Homework Again

1 Which is your favorite book in the series (and why)?
#5, because I really like seeing Umbridge go down.

2 If you were taking Owls, which class would you get an E in? Would you get any Ts?
I hope I'd be good at History of Magic. I'd be most likely to get a T in Herbology. This is what my fiance's garden looked like after he left it to me. The only plant I took good care of was the goldenrod.

3 Who is your favorite character (or characters) in the Harry Potter series?
I think the Weasley twins are pretty nifty. I also feel a certain kinship with Hagrid, and his views on interesting creatures.

4 If you had to pick 1 character for a roomate, who would you pick and why? Who'd be your least-favorite to have as a roomate?
Hermione would be a great roommate, because she'd help with homework and we could stay up all night knitting. I wouldn't want to live anywhere near Percy Weasley, and if I had Pansy Parkinson as a roommate I'd probably rub poison ivy on her sheets.

5 Hufflepuffs are a hardworking bunch, but also a bit mischevious. Which Hogwarts professor would you most like to prank, and how would you do it?
I'd like to play a prank on Professor Flitwick. I think he'd be the biggest challenge - and he'd probably appreciate a well-done prank, once it was over.

6 Favorite DADA professor? (from the books, Lucius does NOT count :)
Professor Lupin. And I'd like to take some classes from the real Professor Moody.

7 Favorite magical creatures? (Also, if for example you like a certain creature in general, but not how they are represented in the HP canon, feel free to elaborate :)
Isn't it strange that dogs are never listed as being magical? Is it just because they're so wonderful that they don't need magic?
There's something cool about the Thestrals. It would be hard to get used to having a creature around that I couldn't see, but they seem to be pretty friendly in their own way.

8 What is your favorite food in the HP universe? Which food or foods would you like to try in real life? Do you have any recipes to share with us ;)?
Mmm...butterbeer. I'd love to try butterbeer. I'm pretty sure I'd like the Pumpkin Pasties too - maybe I should come up with a recipe for my own. And anything by Mrs. Weasley would be wonderful to try.

9 Broom, floo powder, portkey, or magic carpet?
Magic carpet - more room for the dogs.

10 Since we're Hufflepuffs... Yellow or Black?
Black! Except for knitting yarn...I'm learning that's not much fun.

The Dating Game

I've heard that, a few years ago, one of the Professors went kind of nuts on Valentine's day and filled Hogwarts with glitter and angry cupids. Maybe some things are safer done the Muggle way, with a computer dating quiz.

I took the test to find my ideal mate at Hogwarts, and got:

Your result for The Harry Potter Husband Test...

Mrs. Weasley Twin

Your perfect HP man is Fred and/or George Weasley.

Laughter is important to you. You want a guy who's never boring, who can always put a smile on your face, and who can pull the best of pranks and never get caught. Or possibly two such guys. Because let's face it, they're pretty much a two-fer. You get one, you get both. Even if one of them's only a friend, he'll still be around so much you'll feel like you're married to him, too. Sure, they may not seem like the most mature guys in the world, in a traditional sense, but just ask them about their business plan. When they drive you nuts by relentlessly testing their latest inventions on you, you can console youself with that huge stack of cash and dragon-leather jacket. Besides, you know you're powerless against those stereo smiles.

Take The Harry Potter Husband Test at HelloQuizzy

That's not what I expected, but I think the Weasley twins are pretty cool. I'll bet my mother would be happy if I brought home a redhead - although two might be a bit much for her! But I think a girl would get awful worn out, living with one of those boys.

Besides, I already have a Muggle boyfriend. For someone who can't do magic or knit, he's pretty satisfactory. And I never have to worry about "accidentally" getting Canary Creams for Valentine's Day!

Quidditch, Round One

This school term is going fast! Can you believe it's already time for the first Quidditch match? We've barely had a chance to get the team together and practice.

I'm not going to be able to hunt for the Snitch this time, so I'd better get my answers posted!

1. At the beginning of the book, Cornelius Fudge is talking to the Muggle Prime Minister. Which member of the Order of the Phoenix has recently been found dead?
c. Emmeline Vance

2. What animal does Bellatrix Lestrange kill when she and her sister, Narcissa, are going to see Professor Snape?
b. Fox

3. What time does Professor Dumbledore collect Harry from Privet Drive?
b. 11 p.m.

4. What did Professor Slughorn transform into when he was trying to hide from Harry and Professor Dumbledore?
a. An armchair

5. What grade did Harry get for Herbology?
a. E – Exceeds Expectation

6. Herbert Chorley, the Prime Minister’s Junior Minster, has been entertaining the public by impersonating which animal?
b. A duck

7. What is Professor Sprout’s first name?
d. Pomona

8. What is Dumbledore’s idea of ‘a few words’?
d. nitwit, oddment, blubber and tweak

9. Who is Marcus Belby’s famous uncle?
b. Damocles

10. What is Snape’s mother’s name?
b. Eileen Prince

Photos:

Narcissa

Snape

Bellatrix

Professor Sprout

Professor Dumbledore



HUZZAH HUFFLEPUFF!!!!!

Picture Day

It's picture day at Hogwarts!

Since the Meez on the side already shows me in my Hogwarts uniform, I'll share this - the last school picture I had taken. Do you miss the '80s?

No magic spell in the world would do much for my thin hair (especially after I had a Hair-Destroying Curse put on me by my Evil Second Grade Teacher), but I was determined to try. Perm after perm, and this was the best it got - I really wanted something curlier!

Fortunately for the next generation, I'm marrying a man with naturally curly hair. So any future children should have hair with body without having to resort to Hoosier Hair, or any of its more-unfortunately-named counterparts.

Potions Practice

It's hard to remember how much fun Potions can be when your teacher is Snape - sorry, Professor Snape. With him, it's all about things you can do to people - Swelling Solution, Confusing Concoction, Veritaserum, Draught of Living Death. I think the only reason he teaches antidotes at all is so he'll have an excuse to poison students. After his class, you're left thinking Potions are mostly a Dark Art - so why would you ever want to study them?

But Potions can be fun, too. My friend from last term, Calliope, invited me to join her and a bunch of the witches in her town for a Potions Day in the park. We spent the whole day working on Potions that change the color of things - mostly yarn and stuff, but I got a bit too eager to work on mine, and wound up turning my hands blue. I think somebody else accidentally colored her hair, but the more experienced witches assured her that the color wouldn't stay unless she'd also spilled Mordantum Mixture on her hair first.


We learned that you can use some ingredients that are easy to find - like Pokeberry, and even Walnuts for your potions - although having some Dragon's Blood and Beetle Scale helps make the really nice colors.

I'm sorry Calliope couldn't come back to Hogwarts for this term, but she says she'll be back next year. She's still practicing her Potions work almost every week, so I know she'll have all sorts of exciting things to show off when she gets back!

Dueling with the Muggles

I've just finished a hat for Hat Attack, which is sort of like Dueling Club for Muggles. The structure is a bit different - instead of a one-to-one matchup, everyone's in a chain, trying to do in the next person down. Imagine being in a Quiddtich match where there aren't any teams, and everyone's looking for the Snitch!

My hat is in the mail now, on its way to "kill" my Muggle victim. Muggle knitters can be a pretty violent bunch. I wonder if it's because they only get to wave around knitting needles, and never wands?

Quiz #1

1. Do you knit and/or crochet?
- Mostly I knit. I'm crocheting a project right now, though.
2. How long have you been at your craft?
- 30 years, off and on. More seriously, for the past 5 or so.
3. Do you spin? If yes do you use drop spindle or wheel.
- Some, on a drop spindle.
4. What is your favorite color?
- Blue, and I like cool colors in general.
5. Do you have any other hobbies?
- Lots! Reading, cooking, wine drinking, lampworking, medieval re-creation
6. What are your favorite yarns/fibers?
- Merino wool is my favorite overall, and seems to be the most versatile and practical. I like natural fibers in general.
7. What are your LEAST favorite yarns/fibers?
- Acrylic and mohair. I really don't like mohair in garments - I try to be more open-minded about synthetics.
8. Are there any yarns that you’ve been eyeing and wanting to try?
- I keep hearing about this Wollmeise, and want to try it. I love my skein of Fleece Artist sock yarn, and would like to try more of theirs. Tofutsies and Therapi are the only SWTC yarns I've tried, so I'd like to try some of the others.
9. What are you currently working on?
- My Hat Attack weapon, Zero the Ghost Dog, and my "Audacity" yarn socks.
10. What is your favorite Finished Object? (Pictures are welcome.)
- That's a tough call. I reach for my Monkey socks pretty regularly. And I was quite proud of Nautie, and want to knit more of him.
11. Are their any knitting/crochet techniques that you would like to learn?
- I want to learn to knit two socks at once, and I want to try double knitting.
12. What is you favorite type of book or movie?
- Historical fiction for books - probably comedies for movies.
13. Who is your favorite person at Hogwarts?
- Madam Hooch is totally cool. I want to fly like she does.
14. Favorite class and/or subject at Hogwarts?
- Care of Magical Creatures. Someday I'd like to a niffler.
15. How many family members do you have?
- There's me, my fiance (who's away at another school), and the two dogs.
16. What is your favorite Fall activity?
- Roasting marshmallows
17. How many projects do you have on your needles/hook?
- I have 13 projects in progress, 4 that I've actively worked on in the last week or two
18. What is your favorite type of footwear?
- Birkenstock sandals. They show off handmade socks so well!
19. What is your favorite beverage of choice?
- I drink Pepsi most of the time, but I like white or rose wine the best.
20. What is your favorite park of Half-blood Prince?
- The Quiddtich match where Harry tricks Ron into thinking he's taken the Felix Felicis.

Questions from the Headmistress

Here's my first homework assignment!

Potter Name: Selena Starfire

Rav ID: VeryBadDogs

I am allergic to: Cats, black olives

Pets that I have: 2 bad dogs

My favorite yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport, or Cherry Tree Hill

My favorite flavor: It's a tough choice - mocha, mint, or berry?

My favorite holiday: Christmas, but the others are fun, too

I would like to receive a: surprise!

List your favorite brand of needles or hooks, including size and length: Crystal Palace bamboo needles - I go through a lot of 1s and 2s (thanks to the dogs). I learned that I don't do so well with really short needles.

Is there a brand that you are dying to try?: Of needles? Sooner or later I'll try the Addis, and the Sock Stix.

I've participated in HSKS: Once

Do you have a birthday during this swap? If so which day? No

My Wand

Last term, I didn't worry too much about my wand - I just borrowed one for learning the basic spells. Some people thought it was funny that, when I bought my spindle, I paid more attention to it than I did to a wand. But it makes sense - you have to find the right combination of wood and whorl (just like a wand and its core), and you want something that fits your hand. If you spend a lot of time around Muggles, a spindle is a bit - only a bit, I'm afraid - easier to explain than a wand.

But this year I have my own wand, selected by Mr. Ollivander just for me!

Wood type: olive Length: 11 inches Core: Phoenix Feather get your own wand!

Mr. Ollivander says this about Olive wands:

Olive wands tend to choose the witch or wizard who possess above average intelligence, not to mention often an overactive imagination. Olive wands are also a favorite of healers and are especially good not only for healing but also for protective spells. Many believe the bearers of Olive wands to be good at decision making - but this is not necessarily so. The owner of an olive wand may be decisive but that does not mean their decisions are the right ones. On the other side of the coin they may be so busy worrying about what is right that they are unable to ever reach a conclusion.
Olive's personality is peaceful

And this about the Phoenix feather core:

The Phoenix Feather comes from the tail feathers of a Phoenix, and is especially good with fire or defensive magic, as well as healing magic. This may be due largely to the healing properties Phoenixes have.

I tend to burn myself a lot, when I'm baking or making glass beads, so I hope this wand will be good for healing those burns!

P.S. There was a lovely surprise in my mailbox today, a leftover from HSKS5! Read all about it on my Muggle Blog.

Back to School

It's almost time for the fall term to begin at Hogwarts, and I can't wait to get back!

I'm only in my second year, so I'm glad I was able to do the summer term and get started. Being at Hogwarts is so much fun that I liked going to school in the summer. Even the homework was interesting - we hardly ever had that at my Muggle school.

I was surprised to find out how much I liked playing Quidditch. I've never been very athletic, but I certainly had some good luck as a Seeker. I hope that carries over into this term, because I'd really like to see Hufflepuff repeat our Quidditch and House Cup victories!

I never thought I'd be a Hufflepuff. I'd always thought of myself as a Ravenclaw type, and the Sorting Hat seemed to be trying to decide between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. But like Professor Dumbledore says, the Hat can take your thoughts into account. I guess not many people wanted to be Hufflepuffs last year, but I thought it would be just fine. I'm glad the Hat did too, because I loved my House - we had all kinds of fun together. I'm looking forward to seeing who's back, and getting to know the new students.

Of course, one of the best things about Hogwarts is meeting other witches and wizards who like to knit. I'm sure we'll get a lot of knitting done as we chat in our common room. I wonder what sort of projects I'll do this year?