Dobby, The Great House Elf

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. 

Ravenclaw Stats

87% of Ravenclaws are stressed out at this very moment.

Charlie Weasley

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

I have nothing more to add about the context of this film as this post accurately connected all the beautifully complexities of this film and what creates a new version of PTSD ( Complex PTSD) what I will add, is how I hate that I’ve been unable to secure this film and rewatch it

Bang Bang You’re Dead

I loved this film! It was very different to the other films, especially the ending which I thought was very satisfying. A very troubled and outcast teenager struggling to cope with high school after he is suspended for planting a fake bomb in the school. The best part of this film, by far, was an uncomfortable scene in which teachers, the principle and the teen’s parents were forced to watch a home video of all the bullying that goes on in the school. If I was at that school, I probably would have wanted to shoot them all too.

The film is based on the play of the same name , which I assume is just as good.

A Little Princess

I first saw A Little Princess (1995 version) probably with my parents around the time of its release. With no film background, I will say, did a great job at ageing the film as I always am surprised to discover that it’s not as old I thought it was (something that has happened repeatedly). While somewhat a romantic, fairy-tale type story the core parts that stick with me are the beauty within the story, particularly when Sarah and Becky are imagining a great feast and the colors of India in the very beginning of the film.

The images created in this film are stunning and completely breathtaking on their own and an amazing job is done using the colors in the fil to show the contrast between what we want our world to be like and what we don’t, the stories are even more real. Yes, the fairy-tale elements of her father remembering her just before she’s about to be arrested (she’s a child but ok), and dramatics of him ending up next door to where she lives, and how regardless of everything she insists on being a kind princess are all good and honorable it is the story of the neighbor that hits the most. Both the bleakest, most realistic, connecting, accurate and somewhat breaking is the father next door who tries to be kind during a war and is grateful for closure when he loses his son and his surrogate son (and in a way granddaughter). I think this is why I saw it with my parents, and so frequently. While there are many stories that accurately portray war, this is one that focuses on being kind in the homefront and probably portrays what they experienced living separated, but closely connected to war and genocide. 

There was no good photo to symbolize the story of the neighbour, but part of the theme of kindness is quoted below

Another unrelated shout-out that connects to a Little Princess to me, shout out to Shirley Temple who will never be bested even by those who manage to get their pets Instagram famous

National Book Month

National Book Month has been a lot, but going down memory lane has been so comforting--like hot cocoa, fuzzy socks, a warm blanket...and a good book.

As we get older, we change. We grow, our perspective changes and with more knowledge comes deeper understanding. The Giver by Lois Lowry is still a great book and was a book I still chose to pass onto my nephew when he reached the age of the protagonist, Jonas (12). The first of many young adult dystopian novels, The Giver is unique as it deals more with the politics and touches upon the issues and reasoning for strict and government regulation without all-out war or battle by Jonas or his friends. Around Jonas’ age, I read and loved this book but during a recent reread found the depth of the book I felt originally was lacking. Still touching upon how the adults had lost their way and the understanding of the choices they were making, I had grown and wanted more from the book. This hurts. I felt as thou I had lost a beauty with the book, because for me some of the story is gone. It still makes me sad, thou understanding why I felt this way after first reading it makes me feel better and I can know to look for more books and stories, both in fiction and in real life that inspire me; while still being able to read a good story from my childhood. 

In the spirit of Halloween and the change of tides with the Giver, today I’d also like to honour the books I love--whose names I’ve forgotten. I book I still swear is called the Pearl, telling the story of the French resistance during the Nazi rise thru the eyes of a rich girl of privilege, a particular story about Elizabeth Blount’s life and events in England and told thru the eyes of a maid/servant. Hopefully I’ll find you once more

The Giver is a good book--please read

I haven’t seen this episode yet but oh my, it’s glorious

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. 

While not the best of ideas, in the pre-internet times--books sometimes were your only saviour. Even today, I still appreciate the new worlds, in some aspect better worlds books can take me to and inspire me to create

I believe in the power of knowledge, which comes from books. You want to learn something? Read.

Bookstore owner, Joan of Arcadia (via colemeanitch)

I’d expand this, as there is also art and discussion and life and other experiences, but yeah--these things come from other places and by putting yourself out there in a way that will get you more understanding of the situation and books are amazing for this, but sometimes a book or a just-fact book isn’t the right way either