Your nickname: Glitter Bomb
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How did you find us? Em and Caro very gently dragged me here.
Have you written here before?: Yup!
Full Character Name: Peregrine Amalthea Hyde ("Grin" for short)
Character Birthday & Age: 7 October, 1999; 18 by May 2018
City & Country of Birth: Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, UK
Pureblood, Halfblood or Muggleborn: Pureblood
Alma mater: Hogwarts (Ravenclaw)
Job/Position: Magizoologist primarily, but currently in a freelance capacity: she has trouble restricting herself to one line of work and so dabbles in a few performance arts, storytelling, and whatever else grabs her. {She'll end up in the Centaur Division.}
Wand: Cedar, unicorn hair core, 14 inches, fairly flexible
Physical Description: Peregrine is taller than many females at 5'10" and has a willowy frame with modest curves. More noticeable yet is her hair, which is pure white and falls down her back in waves ending a few inches below her tailbone. While very fair-skinned, Peregrine's overall paleness is not related to albinism: there is obvious pigment to her skin, her eyebrows and lashes are dark brown, and her eyes are a deep blue. Though she's occasionally given inventive responses when asked about the color, the truth is that it was the accidental result of her first attempt at wand magic; she simply decided she rather liked it, and left it that way. There is a perpetual twinkle in her eyes. The set of her chin hints at a tenacious backbone hidden beneath her dolphin-like personality, and her ears stick out a little. Unless performing a specific theatrical character, she has absolutely no poker face to hide what she's feeling. And, she'd like to add, is complete rubbish at poker.
Grin's style of clothing is occasionally average and frequently whimsical. In contrast to her hair and skin, she wears a lot of color. Her preferred styles range from dungarees to boho-chic, cottagecore to artsy, and any number of costumes she might have on hand - whatever fits her mood and the moment. She doesn't mind getting grubby, but just as often cleans up well. It's rare that she'll be talked into wearing heels, stating that she's tall enough and also isn't into pain. While not overly concerned about a bad hair day, Grin is a little vain about it and does take pains to deep condition her hair regularly with a variety of natural remedies to ensure it remains healthy and glossy. She wears it in a variety of similarly creative styles from simplistic and loose to elaborate twists, braids, and "hair shinies," as she calls them. Invariably, she always seems to have a least a little glitter stuck to her hands. It's not always accidental: she has difficulty resisting touching glitter.
A peculiar set of 7 scars adorn each should and upper arm (14 in total) and trail down her shoulder blades. They are evenly spaced, precise, symmetrical, and their current rate of healing puts them at about a decade old. Grin stopped specifically trying to hide them after she 17, but neither does she point them out. Due to their faded coloring, they aren't easily noticed unless someone is within 3 feet and knows where to look. Though she'll easily answer questions regarding her hair, it's uncommon for Grin to divulge about her scars.
Personality Description: Grin would say that her main goals in life are to make others laugh, to make others think, and to have a lovely cup of tea. Even though she jokes that she'll probably die trying to pet something she shouldn't, the spontaneity so intrinsic to Grin's nature is tempered by a comparably judicious impulse control. In spite of her exuberant proclivities, she possesses the observational skills and social acuity to keep her on the sunny side of sanity. She's quick to make connections and read the subtext of what's happening around her. Grin's antics are less actual eccentricity and more for her own amusement; in the company of others, a pragmatic sort of observational autopilot kicks in to take notice of their mannerisms. In such moments, she'll unconsciously adjust the way she presents herself to meet their comfort level and communication style. Far from such shifts being a façade, she maintains a steady self of self in any mode: a shift in colors, but the same kaleidoscope.
Curious and bright, Grin is delighted by possibilities. She has a vivid imagination and a strong creative streak, but the number of interests that she has makes pursuing just one at a time difficult. This can lead to indecision and anxiety at times; she's very quick to distract herself from that. Her rooms are either very tidy or incredibly cluttered, and tend to appear as though a cross between an arts and crafts shop, a tea parlour, and a magpie's nest blew up... and then had several animals wander in and decide to call it home.
Grin has a passion for the power of story, a deep love of people and animals, and a massive obsession with loose leaf tea. Learning, experiencing the world around her, and getting to know different people lights her up; small talk and competitiveness bore her to tears. She has a weakness for a clever mind, a generous heart, and a good sense of humor. If it's not a true connection, her attention span dwindles rapidly. Sociable though she is, having time alone to think, create, and sort things out is equally imperative. Far from a daffy little cinnamon roll, Grin has a resolute sense of right and wrong which irrevocably anchor her effervescence and romantic sensibilities. She's deeply loyal and abides by a concept of "Firsts" being significant.
Beneath all the personality fluff, Grin is more stubborn than she lets on, and much more perceptive. She doesn't mind being underestimated; silliness on her part is a toy for her own entertainment. Grin strongly resists being controlled and can't stand inflexibility. Those determined to provoke her soon realized that her warm temperament was capable of cooling into icy logic and exacting ferocity. Lack of compassion t
and refusal to be reasoned with will render her most unforgiving.
History: Peregrine was born the daughter of Raphael Hyde, a trainer of owls and former investigator for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. His wife, Olivia, was a stay-at-home mother and healer who specified in magizoology. While the Hydes were moneyed and influential, their way had long been to contribute to society through useful areas of employment in addition to just making donations. The family lived together in the historic town of Abingdon, which satisfied Raphael's love of history and Olivia's love of simplicity and village festivals. Grin grew up exposed to a variety of peoples and animals, both magical and mundane, and developed a love for the uniqueness of living things (except, much to her chagrin, for spiders and many other invertabrates, which unfortunately gave her the willies if they didn't have pretty wings). Olivia also frequently brought Grin into nearby London, the better to accustom their daughter to Muggles and their ways. Such outings often involved theatrical performances, by which Grin was enraptured. She was not long in including play-acting and tumbling to her repertoire of childhood games.
There is a gaping void in Grin's memory centering around the age of 7. Her parents made it no secret that they were in support of Muggleborn wixes and admired Muggles in general; the stance made Raphael an especially formidable opponent where his job as an investigator was concerned. Among those less tolerant in their worldview, the Hyde family was branded as blood traitors, and it was not long before the less forgiving among them took action.
On a night Raphael was called away on a raid, hit Wizards attacked their home in Abingdon. Olivia did not survive the night and died in her husband's arms once he rushed home. Grin was rescued before the worst could be done, but was left scarred and traumatized. After two months of witnessing his daughter with healing curse scars but a mind that wouldn't so easily mend, Raphael made the most rash decision of his life. Lost in his own grief, he drew his wand one night at St. Mungo's and obliviated his daughter.
He intended to take only the memories of the horrific event from Peregrine. Instead, he took that, all memory of Olivia, and a significant portion of her earliest lessons on how to function.
It took most of a year for Peregrine to relearn simple things like language, how to brush her teeth, how to tie her shoes, and the like. Raphael retired his job at the Ministry to take care of his daughter full time. He was deliberately more patient now with her struggles. In his shame and grief, he could not bring himself to be forthcoming about Grin's mother, or her memories. She was told instead that both Olivia's life and Grin's memories were lost to a Muggle car accident. The curse scars marking her shoulders were similarly explained away.
Raphael strove to make his daughter's childhood a happy one. Already of an inquisitive nature, Peregrine's need to relearn much increased her curiosity and inclinations to think outside of the box. Though she was a primarily cheerful girl, Grin also developed a quieter, more contemplative side Raphael's careful guidance could not account for. What, before the obliviation, had been trauma-induced outbursts became effusions of theatrical whimsy, or a sudden need to climb a tree, jump in a puddle, doodle all over her skin, make a fresh pot of tea, or turn cartwheels to walk on her hands a while. After studying her with great concern, her father determined it was nothing more than playful impulsivity; he was unable (and unwilling) to see it as anything deeper than that. Grin herself had no reason to see it as anything other than jollying, and over time, that
primarily became the truth. It was, however, also a way to bury unsettling sudden sensations of recurring malaise.
Upon her arrival to Hogwarts, her first free day was spent looking for a proper climbing tree on the grounds. She found one in the form of an ancient oak, immediately claimed it as her special perch, and dubbed it "Sir Reginald Maximilian Theophilus, III." It became her favorite place to be by herself, and over time she made it more comfortable by the addition of a weather-proof tarp, a hammock, one of her teapots, and her twin loves of a copy of Scamander's Fantastic Beasts and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
At school, Grin was a Ravenclaw worthy of the name - but not always in the most traditionally defined ways. Though she did love to read and often did well in practical areas, she also showed definite signs of ADHD that caused her to struggle academically from time to time. She hyperfocused intently and learned masses about subjects that caught her fancy, but if a subject doesn't hold interest, Grin absorbed so little that, if left to her own devices, that subject would virtually cease to exist in her mind. Test results (of subjects she
was able to connect with) typically showed a strong comprehension, but Grin would frequently forget about between-class assignments if not reminded by her roommates. She excelled most at Transfiguration, Charms, and Care of Magical Creatures, was average in Herbology and Defense Against the Dark Arts, and complete rubbish at Flying, Potions, and Arithmancy.
Deciding what to "officially do with her life" after graduating became a source of stress for Grin. She wanted to do something with animals... or the Theatre... or exploration... or create art... or run away to the circus and work with aerial silks and acrobatics. The awareness that she couldn't do all of the above (and more) simultaneously tended to leave her feeling like she didn't know what to do at all. Well-meaning though Raphael was in urging his daughter to make a practical choice, Grin balked at the notion (a job devoid of passion, so she said, was not an option) and announced that she would take a gap year to figure it out. Reluctantly, her father recognized she'd dug her heels in and implored her to be safe and keep in touch. Unbeknownst to Grin, he frequently kept tabs on her in owl form. Never having been told Raphael was an Animagus, she assumed it was a wild great horned owl she saw now and again, and affectionately nicknamed it "Eek" for the wide-eyed expression.
At the start of her gap year, Grin purchased a narrowboat she named "Jester's Privilege"
[1] (adding an Extension Charm behind the doors of her bathroom, wardrobe, and tea pantry) and has taken to floating along the accessible rivers of the UK in search of adventure, creatures, and new friends.
Describe your job duties and how you go about them: Peregrine will ultimately be drawn toward the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. While the Ministry's rigid ways are abhorrent to Grin, her love for creatures provides her the fervor and mental stimulation needed for her to truly engage; she puts much less personal emphasis on control and much more on trying to establish good relations. Eventually she'll be more drawn to the Centaur Liaison Office. Initially, she hopes to float a little first to explore all options.
Elaborate on your expertise in your field: Grin excels at adaptive communication and thrives on creative solutions. Her love for distinctive creatures, passion for kind treatment, and insightful tendencies make her a determined advocate on behalf of others, while her stubborn optimism and conviction of morals make her difficult to intimidate.
Writing Sample:{Only required if this is your first character at AO.} I don't have to. I have a note from home.
Sum up your character in one paragraph: Grin is, in many ways, a walking paradox. She's an introverted extravert in equal need of roots and wings. She enjoys quiet and (her own) routine as much as she thrives on variety and spontaneity. She's peaceful and relaxed, yet chaotic, posessing a million dreams and a restless mind. Both a child at heart, and a tired old soul. The dichotomy of her personality drives her to seek constantly for balance.
And more tea.
Peregrine Hyde