30 Day HP Meme, Day 6

[featherxquill]

I started to write a long, emo entry about how badly I want to go to DiaCon Alley, and how badly I want to go to the planned Ascendio con of 2012, and how I hate living at the arse end of the world and need moar money to travel and woe is me, but I sounded like such a privileged wanker that I couldn't stand myself. So I deleted it.

Instead, have the next entry in the 30 Day HP Meme. We can share the love online, until such time as I can afford to come and see all you awesome people in person (for the first time, or again). Or, you know, feel free to come to Australia any time :D.


06. Your favorite character(s)

Okay, wow, so. The most amusing thing about my love for HP and fandom is that it started through an enormous fangirl crush on Lucius Malfoy. I saw CoS when I was, oh, 17, and having had a thing for long-haired men for as long as I'd been aware of men in general, the sight of Jason Isaacs sauntering around the screen with a black velvet ribbon in his hair, whispering silken threats and swinging his snake cane around was enough to reduce me to a little puddle of steaming something in the cinema chair. So he has a special place in my heart (even though his book character is decidedly less suave).

From my first read? McGonagall, all the way. Strong, powerful, stern, kind-hearted, and really I am just regurgitating all the adjectives those Minerva fans on my flist have already used when saying how wonderful she is. I agree with them all. I also have a fondness for Petunia Dursley, Poppy Pomfrey, Sybill Trelawney and all the other 'old ladies', as well as Snape, Rufus Scrimgeour and Ollivander.

But of course, as is my way, the character I love best is one lots of people love least. Shall I trumpet my love for Rita Skeeter?

What do I love? I love that she is an unapologetic bitch, that she is not afraid of anyone. We are told repeatedly that Dumbeldore is the only one Voldemort ever feared, but he doesn't scare Rita Skeeter. Her response to being caught by him, in a broom cupboard with Harry? To make mention of an article in which she referred to him as an 'obsolete dingbat', and not even bat an eyelash. She spies on people in her animagus form, but then writes whatever she wants anyway. In The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore, she freely admits that she used a Ministry-controlled substance on Bathilda Bagshot, just for the hell of it, I guess. She is clearly a woman with an extraordinary understanding of people and of the world, but instead of using that understanding to be critically acclaimed, instead of using her animagus ability to gather information for in-depth features, she uses them to get under people's skin and know what she can get away with, to write sensationalist gossip and bitchy opinion pieces. She just doesn't give a fuck about anything, and that is so delicious in a fictional character.

Of course, in my own personal canon, everything about her is a show. Make-up and heels and cynicism is her armour against the world, and she does feel that understanding of people very deeply. This doesn't mean that she is a completely different, fluffy person on the inside - she is quite sharp, self-centred, and difficult to deal with - but she does care, even if she pretends not to. She is quite protective of the people she cares about, especially those she sees as trusting, naive or innocent in some way (post-memory-charm Gilderoy ala shh_gilderoy, omg), and wants to keep them safe from, well, other people like her. In relationships, she is non-judgemental and understanding of people's needs and limitations, as long as they are respectful of her own (nothing makes her run away faster than someone who declares their love or threatens her independence). Above all, she is a dynamic person to be around - charming and fun - the kind of friend who is constantly full of amusing anecdotes, takes you places you would never have gone on your own, and is generous with money, gifts and time. Don't get on her bad side, though, or she'll take you to pieces.


Previous Answers


01. Discuss how you got into Harry Potter
02. Your favorite book
03. What house would you be in?
04. Your favorite movie
05. Wizard Rock: discuss
06. Your favorite character(s)
07. Song that reminds you of HP
08. Your favorite ship(s)
09. Fanfiction: discuss
10. Favorite book moment(s)
11. Character you're crushing on
12. Favorite movie scene
13. Least favorite character(s)
14. Moments in the books/movies that made you cry
15. Whatever tickles your fancy
16. How have you participated in the fandom over the years?
17. Your favorite celebs from the movies or fandom
18. If you could change one thing about canon, what would it be?
19. A favorite fanart
20. A favorite quote
21. How has the HP fandom connected you to other fandoms, interests, or people?
22. Your favorite villain
23. Share some HP icons
24. Rant about Steve Kloves something
25. Song that reminds you of HP
26. What aspect of the books has been best translated to film?
27. What aspect of the books has been most poorly translated to film?
28. Hogwarts subject you would most like to take
29. Favorite location
30. Whatever tickles your fancy

Comments

[minervas-eule.livejournal.com]

the kind of friend who is ... "exhausting" is what comes to my mind first *LOL*, but some people have the stamina and nerves - and then it is fun for sure ;-));

Having read the first two paragraphs of your post I really started to wonder what had happened at your end of the earth to make you forget about her.... *LOL*

[miss-bowtruckle.livejournal.com]

Groan! Moan! Save! Come for Ascendium! We'll be having much fun and moar people and Big J coming along, and I DEMAND that you be there!!!

No cons between now and then because you MUST COME TO THIS EFFING THING1!!!!11!1

[vivien]

I love your take on Rita. She is a compelling character. Yay love for minor characters!

[cranky--crocus.livejournal.com]

As usual, I love your description of dear Rita. She was a blast to write. I'll have to keep your thoughts in mind the next time I write her!