MiddleEarthRoze

Hogwarts, 1480

"Leo, I've told you several times that I'm quite capable of finding my own way." This sentence was grumbled by Evangelina to her older brother, darting a scowl at him which he pointedly ignored. "I know how to look after myself."

"You recall the deal we made, sister - as soon as you can beat me in a duel, I'll stop worrying about you." At this, Eva's scowl subsided slightly, as she did indeed remember the deal struck a few years ago. Being a Contessa, Eva was expected to take part in lessons of embroidery, dancing, and etiquette; all of which she hated. (Perhaps not the dancing; 'twas a guilty pleasure of hers, but she'd die before telling anyone that.) The swordplay her brother was taught in during their time away from Hogwarts piqued her interest; and after months of complaining Leo finally gave in and began giving her lessons in secret, away from the disapproving eyes of their parents and the other Nobles they lived with. The servants of the manor in which they lived were aware of such actions, naturally being everywhere - but they and Eva were on good terms, so the secret was kept willingly by them. For Leo, however, he said that he would teach her so she could protect herself; until she could, he would do that job as their parents had pledged him to do. An irritating compromise, in Evangelina's eyes, but she took the deal all the same.

The village of Hogsmeade soon came into view for the travelling pair; Leo and Eva sat upon black palominos; his named Poseidon, for only the noblest of steeds could be named for the God who had created them; her's called Ser Fast-Gallop, because tradition must be damned in terms of naming horses when Eva's was the fastest in the land.

Well... she thought he was anyway. He was almost called Ser Fuzzy-Mane too.

"You know, I heard Mother arranging a meeting with a scion of the Malfoy House before we left - I think perhaps she's attempting to arrange another marriage for you."

"After what happened last time? The poor boy will have a crooked nose for the rest of his life. Not to mention the scar on his bu-"

"That's enough of that." He interrupted her hastily, his disapproving frown ushering forth a peal of wicked laughter from Eva. He loved his sister, but disapproved of her behaviour in most cases. Their talk of marriages - failed or otherwise - paused as they reached the stables of Hogwarts, handing over their steeds to the hands there and making their way into the castle. A few fifth years called out greetings to Leonardo as they passed; Eva rolled her eyes as a trio of girls giggled at the sight of Leo, who promptly ignored them with a chaste smile.

"I'll meet you in the Great Hall later, Evie." Leo's tone softened somewhat as he used that special nickname, and she gave him a quick hug, swatting his hand away as he attempted to wipe dirt from her cheek. "Honestly... we'll make a Contessa of you one day. Try not to get into a fight before dinner, okay?"

"No promises there, brother. Also, you can shove my title up your arse." She said in a prim tone, laughing at the scandalous look on his face as she skipped away. "Arrivederci Leo!"

It didn't take long for Eva to find her fellow students; the twins were stood nearby, along with their cousin. Eva was unsure how she felt about Avice; the girl seemed nice enough from whenever she had talked to her, but she knew that girl had the whole prejudice thing going on like so many Purebloods did. The twins seemed alright though, and she sidled up to Isaac, noticing the longsword strapped at his hip.

"Ciao, Isaac! Why did you bring your sword to school with you? Are you going to get into a fight with someone?" She asked with a teasing grin upon her face. "I should have brought my own saber - we could have dueled on the house tables for the entertainment of the Headmaster." She added with a light-hearted laugh.

---

---

Ryden Ashford would have been quite happy to remain in the forest for the next few hours, even if it meant missing the feast and the Sorting. He still had a lot of work ahead of him; shipments of creatures and ingredients to arrange, bits of the forest to explore, and eggs to keep warm. As for what was in the eggs, he was somewhat unsure; it would be a real treat to see what came out when they hatched, though.

"Oh. I hope they're not Basilisk eggs." He muttered under his breath, humming thoughtfully. They didn't look basilisk-y. Perhaps he should keep a blindfold handy when they hatched anyway, just to be safe.

Regardless of his jobs, he left the building sat on the edge of the forest, locking the door firmly behind him, and making his way back up to the castle. Ryden had been tempted more than once to simply just move into the large shack that held all of the items necessary for a lesson, but after several cuts on his arms from a group of angry Bowtruckles, decided to remain in his room in the Castle.

The walk didn't take long, and he soon found the group of students milling about the thestral drawn carriages; many of them confused as to what exactly was pulling the carriage. Ryden felt a pang of sympathy when some students did in fact see the strange beasts... and what marvellous things they were. He could never understand how people were frightened of them... although, the price of being able to see them was not a nice one, particularly at such a young age.

Walking over and gently stroking the snout of one of them, Ryden darted a smile at the "soldier" next to him.

"Ingerith! I hope you're well. There's quite a few muggle-borns here this year; you did well to get so many." The sentence was a compliment, although it was saddening to recognise the difficulty behind such a task. He was aware how the Headmaster disliked the work Ingerith did; it was a small blessing he allowed the muggle-borns entry into the school. "You didn't run into much trouble, I hope?"

The thestral nickered under his hand, trying to lick the bloodstained bandage wrapped around it. He'd acquired another bite this evening, dealing with a troublesome dugbog while exploring a marsh in the forest. Ryden was certain a few centaurs had been laughing at him in the distance.

Hogwarts, 1480

@LadyTabris

awwwwww yeaaahhh

Love me some Varric.

Hogwarts, 1480

@LadyTabris

I have to ask - is that the infamous Varric Tethras as your avatar?

Hogwarts, 1480

Name: Contessa Evangelina "Eva" di Diavolo

Age: 13

Appearance:


House: Hufflepuff

Wand: Rowan wood with a Phoenix feather core; 12 1/2 inches, unyielding flexibility.

Wand

Personality: Despite Eva's upbringing, she has attempted to make herself as down to earth and gritty as possible. She'll be the first to get down and dirty in some exploring or adventuring, is extremely outgoing in casual social events (Not so much in formal ones, but then again, it depends on the crowd she's hanging with), and enjoys making friends - particularly with common folk, or simply those without airs and graces. For her, there is nothing worse than acting above everyone else simply because of your blood or your family name - to her, what lays in one's heart is what is important, and she tries to make that known to most new people she meets.
As she would hate for people to assume that she's just another shitty-acting noble, Eva is quick to stick up for underdogs or those being bullied - more than once, this has led to fights in the streets involving a lot of hair pulling and behaviour unbefitting of a Contessa. Despite the various scoldings received from her parents in regards to this, she continues to do so - and will have a lot more chance to truly act like herself in the halls of Hogwarts. Be ready to expect a steadfast friend loyal to the end, who will personally fist-fight a dragon for you - who cares if her dress gets burnt in the meantime?

Bio: The di Diavolo family was a lesser known - but still influential - noble House present in Florence, Italy. Close to the ruling Nobles, House Medici, it was extremely easy for Eva's pure-blood wizarding family to avoid persecution from the Papal States, who did not have much leeway in the state of Florence thanks to the Medici's.

However, that changed in 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV was elected as the new Holy Father of the world. As with most Catholics at the time, he abhorred the thought of magic, science, and anything that could bring down the Catholic Church - which included House Medici. They held Florence, and had disobeyed Rome and the Vatican for far too long. From there, the Pazzi Conspiracy took place.

In 1478, the Pazzi family attempted to assinate two members of the Medici fgamily, and Pope Sixtus had aided the plans along. While they failed to overthrow the family, and did not attack the di Diavolo House directly, Eva's parents were terrified. They had only some protection from the Catholic Church by the Medici's, but this blow shook their confidence in the ruling House of Florence. Scared they too would be attacked - and their status as magic users discovered - the di Diavolo's left Italy, travelling to England to live with Noble family there.

While witch hunts were still prominent in England at this time, it was rare for nobility to be even accused; the peasantry couldn't even try and judge them if they tried. So, the di Diavolo's were safe, building their reputation and their family. They had left Italy with two children; Eva, at 10 years old, and her brother Leonardo, at 13 years old. The pair were already fluent in English (Italy and it's Church had declared the English language as heathenish and dirty - the di Diavolo's took great delight in learning it as a small, private rebellion against the zealous Church), and by the time their younger siblings were born as twins a year later, their accent was all but gone.

Naturally, when their parents caught wind of a wizarding school, they shipped their oldest two off to it immediately. Eva needed the discipline and Leo needed the independence from his parents. Also, with them both at a boarding school, they couldn't complain or refuse any arranged marriages their parents concocted.

Plotting: Her brother is in his fifth year at Hogwarts, and the two get along well enough. He considers her behaviour to be benefiting of her title, but isn't overly annoying about the whole thing. He's more bothered about his nobility than his blood, anyway.
She's unlikely to get along with the pretentious, snobbish, or judgemental - and if she hears the word "mudblood" thrown around, her fists are going to be thrown around too.

Family: Vaguely related to the Black family, somewhere down the line.

Hogwarts, 1480

Name: Ryden Ashford

Age: 37

Appearance:

Hider

Standing at a ridiculously tall, lanky 6'6, Ryden certainly stands out in a crowd. His eyes are a warm golden brown, dark blonde hair usually pulled back into a messy ponytail while teaching. His body is littered with scars, some minor, some not so much - he states they're from dealing with beasts in his travels, but some look as though they could have been done with a knife than a claw or fang.
It won't be uncommon to see a fresh injury about him; it's rare to see his face unblemished with a bruise or cut, and there seems to be constant bandages wrapped messily around his hands and arms. He would go to the hospital wing, but surely they have enough issues to deal with already.

Wand: Alder Wood, 14'' with a Thestral tail-hair core, unyielding.

Personality:
In a word, one would describe Ryden as dedicated. To his job, his students, and other things earlier in his life. The man has a real passion in his work, and is only too happy to spread that passion to others, making teaching a perfect job for him. Because of this, he's usually quite patient and easy-going in classes, emanating a trustful and secure environment... which is sometimes necessary when dealing with particularly dangerous beasts. However, woe betide any student who doesn't take his lesson's seriously - a steel will appear to his eyes and words, being a harsh enough difference from his usually pleasant persona to make the student think twice about acting out again.
Out of lessons, Ryden doesn't particularly relax. He continues tending to beasts; venturing out into the forest (paying no heed to dangers that lay within), to research the creatures dwelling there, or to collect certain plants for the next week of lessons. Usually coming back out with some new item (be it a plant or injury; usually both), he'll then stay up late doing some mindless task before eventually giving in to sleep at an ungodly hour in the morning.

When one gets to know him, you'll learn a few things; he adores animals (Not just the fantastical ones; everything from mice to cats and dogs), he drinks more alcohol than is entirely healthy (Although never shows up drunk in front of the children; even if hungover, he hides it as best as he can), and has trouble sleeping. One could easily assign that to events in his past, but it's been a long time since Ryden's been close enough to anybody to speak of such matters.

Bio: Ryden arrived at the school last year, after the previous Care of Magical Creatures Professor was eaten by one of his charges; that's what happens when one continues prodding a Sphinx in the ribs to try and teach it to sit.
To most, he has a great deal of stories to tell of his past - creatures and places he's visited, from the strange to the mundane. As for where he born, where he learnt to control his magic, family, all of that remains unknown even to the Headmaster. Ryden states that it is because his early life yielded nothing useful for one to know; his knowledge of beasts and monsters from China to the Scilly Isles are what makes him useful today, and that is all he allows anyone to know. For now, at least.

Plotting:
Dislikes seeing the oppressed or bullied; if he see's any sort of behaviour like that from a student or teacher, he comes down hard and fast on them, regardless of blood status or house.

While he does not show it to any of the students or teachers, he has a great distrust for the old, Pureblood families of England. He would never treat a child differently to another because of this, but he will rarely speak a kind word about such old houses.

Plays the Viol; a Spanish precursor to the Viola. While many are large and played at the feet, his is considerably smaller, and he finds it easier to rest it in the crook of his neck while he plays, much like a violin. (Which hasn't been invented yet. *sob*)

Family: None.

Hogwarts, 1480

@Gisk

OH GOD I HAVEN'T FINISHED MY TEACHER

I'M SO SORRY

WILL FINISH HIM NOW

Hogwarts, 1480

@Gisk

Am I good to pick a house for her older brother?

Hogwarts, 1480

Name: Contessa Evangelina "Eva" di Diavolo

Age: 13

Appearance:


House: Hufflepuff

Wand: Rowan wood with a Phoenix feather core; 12 1/2 inches, unyielding flexibility.

Personality: Despite Eva's upbringing, she has attempted to make herself as down to earth and gritty as possible. She'll be the first to get down and dirty in some exploring or adventuring, is extremely outgoing in casual social events (Not so much in formal ones, but then again, it depends on the crowd she's hanging with), and enjoys making friends - particularly with common folk, or simply those without airs and graces. For her, there is nothing worse than acting above everyone else simply because of your blood or your family name - to her, what lays in one's heart is what is important, and she tries to make that known to most new people she meets.
As she would hate for people to assume that she's just another shitty-acting noble, Eva is quick to stick up for underdogs or those being bullied - more than once, this has led to fights in the streets involving a lot of hair pulling and behaviour unbefitting of a Contessa. Despite the various scoldings received from her parents in regards to this, she continues to do so - and will have a lot more chance to truly act like herself in the halls of Hogwarts. Be ready to expect a steadfast friend loyal to the end, who will personally fist-fight a dragon for you - who cares if her dress gets burnt in the meantime?

Bio: The di Diavolo family was a lesser known - but still influential - noble House present in Florence, Italy. Close to the ruling Nobles, House Medici, it was extremely easy for Eva's pure-blood wizarding family to avoid persecution from the Papal States, who did not have much leeway in the state of Florence thanks to the Medici's.

However, that changed in 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV was elected as the new Holy Father of the world. As with most Catholics at the time, he abhorred the thought of magic, science, and anything that could bring down the Catholic Church - which included House Medici. They held Florence, and had disobeyed Rome and the Vatican for far too long. From there, the Pazzi Conspiracy took place.

In 1478, the Pazzi family attempted to assinate two members of the Medici fgamily, and Pope Sixtus had aided the plans along. While they failed to overthrow the family, and did not attack the di Diavolo House directly, Eva's parents were terrified. They had only some protection from the Catholic Church by the Medici's, but this blow shook their confidence in the ruling House of Florence. Scared they too would be attacked - and their status as magic users discovered - the di Diavolo's left Italy, travelling to England to live with Noble family there.

While witch hunts were still prominent in England at this time, it was rare for nobility to be even accused; the peasantry couldn't even try and judge them if they tried. So, the di Diavolo's were safe, building their reputation and their family. They had left Italy with two children; Eva, at 10 years old, and her brother Leonardo, at 13 years old. The pair were already fluent in English (Italy and it's Church had declared the English language as heathenish and dirty - the di Diavolo's took great delight in learning it as a small, private rebellion against the zealous Church), and by the time their younger siblings were born as twins a year later, their accent was all but gone.

Naturally, when their parents caught wind of a wizarding school, they shipped their oldest two off to it immediately. Eva needed the discipline and Leo needed the independence from his parents. Also, with them both at a boarding school, they couldn't complain or refuse any arranged marriages their parents concocted.

Plotting: Her brother is in his fifth year at Hogwarts, and the two get along well enough. He considers her behaviour to be benefiting of her title, but isn't overly annoying about the whole thing. He's more bothered about his nobility than his blood, anyway.
She's unlikely to get along with the pretentious, snobbish, or judgemental - and if she hears the word "mudblood" thrown around, her fists are going to be thrown around too.

Family: Vaguely related to the Black family, somewhere down the line.

Mass Effect: Mercenaries

@Pangusman

Hogwarts, 1480

My CS is nearly finished - just tackling the Bio. :)

Also, the teacher is a WIP - I know what I'm doing with him, just need to write it up.