“You’re Just As Sane As I Am.”

Luna – The Roman goddess of the moon. “Luna” means “moon” in Latin, Romanian and Italian. In Romanian, it also translates to “month.” The word “lunatic” is also derived from the word “lunar,” as it was believed in old times that strange or odd behavior was caused by the moon. “Luna” is a term for “silver” in alchemy.

Oh, Luna, where shall I start? She is honestly one of my absolute favorite characters (probably second to Snape). One of the many reasons I love Luna is because of her confidence. Sure, the other kids tease her, but does she change who she is? Heck no. That’s so inspiring to me and so many others. Luna made me realize that not everyone has to accept you, but as long as you have those few really special friends who are always there for you, that’s what really matters. Growing up, my sisters and I teased each other a lot, and sometimes it hurt more than I let on. But once I was introduced to Luna all those years ago, she helped me accept my imperfections and really embrace them. That’s why Evanna Lynch was the perfect Luna. Have you read Evanna’s story about how Jo helped her overcome her anorexia? It’s beautiful and makes you realize that Jo is different than most celebrities, and people for that matter (another reason to love her).

I was rather upset when I couldn’t find the meaning behind Lovegood on the website I usually find the names, but I realized, it’s kind of obvious. Luna (and Xenophilius) loves everything weird and abnormal, and is genuinely a good person. They both would do anything for those they love, no matter what. Clearly, Luna is a little bit out there, but, again, it’s what I love about her and what makes her so unique. And her name clearly deals with that (as always). The silver has to do with Luna’s eyes. She is described as having silvery-grey eyes, and silver not only has to do with alchemy, which is sort of odd in itself, but the moon. I never used to appreciate how much effort Jo put into the names until I came across this website. Just going through the first few is amazing. I love Jo so much!!!

I love the contrast between Hermione and Luna. Normally, when characters are so opposite, one is good and one is bad, but in this case, they’re both good. I just love that they are both important to Harry, but one helps with logic and the other with his faith. When Hermione has a problem, she resorts to logic and forgets about just having faith. On the other hand, Luna relies solely on her faith, disregarding what normal people would consider logic. I think that makes Luna so interesting, her quirkiness. She always makes you want to laugh, and she was always so intelligent and her quotes are some of my absolute favorites.

I think Luna’s faith in the things that aren’t easily proved helps Harry more than he realizes. Though Harry never really knew Dumbledore’s story or motives, I think Harry learned that you don’t always have to know all the details to trust someone; sometimes, you just have to have blind faith. That’s one of the most important lessons that Luna taught Harry.

I loved when Harry asked Luna to Slughorn’s party (because he couldn’t ask Ginny). I thought it was so sweet, and I was upset that other characters thought it was weird. It showed that Harry didn’t care about other people’s opinions and that he was going to be friends with who he wanted to be friends with. I think it was also significant that Luna told Harry about thestrals. It connected them in a way that no one else would understand. Death of a loved one is hard enough to deal with, and I think because both lost their mothers, it really made that connection so much stronger.  I dislike when people complain about Harry not seeing the thestrals prior to his 5th year, but I think it makes sense. (I also dislike when people get mad at things that J.K. did because she obviously had a reason.) Harry was 1 when his parents died, and I don’t think at the age of 1 he could have truly comprehended that his mother had just died in front of him. However, in his mind, Cedric’s death is entirely his fault. Harry was being polite and tried to let them both win because he didn’t want to be the only champion because he didn’t think it would be fair. Because Harry did the right thing, Cedric died for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m not saying that Luna blames herself for her mother’s death, but in a way, I think we all blame ourselves when we lose someone. Plus, thestrals are really weird. Luna is really weird. It just works.

I honestly believe with all my heart that Luna is the epitome of the Ravenclaw saying “Wit beyond measure is a man’s greatest treasure.” Rowling later revealed that Luna went on to become a magizoologist, discovering many creatures that no one had known about previously. I think that shows just how intelligent Luna really is. Not everyone has the guts to follow their dreams and faith like she does. Luna is also intelligent in another way. She knows what’s really important in life: family and friends. It doesn’t matter that people call her Loony, nor that they think she’s insane. All that matters is that she knows what’s important to her. Again, she is the epitome of another quote, “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” Wise words from Dr. Seuss.

I saw this post on tumblr the other day and somehow it completely grabs the essence of Luna in just a few short words.

One thing that I liked better in the movies than the books (shocker, I know) is that they sort of shipped Neville and Luna, and I think they would have been perfect together because they were both outcasts who ended up having huge impact in Harry’s life and in the Battle of Hogwarts. Go underdogs!

Luna is probably one of the most influential characters Jo created and I know Luna is definitely part of the reason that I’m a proud Ravenclaw.

More on Luna here!

I’m sorry, I had to.

Some quotes from Luna:

“I’ve been able to see them ever since my first year here. They’ve always pulled the carriages. Don’t worry. You’re just as sane as I am.”

Harry: “How would you like to come to Slughorn’s party with me tonight?” Luna: “Slughorn’s party? With you?” Harry: “Yeah. We’re supposed to bring guests, so I thought you might like; I mean, just as friends, you know. But if you don’t want to;” Luna: “Oh no, I’d love to go with you as friends! Nobody’s ever asked me to a party before, as a friend! Is that why you dyed your eyebrow, for the party? Should I dye mine too?”

Luna: “There are ways of flying other than with broomsticks.” Ron: “I’s’pose we’re going to ride on the back of the Kacky Snorgle or whatever it is?” Luna: “The Crumple-Horned Snorkack can’t fly, but they can, and Hagrid says they’re very good at finding places their riders are looking for.”

“I enjoyed the meetings, too. It was like having friends.”

“Oh, no,” she said, smiling at him. “They’ll come back, they always do in the end. It was just that I wanted to pack tonight. Anyway … why aren’t you at the feast?”

Harry: “Have you…I mean, who … has anyone you known ever died?” Luna: “Yes, my mother. She was a quite extraordinary witch, you know, but she did like to experiment and one of her spells went rather badly wrong one day. I was nine.” Harry: “I’m sorry,” Luna: “Yes, it was rather horrible. I still feel very sad about it sometimes. But I’ve still got Dad. And anyway, it’s not as though I’ll never see Mum again, is it?” Harry: “Er – isn’t it?” Luna: “Oh, come on. You heard them, just behind the veil, didn’t you?” Harry: ” You mean…” Luna: “In that room in the archway. They were just lurking out of sight, that’s all, you heard them.”

“Oh, no. No, I think I’ll just go down and have some pudding and wait for it all to turn up…. It always does in the end.”

Luna: “People expect you to have cooler friends than us.” Harry: “You are cool. None of them were at the Ministry. They didn’t fight with me.” Luna: “That’s a very nice thing to say.”

Harry: “Sorry I made you miss the carriages, by the way, Luna.” Luna: “That’s all right, it’s like being with a friend.” Harry: “Oh, I am your friend, Luna.” Luna: “That’s nice.”

Luna: “I’d want some peace and quiet, if it were me.” Harry: “I’d love some.”Luna: “I’ll distract them all. Use your cloak. Oooh, look, a Blibbering Humdinger!”

Luna: “Whenever you’re ready, Sir.” Dobby: “Sir? I like her very much.”

Plus more here!

“Always”

Severus – Sever means “to cut off.” Snape appears to have “cut off” his ties with the Dark Lord through the first five books, and then with Dumbledore and the Order in Half-Blood Prince. “Severe” means “cruel, strict” – two characteristics that accurately describe the Potions Professor. Sounds very similiar to the Latin word “servus,” meaning “servant.” Is he still a servant of Voldemort’s? In ancient history, Lucius Septimius Severus restored stability to the Roman Empire after the tumultuous reign of Emperor Commodus (See Albus) and the civil wars that erupted in the wake of Commodus’ murder. To read more on this story, go here. The name Severus is also mentioned in Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, a favorite book of J.K. Rowling. Additionally, a Saint Severus of Alexandria (Egypt) was martyred along with a Saint Peter and a Saint Leucius for publicly proclaiming the faith around 309 C.E. Severus, Peter, and Lucius – quite a coincidence!

Snape – A town in England. Also based after a person J.K. Rowling knew.

Snape is such a fascinating character. As usual, I LOVE HIM. Alan Rickman was also the perfect Severus Snape. And for those of you, crazy as you may be, who disagree, the proof is simple: J.K. Rowling told Rickman Snape’s entire life story before she had even written the 7th book, before filming began for Philosopher’s Stone. I used to loathe Snape with the same intensity that he loathed Harry. When the 7th book was released, and I got to the part when Snape gives Harry his memories, I had to close the book and process. Jo had done it again, made you believe something so intensely, never giving any clues besides Dumbledore’s continual faith, and twisted it completely. I was so excited to learn about more of Snape’s past. I knew it was going to be a part of the book because Borders (moment of silence for my favorite store that went bankrupt), and I’m sure other stores as well, had book marks saying “Severus Snape, Friend… Or Foe?” on alternate sides. I was so convinced that Snape was evil, especially after he had killed Dumbledore. I couldn’t see any other explanation. (I’m honestly so excited for J.K. to reveal more about Snape’s life on Pottermore.)  This post is going to be so hard for me to finish because I just have so many feels about Snape. Currently, I’m rereading Harry Potter for the umpteenth time and I’m on Chamber of Secrets, and I love picking up on little subtle clues that Jo’s left about him. Some things suddenly make so much more sense (this is true with pretty much every major character). This is one of my favorites:

Some of his first words to Harry were almost like a subtle apology.

I never really appreciated all that Jo put into the works. I mean, I’ve always loved Harry Potter (in fact, it’s the first series that made me love reading, I used to hate it), but the fact that people are still finding things from a book that was published 15 years ago. It’s the series that just keeps on giving. One of the things that I love the most about Snape’s development is that normally, a character appears good, but is actually evil. Snape’s the opposite. Also, normally, there are clues. Maybe I’ve missed them because they’re so subtle, but I don’t think so. The only thing that you have is Dumbledore’s complete faith, which I think makes you doubt Dumbledore and makes you think so much more.

Entirely and absolutely true.
*random fact: Snape has been voted the most loved character in the entire series <3″

At first, I never understood why Jo had to put in another villainous character. I mean, wasn’t the threat of Voldemort enough? AHH. I can’t even put into words the feels that I’m experiencing. Snape just hates Harry purely because he can’t look at Harry and not think of the mistake that he made so many years ago. I think this is the one time that I really understand why it’s so important that Harry has Lily’s eyes. Snape loved Lily, and to see that every day, it makes complete sense why Snape hates Harry. Again, why I love that picture so much.

Though people criticize Snape for being so cruel to students, the two he was the worst to were Harry and Neville. Harry for the reasons above, and Neville because he feels guilty.  Snape was the one who overheard the prophecy, and if he hadn’t heard that, Voldemort wouldn’t have known to go after Lily or Harry or the Longbottoms. So, indirectly, it is Snape’s fault that Bellatrix and the others tortured Frank and Alice Longbottom. I think we forget that Snape is good, but he can’t show it because of students like Malfoy who are closely tied to the Dark Lord.

When I found out that Snape loved Lily, it was probably the best Snape moment. I love Snape, and I love what I know of Lily, but I think the people who “ship” Snily (Snape and Lily) are crazy. James and Lily were perfect for each other. Though James wasn’t always perfect, he was always trying to win Lily’s heart. Snape loved her from the moment he saw her, but he ruined it by calling Lily a mudblood. I can’t exactly blame her for disliking him. I think the fact that Lily rejected him led Snape to really start befriending the Slytherin and then go become a Death Eater. He was denied his true love, so I think it was a type of depression in a way. Unfortunately, it took her death to make him see the error of his ways, but it made him turn to Dumbledore, who saved him. (I think this is why Snape and Dumbledore try so hard to save Malfoy in Half-Blood Prince.)
I just had an epiphany while writing this. Snape’s worst memory isn’t because James embarassed him, it’s because it’s when he loses Lily. It’s the day he calls her a mudblood. But of course, we see it through mostly Harry’s perspective, and you don’t know about his feelings yet, so of course you don’t notice that! ANOTHER CLUE! I feel like I’m solving a mystery of sorts…

I couldn’t resist. I’m sorry.

I honestly cannot even handle going into Snape’s name and the meanings. So, why don’t you guys give me your thoughts on his name and the significance? Also, I cannot handle going into the bravery it must have taken to defy the darkest wizard ever.

This was probably the saddest scene, ever:

One last reason to love Snape: the most universal Harry Potter quote:

I apologize if this post makes no sense, but processing how I feel about this topic is so emotional that I really…I just can’t handle it.

More on Snape here <3

Some Snarky Severus Snape quotes:

Lily Evans: “They’re not arguing any more? Severus Snape: “Oh yes, they’re arguing. But it won’t be that long and I’ll be gone. Lily Evans: “Doesn’t your dad like magic? Severus Snape: “He doesn’t like anything, much.
Albus Dumbledore: “If you loved Lily Evans, if you truly loved her, then your way forward is clear. You know how and why she died. Make sure it was not in vain. Help me protect Lily’s son. Severus Snape: “Very well. But never — never tell, Dumbledore! This must be between us! Swear it! I cannot bear… especially Potter’s son…
You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don’t expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses… I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even put a stopper on death — if you aren’t as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.
Harry: “Hang on…There’s an empty chair at the staff table…. Where’s Snape? Ron: “Maybe he’s ill! Harry: “Maybe he’s left, because he missed out on the Defence Against the Dark Arts job again! Ron: “Or he might have been sacked! I mean, everyone hates him — Snape: “Or maybe he’s waiting to hear why you two didn’t arrive on the school train.
Snape: “YOU DON’T KNOW POTTER! HE DID IT, I KNOW HE DID IT! Fudge: “Fellow seems quite unbalanced. I’d watch out for him if I were you, Dumbledore. Dumbledore: “Oh, he’s not unbalanced. He’s just suffered a severe disappointment.
You might be labouring under the delusion that the entire wizarding world is impressed with you … but I don’t care how many times your picture appears in the papers. To me, Potter, you are nothing but a nasty little boy who considers the rules to be beneath him.
Read even more here!