Ignan Salus StormW I K I(http://absitomen.com/aoimages/kit/ignan/ignan-storm-header.jpg)
Mannerisms reference - video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2600ziJsQ9c)
Accepted! ~Elle
Ignan is written by Kit
Member Board (http://absitomen.com/index.php?board=295.0)
Twentythirty-something British person who houses a grumpy old wizard in the back of her mind.
All About Ignan Storm
Full Character Name: Ignan Salus Storm
(Roughly, of fire, health and well being and weather, which has more meaning in previous incarnations of the character to this)
Character Birthday & Age: 10th September, 1944. Turned 67 in September 2011.
City & Country of Birth: Hanover, Germany
Pureblood, Halfblood or Muggleborn?: Pureblood Halfblood?
(as far as the majority are concerned, he's pureblood though the reality is far more murky)
Alma Mater: Durmstrang
Position at Hogwarts: Professor of Defences from November 2008, Deputy Headmaster from September 2009.
Wand: 10 inches, ebony, dragon heartstring core
(Ignan has owned several wands over his lifetime, though favours ebony wood in the past four decades.)
Previous Wand: Ebony wood, 10 and 3/4 inches, dragon heartstring
(His favourite wand was snapped by the Italian Ministry after being confiscated for murders.)
Patronus: Augurey
Married to: Miranda Storm nee Carter, married 28th December 2010 in Kaldfjord, Norway
Physical Description:
Ignan Storm stands at 6ft 2in tall, and maintains his weight at about 170lb (not overweight). He is considered fairly tall and is broad shouldered with a tendency to grow a paunch when well fed. Large, long fingered hands, and long feet balance his height, which only gets accentuated when he towers over a student's desk. As a younger man, his hair was light brown, but grew white prematurely by his forties, and remains such with a slight receding hairline. Ignan's eyes are a piercing blue, and his skin is a pale white that does tan a little in the sun before it burns fiercely.
The first impression of Ignan would be a tall gentleman, who carries himself well. Generally well groomed, with a lined face, and thinning white hair. Ignan tends to wear quite a stern expression, looking indignant or disapproving. His voice is deep, steady and precise, and although he speaks English without fault from a bilingual upbringing, he still has a German accent hanging on. Students may guess at his temperament being strict, which is certainly true, as he believes in good discipline and hard work.
His pace is marred by a slight limp in colder months, where an injury collected in his younger days aches. Otherwise, nothing more than his scowl. The limp has been with him since his late twenties. More recently he sustained a scar which is fading on his left arm above the wrist due to splinching (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=6708) in February 2009.
Personality Description:
Ignan takes great pride in anything he chooses to carry out. He is careful to consider what is worthy of his attention to detail, and is a great finisher of what is started, making him ideal to team up with an inspired mind whom needs grounding (if he doesn't want to throttle them first).
He is a perfectionist, not afraid to work hard to achieve what is needed, and rarely settling for anything less than the best. This applies both to his work, and to his students, who he will tirelessly push to ensure they do the same, and achieve their best.
Ignan is not one for a kind word, in honesty, it is rare, and only when he decides that for once it may be more effective. When he does speak kindly it is usually in a one-to-one situation, or to those closest to him when he feels he needs to show calm and support. These occasions happen when he teaches students patronuses (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=11687), sometimes when they seek his advice alone, and when he sees mistreatment or lack of confidence. For example, when Johann is bullied by his father Meglomania (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=9634), August 2009, or Noriko Wakahisa apologies for the splinching accident Sorry is the Magic Word (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7108), February 2009.
Ignan has few very close friends, and even those he does (Georg & Tapendra notably) he does not trust them absolutely, but he will go to the ends of the earth for them, or work to protect them without their knowledge. He considers Tapendra Trishna to be a very good friend, if not his best that he sees to date, now that Georg has once again moved away after they were reunited in 2009.
Few students will hear praises on any regular basis, even those who latch onto him, fascinated by the stern respect he gives each of his students. However, Ignan is aware of how powerful a well placed compliment becomes subsequently, and by uttering them he surprises and pleases students, improving their confidence slyly. He doesn't look for projects or favourites, but they do have a habit of finding him - tending to be the brightest, or worst, desperate for appreciation in some form.
As a child, Johann had been both fascinated and terrified by Ignan, who he had considered almost an uncle for the thirty odd years between their ages. He'd forever be traveling, the stories of him quashing dark risings as a Ministry auror would be retold in his absence. On his return, Johann remembered how old the wizard had suddenly become, weary of things, and almost scared of something he knew. Now, Ignan Storm seemed more self assured, and although older still, a figure who did not seem the sort to cross even now.
He has a dry wit for humour, not one for sharing jokes, rumours, in company he will often listen far more than he may speak, and remembers later. His jokes with students are rare and usually in very poor taste (once remarking Winifred Oliver would make a good coat stand after Bilius Clogg Spleen gave her antlers, Defence lesson (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7227), March 2009). Intelligent, and a wish to be highly observant mean that when he does drop a wry comment, it tends to be very personal - and depending on the situation, humiliating for the recipient. When intoxicated with alcohol, his humour is mellowed slightly but witnessing it often is more confusing for friends, who see it as very out of character Only Celebrate Birthdays When You're Young, Like Tapendra (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7067), March 2009.
In return, he tends to invite criticism for appearing aloof to his colleagues, destroying many chances of a particularly friendly or close relationship with them. However he does judge who he can trust amongst colleagues, and they in turn, can rely on him to watch their back, even if he's not the most cheery of fellows about it. Fiercely competitive over completing the crossword, or card games, Ignan particularly enjoys mental challenges with friends, though is not against propping up a bar on an evening once in a while.
Physically, Ignan is not a man of many extravagant expressions. He tends to avoid physical contact, feeling it unprofessional to touch a student, unless it is to adjust their wand position or footing. This is done with firm, but brief handling. Any other contact tends to be strategic, to emphasize a point in Ignan's favour, to control the outcomes of another's will, by breaking his normal patterns. If done in return, he will visibly flinch, and create distance. Hand holding, embraces or arm linking are amongst the actions he will rarely partake in. Hugging is never ever done these days.
History:
Although Ignan was born in Germany, Ignan's mother, Amelia, was English, and even to her death, had a very basic grasp of the local language. Amelia Murray was the daughter of Dr Christopher Murray and Lady Mary Giles, and sister of Thackery, Eliza, Kathryn and Mina.
She disliked living away from home, having fallen in love with a charming German wizard, Merik Storm, who was visiting England, she found herself unfortunately pregnant. Ashamed, having vowed to herself that she would marry and settle down before doing such a thing, she followed the German back to his home country, under the guise that they were to be together and marry. Had he not been returning to take up the position of Deputy Headmaster at Durmstrang, she would have insisted on remaining in England.
Merik Storm is the son of Uwe Storm and Imelda Hueber, and brother of Medgar. The family were pureblood German, intensely proud of their heritage and extensive family background which bled into Eastern Europe. Separated from her family, Amelia became severely homesick and melancholy, which suppressed any interest in integrating with the local community. In contrast, Merik, Ignan's father, of which he takes after in the majority of ways, was very proud to find he had a son on the way, and did not concern himself with Amelia's melancholy, rushing to arrange their marriage. His younger sister Imelda followed quickly after Ignan, after the marriage.
Ignan and Imelda grew up speaking English with their parents, for due to his mother's insistence, the family spoke English at home. Both grew up bilingual, also able to converse in the local language, which was also the tongue spoken at Durmstrang. The bilingual home life meant that Ignan is able to switch from one to the other, and his accent is fairly clean for both. He favours English, having conversed in it for the majority of his adult life.
School Life
Merik was headmaster of Durmstrang by the time Ignan arrived. His relationship with his father gave him great respect from this classmates, and he avoided an unfortunate school life of bullies, which was very lucky. Ignan was not however a ringleader, and instead seen as a useful ally for those who were, not only for his family ties, but also his brains. He worked hard to achieve the best of results in his examinations, and succeeded, to his credit. His sister followed in the year below, and the relationship between siblings was amicable, though they kept out of each other's way at school greatly.
Home life remained fairly tense, both children bonding with their mother, but always aware that their father had the greatest of control over the household. There would be quarrels, and Merik would always win. His word was rule in the house, and at school. Merik's wish to push both his children into success sometimes backfired, though Amelia wasn't mentally strong enough to stand up for them quite as much as she wished.
"I can remember my father collecting three boys for creating explosives for detonation in an exam, stripped them naked and tethered them to a wall in the dungeon before illustrating to his favoured obteils, myself included, how best slice flesh in the right way to cause either intense pain, or slow bleeding... I believe the three of them still would carry the scars today, which he claimed were due to birching." Looking back on it now, knowing his elderly father was more likely to sleep a good portion of the day than inflict pain on teenagers, it seemed like an entirely different person.
Ignan did receive some semi-useful training in Occlumency from his father, but found the training difficult, especially coming from a man who would not give up in pushing his son to mental exhaustion. Learning was not swift, and Ignan was almost relieved that his own academic achievements brought him to the interest of the German Ministry for Magic.
Working in the German Ministry for Magic & His Mother's Death
In 1962, after graduating from Durmstrang, Ignan began formal training in Berlin, achieving similar status to British Aurors, dispatched all over Germany to deal with all manner of unusual occurrences.
In 1965, things began to crumble at home. Gabrielle was born, and Merik hated how happy it made Amelia. Ignan's mother, no longer needing to look after her two children, was eternally melancholy apart from when she was away from Merik, and people had begun to talk.
In November 1965, Amelia finally told her husband how she had felt for the past two decades nearly. Her courage was not rewarded, her body found the following day at the base of the tallest tower at Durmstrangs, without her wand. The death was ruled as suicide. Ignan and his father never spoke about it, as if they both knew without asking.
The truth of the matter was a little different. The couple had argued furiously after the confession, resulting in Merik disarming and physically beating Amelia, who managed to escape him in their private chambers at the school. So isolated and alone, she had fled anywhere she thought she might be safe within the castle, eventually climbing the tallest tower. Merik chased her, still furious, and determined to regain control of his wife.
Up in the tower, Amelia threatened to jump if he didn't calm down - hoping that Merik actually did love her, or wanted to keep her alive. She miscalculated the twisted, evil thoughts of Merik - who had just heard from Amelia that she had only plucked up courage to confront him due to no longer being needed to look after their children. She was disposable. Without magic or might - and merely his words, Merik taunted Amelia to her death at the foot of the tower.
They were not alone - someone witnessed from the ground, and saved Amelia's memories just before she finally passed away on the ground below - unbeknown to anyone but Ignan's dead mother.
Merik continued to be headmaster for two further years before retiring - more to prove he could, rather than of any particular use. Many had considered him to be past his prime. He didn't go quietly, still remaining an intrusion for his successors.
Although Ignan returned home to Hanover for the funeral, he spent most of his time avoiding returning there, as did his sister who had moved to the Ukraine.
The Black Forest & Britain
In 1966 Ignan got posted to the Black Forest to deal with an uprising of rogue wizards, ever increasing due to the Voldemort rising. He spent quite some time observing and trying to infiltrate the rogues and kept detailed notes on what he discovered, twisting his views on dark magic further, even as he tried to keep it in check.
"When I graduated from here, I went to work for the German Ministry, and was posted in the Black Forest for some time, where I encountered, and routinely defeated uprisings from pockets of wizards who engaged in dark magic. They'd grown up without coming to the schools, taught each other in small communities, and developed some of the most potent magic I have encountered in my life. Terrified me at that age." He shook his head.
"I didn't want any of the knowledge to go to waste, so I made notes, from interviews and observations with those we captured or fought. This, is my field notebook, and although it has a portion of sentimental value, is no longer of much use to me. I feel it will be of interest to you however."
In 1969, while at one of the many funerals he would attend in his lifetime, Ignan met a four year old relative, Gabrielle Murray-Harker. As a 25 year old auror, he wasn't too sure how to address such a small child, but found himself crouched beside her trying to explain what was going on. Whereas some of the other adults had tried to explain to Gabie that there was nothing to worry about, the four year old had more insight, and asked logical, if albeit a little abstract, questions about the event. Ignan felt compelled to answer honestly, and was humbled by the way the child's mind worked.
In 1975, after achieving a higher status in the Ministry's enforcement, he was sent over to the British Ministry to advise and assist with criminal wizards slipping from one country to the other across Europe. Times became more and more dark as Voldemort increased his hold on Britain. He was sent to England on operation, due to his bilingual skills. He took his mother's ashes with him, though shied away from meeting his maternal family, scattering the ashes alone. Ignan served a further two years, working in England, until he felt the role had become stale. He resigned, took what funds he had saved, and travelled.
Travels with Georg
In 1977, shortly after beginning his travels, he met Georg Kirchlehner in a Moscow hostel, and the two former Durmstrang students began ten years of travelling together.
(http://absitomen.com/aoimages/kit/ignan/ignan-georg.jpg)
The years that followed included the best and worst times of his life, moving from continent to continent, experiencing life and all the different styles of magic he encountered. They had plenty of adventures - helping to slay a Nundu, and even some vampires.
"... And so he was stood in this magic circle he had drawn, believing he'd be protected from them when we found him," in space of the classroom floor, the Professor gestured around him with both arms as if to illustrate a circle drawn upon the floor around his feet.
"A string of garlic around his neck, churchyard grass on fire, praying to his Muggle god. Honestly it was a sight to be seen. He'd been driven mad by their presence, trying everything to stop them." With each description his hands moved to illustrate the location of each from his memories. It was rare to see Professor Storm quite so animated and engaged in physical description of a scene, but since the quite lovely Magda had visited him that morning, he felt almost able to go back to old times, where such stories were of amusement and far more ordinary conversation than Hogwarts would be proud to permit.
"Even when we'd driven stakes through the hearts of two either side of him, and were attempting to capture the ones who were making off as bats, he was still utterly convinced it was some great being in the sky that was keeping him from harm - not the garlic and the fire. The circle was a throwback from when the village had last been plagued with vampires, and our kind had attended to matters."
Ignan would teach anyone a little English in return for lodgings or hospitality, and worked for a variety of magical companies and individuals, dealing with unsavoury characters, and in a few cases, disposing of.
"Knowledge, and the desire to learn about Dark Magic is the strongest, Melanthe. Human curiosity, leading from mere studying the written word, to testing out curses, and experiencing what it feels like. The feeling, the strength and enhancement of one's naturally gifted power and abilities is what I believe draws most from a few spells classed by the Ministries as dark, into further depths. The curiosity and sudden longing to achieve greatness, despite its outcomes, a perhaps selfish combination of emotions, is incredibly strong. Though, on the other hand, the repulsion, disbelief, and above all, fear of what dark magic creates and does could be stronger." His eyes slid back to Melanthe's face.
"I think it rather depends on how you are brought up to revere it. Brought up to fear, and hate anything to do with it, and the strength and conviction of your opinion will be far stronger to fight its usage. However, brought up to appreciate that some of this methods could be harnessed, adjusted, finely tuned to strengthen our magical reserves, one is far more accepting and curious about how it can be used."
In the summer of 1983, Gabrielle graduated and secured a job with the Ministry. The family celebrated, and Ignan was coerced to return to celebrate with them, travelling hundreds of miles from where he was with Georg to be there. Gabrielle, who hadn't seen him since she was four or so at Mina's funeral, was overjoyed to finally see him again, remembering that conversation between a 25-year old Ignan and a child Gabie very clearly to the day.
In 1985 he went back for the funeral of his grandfather, where old wounds were reopened at home, and Ignan's mindset darkened further. Already dabbling in the less than legitimate magic again on a regular basis while travelling with Georg - Ignan began to kill for money - taking requests from local people to get rid of criminals who preyed on them at first. Then, as he got a taste for it, more elaborate and risky commissions.
His interest and skills began to provide an income, as well as some uncomfortable situations where the two wizards would be approached out of the blue by strangers who would pay Ignan to deal with people. Georg became very uncomfortable out this as Ignan became more lax about the morality of who he executed - and even asked Georg to assist him for a cut of the money. In 1987 they argued furiously and split ways, unable to go on together due to Ignan's actions. (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7478)
Travelling Alone & Criminal Convictions
Having split from Georg, Ignan continued to travel. He would move from one place to the next, following stories, picking up jobs and hunting for fun. In the summer of 1990 he agreed to dispose of a wizard's son who had become a werewolf, but the plan backfired. He ended up injured and managed to seek help from a young Nightingale Kesali and his family, who later grew up and became the Charms Professor alongside Ignan at Hogwarts. Wolves and Wounds (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12129).
One night in early summer of 1992 he almost came off worse over a struggle with someone he was sent to attack, and was discovered by the woman who was to become Sasha Schlagenweit's mother - Marie Günther. She took him in for a night, and they were drawn to each other passionately quite by surprise. Ignan recalls feeling a little that it was obligation to reciprocate given the way she had kindly taken him in, and the word desperate could equally have been used to describe him at that point. This night led to Ignan unknowingly gaining Sasha as his only son in February 1993, a secret to his identity was held by his mother.
Unfortunately, the disposing of became his downfall, and Ignan tipped over the edge in Italy, giddy on newly discovered knowledge of the darker sides of magic from new friends, and a romantic liaison with Azorma Hyskos 1994-1997 (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7365). Together they stole, betrayed, crossed and murdered between the criminal gangs and magical mafia around Italy, spending a lot of their time in Venice chasing around canals.
Between them, they collected their victim's wands as trophies, sold what they stole or shared it amongst their acquaintances in exchange for favours. They were feared, respected and hated by the criminal fraternity, and chased by the Ministry, though elements of it used to hope they could persuade and tempt the pair to take out particularly troubling criminals on the Ministry's behalf.
The end of Ignan's time in Italy was when he murdered three ministry wizards, believing them to be criminals (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=6006.0). He only escaped imprisonment by informing precisely on who he assisted, and has since been banished from Italy for penance in 1997, believing Azorma to be dead.
The aurors who captured him modified his memories, made him believe Azorma was dead, and also tore through his other memories which has left him very protective about his own memories and the preservation. Guilty, and convinced he caused Azorma's death - he forced himself to relieve it by pensieve to remind himself. Hell's Genius Roams the Regions of the Dark (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=6006.0), January 2009.
Since then, his boggart evolved into Azorma and the bodies, personifying what he once was and how he is afraid to become that again and lose those he loves - of which there are very few, but those he does are very precious to him. I Remember my Mother's Prayers, and They Have Always Followed Me (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7312), March 2009[/i].
(http://absitomen.com/aoimages/kit/ignan/ignan-woman.jpg)
"What about you? Did you ever marry?"
Ignan humoured him with a smirk, a distant look in his eye as he thought about things. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Johann's head twitch a fraction, catching Trishna's question.
"I could have." Ignan replied, his eyes sliding to Trishna's face. "Lucky I didn't in retrospect." He gave a self-reassuring hint of a smile. "I doubt it would have turned out for the best, if we had. I suppose the follow up to that would be if I regret never marrying, and to a point, yes. But I think it would have tied me down, something I'd never have accepted until the last decade." He smirked, and looked to Johann, still talking with Cillian.
"Not widely known even to family." he explained to Trishna, "they've all written me off as a cold, heartless bastard for it." He smirked, and placed the empty glass down.
Teaching at Durmstrang
Disgraced with himself, he returned to Germany, where he entertained his Father with his tales of his travels, and later troubles. Merik had retired some years before, but still held some influence over Durmstrang. Without adequately consulting his son, he recommended him as a replacement Defences tutor at the school. Ignan, reluctantly realised that there was little gainful employment for him in the meantime - the German Ministry were refusing to take him back on after his long absence and issues with the Italian Ministry. He took the post and began to teach in September 2001.
All the younger children in the family had approached hopefully at the first family gathering he'd attended since returning disgraced, unable to return to any post at the German Ministry. They'd heard he was going to teach at Durmstrang, and wanted to scope him out, and whether he was as nasty as his father, Merik.
Less than thrilled at the prospect of a teaching job, but glad of something considering his recent luck, Ignan was ill tempered with them, but Johann, in his early twenties had sat down with his cousin and spoken frankly about the fact he'd already begun traveling since leaving Durmstrang with his final exams behind him. Asked his advice on the best routes, carefully picking round subjects as Ignan refused to discuss them. A decade ago, Ignan had finally seen Johann for an adult, even if he was an odd one at that, and decided Camille and Wolfgang had raised something different, which was thankfully refreshing for their family.
By spring 2003 He grew to enjoy and admire the company of a favourite student, Melanthe Grumman (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=4979.0), who he spent increasing amounts of time with on an academic level. The time they spent together also meant they began to share a friendly relationship - and she is one of the few people Ignan doesn't mind touching him in an affectionate, family like manner. Their relationship has been compared to a father, daughter relationship, developing at a time Ignan believed he had no children. It was also comparable to a romantic relationship that he realised could never happen due to their age difference.
"Melanthe was an Oberteil at Durmstrang, in her final year when I began teaching. As you two both know," he gestured to Georg and Johann, "its commonplace there for Professors to take on favourites, and Oberteils, the highest achieving students are often picked out for extra tuition for animagi, legilmency, occlumency. Melanthe wished to experiment with defensive and offensive magic, and sought my assistance as one of her spellworks professors. The curriculum there is pitched differently to here - students would learn to practise spells I can only discuss with British students."
He drew the letter out again, and slowly unfolded it in thought.
"We kept in touch, and ran into each other a few months ago. I admit she's fond of me like family - we spent a lot of time together in that year - not like that." from Only Celebrate Birthdays When You're Young, Like Tapendra (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7067.msg51633#msg51633)
The two of them experimented often with magic, with one most memorable occasion in Melanthe's last term. They'd been combining two curses cast simultaneously to observe the reactions, investigating if the two curses would combine or their - for the better use of a word - frequencies would disrupt and cancel. The resulting curse had blown through the classroom door, rolled up the stairs just outside and taken the whole set out, sending stone downwards on the students on the stairs the floor below and cracking several thousand years of magical enchantments, which had given the tower a bit of a lean until the architects at the Ministry had rectified it for the school.
The local Ministry had told them both off severely for it, Ignan had lost a term's wages, and been ordered to teach the dregs for the rest of the year while other tutors took over the higher magic. He and Melanthe had continued to practise... off campus, which had meant sneaking out by floo on a regular basis. He was very sorry to see her go, and they kept in touch with letter writing.
In September 2008 Ignan was still teaching at Durmstrang, but it was clear he was beginning to get bored with his position as one of a number of professors covering spellworks. While experimenting with curses with his best students, they ruined several artifacts belonging to the school. These had to be replaced at great cost to Durmstrang, and were partially funded by one of Ignan's favourite former students, Melanthe. The local Ministry were again unimpressed at the loss, and also Ignan's wish to teach such experimental magic to teenagers. One called him reckless, and his position was made more difficult again, further fueling his wish to leave.
Teaching at Hogwarts: 2008
When Theobald Mainwaring needed to go back to the Ministry at short notice, Ignan immediately applied for the post to escape Durmstrang, sure they would not miss him. But the grass is always greener on the other side, they say.
(http://absitomen.com/aoimages/kit/ignan/ignan-vasily-border.jpg)
He arrived mid-autumn term, and made an immediate bad impression on staff and students, who were either terrified by him, or appalled at his apparent dark arts sympathies, or excited by the prospect of a tutor who was an anal perfectionist about wandwork. It took him a while to settle in, so close to Christmas, which made the forced socialisation (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=5015.0) just before the season rather difficult.
Teaching at Hogwarts: 2009
After returning from Christmas back home with family, he had a disastrous day in January losing his temper with several of his classes, and attempting to poison some defiant seventh years. Late January fared no better with the discovery of dead student Ava Grosvenor (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=5711).
Remembering his bad time with the Italian aurors, Ignan voluntary surrendered his memories of encountering the two students in the snow to the British aurors and fully co-operated to avoid any suspicion drawn to him.
Despite his poor standing with many of the students, SAWS decided to engage Ignan and Declan over a werewolf speaker to the students (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=6434). To a point, Ignan supported SAWS and helped them against Declan's plans to provide them with the smallest opportunity of platform. As the speaker for SAWS was Ignan's uncle, who had also given Ignan a very generous reference for his job at Hogwarts, he spent time before the speeches bringing Vlad up to speed as far as possible. Unfortunately on the day it didn't quite go to plan.
While teaching the first and third years to avoid side along apparition (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=6708) to prevent kidnapping (based on advice from the Ministry) Ignan's left hand is splinched, and left attached to Noriko Wakahisa. It is reattached by Tulojow (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=6857) thankfully. Later that day, he is visited by his old friend Georg (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=6870), who has begun to teach charms at Hogwarts. The two old friends are reunited.
Together they celebrate Tapendra's birthday (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7067) which illustrates how far Ignan and Tapendra's friendship has come since January. Soon after though, Ignan is teaching the third years boggarts, and in the previous class, the boggart makes a break, and is witnessed (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7230). Cy, Tapendra's daughter sees Ignan's boggart manifest as her grandmother, Azorma, and despite Ignan claiming it must be a mistake, and the woman wouldn't be anyone related to Tappy.
She goes to her father, who then approaches Ignan as he is claiming a second boggart (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7312) in the evening. He confirms Azorma is his mother, and Ignan is forced to disclose that he believes Azorma is dead, due to him, and that they were lovers. It strains their friendship, but also brings them together. Had things continued, Ignan could have become Tapendra's step father. Things complicate further when Jonas visits Tapendra and claims the Ministry have his mother in custody. He panics and goes directly to Ignan (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7551). Eventually matters are somewhat explained during a visit (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7606) by Ignan to Tapendra at home in Cambridge. There began his latest immersion into the Muggle world.
During a detention in the forest, Ignan and Georg's students are attacked by a direwolf (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7082). Racing back to help, Georg is attacked and Ignan releases his rage against the wolf with fire, wanting to kill it, but unable without dire consequence. He feels incredibly guilty about having left Georg believing him safe, to try and rescue Eveline, only to have him attacked.
Tapendra and Ignan continue to tutor Sasha Schlagenweit (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7311) who has been removed from Hogwarts temporarily.
Cousin Johann is still in the country, and relations between the two relatives (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7609) have never been better. More distant family continue to occupy a little of his time (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7862).
Come April, Ignan begins to tutor Tapendra (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7739) with occlumency, and other pensieve uses (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=8069). Ignan has reason to fend off well-meaning Trishna family friends (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7750) with their concerns. Meanwhile sessions with Georgiana (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7847) slide a little too close to his days with Azorma.
His attentions on teaching, Ignan is bemused at the trail of students who would like to consider auror for their career. Grayson (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7904), Almasy (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7906) and Fayette (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7908) all have their turn, even if Fayette got the short straw.
On April 25th, an unexpected offer arrives to attend the Ministry where Azorma has been arrested and held in custody. Their reunion (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7840) is a difficult occasion for Ignan, who thought until then that the love of his life was dead. They clumsily propose engagement and kiss before the action causes the whole party to be thrown out. Ignan falls into a black mood (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=7895) which lasts for some days eventually confessing his woes to Georg (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=8022). The appearance of the aurors to see Tapendra (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=8470) again break Ignan's inability to speak to his friend after the visit. Eventually they attend Azorma's sentencing together (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=8483.0).
As Ignan refines his occlumency and legilimency skills, Casey O'Doherty approaches him for the possibility of some training (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=8058), though Ignan is reluctant due to his age.
Summer months lead to the recess of studies for the summer, and after attending to affairs at the castle, Ignan returns to Hanover.A series of letters with Johann (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=9140) reveals the woes of losing one of two house elves and the boredom. Tapendra has gone on a tour with students and corresponds with Ignan (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=9142.0) who believes Trishna is unhinged.
Come July, Ignan returns and visits the Trishna family (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=9652), where he encounters their car and other Muggle items that he's never heard of. Bewildered, he resolves to pay more attention in future. He also reveals the news that he has been appointed Deputy Headmaster.
Second Year of Teaching at Hogwarts: August 2009 onwards
Returning to Hogwarts early, the newly appointed Deputy Headmaster wastes no time in examining the opposition (http://www.absitomen.com/index.php?topic=9673), particularly his old employer and alma mater, Durmstrang. Unfortunately the arrival of the other school also brings Johann's father, Wolfgang, to Britain (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=9634) which causes his son anguish in front of Ignan. The combined suspicion that Vedir poses a continued threat to Tapendra, and Johann's unusual phrasing of how he didn't know the man earlier in the year leads Ignan to use legilimency on his relative in an intoxicated state (http://www.absitomen.com/index.php?topic=9896) to find answers.
The tournament is hard to avoid, and Ignan ends up interviewed by Niobe Thursby (http://www.absitomen.com/index.php?topic=9899) for the Daily Prophet, while two days later, the news of his Deputy Headmaster status (http://www.absitomen.com/index.php?topic=9994) is confirmed.
Quickly, things are back to normal - well, Hogwarts normal - Tapendra ends up as a horse (http://www.absitomen.com/index.php?topic=10396), Almasy asks for some private lessons (http://www.absitomen.com/index.php?topic=10314) and O'Doherty's lessons begin (http://www.absitomen.com/index.php?topic=10811) too.
Things are deeply unsettled by mid October when Sasha Schlagenweit (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=11305) reveals he is Ignan's son. Ignan does not react well initially. He wishes Azorma were there to distract him away from Hogwarts, and for things to have been different (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=11881). Thankfully, Tapendra is there to be his friend (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=11886), whereas family just cause trouble. (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=11949)
Come Halloween, Ignan has to deal with Schlagenweit and Bevans attempting necromancy (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12325), only worsened by the recent parental revelation (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12956).
O'Doherty's lessons (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12095) continue to reveal some very odd memories. Missing his seventh years, Ignan arranges to meet some in the pub (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=11914), where they are a little unnerved by the fact he is no longer their tutor. However, the stress continues to mount with a Dragon Pox epidemic (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12552) claimed and Norling almost drowning (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12157). Ignan involves himself in extra tuition for some of his students (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12138) as a distraction.
At the end of the month, there is time to meet the returning Headmistress (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12016) complete with full staff meeting (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12094), but even that doesn't end happily with a spat between Gale and Tapendra (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12133).
December brings small mercies of a break from the students. Gabrielle visits with news (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12130), Almasy's lessons turn a corner (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12824), while Trishna's torture mice (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13108). Carstairs seeks advice. (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13332)
Deres puts on his usual show with added flair (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13079) when asking Ignan to the Yule Ball. Though at the event itself, he's more likely to dance with Minerva (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12986), bond over alcohol with Sandusky (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12647), be bowled over by Maiko (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13322), or have conversations with parents (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12979).
Even as the students depart, work goes on, as he meets Sasha's sister Jacoba in the pub (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13379), and discusses magic of the mind (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13375) with Beauxbatons tutor, Gries. Unfortunately, despite his best intentions, Ellis still dislikes him (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=12975) but he does become reunited with Forrester.
On Christmas Eve, it is time to visit the Trishna family (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13358) where Ignan finds himself helping to cook dinner the Muggle way. Then there is time to catch up with Sasha on the back doorstep (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13381) before awkwardly interrupting two colleagues (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13413) who he suspects might be more if given a chance.
The celebrations are shortlived, planning lessons on healing (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13390), fielding rude letters from parents (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13816), before the unexpected death of his elderly father.
Accompanied by Johann, Ignan travels back (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13016) home to arrange and attend the funeral, and to divide up the estate with his sister, Imelda. The trip is fraught with emotions for both men who return to Britain late at night (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13383). New Year's Eve is a welcome escape (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13403).
January 2010 has some unusual twists and turns in its tail. Ignan finally gets smartened up by Darian Morgan (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13660) though the tailor seems more interested in his recently engaged cousin. The Durmstrang contingent make out that Nightingale Kesali is a prostitute (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=14127) though truth be told, Ignan's been unsure about him for a while (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13749). At least he has his friendship with Tapendra to rely on (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=14021), but as his illegitimate son reveals what's been happening, Ignan loses his temper (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=14097).
In February aurors ask Ignan for help with the corpus inversus case (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=15194) and he purchases a house in Godric's Hollow (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=14922). In March, he continues to tutor Moira McBoid (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=15675.0), reconnects with Durmstrang students (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=15496), and fights dementors at the Hogwarts gates (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=15606).
In April, Johann moves into Ignan's empty house (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=15627), supervised by house elf, Gerda. Ignan spends a while back there fixing it over the Easter holiday, and also working on corpus inversus (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=15708), inverting farm animals. On returning to school, Ignan has to deal with Alvis Norling and his unusual abilities (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=16141). But the month ends rather well, when he persuades Miranda Elliot to join him for a drink (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=15808).
By May, Ignan has finally cooled enough to speak to Tapendra (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=16186). His relationship with Miranda means her departure is a little sad (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=15915) but she comes to dinner at Godric's Hollow (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=16101), which ends up with them at the fish and chip shop, as Ignan is a terrible cook.
In June, before the end of term, Camille and Wolfgang, Ignan's cousins and Johann's parents, impose themselves upon the house in Godric's Hollow in his absence. Ignan is none too pleased (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=16794), especially to Wolfgang. Miranda's fundraiser for the hospital (http://absitomen.com/index.php/?topic=16571) results in a clash with Edwin Glass, and he discovers Miranda's defences weakness (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=16793). However, as he removes Camille and Wolfgang, Miranda moves in. At the end of the month he tolerates a family dinner with the Hughes and Peppers (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=16909), for the sake of Gabrielle's birthday.
July was meant to be about fixing up the house and enjoying a rest from Hogwarts, but family have other ideas. Ignan is summoned to St Mungo's (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=16888) to deal with Wolfgang's werewolf bite and Johann absconding in panic (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17123). Eventually, he takes it upon himself to take Johann in again (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17434), and Miranda helps by sending their guest to sleep for the weekend. August, by contrast is uneventful. Sasha briefly visits (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17304), though Miranda is still unaware he is Ignan's son. Wolfgang is still at St Mungo's and Ignan supports Camille as best he can.
Third Year of Teaching at Hogwarts: September 2010 onwards
Ignan returns to Hogwarts for September, still Deputy Headmaster. Camille joins him as a colleague. He and Miranda miss each other (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17262), but Miranda's idea of a surprise visit backfires. He later visits Miranda in her cottage (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17390), meeting her daughter Maya. Meanwhile, in London, Wolfgang's trial is in progress. Ignan does not attend, but Camille does. Miranda brings her to Hogwarts and breaks the news to Ignan that Wolfgang has been murdered (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17458.0). They arrange for her to stay at Hogwarts, and become a resident professor as soon as possible to support her.
In October, things are reconciled. Ignan reads at Wolfgang's funeral which is poorly attended. Miranda cooks them both dinner (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17459), and the evening is spoiled when she pries into Ignan's past and he admits to having a son. Ignan believes that's it for them, but eventually is able to decipher Miranda's owl. She continues to live at his house in Godric's Hollow despite him being away all the time at Hogwarts. In the wake of the Leaky Cauldron explosions, Gerda, his house elf, relays that Miranda is overworking, so Ignan pays her a visit at the hospital (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17663).
December doesn't let up, Ignan and Minerva decide how to cope with contamination of healing potions (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17770). Miranda is fast asleep, caught up like her patients (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17760), and Ignan meets her parents when he visits. They clash, naturally. A fortnight later Miranda wakes (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17763). Other members of the family are caught up in this, Johann spends yet more time in St Mungo's after his sleeping potion is poisoned and Sasha's sister, Jacoba, passes away. Ignan and Johann attend her funeral to support Sasha, though Ignan has to almost physically support Johann who is still recovering. Determined to get away from everything, Ignan persuades Miranda to go away for Christmas. He proposes to her in the early hours of Christmas morning (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17811), fights dementors, and she patches him up. Three days later they marry.
2011 is hopefully a less eventful year. Ignan and Miranda return home just before the turn of the year, newly married. Ignan decides to tell Sasha (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17931). It's not long before the press spot the marriage and claim a baby must be on the way (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17829.0). Witch Weekly is quickly confiscated by Ignan's colleagues (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17830). On discovering, Miranda visits Ignan at Hogwarts (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17833). Maya, Miranda's daughter, has gained Ignan as a stepfather, so attempts to get to know him (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17873). They even entertain dinner guests (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17838)! Eventually, needing some advice, Ignan tells Camille about Sasha (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=18024).
At the end of January, Miranda is deeply unsettled by Lawrence Musgrave breaking into their home (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=17966). She declares she wants to move (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=18042).
February does not let up. Fourteen Hogwarts students go missing from Hogsmeade (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=18098) under Ignan's watch, as Minerva is away. He feels very responsible and completely misses a house viewing in the village with Miranda (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=18148). Once the students are found, the couple begin to prepare to move. Once installed, the couple are much more relaxed (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=18383), and Ignan begins to spend nights at home with his wife at last. Ignan is also pleased to see Raine Almasy return (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=18382), but her arrival is not without sinister reasons.
Even if they have moved, in March, people still invite themselves to visit. Miranda's brothers are first (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=18282). Ignan does not make a favourable impression on Miranda's family yet again. Lawrence Musgrave is next (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=18348), ending in a duel with Ignan and dementors descending on their cottage. Ignan is hurt and struggles with his anger at Miranda (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=18514).
Elaborate on your expertise in your field:
Auror/Hit Wizard equivalent for the German Ministry - 15 years
Advisor and Liaison between German and British Ministries - 2 years
Variety of jobs and studies across the continents in the intervening years - including practise of the Dark Arts
Professor of Defences, Durmstrangs Institute - 6 years
What is your teaching philosophy?:
By expecting high standards of students, Ignan's students rise to the challenge. With attention to detail, and perfectionism, he may be over critical, but in the long term, his students may thank him for this. By tirelessly expecting more from his students, whatever their abilities, rather than praising them for anything half expected, Ignan believes they will become more independent and courageous individuals.
Writing Sample:
Winter had brought freezing rain, which set glassy puddles of ice in the cracks of the stone walkways around the castle's courtyards. Within, hearty fires, stoked by the house elves, kept the worst of the weather out. As Ignan exhaled a deep breath of freezing morning air from his lungs, he watched his breath condense, curling up past his face into the air, as beneath his thick academic robes, his lungs gave a dull ache from the drop in temperature.
He had left breakfast a little earlier than the majority of his colleagues, wishing not only to take a moment outside for a lungful of clean, crisp air, but also to contemplate the seventh year class whom would be joining him for their NEWT lessons shortly. The curriculum was not vastly different to that of Durmstrang, nothing he couldn't cover satisfactorily in any case. In honesty, the English curriculum set by the Ministry's examinations board could do with beefing up, in Ignan's opinion. Far too much theory, and not the practical to back it up. No good waving a text book or spouting paragraphs of theory at your foes. It would get you some way, but could never replace having them blind and bound before they had a chance to murder your family.
Unconscious of his action, he rubbed his thigh, where he had sustained an injury while dealing with rogues in the Black Forest in his younger days. The injury had left a scar, which was rather satisfying as a battle wound, but unfortunately left damage below which ached during such weather. A limp may be very becoming on the likes of lifelong auroras, but Ignan hated to show a stumble. It, like his receding hairline, were indicators that his age was not getting any younger, which displeased him no end.
Returning to the draughty warmth of the castle, Ignan made his way through the corridors which were gradually becoming full of students in their uniforms, bustling to and fro from common rooms and the great hall to classes. At least a head if not head and shoulders above almost all the students, Ignan cut through the bustle easily. There was also the added assistance that the mere sight of him sent a good majority of the youngest students scattering out of his path in fear. In order to assert himself the previous week, he had handed out more than enough detentions. Call it character building. With luck, most of the cocky ones would learn their lessons, and the ones without backbone would have started to grow one.
Rounding the corner, he could already hear noise from his classroom up ahead. Filled with relics from hundreds of years of teaching, and the previous post holders throughout all those years, it resembled a curiosity shop, only a little tidier thankfully. However, instead of the seventh years already being assembled inside the classroom, they were outside of it, in the corridor. Ignan's mouth turned up at the corners ever so slightly, expecting this to be the case. Several of the students were debating by the door, wondering why it was locked, and others arguing that the rules of no magic in the corridors would surely extend to such a situation, meaning the door was locked for a good reason. Less vocal students turned to stare at him as he approached, curious.
"I trust no one recalls the chapter you read last weekend?" Ignan asked the group, his voice steady and an eyebrow raised. There was a glance between each of the students, until one cleared their throat.
"Yes Professor, static wards on objects and dwellings, Sir." The witch who responded was a stickler for following the required learning to the letter, and often critical of his methods. Ignan relished her criticism. One day she'd come round to realise that life didn't come with a detailed exam requirement list, or a text book accompaniment.
"Well then, why are you not all inside, present at your desks?" He asked, folding his arms and fixing the group with a critical look. The uncomfortable looks that were returned indicated a crisis of confidence in several.
"Honestly, the first time in your lives a Professor is actively encouraging you to break into a classroom, and you all get cold feet. So much for the bravado of the previous weeks." Before they blushed any harder amongst their frowns, he drew himself to full height and looked disapprovingly. "Don't stand there staring at me for Solomon's sake, put that bookish reliance to good use!"
Sum up your character in one paragraph:
An intelligent and thoughtful wizard, whose declination to engage in much physical contact or praise gives the outlook of a cold, stern personality. A history of both respected service and brushes with the law give him the valuable life experience to share with his students. Students who will experience a highly critical, difficult to please Professor, who challenges them at every turn, while secretly enjoying stretching them to their limits, far beyond their previous expectations.
Family Photo Album (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4080297/Absit%20Omen/sashas-christmas-present.pdf)
As given to Sasha, Christmas 2009
The Family Tree (http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=6723.0)