Wednesday, December 29, 2010

H. Granger's New Year Gifts for Number 12 Secret-Keepers

The year 2011 is just around the corner, fellow Number 12 Secret-Keepers. As we say goodbye to 2010-- a significant year for us, for this is the year Number 12 was founded-- and usher in 2011, I would like to give each of you a New Year gift that best suits your personality and circumstance.

Without further ado, here you are...


To G. Potter, I give...
the beaded bag with the Expandable Charm, where she could keep all that needs to be kept by a busy witch, who is married to a great Auror and who keeps a household of five children. I hope this will make your life a lot easier, G.




To Ridane Prongs, I endow...
the Enchanted Tent, which I believe you will find extremely useful for your expanding family, as I am quite certain Skye Felix won't be the last kid in your brood, what with all that passion you and G. Potter-Phoenix have for each other. This tent comes with a marital master bedroom protected by the Muffliato Charm, so you could make all the noises you couldn't stop making without waking the entire household up.


To Hedwig, I offer...
the Amortentia Potion. Use it well on that hot wizard barista in Hogsmeade (wink, wink!)



















To Silver Doe, my luscious blueberry cheesecake, I give...

a vial of Veritaserum.

Tip this into your pumpkin juice. See me. Bare your soul before me. End this game of hide-and-seek once and for all.




To Wendylin the Weird, I turn over...

Bertie Botts Every Flavour Jelly Beans. I know you've always wanted to try Dragon's Fart and Goblin's Piss flavours, so here you are...

Have a blast!








To Yan-Yan Antiporda, I give as a welcome gift as well...

a barn owl that you can call by any name you fancy, so that you may keep in touch with the residents of Number 12 by owl post. Welcome to our House!












To James Brian Indoma, I give...

the latest, high-end model of Comet 2011. I've been waiting for you to drop by. How about test driving this baby and pay us a visit?








To Papercrown, as a welcome gift, I offer...

Felix Felicis. May this potion bring you good fortune this coming year. Welcome to Number 12!





















And to myself...

the Time-Turner, that I may go back in time and find out how I managed to make those beautiful mistakes I made, especially my favourite ones...




* * * * * * *

So, there you are, denizens of Number 12. Enjoy your gifts. Happy, happy New Year!!!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Argy's Monthsary.

Harry Potter is J. K. Rowling's very own masterpiece. There are spectacular events which go in twists and in turns, marvelous places beyond our imagination, admirably sensible lines, disbelievingly diverse creatures, and of course the cognizant characters who make everything fantabulous. However there are fair few of characters who are despised, and overlooked because of their features which affect their functions in every book. It;s either they are loathed by the readers or by their fellow characters. Allow me to zoom a little to better get to the point. 
I am talking here of two persons particularly at Hogwarts who are 'greatly disliked' and 'universally despised' by students. They are so because of their tasks in school: on is keeping the books of the library and the other is caring for the school such as patrolling the corridors and inspecting the students. Obviously, they are Madam Pince and Filch; the former is the Hogwarts' Librarian, and the latter is the caretaker.

Madam Irma Pince, as all Hogwarts staff are, is no exception in skills. however she is deemed highly unpleasant by most of the student body as her being highly possessive and protective of the Hogwarts Library books. Moreover, she's severe, strict and irritable. She performs intricate non-verbal magic, and able to place powerful hexes and jinxes on objects. It is said that she often put curses, jinxes, and hexes on books so that students cannot further dismantle her loved books. There was an instance that the Headmaster himself, APWB Dumbledore visited her sanctuary with the goal of publishing Quidditch Through Ages for muggles to raise money. But Pince was extremely reluctant to let the book leave the confines of the library, as well as the wizarding world, and Dumbledore had to pry each of her fingers from the spine to take it. Upon reading the said book, he saw a warning - a threat to the readers. 






Argus Filch is a Squib and a caretaker of Hogwarts S of W and W who usually wanders around the school corridors trying to catch rule-breaking students. He also has his own addiction - Mrs. Norris the cat. His den is his office filled with cabinets containing detailed records of all the students he disciplined (which apparently the Weasley twins have an entire drawer to themselves. Harry also found Sirius' and his father's many records while doing a detention. The Marauders Map was also recovered here.)Filch believes in corporal punishment on students which laments him so because it isn't allowed. Asa a squib, he has difficulty in recognizing potions, as he didn't notic the love potions disguised as perfumes and cough potions by
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, nor the mead poisoned by Draco.

Though both hated by students, Madam Pince and Mr. Filch have some more similarities; they both heed on faults of students and they have their own wedded inclination - Mrs. Norrics for Argus, and her tomes for Irma. But she is a highly skilled witch and he is a Squib. So what now? Do the two really shared a romantic relationship? Though there are rumors about Pince giving Filch a  love Potion (which he can't detect) when she overheard the Trio harry ron hermione talking of such in the library in HBP. just so they end up together. Filch even escorted her at Dumbledore's funeral.


So here's a plain story I made for you guys. Hope you'll like it.
 



Amidst the increasingly tight measures around the school, halfway through October will still be the students' first Hogsmeade trip of the term. It was rather stormy while the wind and sleet pounded relentlessly on the windows, a time for students to endure their sweet dreams and obscene snoring. But for Irma, 'tis a carefree day for some students won't go lurking in her library and of course, for she can accommodate Argus once more so they can spend some time alone together. As for Argus, he will be lessening his patrols as three-quarters of the students are out of school for the trip.

Filch was standing at the oak front doors as usual, checking off the names of the people who had permission to go into Hogsmeade. The process took even longer than normal as Filch was triple-checking everybody with this Secrecy Sensor. HBP242  But he'd be late for his date.
"What does it matter if we're smuggling Dark stuff OUT?" demanded Ron, eyeing the long thin Secrecy Sensor with apprehension. "Surely you ought to be checking what we bring back IN?" HBP243
This struck Argus. Since it took him longer than usual, the then ought to consider Ron's advice and hurried over inside the castle leaving Draco Malfoy unchecked.

" Food in the library! Out! OUT!" roared Irma at three second years. The poor students hastily dashed away the shelves and headed to the doors. one of the three, a bespectacled boy, knocked Argus by the doorstep.
"How dare you!" But Irma was now complaining of what they did to Argus. "Argus, my heart, I'm so sorry." she helped him on his feet "I'm going to catch them later."
They had spent the day talking of students who often break the school rules and scheming a very good punishment for them.
"Let's meet on Monday." said Irma thoughtfully.
"Promise, my heart." Argus kissed Irma's bare hand as a temporal farewell.

Next day, Sunday, burst Katie Bell's accident with the cursed necklace at Hogsmeade. Argus was devastated because of his failure. He was no more determined to patrol and check every student. Thus affected his next date.
"-but you've heard it. The news. I just can't leave my work, it's noble. I'll make it up to you heart." despite the terrible happenings, Argus compromised.

Thursday morning, the library's packed with usual people, just as the castle was with snow for Christmas was approaching fast. Irma's supposed to be busy, yet unhelpful to students who were finding books. She was rather immersed with the potion book she has just pried her fingers from the Restricted Section, and searched for an empty bookshelf and settled herself, scanning. Eyeing through the shelf, she caught glimpse of Harry Potter along with his two most loyal friends who were discussing so intently. She remembered the boy's first year at Hogwarts, taking the book Quidditch Through the Ages out of the library and she finally had it back through Argus.
"Such an arrogant boy. So much alike with the father." she smirked.
"-up a powerful curse, like the one on that necklace within seconds." she overheard the girl with the bushy hair confessing to the two.
"Hmp! Up to something silly again, they are!" grunted Irma and continued eavesdropping.
"But something that's just been put in the wrong bottle wouldn't register - and anyway, love potions aren't Dar of dangerous-"
Love potions. Easy now dear, you might as well slip for me the ingredients and make my life easy. Irma muttered to herself.
"-so it would be down to Fich to realize it wasn't a cough potion, and he's not a very good wizard, I doubt he can tell one potion from-"
Scums! Irma moved close behind the three among the dark bookshelves. She appeared around the corner with her vulture like countenance, her sunken cheeks, her skin parchment-like and her long hooked nose touching the tome she was carrying.
"The library's now closed." she said. "Mind you return anything you have borrowed to the correct - what have you been doing to that book, you depraved boy?"
But Harry already snatched his copy of Advanced Potion-Making hastily and headed off the library with Ron and Hermione. 
"Despoiled!" she hissed. "Desecrated! Befouled!"
Now she remembered that bushy-haired girl and regretted reprimanding her for she paved the way of her having Lockhart's autograph through a note allowing the girl inside the Restricted Section. But she's messing with Argus! It wasn't hardly on her retrospect either of Harry Potter's suspicious wanderings about the same section on his first year.
She put some hexes and jinxes on the books and the next day was satisfied that the boy has been intimidated by a book causing Argus to rescue in the middle of the night.

Alas! She found what she's aiming to brew on her boiling cauldron!
It was Christmas - time for more lovin'. Such drove Irma more ascertain to hand over  her specially-brewed present to Argus. 
"Careful now, Argus. You just can't slip a drink to yourself. Not in these times. Trust no one." intervened Snape.
Later, Irma found Argus at her doorstep and consciously asked "You drank it?"
"Not yet, my hear. I'm preserving it. It's special. Just as you are."
But Irma thought he did as Argus walked towards the library half-limping, slouched  and in stupor as though hypnotized.
"So you don't love me now? You're here to end this all up? Forgive me. I put love potion in that drink. you were avoiding me." Irma said nearly to tears.
"No, no. I'm here to give you this," Argus presented a book - a large one from his back "and my heart. Nothing can befall our love. You're the noblest I ever had.'
"Oh Argyy. HAPPY MONTHSARY!"


P.S. I'm sorry. I have more in mind but couldn't take it any longer. I feel nauseated while writing this one.

Reducto, 
Hedwig :)

Why I Am Silver Doe...


“I have spied for you and lied for you, put myself in mortal danger for you. Everything was supposed to be to keep Lily Potter’s son safe. Now you tell me you have been raising him like a pig for slaughter – ”

“But this is touching, Severus,” said Dumbledore seriously. “Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?”

“For him?” shouted Snape. “Expecto Patronum!”

From the tip of his wand burst the silver doe. She landed on the office floor, bounded once across the office, and soared out of the window. Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.

“After all this time?”

“Always,” said Snape.

* * * * * * *

Why am I hiding behind the name, Silver Doe? Two reasons...



This girl, H. Granger...

I wanted to call myself Padfoot, because, like Sirius Black, I am a very faithful friend. Then I found out I am a fiercely faithful lover. I remember Severus Snape and his undying love for Lily Evans-Potter. He loves her so much so that his patronus was altered and assumed the patronus of the woman he loves. 

I am Silver Doe because of H. Granger. I am the Stag, she is my Doe...

 
I want to remain unknown...

Pretty much like Severus Snape, I want to keep lurking in the shadows, while making my presence felt. It's that simple. I am a very private person. i am better off incognito, obscure, unknown. Just felt.


I am here to stay...always.

Happy 1st Monthsary everyone.

What's in a Name?


Hermione: (1) a female given name derived from Greek; (2) in Greek mythology, she's the daughter of King Menelaus and Helen of Sparta; (3) in Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale," she's Queen of Sicily; (4) in early Christian history, she's a martyr (Hermione of Ephesus)...


It's by no accident that I came to be known in this House as H. Granger-- H, of course, stands for both my real given name and my "Secret-Keeper name," a very convenient fate for me.

My first choice for a secret name was Minerva McGonagall, for the no-brainer reason that I am a real-life professor, but changed my mind after careful consideration of a major character named Hermione Granger.

 
From Book One through Book Seven, I have always related with Hermione Jean Granger. Fictionally, she was born on 19 September 1979, three years after my birth year. She's described in the books as "not much of a looker, with her bushy hair and prominent front teeth," which, perhaps was the reason why she strives to excel-- to make up for what she lacks in the looks department. She is a Muggle, another reason why she is so driven to achieve more than what a pureblood could achieve in a wizarding school. She loves books. She's very cerebral. She's more of a thinking person, rather than a mushy gooey-in-the-inside girl. She does not demonstrate her vulnerability toward the boy she's grown to love. She is a faithful comrade to Harry Potter. In summary, Hermione is MY LITERARY ALTER EGO. She is me.



The incident with the Time-Turner really made me say, "That girl is me." Each time she does a life-saving move, I am in awe of her, wishing I was her. I sometimes have the "hero complex," but I use my brains more than my brawn in crisis moments.


Her choice of a boy to give her affections to is another distinctive quality we share. I do not go for "the Man," the popular "Chosen One." I usually fall for the quiet, brooding, not-so-popular type.

Finally, I chose to be called H. Granger because I am a middle child and, like Hermione Granger, I serve as the fulcrum in the trio, the voice of reason, the emotional trash can, the "idea girl."


Happy 1st Monthsary Fellow Number 12 Denizens!!!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

What's in the Name?? : The Ultimate Reasons why you Chose to Hide under that Name a post by G.Potter♥

Hello there residents of Number 12.. Before I continue with my post.. i'd like to greet you A Happy Christmas and a happy 1st Monthsary! Hope your'e enjoying the Holidays as much as I am... I know there have been a lot happenings here in No. 12, like the wonderful Christmas Carol Of Silver Doe.. Thank for that.. The Prophecy revealed by H. Granger... whew.. And amidst all these.. I G.Potter decided to ask this question to every single resident of No.12.. Before the prophecy unfolds... Let me ask you this question: Why did you choose to hide under the name your using? why out of all the possible pen names, you have chosen that? For instance, why did Silver Doe used this name when he's actually a Stag? Why did i chose to be G.Potter, when in fact i can be G. Weasley, Bellatrix Lestrange etc.. Why? And since i'm the author of this post i will be the first to answer my question.




It will be a quite of a shock for you, that i never really liked Ginny Weasley. But, it's fair to say that i never hated her as well. I never hated her the way i hated Cho Chang (i hated her so passionately that i wanted to hex and curse her til she dies...). I haven't even noticed her that much until she and Harry kissed spontaneously after that Quidditch match. Boy, was a shocked and jealous. After that, i realized that Ginny had always been there for Harry, though i haven't noticed her that much (except on Book 2 of course). I started to see her personality, how brave and passionate she was. How she evolved from a silly little redhead girl to the seemingly attractive brave and redhead woman that stole Harry Potter's heart. I'll practically be envious to her throughout eternity.


 I chose this name,  because i can much likely relate to Ginny. She's from a family where hand-me-downs are pretty much part of your everyday life. But despite of the financial instabilities of the Weasley family, they remained content and happy by just being together. Pretty much the same with my own. 


It's not just her family background i can relate to. It's also her feelings towards the Boy Who Lived. She had the hugest crush on him. She was not herself around him. She becomes clumsy and awfully silent around Harry (that i can pretty much relate to) . But she later learned, with the help of Hermione, that life must and should move on for her. She could not always remain as the silly lovestruck girl who drools over Harry Potter. She should live her life, with or without Harry in it. And so she did. And later, Harry saw this Ginny that he didn't quite see before, and eventually, he fell in love with her.(which i hope will happen to me too)


That is the "G" part of my pen name. I didn't use Weasley because, though it sounds cute it's not me. I chose Potter because....




The "Potter" part for me represents Ginny's triumph. Her persistence and love for Harry never wavered. She ended up with the love of her life. She had her dream. And i'm very much happy for her. My part with her will always be happy. 
  
(I was also heartbroken when Harry broke up with her and she said "I never really gave up on you. Not really" )




I also discovered this:


Ginevra is the Italian form of the name Guinevere, which means "fair one". Guinevere is also the name of King Arthur's wife in Arthurian legend, famous for her affair with Arthur's chief knight Sir Lancelot. There seems to be a pattern in the Weasley family of naming members after characters in Arthurian legend. The name Ginevra is also an Italian variant of Juniper, derived from the tree or berry. Junipers were often used to represent chastity...


I didn't know this when i used G.Potter as my pen name. But it all fits just right to me. G.Potter is a person who evolved throughout the years, became brave and attractive who believes in the sanctity of marriage and resolves to stay chaste til it comes. She is persistent and smart. She's loyal and caring. She never gives up. She loves with all her heart. She will have her dream and will marry the love of her life.  And she will live happily ever after. 


That is for me, The Meaning of the name G.Potter..


And Ginevra Molly Weasley Potter gave me just enough reasons to choose her name.


And before i throw the question to you.. let me share this first..


"The plan was, which I really hope I fulfilled, is that the reader, like Harry, would gradually discover Ginny as pretty much the ideal girl for Harry. She's tough, not in an unpleasant way, but she's gutsy. He needs to be with someone who can stand the demands of being with Harry Potter, because he's a scary boyfriend in a lot of ways. He's a marked man. I think she's funny, and I think that she's very warm and compassionate. These are all things that Harry requires in his ideal woman. But, I felt — and I'm talking years ago when all this was planned — initially, she's terrified by his image. I mean, he's a bit of a rock god to her when she sees him first, at 10 or 11, and he's this famous boy. So Ginny had to go through a journey as well… I feel that Ginny and Harry, in this book, they are total equals. They are worthy of each other. They've both gone through a big emotional journey, and they've really got over a lot of delusions, to use your word, together. So, I enjoyed writing that. I really like Ginny as a character" -J.K Rowling






So there it.. It's your turn.. Why did you choose that name? It may not be as dramatic as mine but it's worth explaining and hearing. 


Go post fellow residents and Advance Happy New Year! ♥



Thursday, December 23, 2010

"Twelve Days of Christmas on Number 12 Grimmauld Place" -- A Christmas Carol by Silver Doe for All the Residents of Number 12


Twelve Days of Christmas on Number 12
(Sing this to the tune of "Twelve Days of Christmas")


On the First Day of Christmas H. Granger sent to me---
a thestral in an elm tree;

On the Second Day of Christmas H. Granger sent to me---
two poltergeists,
and a thestral in an elm tree;

On the Third Day of Christmas H. Granger sent to me---
three house elves,
two poltergeists,
and a thestral in an elm tree;

On the Fourth Day of Christmas H. Granger sent to me---
four crazy trolls,
three house elves,
two poltegeists,
and a thestral in an elm tree;

On the Fifth Day of Christmas H. Granger sent me---
five broken wands....
four crazy trolls,
three house elves,
two poltergeists,
and a thestral in an elm tree;

On the Sixth Day of Christmas H. Granger sent to me---
six banshees singing,
five broken wands...
four crazy trolls,
three house elves,
two poltergeists,
and a thestral in an elm tree;

On the Seventh Day of Christmas H. Granger sent to me---
seven goblins fighting,
six banshees singing,
five broken wands...
four crazy trolls,
three house elves,
two poltergeists,
and a thestral in an elm tree;

On the Eighth Day of Christmas H. Granger sent to me---
eight witches screaming,
seven goblins fighting,
six banshees singing,
five broken wands...
four crazy trolls,
three house elves,
two poltergeists,
and a thestral in an elm tree;

On the Ninth Day of Christmas H. Granger sent to me---
nine wizards whistling,
eight witches screaming,
seven goblins fighting,
six banshees singing,
five broken wands...
four crazy trolls,
three house elves,
two poltergeists,
and a thestral in an elm tree;

On the Tenth Day of Christmas H. Granger sent to me---
ten gnomes a-leaping,
nine wizards whistling,
eight witches screaming,
seven goblins fighting,
six banshees singing,
five broken wands...
four crazy trolls,
three house elves,
two poltergeists,
and a thestral in an elm tree;

On the Eleventh Day of  Christmas H. Granger sent to me---
eleven nargles biting,
ten gnomes a-leaping,
nine wizards whistling,
eight witches screaming,
seven goblins fighting,
six banshees singing,
five broken wands...
four crazy trolls,
three house elves,
two poltergeists,
and a thestral in an elm tree;

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas H. Granger sent to me---
twelve boggarts bluffing,
eleven nargles biting,
ten gnomes a-leaping,
nine wizards whistling,
eight witches screaming,
seven goblins fighting,
six banshees singing,
five broken wands...
four crazy trolls,
three house elves,
two poltergeists,
and a thestral in an elm tree!

* * * * * * * * * * * *

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE, ho ho ho!

Monday, December 20, 2010

NUMBER 12 GRIMMAULD PLACE 19 YEARS LATER: A First Monthsary Special Feature by H. Granger

In anticipation of the first month anniversary of the founding of Number 12 Grimmauld Place, which will be on the 28th of December 2010, I am featuring a visionary article detailing the destiny of the five primary Secret-Keepers-- H. Granger, G. Potter, Ridane Prongs Skye Phoenix, Silver Doe, and Hedwig-- as foretold by the infallible Seeing Eye of Sibyll Trelawney, Hogwarts Divination professor, who foretold the fates of Harry James Potter and Lord Voldemort.

We are counting down starting today, seven days to our First Monthsary. Let this be an invitation to the other Secret-Keepers of Number 12 to also contribute a feature story to celebrate our first month in this House. Advance happy first monthsary everyone!

* * * * * * * 

It is hereby foretold by Sibyll Trelawney, that the fates of the primary Secret-Keepers of Number 12 Grimmauld Place are as follows...


RIDANE PRONGS SKYE PHOENIX and GINEVRA POTTER-PHOENIX
Ridane Prongs Skye Phoenix now heads the Auror Office at the Ministry of Magic and is teaching part-time as Defense Against the dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy, besides being Deputy Headmaster of Wicca Academy of Magic and Sorcery. He and his gifted wife, Ginevra Potter-Phoenix, have five lovely children together: Harry James Ridane, Kristianna Ginevra, Belle Amour, Christian Andrie, and Skye Felix-- all studying at Hogwarts, except Christian Andrie, who opted for a singing career in the Muggle world and enrolled at the Ateneo Conservatory of Music. Prongs, apart from being a proud father of five and husband of a very gifted Muggle-born witch, also owns the most successful Quidditch team of the century, the Phoenix Blazers.
* * * * * * *


GINEVRA POTTER-PHOENIX

Having settled down with Ridane Prongs, the gifted Ginevra Potter left the teaching post she had been holding at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as professor of Ancient Runes and Grammatica, to become a full-time homemaker and mother to her five children. Recently, the Minister for Magic offered her a post at the Department of Mysteries, which she gladly accepted, seeing that her youngest, Skye Felix, has recently started schooling at Hogwarts. Apart from her fine achievement in bringing up five brilliant achievers, G. Potter-Phoenix is also credited for compiling the latest Ancient Runes Translator and for revolutionizing the teaching of Grammatica, improving the Hogwarts students' N.E.W.T. Level scores. 
* * * * * * *





Hedwig is now in her 10th year at Hogwarts as Transfiguration professor and has recently published her 10th book on Advanced Transfiguration. Hedwig recently married a Muggle-born Quidditch Chaser whose name she requested to be withheld, as she is very particular with her private life. The only information known about her husband is that he is also a former resident of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. She and her husband are expecting their first child this coming spring.
* * * * * * *


THE ENIGMATIC SILVER DOE

Silver Doe, has remained a mystery for over two decades. No Secret-Keeper of Number 12 has ever unraveled his true identity, although it is rumored that he revealed himself to H. Granger during a chance encounter at the Three Broomsticks a year after he became Number 12 Secret-Keeper. Presumably, he is a pureblood directly descended from the Black wizarding clan, but opted to live in the Muggle world and become a teacher of literature and a fiction writer. It was rumored, too, that the chance meeting between Silver Doe and H. Granger resulted in a brief dalliance which almost ended in marriage, except that H. Granger declined the proposal for reasons she refuses to reveal.
* * * * * * *



H. GRANGER

 Nothing much is known of H. Granger in the past nineteen years, except for the fact that she kept Number 12 Grimmauld Place alive and thriving for the past two decades because, according to her published journal, "Memoirs of a Secret-Keeper,"  "Number 12 is the only side of this universe where I did not have to suspend disbelief to make magic happen."  However, according to Secret-Keepers close to her, the main reason why she stayed at Number 12 that long is to keep connected to Silver Doe (a rumour she vehemently denies). H. Granger is noted for her fierce advocacy for the welfare and empowerment of house elves and for the perpetuation of the Harry Potter tradition. It is not known whether she has ever been married nor if she ever had a child.

* * * * * * *

Long live, Number 12!!!!