(no subject)
Character Info
Character Name: Percival Ignatius Weasley
Gender: Male
Age/Birthday: 24 / August 22, 1976
Location: Paris, France
Sexual orientation: '2' on the Kinsey Scale = 'Predominantly heterosexual, but more than incidentally homosexual'. Percy came to realize this attraction only after it was pointed out to him by one of his co-workers that his devotion and admiration for his former supervisor, Barty Crouch Sr., was perhaps more than just simply professional. Is still quite private in regards to his attraction for those of the same sex.
Physical Description: Mitch Morris OR Stephen Campbell Moore
Best described as neat and clean, Percy tries to maintain a respectable image, which has been often influenced by others. In public settings he tries to behave as a respectable person, which sometimes comes off as being stiff and contrived by those who really know him, though he doesn't see himself in this light. He can actually be fun and outgoing, around the right people. It's not often that he lets his guard drop around others to really relax, and it's typically only with people who he feels won't threaten his self esteem (particularly his brothers).
Besides the red hair and freckles that identify him as a Weasley, Percy wears glasses, which sets him apart from his siblings. He can barely see without them
In the book, Prefects Who Gained Power, Percy learned that first impressions are lasting ones, and that clothes play a part in making a good impression on those in the workplace. His clothes are neat and clean in appearance, dressing for success in the workplace, but growing up poor has taught him the value of things, so his style leans more toward the practical side rather than the capricious whims of fashion.
Skill sets: Administrative ; charms
Family: In general, Percy has this underlying feeling that he has something to prove to his family, even if they probably couldn’t care less. He rather alienated himself due to the rift caused when his father accused him of being used by Fudge as a spy, and rather kept an aloof distance away from his family and found acceptance at work and with those he worked with. As problems escalated within the Wizarding World, it was pure stubbornness that kept him from reconciling. Later, when Voldemort took control of the Ministry, Percy was afraid any association he had with them might do more harm than good. At the Battle of Hogwarts, he made a quick reconciliation with the family in order to get it over with so they could get down to the important business of fighting side by side at the final battle. In the days, months and years afterward, Percy's relationship has mended with the rest of his family, more or less... however, there is still a part of him that always makes him feel like the black sheep of the family and that he never truly belongs.
Mother: I imagine Percy's mother, Molly, was always busy, taking care of all those children - Percy would have discovered he could best find his mother's approval and attention by being a good boy - a big boy - keeping out of trouble and helping her around the house by doing little chores and minding his younger siblings so she could get more done. His nature perfectly suited this. He's definitely a mamma's boy, and believes that she's the only one who ever came close to understanding him. Her pride and encouragement was always a prime motivation.
Father: With his father Percy feels as though he has to prove himself, to become 'better' than he was - which to Percy equates with money and prestige. He never understood Arthur's preoccupation with Muggle artifacts, but never was against it except when he starting working at the Ministry and found out how his father was looked upon in a not so favorable light for this fascination of his. Percy also has never fully forgave his father for taking sides with the twins at times by laughing at the way he behaved, for example, when Percy was so overly proud of himself for becoming Head Boy. I actually think that Percy's personality traits are more like his father's than his mother's, which is why they they've butt heads.
Bill & Charlie: To Bill and Charlie, Percy rather looked up to them as his older brothers and felt that he had to compete to be at least as good as they were in school - thus they became his unconscious incentive to excel. His brothers were a bit too old to play with him when he was growing up, so he never had that much of a close relationship with them, but at the same time, he honestly can't say that he's had any negative encounters with them either.
Fred & George: Fred and George were always getting into things and goofing around; deep down inside Percy was envious of their carefree nature and wished he could be more like they were. However, outwardly he resented them for getting away with as much as they did, which turned him into a tattle-tale, which upset the twins and caused them to do more mischief against him, which upset Percy and made him become even more determined not to be like them, which lead to the twins teasing and making fun of him - you see the cycle? The twins were born about a couple of years after Percy, and the pair of them took away all of his mother's attention, which also fed into that envy. Throughout the years, he hasn't completely let go of this resentment. Yet, despite all these negative feelings, Percy was shaken to the core when Fred was killed in the Battle of Hogwarts.
Ron & Ginny: With Ron and Ginny, Percy felt a certain responsibility to show them a good example of how to behave, especially in light of the twins. When he realized they were not really interested and were more inclined toward the twins, he reluctantly resigned himself to this fact. While he thinks it's regrettable, he knows there is not much he can do about it. This doesn't stop him from sometimes giving them advice though, whether they want to hear it or not.
Blood Ancestry: Pure blooded
Personality: Percy has a bit of an inferiority complex that, in the past, he would mask by inflating his own self-importance and accomplishments. Age and experience has mellowed him out somewhat, so he is not nearly as fanatical as he was before. He has read some self-improvement books and now recognizes this in himself and consciously is trying to change and has made some improvement in this area, but the lingering behavior still remains, displaying itself in a smug attitude and the need to brag about what he has done/is doing.
In the book, Prefects Who Gained Power, Percy learned that first impressions are lasting ones, and that clothes play a part in making a good impression on those in the workplace. His clothes are neat and clean in appearance, dressing for success in the workplace, but growing up poor has taught him the value of things, so his style leans more toward the practical side rather than the capricious whims of fashion.
Percy tries to maintain a proper image, which has been often influenced by others. In public settings he tries to behave as a respectable person, which sometimes comes off as being stiff and contrived by those who really know him, though he doesn't see himself in this light. It's not often that he lets his guard drop around others to really relax, and it's typically only with people who he feels won't threaten his self esteem. Above all, he considers himself a gentleman.
He makes himself out to be a leader - for the longest time he aspired to become Minister of Magic, but the fact is he does much better taking orders rather than giving them. When challenged or threatened by somebody who he doesn't consider his superior, his natural reaction to tense up and defend himself adamantly. There were times he felt as though he's living his life in order to please others' expectations in addition to the expectations he's placed upon himself - that's when he wanted to hang it all and do something else, but frankly, the thought of doing so terrifies him. The truth is, when he finds a comfort zone, he doesn't like to stray too far away from it, and hesitates when he has to face something unexpected. However, being the Gryffindor that he is, Percy overcomes these emotions to push ahead.
History: The Burrow was the Weasley's happy home, in Ottery St. Catchpole. After their first two sons, Bill and Charlie, Molly Weasley gave birth to Percy, a bright child who was eager to please. With his brothers and eight and six years older, he was the baby and the apple of his mother's eye; Percy adored the attention. But then, tragedy struck.
The twins were born.
No longer was Percy the center of his mother's world. It became clear, early on, that Fred and George were mischievous and needed all of their parents' focus, leaving a young Percy upset and longing for the attention he once monopolized. Percy discovered that he could get this attention by being the 'good boy', the 'big boy', keeping out of trouble and helping his mother around the house by doing little chores and minding his younger siblings so she could get more done. His nature was perfectly suited this. Her pride and encouragement was always a prime motivation. In time, Percy also took it upon himself to be 'the informer', who tattled on what Fred & George was up to. By the time his brother Ron and sister Ginny was born, Percy had established himself firmly in these roles.
Rather ashamed of his family's poverty, he decided that he would do something about it, which was to prove himself and become better than his current situation. This equated to money and prestige, and he fancied himself as becoming the youngest Minister of Magic to take office. His aspirations were high, but so was his determination. At Hogwarts, he studies with this goal in mind, and eventually became Prefect and then Head Boy. This attitude was a gradual shift, so that those who knew him in first year, was able to see him evolve, becoming less like himself and more like the person he imagined himself to be, which was often viewed as bossy and proud. Only to a precious few, did he lower his defenses to show the vulnerability that lied deep inside.
After finishing Hogwarts, he was accepted at the Ministry of Magic, in the Department of International Magical Cooperation. His immediate supervisor, the Department Head Barty Crouch Sr, was everything Percy imagined himself to be, and he idol worshiped the man. Even though Mr Crouch was negligent of Percy, not even remembering his name, Percy's loyalty shifted from his family (which was being strained, anyway), to Crouch specifically, and the Ministry in general. When Crouch supposedly grew ill and had to stay at home, Percy's inflated ego thought nothing wrong that a secretary in an entry level position would be made temporary head of the Department in Crouch's absence... it all worked out remarkably according to Percy's plan to one day become Minster of Magic.
After the events of the Tri-Wizard Competition came to light, Percy was investigated for his participation and for a short time suspected of being in on the sinister plot to that involved the convicted Death Eater, Barty Crouch Junior, the murder of Mr Crouch and the death of Cedric Diggory. Frightened that he'd be sent to Azkaban, Percy's reaction after his acquittal was to faithfully toe the line, to prove that he had no criminal inclinations. At that time, the Minister of Magic decided to keep Percy close with the hopes that he could find out more about his family's involvement with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
When Percy announced that he'd been promoted to the Minister's office, his father, Arthur, saw it for the ploy it was, and called his son out on it. Their relationship was already strained - at the Ministry, Arthur was looked upon in a not so favorable light for this fascination for Muggle artifacts, which embarrassed Percy, who was trying his best to make a good impression at work; Percy also has never fully forgave his father for taking sides with the twins at times by laughing at the way he behaved (for example, when Percy was so overly proud of himself for becoming Head Boy). A huge argument ensued, which ended with Percy storming out of the Burrow. He came back later for his belongings and moved into a tiny apartment above a shop in Diagon Alley - from then on he vowed not to have anything to do with his family.
The following years were stressful. Working closely with Minister Fudge, there were a lot of rumors that You-Know-Who had returned, which the government tried desperately to squelch. His vow not to communicate with his family wavered when he got the word that his father had been bitten by a giant snake and was at St. Mungo's, close to death. Without his father's knowledge, Percy came to visit when Arthur was unconscious and no other family members were around.
The battle at the Department of Mysteries could not be covered up, and the Ministry had to admit that You-Know-Who was at large; like the rest in his Department, Percy scrambled to see that the public was warned and protected. It was his subtle influence that helped his father get promoted to Head of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects, though this was also another ploy the Ministry took to try to win Harry Potter's favor and support. Now under Minister Scrimgeour, Percy was used as a pawn to get closer to Harry when Scrimgeour manipulated Percy to take him to the Burrow for Christmas. Percy was immensely irritated for being used, and was even more enraged by how his family (with the exception of Molly) treated him when he arrived. In the end, Percy was accosted by insults and mashed potatoes, and left bitter.
It was a dark day when Scrimgeour was assassinated; he was replaced by a new Minister, Pius Thicknesse. From day one, it became clear in the Minister's office that he was being controlled by You-Know-Who. New decrees and laws passed through Percy's hands, ones that he was ashamed to participate in, but like so many others at the Ministry, he carried on, afraid for his life and for the lives of his family members. Percy hoped his presence in the Minister's office could help protect his family, but before long it became clear the Weasleys were enemies of the new State and were designated as criminals. During this time, Percy spent many sleepless nights, developing an ulcer and drinking away his problems.
Then came the fateful night, when the news that Harry Potter was holed up at Hogwarts. Given a tip by Aberforth Dumbledore, Percy made it to Hogwarts in time to quickly reconcile with his family just before the battle took place. Percy was at his brother Fred's side when he died, and fueled by grief and revenge, he fought against the likes of Augustus Rookwood, the Death Eater who was Head of the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry.
After the death of Voldemort, Percy was among those slated for trial before the newly formed Wizengamot. Along with the likes of Umbridge and Runcorn, his participation in the Voldemort-run Ministry was called into question, trying to determine if Percy was a Death Eater or merely an unfortunate pawn of circumstance. After an emotionally draining trial, where character witnesses like Aberforth, were called in to testify, it was finally determined that Percy was not guilty.
Percy remained in the Minister's office under the newly appointed Minister Shacklebolt, playing a large role with reconstruction. As time went on, he was promoted to Senior Assistant to the Minister. When the virus started spreading, he was among those who helped arrange and organize Wizards entering into the status chambers.
When the going gets tough... Percy buckles down, squares his jaw and delves into the problem head on, though perhaps with a bit of mental trepidation.
Greatest Fear: Being seen as useless and rejection.
Relationship history: Percy's first girl friend was Penelope Clearwater - they dated while at Hogwarts, but drifted apart once they finished school and Percy became obsessed with working at the Ministry of Magic. Though he had a strong infatuation with his former boss, Barty Crouch Sr, nothing ever happened, though Percy is uncomfortable to admit that he wished it had. For a short period of time, Percy dated a secretary in Minister Fudge's office, where he also worked, but they split up after an argument over Minister Fudge's treatment of Harry Potter. Just before Voldemort took over the Ministry, Percy rekindled a friendship with a man who used to work with him in the Department of International Magical Co-operation; the man confronted Percy about his 'crush' for Mr. Crouch, and Percy reluctantly admitted that he had once felt strong emotions for his former supervisor. Percy later secretly became lovers with the man, but he broke up with him shortly after the war. In the years that followed, Percy managed to go on singles dates here and there, but maintained that he was either too busy for relationships, or else he hadn't found the 'right' lady to settle down with.
Personal items: Weasley family photograph; a pair of Omnioculars - being practical, he thought they would be handy to have after they emerged.
How do you see your character fitting into this community? Will they work against the community? Percy has been working with the Ministry of Magic for so long, he believes that this is the only thing he's qualified to do, and will initially seek to try to establish himself in the governing of the group. However, in order to build his character, I'd like to see him branch out and prove himself in different areas... which areas exactly will come up in the coarse of the game.
Sample Post (300-500 words, 3rd person, past tense): Nothing in this world comes with a 100% guarantee. Except, perhaps, as in the old adage, 'death and taxes'. The combined Ministries across Europe told those that hadn't contracted the Virius that these chambers would keep everybody safe until the Virus had passed, and that they'd be awoken then it was once again alright. The truth was, there where variables that kept officials unsure: it was entirely possible that the Virus was so all pervading that it could seep in and kill the occupants of the chambers, anyway; a miscasting of the intricate charms that was supposed to protect everybody, could be fatal, over time, and there would be no way of knowing; the same spells might not even rouse people, even when the Virus had dissipated, leaving everybody forever in a state of suspension. Top level members of the Ministries knew this, but didn't tell anybody, so as to avoid a panic. People were dropping dead by the hundreds and thousands all around the world, and to keep some sort of order and aura of confidence, they withheld this information.
Percy was one of those few who knew the risks, and it frightened him. As part of the task force assigned to help people enter their chambers, Percy had helped many people he knew, including family members at Hogwarts. Making sure they were comfortable, confirming that they hadn't brought more than their allotted two items with them, ensuring the seal was on correctly and airtight before the spells were cast... check, check and check. While he went through the motions with an impassive expression, internally, he wondered if this would be the last time he'd ever see them, if instead they were all going to face the same doom as most of the population, outside. It was a sobering thought, which he kept bottled up inside, for he wasn't permitted to speak about this to anybody.
After finishing up at Hogwarts, Percy was transferred to Paris, where his ability to speak the language was helpful. They were almost complete, all that needed to be done was to complete the procedure for themselves.
"Are you going to be alright?" his co-worker asked.
"Yes," Percy replied, a little bit too stiffly, hiding an underlying nervousness. "Of course. After all, it's only going to be for a couple of weeks." The plan was for all the Ministry employees to be awoken first, so they could prepare and make things ready for when the others emerged, creating civilization anew.
Lying down in the chamber, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was resting inside a coffin. In his right hand was his wand, but before levitating the lid closed, he took one last look at the photograph he'd brought. It was of everybody gathered together at the last Christmas party at the Burrow, everybody smiling and waving and wearing Weasley jumpers that Mum had knitted, even his little niece, Victoire. Seeing as they were only allowed two items with them it was an impractical choice, but it held such sentimental value. It was always at times of stress when he realized how much he cared for them all.
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