Fan Focus: Michele – January 23, 2011
MICHELE
Age 17, United States
First off, how did you become a Harry Potter fan?
I became a fan when I was in kindergarten and struggled through Philosopher’s Stone. There were two problems: the fact that I was barely six years old and not capable of reading full-length books on my own, and the fact that I somehow ended up with the British version. The fact that I stuck with the series despite the odds probably says a lot about how intensely I was impacted. This whole experience is documented in a really old Harry Potter-themed journal I have where my 6-year-old self drew a really dramatic picture of my older sister handing me the Harry Potter books that were published at the time with a quote bubble saying, “It’s your turn now.”
Imagine a world where you are 10 years old and do not know wizards exist. One day, a letter from Hogwarts comes, just for you. Would your reaction be disbelief, like Harry’s? Or something else?
I doubt it would take any convincing at all actually. My excitement would most likely triumph any logical reasoning. But I’d also like to add that I’d probably be in the bath tub just like Dan Radcliffe was when he found out that he had been cast; my 10-year-old self took a lot of baths, and sometimes I’d pretend to be petrified in the same position as Hermione in Chamber of Secrets.
Finally convinced that you’re a wizard and are off to a school you’ve never heard of, to do magic that you didn’t believe was possible, you head to Diagon Alley to get some school supplies, including a pet. You can choose from a toad, a cat, or an owl. Which would you choose and why?
An owl, definitely. I hate cats. Plus, owls are my favorite animal. I love how they just mind their own business. Cats, on the other hand, are all over you no matter where you go. If Crookshanks came within a foot of my personal space, I wouldnt be surprised if I “accidentally” kicked him.
There are so many new people to meet on the Hogwarts Express! Which Harry Potter character would you become fast friends with and why?
I’d become friends with any Weasley, because us ginger kids are a minority and we pick each other out of the crowd. Unless I passed some kids with chocolate frogs because in that case, I’d probably befriend them first. I really like magical chocolate.
You’ve heard so much about a test that you’re going to need to take first thing when you get to Hogwarts! You are terrified until you see that it’s only a hat that sits on your head, and shouts out the house that you’ve been sorted into. What does the hat tell you?
I’m one of those obnoxious people that have convinced themselves that they’re a Gryffindor. Seriously, I’m so invested in that particular sorting that I’d leave if I was sorted into anything else. Okay, that’s a lie; I wouldn’t leave. (Unless it was Hufflepuff. That’s another story.) I do think I’d have a pretty good shot at Gryffindor though, because I’m not really nice or humble enough to be a Hufflepuff. As far as Ravenclaw goes, I’m not nearly as smart as I think I am. And Slytherin wouldn’t work either, because I can’t come up with witty comebacks until hours later.
You love ALL of your classes at Hogwarts, learning how to make things fly, and to even fly yourself! There’s just one that you really dread going to, and that class is…?
Herbology. Seriously, what the hell. I know I’m supposed to answer with long, intelligent responses, but it’s a class in a greenhouse, so I dont think a further explanation is necessary.
Congratulations! You made the Quidditch Team for your house, and first year’s NEVER make the team! What position are you playing?
Keeper. It’s in my blood. (If my dad’s soccer goalie days in college count. Which they do.) I’m really weak so being a beater would be really unfortunate for the rest of the team, and I have horrible aim so that rules out chaser. And seeker nope, too much pressure. I’ve always thought that what happens with the quaffle is just to entertain the spectators, because the winner is normally just the team whose seeker catches the snitch.
Do you have anything else you’d like to add? Maybe a theory you still believe to be true, a shout-out, praise for yours truly?
Oh good, I was waiting for an opportunity to say that I never really win anything! Seriously, thanks so much! Mugglenet Fan-of-the-Week is more exciting for me than any award or title that could go on a college application.
