Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

Question: If you could spend one day with one literary character, who would it be, and why?

I seriously kill myself with my own questions. I'm a cruel SOB. My apologies. But seriously...there are so many characters in the literary world that I would give an arm and a leg (maybe both) to spend a full day with. I could name five without even blinking. Naming one, however, was a tricky feat. So, I weighed the pros and cons and I decided upon...

That's right. I chose Albus Dumbledore. I was weighing my options, and I would have loved to spend a day with a character like Mara Dyer, because she's a tricky b*tch, or Martin the Warrior from Redwall because he's so brave, or even Anna from Anna Dressed in Blood because, hell, she's got some crazy sh*t going down.

When push came to shove though, I would want to spend a day with someone from whom I could actually learn something. I'd also want to spend time with someone who is willing to meet me on my level because, let's be honest, he never really talked down to Harry, did he? Most of all though, I think spending a day with Dumbledore would be like spending a really fun day with a grandparent who just so happens to be a friend, as well. Plus, I'd be hoping to learn some magic.

In all honesty though, there's a quiet wisdom in Dumbledore, and a genuine goodness that a lot of us find lacking at times. There's also an underlying kindness and goodness to him that makes him someone you'd just HAVE to know. I would ask him about the if I could have a Pensieve of my own, and I'd certainly see if I could dip into his memories, as well.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Tuesday Freebie (anything literary you'd like!):

I've been waiting for this one for a while. It's time I honour my all-time favourite series with a full post, and thus, I'm doing my top ten favourite characters from Harry Potter!

1. Albus Dumbledore - He will always be at the top of my list. Whether he was giving silly speeches (nitwit, blubber, oddment, tweak?), consoling and guiding Harry, or leading good wizards on a path of good magic and decency, he was a hero. I've never cried so hard about a character before in my life, but Dumbledore was it. He was the epitome of perfection for me.

2. Sirius Black - We never really got to know James Potter, so what I can figure is that Sirius is as close to a father as Harry ever really had. Despite his demons and his tragic past, Sirius loved Harry for all he was worth. His character made Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix for me.

3. Severus Snape - So sue me...his bark was far worse than his bite. Even though he was pretty much a greasy, slimy little douchebag rat for most of the book, he redeemed himself in the end. Plus, the depth of his character was fantastic.

4. Dobby - He wasn't the biggest character in stature, perhaps, but his role was more powerful than some of the biggest and baddest in the entire series. One little house elf changed Harry's life and many more, plus his heart and spirit was far bigger than he was. I want to keep him for myself.

5. Bellatrix Lestrange - Now, before you kill me or call me a Death Eater, allow me to clarify. She's one nasty b*tch, but good Lord is she a crazy good character. I mean, she's psycho, for sure, but without her, the final installments of Harry Potter would be lacking their token freak.

6. Ron Weasley - Oh, Ronald. How I love thee. Perhaps it's because he's so unsure of himself and self-deprecating, or perhaps it's because he's nearly always there for Harry, or even perhaps it's because he's just a kind, good person. Ron is faithful and true, and without him, Harry would be missing half of who he was.

7. Voldemort - No, I do not love Voldemort, but I love his characterization, for sure. Think of evil incarnate, and he's right up there with the devil, himself. It's not that his physical appearance matches how evil I would imagine him to be, but rather than he's that heinous. Just when I thought he couldn't get worse, he did.

8. Neville Longbottom - He's so cooky. I mean, c'mon. The poor guy was a blathering fool for a good bit, but he had a heart of gold. To watch him transform into the hero he so desperately wanted to be was a real treat.

9. Luna Lovegood - While we're talking about cooky characters, allow me to say how much I stinkin' love this girl! She's so strange! There was absolutely nothing normal about her which made her that much more intriguing, plus she didn't give a crap what anyone thought about her.

10. Hagrid - He's got a heart as big as he is - perhaps even bigger, if that's possible. I remember thinking he was like a big, doofus teddy-bear when I first read about him, but watching him grow from friend, to mentor, to ally to Harry was incredible, and I loved him every moment.