The outcome is only uncertain for those who disbelieve.

[SCREAMING]

I have this theory that Neville is supposed to represent everything that Peter could have been. You know, both of them were the weak link in the friend group, the guy easily influenced. But instead, Rowling made Neville weak to prove the two paths an individual could take. How each of our weaknesses manifest in different ways. Peter’s weakness made him a villain, ultimately worse than Voldemort because he betrayed his friends, while Neville’s weakness made him work harder and in the end made him Harry’s strongest ally.

Harry = James, Ron = Sirius, Hermione = Remus, Neville = Peter, Ginny = Lily, Luna = Snape. 

You will notice that none of the six from the old generation survived. The kids each have traits from the old generation but they’re here to fix the past, and thus must survive the series to metaphorically right the past. Some may raise their eyebrows at Luna as Snape, but just as Harry represents James (the popular kid who was good at quidditch, but didn’t become arrogant like his father) or like Peter and Neville (two people who could have been cowards, but Neville rises to life’s challenges) Luna mirrors Snape in being mocked, a pariah, Looney Lovegood and Snivellus. Instead of being resentful, she rose above it, and loved herself regardless. 

If you went with Harry to the Ministry of Magic in book 5, you mattered beyond just backing him up against Voldemort. This core six represented the loss and failure of the Marauders generation, and the hopes of a post-Voldemort future.  

Holy shit

[Image description: A short-haired person talking directly to the camera. “Guys, I love women. You guys be like, ‘I don’t understand. If you love women so much, how come you don’t dress like one? Why are you dressing like something you don’t like?’ Number one: I don’t dress like anyone but myself. Number two: I love watermelon.” Cut to them dancing in their living room, wearing a bikini made out of a watermelon. “Just because you love something doesn’t mean you have to dress like it.” They grin.]

They are working the watermelon though, I have to say.

The Cycle of Abuse Illustrated Through Single Photos and Multiple Models

Statistics show that 70% of people who are abused as children will grow up into adults who will in turn abuse children. A recent awareness ad campaign by Mexican organization Save the Children shared this fact in single photographs that are both creative and difficult to stomach. The advertisements were originally published back in May 2012, and were created by Mexican agency Y&R and photographer Ale Burset.

Each one uses five models showing one individual at different stages of life. In the foreground, the individual is experiencing abuse as a child. Older versions of the abused child grow up as they walk across the background of the frame, and turn into the original abuser by the time they walk a full circle.

“70% of abused children turn into abusive adults. Donate at savethechildren.mx,” the advertisements say.

“Katniss” - portrait illustration by Sam Spratt

I had an abnormal influx of requests this week for a Hunger Games piece, so I decided to take a swing at it with a fairly dark and desperate tone.

Don’t forget to enter my contest to win a custom portrait painting tailored to you, as well as a chance to win a limited edition signed print of this.

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