Always liked fics where the other purebloods were basically jealous of the Weasleys having so many kids, all magically talented etc. Basically the only reason they attacked them for their wealth was because that's all they could attack, in every other way the other families were found wanting in comparison.

What was the thread where you had to talk up some underrated/hated characters? Someone talked up Percy and his results, how many owls and newts he got, basically shat over all records.

 

They are not traded or sold. Elves themselves show up on your home and ask to work and house owner lets them or refuses. Dobby talks about how no body wanting an elf who wants money untill he comes to Hogwarts.

 

So, I'm a little confused about the geography of Hogsmeade and the Shrieking Shack and the dark lake. How is all that mapped out exactly?

 

The one lined by Sesc is basically the official one, from a sketch shown by Rowling.
It was in better quality in recent editions (not the last illustrated ones), I think. Here.

 

Is there a map or index of Hogwarts itself? Like a quick reference of each floor and what classrooms there are, common rooms, etc.

 

Something like that?

 

Yes! Thank you. The moving staircases really mess up my mental picture of the location of each room. Especially when you want to write about how long it takes for students to reach each of their classes via the common room, Great Hall, etc.

 

Is Snape a (probable?) socio/psychopath? I saw somebody on another forum throw the label at him and I'm curious if he meets any of the hallmarks.

 

Depends of your definition of the term (there are various). Snape fits many of the hallmarks, but so does Harry.

 

Harry shows the ability to empathize, which is a disqualifier for being a psychopath. As well, Snapes capacity to love disqualifies him. Voldemort on the other hand, fits every criteria for a psychopath.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mindmelding/201301/what-is-psychopath-0

 

I would also disagree with your comment of Harry.

Sociopaths and psychopaths share many traits and criteria for a diagnosis. In fact, DSM-V has recently grouped both disorders under one name: Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Page 2 has a very good comparison of DSM-IV and DSM-V Criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder

DSM-IV requires 3 or more characteristics to be met. DSM-V has an (A or B + A or B, etc.) format that need to be fulfilled for a diagnose.

Snape is debatable but here is my take.

Snape according to DSM-V:

A. Significant impairments in personality functioning manifest by:

1. Impairments in self functioning (a or b):
a.Identity: Ego-centrism; self-esteem derived from
personal gain, power, or pleasure.
b.Self-direction: Goal-setting based on personal
gratification; absence of prosocial internal
standards associated with failure to conform to lawful or culturally normative ethical behavior.

AND

2. Impairments in interpersonal functioning (a or b):

a.Empathy: Lack of concern for feelings, needs, or
suffering of others; lack of remorse after hurting or
mistreating another.
b.Intimacy: Incapacity for mutually intimate
relationships, as exploitation is a primary means of
relating to others, including by deceit and coercion;
use of dominance or intimidation to control others.


B. Pathological personality traits in the following domains:
1. Antagonism, characterized by:
a.Manipulativeness: Frequent use of subterfuge to
influence or control others; use of seduction,
charm, glibness, or ingratiation to achieve one„s
ends.
b.Deceitfulness: Dishonesty and fraudulence;
misrepresentation of self; embellishment or
fabrication when relating events.
c. Callousness: Lack of concern for feelings or
problems of others; lack of guilt or remorse about
the negative or harmful effects of one„s actions on
others; aggression; sadism.
d. Hostility: Persistent or frequent angry feelings;
anger or irritability in response to minor slights and
insults; mean, nasty, or vengeful behavior.

2. Disinhibition, characterized by:
a. Irresponsibility: Disregard for – and failure to
honor – financial and other obligations or
commitments; lack of respect for – and lack of
follow through on – agreements and promises.
b. Impulsivity: Acting on the spur of the moment in
response to immediate stimuli; acting on a
momentary basis without a plan or consideration
of outcomes; difficulty establishing and following
plans.
c.Risk taking: Engagement in dangerous, risky, and
potentially self-damaging activities, unnecessarily
and without regard for consequences; boredom
proneness and thoughtless initiation of activities to counter boredom; lack of concern for ones limitations and denial of the reality of personal
danger

C. The impairments in personality functioning and the individual‟s
personality trait expression are relatively stable across time and
consistent across situations.
D. The impairments in personality functioning and the individual‟s
personality trait expression are not better understood as
normative for the individual‟s developmental stage or sociocultural
environment.
E. The impairments in personality functioning and the individual‟s
personality trait expression are not solely due to the direct
physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse,
medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., severe head
trauma).
F. The individual is at least age 18 years.


And a quick distinguishable way to differentiate between a sociopath and psychopath is this: Psychopaths are very charming and charismatic. They do not feel empathy for others but know how to function in society. They often manipulate and use people without guilt. This is Voldemort. Sociopaths can feel no empathy, or very limited empathy for others; usually select groups. They can not function in society. They frequently have emotional outbursts. A good example would be Bellatrix.

 

Is the permanent destruction of all of the time turners a canon fact? It seems odd that the ministry had no way of either fixing them or replacing them after the fact.

 

@omgwhocares, not gonna argue with you about that, because it mostly relies on personal character interpretation, however I do believe that Harry, while not being a sociopath/psychopath, shares many traits that define one. The reason I said that was that the original question was whether Snape meets any of the hallmarks. The whole point is that "meeting any of the hallmarks" dons not make a person fit the diagnosis.

 

They were never mentioned after the cabinet with the all in it was destroyed in OOtP, but I think there was a JKR quote where she said they were, whether you count that as canon or not is up to you.

 

Oh I agree with you there. While I was making that last post, I reached the Disinhibition part and all I could think about was how well all those sub-criteria fit him.

I did misinterpret your post though. My bad. I see what you meant now.

If anyone is wondering about Harry and him meeting certain criteria, please note D and F. C-F all need to be met for an initial diagnosis.

 

Is the word muggle — the dictionary definition, person without particular skill — derogatory/offensive in english? Or is it neutral?

 

As far as I know the word started with the Harry Potter books. I've certainly never heard it used outside of that context.

 

Yeah, I think it started with the books, but it has become a semi-popular term outside of HP for non-participants in pretty much anything.

 

Neutral, of course.