New Year at Hogwarts | Pottermore Sorting

In celebration of this year, 1st September 2017, being nineteen years later, the last canon scene featured in the Harry Potter books, I've decided to share with you my Pottermore sorting experience as unfortunately I never received my Hogwarts acceptance letter.... 

I've been a member of Pottermore since about 2014, so I've been using it since before the big change in the sorting quiz and the format of the website. I think I preferred it before but I'm definitely getting used to it! When the website changed, there was an option to reclaim your old house, which I did because Hufflepuff is the greatest house and I wouldn't want it any other way. Still, I got curious, so I made a new account and did the test again. I was actually terrified I might be sorted differently so I was very happy and relieved to be sorted back into the house of the just and loyal! I really enjoyed the new sorting quiz, it's a really interesting way to find out what you value most and although the questions seem vague at first, it's a lot of fun. If you've never actually been sorted on Pottermore, I would highly recommend doing it because it's a great way to connect with other fans and the test was devised by JK Rowling herself so what are you waiting for?! 

I know a few people are actually disappointed to be sorted into Hufflepuff *gasps* So, I think it's important to remember this is the house of Tonks, Cedric and Newt Scammander, some of the most renowned wizards! And who wouldn't want to be part of a house which values hard work and loyalty, those are clearly great qualities. Also, the whole Hufflepuff aesthetic is very bright and sunny which I love. And for bonus points, the Hufflepuff common room is right next to the kitchen so need I say more? I mean I could, but we'll move on.

I was really excited to discover the new Ilvermony houses and get sorted! I didn't really know much about any of the houses at first so I was eager to learn more about Thunderbird. Apparently, it's the house that represents the soul and values adventures, which are great traits to have. To add to that, Porpentina Goldstein of the Fantastic Beasts movie is a proud member of Thunderbird so if you've been sorted into this house you're among the best Ilvermony have to offer! Furthermore, JK Rowling and Evanna Lynch have both been sorted into Thunderbird on Pottermore so what better reason is there to be proud of your house?!

So I actually own Cedric Diggory's wand but on Pottermore I have a unicorn hair core, hornbeam wood 14 1/4 inch wand! I think part of the reason you're assigned a wand is to make the sorting process even more realistic, which is what we all need really seeing as we all have a complex after never getting that sorting letter... 

I remember when you could first discover your Patronus, a hugely exciting time for all us Potter fans! As someone who always thought theirs would be a hamster or something slightly pathetic or something I was pretty happy to discover it was a dolphin! On Pottermore, it doesn't tell you the significance of the dolphin but a bit of digging revealed that apparently having the dolphin as my Patronus signals me to be an adventure-seeking and social person who can sometimes appear incompetent due to asking for help. Interesting! Though this isn't from the official site so I took it with a pinch of salt.

My Dream Adaptation of Everything Leads to You by Nina Lacour

Feminist Icons of Literature: Hermione Granger

"Books! And cleverness! There are more important things! — Friendship! And Bravery!"

Brains, sense, loyalty and kindness. An aspirational, hard-working young woman who is confident in her abilities and never apologises for her success. A girl thrust into a completely new world at a young age who never falters, merely taking every new experience in her stride and going out of her way to learn everything she can to set herself apart. Hermione Granger was my all-time favourite character as a child and that hasn't really changed! Now, I admire her as more than a book nerd who's kind to her friends and good at magic, I see the kind of pioneering feminist she was, defying expectations at all ages.

Hermione, born and raised by muggles, enters a world completely new to her at the age of 11. This would be difficult for someone of any age, where everything you thought you knew about the world isn't the truth and there are hundreds of new customs and rules and societal structures to familiarise yourself with, but classic Hermione adjusts amazingly well, throwing herself into books to learn all she can. What is so amazing about Hermione is she embraces the intelligent part of herself from an early age, never denying or hiding her brains but being secure and confident in who she is. This inspired me as a child to not ever be embarrassed about working hard at school or loving books and it's important that we have these kind of role models in children's literature. The characters of books and film are the role models outside of family and friends who influence us most and it's so necessary to have someone like Hermione leading the way and proving to young girls that it's okay to work hard in school and to aim for a successful, academic career.

Additionally to this, Hermione is undoubtedly a feminist icon as she fights for what she believes in: the rights of house elves. They had been enslaved by the wizarding world and Hermione recognised them as deserving of respect and fair treatment. The Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare initially faced mocking from even her best friends but as a cause close to her heart, Hermione persevered and continued to fight for the house elves. This is an important message for young girls because it teaches us that when you find something you're passionate about in your life, you must fight for it because if it's not you, there's no one else who will take up the baton!

Finally, Hermione is an all round badass, amazing woman who is consistently loyal to her friends and the causes she believes in, standing by Harry until the very end despite the difficulties and the threats to their lives that they face. She's the brightest witch of her age and never allows anyone to underestimate her or prevent her from aspiring to the best future possible. And for that reason, Hermione is one of my feminist icons of literature. 

My Top 10 YA Female Protagonists

Credit: http://ninitel.deviantart.com/art/Girls-404880539

So I wanted to share with you my favourite female protagonists from the YA genre because these women are strong, quick-witted, smart and brave. The qualities they portray inspire people to read and enjoy these books, perhaps even leading them to want to write themselves. Young people also realise that they possess these qualities and when they read about ordinary characters achieving extraordinary things it gives them the courage to do great things in their own lives. 

10. Tris Prior - Divergent by Veronica Roth

Credit: http://www.deviantart.com/art/Tris-Prior-322412658

Tris is one of my favourite characters of all time. She has immense bravery and courage to rebel against the norm and her societal system while still valuing family above all else. Tris, despite harsh comments about her small size, trained herself up and worked hard to be one of the best initiates in Dauntless, proving everyone who had doubts in her that they were wrong. She faced her fears and overcame them continually. Tris' ultimate act of selfless bravery in the final book (Allegiant) summed up who Tris was as a person and I couldn't have imagined her choosing a different outcome, despite it breaking my heart. 

9. Cat Hunter - Take Back The Skies by Lucy Saxon

Cat has to make it onto the list because she is an independent girl who runs away from her upper class life, originally for slightly selfish reasons, but uses her new identity and position to help out those in need. She's smart, skilled and caring for those around her. Also, the steampunk-fantasy world that Lucy Saxon created was amazing and the detailed map of Tellus was part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much! 

8. Juliette - Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Credit: http://www.deviantart.com/art/Juliette-Ferrars-371543802

I love Juliette because despite  being timid and a little shy at first, she gains confidence and becomes more outspoken. She possesses a lethal power and learns how to control it, teaching herself not to be afraid of her own capabilities. Juliette is brave, powerful and unafraid to take risks, which are all qualities I definitely admire. 

7. Mare Barrow - Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Credit: http://vivus1999.deviantart.com/art/Mare-Barrow-600503042

Mare is on the list not just because of her powers but because of her relentless determination. She longs for the day when there is justice and equality among the Reds and Silvers and fights for this cause with admirable resolve. Mare puts her family first and does everything to protect them. She can be a bitter, harsh person but her sense of humour always balances this out. 

6. Emma Carstairs - Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare 

Credit: http://www.deviantart.com/art/Emma-Carstairs-612552640

Like all shadowhunters, Emma is a fierce and skilled warrior. Her fiery temper and sarcastic tongue often land her in conflict, although she is a passionate and loyal friend to those close to her. Emma is faithful to the Blackthorns and aids Julian in bringing up his younger siblings. Her kind and soft side is always brought out by her friends and the Blackthorns, although she often hides her more vulnerable side behind a tough bravado. In battle, her quick remarks combined with incredible fighting skills tear down her opponents in a fashion matchable only by Jace Herondale himself. 

5. Katniss Everdeen - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Credit: http://designrshub.com/2014/07/katniss-everdeen-artworks.html

Katniss is possibly one of my favourite book protagonists of all time. She embodies selflessness and bravery through all of her actions and the causes she stands for. Despite the threat to her own life by doing so, she leads a rebellion against a discriminatory dictatorship, fighting for justice and freedom of all people across Panem. Katniss is widely admired by teen readers not just for her courage but also because Collins paints her as an ordinary teenage girl thrust into an extraordinary, impossible situation. Katniss has a wild temper but her willingness to not stand by and watch the oppressive Capitol ruin the lives of the twelve districts' citizens make her one of the ultimate book heroes. 

4. Hermione Granger - The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

 

Credit: http://fridouw.deviantart.com/art/Hermione-Granger-579721531

Hermione is brave, smart and extremely talented. She works hard at school, pushing herself to succeed and setting herself up for an amazing career in the future. She never makes rash decisions, always calculating the smartest move and planning ahead to make sure that she, Ron and Harry are prepared for any outcome. Her level headedness and intelligence make her stand out among the spontaneous, impulsive and often violent characters in the YA fantasy genre but Hermione is loved by Potterheads for precisely those qualities. 

3. Clary Fray - The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Credit: http://taratjah.deviantart.com/art/Clary-Drawing-453848020

All of Cassandra Clare's readers adore Clary for her stubbornness that often leads to reckless behaviour when she goes to extreme lengths to prove that she is a shadowhunter by nature despite being raised among mundanes. Clary is creative and always has a sketchbook to hand so it goes without saying that her artistic qualities lend to her abilities as a shadowhunter and her powers with runes. She is caring and compassionate towards others, lending good advice to the young Emma Carstairs and always remaining loyal to family and friends.

2. Tessa Gray - The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

Credit: http://smitth.deviantart.com/art/Tessa-Gray-330653964

Tessa is an intelligent and curious person by nature, devouring books and eager to learn about the world of shadowhunters that has existed right under her nose for her whole life without her knowledge. She has a warm heart and seeks happiness for those that she loves, determinedly searching for her brother and pushing away Will and Jem for fear of hurting them. Her character develops immensely over the trilogy but her caring side always remains. 

1. Celaena Sardothien - Throne of Glass by Sara J Maas

Credit: http://lilith-black.deviantart.com/art/Calaena-Sardothien-493537992?ga_submit_new=10%3A1415560406

Celaena had to be number one on this list because she is passionate about everything she is involved with, whether that's her job, friends or love interests. She is a skilled fighter and assassin. However, she loathes excessive cruelty and slavery in the kingdom and refuses to tolerate the injustices in Erilea. Celaena is an emotional person who often hides behind a tough bravado to maintain her image as Adarlan's Assassin but is still vulnerable underneath her thick skin. The fantasy world that Maas has created is absolutely mind blowing and I couldn't imagine a better protagonist than Celaena to lead the reader through the vivid land of Erilea.