Happy Birthday, Pomona
May. 14th, 2007 06:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stuttermoanAs with some of the other birthday profiles, this one serves to fill in the blanks about a lesser-understood character in the series. All quoted portions are from The Secret Language of Birthdays by Gary Goldschneider and Joost Elffers.
Taurus - May 15 - The Day of the Dreamweavers
"Strengths: Imaginative, Naturally Magnetic
Weaknesses: Frustrated, Isolated, Passive"
Although she gets little airtime in the series, I can see these adjectives applying to her well in various ways.
"In a very natural manner, May 15 people are able to exemplify what those around them are unconsciously striving to attain. Consequently, others may be attracted to those born on this day without really knowing why. May 15 people may also be surprised by such attention, as they themselves are often unaware of their magnetism. They simply have a gift for quietly an unostentaniously touching the hearts of their family, friends or colleagues."
Although we don't hear much about her, her position as a professor and the head of Hufflepuff house speak volumes about her social and magical skills. What we see of her is a hard-working person who fulfills her duties without drawing much attention to herself. These traits exemplify Hufflepuff.
"One reason that those born on this day do not draw great attention to themselves is that on first glance they do not seem to be doing anything so much out of the ordinary, and their outward appearance does not particularly set them apart. The charm of May 15 people may not be immediately apparent, but it is generally after some time has passed that those involved with them come to realize their power."
Since Harry's limited point of view shows us little of Sprout in daily life, we know little of how she influences those who are closer to her. However, she doesn't hesitate to put her herbology skills to use when they're needed (mandrakes to un-petrify the basilisk's victims, for example).
"The materials that May 15 people work with come from everyday life, but those born on this day have a remarkable talent for putting these mundane materials through a kind of creative alchemy and weaving a resultant tapestry which touches one's inner core."
Since Hufflepuff is associated with the element of Earth, it makes sense for her talents to be based on growing things. Through Harry's classes, we are shown how something as seemingly straightforward as growing plants can be complex and dangerous in the magical world.
"They are capable of working ordinary jobs in the daytime while exploring more unusual interests after work and on weekends. Sometimes their immersion in private worlds can cut them off from their fellow human beings..."
And judging by her appearance and demeanor, she's more interested in results than appearances. She seems like the type, to me, to get lost in her work.
"Those born on this day should always be encouraged to express themselves, perhaps first sharing their ideas or projects with a few intimates, later emerging to present them in a more public setting. The ultimate goal is, of course, that they be able to spend the greater part of their time doing what they love best."
This seems true of all Hogwarts professors (and all teachers in general). They love to teach their craft, but that position may serve to limit the time they have to devote to excelling in the more advanced realms of it. Surely she has some side-projects that involve plants too dangerous for students.
"May 15 people generally feel that many quiet years of training are necessary to establish one's own inner discipline, because it is most important not to lead others astray once successful. Those born on this day are thus loathe to seek positions of power until they have first fully prepared themselves and paid their dues while forming ideas and attitudes which can have such an impact on other people."
It's easy to picture her pursuing her study off on her own somewhere before she became a professor. Because she now focuses on her duties as a teacher and head of house, as well as someone who aids Harry and Dumbledore throughout the series, it seems her loyalties are solid.
Taurus - May 15 - The Day of the Dreamweavers
"Strengths: Imaginative, Naturally Magnetic
Weaknesses: Frustrated, Isolated, Passive"
Although she gets little airtime in the series, I can see these adjectives applying to her well in various ways.
"In a very natural manner, May 15 people are able to exemplify what those around them are unconsciously striving to attain. Consequently, others may be attracted to those born on this day without really knowing why. May 15 people may also be surprised by such attention, as they themselves are often unaware of their magnetism. They simply have a gift for quietly an unostentaniously touching the hearts of their family, friends or colleagues."
Although we don't hear much about her, her position as a professor and the head of Hufflepuff house speak volumes about her social and magical skills. What we see of her is a hard-working person who fulfills her duties without drawing much attention to herself. These traits exemplify Hufflepuff.
"One reason that those born on this day do not draw great attention to themselves is that on first glance they do not seem to be doing anything so much out of the ordinary, and their outward appearance does not particularly set them apart. The charm of May 15 people may not be immediately apparent, but it is generally after some time has passed that those involved with them come to realize their power."
Since Harry's limited point of view shows us little of Sprout in daily life, we know little of how she influences those who are closer to her. However, she doesn't hesitate to put her herbology skills to use when they're needed (mandrakes to un-petrify the basilisk's victims, for example).
"The materials that May 15 people work with come from everyday life, but those born on this day have a remarkable talent for putting these mundane materials through a kind of creative alchemy and weaving a resultant tapestry which touches one's inner core."
Since Hufflepuff is associated with the element of Earth, it makes sense for her talents to be based on growing things. Through Harry's classes, we are shown how something as seemingly straightforward as growing plants can be complex and dangerous in the magical world.
"They are capable of working ordinary jobs in the daytime while exploring more unusual interests after work and on weekends. Sometimes their immersion in private worlds can cut them off from their fellow human beings..."
And judging by her appearance and demeanor, she's more interested in results than appearances. She seems like the type, to me, to get lost in her work.
"Those born on this day should always be encouraged to express themselves, perhaps first sharing their ideas or projects with a few intimates, later emerging to present them in a more public setting. The ultimate goal is, of course, that they be able to spend the greater part of their time doing what they love best."
This seems true of all Hogwarts professors (and all teachers in general). They love to teach their craft, but that position may serve to limit the time they have to devote to excelling in the more advanced realms of it. Surely she has some side-projects that involve plants too dangerous for students.
"May 15 people generally feel that many quiet years of training are necessary to establish one's own inner discipline, because it is most important not to lead others astray once successful. Those born on this day are thus loathe to seek positions of power until they have first fully prepared themselves and paid their dues while forming ideas and attitudes which can have such an impact on other people."
It's easy to picture her pursuing her study off on her own somewhere before she became a professor. Because she now focuses on her duties as a teacher and head of house, as well as someone who aids Harry and Dumbledore throughout the series, it seems her loyalties are solid.
