Accepted! ~Elle

About You, the Writer:
I’ll never grow up, but I’ll never grow down...
 (Buffy Sainte-Marie)
Your Nickname: (A moniker to identify you, the writer.
Can be your first name or a nickname.) Kat
Have you read and do you agree to the Code of Conduct? Yes
How did you find us and decide to write with us? Link on a friend’s site, spent a few hours exploring, liked what I saw.
If you have written other characters here, list them all:
Colonel Kabir Ahmed, Delia (Dilly) Morris. I have already been playing Vlad as a Secondary Character and find him so interesting that now I want to expand his role.

Full Character Name: Vladislaus Tepes Dragulia

Character Birthday & Age: November 6, 1933;  76

City & Country of Birth: Târgovişte, Wallachia (a Romanian province)

Pureblood, Halfblood or Muggleborn? Pureblood, unless you count what Vlad’s infamous ancestor took from others. However...all the notorious vampire’s children were born before he was infected.

Nevertheless Vlad is understandably a bit touchy about vampires, and subscribes to all the superstions and old wives' tales. Then again...old wives did not get that old by being stupid...

Alma Mater: Durmstrang

Wand: Eleven inches, Yew, Dragon Heartstring core, Rigid.

Physical Description:
Six foot two, one-ninety, very fit. Long hair, beard and mustache, which are mostly gray and often unkempt. Piercing dark eyes, weathered face. Despite his age Vlad can still kick…arse. Considering where he comes from, that is a good thing.

Personality Description:
Vlad is loyal to a fault, and will do anything for a friend or a loved one. His daughter (Gabrielle Murray-Harker) is his greatest treasure, and he would treat her half-brother Quincy as his own son, if only Quincy would allow it.

But aside from a few soft spots, Vlad is a blunt, no-nonsense kind of guy. One would think as outspoken as he is, that it would have made advancement in his field difficult. But in fact many people find his honesty refreshing.

History:
Vladislaus Tepes Dragulia was born in 1935; to a Romanian father and an Italian mother. Both were from Pureblood families, but Vlad has never been proud of his heritage, especially on the paternal side. Aside from the activities of his notorious forebear, there was the shame he felt at ten years of age, seeing his parents arrested. This was after the downfall of a Dark Wizard named Grindelwald, of whom they were among the staunchest supporters…

The next year Vlad was sent to Durmstrang; where he learned the truth about Grindelwald and the horrors that had just taken place in Eastern Europe. Vlad was convinced there was a relationship between Grindelwald’s agenda and the Nazi regime. This belief was not shared by the majority at Durmstrang, either students or faculty. Nearly everyone else thought Grindelwald was brilliant but misunderstood. His sort was needed in the world, to remind everyone that magic was not for sissies…

Vlad was purely disgusted, and could not wait to graduate. It did not help that the Headmaster was yet another of Vlad's many relatives...and did not treat his own wife and children well. Nevertheless Vlad  managed to achieve high marks, in both OWL’s and Newt’s.

After graduation he became an Auror. In 1960, being one of the few Romanian wizards who was actually interested in the outside world, he was appointed to represent his nation before the International Confederation of Wizards. As part of that body he was befriended by Albus Dumbledore. Like many others he still regards Dumbledore as a role model, though on occasion he observed too much of Grindelwald’s influence for his liking. Particularly when it came to blatant manipulation of others…

In 1963, while on assignment in Britain, Vlad met Wilhelmina Murray. When they first met he had no idea that this lovely woman was sixteen years older than himself, nor that she had a two year-old son named Quincy. However, when he found out it made no difference. Vlad proposed on New Year’s Day 1964, they were married that spring; and in June 1965 Gabrielle was born.

The marriage was a happy one, and Vlad was planning to make Britain his permanent home. However an episode in 1968…involving a certain Tom Riddle…called Vlad back to his homeland. It seemed that Riddle was trying to enlist werewolves to some purpose.

While Vlad was away, the father of Mina’s son attempted to lure her back, claiming that he wanted to raise his son and would accept Gabie as his own. Vlad returned the moment he heard of this, and made it clear to Harker that he would not back off.  To make a long story short, when Mina chose to remain faithful to her second husband, Jonathan Harker decided if he could not have her, no one could. He had her murdered, and went to prison for his crime.

Vlad’s grief caused him to be less than an admirable father. He tried, but as Gabrielle grew up she looked so much like her mother that he could not bring himself to let her get close to him. He was also neglectful to Quincy, who in a sense lost not only his mother, but both of his fathers. While eventually Vlad  and Gabrielle were reconciled to each other, he and Quincy remain estranged; and that is perhaps Vlad’s greatest regret.

During a case in Cambodia, Vlad met a young Indian lieutenant, Kabir Ahmed. He took the brave young officer under his wing and they have been close friends ever since. Perhaps Vlad is somewhat inspired by guilt, for not providing the same sort of guidance to Quincy…

What is your occupation? Elder, Romanian Wizengamot; also Chief Mugwump (Chairperson) of the International Confederation of Wizards; the position formerly held by Albus Dumbledore.

How do you go about it? Vlad spends most of his time working for the Confederation; mediating disputes between the member nations, facilitating discussions of common problems, and interpreting International Wizarding Law. When decisions must be made by means of a vote, he does not vote except in the event of a tie. Then he must cast the tie-breaking vote, which is a heavy responsibility.

How do your past and abilities justify your current skills? Being an Obteil at Durmstrang, Vlad was groomed from an early age for positions of leadership.After graduation, even as an Auror Vlad was often called upon to smooth out difficulties between departments in the Romanian Ministry. He was eventually appointed head of Magical Law Enforcement.

After retiring as head of MLE, Vlad was appointed to the Romanian Wizengamot. As a retired Auror, while serving in the Wizengamot Vlad became involved in the trials of many dark wizards, as well as vampires and werewolves who did not follow the rules. This was singularly  appropriate because as the Romanian Delegate to the International Confederation of Wizards, he had also been involved in making those rules. After the death of Albus Dumbledore he was elected by the other Confederation delegates to fill Dumbledore’s place…as much as anyone can.

Writing Sample:
Show your character in a scene that illustrates the best and worst aspects of their personality. Include action, dialog and thought. (excerpt from the Be Our Guest thread in Knockturn Alley)

Vlad was sitting quietly in a corner, nursing his Ogden’s. He observed the exchange between the two females with amusement. That redhead clearly thought she was something…As for Vlad, he never did understand what was so special about an appearance created by charming one’s hair and using cosmetic spells. The whole attitude of the woman struck him as superficial. He had seen countless such among Pureblood females at home…including his own kin…and he was not impressed.

And as for the young woman behind the counter...if what Vlad’s informants told him was true, Red had better watch herself, or she might end up buried under a hedge someplace.

Vlad was only mildly interested in their interactions, however. He had come here looking for Kabir Ahmed, who supposedly was last seen in Knockturn Alley. And who, shortly before his disappearance, had been observed talking to Cinead Tawse...

When the barmaid spoke up again, the redhead’s displeasure was obvious. She had clearly been brought up in the same sort of universe as Vlad; one in which servants, like children, were to be seen and not heard. Vlad smirked knowingly. “Zhenichka,” he thought to himself, using a Slavic term meaning Dear Girl, “you are in the wrong place...”

He heard the young man speaking of practice and feints. Like the redhead, he automatically subtracted ten points from the fellow’s IQ; but this was not for being a Quidditch player. It was for being so naïve as to think such talk would impress the redhead. If he had known her thoughts about bar tabs and bank accounts, he would have smirked again. If money was her main interest she was playing up to the wrong man. Though one would never guess it from the way Vlad dressed...like a refugee from the 1940’s...he had inherited a sizable fortune, more than he could ever hope to spend. Then again, why should a doddering old man bother to look stylish?

He watched the action at the bar, wondering how long it would take the barmaid to leave off baiting the redhead and send a pie his way. No matter; he was sure eventually she would get around to it, and watching the slow escalation of the catfight was entertaining...

He smiled faintly as he heard the barmaid put the blood-purist in her place.  Had he known Iza's thoughts about the Malfoys and those of their ilk he would have agreed whole-heartedly. He knew the  type well; of no use except to boast about their genes, and breed more of the same. The redhead would of course be too complacent and sure of her superiority to tolerate  such remarks from a lowly barmaid; but were he a betting man, he would put his money on the barmaid...

When the child dashed in, grabbed the Quidditch Player’s pie and ran for the door, Vlad’s first reaction was a strong desire to laugh; which he prudently stifled. Then the Quidditch player pulled his wand. “Oh please,” thought Vlad. “You weren’t even that interested, until someone else wanted it.” He had his hand on his own wand, in case the man did something nasty to the child…

Vlad cleared his throat. “Excuse me, please," he said quietly. "I am a foreigner and ignorant…but after all it is only a Shepherd’s Pie. Will it calm everyone down if I just buy the gentleman a new one?”

He smirked.

 “I doubt he wants it back after the brat has shoved her face in it anyway…”

Sum up your character in one paragraph:
Vlad is a contradiction in terms; at once jovial and paranoid, cynical and soft-hearted. Even after all these years, he secretly blames himself that he let Mina go by herself that day to meet her ex. And he fears he will never be able to make amends to Gabi and Quince…

Special Title: Chief Mugwump (Chairman); International Confederation of Wizards

[Character Name:] Vladislaus Dragulia

[How Has Your Past Prepared You For This Honor?] Being an Obteil at Durmstrang, Vlad was groomed from an early age for positions of leadership.After graduation, even as an Auror Vlad was often called upon to smooth out difficulties between departments in the Romanian Ministry. He was eventually appointed head of Magical Law Enforcement.

After retiring as head of MLE, Vlad was appointed to the Romanian Wizengamot. As a retired Auror, while serving in the Wizengamot Vlad became involved in the trials of many dark wizards, as well as vampires and werewolves who did not follow the rules. This was singularly  appropriate because as the Romanian Delegate to the International Confederation of Wizards, he had also been involved in making those rules. After the death of Albus Dumbledore he was elected by the other Confederation delegates to fill Dumbledore’s place…as much as anyone can.

[What Do You Think the Most Important Aspect of This Job Is?] Settling issues that stem from the attitudes of wizards who, despite everything that has happened in the past fifty years, still think that preserving their status is the most important thing on Earth. Fortunately this is a minority view, or he would not have been elected to such a prestigious position. Following in the footsteps of Albus Dumbledore he has championed the rights of non-human races; and he has also campaigned for the inclusion of indigenous shamans, believing at least some of them should long ago have been acknowledged as equals.

[Tell a Story From Your Past That Has Proven Your Mettle:] Even after the events of the Triwizard tournament, the other members of the High Council chose to play ostrich like Cornelius Fudge, refusing to believe Voldemort had returned. When Dumbledore continued to insist that, convenient or not, this was the truth, they voted him out of office and indeed, out of the fellowhip. Vlad's was the only dissenting vote. He told the others that they would later be ashamed of themselves, and when he was eventually proven correct, he was gracious enough not to gloat about it. Much...

List your other characters, if applicable: Kabir Ahmed, Delia (Dilly) Morris
Please provide a link to your Application: http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=3083.0
Age:  76
Special Ability: Occlumency

When did your character master this ability? Beginning as a 15-year-old student, continuing over the next four years. How long have they had it?  60 years

How did they learn or hone this ability? As part of the Dark Arts curriculum at Durmstrang, and during the two additional years of Aurors’s training. Leglimency was required too, being considered the opposite side of the same coin...However, Vlad saw too many instances where it was abused, and has steered clear of it.

Describe how the Special Ability influences their life.  What do they use it for? Vlad has used his ability only to protect himself and others during investigations; for instance to keep an informer’s identity secret. As he was educated to see Occlumency and Leglimency as part and parcel of the same skill, he may occasionally find it difficult to use one method without the other creeping in. As soon as he realizes that is happening, he will stop what he is doing. He despises the Secret-Police mentality, which in his opinion is still too prevalent in the Romanian MLE department...

Write a description of what happens when your character is exhibiting this Special Ability: When he is in a place (such as the Black Chimaera) where someone might be too much interested in what an elderly foreigner is doing there, he would use Occlumency to distract that person. For instance they might find their attention redirected to the curvy redhead, or the muscular Quidditch player, and away from the old man at the corner table...

Later a person who had been wondering about him might have trouble remembering exactly what he looked like...