How and when did you get in to Harry Potter?
Harry Potter first entered my world four and a half years ago, in late 1999. My Sixth Grade teacher read books aloud for the class during our homeroom period, and the first book she read to us was Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone. I'm ashamed to say that when she first told us the book series' title, I somehow came up with the idea that Harry Potter was a series about pioneer life on the American frontier, something in the vein of Little House on the Prairie. I haven't a clue where it came from, but I know I wasn't looking forward to reading the book very much. Needless to say, I was much surprised when I found out the true subject matter of the books! I was immediately fascinated by them, and I have been a huge fan ever since.

Which Harry Potter book is your favorite?
It's a draw between The Chamber of Secrets and The Goblet of Fire. I was really intrigued by the idea of Riddle preserving himself through memories, and the climax in Book Two is pure genius. Book Four has a beautiful balance between the charming, innocent tone of the earlier books and the darker one of the fifth.. We also get to see the characters developing real identities for themselves (Harry as the unwilling hero, Hermione as the social advocate, et cetera).

What character can you relate to most?
Hermione, without a doubt. I'm such a bookworm, and I always pick up these random facts from what I read. I actually look forward to my classes and (almost) never slack off on homework. I also care a lot about social activism, although I can be a bit silly about it at times (such as scolding my friends for not finishing their lunches because there are children in Ethiopia starving to death). I have a bit of a tendency to overwork myself, but actually enjoy having too much to do. Then, of course, there's the fact that we both have enormous, bushy brown hair.

Are you satisfied with the handling of the "boy/girl stuff" in book 5?
I thought Ms. Rowling did a very good job with it. She portrayed the awkwardness so well; it was very believable. I must admit that I'm quite a Ron and Hermione shipper, but I don't want to see them together until the end of book 7. The anticipation is half the fun!

What did you think was the most exciting thing that happened in book 5? What was the most disturbing? What left the biggest impression on you?
Ooh, difficult questions. I suppose one of the most exicting moments for me is when Harry finds the prophecy in the Department of Mysteries. Of course, Ron being my favorite character, a close second would definitely be when Ron helped win the Quidditch Cup and the lyrics to "Weasley Is Our King" are finally rewritten.

The most disturbing thing in book 5 for me was Umbridge's general nastiness. I usually try to find good qualities in literary villains and see things from their side, but Umbridge is one of those rare characters I would just love to strangle.

Dumbledore's conversation with Harry at the end of the book left the biggest impression on me. It explains so much about Harry's life and Voldemort's motives. But what really hit me was that Dumbledore remains so calm throughout it, and then at the end of the chapter, he sheds a single tear.

Was the character that died the one you thought it would be? (Be honest now!)
Not at all! I didn't have any really strong ideas about who it might be, but Sirius certainly never crossed my mind. I suppose I figured it would be either Hagrid or Mrs. Weasley.

Which house would you like to be in and why? Do you think the Sorting Hat would place you in that house?
I think the Sorting Hat would put me in Ravenclaw, which is the house I would most like to be in. I am not a genius or anything, but I take a great satisfaction from learning, which is a quality most Ravenclaws seem to possess.

Do you have any interesting HP stories to share?
Yes, a rather bittersweet one. I attended the midnight openings for both The Goblet of Fire and The Order of the Phoenix at the small bookstore in my town, The Chinook Bookshop. Chinook has been a wonderful part of our community for over forty-five years. In a few weeks it will be closing. Everyone in my town is saddened by this event, because we all have our special memories of Chinook. Mine will always be gathering late at night with fellow lovers of reading to celebrate the newest chapter in the story of Harry Potter's life.

Do you have anything else you'd like to add? Maybe a theory you've concocted, a shout-out?
I suppose I ought to say that I'm not at all impressed by the first two Harry Potter films. I felt they lacked originality by staying too close to the books. Hardly any scenes were unique to the films, so most of my time in the theater was spent fretting over the differences between my vision of the story and that of the director. However, my hopes are high for the third movie.

As for theories, I do think that Harry is the Heir of Gryffindor (although I don't think it possible that he is also the Heir of Slytherin: Tom Riddle was the last descendant of Slytherin, and he had no children). I do believe that Harry and Draco will have to work together before the end. In book 5, Ms. Rowling brings up the need for unification quite often, and cooperation between these two rivals is a perfect way for this to happen.

So, I expect that's all! Love as always to my friends and family, thanks to the Chinook for satisfying my mind's cravings for a great book, and good cheer to Harry Potter fans around the world. Thank you also to the Potter Profiles staff for accepting my submission. A warm thanks to Ms. Rowling for sharing a masterpiece with us, and to my sister for the late-night Harry Potter readings. I've had a great time thinking about and answering these questions, and I hope you've enjoyed yourself reading my responses. One last thank you to everyone who has read this, and may your days be filled with Harry Potter goodness!

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