Basic Information Full Name: Eleanor Dawn Branstone Nickname: Ellie, Elle Age // Birthdate: 19 | March 31st, 1980 Bloodline: Halfblood
Hogwarts House: Hufflepuff Hogwarts Years: 1991-Present Wand: Unicorn Hair, 12 inches, Cherry Patronus: She's pretty sure it's a fox Boggart: Any sort of animal in pain or severely injured. It's just like... terrifying and heartbreaking to her, okay? What do they see in the Mirror of Erised? Her parents alive and well.
Appearance General: Ellie isn't tall, but she doesn't consider herself ridiculously short either. She stands about 5' 3" (probably more like 2 1/2" but she insists on rounding up) and is rather slender, thanks to her million years of practicing yoga. She gained some curves over the last summer though, which she's ridiculously proud of and will tell you that straight to your face. Hey guys, look! Boobs! Also her skin cleared up! Hell yeah getting older.
Elle rocks a natural reddish, auburn hair color and is really rather pale, burning ridiculously easy. She's one of those girls that has to slap on three bottles of SPF 50, and yet still manages to come home the color of a tomato. But she doesn't mind her pasty skin. She figures she'll still look like she's 20 when she's 45 or something and has an excuse to rock cute, wide brimmed hats.
Also, even though she doesn't look super intimidating, she's a rather strong individual thanks to being so active and in control of her own muscles and body. She doesn't smoke, do drugs, and rarely drinks because she likes to treat her body as a temple. After all, she's only got one. But in the last few months she's been known to indulge maybe a little more than usual on the liquor forefront, but usually regrets it the next day when struck by a massive hangover from hell.
She also has bright green eyes and a semi infectious smile, which she's usually rocking 95% of the time and a bubbly, bright laugh and persona to top it all off. Also, when she was in Italy over the summer, she got a new addition to her skin, a tattoo of her own design.
She's got a pretty up to date sense of style, but can be pretty eclectic about her look too. Leather jackets, lacy tops, jeans, sandals, sundresses, whatever. If it's cute, she'll wear it. If it's high fashion, she'll wear it. If it's comfortable, she'll wear that too. Guess it just depends on her mood.
PB: Emma Stone
Personal General: Ellie possesses this bright, happy energy that seems to come off her in waves whenever she's around people. She finds it imperative that people need to utilize optimism instead of turning instantly to pessimism because it keeps your spirit bright. Being that type of person, she wants nothing more than to make everyone just as happy as her. And if she can't, well she can at least lend a shoulder to cry on or a hand to help you up. She's very intent on making sure everyone in her life is healthy and happy, but she tries not to neglect herself in the process by keeping herself in top physical condition with hours of yoga and eating healthy (though for someone with so much balance, it's important to note she can be a right klutz as well). The extra benefits included tranquility of the mind and body, and it helps her focus on the tasks at hand. Usually when she's having a bad day, she turns to her exercises or painting in order to clear her mind and let it all out. She has a clear, precise and organized memory and attributes a lot of her ability to paint in such scrutinizing detail to it. During school, it was also a great help letting her easily pick up and remember facts, dates, and ingredients with ease. It made her sharp if not overly observant sometimes, giving her the ability to read people and situations a little better than average.
However, even the happiest of people have their down times, and when that does happen Ellie becomes extremely closed off. She tends to prefer the quiet company of a forest or library instead of her usual place in a crowd of people. Though she has this notion that everyone else in the world needs to talk about their problems, she has real issues with confronting her own. Instead, she withdraws into her world of painting and meditation in order to make it through and express her inner emotions somehow. Those days it's as though she puts the rest of the world on the back burner, spending her nights in a wine induced haze in her room, usually doing some sort of activity like sculpting or origami to keep herself busy. It would seem after seeing this that she would stay in her slump forever but she always manages to pull herself up and out. Internally, she excuses her behavior by considering it a mini-vacation from the real world to rejuvenate. Everyone needs that, and there's nothing wrong with her!
Nice as though Ellie may be, that’s not to say she doesn’t have a temper. She really tries to live by the rule ‘treat everyone as you would want to be treated,’ but when someone is being horrendously rude for no apparent reason, especially to another person who isn't herself; she will let them know it through her sassy attitude and quick wit. She has a talent for hilarious one liners and statements to really dig the claws in, but usually doesn't keep on with long winded arguments with no end in sight.
When she feels someone is being treated unfairly, Eleanor can’t sit idly by. Elle was never taught to discriminate in any way and vehemently opposes those who do. Especially after the deaths of her family during the war, this view has only been solidified. Her parents died for the idea of equality among magical peoples, as well as equality in the muggle world as well, and there is no way in hell she'll dishonor their memories by acting discriminatory or prejudiced. Instead, she likes to set an example of how respectable and kind those of half blood or less can be. No sense in giving Pureblooded individuals who hold erroneous views ammunition, after all!
Finally, Eleanor is a free spirit. She enjoys the physical pleasures in life. Experiencing things for herself. Dancing, laughing, socializing. She doesn't have a lot of shame when it comes to kissing multiple people, or enjoying the pleasures of being human, but she's not necessarily promiscuous either. She just truly believes if you like a person and they can make you feel good, then why not indulge a little bit? Though she wouldn't just jump into the bed of a stranger. She's smarter than that, and does have to know and trust the person at least a little bit.
Strengths: Her memory, DADA, Charms, physical strength and stamina, being a pillar for her peers and friends, understanding, eloquent, strength in her convictions and beliefs/standing up for what she believes in Weaknesses: Too trusting of people, prone to accidents, wine, perhaps. No yeah, definitely tha. problems asking for help or assistance hen she truly needs it, opening up in a meaningful way. Hobbies: Sculpting, painting, origami, sewing, yoga, gymnastics, swimming, running, reading, eating. Personality in 5 words: Bubbly. Optimistic. Dorky. Adorable. Flexible. List three random facts about your character:1) Elle is a vegetarian. 2) She's been practicing yoga for almost 10 years and can do some... incredibly difficult poses and stances. 3) She knows how to speak Italian, for the most part. Social life: Ellie has friends with a wide array of people, of all backgrounds and houses. She tries her hardest to let the actions of others contribute to her overall feelings instead of preconceived notions and really enjoys cheering others up in whatever way she can, even if it means giving someone the shirt off her back or using all of her free time to help another with homework or a personal problem. Private life: Eleanor prides herself on being a strong individual, and while she will literally do anything at all to help the others around her, even at the cost to her own health or happiness, she has a bit of an issue being honest with herself and others around her as to how she feels. Achievements: ((Since there are several unplayed chars on the Puff Quidditch team, she would be stoked if she could have either the Seeker position or Chaser and that would be a peachy keen achievement for her!))
History Mother: Krystal Branstone (muggleborn witch) d. 1998 Father: Charlies Branstone (Mostly Pure/Halfblood Wizard) d. 1998 Siblings: She's the one and only Branstone child, sorry! Extended Family: None Childhood: Ellie was one of those disgustingly happy kids, who was raised into a family of pretty well off magical folk, but still had that excellent mixture of magical and muggle history under her belt. She knew about Quidditch and Hogwarts from an early age, but also television, movies, and hot wheels. To say her entire childhood was perfect though would be a lie.
When Eleanor was five, her parents tried for another child only to have Krystal miscarry twice. Her mother sunk into a rather deep depression until she was around seven, and those years were difficult. Instead of opening up to anyone about it though, Ellie found her emotional outlet in art. She started playing with watercolours extremely young, but it quickly became a honed hobby by the time she was eight. She moved on to clay, acrylics, as well as some sketching, but she was more interested in the former mediums.
But even though she wasn't outwardly open about the pain her mother's grief was causing her, Elle didn't let it get her down. Or at least, she tried not to show it. She was always bright and bubbly, with a bit of an adorable attitude. She tried to see the world as a glass half full, full of opportunities and wonders, and even if it was a bit naive, it was something that never really left her, even has the world turned darker years later.
Eleanor was also extremely social. She didn't care what color your were, what gender, or how much money you had, as long as you were a decent person she was ready to give you a chance and make friends. She had a rather large social circle, but her best and closest friend was probably Ernie MacMillan, who happened to be her neighbor her entire life. They were ridiculously close, and they have plenty of embarrassing pictures of them in the bath together at a young age, though she gets mortified whenever her mother would bring it up.
All in all everything seemed pretty a-okay. And though at first her parents were wondering if their daughter would be of magical ability, around her ninth birthday she finally showed hints of magic when she managed to make a clay sculpture run around her bedroom floor. It was also around this time Ellie's mom finally managed to pull herself out of her own dark place, and realize she had a child worth living for. Her relationship with her parents was quite a brilliant one. She was open with them about basically everything, and they never judged her. Both Krystal and Charlies worked in the Ministry of Magic as well. Charlie was employed by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and Krystal worked in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts division.
Everything was pretty peaceful, even when she got her letter. It was more than difficult to say goodbye to her parents when she left, but she had Ernie, as well as several other close friends to make her feel better, and she was pretty excited to start the next chapter of her life. Hogwarts and After: Ellie's first couple of years passed without much drama. Of course she was well aware that Harry Potter was at school with her, and seemingly causing all sorts of problems, but she didn't mind. At the end of the day, it made things exciting, in her opinion. A variation from the norm, and she didn't see that as a negative.
Around her 3rd year, she tried out for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team and unfortunately, didn't make the first string, but she was placed on reserve with a lot of encouragement to try again next year. She excelled quite well in Charms and even joined the club they had on campus, and was decently gifted in Defense Against the Dark Arts. At the very least, it was fascinating to learn about all the different dark creatures and defensive mechanisms to protect oneself. But really, Ellie was more focused on protecting those around her, should they need it.
She gained quite a decent group of friends, but was always flitting about here and there in different groups. She was always willing to lend a hand, whether it was in class, tutoring, or even if someone just seemed down. She'd offer them a compliment, or tell them she was around if they needed to talk. She just enjoyed people and experiences.
It wasn't until fourth year that things took a turn for the worse when Cedric Diggory died, and Ellie was absolutely crushed to hear the news. After all, he had been in her house and had seen him nearly every day for the past four years, and to suddenly have such a bright life extinguished was a loss not only to her house, but to the school and to society as well. And when Harry Potter claimed it had been the return of the Dark Lord that caused his untimely demise, Eleanor was not quick to dismiss it. After all, she was a very trusting individual, and how else could Cedric have died? There was no challenge or magical creature in the maze that could simply end his life like that, and Ellie was a smart enough individual that she saw through the Prophet's lies.
The summer was trying then, her parents constantly being called into work and she spent much of the summer hanging out across the street, or caught up in her bedroom painting and practicing yoga and gymnastics to stay fit. Her hobbies kept her sane, after all. It wasn't until her fifth year that Elle began to dabble in more... adult things. She got her first boyfriend, and realized early on that she very much liked the physical side of relationships, aside from just the emotional aspect. She may or may not have experimented that year, with both males and females, enjoying the differences between the two and how they could make her feel. She wasn't necessarily one to just sleep around, but she wasn't ashamed to say she enjoyed things. And yes, she was incredibly awkward. Her face had acnen and her hair was a ridiculously frizzy mess, but she was still pretty, in her opinion. Just pretty and awkward. Though she also managed to get in trouble more often than not this year, thanks to that turd Delores Umbridge. And while Ellie thought rules were important, she say easily enough how crazy the woman was, and didn't appreciate how awful and cruel she treated the other students. She would stand up to her when she could, even if that meant hours of writing lines and words being carved into the back of her hands. It was worth it if the attention was focused on her, and not a fellow student.
It was also during her fifth year that she managed to make the Quidditch team, which was sort of fantastic. She wrote home excitedly to let her parents know the news, and they couldn't have been more proud. She worked hard at the sport, but she never neglected her clubs and studies either. She was a multitasker. The busier she was, the happier, in her opinion. It left less time for bad thoughts and worries. After all, her parents were rather open with her about the state of the world from their work at the Ministry, and she knew strange things were happening, and when the return of the Dark Lord was officially confirmed at the end of her 5th year, fear started to creep into her usually bright and optimistic outlook.
Sixth year was especially painful. There was a heaviness in the air, and Elle wasn't stupid. Evil was just outside their walls, and she often got letters from her parents telling her of the disappearances and horrible accidents taking place. She worried constantly for their safety, and tended to lock herself away for hours on end painting and trying to cope with a plethora of emotions she never shared with anyone. Instead, she was introduced to wine, and she had to admit she absolutely loved it. And though she tried not to be a lush, it was always a bit of a treat to help her get through the day if absolute need be. It also helped she was a lightweight... though her morning after headache never quite considered that a 'lucky' thing.
And the end of the term when Professor Dumbledore was killed, Elle was crushed. Everyone knew that he was a powerful figure against Voldemort and his followers, and to have such a heavy blow so early on was going to be problematic. That entire summer, Ellie's parents were never home, leaving her to her own devices and to worry. She tried to cheer herself up though by getting involved in anything she could. She worked at a community center, she went to musical events, the museum, art exhibits, anything to keep herself busy and her idle mind from taking over. The constant moving and activity kept her thoughts at bay, and she remained firmly planted in a good mood.
But when she returned for her seventh year, everything changed. The Death Eaters were there, and Severus Snape was headmaster. Her parents were hesitant to let her return, but they had instilled values into Ellie that meant she wasn't afraid, and she would stand up for whatever she believed was right. She didn't want to be bullied into not returning with her friends, even if that meant psychological torture and pain. She most obviously refused to practice any type of unforgivable on younger students, much to the delight and dismay of the Carrows. She was punished, but she tried to remain strong.
It wasn't until several months before the Battle of Hogwarts that she received word that her mother had been captured and thrown into Azkaban for her muggleborn heritage, and not long after they were notified of her death. Ellie was absolutely wrecked, and he was well aware her father was no better. Perhaps that's what made him so reckless, and only a month after her mother's death, her father was killed in some sort of 'ministry accident' that was never fully explained. Within less than six weeks, Ellie's life that she had always known was gone. She was an orphan. Alone. But even then, she kept a smile on her face and remained as much of a pillar for her friends as she could, never showing the cracks beneath the surface.
Elle stayed for the Battle, and received quite a serious injury towards the end when a particularly nasty curse by a Death Eater left her bleeding out of her ears, nose, and mouth without any indication of how to stop it. Pomfrey finally managed to staunch the bleeding right before Elle reached critical condition, but it also meant she wasn't able to participate in the last several hours of battle which killed her on the inside.
After the defeat of Voldemort, Elle couldn't bring herself to return home and instead went to stay the Summer in Italy with her mother's sister. She had only met her several times, but the new scenery and people helped refresh her. Of course she was still avoiding the death of her parents and her own emotions on the topic, but she managed to at least find some sort of peace while away. She also grew a great deal that summer, her skin finally clearing up and her hair settling down. She grew into her own body and was more than happy with the results. She had always taken amazing care of herself, and finally now that she wasn't an awkward duck anymore, she was willing to show it off.
She made the executive decision then to return to Hogwarts for an 8th year, because she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her parents, particularly her father. Being an Auror or any other type of member in the Magical Law Enforcement department seemed like a dream, and a way to honor the parents she no longer had.
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Out of Character Name: Maggie Age: 23 Contact: maggie.kat1106@gmail.com | Maggie116910 Timezone: -5GMT