Introduction -
Kit Harrington, slytherin, pureblood. — that’s SALAZAR SLYTHERIN, one of the FOUNDERS. HE is/are 33 years old and supposedly they are very RESOURCEFUL & CUNNING, though they can also be very ARROGANT & DECEPTIVE. ( Micah, 22, GMT, he / him )
The Basics:
Name: Salazar Slytherin
Age: 33 years old
Birthday: 31st October 960 AD
FC: Kit Harrington
House: Slytherin
Wand: 13 inches, unyielding, Snakewood, Basilisk horn
Amortentia: wet grass after it rains, the ocean, a bonfire, roasted meat
Patronus: A Serpent
TLDR: Raised in Spain, then Rome, then Godric’s Hollow (before it was called that). Lost two important figures to him, drove him to distrust muggles and seek out the dark arts. Currently teaching at Hogwarts in hopes of protecting the next generation of wixes from what he had to deal with.
Biography:
Salazar came from a long and proud line of noble witches and wizards who’s entire existence revolved around Magic. The Slytherin family were the closest that the British witches and wizards could come to a Bank, at least within the wizarding world. Their power came from the magical abilities and the way that they had used these to amass wealth. They’d then re-invested this wealth into their family, using it to buy protection from the filthy muggles of England and the rest of Europe. They used it to establish a great estate near what would one day be called Godric’s Hollow. Salazar’s father was the youngest son, and therefore allowed to do mostly whatever he wanted. There were no expectations placed upon him, his three elder brothers had already taken on the lion’s share of the responsibility required by the family. However unwilling to be outdone by his brothers, Edric Slytherin came up with a plan to increase the family fortunes exponentially.
His first move was to take a ship to Burgos, Castille in Spain. There he settled down and established a bank for the wizarding elite of Spain. It was there that he met and eventually married Salazar’s mother, a Spanish noble woman (Maria Esperanza) with some minor magical abilities, though they’d never truly been fostered by anyone of any real ability. All she could truly manage were parlor tricks. Edric taught Maria much about magic and her abilities grew with every year he helped her. For several years they were happy, soon Salazar was born and his earliest days as a baby were spent in the lap of luxury. His mother doted on him whilst his father was a distant authority figure. One to be respected and listened to, but not the father to turn to with nightmares or petty childhood fears. When he was two years old, his father left Burgos and moved to the city of Rome to set up a third branch of the Slytherin family bank.
Salazar’s childhood was spent in Rome. Searching for as many potential connections and allies as he could, Edric quickly arranged a marriage for their son. His betrothal to Eleonora Altieri was a political move. However, keen for them to bond he was quickly introduced to Altieri family and their daughter and only child (at the time); Eleonora, after all a boy should know his future wife. They quickly became firm friends, with Eleonora getting them into trouble and often being unable to get them out of it, it came down to Salazar to rescue them. Something that he did with great pleasure and many a scolding word about how she should be more careful. At the time, Salazar didn’t give much thought to their betrothal, Eleonora was simply his friend. She was his constant companion and for many years they were entirely inseparable.
His time in Rome was happy, it was an innocent time where Salazar studied magic and spent time with his friends. Unfortunately his happiness was short lived. Not long after his eleventh birthday the true nature of the world became clear to him. It was around this time that the climate in Rome changed and wixes, witches and wizards began to be hunted by the muggles of the city. Hundreds were burned at the stake on mass and the Slytherin family were left with a choice between leaving Rome and everything they’d worked for, and remaining there despite the risk. Salazar’s father, arrogant and foolish made the decision to keep his family in Rome and he paid for it. Salazar would never forget the first night of the magical purge, the smell of roasting flesh and the thick blanket of smoke which hung over the city.
Salazar’s mother was returning home from mass -- always a good catholic, despite her heretical control over magic -- when they found her and tied her to a stake. Salazar didn’t discover the truth until the next day, and his father’s rage and fury were a thing to truly behold. Edric left the house late that night, and returned in the early hours of the morning spattered with blood. They never discussed it again.
Unfortunately, the damage was done and the Slytherin’s departed Rome. Travelling with magic and heading for the family estate and a family Salazar didn’t know. Salazar would never forgive the muggles for his mother’s death and their subsequent exit from Rome. In his eyes the muggles were the reason for all of it. After all, before that they had been happy. That was the last time he saw Eleonora and despite their close friendship, they fell out of contact.
Settling in England was difficult. His father stayed in England long enough to bid him goodbye before returning to mainland Europe in an attempt to save the banks he’d set up across the continent. Salazar was left alone, lonely and mourning. However, he was able to make a new friend in Godric, a young boy that his uncle introduced him to. They lived in the same village, they got into more mischief than they had any right to and although Salazar remained withdrawn and yearned for the company of his old friend Eleonora, he was at least somewhat content. He stayed in the village until he was eighteen, before leaving and travelling the world.
As they got older, Salazar shunned more responsibility from the family business and continued to travel. Either alone or alongside Godric and his new wife Clara. A childhood friend of his, Salazar was frankly devastated by what happened to Clara. It was almost ironic really, the one time they didn’t travel together and she got herself killed. A second death in Salazar’s life convinced him that he would need to take matters into his own hands to prevent the loss of anyone else important to him.
After Clara’s death, Salazar stopped travelling for pleasure. Once they had wandered through Europe drinking and eating. Sampling local cuisine and enjoying the people. They’d visited most of Europe, some of Northern Africa and even southern Asia. However that all changed. After that, his trips were more deliberate, with specific locations in mind. They travelled alone from then on, or if they had to be accompanied it was with hired help. Salazar used his magical ability to visit places of knowledge and power, gathering magical knowledge both moral and not-so-moral. He didn’t deliberately seek out the Dark Arts, however along the way he learned secrets that many self respecting wix would’ve avoided. After all, he had to find a way to protect those he loved.
After many years of practising and perfecting their magic, Salazar’s talent as a wizard was undeniable and when the opportunity to create Hogwarts came about, Salazar jumped at the opportunity to instill some knowledge on a younger generation. If nothing else, he hoped to teach them how to avoid the mistakes that he’d once made. It was partially from his father’s wealth that Salazar and the other founders were able to construct the castle. They saw it as their duty and responsibility to educate the next generation of wizards so they could protect themselves from the muggles.
Specialities -
Alchemy
Legilimency and occlumency
Potions
Dark arts (shh its a secret)
