From the Ashes

OOC

Name/Alias/Pronouns: Damien / D / he/him

Age: 27

Timezone: Central Standard Time

Why did you choose this character?: I was asked by a friend if I would be interested in joining a group rp as Remus. Being that she is a very good friend I decided to take a look. I found I truly liked what I saw. I had never given him as much thought as some of the other characters from the marauders era. Reading his bio I actually felt a connection with him. The feeling of not knowing what to do when leaving high school. The feeling of knowing that even with all the progress made bigotry and hatred will always be something I’ll have to face. But also knowing that no matter what I have my friends by my side to help me through it all. 

IC (May be written in either first or third person)

Full Name: The name his parents gave him was Remus John Lupin. It is a good name by all accounts though he could not honestly tell you why his parents had chosen it. His best mates took to calling him Moony on account of him turning into a werewolf on the full moon. He did not care for the nickname much at first given his feelings towards his affliction. However, it grew on him further solidifying their small group as they each had a special nickname.

Birthday: 10 March 1960

Wand: He received his wand at age 11. It was 10 ¼" Cypress with unicorn hair, a fitting wand for him. “Wands of cypress find their soul mates among the brave, the bold and the self-sacrificing: those who are unafraid to confront the shadows in their own and others’ natures.” During his life, Remus would come to find that he possessed all three of those qualities, most tragic of which is self-sacrificing. Remus is also very familiar with the shadows of his own nature. He has faced them once a month the tender age of five years old. The wolf inside him always so angry it tears at him in retaliation.  “Wands with unicorn cores are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts.” The fact that his wand has a core of unicorn hair is a testament to his character and overall purity of heart. Remus has a kindness to him that is not shown by many. He often takes to the underdog. Even as he fights the beast within, he is at heart a good wizard. Wand information was taken from the Pottermore wikia.

Occupation: Upon leaving Hogwarts, Remus devoted his time fully to the Order of The Phoenix. With his condition there were few that would hire him; and any work he could get would only last till the next full moon. It was simpler to forgo all that trouble at least until the war ended. He would also claim his second job is being the voice of reason to one Sirius Black. This is likely due to many of the impulsive things Sirius did while they were in school. Some of which were incredibly stupid in his opinion and he is not afraid to tell Sirius just that.

What are your motivations? What drives you?: For Remus there is a constant internal struggle between himself and his wolf. There are so many stigmas in the wizarding community about lycanthropy. Because of this Remus is prone to secrecy. Above all else, he wants to belong somewhere, to be accepted by his fellow wizards. It is why often in his younger days he did not argue with ideas his friends had even if he did not fully agree with them. It was after a certain incident with Snape that Remus finds his backbone. While he still yearns for acceptance, he finds keeping his humanity to be of great importance. He wants to be able to say that he never passed this curse onto another, that he never became the monster, never gave into the wolf, and never took an innocent life. His friends are a driving force in this. The help Remus keep his head during the full moon. They keep him grounded while transformed. The wolf is less angry with them around, especially Sirius.

What is your opinion of the war? Why did you choose your affiliation?: When leaving Hogwarts Remus had no plans for the future. With his condition he knew he couldn’t maintain a steady job. It also prevented him from seeking to start a family because of all the risks involved. With no sense of direction or purpose the decision was easy. He would follow his friends, who were in his eyes as good as family. He became a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Though in truth Remus wanted nothing to do with the war. He knew that hatred was just a part of human nature and that no matter the out come it would always be there. As long as people had differences there would be no real end to the injustice of the world. Still he did believe in the cause knowing that just because werewolves would always be treated unjustly did not mean it was okay to allow the mistreatment of muggle borns to continue.  He also reasoned that without him around James and Sirius were likely to charge recklessly into danger. Sirius more than James, who had Lily to keep him in check. It seemed the best course for all of them to stick together during such trying times.

Boggart: For Remus a Boggart turns into the full moon. He fears and hates that part of himself, the wolf, more than anything else. All his fears, his insecurities, and failings can be traced back to it. This is nothing worse than seeing the full moon every month. It is the time when he truly has no control over the wolf. Something that terrifies him. It is a sad thing to know that for all his carefully kept secrets a Boggart could reveal the truth of him.

Strengths/Weaknesses: Strengths:

Kindness [generosity, nurturance, care, compassion, altruistic love, “niceness”]: Doing favors and good deeds for others. - This is in part due to his upbringing. Both his parents are very kind gentle hearted people. It also stems from the kindness shown to him by Albus Dumbledore who arranged for him to attend Hogwarts despite his condition.

Social intelligence [emotional intelligence, personal intelligence]: Being aware of the motives and feelings of other people and oneself. - Remus has a tendency to be more of a silent observer, speaking only when he deems it necessary. This means he sees more than most, making him able to read people well.

Fairness: Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice; not letting personal feelings bias decisions about others. - He has a tendency to root for and befriend the underdog. Often taking up for those he sees have been treated unfairly. This stems from knowing how people will or have treated him upon finding out about his condition.

Forgiveness and mercy: Forgiving those who have done wrong; accepting the shortcomings of others; giving people a second chance; not being vengeful. - Because he is a kind person who values fair treatment of all this makes him prone to forgiveness. There are very few things he won’t forgive.

Bravery [valor]: Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain; acting on convictions even if unpopular. - As a Gryffindor it is no surprise that Remus is brave. He is not known to show fear in the face of danger and he is no stranger to physical pain. However his bravery is known to falter in verbal confrontations and he can seem disingenuous in his convictions because of this.

Open-mindedness [judgment, critical thinking]: Thinking things through and examining them from all sides; weighing all evidence fairly. - He tends to see things from all angles, a gift from dealing with his own warring mental state. It tends to make him more open to all sides of things then just seeing things one way. The world is not so black and white but shades of grey to Remus.

Gratitude: Being aware of and thankful of the good things that happen; taking time to express thanks. - Very few have shown Remus true kindness, some of those people being his parents, Dumbledore, Sirius, James, and Lily. As a result he is very grateful to those who do show him any kindness.

Humour [playfulness]: Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people; seeing the light side. - Surprisingly despite all his hardships he still has a good sense of humour, though it is a more quiet humour. His friends bring it out in him more than most. Weaknesses:

Prudence: Being careful about one’s choices; not taking undue risks; not saying or doing things that might later be regretted. - While usually a strength for Remus this is more of a weakness as it is driven by his fears and insecurities.

Insecure: not confident or assured; uncertain and anxious. - He is very insecure, often worrying that anyone who finds out about his condition will automatically shun him for it.

Secretive: inclined to conceal feelings and intentions or not to disclose information. - After spending most of his youth having to keep his condition a secret from everyone and continuing to keep it secret from most Remus has made a habit of being secretive. He isn’t known to be forthcoming with information out of fear that it may in some way cause others to cast him out.

Avoidant: Oversensitive to rejection, low self-esteem, socially withdrawn. -His fear of rejection and secretive nature lead him to avoiding most and being rather socially withdrawn. Remus only really opens up around a select few and still has a tendency to avoid certain situations with them as well.

Pessimistic: tending to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen. - He can be a bit pessimistic at times. He lives in constant fear that others will find out about his condition. To Remus it isn’t an if they find out but a when. When others find out he is sure they will ship him off to the Ministry of Magic to be registered.

Anxious: experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. - His anxiety is caused by the time during the full moon right before he transforms. It’s the knowledge that he will inevitably change into a beast and tear at himself and anything else the wolf can get it’s claws into. Because of this waiting for anything that he knows is coming will set him on edge.

OOC

Name/Alias/Pronouns: Pierce/Pie/he and him

Age: 23

Timezone: GMT -5 (EST USA)

Why did you choose this character?: First of all, I always like to challenge myself with playing and developing connections with new characters from this era, rather than stick to the ones I’ve already played for a very long time. Minerva is a complex and enchanting (as well as intimidating) woman. I also adore playing older characters because there’s a lot about their past that can be developed on and impacting, but they are also far more stable in their lives.

IC

Full name: Minerva Elspeth McGonagall

Birthday: 4 October 1935

Wand: 9 1/2″ Fir, Dragonheart string, Pliable

Occupation: Transfiguration professor, Gryffindor Head of House Though Minerva later becomes appointed Deputy Headmistress, she currently maintains the freedom of not being so hogtied to remaining within the castle. The freedom of being without the title and responsibility of deputy Headmistress allows her a great deal more flexibility with her spare time, affording her the opportunities to work in partnership with the Order, as well as Arabella and Rosmerta in their efforts to gather information and scout out the atmosphere and opinions of those around them. It is during this first war that the current Deputy dies shortly before the war finds its tenuous resolution and the title lands on her shoulders.

What are your motivations? What drives you?: Safety and security motivate Minerva. She knows intimately what it is like to feel unsafe in an environment that should be safe and supportive. So right now, she has devoted herself to making certain those in her care–whether they ask for it or not–are kept as safe as possible. Ultimately she is driven by compassion and her need to provide stability in the lives of her students, her friends, loved ones, and anyone close to her. Minerva also finds herself driven by the fear of a mounting death toll. So many of those embroiled in this conflict are young, with potential and choices that must be made. Regardless of who stands on which side (or some grey area between), she does not wish to see families bury their children or children prematurely mourning over their parents and other loved ones.

What is your opinion of the war? Why did you choose your affiliation?: Minerva loathes the war with a passion. Every moment that exposes how the war worms its way into the school in the rumours, the fears some of her students face; she wants nothing more than the banish the creeping darkness and feels responsible for making the castle safe; for making their world safe. This is why she chose to assist the Order when Dumbledore approached her on the matter. Not only does she want to have an active hand in squashing the war before it gets out of hand but she has a sense of duty to see that the younger generation pushing their way to the centre of the Order remain clear-minded and protected as much as she possibly can.

Boggart: Lord Voldemort–the man is larger than life itself it would seem and is the antithesis of everything Minerva has always believed in; love, compassion, kindness, family.

Strengths/Weaknesses: + Loyalty: despite the anxieties that pervaded her childhood, Minerva would never give up on her family. That extended to her mates and house of Gryffindor when she attended Hogwarts. They were just as much her family and home, something she would not stray from. Once McGonagall finds a bond in another, it takes a great deal for her to be forced to let them go. - Paranoia: She would like to think she does not have a paranoid sense about her and, if pressed on the matter, will accuse her association with Alastor Moody as the reason she may appear unduly cautious at times. Yet it goes deeper than that. Spending so much time concealing the magic of her brothers and her own, constantly tense and cautious in her actions and watching over her younger brothers, it’s no wonder that this sense of wariness and need to protect others has spilled over to include the Order members, Hogwarts’ safety itself. If anything, Alastor’s insistence on being vigilant has only added fuel to the flame she already held tightly to. + Diplomacy: There are many times that her diplomatic and calm means of addressing situations has been put to the test. Sometimes intentionally. Yet Minerva perseveres in maintaining a collected demeanor in the face of accusations or threats, learning as a child as she covered for her brothers and her mother covered for her before, how to diffuse tense situations. To mould the truth when need be to make it more palatable for those unwilling to stomach it. It’s a quality that has served her well, not only in her career as a professor but in her personal life as well as during Order meetings that begin to devolve into disagreements between more labile members. - Reserved: While remaining unruffled in the face of conflict, Minerva does not always know how to turn off that switch when it’s okay to do so. Rather than share her own burdens and emotional strife with others, she holds onto them, stifling moods in order to appease those around her. The woman knows it may not be the healthiest thing, often leading to her flying off the handle with a few people who are skilled at getting under her skin–the most notorious being Alastor. She has made strides over the past year or so to be more forthcoming in private but Minerva doubts she will ever fully be able to shed that walled barrier she puts between her emotions and others. + Determination: While the Sorting House song states that Slytherin is the house of ambition, it is not uncommon in Gryffindors, but in a more humbling degree. Minerva has always wished and applied herself to excel to standards she has set for herself. She wished to be a good example for her brothers and to improve her own self and her life. Now that determination, pressing her to do more, be as active and preemptive as possible, has driven her to ally herself with Arabella and Rosmerta in gaining intel and secret patrols to ascertain threats and persons of interest before they come to a head. It is why she agreed to take her position within the Order in the first place, and it is why she will do whatever it takes (within humane reason) to protect and defend. - Passivity: Minerva uses diplomacy and her animagus form to gather information that may be useful later on. She feels they are tools that will aid in minimising the casualties and damage that outright conflicts will bring. Her strength and resilience, her temper and skill as a duelist all support Minerva being a witch willing to go to extreme lengths in order to keep loved ones safe. And in certain moments, yes, she will. However, she will always fall on the side of apprehending someone rather than killing them. Disarming before harming. She supposes it’s only necessary to have her more passive aggressive view to balance out Alastor’s more enthusiastic means of ending fights. However, it might get her killed one day if she doesn’t take a stronger stand.