Accepted! ~Elle

About You, the Writer:
We will never ask any member to disclose any personal information.
Your Nickname: Dana
Have you read and do you agree to the Code of Conduct?: Yes
How did you find us and decide to write with us? Known about you for a while
If you have written other characters here, list them all:

Full Character Name: Astrid Root O’Malley
Character Birthday & Age: Febuary 1st 1991 | 18
City & Country of Birth: Kilkeel, Ireland
Pureblood, Halfblood or Muggleborn: Halfblood
House & Year: Ravenclaw Alumni 2009

Wand: Astrid’s wand is noticeable because of the colour (purple) and it is not a stain of a light wood but is the wood itself as it is made of purpleheart type. The core of the wood is Unicorn tail hair. The wand itself has a bent shaft and is rather bendy in strength. This is why she is often seen playing with her wand.

Physical Description:
Update post graduation: After graduating school Astrid took another change in her appearance. She still has the shocking blonde hair that she comes by naturally, but she has chopped it relatively short. It just makes everything much more manageable, which is ideally what she is focused on. Astrid is not keen on being the most fashionable or seeking perfection. She just wants to be able to comb her hair and head out the door, which she seems to manage just fine with the short hair. Her clothing style is a little tamer than it once was, with her last growth spurt she hit about 5'5 and required some new attire. She isn't exactly business professional by any means but she is definitely a little tamer than she was at school with the vibrancy of it. But her unique fashion sense is still quite clear and would leave her cousin shaking her head. Unfortunately Astrid still remains on the slender side and isn't exactly overly curvy to this day. She does have a slightly more athletic build and definitely not as pale as she once was. Her skin has freckled with exposure to the sun.

School years:If Astrid did not already stand out with her personality and activism then her appearance would certainly do the job. Naturally Astrid has blonde frizzy curly hair, it is often unmanageable and pulled back into varying types of ponytails. Just this past summer Astrid has done something else with her hair, as it had grown quite long. Astrid decided to dye portions of it pink and white before going with the style of dreads. Her parents just let her do whatever, free expression or something like that. Her hair is now a mop of hair often looking messy or tangled in its dread state. Astrid absolutely loves it and often makes a knot bun on the top of her head out of some of her hair.

Even without the dreadlocks her clothing is something else to notice. She usually wears either the same old worn boots (generally with her uniform) or she wears her old trainers. Astrid does not see a point to have too many pairs of shoes when you have two perfectly good pairs. Generally she tries to get away with wearing colourful or designed tights with her uniform because as a rule she does with the skirts she wears usually. The lengths of her skirts vary in lengths which ever she feels like putting on they never go past her knees but are never too short. Her school cardigan is worn baggy and lose as if it is one of the boys, since it is a button up on it often lingers open exposing the wrinkles of her white dress shirt. Her tie is always loose because her dress shirt is never fully buttoned. Astrid does not like to be clean cut; she prefers baggy clothing and looking disheveled. It takes effort to look that way. She does not only manage it for her uniform but for her every-day clothing. Her style is interesting and generally includes anything she finds that she likes.

Astrid is a small girl with a big heart and big voice. She is approximately 5’3 in height, which means she can get lost in the crowd easily. She is very slender and doesn’t exactly have a lot of curves to her body. She has a very round face as well as expressive features that include her blue eyes. Every part of her screams her personality.

Personality Description: Colourful could begin to describe Astrid’s personality but definitely doesn’t cover it all. She comes across as strange but nobody can deny that she isn’t driven. She is passionate about what she does and the causes she is involved in, this cannot be debated, even if you don’t like the strange girl you know she has passion. Astrid is extremely sympathetic for the underdog or the ones who cannot defend themselves or fight for their own rights. She also is overly sympathetic to people who need help or are down, she loves helping out as it makes her feel of use. She also has a knack at reading people and knowing when they might be a tad down and need some cheering up.

Astrid gets teased for her appearance, and her beliefs. She accepts that she is different and that people might not understand her. She is so passionate about life and being herself that she knows it can be intimidating to others. As brave of a face she puts on during the teasing it does hurt. Astrid is an emotional person but tries to keep her unhappy emotions to herself as they are not the business of other people. She prefers to cry in private, as she does not wish to give those who tease her the satisfaction of seeing her upset. Sometimes people claim she is unemotional or distant, but she doesn’t think her feelings should be public knowledge to everyone. She bottles her feelings up inside to the point that they doo come pouring out and sometimes in an embarrassing setting. There are times when Astrid can get quite angry and when she gets angry she gets angry. She often holds grudges even if it is against her better judgement, and she does have the tendency to get jealous.

The outdoors draws Astrid as she loves to be outside and doing something. She has never been the type to sit still, unless she has a good book in her hands, and even then she prefers to read outside than being cooped indoors. Astrid is fidgety, which might drive others a tad mad just as her talkative nature might. Astrid is no stranger to public speaking, screaming in the halls, or being a generally loud presence. It is hard to say you don’t notice Astrid, but it is okay not to like her.

Pushing the boundaries of rules, or completely breaking them is part of who Astrid is. She marches to the beat of her own drum and had freedom as a child to do as she wanted (within reason). She continues to act this way, which does lead to some detentions and point deductions. She loves to push people to question things in their every day lives as that is way change can be made.

Humanitarian describes Astrid quite well, and in that position she is very honest (sometimes brutally) and loyal to her causes as well as her friends. She believes in being friendly to almost everyone, there are some exceptions of courses usually in the form of bullies who have gone to far. Astrid has no probably being the friendly girl or making it known she has a voice.

Astrid is independent; she does not rely on others for acceptance. She is a self-starter and always has been, if she can believe in herself then she believes she can do anything. Her parents have always encouraged her to do what she thinks she can do, and they have told her she is capable of anything she can set her mind too. Astrid is a brilliant young witch with a pure heart. Unfortunately because Astrid so independent it makes her rather unpredictable. You are never sure what she will do next and because she is so focused she can become rather stubborn.

History: The story of Astrid would begin with the meeting of her parents. Lincoln O’Malley is a theorist; he is a brilliant mind of Muggleborn heritage. He completely immersed himself into the wizarding world and its magic. He was one of the most brilliant thinkers of his time in the realms of Charms and Transfiguration, with more of an expertise in Charms. Lincoln O’Malley would be the mind behind some books used as texts over the years at various wizarding schools. As all brilliant minds tend to be he was eccentric and disorganized, which was why he was in the market for an assistant when Coraline Ruhl was looking for work outside of Hogwarts. She had been looking for something in the realm of Herbology but beggers cannot be choosers. In fact getting this job was the best thing that could have happened for Coraline as it introduced her to the brilliant mind of Lincoln O’Malley. Coraline was 18 when she met Lincoln he was 41, there was an age difference but Coraline was undoubtedly attracted to the man. Their relationship remained professional until Coraline handed in her resignation as she found a job more suited to her career path. It was that night, in a dinner of celebration that Coraline and Lincoln became intimate. Coraline was 19 finally working towards her career path and living with her former boss. Coraline was on the road to becoming a herbologist everything was perfect for her. Of course the Ruhl family didn’t think so. Coraline’s younger sister did not approve of her sister’s match nor did her pureblood parents for that matter.

It was not long before Coraline found out she was pregnant. Lincoln had never thought to have children before; granted life had never been anything but him and his work. Lincoln was finally considering someone else in the equation, his girlfriend. Lincoln was ecstatic when he found out he was going to be a father because he was finally thinking about family. Coraline was admittedly not ready, she had just found her spot in her field and she wasn’t ready to give it up. Her opinion on this would all change the first time she felt her future child kick. It was then she decided she was ready to be a mother. On Feburary 1st 1992 Astrid Root O’Malley was brought into the world. It was safe to say Astrid was spoiled and treated like a queen by her parents.

Astrid had a normal childhood, well as normal as could be given her parents. Her parents had never married, nor did they intend too. Lincoln was a theorist and there was always something going on around the house. Astrid also would come to work in the greenhouses with her young mother from time to time, experience exotic plants. Her parents wished to expose her to her mother’s love of nature, and her father’s love of theory and exploration. Astrid would be exposed to higher-level reading at a young age, as her parents would read it to her at her request. She was fascinated by her parents’ work, as well as the other magic out in the world. When she was old enough to texts herself she found her own interest in Divinations. Every time her parents finished a cup of tea she would run around after them collecting their cups to read their tea leaves, inaccurately but at least she was trying.

The most exciting news would arrive in a form of a letter after Astrid turned 11; it was her letter to Hogwarts. Astrid was so excited to receive her letter, just like her mother and father. She was off to Hogwarts that fall and was unsurprisingly sorted into Ravenclaw. It was during her first two years at Hogwarts that she really developed herself as an activist. She learnt about house elves, and old cause called SPEW. Astrid also learnt that not everyone was vegetarian like her family, which was a complete culture shock for Astrid. There was much she had to learn at Hogwarts about life and about who she was. It was third year that she finally got to sink her teeth into Divinations, as well as it was the first year her cousin was at school with her. During her childhood her exposure to her cousin Neely Woolfolk was limited, but now she was going to be around a lot more. Astrid gladly assisted her cousin around Hogwarts and that it would be okay having her cousin around, how wrong she was. Once Neely found her own friends she became her “Crazy Cousin Astrid.” Great title, but one that Astrid attempted to ignore.

Astrid has since become an active force in werewolf rights, freedom of animals, and much more. She also has become extremely enthused with Divinations as well as a few other classes. Unsurprisingly Astrid was a bright student in the classes she wished to apply herself in, but there were others she disliked and got terrible grades in. One exception to this statement is potions class; she is opposed to potions for the fact she has to use “eye of newt”, and “toe of frog” or whatever it might be. Even if she is opposed to the course she continues to apply herself as she believes it is a talent one should have, that is the only reason she continues. Okay maybe not the only reason, as her distaste for the subject of potions did not stop her growing fondness for the Professor behind the subject, who may have had a hand in her continuing with the subject. Since she is in the subject she is interested in finding ways of replacing the animal ingredients and her vegetarian mother could not be prouder.

Recently, as in over this past summer, Astrid has started to really push forward with a few of her causes and one being werewolf rights. She is hoping to create an organization at Hogwarts, Students Against Werewolf Segregation (SAWS). Her parents could not be prouder of their little girl. She is headed into her seventh year and she had no plans to stroll down her activism or her participation in her favourite classes.

How Do You Fit Into Your House?: Astrid fits into the Ravenclaw house due to her intellect and her search for knowledge. Astrid loves to read and understand just as much as she loves to work for a cause. She has a bright mind and applies herself in classes, well the ones she is interested in.

Writing Sample:
“They’ve rights too! Help the werewolves. They’re people too.”

The words were chanted over and over again by the same excited voice, the voice that belonged to Astrid O’Malley with her noticeable Irish accent. In her hands was a wrapped around a stack of fliers she was determined to give to each person who ventured by. “Help the werewolves!” She shouted as people navigated around her in Diagon Alley. She had a box of pins near her feet, ones she had charmed with her father’s help to spew of sayings and display the acronym SAWS for her cause. “We need to stand up for them, show them we aren’t scared.” As long as a werewolf followed the regulations set by the Ministry they had no reason to be feared, at least in Astrid’s mind.

Just as she was handing out a flier to a young witch she got hit with a stink pelt, or a few of them. The smoke and smell lifted causing the young witch to scatter and Astrid to cough and splutter. The queasy feeling of nausea was washing over her from that fowl smell. “You…” she coughed before she could say something vulgar and inappropriate. She wiped the long sleeve of her sweater under her eyes to catch the tears that had started and bent down to start picking up her things. She was not going to let them see her this up set, plus the smell was not going to help her cause.

Sum up your character in one paragraph: Astrid is very much an Aquarius, with a few things different. She is a girl that marches to the beat of her own drum and has a heart for the underdog. She is individual and creative, with a bright mind she could apply to anything.

Accepted! ~Elle/Fauna

Character Name: Astrid Root O’Malley
List your other characters, if applicable: None
Please provide a link to your Application:  Link
Age: 17
Special Ability: Seer
When did your character master this ability?  How long have they had it?: Astrid was born with the ability but it was not very apparent until her first signs of magic. It was as if when the magic in herself came out it heightened her ability as a seer. Of course Astrid had not a clue what was going on when her ‘episodes’ took place. The visions were extremely powerful since she had no ability to control or restrain them when she was young. So much rushed into her ‘sight’ that what ever she drew was fuzzy and blurred; there was little meaning to what she saw on the page. The ability is not full mastered; she wishes to control when she gets these ‘episodes’ of drawing. Astrid is far off from this advanced skill and gets visions when they appear and has no control over stopping them or even starting them. She has suspicions she is a seer but is skeptical because whatever she draws never happens near her, or she never learns of the event taking place.

How did they learn or hone this ability?: There was not much to learn as the ability just came with Astrid. She has learnt to work with her ability and live with it. It will take more time to hone her ability.

Describe how the Special Ability influences their life.  What do they use it for?: There is no particular use to the visions she has as most of them appear unimportant to her. Most of the visions have little significance to her, but she expects one day they will and that is why she keeps a record in the form of drawings. The ability makes life even more awkward for her as it is yet another reason for people to think her strange. When her ability is ‘active’ she loses herself into the vision and the outside world has no way of intruding, this might add to peoples theories of her being quite detached from the real world.

Write a description of what happens when your character is exhibiting this Special Ability: During an episode of her gift Astrid goes quiet and begins to fish around for her drawing book. Before she would draw on a table, a wall, or herself, which is why she carries the book. She instantly sits wherever she is and begins to sketch quickly what she sees. She is completely unaware of anything else in the world; nobody can talk to her when she is having a vision, as all she does is draw. Her sketches are one important snapshot of the vision. Astrid cannot verbalize what she sees during a vision and can only draw; it is her body’s reaction to the vision to draw it out. Astrid has yet to understand any of these pictures or things.

Accepted! ~Elle/Fauna

[Character Name:] Astrid O’Malley
[Title Applying For:] President of the Divinations Club
[Link to Accepted Biography:] Link

[How Has Your Past Prepared You For This Honor?:]
Astrid has prepared for this honor indirectly for most of her life. Astrid has been fascinated by Divinations since she was a young child and as her father has an extensive library of his own she had the resources to explore her curiosity on the subject. Her interest was spiked because her mother chose to read an excerpt of a Divinations book to her before bed. She started to explore and read on her own when she was old enough to comprehend the books without running to her parents. Since she was a child she started to read her parents tea leaves that were left over after a strong cup of tea. Since attending Hogwarts and entering the class she has become very dedicated and focused towards the class. Astrid strives for excellence in this class and it is the one class she really forgets about her causes.

Astrid’s interest really peeked in the class when she had her first vision, though she did not know it was one. Her curiosity on what had happened caused her to delve deeper into what it was. She has suspicions she is a seer but yet to really uncover the truth.
[What Do You Think the Most Important Aspect of This Job Is:? The most important aspect of Astrid’s job is to encourage discussion of Divinations during meetings and be actively involved with the group. She also sees it her duty to call meetings of the clubs. As president she feels should be able to answer any questions or be willing to search out the answers.
[Tell a Story From Your Past That Has Proven Your Mettle:]

My mettle has been proven in the classroom. The last professor, the dear old soul, was extremely impressed with my ability in the class. She often used me for class demonstration or pointed out my successful readings. I have given some dramatic readings before, which really impressed the old gal, even if I took creative liberties with it. I have been exploring the world of Divinations for years and truly think I have some sort of gift when it comes to course. I also wish to make a career from this academic course.

My O owls show my dedication in the course. I impressed someone with my talents to receive that mark upon my OWLS. I am also more than willing to answer all questions directed me in class or otherwise and I have done.

As much as every Hogwarts student doesn’t want to admit it, there is a time when you need to grow up. For everyone the time is different, your age is different, and the incident that makes you grow up is different. Astrid has hit that defining moment, when she realized she was a seer officially and truely. Sure you might say she was always a seer, why should it change her now? Since she was born she had the ability to see the future, but she never really understood nor did the ability manifest itself strongly until her first signs of magic. Only since the beginning of her seventh year has the ability really hit her head on, it as if the ability knew she was of age. The visions are stronger than ever now, and she had to accept the fact she is a seer. This is not an easy task, because she felt utterly alone. Probably not the best timing for her life to change when one of her causes finally made an impact, SAWS was a success. People really cared about the issue and listened to her. Unfortunately with her massive headaches, disbelief and hatred of her ability she needed to take some time away from the spot light. It was time to grow up and she had to do it without everyone depending on her to run an organization and cause. She left Fauna Blake in charge. Astrid is still behind her SAWS cause 100 percent, even if people think she vanished. She has watched SAWS flourish and make and impact as she graduated.

Astrid has found other things she loves rather than giving all her time to activism and creature rights. She realized she needed some down time from all her activism and she found that in music and drawing. She finds herself at ease when she is listening to music, and her visions are less intense when she has some music. Her drawings have also turned out to be more understandable and she can interoperate her visions more clearly now. The sketchbook is always still with her, it is in much worse condition as it has been used and pages added to it. Soon she will have to find a fresh book, but she isn’t sure she is ready to give up that old sketchbook.

Astrid finally graduated and it was time for her to choose a career. She moved in the direction of Magizoology, which might have been shocking to some. She was gifted in the art of Divinations, but yet she headed towards the caring nature for animals. She had always been involved in the causes for animals and creatures, particularly because they could never stand up for themselves. Ideally, Astrid would love to do something with her activism and do right by the magical creatures of the world. But she begrudgingly accepts that she is eighteen and just stepping foot into the world. So, she is going to work hard and make a name for herself. Get the credentials to back up her activism and maybe start helping some of the endangered magical creatures one day. She found employment as a magizoologist in training with the Ministry of Magic. This keeps her pretty busy, but she continues with her hobby of Divinations.

She has come to terms with the fact she is a seer and is getting better at fending visions off or at least seeing them clearer. She continues to draw out what she sees and hopes to interpret it later. Not many people know that Astrid is a seer and maybe that is why she chose to leave Divinations as a hobby not wanting to be some fortune teller or get used for the ability she had little control of. She wishes she could find a way to use the ability for good and stop some of the bad things she sees.

Astrid in mid July 2009 found employment at the Ministry of Magic (Level 4) in the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. She is currently considered a Magizoologist-in-training in the Dragon Research and Restraint Bureau. She also has been working in different areas where needed to further her magizoologist training.