Your Nickname: Nuri
Have you read and do you agree to the Code of Conduct?: Yes
Are you over thirteen? Yes
How did you find us and decide to write with us? Friend
If you have written other characters here: Yes
If Yes, list them all: *deep breathe*
Raine Almasy, Ira Almasy, Balfour Spectre, Peter Thackeray. Rascal Rosier (inactive), Dietrich Eisenberg (inactive). Arthur Lemon (inactive, secondary), Roger Lemon (inactive, secondary).
Is this a Primary or Secondary Character?: Primary




Character Birthday & Age: 22nd June 1998, 11 ("Taking on twelve!!") years old.
City & Country of Birth: Manchester, United Kingdom
Pureblood, Halfblood or Muggleborn: Halfblood
House & Year: 1st Year, Hufflepuff
Wand: 11 inch, cherry wood with unicorn tail hair core. Supple shaft and plain hilt.

Physical Description:

Sal is notably small and wiry, even for a young boy. His height suits him - it adds to the endearing nature of his cute and impish little face, which can easily sport infectious grins or heartbreaking pouts. There is a touch of shyness in Sal's typically brown and attentive eyes. It's hard to shake the feeling that he is hiding something behind them; partly because he isn't especially talkative to begin with.

The Hufflepuff has his father's light brown hair and his mother's arched eyebrows. He is neither physically weak nor strong, although he possesses the kind of silent tirelessness you might find in obedient children. Sal carries himself with an air of nonchalance. He is casual and polite about interactions: a little gentleman but still cheeky in his own way. He tends to be light on his feet and would make an excellent dancer if given the time or effort.

While he may be bilingual, Sal speaks English for the majority of the time - his accent is neutral, somewhere between an American and British lilt. When he speaks Spanish, it is usually with an Argentinian inflection. He also speaks Portuguese and a sprinkling of French from his mother's side.


Personality Description:

Salazar - as he does not mind being called - is a laid back student. He is very good at following orders, and usually goes about his chores or errands like an acquiescent child, and with little complaint. Hard work is in his bones. School work isn't. Several of the subjects at Hogwarts have piqued his interest and diligence (Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration) but Sal tends to slack off with anything that doesn't interest him. He is good at giving those lessons just enough effort to avoid being reprimanded.

On the outside he tends to be quite untroubled: always with a near-mischievous smile playing on his lips. People tend to assume that Sal is up to no good and they would be correct to think so at least a third of the time. His sense of humour is understated; the kind afforded by an only child whose jests have been largely addressed to adults for most of his life. Sal is more likely to make essays dance than he is to plan grand, theatrical pranks.

Ultimately, he's an altogether friendly boy with an active imagination and an impulse for practical activity. His parents divorce when he was younger has made an impression on him but only in a way that has helped Sal become a more diplomatic and resilient child.


History:

Alejandro Vásquez, an American Potioneer with Argentinian roots, met and married Mirela Zamperia, also a Potioneer, in the early 90s. The pair had fallen in love during a tourist boat cruise in South America, marrying shortly after. They remained married for the remainder of the 90s - only to divorce (quite bitterly) in 2005. In their years together the couple produced a single son: Salazar. He was of course named by his father, who did not fully appreciate the significance of being named after the founding Slytherin, and who thought that it was "a really rad name, don't you think?"

CHILDHOOD

Sal grew up with his parents in a ground floor flat just outside of Manchester - the small family had access to a cramped garden out back, and plenty of space indoors for the newborn to clamber about in his first explorations. Neither Alejandro nor Mirela were adverse to a muggle education; they sent their son to the regular nursery and elementary schools in the area, until he was seven years old.

He was brought up with the conscious restraint to keep from talking about wizarding society; as a result Sal has always been one to think twice before opening his mouth. Not that it was difficult, as getting along with muggle children had been easy. The teachers thought he was simply adorable while his classmates enjoyed his naturally sweet and playful disposition. He was very active in soccer, and loved most team sports as well as music lessons (notably the Charango, an Argentinian string instrument, and the piccolo)

At seven however, Salazar's parents finally gave in to divorce. The couple had been experiencing heated arguments over the past two years - often about trivial things, like groceries or movies or Fortescue's favourite flavours, but also about issues that were pivotal to their marriage. Notions about unconditional affection, relatives, and life goals. Alejandro frequently left their home for months at a time to return to Patagonia, where his people are from. When the pair revealed to Sal that they were officially separating, it was also disclosed that Alejandro would be permanently leaving for Patagonia to run the wizarding ranch that belonged to his grandfather.

The divorce proceedings were painful for everyone involved. Mirela immediately  took over the Potions Ingredients shop that she had been running with her husband - in the meantime, her son began acting up at school. Salazar was quickly withdrawn from the muggle institute out of fear of any unsavoury magical accidents. Alejandro (whose parents had been 1st generation Argentinian immigrants in the UK) agreed to leave Sal in England, aware that he would need a common cultural background to study at Hogwarts.

Even so, Sal is able to visit his father in Patagonia for a month every year. He is very much fond of his family in Europe - Uncle Mihai and his irrepressibly entertaining cousin Juni, for instance - but always looks forward to visiting South America. Better than Christmas he calls it; Mirela naturally rolls her eyes at this.

HOGWARTS

Beginning at Hogwarts had been a big change for Salazar. He had heard a lot about it from Juni and some of the older students living in Manchester but nothing compared to the sheer awe inspired by the castle and its grounds. He ranks it now as being his favourite place alongside Alejandro's Argentinian ranch. His mother had snorted upon finding out that he was a Hufflepuff - secretly glad that his given name was not a prophetic one.

Making friends has always been easy for Sal and he seems to have made a place for himself at the school so far. He enjoys making trouble  and being a part of something bigger than himself. In a way, Hogwarts has helped him come to terms with the notions of familial discord caused by his parent's divorce. He understands now that families can be built, too.


Classes:

Core Classes Astronomy Charms Defense Against the Dark Arts Herbology History of Magic Potions Transfiguration Flying

How Do You Fit Into Your House?:

Salazar understands the concept of loyalty as well as any child who has had to pick sides in a divorce. He had chosen his father at the time, at least on an emotional level, and maintains a close relationship with Alejandro in spite of their distance. Sal outright ignores negative talk about his father and is good about keeping any secrets confided in him by the older wizard. Regardless of this bias he is never cold or unjust to Mirela. Sal loves her and the other Zamperia members most dearly; he strives not to offend their feelings with his affection for Alejandro.

The tiny first year is of a naturally warm and diligent character. He isn't afraid of hard work - especially physical labour - and his exposure to potion brewing from a young age has allowed him to grow into a surprisingly patient student.


Writing Sample: See Vivienne Thorpe, please.


Sum up your character in one paragraph:

Salazar Vásquez is a 1st year Hufflepuff student with a mischievous smile and a warm, open personality. He enjoys working in teams and makes friends easily with people from different age groups. A whiz at potions and transfiguration, Sal applies himself diligently to the subjects he loves while getting by in most others. It is difficult for people to tell if he is exceptionally mature for a young boy or simply quite patient and carefree.