Your Name: Kady
Read Code of Conduct?: Yes
Over thirteen?: Yes
How did you find us?: Been around since HM.
Have you written other characters?: Yes
Who?: Mara Stojanovic, Nina Morales
Primary or Secondary Character?: Primary

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CHARACTER NAME: Niamh Éadaoin Hayes
NICKNAMES: Hayes, Hayesie, Hayesie Daze
BIRTHDATE: 27 November, 1987 (23)
PLACE OF BIRTH: Toronto, Canada
GREW UP IN: Toronto (until age eight), then Glas Knock (Northern Ireland)
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: London, England (Flat 2E in Hiraeth Gardens)
BLOOD PURITY: Halfblood
ALMA MATER Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Ravenclaw alumni, 2006)
JOB: Auror-in-Training // Bartender at Death & Co.
WAND: 10 3/8", Walnut, Phoenix feather, pliable, (was) smooth (now scratched).
PATRONUS: Fox



PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
Hayes has spent the majority of her life being confused for her twin brother, Aodhan, even though she doesn't think they look terribly much alike. She can't say that it's ever bothered her, although it may not necessarily thrill her twin. Perhaps the best way to describe Hayes' physical appearance is 'androgynous', a term that suits her just fine. Hayes is tall (1.73 m, or 5'7") and very thin (no muscle tone to speak of, although she does have a mean left hook). She very much resembles a teenage boy, and has no breasts or hips to speak of. This, however, made it very easy for her to nick all of her brother's clothes when they still lived in the same country, as they are about the same size. Her style these days still revolves around form fitting vests and t-shirts, men's button-ups, and shredded jeans that she's 'borrowed' from her brother and other male friends over the years.

She has long forgotten what colour her hair is naturally (dark brown?), and typically wears it short and ruffled with different coloured streaks (natural shades though, typically blonde or brunette in nature). Her (and her mother's) eyes are a piercing grey, and can be intimidating to look at if one knows they are in the wrong. Most of the time though, Hayes sports a lopsided grin that's slightly too big for her face. She has a strong jaw and cheekbones, and is rather bony and angular all over. When not smiling she tends to look a bit shell-shocked, or like a puppy that's been kicked one too many times ("I'm not sad, it's just how my face looks," she often feels compelled to explain). Her one indulgence in the beauty department is in her signature black eyeliner. She chooses to ignore those who tell her she's not a thirteen-year-old and should 'know better' by now. She thinks she looks just fine, thank you very much (even if her brother accuses her of looking like an anaemic vampire).


PERSONALITY:
Hayes is one of those people who seems a lot more intriguing than they actually are. She's had some interesting life experiences, sure, but who hasn't. One's first impression of Hayes varies greatly depending on where they meet her. If they meet her on a night out when she's had a bit to drink and consumed Merlin knows what, they assume her to be a partying socialite. If they meet her when she's sober, they assume her to be slightly stand-offish and/or a quiet introvert. Neither impression is ever truly accurate, although how many first impressions actually are? Hayes oscillates between hot and cold, outgoing and withdrawn, (possibly far too) laid back (when sober) and (alarmingly) aggressive (when deep in her cups).

She does have a few constants, though; she's loyal to a fault, an incredible listener, and a surprisingly comfortable shoulder to cry on. Aodhan (with whom she is not on speaking terms with) may disagree to this, but it is hard to deny that Hayes is a valuable friend to have. She has a bit of an addictive personality, but she's working on it (and it's far better it used to be). Her brother may have determined she's a "screw-up" with "no goals or life prospects" who needs to "get it together, Hayes, before someone finds you dead in an alley somewhere", but she tries not to let that (possibly accurate) depiction of herself get to her. She is, after all, both book smart (not that her grades from Hogwarts reflect that) and street smart (she can talk her way out of most confrontations). Hayes does struggle with skills like impulse control, time keeping, and goal setting; but on the flip side, she's calm, good under pressure, and someone you would want in your corner.

Five miscellaneous facts about Hayes are: ⁽¹⁾ she has an interesting accent from being raised in both Canada and Northern Ireland, causing people to question where she's 'originally from' (and she has a really husky voice as well); ⁽²⁾ she's a lesbian; ⁽³⁾ her favourite colour is blue; ⁽⁴⁾ she'll never admit this, but the only reason she didn't play Quidditch at Hogwarts was because her brother did and was so good at it; ⁽⁵⁾ she prefers salty snacks to sweet snacks any day of the week.


TIMELINE OF IMPORTANT EVENTS:


1955: 1 August 1995, Shane Hayes is born in Glas Knock, Northern Ireland.
1957: 6 November 1957, Katherine "Kate" Hayes (nee Clark) is born in Toronto, Canada.
1966: 1 September 1966, Shane leaves for Hogwarts at age 11.

1968: 1 September 1968, Kate leaves for the Northwest Witches Academy at age 10.
1970: First Wizarding War beings.

1973: Late June 1973, Shane graduates from Hogwarts at age 17 and begins work as a Curse-Breaker.

1979: Late June 1979, Kate graduates from the Northwest Witches Academy at age 21 and begins work as an Arithmancer.

1980: Early June 1980, Shane and Kate meet in Egypt.

1981: 31 October 1981, First Wizarding War ends.

1987: 14 May 1987, Shane and Kate marry in London, England and move shortly after to Toronto, Canada.
1987: 27 November 1987, Hayes and Aodhan are born to Shane and Kate.

1996: Second Wizarding War begins.

1996: Early August 1996, the Hayes' move to Glas Knock, Northern Ireland.

1998: 2 May 1998, Second Wizarding War ends.
1998: 27 Nov 1998, Hayes receives her Hogwarts letter.

1999: 1 September 1999, Hayes leaves for her first year at Hogwarts at age 11.
2005: 30 August 2005, Hayes' father, Shane (aged 50), is killed on the job.

2005: 1 September 2005, Hayes sets off for her 7th Year of Hogwarts at age 17.

2006: Late June 2006, Hayes graduates from Hogwarts at age 18 and applies to be an auror-in-training.

2006: Early September 2006, Hayes applies for and is immediately denied her A-I-T application.

2006: Late September 2006, after a massive row with Hayes, Kate moves back to Toronto for work.

2006: Early October 2006, Hayes moves in with her móraí at her home in Glas Knock, Northern Ireland.

2006: Mid October 2006, Hayes begins working at The Snail and Cabbage pub.

2007: Late October 2007, Hayes and Aodhan cease speaking with one another. 

2007: Early September 2007, Hayes applies for and is denied her second A-I-T application. 

2007: Mid September 2007, Hayes moves above and starts bartending at Smithy's in Diagon Ally.

2010: 1 May 2010, Hayes' móraí passes away.
2010: Late May 2010, Hayes moves in with Seb and Indy in muggle London. 

2010: Early June 2010, Hayes applies to become an auror-in-training for the third time.
2010: Late August 2010, Hayes moves into Flat 2E in Hiraeth Gardens in muggle London. 

2010: Early September 2010, Hayes' A-I-T application is accepted.

2010: Late October 2010, Hayes begins her training as an auror. 

2010: 27 November 2010, Hayes turns 23.
2010: Late December 2010, Hayes begins working part-time as a bartender at Death & Co.

HISTORY:
Hayes and Aodhan were born in Toronto, Canada, to Katherine Hayes (nee Clark) and Shane Hayes. Katherine (Kate, to family and friends) had always lived in muggle Toronto, until she attended the Northwest Witches Academy in British Columbia (as the first witch in her family). Shane was from Glas Knock, a wizarding village just outside Belfast in Northern Ireland. He attended Hogwarts, as his entire family had before him, and was sorted into Gryffindor like his three older brothers were. Hayes all but worshipped her father, who let her get away with most everything (though the same could be said of Kate and Aodhan's relationship). Kate and Shane met when Kate's work as an Arithmancer in Canada temporarily brought her to Egypt, right before the end of the First Wizarding War. A Curse-Breaker, Shane worked with Kate on one of his more difficult assignments there. Working and living together for over two years, the two spent several years working and traveling together. While they never officially dated, they were (somewhat hastily) married in their early thirties when Kate became pregnant with the twins. They temporarily settled in muggle Toronto, as per Kate's family's request. (Whether they guilted the couple into moving is debatable, but it was what it was.)

The Hayes' stayed in Canada until the twins were eight-years-old and lived a pretty normal life away from what would become the Second Wizarding War back in the UK. Despite their haste to get married, Shane and Kate truly did care for one another. And much to his and Kate's (silent) relief, Shane was needed back in the field in Europe towards the end of the war. They moved to a modest house in Glas Knock, where Shane's mum taught them what she deemed 'necessary educational skills' (which included things like bread baking, gardening, self-defence, mental multiplication, and kitten rearing). Prior to this the twins had attended (muggle) primary school in Toronto, and Hayes was thrilled to be taught by her móraí instead. The same could not be said for Aodhan, who had thrived in primary school with a regimented schedule and goals to achieve. Where Aodhan had been the favourite of his teachers, Hayes was a bit of the black sheep. There was no denying how clever she was, but she was constantly told off for "not applying herself" and daydreaming in class. Móraí knew just how to teach her, though, as Shane had been exactly the same way.

Life was fairly easy for the Hayes' in Glas Knock, but it was a strange time to be in the UK. The war was hitting its peak, and Kate feared for her the lives of her husband, friends, and family in Britain. But despite the constant threat of a Death Eater invasion, Hayes and Aodhan had a happy childhood. She fought with (and often beat) her brother, went hiking with her father when it was safe to do so, baked with her móraí, and read books with her mum. Kate even gave up trying to force Hayes into dresses shortly after they moved to Belfast and Móraí and Kate had words after seeing how uncomfortable they made her. While often at odds with her, Hayes was fascinated by her mother's work. She understood next to none of it, but her mum was able to explain the basics of it to her. Kate had been a precocious child as well, and was pleased that her daughter was following suit.

At age eleven the twins received their coveted Hogwarts letter, and Móraí went on a baking spree. Hayes and Aodhan had had bursts of accidental magic their whole lives, so it wasn't exactly a surprise when the owl from Hogwarts had shown up. But the family was excited, nevertheless. Shane couldn't be prouder, and Kate was excited to go through the process of getting the twins set for school. While Kate's family had taken the news of her being a witch well, they hadn't exactly been excited and eager to help send her off. But again, it was a strange time. It was Hogwarts' second year of operating after the end of the war, and the damage was still evident. Regardless, going to Diagon Alley with her family became one of Hayes' fondest memories. While not nearly the thriving place it used to be, it looked brighter and more put together than it had in a few years. Aside from Kate keeping a death grip on Hayes' hand (even though she was far too old to be holding her mum's hand and it was mostly safe anyway), it was a great day. Hayes even got to feel a bit smug when she and Aodhan got their wands, as it took only three tries for her wand to find her where it took her brother seventeen (the fourteenth of which singed off his eyebrows). She loved her textbooks (purchased second-hand, but she enjoyed how worn and written in they already were). She loved her (also second-hand) robes, even though she swam in them because her parents had bought them for her to "grow into". She especially loved the present she received from Móraí when they returned home, which was one of the kittens (Xena) she had helped raise. Aodhan received a handsome and surprisingly friendly owl, whom he called Hercules.

While they fought often, Hayes and her brother were rather amicable towards one another as children, and sat in an empty car together when they boarded the scarlet train. Hayes maintains that she didn't cry the day she went to Hogwarts. If her eyes were a bit misty it was only because it was windy out and the train moved fast and the rush of air through the open windows made her eyes sting a bit. They were eventually joined by four other first years, two boys and two girls. As she was used to, they all assumed she and her brother were identical twins. Her voice had never been high-pitched the way most young girls' are, and her short and spiky haircut and torn jeans almost always led to others thinking she was a boy. But it didn't bother her all that much, and it didn't bother her new friends after spending the entire train ride with her. As fate would have it, both Aodhan and Hayes remained very good friends with the children they met that first train ride.

Hayes' sorting was nothing special, but lasted longer than her twin's. Her brother went first and was sorted into Gryffindor before the hat even touched his head. Every male on her father's side of the family had been sorted into Gryffindor for some incredible amount of years. When Hayes was called she sat on the stool, worrying her bottom lip. "A good mind, yes. Very clever. Not so much ambition..." she heard the hat 'say'. "Sorry," she had mumbled, cutting him off. "No, no. You'll figure it out. Better be... RAVENCLAW!" Hayes had breathed a sigh of relief and trotted off to sit at the blue and bronze table. She sat next to Sebastian, with whom she had sat with on the train and had been sorted a few students in front of her, and didn't stop grinning until she went to sleep. While quiet, she immediately befriended the girls she shared her dorm with (except for Priscilla Huffington, who shrieked and shrieked that there was "A BOY IN THE GIRLS' DORM! A BOY!" until a girl with brown skin and the most amazing hair Hayes had ever seen whacked her with a pillow to get her to shut up). That girl was called Indy, and she and Hayes became thick as thieves from that moment on.

Hayes was no stranger to the devastation the war caused, but she had no idea what Hogwarts used to be. It was a much quieter, older place now. But Hayes didn't mind at all. She loved it, even if it seemed like the professors and older students were waiting to be attacked at any moment. Hogwarts for Hayes was usually a delight. It was not without its trials and tribulations, but overall her time spent in the castle was filled with laughter (especially as people were able to breathe easier as more time passed from the end of the war). It was also filled with detention. A lot of detention. It wasn't that she was a trouble maker, per say. She just wasn't interested in some of her classes, so she wouldn't go to them. She also wasn't elated with all the homework she had, so she didn't do most of it. This infuriated her professors, and Indy on occasion (a perfect student, and who was given stern talking to's by a professor or two about how Hayes was a "bad influence").

But when Hayes put forth some effort, she excelled. She was always successful in her more practical courses, like Defence Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration. She enjoyed Care of Magical Creatures when they got to actually interact with the creatures, and did well in Arithmancy when she showed up to class. Courses like Potions, Astronomy, and History of Magic were unbearable, and she passed them by the skin of her teeth. Hayes was fortunate to have Indy by her side, who never let her fall too far behind. Seb was a decent student as well, and was possibly the only reason she passed Potions. But for Hayes, Hogwarts wasn't about classes and memorising boring facts and theories and spells. It was about actually doing magic. She always assumed she'd get it together when she graduated, but for now, she was enjoying her time with her friends.

If Hayes was the wasted potential, than Aodhan was the relentless go-getter. Where Hayes was lucky enough to graduate, Aodhan graduated top of his class as Head Boy, Quidditch team keeper, and an active member of four or five other societies. Even during their final, difficult year, Aodhan never faltered. Yes - Aodhan flew high their seventh year, but Hayes nearly drowned. Two days before they were slated to return for their final year (which Hayes was admittedly dreading, as her professors had done nothing but lecture her relentlessly about getting it together at the end of her sixth year), Shane was killed on a routine job in Egypt. He had left for his trip a week prior and where there should have been him knocking on the door to be let back into his home, there was a fellow Curse-Breaker bearing apologetic words. Hayes was in shock. She and her father had remained extremely close throughout her time at Hogwarts, even though his disappointment in her lack of desire to achieve was evident. Her mother would barely speak to her she was so frustrated, but her father still treated her like she was precious. In the throes of grief, Hayes believed she was suffering the most. Despite being an empathetic and kind person, she completely disregarded how her brother and mother could possibly be feeling and shut herself off from them. Grief did not make her kind.

While Hayes and her mates had dabbled (perhaps more than dabbled) with drinking and smoking various substances their sixth year, she really kicked it up her seventh year. She drank to ignore her pain, ignoring Indy and Seb's nervous glances. They partook in her illicit activities, but never to the extent that she did. "Your problem is you push everything too far," Indy often told her. And she wasn't wrong. Hayes, while still quiet, could be the life of the party. Only Indy and Seb were privy to the fact that she was spiralling downwards. It was only through the help of her friends, some pity from her professors, and her natural intellect that she managed to pass all of her courses. She had played with the idea of becoming a Curse-Breaker like her dad, or perhaps an auror, but feared that those career prospects were now off the table.

She applied to become an auror-in-training after graduating and was unsurprised when her application was denied. Her mother was so disappointed and still so grief-stricken that they had a massive row when Hayes moved back home after graduating. Aodhan had applied for and accepted a job in the Magical Law Enforcement office and soon moved to a flat in Belfast where he would be based. After exchanging words (and almost blows) with Hayes, Kate moved back to Toronto to "be closer to her parents" (so she said) and return to her old post there. Hayes has no recollection of the fight that ensued. She had been under the influence at the time, and her brother refused to tell her what was so bad that her mother refuses to speak with her. Defeated, Hayes moved in with her móraí, who took pity on her. She took a job as a barmaid at The Snail and Cabbage, a local pub, and waited tables as well. Hayes applied to be an auror-in-training again about a year later, and was denied for the second time. After that she moved above a dodgy pub that straddled Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley, and lived with two other girls in a studio flat. She worked at that pub, Smithy's, until she was twenty-two, drinking far too much and finding herself in more and more compromising situations.

Hayes bumped into Indy and Seb on the streets of Diagon Alley in May of 2010. She had seen them since graduating, but they had drifted apart. Looking back, Hayes now understands why. Distraught at how thin and spacey Hayes was they implored her to get herself together, and convinced her to move in with them into their flat in muggle London on the promise of not having to pay rent. Seb was on his way to becoming a Curse-Breaker (which made Hayes shudder), and Indy was a Healer on the Spell Damage ward. By some sort of miracle, they got her to reapply to become an auror-in-training. By an even bigger miracle her application was accepted, and while she is apprehensive at starting an actual career several years later than most people do, she's hoping she can finally get it together and make her dad, Indy, and Seb (and herself) proud.


JOB DUTIES:
As an auror-in-training, Hayes suspects she'll be doing a lot of errand running and tea brewing. She's not exactly sure (as it was Indy who read the initial training manual she received). While she isn't a push-over, Hayes is very amicable and, for the most part, likes to please others. She has resigned herself to doing what she's told (and on time!) for however long it takes for her to become an auror. She's just thankful she's been given this opportunity in spite of her awful grades and past debaucherous behaviour. Hayes works as a barmaid at Death & Co. in Diagon Alley as well, so perhaps she can pour everyone a pint after a stressful day.


EXPERTISE IN THE FIELD:
Hayes is intelligent, even if her grades at Hogwarts didn't reflect how intelligent she actually is. She's a quick learner, especially when she's learning something practical. She really struggles with completing tasks she finds boring or unnecessary, and finds rote memorisation tedious. However, she understands anything to do with numbers and anything to deal with people very quickly. She's a smooth talker, quick on her feet, and incredibly calm under pressure. The one emotion she cannot handle is grief, as exemplified by her past behaviour. Nearly any other feeling, however, she can push aside to get the job done. Hayes is extremely loyal and dedicated to causes and people she cares about, and genuinely wants to make the world safer in whatever capacity she can. She's more interested in the physical aspects of being an auror than the lawful ones (plus she wishes to avoid her brother at all costs), and being hands on and in the field is absolutely where she will excel.


IN A (FEW) WORD(S)...
Hayes is unapologetically herself. She doesn't care if you think she's too much like a boy, or that she doesn't apply herself, or that she's lazy. She knows that she is smart, capable, and dependable when she tries to be. Amicable and sincere, Hayes always has time to brew you a cuppa or pour you a pint and listen to your worries. She may have handled grieving over her father and dealing with her family in all the wrong ways, but she is much better equipped to help others than to help herself. Hayes is finally reclaiming her life after four or so years of floundering. She's ready to sort herself and start a career, and maybe even patch things up with her mum and brother. Nearly twenty-three, Hayes is finally ready to become an adult... whatever that means.