Problem: Article: For highlights, you'll either need to use bleach or a dye that's lighter than your hair color, depending on your hair's color and condition. It's best to aim for a color that is one to two shades lighter than your base color. Going too light can create an unnatural, stripy effect. If you have the option, go for a box that comes with a toner. That's the stuff that can take care of harsh tones, making them appear more natural. It's best if you find a dye that is conditioning and drip-free (it'll say on the box if it is). Dyeing your hair is bad for it -- so if you can retain any moisture at all, you'll be much better off. If you have dark hair, make sure you match your natural shade with the shade on the box. That'll be how your hair takes color. If you've dyed your hair before, your hair will only lighten with bleach. If your hair has been colored with henna or vegetable dyes, it won't lighten at all. Wrap a towel around your shoulders or cut a hole in a plastic garbage bag and pull it over your head. Wear the gloves that come with your kit to protect your hands from the bleach. The last thing you want is a bathroom covered in dye. As for your hairline, cover it with vaseline if you'd like. You'll then be able to skip the step of getting the dye off your ears and neck. Just make sure not to get any in your roots! Most highlighting kits come with an applicator tool that can be a bit cumbersome if you're new to the dyeing club. If you have the time, use it with your normal conditioner for practice. You'll see how it can sometimes be a bit splotchy or gloopy if you don't get it just so. If it's too big (which often it is), buy a baby toothbrush and use that instead. Sometimes the brush is so big it creates chunky streaks that are less than desirable. What it all comes down to is that you should follow the directions on the box. These things (and often companies) have been around for years and the process has been refined and can be trusted. So read the directions. Then read them again. Just to be sure! The only thing you should consider not doing is using the cap. If you have really long or thick hair, the cap can be more of a nuisance than not. If you're worried about getting the dye places you don't want it, you can put cotton balls/wipes or paper towels underneath the sections when you're finished with them. Before coloring your entire head, test the dye out on one strand of your hair to ensure that you'll like the finished results. Choose a strand that's on the underside of hair and process for the full recommended time in order to accurately assess the result.
Summary: Choose the right color. Protect your skin and clothes. Get familiar with your tools. Read the box. Perform a strand test.

Problem: Article: Write out a little about your character's history, from their childhood to the present. You could go into their family history, how they discovered that they're a witch or wizard, and any secrets they're bringing to school with them. Their backstory will help explain where they came from and how they grew into the person they are now. Work other elements from the Harry Potter series into your character's background. For instance, you might make them a star Quidditch player, or point out that they were next door neighbors with Neville Longbottom growing up. You can imagine that they're friends with characters from the books, or use the opportunity to come up with other original characters for them to hang around. Is your character a people person, or are they more of a loner? Will they associate with many different students, or mostly stick to their own house> Don't be afraid to explore unexpected relationships. Your character might be a promising young witch whose best friend is a muggle, or a conflicted Slytherin who ends up befriending a loyal Hufflepuff and changing their ways. If you decide to make up other original characters as friends, be sure to give them names so you can keep track of who's who and put them into your stories. After you've assembled a friend group for your character, choose a person or group of people to pit them against. This could be a rival student from another house or a bully from their own. Write out a couple short sentences explaining why your character and their enemy are at odds. Don't forget to name your character's nemesis and give them a basic backstory of their own. They could have been around during Harry's battle with Voldemort and the Death Eaters, or they might have come along later as a new student. You might even imagine a futuristic version of Hogwarts with all new students and professors after magic has been discovered by muggles. The possibilities are endless! Basing your characters and stories after the events of the books will give you much more freedom over what happens in the world you've created. Once you're done building a profile for your character, draw and color a detailed picture of them to bring them to life. You might also choose to incorporate them into your own original fanfiction. Remember to include each of their identifying elements, like magical abilities, clothing, wand, and pets. Use an online character creator to model your character and try out different outfits, hairstyles, and accessories. Keep expanding your cast of characters to add to the already rich world of Harry Potter. You're only limited by the scope of your imagination!
Summary: Come up with an interesting backstory. Think about who your character's friends will be. Dream up an enemy or villain for your character. Decide how your character fits into the timeline. Draw or write stories about your finished character.

Problem: Article: Don't get too obsessive, but taking a glance at their social media pages can tell you a lot about who they're talking to and where they're going. You might be able to see who they've become friends with recently or if they're liking a lot of posts from a particular person. To avoid torturing yourself, try putting a limit on how often you'll look at their social media, like once a day instead of once every hour. While rumors aren't always true or good sources of information, sometimes they are. Take each rumor with a grain of salt, but if the source is a trustworthy person, it might be worthwhile to listen. For example, if you hear from three different people that your crush was holding hands with someone at the movies, that's a clear sign that they are into someone else. Your friends may be able to see your situation with your crush more clearly than you can. Ask them for their opinions and to keep their eyes open when they're around your crush so they can clue you in to what's going on. You might get news you don't want from one of your friends. If this happens, don't get mad at your friend. It's okay to be upset, but remember that your friend didn't do anything to you. This works best if you know your crush's friends and can have a conversation with them without it seeming too weird. Keep in mind that this person may tell your crush that you were asking about them, but it could also give you some important insider information. For example, try saying something like this to your crush's friend: "Hey Ryan, I noticed that Jade has been spending a lot of time with Ben. Is there something going on there?" directly if they like someone. This can be a little risky, but if you feel that your crush has their eyes on someone else, it might be worth it to find out for sure so you can move on with your own life. Try to phrase the question in a non-confrontational way and make it seem like you're just generally curious about it. For example, you could say something like, "Hey Max, I was wondering if you were interested in Kylie. I noticed you guys have been spending a lot of time together." If they ask why you want to know, say, "Oh, I was just curious."
Summary:
Check out their social media to see what they're up to. Listen to rumors you hear about your crush and their love life. Get input from your friends about the situation. Talk to your crush's friend discreetly to see if they know any information. Ask your crush