucier in the kitchen over the years has been useful after all! However, it is still much too early to finalize my future career. I wish we could skip to third year when I can choose to take Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. Father tells the most fascinating stories about Gringotts Curse-Breakers.