I'm Niiiiiiine!

Or my blog is, anyway. Every year, I struggle for new and interesting ways to celebrate, because even though this is my blog, I'd get bored talking about myself for too long. This year, I had no problem coming up with an idea. Even though it's a little over a week after the fact, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone celebrated its 20th anniversary, and since I was away at the time, I never got to add my two cents to that milestone. How better to celebrate my blog birthday than with Harry Potter's birthday?

20 of My Favorite Moments from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

1. "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much."

Reading this line is like coming home after years of being away. It's so simple, and not even the greatest first sentence in the world, but it's familiar and welcoming and warm.

2. Dudley falling into the glass case at the zoo.

I've never read about a brattier kid than Dudley, and it was fun to see him get a little taste of his own medicine for a minute.

3. Uncle Vernon's descent into madness as he attempts to keep Harry from getting his Hogwarts letter.

Boarding up the mail slot, fleeing the house, and going across a stormy sea to a little shack, all to avoid getting letters? You won't find many people that determined to avoid anything, and it's the perfect way to show how utterly obsessed that family is with keeping up appearances.

4. Harry meeting Hagrid for the first time.

Hagrid's a giant teddy bear, and the first encounter Harry has with him is both strange and sweet. He gives him a birthday cake, insults the Dursleys, talks about wizards and Hogwarts and his parents, and gives Dudley a pig's tail with his magical umbrella. It doesn't get much better than that.

5. The Diagon Alley chapter.

Harry's wonderment at everything Diagon Alley, and the rest of the wizarding world, has to offer mirrors the reader's awe when they first read about it. It's pretty spectacular.

6. Meeting the Weasleys at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

This sums it up.

7. Harry buying a whole Halloween's worth of candy on the Hogwarts Express and sharing it with Ron.

The beginning to their friendship is just so pure and precious. Ron tells Harry stuff about the wizarding world, like chocolate frog cards and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, and the two of them trade stories about the more unfortunate parts of their childhoods. A perfect bonding moment.


8. The sorting ceremony.

What other school has an extraordinarily old hat sing a self-composed song to welcome students into the new school year before screaming what house they're going to be in for the rest of their education??? It's so quirky and cool.

9. Hagrid inviting Harry for tea.

Hagrid is the best.

10. Harry breaking rules during his first flying lesson to get back Neville's Remembrall and ending up joining the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

Because McGonagall is freaking awesome and secretly super competitive when it comes to the Gryffindor team winning the Quidditch cup. I love her.

11. Harry and Ron sneaking out to duel Malfoy.

These two, dear lord, were so young and innocent. How were they expecting to win a duel with like a week of school under their belts? But their midnight escapade provided lots of entertainment: poor Neville forgetting the password again, Filch and his unhealthy obsession with catching students out of bed, Peeves doing his thing, coming face-to-face with Fluffy for the first time, and let's not forget Hermione's classic "We could all have been killed--or worse, expelled."


12. The epic fight against the troll in the bathroom.

I couldn't believe it when Harry just straight up launched himself at the troll and clung to his neck. And then Ron ended up taking the thing out with Wingardium Leviosa after taking Hermione's lecturing to heart. But the best part was the beginning of the trio's friendship, like it says at the end of the chapter: "But from that moment on, Hermione Granger became their friend. There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them."

13. The first Quidditch match.

I've never enjoyed sports more. Lee Jordan's commentary was more than amusing, too. Also, Hermione setting fire to Snape's robes!


14. Harry getting the invisibility cloak and discovering the Mirror of Erised and Dumbledore talking about wanting socks for Christmas.

The feeeeeeelllllllllsssssssss.


15. Neville finally standing up to Draco.

"I'm worth twelve of you, Malfoy." HECK YEAH, NEVILLE, YOU TELL HIM.


 16. Norbert.

Hagrid being all motherly to his little baby dragon. "Bless him, look, he knows his mummy!" Plus Hermione actually agreed to breaking school rules to go help Harry get rid of Norbert so Hagrid wouldn't get in trouble, which is an "aww" moment if I ever saw one.


17. "Mars is bright tonight."

The centaurs cracked me up the first time I read the chapter where they go in the Forbidden Forest for detention. They'd drive me so crazy if I actually had to deal with them, but watching Hagrid get progressively more annoyed by them is great.

18. Every challenge the trio had to conquer under the trapdoor.

Like the Devil's Snare when Ron shouts, "HAVE YOU GONE MAD? ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?"and Hermione remembers that she can use magic and doesn't in fact need wood to light a fire. Or Ron getting a chance to shine on the chessboard. Or Harry utilizing his seeker skills to catch the winged key. Or Hermione using her "books and cleverness" to beat Snape's potion riddle.

19. Harry facing off against Quirrell and Voldemort.

That whole scene was epic. All the tension and creepiness and then Harry just clawing at Quirrell's face because Quirrell couldn't touch him without burning himself. What a climactic moment!

20. Dumbledore dishing out extra points.

But especially him giving Neville the final ten points that wins Gryffindor the house cup. "There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom." What a confidence boost that must've been to a kid like Neville who didn't think he had enough bravery to belong in Gryffindor. And it's the perfect celebration to have at the end of the book.

What are your favorite Sorcerer's Stone moments? Leave a comment!

My Favorite "Platoniships" and Why it Should Be a Word

Shipping is the best. It's one of my favorite things to do while fangirling over my favorite fandoms. But all too often we focus on the romantic ships and forget the other, just as important relationships. Don't get me wrong, I love my adorable OTPs as much as the next fangirl, but what about the friendships? I've been calling these "platoniships," and I have just as many of these ships as I do my romantic ones, if not more. A few examples . . .

Harry, Ron, and Hermione from the Harry Potter series

I so wish I could find an illustration of these three by Jim Kay, because his drawings are GORGEOUS.

This trio was the perfect balance of mischief and heroism. Sure they broke the rules sometimes, but you always, always rooted for them. And no matter how often any combination of the three fought, they stuck together when it mattered most. Harry wouldn't have been able to do 90% of the things he did without help from the other two. Teamwork at its finest!

The Marauders from the Harry Potter series

OKAY BUT LOOK AT HOW CUTE LUPIN IS WITH HIS CHOCOLATE

I. Love. These. Guys. So many fan-fiction possibilities with these four. And before, you know, Peter betrayed everyone, they were the best friends any of them could've asked for. James, Sirius, and Peter all broke the law and became unregistered animagi just so Remus wouldn't have to be alone! If that's not love, I don't know what is.

Calvin and Hobbes from the Calvin and Hobbes series

These two may be at the top of my list. Even looking for a picture was difficult because there were so many different ways to portray them! I could've gone for sweet, silly, fun, etc. Ultimately I decided on this one, because I think at the heart of it, Calvin and Hobbes were about laughter. They wanted to goof off and smile and imagine whole new worlds they could have a blast in. This is my favorite comic strip series ever for that reason.

The Doctor and Donna from "Doctor Who"

How awesome are Ten and Donna?! The answer is SO AWESOME. They're hysterical, fun, sassy, gutsy, and make a fabulous team. Not to mention a couple of the kindest hearts to ever walk the Whovian earth. The Doctor showed Donna wonders and Donna made the Doctor more human in the best way. They had some of the best chemistry any two people have had on TV ever. I'm still so sad they only lasted a season.

Sherlock and John from "Sherlock"

THESE TWO. However you ship it, you can't deny that they're brilliant together. Solving murders and giggling at the crime scenes while they do it? It's the perfect blend of drama and humor. And can we talk about how much Sherlock has grown over the seasons thanks to John's friendship? (And John because of Sherlock's, for that matter!) Yay for character development!

Sam and Dean from "Supernatural"

Who says siblings can't be friends? And these brothers have one of the BEST sibling relationships I have ever seen in fiction ever. EVER, I TELL YOU. Sam and Dean behave just like normal siblings would (teasing each other, pulling pranks, getting into heated debates about music and other pop culture stuff, etc.), and they would literally sacrifice themselves for the other in a heartbeat. Eleven seasons of this show and it's still going strong, all because of them.

Charlie and Dean from "Supernatural"

Dean once described Charlie as "the little sister he never wanted," and I think that's the perfect way to sum up their friendship. He's definitely an older brother figure to her, and that's exactly what Charlie needed in her life. After all the pain and loneliness she went through, Dean became her rock. And not only have they shared some sweet moments, but plenty of fun ones, too. (Who can forget the famous "Walking On Sunshine" montage?)

Lorelai and Rory from "Gilmore Girls"

I totally think kids can be friends with their parents, and Lorelai and Rory are proof of that. They're supportive of the dreams of the other, they encourage and inspire each other, and they're so close they can practically finish each other's sentences. And when they do talk, it's hard to get a word in edgewise. The dialogue is constantly fast-paced. The wit is unreal. Watching them interact on screen is addictive. It's like opening a package of M&M's and just eating one. Which is absurd, because you never eat just one. You have to eat the entire thing, clearly. Watching a few minutes isn't enough to get your Gilmore fix. You need to watch an entire episode (or three).

Chandler and Joey from "Friends"

And for those of you who haven't watched "Friends," yes, yes they are riding on a statue of a dog.

Ah, Chandler and Joey. Once of the best TV bromances. Watching them crack each other up and go through life together is a joy. Most of my favorite scenes involve the two of them getting into all kinds of mayhem. ("What kind of scary ass clowns came to your birthday?") Could they BE anymore awesome?

Scott and Stiles from "Teen Wolf"

Out of all the possible ships, romantic or otherwise, in this show, Scott and Stiles are my favorite. They remind me a lot of Chandler and Joey in some ways, Stiles being the sarcastic one, although Scott is wayyy smarter than Joey. The unconditional support and friendship they have for each other gives me all the feels. I can never have too much of them in a single episode.

Cinder and Thorne from The Lunar Chronicles

Ermahgerd, I can't even with these two!!! Thorne is a fabulous Han Solo/Captain Jack Harkness/Dean Winchester type, the perfect blend of cockiness and sarcastic humor (even though everybody knows he's a total teddy bear on the inside). Cinder is smart and impatient and can totally kick butt in any situation. Watching the two of them collide and go from bickering to . . . well, more bickering has been one of the best parts of the entire series. I love them. I need more. Now.

Rey and Finn from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"

This is the best picture I could find considering how new the movie is.

Can I get a round of applause for brother-sister type friendships? Because that's exactly what this one is, in my mind. Banter and teamwork and protectiveness, FTW! I'm sooo freaking excited to see more of them in future movies. (And BB-8, of course, who's just a little ball of adorable sunshine.)

Parker and Hardison from "Leverage"

Parker and Hardison are a tentative addition since I'm only in the middle of season one and Cait has suggested I might end up "shippy shipping" them (her awesome words). But for now, how sweet are they together?! Apparently I'm a sucker for brother-sister friendships. Parker deserves all the hugs, and Hardison has the best ridiculous scenes. I love it so much.

Your turn! What are you favorite platoniships? Leave a comment! :)

The Importance of Fan-Fiction

About a year ago when I joined Tumblr I discovered something magical . . . fan-fiction. I'd known about its existence for a long time (thank you Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell) and I'd written some before I even knew what it was called (I have Harry Potter 8, 9, 10, and 11 written by my seven-year-old self tucked away underneath my mattress as we speak). But I didn't realize just how huge it was until I started following a few fandom blogs.

Me upon discovering how much there was to read.

Fan-fiction is magical! I know it gets a lot of flak for not being "real writing" (whatever the hell "real writing" means, seeing as anything that's been written is by its very definition "real" . . .) or being a waste of time, but I strongly disagree. Sure, there are some pretty poorly written stories out there, but there are poorly written stories for every genre.

Still not convinced? Let me list out a few of my reasons of why fan-fiction is so important.

1. It makes you feel like a part of the fandom

And I'm not just talking about being a part of the fandom as a fan (though it certainly does that, too). I'm talking about becoming an actual character in the story. Ever heard of reader inserts? I didn't either until last year, but I absolutely love them.

The basics are it's a normal fan-fiction story, but it's told in the second person. "Y/N" is the main character, which stands for "your name." So "Y/N" becomes "Kate" (in my case), and suddenly I'm the protagonist in the story. I'm a student at Hogwarts, or one of the Doctor's companions, or riding shotgun with Dean Winchester on the way to hunt down a demon. And I can do all of these things just by reading a story in the safety of my own bedroom under the covers. Here's an example of a reader insert:

“I so owned those guys!” Charlie squealed happily. She held up her hand for a high-five, which you accepted with your own grin. Leave it to Charlie to look like she'd been dropped in the middle of Disneyland when in reality you were covered in blood outside an abandoned bar.

“Yeah you did,” you said, beaming at her. “Are you sure this was your first vampire hunt?”

She rolled her eyes. “Totally sure. Couldn't you tell after that first one?”

You giggled, remembering how Charlie had had to swing three times before she could get the head completely off. It was funnier now that you weren't in life-threatening danger.

2. It's great for exercise

There are all kinds of fan-fic stories, but some of the most popular kinds are definitely ones that involve the impossibly cute couples from all of your favorite fandoms. I've read some pretty adorable Tenrose fics that have made me flail and squeal, and all of that helps to burn a few hundred calories. Reading and exercise, all in one. ;)

Me after reading about Rose and the Meta-Crisis Doctor going to the park with their daughter and being so freaking cute and aoidjgoasdl;liaje.

But since we're also talking about fandoms and ships here, I've also read some extremely sad ones . . . I've gross sobbed over fan-fic series before. It wasn't pretty. But I did get a good workout.

Me after reading the Stolen Dance Supernatural Sam/reader fan-fiction series. Go look it up immediately. Or just click HERE for part 1. It's fabulous. Clearly, considering it's shipworthy and heartbreaking all at the same time.

3. It's easier to write

I'm not saying that it's always going to be easier to write, or that it's somehow this magical genre that flows effortlessly from your fingertips at all times, but the already developed characters and storyworld certainly help. You don't have to come up with the complicated backstories of your main characters or figure out all of the rooms and secret passageways in Hogwarts. It's already been written for you! Now all you have to do is plop those characters somewhere and make them move. Easy as pie.

4. It's a fantastic warm up

Me writing fan-fiction. Apparently I have a thing for gifs of people--or animals--typing like their lives depend on it.

Fan-fiction is amazing for creativity! This past year I've struggled with varying kinds of writer's block, all of which frustrated me to no end, but fan-fiction was always the thing I just had no trouble writing. When my original characters refused to do anything, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson were right there and ready to solve a mystery.

And even just staying in the habit of writing was great for me, because eventually the writer's block vanished and I was able to pick right back up where I left off. Even now I'll write a page or two of my fan-fiction series before diving into my NaNoWriMo novel. It's my favorite kind of warm up.

5. It can be adapted for publication

Though you should never try to make money off of your fan-fiction without the express permission from the original creator, you can take those fan-fiction pieces and rework them so they read as regular short stories. Just take out the unique elements and characters that make it fan-fiction and replace it with characters and elements of your own design.

One of my fan-fiction series that's still in the works has hit 20,000 words and is still going strong. I'm loving it! And when it's finished I'm planning to edit it so it reads like a novella. I just have to change a few things, replace Dean Winchester with a character of my own, and voila. Instant story with the possibility for publication.

6. You can make new friends

This is definitely my top reason to promote fan-fiction. I've bonded with so many people over a shared love for different fandoms. (And as bloggers, you should know just how important online connections are, too!)

In about January of this year, I discovered a fan-fiction writer by the name of Kazzy. She has thousands of faithful followers who read every story she posts (and I'm one of them! She's an awesome writer and the author of the aforementioned Stolen Dance series.). One day, she had the idea to host an online "sleepover." So she set up a Chatzy room so all of us who wanted to could join and talk about "Supernatural" and get to know each other as fellow fangirls/boys.

That night, a girl under the pseudonym Sam Winchester invited me to a private chat so I could participate in a Supernatural roleplay with her and nine other girls. We connected instantly. These girls were so welcoming to me and when I say we've spoken every day since, I'm not exaggerating. We roleplay on nearly a daily basis, text each other all the time, and Skype frequently. I've even met one of roleplayers offline because she only lives a couple hours from me! Even though we've known each other for maybe ten months now, I feel like I know these girls like sisters. We're one big family, and I love it.

My friend Charlie and me being nerdy dorks, as usual, after she surprised me by showing up at my house when I had no idea she was coming!! (Thanks, Mom and Dad, for helping to set that up. :) )

Charlie and me at a book festival.

So not only does fan-fiction provide entertainment, but it gives you the opportunity to form new friendships. If that isn't a selling point, I'm not sure what is.

What are some of the best fan-fiction stories you've read? Any personal stories of your own having to do with fan-fic you'd like to share? I'd love to hear about your experiences with it! Leave a comment!

Spinoff Series

In the fandom world, there's nothing I like more than fangirling over one of my favorite books or TV shows. But there's nothing worse than seeing that series take a hiatus or, *gasp*, end completely.

I'll pause here for dramatic effect. Feel free to join me in sniffling and staring longingly into the distance.

All right.

But there's a brilliant invention that helps to soothe that pain: the spinoff series.

"Doctor Who" in particular is fantastic at this. I've watched all of "Torchwood" and loved it, and now both "The Sarah Jane Adventures" and the upcoming "Class" series (*squees*) are on my to-be-watched list. I'm also over-the-moon excited for "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" and Carry On by Rainbow Rowell.

But if I were supreme ruler of the fandom world, so many more shows and book series would exist. For example . . .

Harry Potter - ANY STORY EVER

 
I will always take more Harry Potter. Whether it's a book about Luna's life with her father hunting down Crumple-Horned Snorkacks or entire series dedicated to James and Lily's years at Hogwarts, I'll read it all. Every single bit of it.

"Supernatural" - "Wayward Daughters"

 
There's been buzz around the Twitter and Tumblr community about the possibility of a spinoff featuring sheriffs Jody Mills and Donna Hanscum. It would be the usual "saving people, hunting things," but involving more of the awesome female characters in the "Supernatural" series that don't get as much screen time. You can find more information about it HERE and sign the petition to get the people in charge of making it happen to consider it HERE. It looks a-maz-ing.

"Sherlock" - "Moriarty"

 
Moriarty is one of the best villains I've seen in a long time. He's not only evil, he's hysterical, too. I'd love to see an entire show dedicated to him carrying out his elaborate plans with Sebastian Moran by his side. It'd be funny as well as action-packed, and maybe the seasons could even be staggered so we could get new episodes in between new "Sherlock" episodes.

Throne of Glass - Chaol's story

Beautiful fanart of Chaol and Dorian

I'm almost done reading Crown of Midnight, and I've got to say I freaking love that I'm getting to see this much of Chaol, even though this whole book is breaking my heart. Wouldn't it be great to see a prequel series with Chaol getting his position as Captain of the Guard and carrying out royal duties while befriending Dorian? I'd snatch it up right away.

"Gilmore Girls" - Luke's childhood, Lorelai's childhood, Jess, Kirk

Basically there are tons of options for spinoff series featuring "Gilmore Girls" characters. We could have entire shows about Luke's childhood in Stars Hollow and the transition from the hardware store to the diner, or Lorelai's childhood and life living with the rich crowd, or Jess and his adventures pre- and post-"Gilmore Girls," or even Kirk! I'm sure there are so many things about Kirk we don't know that could merit a miniseries. Come on Amy Sherman-Palladino, we all want to see them!

"Once Upon a Time" - Regina, Mulan and Aurora

I'm so happy we're getting to see more of Regina this season, and I always love the flashbacks featuring her character, but I want to see more! Her backstory is probably the most intricate one, she'd be the perfect anti-hero for a new show. And how about Mulan and Aurora? I feel like we were just starting to get to know them before that storyline was dropped. (Plus I totally ship them, so that series is just a set-up for major feels.)

How about you? What spinoff series would you like to see? Leave a comment!

OTPs

Having recently started using Pinterest more often, I've had fandoms on my mind. Specifically OTPs.

What is an OTP?

An OTP--or a One True Pairing--is a couple from a book or TV show that you "ship" (meaning that you support an existing couple, or want two characters that aren't in a relationship to fall in love). However, I don't think you should be forced to choose just one, so here are my several true pairings.

Couple: Rose and the tenth Doctor

Book/TV show: "Doctor Who"

Couple name: Tenrose

Why I ship them: He showed her the universe, she held his hand. The Doctor has a dark side, a tragic past, and is often lonely, but Rose was the bright spot in his world. They battled aliens, saved lives, and protected the future. They made the perfect team, and might just be might top OTP.

Couple: Sherlock and Molly

Book/TV show: "Sherlock"

Couple name: Sherlolly

Why I ship them: Similar to Sheldon and Amy's relationship on "The Big Bang Theory," Sherlock is oblivious to Molly's attempts at romance, and it frustrates us Sherlolly shippers like nothing else. Molly is willing to do anything for the consulting detective. Heck, (highlight for spoiler) she even helped him fake his own death and managed to keep it a secret for two years. And while it seems as if Sherlock will never come to his senses (such as in the embarrassing Christmas scene in "A Scandal In Belgravia"), shots of Sherlock giving Molly tender looks that she doesn't notice, such as these, gives us some hope.

"Sherlock" headcanon

Couple: Neville and Luna

Book/TV show: The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Couple name: Luneville

Why I ship them: The two oddballs, the misfits, the ones who never really had friends before Hogwarts and the DA. They're both so sweet and kind and brave. They'd be perfect for each other.

Couple: Hazel and Augustus

Book/TV show: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Couple name: None (because most of the TFIOS fans say that Hazel and Augustus are so great together, they don't need a name.

Why I ship them: These two are smart, sarcastic, funny, and adorable together. Gus was the first person to get Hazel to do things since she was diagnosed. They even fangirl/fanboy(?) over books together. How cool is that?!

***SPOILERS FOR "Gilmore Girls"***

Couple: Luke and Lorelai

Book/TV show: "Gilmore Girls"

Couple name: Javajunkie (quite possibly the best couple name ever)

Why I ship them: This explanation could be kept to simply, "he makes the coffee, she drinks the coffee," and that would be enough. But I think part of the reason why these two are so freaking perfect for each other is because they're both extremely loyal and willing to drop everything they're doing to help the other. Luke kicked customers out of his diner and closed it in order to give her a ride to the hospital when her father collapsed. Lorelai worked at the diner for no pay so Luke could plan his Uncle Louie's funeral. Luke is like the father Rory never had, and Lorelai is usually able to get him to crack a smile, or at least wear a different baseball cap. And they both put up with each other's annoying quirks, which is probably one of the most important things in a relationship.

You can totally see it in the way he looks at her . . . and she's completely oblivious.

***END SPOILERS***

What's your OTP?

You Need a Revealer to Read This Blog Post

(In case you were wondering, THIS is a Revealer. Yeah, I think I tried too hard to make this title cutesy.)

For those of you who read THIS post (and for those of you who haven't) here is another mistake I caught in the Harry Potter series:

In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Winky claims to be saving a seat, "for her master" at the Quidditch World Cup (which we later found out was a seat that was being occupied by Barty Crouch Jr. under the invisibility cloak). But everyone at the Quidditch World Cup had bought tickets and had assigned seats. So why didn't anyone wonder why Winky was saving a seat that she didn't need to save? (It's possible that Ron and Harry didn't think anything of it, normally being a little slow on the uptake, but I find it strange that Hermione didn't notice anything).

And here's a link to a list of fun facts about the Harry Potter series. :) I especially like numbers 9 and 2.

Harry Potter Meme

I'll jump at any chance to do these (especially if they're Harry Potter related). I stole this from a blog I found when I accidentally clicked a link (what luck)! (See if you can find the secret text). ;)

Would you rather go to prom with Harry, Draco or Ron?
Huh. Probably Harry. How can I pass up the chance to go with Harry Potter?!

Would you rather be sorted into Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin?

Well, I think I'd be a Ravenclaw, but it would be pretty cool to be sorted into Gryffindor.

Would you rather explore the forbidden forest or the halls of Hogwarts?
Oh, definitely Hogwarts. Way more secrets and less danger.

Would you rather enroll in Potions, Charms, Divination or Defense Against The Dark Arts?
If Snape were still teaching potions, I'd say no, and divination didn't look like a lot of fun, so I guess I'd go with charms (unless Lupin were teaching DADA).

Would you rather buy an owl, cat, rat or toad?
Definitely an owl! :D What a cool way to deliver mail! (Plus I'm allergic to cats and I'm not really interested in toads).

Would you rather have in possession: the elder wand, resurrection stone, or the cloak of invisibility?
The invisibility cloak. The elder wand causes too much trouble and the resurrection stone doesn't really work. Plus, wouldn't it be great to use it while you're playing Capture the Flag?

Would you rather be tutored by Luna Lovegood or Hermione Granger?
Ha! When I first read this I thought it said, "tortured" instead of "tutored." But I'd choose Hermione to tutor me. Absolutely.

Would you rather, in the final battle, fight against Nagini (the snake) or Bellatrix?
*Shivers* Neither! Fine, I guess Nagini. If I had the sword, everything would be fine. I least I can deflect snake bites. The killing curse I can't deflect.

Would you rather fight a basilisk or a dragon?
A dragon. Hermione could teach me that charm where you hurt their eye. Plus, how am I supposed to fight something I can't look at directly in the eyes?

Would you rather be a part of the Malfoy family or Weasley family?
... Is this supposed to be a trick question? So totally the Weasleys (duh).

Would you rather have a butterbeer or pumpkin juice?
Having tried both, I'd say butterbeer. It's sooooo good and sooooo addictive. ;P

Would you rather fly on a broomstick, Hagrid's motorbike or Buckbeak?
This is a hard one . . . I'd have to say Buckbeak because he seems more . . . secure, I guess. But maybe a broomstick. I have no idea.

Would you rather have a conversation with Daniel Radcliffe or J.K. Rowling?
J.K. ROWLING FOR SURE.

I tag you all! :D Anyone who wants to do it, just jump in! :D And don't forget to check out day one of my writer's camp (see below this post)! :D

(By the way, I'm participating in the "Notebook Sisters's" critiquing party! Pop on over there and check it out)! :D

Mistakes I've Found In Harry Potter

What?!?! Ms. Rowling made mistakes (as in plural) in the Harry Potter series?!?! Tut tut. Shame on you.

I'm just kidding. I'm actually kind of glad that she made a few mistakes (yes a few--most of them plot mistakes) in her books, because it shows us that everyone's human, even if they are probably a billionaire and have been on the New York Times Best Sellers list too many times to count on both hands (and feet)! It's good for other writers to see this, too, because it shows us that no matter how many times we edit and look over our books (and no matter how many times our editors do this), we will always miss that one little detail (or maybe even a few), but it'll be okay because everyone will love it anyway.

So without further ado, I give you, "Mistakes I've Found in Harry Potter!"

1. Two Freds or a Mistake?

If you were wondering, it's a mistake. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, page 35:

"Blimey, I'm tired," yawned Fred, setting down his fork and knife at last. "I think I'll go to bed and--"
"You will not," snapped Mrs. Weasley. "It's your own fault you've been up all night. You're going to de-gnome the garden for me; they're getting completely out of hand again--"
"Oh, Mum--"
"And you two," she said, glaring at Ron and Fred. "You can go up to bed, dear," she added to Harry. "You didn't ask them to fly that wretched car--"

Did you catch the mistake? No?

If Fred was the one who said, "Blimey, I'm tired," Mrs. Weasley should have glared at Ron and George. She said, "And you two," as in, "You two will also help Fred." But Fred can't help himself. George can, though.

It might be a little mistake, but it just proves how many times I've read this book.

2. Double the Daily Prophet.

This one is a slightly bigger mistake. Did anyone else catch it?

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Hermione tells Harry in a letter on page 11 that she took out a Daily Prophet subscription:

I bought your present by owl-order; there was an advertisement in the Daily Prophet (I've been getting it delivered; it's so good to keep up with what's going on in the wizarding world).

Then in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, page 540 Hermione says:

"I've taken out a subscription to the Daily Prophet. I'm getting sick of finding everything out from the Slytherins."

But didn't she already have a subscription to it?

3. Did Harry Inflate Both Aunts?

On the last page in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, there is a preview for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The first sentence says:

Harry Potter has to sneak back to his third year at Hogwarts after accidentally inflating his horrible Aunt Petunia.

It should say Aunt Marge, who Harry actually did inflate.

4. Missing End Quotes.

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, page 186, Lupin says:

"They planted the Whomping Willow the same year that I arrived here at Hogwarts. People used to play a game, trying to get near enough to touch the trunk. In the end, a boy called Davey Gudgeon nearly lost an eye, and we were forbidden to go near it. No broomstick would have a chance.

But then it launches right into the next paragraph:

"Did you hear about the dementors too?" said Harry with difficulty.

At first it appears as if Lupin is not done talking, seeing as there were no end quotes.

Did anyone catch these mistakes? Have you found any mistakes other than these four? Leave a comment! :D

Luna Lovegood's 5 Best Qualities

Be sure to check out my guest post on The Book Chewers! :D Click HERE to read about Luna Lovegood's 5 Best Qualities!

Literary Dinner Party (What Might Have Happened)

Let the Harry Potter Dinner Party begin! :D (If you were wondering, I brought multiple characters back from the dead to enjoy this fantastic dinner party. Behold my mighty powers).

(The guests enter the great hall. Dumbledore, McGonagall, Sprout, Flitwick, Snape, and Hagrid are already sitting at the staff table. Mrs. Weasley exits the kitchen and sits down at the Gryffindor table).

Hermione: Well, I'm glad that you decided to help the house elves cook the meal, Mrs. Weasley. If they can't be paid, I'm glad they didn't do all of the work by themselves.

Ron: Will you give it a rest, Hermione? They. Like. To. Work.

Hermione: Working is one thing, being a slave is another! If only more people were interested in S.P.E.W. . . .

Dumbledore: May I have your attention, please? I only have a few words for you: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

McGonagall: Professor, you've already used those words.

Dumbledore: I have? Dear me, my memory must be failing me again. I should go to my pensieve and put that memory back in my head. Right after--

McGonagall: Professor.

Dumbledore: Oh, sorry, Minerva. Tuck in!

(The food magically appears on the golden plates).

Dobby: Harry Potter, sir!

Harry: Dobby! I didn't know you were coming.

Dobby: Dobby just wanted to thank you, sir, for the socks you gave Dobby for his birthday, sir. You are most kind.

Malfoy: Did you seriously give a house elf a birthday present, Potter? First mudbloods, now house elves? You really should live with pigs. At least they're cleaner.

Dobby: You must not insult Harry Potter!

Peeves: Oooh, Peevesy smells trouble! Peeves should add to the fight, don't you think?

(Peeves drops a water balloon on Ron's head).

Ron: You little--

(Ron calls Peeves a rude name).

Mrs. Weasley: Ron!

(Ron's ears turn pink).

Fred: You know, that's a good color on you.

Ron: Shut up.

Sirius: Peeves was a lot tamer in our years.

Lupin: Yes, but that might've been because he was our partner in crime.

Sirius: Not your partner in crime, being a prefect and all.

Lupin: I'm surprised I didn't lose my badge after I helped you pull off all of those clever schemes.

Sirius: Like the time we managed to get Peeves to drop that bucket of dung bombs on old Snivellus's head?

Lupin: His hair never looked so good.

(Harry and Ron laugh).

Hermione: You two were really awful in your years.

Sirius: Nah. We were just stupid.

Moaning Myrtle: I notice you didn't mention the time you flushed me down the toilet.

Harry: Myrtle! What are you doing out of your bathroom?

Moaning Myrtle: Oh, so now I'm a prisoner as well as a ghost? I can leave my bathroom if I want to.

Harry (remembering his fourth year when Myrtle came into the prefect's bathroom): Yeah, I know.

Sirius: Ah, Myrtle, that was an accident! I didn't see you when that happened!

Moaning: That's me. Poor, pathetic, invisible Myrtle.

Peeves: You forgot friendless!

(Moaning Myrtle glides away, crying).

Luna: Ooh, Peeves, you were rather rude.

(Peeves sticks his tongue out at Luna).

Luna: Are we going to have any more D.A. meetings, Harry?

Harry: Er--I dunno.

Luna: Oh, I hope we do. None of my friends visit me anymore. It would be nice to see them again.

Ron: Er, Luna, nobody visits you anymore because no one knows where you live.

Luna: I don't live anywhere, really. I just sort of wander the country. I'm looking for a rare breed of nargles. Daddy's working on a nargle repellent to advertise in The Quibbler and we need some testers.

Hermione (with a considerable amount of sarcasm in her voice): I'm sure it'll be a big hit.

Luna: Yes, it should be. We've been getting tons of letters asking how to get rid of nargles. It's a rather difficult process, seeing as you have to get your hands on powdered unicorn horns, a feather of a gray owl, and the eye of a Crumple-Horned Snorkak, but Daddy's repellent should make it easier.

(Ron snorts into his pudding).

Luna: You can laugh, Ron, but when nargles start to infest your living room, Daddy won't give you a discount.

Neville: Have you actually seen a nargle?

Luna: Oh, no, they're invisible. You can hear them, though, if you listen hard enough.

(Dumbledore claps his hands together).

Dumbledore: It's getting late, and your rooms are all ready for you. I hope you will all join us for breakfast tomorrow. Good night!

Literary Dinner Party (or The Dinner Party I'd Love To Have, Minus A Few People)

I'm going to try and do this with only Harry Potter characters.

1.  One character who likes to cook. Mrs. Weasley.

2.  One character who has money to fund the party. Malfoy. Not that he'd want to. Actually, Harry would have the gold, too, wouldn't he?

3.  One character who might cause a scene. Again, Malfoy. Along with Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy Parkinson, and any of the other Slytherins. (You're not invited! Any of you!)

4.  One character who is funny/amusing. Ron, Dobby, and Luna.

5.  One character who is super social/popular. Viktor Krum. And when I say him, I mean popular, because he's nowhere near being super social.

6.  One villain.

Voldermort. And Bellatrix. And Umbridge. The list of people those three tormented could wallpaper my bedroom . . . five times over.

7.  One couple (doesn't have to be romantic). Then I'd have to say Luna and Ron/Harry/Hermione, because the exchanges they had were hilarious.

8.  One hero/heroine. Now you're all expecting me to say Harry, aren't you? But this prompt said one hero/heroine not the hero/heroine. So I'm going to name a few people and what they did to help Harry along the way (SPOILER ALERT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T READ THE BOOKS BUT REALLY SHOULD):

Ron: He supported Harry the whole time with just about everything and clued him in with the things Harry didn't know about the wizarding world.

Hermione: Can we just say that she was the brain of this trio?

Ginny/Luna/Neville: The Department of Mysteries. Need I say more?

Neville: I have to mention him twice because he's just so awesome. Chopping off Nagini's head was one of the greatest highlights in the seventh book.

Dumbledore: Let's say sacrificing himself, teaching Harry about love, and devising a whole plan that lasted since Harry was born just about sums it up.

Snape: Dedicating his whole life to Lily/Harry so Harry could live and defeat Voldemort.

Sirius: The Department of Mysteries. *Sniff*

Dobby: Malfoy Manor. *Double Sniff*

9.  One underappreciated character. This answer is dedicated to nevillegirl from Musings From Neville's Navel. I'd have to say Lupin, because Harry was more focused on Sirius (though I can see why, seeing as he's the only "family" he had left) even though Lupin was a better role model. He wasn't nearly as reckless as Sirius was and, hello? Patronuses?

10.  One character of your own choosing. Hermione. She's the first one I'd invite to my Literary Dinner Party. ("Hello, long-lost twin!") ;)

I tag you all! See if you can come up with your own Harry Potter Literary Dinner Party or base it off of another book or do whatever the heck you want! Leave a comment! :D

Tissues Are Necessary When You Read These Three Books

I cheated on this one a bit by talking about the whole series instead of one book. I cried during the end of the fifth and sixth books and I cried multiple times during the seventh book. BEST SERIES EVER. If you haven't read them I highly recommend that you do. Though I don't think I even have to say this anymore because if you've read my blog enough you already know what I think about this series.




My mom, brother, and I just recently finished this and we all cried during the end. Throughout the whole book you're thinking this is known to be a sad book? Then at the end BAM! You're caught completely off guard. The ending is very sweet. You can read my review of it HERE.




I'm the only one in my family who has read this book. I was able to read the whole thing over two late nights of reading. It's very good, but you're guaranteed to be in tears by the middle of the book. And if you're a dog lover or you have a dog or both you'll use up your whole box of tissues in minutes.

All of these books are excellent and I recommend that you read them. The sadness only adds to the sweetness of the book. If you've read any of these books, let me know what you think in the comments! :D

Happy Birthday, Harry Potter!

Happy July 31st! A.K.A., HARRY POTTER'S BIRTHDAY!!! :D

So today is Harry Potter's Birthday and I decided that our family should celebrate it. I started off the morning by baking a delicious-looking (and tasting) cake with the words, "Happy Birthday, Harry!" written on it in green icing. I tried to make a cake like the one Harry received from Hagrid in the first Harry Potter book. Hagrid had accidentally squashed the cake so I did the same.

Before Hagrid Sat On It

After Hagrid Sat On It

My brother and I are going to watch "The Prisoner of Azkaban" soon but I wanted to write this blog post first.

By the way, Harry's birthday is also J.K. Rowling's birthday. Happy Birthday, Jo!

Happy Birthday, Harry!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K.Rowling

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling, Harry, Ron, and Hermione go to Hogwarts for their 3rd year. In this book, the third in Rowling's absolutely amazing series, we learn more secrets about Harry's adventures.

People believe there was a break out in the wizarding prison Azkaban! The person who broke out is known by the name Sirius Black! Azkaban is guarded by horrible creatures called dementors, and they're guarding Hogwarts! Also, 3rd years have permission slips that have to be signed by parents or guardians to go to a fun place called Hogsmeade. Harry didn't get his signed, because his guardians refused. Harry was determined to find a way to not miss out on the fun. And then a great adventure began!

I really like this book, and the whole series. I read these books all the time, and I think everyone will love the next ones, too.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

I read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K.Rowling. In this book Harry has adventures in his second year at Hogwarts, his school.

In this book Harry meets a house elf, goes to a Death Day party, and tons of other stuff, but then something strange is going on! Everyone is being found petrified, even one of Harry's friends! Then something outstandingly weird happens to Harry because of his crazy Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart!

I really like this book because of all the adventure and mystery. If you like mystery I also recommend the Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew series.

J.K. Rowling

15 Facts About J.K. Rowling

1. J.K. Rowling's parents got married when they were 19 years old.
2. J.K. Rowling got the idea of a scar because she threw a battery at her sister Di when she was younger and it left a scar on her forehead.
3. Her friend's surname was Potter.
4. Her last name (first syllable) is pronounced 'row' as in a boat.
5. Kathleen (her middle name) is the same name as her favorite dead grandparent.
6. She has been writing since she was 6. (Like me!)
7. The idea of Harry Potter fell into her head on a train ride.
8. Her mother died at the age of 45.
9. It took over a year to find a publisher.
10. She is allergic to cats. (Also like me!)
11. Hermione Granger is like her. (Which means she is probably like me!)
12. She likes Hermyone better than Hermione's real name.
13. Hermione's birthday is 9/19.
14. Fred and George's birthday is April Fools day.
15. Her favorite book is the Deathly Hallows.

Here is a link to her website.
http://www.jkrowling.com/

Book Report--Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

I really like the book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. It is about an ordinary boy named Harry Potter who goes to a school for witches and wizards.

In this book Harry is raised by his aunt and uncle and his cousin Dudley. He learns his parents could do magic and he was going to learn, too. Some of his enemies were a student Harry's age, Draco Malfoy, and the potions teacher Severus Snape. He also met some friends, Ron Weasly and Hermione Granger.

I think this book teaches you good guys always beat bad guys.

I really love this book. I think everybody would like it and the next one: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. You can also get it on audio read by Jim Dale.