Application for Minerva McGonagall
Part One- Personal
Name: Brianna
Character's Name: Minerva McGonagall [Head Mistress]
Email: Xxflyin@aol.com
AIM: Xx FLY in
Other Instant Messenger Programs: N/A
AGE:(Must be 18+) 20
Past Rpg Experience: On and off for about six years, both in LJ communities and lots of experience with chatroom/one-on-one [or small group] role play. The majority of RPGs I’ve been involved with have been deleted or gone inactive, so that’s why I’m looking for a few new ones. My current RPGs include:
aww_rpg (Ginny Potter)
hoggywartsrpg (Nymphadora Tonks)
hogwartsrpera (Ginny Weasley, Nymphadora Tonks)
I also play Minerva McGonagall at a few Greatest Journal RPGs, including After Midnight, At The Close and Veritaserum.
and a non-LJ RPG, HogwartsMagic.com (Kenzie Cunningham)
I also have started to look into RPGs over at Greatest Journals
Where did you hear about our RPG? A Harry Potter RPG Promo site in a LJ community, though I can’t remember which one right now
The following situations may or may not arise over the course of the game. You, as a player, are never required to participate in anything you do not wish, but the situations might arise around you. This is an adult game set in a fantasy world where there are definite bad-guys out there.
Having said that, please tell us how you feel about:
Het, slash and femmeslash: It happens, but it is not the basis of this RPG [at least that’s what I got from reading the rules], and all relationships must develop throughout the game. I don’t think the character I am applying for would be affected by this topic.
NC-17 material: I am fine with it.
Violence: Violence happens. There are contrasts between the Order members and Death Eaters, and there was a war. However, unnecessary violence between students will not be tolerated. (I feel like that would be something Minerva would say.)
Part Two- Character Info
Character Name: Minerva McGonagall
Age: a sprightly 75 year old
Birthday: October 4, 1925
Wand: 10.5” Cherry, Unicorn hair
House in School: Gryffindor
Bloodline: Half-blood
Political View: Strong supporter and member of the Order of the Phoenix and Extremely Anti-Voldemort
Appearance
Height: about 5’10”-11”
Weight: 165-170 pounds
Build: Very tall and slim/lean build
Eyes: Beady eyes; wears square glasses that match the markings around the eyes of her animagus form of a silver tabby cat
Hair: Black hair (beginning to grey with age and stress), about mid-arm’s length- always pulled back into a bun in a hairnet
Dress style: Emerald green robes, pointed black hat that is crooked on one side; she is proud of her Scottish heritage and has a fondness for tartan patterns (even her evening gown and biscuit tin are in tartan patterns). She always carries a lace handkerchief. She disproves of “letting one’s hair down,” especially her own.
Discerning Marks: Minerva McGonagall is tall and lean, and emits a powerful presence with a very prim expression. She is a severe-looking woman that always dresses in robes (emerald or tartan patterns) with a tightly pulled back bun, which is usually hidden under her black hat. She wears square glasses that match the markings of her animagus form. (She is one of the only animagi of the century.) When first introduced to Minerva, she seems stern and reserved, but as you get to know her she becomes less strict. Minerva always has the best in mind for the students of Hogwarts, and always puts the school first.
PB: Dame Maggie Smith
Sexuality: Straight, but picky and always has the school in mind- so she rarely enters relationships and has never married or had children. In her younger years, Minerva dated several wizards her age, but found their relationships to be trite and useless. She, instead, devoted her time to becoming a professor, then a member of the Order, and now the Head Mistress of Hogwarts.
Psychology
Introvert/Extrovert Introvert. Even though Minerva is stern and can bark orders easily, she does not enjoy the larger group setting. Instead, she has her close group of friends in which she confides and socializes; however, she is not anti-social and demands respect from all.
Boggart is? Her five siblings suffering and in poverty (please see family dynamic for reasoning)
Patronus--can they produce one? What is it and why does it have that form? Yes, Minerva can produce a patronus, which takes the shape of a tabby cat, like her animagus. Minerva’s mother’s patronus was a tabby cat, and Minerva acquired it when she died. (Minerva was three when her mother died.) Minerva’s favorite animal is the tabby cat (not to be confused with prissy, fluffy cats such as the ones Dolores Umbridge loves) because they are cunning, self-sufficient and intelligent. They can also be great company and very loyal if treated with respect.
Personality
Include strengths, weaknesses, quirks, general outlook on life.
General: Minerva is straight-laced and stern, though she is known for “softening up” once you get to know her. She is trustworthy, loyal and brave of heart [a true Gryffindor, indeed]. She knows the ins and outs of Hogwarts like the back of her hand because she’s been at the school for so long. Despite her stern front, McGonagall has been known to display a range of emotions when either unaware of observation or overcome by feeling.
Strengths: Minerva is not a pushover. She is not afraid to stand up to people in authority if she feels that they are being unfair or bias. Furthermore, she is not afraid to punish her own students if they are in the wrong. On the other hand, Minerva is a team player. She values her colleagues’ opinions very much. Despite her age, she is very witty and still has her senses about her. She is still an exceptional duellist, capable of holding her own against much younger and more agiale other wizards/witches.
Weaknesses: She has a strong bias towards Transfiguration, and feels that it is one of the most complex and dangerous magic taught at Hogwarts. She also is very keen about quidditch, and especially about the Gryffindor team’s success at the sport.
Quirks: Minerva is oddly proud of her heritage. She likes to wear her Scottish garments even to bed. She wears a hairnet underneath her crooked hat, which is always crooked. She also has a knack to sneak up on students. One of her infamous quirks is entering the first-years’ first Transfiguration class as her tabby cat animagus. She likes to lay down the law from the very beginning, only softening up to people she deems worthy.
Outlooks on Life: Minerva likes sayings/quotes and the following ones sum up her outlooks best: The barking dog gets to bone. The early bird gets the worm. Don’t lead with your feet or head, follow your heart and you’ll end up where you belong. Quidditch is love. Life is too short, have dessert first. There is a time and place for everything. Work hard, play hard.
Family
Parents?
Father - William Topaz McGonagall (Scottish muggle)
Mother - Brighde Innes (Scottish witch)
Siblings? Yes, all were non-magical...
Brother - Elliot (2 years Minerva’s elder)
Brother - Duncan (1 year Minerva’s elder)
[Insert Minerva Here]
Sister - Aileen (1 year Minerva’s minor)
Sister - Muria (2 years Minerva’s minor)
Brother - Kamron (3 years Minerva’s minor)
Family dynamics Minerva’s family is a typical depression Scottish family. She has many siblings, and all the children were born within years of each other. Brighde [Minerva’s mother] died in childbirth when she had Kamron.
Minerva, being the eldest daughter, was put in charge of the home tasks and childcare at the age of seven. Her family was not rich, and they led a difficult life with only one parent to support six children. The McGonagall children grew extremely close through their family’s sufferings and sought comfort in each other’s company.
At the age of eleven, Minerva received her acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Immediately, she hid it because she could not leave her family behind, and her father would most likely threaten her if she decided to leave. She did not believe in magic and thought of it as a joke. Yet, her mother’s parents came in August and dragged Minerva away, forcing her to embrace her magical talent and attend Hogwarts. (Minerva’s well-to-do distant grandparents also provided money for her education. They never discussed Minerva’s magical talent with her though, and she rarely saw them.) After her first year at Hogwarts, Minerva was no longer welcome home (she had been disowned) and spent her summer holidays in Ireland with her Scottish aunt and Scottish/Irish cousins. Minerva never saw her family again, which killed her. She still misses her siblings terribly and feels guilty about abandoning her family even 60+ years later.
Lifestyle
Occupation: Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts starting in December 1956, and later assigned Gryffindor Head of House. She is made Dumbledore’s deputy head mistress, and was announced as Head Mistress after Albus’ death in June 1997
Residence: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Financial Status: Not rich, nor poor- middle class and comfortable. Minerva never married nor does she have children, so her money is her own and she earns enough at Hogwarts to support herself and her needs. (Please note, Minerva does not live an extravagant lifestyle. Hogwarts is her home, and she need not pay for food or board while she teaches at the school; therefore, Minerva does not have a lot of out-of-pocket expenses.)
History from student days at Hogwarts to the present time:
Minerva graduated from Hogwarts in 1944, and returned once more to her aunt’s house in Ireland. Though she received top marks in her NEWTS, Minerva did not go on to apply to be an Auror nor did she seek a job in the Ministry. Minerva worked for a bit in the muggle world in Ireland, saving up money for an apartment in London. She moved to Diagon Alley in 1947, and went from job to job until finally landing a job at Gringotts. She found, however, that she hated working goblins, and sought a transfer to a Gringotts research branch in Scotland. She returned to her native country in 1952, and worked for Gringotts contently. Minerva hoped to find her family while working in Scotland, but was not able to. She never found out if they immigrated to the United States or if they all died off. This killed Minerva and hardened her spirit. She became very closed off to the world, and isolated herself from her co-workers. She turned into a very uptight and reserved young adult.
She received an owl in June of 1956 from Albus Dumbledore offering her a position as the Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts. He greatly encouraged her to accept the offer, and told her in the letter that someone who received an ‘Outstanding’ on her Transfiguration NEWT should not be working for Gringotts. Minerva, having always liked Dumbledore, accepted the offer and began teaching her favorite subject in December of 1956.
Minerva became a favorite among the Hogwarts staff, and one of Dumbledore’s esteemed colleagues. She assisted with first year flying lessons, and helped run and organize quidditch for the school. She later had to drop these responsibilities when she was appointed Gryffindor’s Head of House and deputy head mistress.
When Voldemort came to power the first time, Minerva joined the Order of the Phoenix and acted as one of Dumbledore’s right hand trustees. Minerva was there the night Harry Potter’s parents were killed. This was the first event to soften Minerva since she was ripped away from her family. She always liked Harry, even if she seemed cold. She simply wanted the boy to stay out of trouble, which seemed to be impossible. (She reckoned he inherited this knack for trouble from his father, James.)
Minerva was always supportive of Dumbledore and his doings with the school. After his death in 1997, she was named Head Mistress. (Minerva was very trusted and was told about the staging between Dumbledore and Snape. Though it still came as a shock, she knew Dumbledore was dying anyways.) When Harry left school to fight Voldemort, she became extremely worried and concerned. Her hair turned grey and wrinkled. She used all her built up worry energy and projected it into the school. She fought like heck to keep the school open to all those who wished to learn. She had to fight with the Ministry over this issue, and was allowed to re-open Hogwarts and made some changes. Minerva wanted nothing more than to run a respectable school. She worked hard to think of the new changes with the sorting and quidditch, and was thankful to have Snape and Lupin back teaching at the school.
Minerva never trusted the Death Eaters and doubts Lucius Malfoy’s confession. She was given a copy of the book, which she never read. It is sitting somewhere in her office, though she could not tell you where. Along the same lines, she also does not trust Bellatrix and does not believe she is free. The Order still gives Minerva reports, and these are two people she often inquires about. Minerva has been meaning to re-establish the Order in order to keep her eyes on Death Eaters like the ones mentioned above; however, the Ministry has given her a run for her money, and she's been tied up with trying to keep Hogwarts running strong.
What plots would you like to pursue with this character? What short and long-term goals does the character have for his/her future?
Minerva’s long term goal is school-oriented. Dumbledore was her mentor and long time friend, and Minerva would want nothing more than to see this re-organization of Hogwarts through successfully. [Perhaps, for role-play sake, Hogwarts is further ridiculed by the Ministry, which demands either more change or more control at the school. Please note, this would be a long-term plot and it is only an idea.] Also, Minerva would like to call the Order back into meeting. Short-term, Minerva would like to see the new way of sorting go successfully and she is particularly interested with the new quidditch rules. Minerva is also excited to have Lupin, a long time friend, back at Hogwarts. [This may or may not cause some talk among the staff.]
Once you start playing the game and get a feel for your fellow players and characters, assuming the interaction is favorable, how long could you anticipate staying with this character and this game? What is your usual pattern of longevity in role-playing games?
I love creative writing. All of the RPGs I’ve ever been part of have gone inactive/died out before I quit. As long as the plot keeps moving forward, I plan to stick with it for good. I know this is a long-term type RPG and that’s one of the things I found most appealing about it.
What is your usual pattern of availability and play-time for a character and game which you enjoy?
My goal is to check the RPG daily (probably more than once), even if I don’t post. I’d like to see 1-2 journal entries and posts per week. Since I’m a college student, my day availability will be limited due to my classes and my jobs. I am a night owl, so I anticipate being most active after 9 or 10pm or at work. I do not know my work hours yet though. I am on Central-US time.
Now that we've got a sense of your characterization, this is where you get to really showcase your writing style! Give us everything you've got! Remember--this sample must be a 'fresh' sample relevant to our game and the current setting.
Sample Journal Entry:
Day: Wednesday
Date: 25-Jul-01
Time: Darkest hour of the night, before dawn
Location: Hogwarts: Head Mistress’ Office
Private To Self:
My dear Albus, oh how I miss you! I hope you are well, dear friend. I am certain you are prancing about still educating and enchanting the minds from beyond. I am well. No that’s a lie. I want nothing more than to see Hogwarts flourish, but I am afraid I am not a worthy successor of you. At times like this I sought your company, confiding in you for many years. How alone I feel now that you have moved on! Hogwarts is open without the Ministry’s fuddling [barely but still], which is simply marvelous. Yet, after that death and all the war past, it seems like Hogwarts will never glisten with the same gleam it once had when you were here. I am more determined than ever to move forward, though. The sorting has changed and Quidditch, too, since you’ve left. I cannot say how it will turn out, but I hope for the best. Hogwarts will be esteemed again soon, I give you my word, Albus. You always trusted me, even when I did not trust myself. I wish you were here, peering at me over this very desk with your brilliant blue eyes and half moon spectacles. I would give anything for one of your quirky, wise sayings or even one of your comical winks. You were my best friend and confidant, and you changed my life. I never told you that, but I’m sure you knew. Oh what I would now give to go back and tell you how much you meant to me. I feel so alone now, and all eyes turn to me for guidance. Is this how you felt? You never said nor showed any doubt.
You never showed doubt…
I will make Hogwarts flourish and gleam, and it will be the achieved school we always wished it to be.
I really miss you.
You once said, “A new day does not begin at dawn but grows out of the darkest hour of the night.”
I can’t help but notice the darkness right now. Dawn is not close, yet a new day looms ahead.
Sample Third Person Writing:
She sat, back facing the large bay windows, rubbing her temples gingerly. Minerva fumbled for her spectacles on the messy desk, and with clearer vision glanced around the circular foyer at the portraits of the Hogwarts Head Masters and Mistresses. Some of the canvases were blank, but most blinked down at her with query. She snapped a remark at the empty room and turned to face the window at once. Though the old brick kept the castle cool, the summer’s heat pricked at her neck as she scanned the green grounds below. She could not help but notice that the summer holidays were half over, and the next school year looming in the very near future. There were still so many things to be resolved in such little time. Her thoughts turned to her students that she cared for so dearly. She wondered where they were and if they were safe, and what they were doing on these long summer days.
Her thoughts progressed as her eyes scanned the forest below, as if she was expecting to see something in particular. Minerva’s stomach turned over at the sight of a shadow. If it was safe, she did not feel the rush of relief described by so many others. Her heart still pounded when the long shadows stretched, and her breath still increased at every muffled sound.
She returned to the large wood desk staring down at the names of next year’s students. An odd sensation overcame her as she scanned the returning Gryffindors; Hogwarts would seem so different without them. In fact, she noted, Hogwarts would never quite be the same. Her head cocked under her arm, vaguely noting the new additions to the school.
She emitted a melodramatic sigh and returned her unfixed gaze back to the wall of portrait busts. All frames seemed to be vacant except two. The black eyes of one and the blue eyes of the other seemed to be fixed on her, and both smiled down. She nodded curtly knowing that it was all on her now, and that they would always be behind her.
“Alright,” she sighed to the portrait by the door, “Please tell the Minister I am ready to see him.”
Barely before she was able to finish her words, a tall male strode into the room. She stood firm behind the desk and he marched forward and order, “You may sit down.”
Minerva had to blink to keep from laughing. “Minister, this is my office and no one orders me about in here,” she replied curtly. The blue eyes that gazed at her winked then, and she was rather amused by this. Her glance turned to the man sitting in front of her. With lifted spirits and a new wave of confidence, Minerva set off on the Minister’s behavior and doings with her school.
This took me a couple of days (and two different computers) to compose, so I could have easily overlooked or lost some information in transit. If this is the case or if you have any questions at all, please feel free to e-mail me. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Name: Brianna
Character's Name: Minerva McGonagall [Head Mistress]
Email: Xxflyin@aol.com
AIM: Xx FLY in
Other Instant Messenger Programs: N/A
AGE:(Must be 18+) 20
Past Rpg Experience: On and off for about six years, both in LJ communities and lots of experience with chatroom/one-on-one [or small group] role play. The majority of RPGs I’ve been involved with have been deleted or gone inactive, so that’s why I’m looking for a few new ones. My current RPGs include:
aww_rpg (Ginny Potter)
hoggywartsrpg (Nymphadora Tonks)
hogwartsrpera (Ginny Weasley, Nymphadora Tonks)
I also play Minerva McGonagall at a few Greatest Journal RPGs, including After Midnight, At The Close and Veritaserum.
and a non-LJ RPG, HogwartsMagic.com (Kenzie Cunningham)
I also have started to look into RPGs over at Greatest Journals
Where did you hear about our RPG? A Harry Potter RPG Promo site in a LJ community, though I can’t remember which one right now
The following situations may or may not arise over the course of the game. You, as a player, are never required to participate in anything you do not wish, but the situations might arise around you. This is an adult game set in a fantasy world where there are definite bad-guys out there.
Having said that, please tell us how you feel about:
Het, slash and femmeslash: It happens, but it is not the basis of this RPG [at least that’s what I got from reading the rules], and all relationships must develop throughout the game. I don’t think the character I am applying for would be affected by this topic.
NC-17 material: I am fine with it.
Violence: Violence happens. There are contrasts between the Order members and Death Eaters, and there was a war. However, unnecessary violence between students will not be tolerated. (I feel like that would be something Minerva would say.)
Part Two- Character Info
Character Name: Minerva McGonagall
Age: a sprightly 75 year old
Birthday: October 4, 1925
Wand: 10.5” Cherry, Unicorn hair
House in School: Gryffindor
Bloodline: Half-blood
Political View: Strong supporter and member of the Order of the Phoenix and Extremely Anti-Voldemort
Appearance
Height: about 5’10”-11”
Weight: 165-170 pounds
Build: Very tall and slim/lean build
Eyes: Beady eyes; wears square glasses that match the markings around the eyes of her animagus form of a silver tabby cat
Hair: Black hair (beginning to grey with age and stress), about mid-arm’s length- always pulled back into a bun in a hairnet
Dress style: Emerald green robes, pointed black hat that is crooked on one side; she is proud of her Scottish heritage and has a fondness for tartan patterns (even her evening gown and biscuit tin are in tartan patterns). She always carries a lace handkerchief. She disproves of “letting one’s hair down,” especially her own.
Discerning Marks: Minerva McGonagall is tall and lean, and emits a powerful presence with a very prim expression. She is a severe-looking woman that always dresses in robes (emerald or tartan patterns) with a tightly pulled back bun, which is usually hidden under her black hat. She wears square glasses that match the markings of her animagus form. (She is one of the only animagi of the century.) When first introduced to Minerva, she seems stern and reserved, but as you get to know her she becomes less strict. Minerva always has the best in mind for the students of Hogwarts, and always puts the school first.
PB: Dame Maggie Smith
Sexuality: Straight, but picky and always has the school in mind- so she rarely enters relationships and has never married or had children. In her younger years, Minerva dated several wizards her age, but found their relationships to be trite and useless. She, instead, devoted her time to becoming a professor, then a member of the Order, and now the Head Mistress of Hogwarts.
Psychology
Introvert/Extrovert Introvert. Even though Minerva is stern and can bark orders easily, she does not enjoy the larger group setting. Instead, she has her close group of friends in which she confides and socializes; however, she is not anti-social and demands respect from all.
Boggart is? Her five siblings suffering and in poverty (please see family dynamic for reasoning)
Patronus--can they produce one? What is it and why does it have that form? Yes, Minerva can produce a patronus, which takes the shape of a tabby cat, like her animagus. Minerva’s mother’s patronus was a tabby cat, and Minerva acquired it when she died. (Minerva was three when her mother died.) Minerva’s favorite animal is the tabby cat (not to be confused with prissy, fluffy cats such as the ones Dolores Umbridge loves) because they are cunning, self-sufficient and intelligent. They can also be great company and very loyal if treated with respect.
Personality
Include strengths, weaknesses, quirks, general outlook on life.
General: Minerva is straight-laced and stern, though she is known for “softening up” once you get to know her. She is trustworthy, loyal and brave of heart [a true Gryffindor, indeed]. She knows the ins and outs of Hogwarts like the back of her hand because she’s been at the school for so long. Despite her stern front, McGonagall has been known to display a range of emotions when either unaware of observation or overcome by feeling.
Strengths: Minerva is not a pushover. She is not afraid to stand up to people in authority if she feels that they are being unfair or bias. Furthermore, she is not afraid to punish her own students if they are in the wrong. On the other hand, Minerva is a team player. She values her colleagues’ opinions very much. Despite her age, she is very witty and still has her senses about her. She is still an exceptional duellist, capable of holding her own against much younger and more agiale other wizards/witches.
Weaknesses: She has a strong bias towards Transfiguration, and feels that it is one of the most complex and dangerous magic taught at Hogwarts. She also is very keen about quidditch, and especially about the Gryffindor team’s success at the sport.
Quirks: Minerva is oddly proud of her heritage. She likes to wear her Scottish garments even to bed. She wears a hairnet underneath her crooked hat, which is always crooked. She also has a knack to sneak up on students. One of her infamous quirks is entering the first-years’ first Transfiguration class as her tabby cat animagus. She likes to lay down the law from the very beginning, only softening up to people she deems worthy.
Outlooks on Life: Minerva likes sayings/quotes and the following ones sum up her outlooks best: The barking dog gets to bone. The early bird gets the worm. Don’t lead with your feet or head, follow your heart and you’ll end up where you belong. Quidditch is love. Life is too short, have dessert first. There is a time and place for everything. Work hard, play hard.
Family
Parents?
Father - William Topaz McGonagall (Scottish muggle)
Mother - Brighde Innes (Scottish witch)
Siblings? Yes, all were non-magical...
Brother - Elliot (2 years Minerva’s elder)
Brother - Duncan (1 year Minerva’s elder)
[Insert Minerva Here]
Sister - Aileen (1 year Minerva’s minor)
Sister - Muria (2 years Minerva’s minor)
Brother - Kamron (3 years Minerva’s minor)
Family dynamics Minerva’s family is a typical depression Scottish family. She has many siblings, and all the children were born within years of each other. Brighde [Minerva’s mother] died in childbirth when she had Kamron.
Minerva, being the eldest daughter, was put in charge of the home tasks and childcare at the age of seven. Her family was not rich, and they led a difficult life with only one parent to support six children. The McGonagall children grew extremely close through their family’s sufferings and sought comfort in each other’s company.
At the age of eleven, Minerva received her acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Immediately, she hid it because she could not leave her family behind, and her father would most likely threaten her if she decided to leave. She did not believe in magic and thought of it as a joke. Yet, her mother’s parents came in August and dragged Minerva away, forcing her to embrace her magical talent and attend Hogwarts. (Minerva’s well-to-do distant grandparents also provided money for her education. They never discussed Minerva’s magical talent with her though, and she rarely saw them.) After her first year at Hogwarts, Minerva was no longer welcome home (she had been disowned) and spent her summer holidays in Ireland with her Scottish aunt and Scottish/Irish cousins. Minerva never saw her family again, which killed her. She still misses her siblings terribly and feels guilty about abandoning her family even 60+ years later.
Lifestyle
Occupation: Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts starting in December 1956, and later assigned Gryffindor Head of House. She is made Dumbledore’s deputy head mistress, and was announced as Head Mistress after Albus’ death in June 1997
Residence: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Financial Status: Not rich, nor poor- middle class and comfortable. Minerva never married nor does she have children, so her money is her own and she earns enough at Hogwarts to support herself and her needs. (Please note, Minerva does not live an extravagant lifestyle. Hogwarts is her home, and she need not pay for food or board while she teaches at the school; therefore, Minerva does not have a lot of out-of-pocket expenses.)
History from student days at Hogwarts to the present time:
Minerva graduated from Hogwarts in 1944, and returned once more to her aunt’s house in Ireland. Though she received top marks in her NEWTS, Minerva did not go on to apply to be an Auror nor did she seek a job in the Ministry. Minerva worked for a bit in the muggle world in Ireland, saving up money for an apartment in London. She moved to Diagon Alley in 1947, and went from job to job until finally landing a job at Gringotts. She found, however, that she hated working goblins, and sought a transfer to a Gringotts research branch in Scotland. She returned to her native country in 1952, and worked for Gringotts contently. Minerva hoped to find her family while working in Scotland, but was not able to. She never found out if they immigrated to the United States or if they all died off. This killed Minerva and hardened her spirit. She became very closed off to the world, and isolated herself from her co-workers. She turned into a very uptight and reserved young adult.
She received an owl in June of 1956 from Albus Dumbledore offering her a position as the Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts. He greatly encouraged her to accept the offer, and told her in the letter that someone who received an ‘Outstanding’ on her Transfiguration NEWT should not be working for Gringotts. Minerva, having always liked Dumbledore, accepted the offer and began teaching her favorite subject in December of 1956.
Minerva became a favorite among the Hogwarts staff, and one of Dumbledore’s esteemed colleagues. She assisted with first year flying lessons, and helped run and organize quidditch for the school. She later had to drop these responsibilities when she was appointed Gryffindor’s Head of House and deputy head mistress.
When Voldemort came to power the first time, Minerva joined the Order of the Phoenix and acted as one of Dumbledore’s right hand trustees. Minerva was there the night Harry Potter’s parents were killed. This was the first event to soften Minerva since she was ripped away from her family. She always liked Harry, even if she seemed cold. She simply wanted the boy to stay out of trouble, which seemed to be impossible. (She reckoned he inherited this knack for trouble from his father, James.)
Minerva was always supportive of Dumbledore and his doings with the school. After his death in 1997, she was named Head Mistress. (Minerva was very trusted and was told about the staging between Dumbledore and Snape. Though it still came as a shock, she knew Dumbledore was dying anyways.) When Harry left school to fight Voldemort, she became extremely worried and concerned. Her hair turned grey and wrinkled. She used all her built up worry energy and projected it into the school. She fought like heck to keep the school open to all those who wished to learn. She had to fight with the Ministry over this issue, and was allowed to re-open Hogwarts and made some changes. Minerva wanted nothing more than to run a respectable school. She worked hard to think of the new changes with the sorting and quidditch, and was thankful to have Snape and Lupin back teaching at the school.
Minerva never trusted the Death Eaters and doubts Lucius Malfoy’s confession. She was given a copy of the book, which she never read. It is sitting somewhere in her office, though she could not tell you where. Along the same lines, she also does not trust Bellatrix and does not believe she is free. The Order still gives Minerva reports, and these are two people she often inquires about. Minerva has been meaning to re-establish the Order in order to keep her eyes on Death Eaters like the ones mentioned above; however, the Ministry has given her a run for her money, and she's been tied up with trying to keep Hogwarts running strong.
What plots would you like to pursue with this character? What short and long-term goals does the character have for his/her future?
Minerva’s long term goal is school-oriented. Dumbledore was her mentor and long time friend, and Minerva would want nothing more than to see this re-organization of Hogwarts through successfully. [Perhaps, for role-play sake, Hogwarts is further ridiculed by the Ministry, which demands either more change or more control at the school. Please note, this would be a long-term plot and it is only an idea.] Also, Minerva would like to call the Order back into meeting. Short-term, Minerva would like to see the new way of sorting go successfully and she is particularly interested with the new quidditch rules. Minerva is also excited to have Lupin, a long time friend, back at Hogwarts. [This may or may not cause some talk among the staff.]
Once you start playing the game and get a feel for your fellow players and characters, assuming the interaction is favorable, how long could you anticipate staying with this character and this game? What is your usual pattern of longevity in role-playing games?
I love creative writing. All of the RPGs I’ve ever been part of have gone inactive/died out before I quit. As long as the plot keeps moving forward, I plan to stick with it for good. I know this is a long-term type RPG and that’s one of the things I found most appealing about it.
What is your usual pattern of availability and play-time for a character and game which you enjoy?
My goal is to check the RPG daily (probably more than once), even if I don’t post. I’d like to see 1-2 journal entries and posts per week. Since I’m a college student, my day availability will be limited due to my classes and my jobs. I am a night owl, so I anticipate being most active after 9 or 10pm or at work. I do not know my work hours yet though. I am on Central-US time.
Now that we've got a sense of your characterization, this is where you get to really showcase your writing style! Give us everything you've got! Remember--this sample must be a 'fresh' sample relevant to our game and the current setting.
Sample Journal Entry:
Day: Wednesday
Date: 25-Jul-01
Time: Darkest hour of the night, before dawn
Location: Hogwarts: Head Mistress’ Office
Private To Self:
My dear Albus, oh how I miss you! I hope you are well, dear friend. I am certain you are prancing about still educating and enchanting the minds from beyond. I am well. No that’s a lie. I want nothing more than to see Hogwarts flourish, but I am afraid I am not a worthy successor of you. At times like this I sought your company, confiding in you for many years. How alone I feel now that you have moved on! Hogwarts is open without the Ministry’s fuddling [barely but still], which is simply marvelous. Yet, after that death and all the war past, it seems like Hogwarts will never glisten with the same gleam it once had when you were here. I am more determined than ever to move forward, though. The sorting has changed and Quidditch, too, since you’ve left. I cannot say how it will turn out, but I hope for the best. Hogwarts will be esteemed again soon, I give you my word, Albus. You always trusted me, even when I did not trust myself. I wish you were here, peering at me over this very desk with your brilliant blue eyes and half moon spectacles. I would give anything for one of your quirky, wise sayings or even one of your comical winks. You were my best friend and confidant, and you changed my life. I never told you that, but I’m sure you knew. Oh what I would now give to go back and tell you how much you meant to me. I feel so alone now, and all eyes turn to me for guidance. Is this how you felt? You never said nor showed any doubt.
You never showed doubt…
I will make Hogwarts flourish and gleam, and it will be the achieved school we always wished it to be.
I really miss you.
You once said, “A new day does not begin at dawn but grows out of the darkest hour of the night.”
I can’t help but notice the darkness right now. Dawn is not close, yet a new day looms ahead.
Sample Third Person Writing:
She sat, back facing the large bay windows, rubbing her temples gingerly. Minerva fumbled for her spectacles on the messy desk, and with clearer vision glanced around the circular foyer at the portraits of the Hogwarts Head Masters and Mistresses. Some of the canvases were blank, but most blinked down at her with query. She snapped a remark at the empty room and turned to face the window at once. Though the old brick kept the castle cool, the summer’s heat pricked at her neck as she scanned the green grounds below. She could not help but notice that the summer holidays were half over, and the next school year looming in the very near future. There were still so many things to be resolved in such little time. Her thoughts turned to her students that she cared for so dearly. She wondered where they were and if they were safe, and what they were doing on these long summer days.
Her thoughts progressed as her eyes scanned the forest below, as if she was expecting to see something in particular. Minerva’s stomach turned over at the sight of a shadow. If it was safe, she did not feel the rush of relief described by so many others. Her heart still pounded when the long shadows stretched, and her breath still increased at every muffled sound.
She returned to the large wood desk staring down at the names of next year’s students. An odd sensation overcame her as she scanned the returning Gryffindors; Hogwarts would seem so different without them. In fact, she noted, Hogwarts would never quite be the same. Her head cocked under her arm, vaguely noting the new additions to the school.
She emitted a melodramatic sigh and returned her unfixed gaze back to the wall of portrait busts. All frames seemed to be vacant except two. The black eyes of one and the blue eyes of the other seemed to be fixed on her, and both smiled down. She nodded curtly knowing that it was all on her now, and that they would always be behind her.
“Alright,” she sighed to the portrait by the door, “Please tell the Minister I am ready to see him.”
Barely before she was able to finish her words, a tall male strode into the room. She stood firm behind the desk and he marched forward and order, “You may sit down.”
Minerva had to blink to keep from laughing. “Minister, this is my office and no one orders me about in here,” she replied curtly. The blue eyes that gazed at her winked then, and she was rather amused by this. Her glance turned to the man sitting in front of her. With lifted spirits and a new wave of confidence, Minerva set off on the Minister’s behavior and doings with her school.
This took me a couple of days (and two different computers) to compose, so I could have easily overlooked or lost some information in transit. If this is the case or if you have any questions at all, please feel free to e-mail me. Thank you in advance for your consideration.