Accepted ~ Analiza

About You, the Writer:
We will never ask any member to disclose any personal information.
Your Nickname: TEH Ames.
Have you read and do you agree to the Code of Conduct?: Definitely.
How did you find us and decide to write with us? An originality from SR & HM.
If you have written other characters here, list them all: None yet.

Full Character Name: Gabrielle Mina Christine Murray-Harker (what a mouthful).
Character Birthday & Age: 43; June 27, 1965.
City & Country of Birth: Wiltshire, England.
Pureblood, Halfblood or Muggleborn?: Pureblood.
Alma Mater: Slytherin House, Hogwarts School.
Job: Department Head of International Magical Cooperation.

Wand: 10 1/2 Oak with Welsh Green heartstring, firm but worn from years of working with it while her initials are engraved on the handle.
Physical Description: Standing at 5’8” and weighing in around 165, Gabrielle’s curvy figure has given her the ability to be flexible and agile in battle as well as getting more than a few looks from men around her from keeping herself in good shape. Her flowing brunette hair, the unmistakable hazel (green/brown) eyes and her pressed heart shaped lips are rather a curse more so than a blessing as her face is rather impossible to forget. Though slender in figure, she still is built a bit to defend herself with should the occasion arise.

Personality Description:  The astrological signs of a typical Cancer are that they tend to be highly imaginative and emotional while being cautious of how they act. They are protective of those they call ‘friend’ and defensive against those called ‘foe.’ Though they are emotional, they can be easily overemotional which will turn many off – the same can be said if they are insulted or highly praised. They never will forget the actions of an individual. They have also a high being of patriotism, celebrating occasions, even romantic gestures please them while failure and advice can irk them badly.

Though a Cancer, Gabrielle can fit some of these qualities such as finding it difficult to accept criticism (sometimes) as well as she never forgets a kind gesture or a harsh word. However, Gabrielle is fierce in protecting not only herself, but those she cares for such as family and her closest allies. Her wand properties displays her other qualities as a witch in the sense that she is very observant around her surroundings, often finding herself watching who’s behind her back as well as those in the front. She is also really playful (perhaps less on the romantic but can work up a flirtatious demeanor if it was needed) and can be enjoyable outside the workforce. On the other hand, she is not that at work as it is evident that she demands an atmosphere that displays the “work first, play second” manner at the Ministry so that a professional ambiance is felt within her department.

History:
“Furth, Fortune, and Fill the Fetters” (loosely translated meaning: “go forth against your enemies, have good fortune, and return with captives”) is the bearing crest for the Murray (or Moray for Gabrielle’s family) Clan which had its own ties to ancient history (and supposed Arthurian legend) and were rather proud of it.  The head of this particular clan was Christopher Murray, with his wife, Mary. The two lived often in their two manors, one in Wiltshire during the spring and summer while living in Elgin, Scotland during fall and winter. Their first born, Wilhelmina (or Mina for short,) was born first in 1919, followed by two more girls, Eliza and Kathryn. Their only son, Stephen (often called by his middle name, Thackery, instead), was born after WW2 in 1949. The family was blessed and rather peaceful, even amongst the turmoil of the Second War as their father served as a medical advisor.  Much like Gabrielle would later be, Mina was rather pleasantly beautiful which lead to an unplanned in 1961 as she was dating a Muggle by the name of Jonathan Harker while the family was living in Wiltshire. The result ended with a swift break up between the two and then a happy mother with a son by the name of Quincy. Soon, the family return to Scotland to raise the lad, however, Mina would soon find herself falling in love once more but this time with a wizard who had a seat in the International Confederation of Wizards in Romania. The man’s name was Vladislaus Dragulia and he was in Great Britain for a four year tenure while various negotiations we being made for the countries.

Eventually in January of 1964, Vlad proposed to Mina, promising to take care and properly raise Quincy with or without Jonathan’s support. Mina gladly accepted and by August, the two were wed and given as a gift, the manor in Wiltshire.  The surprises were only beginning as Mina found herself pregnant again by January 1965 and eventually in June of the same year, Gabrielle was born right as Vlad’s tenure ended. The gentleman decided to stay in England to raise his family until an incident in the winter of 1968 took him back home for many months. During this time, it seemed everything was going smoothly until Jonathan Harker and Mina’s paths crossed by once more. It seemed he was interested in taking responsibility of Quincy as well as having an interest in Gabie’s life. Neither was really honest as he truly wanted only to have Mina back and raise Quincy with her without Vlad around. Word traveled quickly back to Vlad and he was instantly back in England, defending his family. Refusing to back down, Jonathan would eventually have Mina killed by a hired hit man while she thought she was bringing Quincy for a visit.

The plan was executed and it had its own chance to backfire on Jonathan. The Murray family was quick to prosecute and try the man for his deeds. Jonathan was tried, convicted and sentenced to twenty five years while the custody of Quincy still went to the Harker family with Jonathan’s parents, Sarah and Sebastian, until the sentencing was over. With Mina’s death, The Murray family accepted the fact that Quincy would be raised with Sarah (who they distrusted and for good reason as she would snub the idea of letting Quincy attend Hogwarts as well as not telling him he was a wizard). Vlad, in his grief-stricken state, took time to mourn back in Romania, Gabrielle was raised by her mother’s family as well as various others who were both family and friends of the Murrays. Childhood was often hard for her when it came to things that a mother can only give and relying on her aunts and grandmother often seemed harder so inquiries usually ended up with not asking it or finding it out on her own. Her father often would visit but often seemed cold and distant which mainly was because that Gabrielle reminded him of her mother.

The Hogwarts years came by and Gabrielle was sorted into Slytherin House which seemed to apply her rather well in Potions class with being born under the Cancer sign. It was also rather ironic she was placed there as her Chinese zodiac sign happened to be a snake, the mascot for Slytherin House. She developed friendships with various individuals, including Alex Belisario when he came into Hogwarts. Her grades were at a level that was passing and it showed as she was often studying at late hours while trying to balance her Quidditch position as one of the first few female Beaters for Slytherin. Love interests seemed to be few as they tended to last only for a short while.

After graduation, it seemed her efforts paid off in more than one way. An internship for the Ministry (oddly enough) in Romania opened up and she soon found herself around her father for a few years, working as a Librarian. Their relationship as father and daughter rekindled and found that they needed each other more than they thought. Gabrielle remained there until she was able to move back to London’s Ministry and take up a position in the School Governors during the time of Lucius Malfoy’s occupancy. Needless to say, Gabrielle enjoyed working with education but with the ideals that some had lead to her retiring from that position and headed over to the Department for International Magical Cooperation as the secretary, eventually working alongside the Department Head.

When Voldemort and the dark forces rose once more during the Second Wizarding War, Gabrielle fought there at the Ministry as well at Hogwarts, including where she assisted in hiding some Muggle students at the manor in Scotland until the conflict was resolved. Though she did help, it came with both positive and negative consequences. The most positive was that she was eventually hired as the Department Head but as for the negative consequence, it was a brief trial of her former boss suspected of aiding the Death Eaters into the Ministry. Gabrielle was interrogated as a witness and proved her case that she never knew her boss’s doings. Currently, she finds herself single and close to halfway through life, but she enjoys her job as well as other various activities to keep herself preoccupied, including movie nights (if possible) with Alex and spending time with her brother if at all possible.

What is your job description? How do you go about your job?
How did you get your current job? How does your past and abilities justify your current position?:

As a the Department Head for International Magical Cooperation, Gabrielle has to ensure that open minds and willingness to work with other magical nations on wizarding issues are addressed and taken care of. She has to supervise alongside the Trading Body to detect any and all foreign/illegal shipping around the global market as well as local and regional businesses. The Magical Office of Law is very much like the typical attorney/legal advice occupation as they take on clients as well work jointly with the Minister and the Wizengamot, even the Magical Law Enforcement Departments to build cases for or against those who will go before Wizengamot or similar court systems. Finally with the Confederation of Wizards with the British Seat, she works with them to keep up good business relationships with those around her and overseas.

Beginning at eight in morning promptly, Gabrielle begins her day and goes headstrong until noon, allowing the choice whether or not the employees wish to take their hour lunch break or a thirty minute break before returning at one. Various projects to keep the department on its feet depends on the wizarding world’s issues at the time. For example, if there is a large case and it may involve other countries, then the Law Offices will definitely be involved while the Confederation of Wizards as well as the Trading Body may or may not be needed for their services. The work day normally ends around five thirty, six o’clock however, any employee is allowed to work over on business matters up until ten thirty unless there is a need to keep the offices open.

Gabrielle obtained her position after the trial of her boss shortly after the fall of Voldemort to which her qualifications from working in an internship in Romania to helping wizarding lawyers during her Librarian stint. The position as a School Governor has helped her with various individuals, both foreign and abroad, while her ability to maintain a strong boss/employee relationship happens. She also strives for perfection though sometimes she’ll admit failure IS an option so to learn from mistakes.


Writing Sample:
Show your character in a scene that illustrates the best and worst aspects
of their personality. Include action, dialog and thought.

The clock from the Black Forest came to life as the cuckoo bird suddenly appeared, crowing that it happened to be three o’clock and that reminded the department head immediately of the business meeting to discuss this month’s objectives. Oh dang it! AGAIN! was followed by a grunt and a yell inside the head as she grabbed everything around her and began to rush down to the conference room, her hair bouncing past the various rooms within the department. Gabrielle felt that at the beginning of the Hogwarts school year and at the end seemed to be the busiest times of the year aside holidays or the summer time. She had only recently acquired from the Wizengamot a case that would involve all of the departments for this particular case. According to the reports, some adults had gained illegal material from Africa and were planning on distributing it throughout the London circuit under a different name.

Settling down soon within the meeting room twenty minutes later, the department heads for each of the rooms were there, sitting and waiting, while Gabrielle noticed that representatives for the case hadn’t shown. “I’m taking it that Bristow hasn’t shown up? That makes three times that woman didn’t contact us. I’m beginning to think we need a different representative.  Will you look into that for me, Gibbons, and do make sure we’ll have a reliable individual?” she started and soon enough, Bristow was parading into the room, smiling as though nothing was wrong. A frown formed and Gabrielle was not pleased at all by this spectacle. “Might I indulge you, Miss Bristow? It is precisely twenty minutes after three and you know my policy: Contact us or get here by ten after. I dare say you’ve more time on your hands than what you can afford. That is why I’m letting you go after this meeting – I’ll be speaking to your supervisor about it.”

Bristow seemed flabbergasted yet simply kept herself in silence as the meeting began officially. Gabrielle, on the other hand, seemed proud that she had proved another point or two to her relatively young crew about the importance of punctuality. Eventually, work was beginning to make progress and with the progress, work was being made.


Sum up your character in one paragraph:
Gabrielle Murray-Harker lives up to her family’s motto, but of course, doesn’t steal things from people. She’s a dedicated worker, believing in ethics that she believes in being right for the working environment. Outside of the workplace, she’s funny and charming if you are her friend but be warned: She’s not too friendly should you try to be rude or obnoxious.

Accepted! ~Elle/Fauna

[Character Name:] Gabrielle Murray-Harker.
[Title Applying For:] Wizengamot Member.
[link to Accepted Biography:] http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=412.0

[How Has Your Past Prepared You For This Honor?:]
Many years of working alongside the Wizengamot in London as well as various wizarding and Muggle courts local, even abroad has given Gabrielle the first hand experience of dealing with the legal system. Gabrielle has also experienced being on the opposite side of the podium as she was a witness in the early 1999 during the trial of the former department head of the department her runs now.

Her legal expertise in addition to her ability to keep an open mind but to place justice to the guilty (and mercy to the innocent if they truly are) keeps Gabrielle well adjusted to the proceedings that pass through her department, eventually leading to the Wizengamot.

[What Do You Think the Most Important Aspect of This Job Is:?
There are many important things being a part of a highly esteemed court body, but by far the most crucial is to assert justice properly with the ability to hand out appropriate sentencing’s to the guilty and innocents. Without having a level head and an open mind, one cannot fully function on the court platform.

[Tell a Story From Your Past That Has Proven Your Mettle:]

“It was the week of Valentine’s Day, February 1999, when the trial of Albert Simmons, Department Head for the International Magical Cooperation, occurred. The Dark Lord known as Voldemort had been defeated by Harry Potter and now, the trials to hunt down the former Death Eaters and any those connected to them was sent forth. I currently was working as Simmons’s personal secretary since 1993 as his equal. When a letter came to him in early December 1998, I  watched as he burnt the document, I was curious to know what exactly had occurred, but was told immediately to not investigate the situation.

I chose not to listen to the man as I soon began to grab any material that began to trickle from the Magical Law Enforcement and joined with a few individuals from the Magical Office of Law to prepare a case from our department against him. Word eventually did travel back to Simmons who soon was outraged by our actions. However, his attempt to ruin the material we had found was cut short as his arrest by Christmas time was made and was sent to Azkaban.

The department soon placed me into the temporary position of Department Head while we were informed that I would indeed be testifying against Simmons and if were to find any evidence of other members in the Ministry, including our own department, to prepare them for the trial. When the court date was set for the tenth of February until the thirteenth, our case findings had found out that Simmons had closely been aiding with Death Eaters to help them enter the Ministry during Voldemort’s take over in 1997. Simmons was not the only one as it was soon found out that others were involved, some within our own department who had recently retired. Simmons named various individuals to where some were actually culprits while others were falsely accused.

The trial date finally had come and as the proceedings began, the case from the Wizengamot members at that time was well constructed and eventually, our own department was called. Our findings and testimony given by myself proved that Simmons had indeed assisted a few Death Eaters in giving them various entry points as well as using the Imperius Curse. I was questioned whether or not I knew of what was presented – truthfully, I answered that I did not but that I did remember distinctly private meetings in late 1996 that occurred after work days.

The Wizengamot, along with the Minister, handed out the sentencing that Simmons was guilty of all charges and that he would spend the next ten years in Azkaban until the sentence was carried out. Shortly after being in Azkaban, word was that Simmons had tried numerous times to escape with no success. After a few years as the Department Head, I was asked to join the Wizengamot as a former member retired in 2001. Needless to say, I was surprised but I accepted gladly.”

Good to go!  -- Sparky

Character Name: Gabrielle Murray
Title Applying For: Animagi
Character Biography: LINK

What Experience has Prepared You For This Ability?:

Animagi Form: Peregrine Falcon

Gabrielle began practicing this particular skill in the summer of 1986 with Minerva McGonagall[1] instructing the young witch and the curiousity that came with it. Gabrielle remembered how McGonagall had demonstrated the transformation from woman to feline in their seventh year and so, an eager mind and body was willing to learn. Minerva assisted Gabrielle in each lesson, correcting her methods if they were amiss and applauding when Gabrielle started to finally show progress in the ability. Finally by December 1987, Gabrielle was able to change from a 5'6" blonde haired witch to a beautiful peregrine falcon and needless to say, both teacher and pupil were very pleased with the end results.

Since 1987, Gabrielle has only continued to hone her transformations, finding it much simpler to become a creature than what it was by the first trial and errors. Naturally, there has been a hiccup once or twice when she wasn't focusing and a few stray feathers may have spurted off her body... but that hasn't happened in a good long while.


What Do You Think the Most Important Aspect of This Ability Is:?
Gabrielle used this ability for aerial espionage and various other functions during the Second Wizarding War and for the Romanian Ministry for the same causes. Current days find Gabrielle using it for pleasure and relaxation when wanting to move from the busy noises life brings. It's not to say though she could still use it for business or mischief if opportunity comes knocking.


Tell a Story From Your Past That Has Proven Your Mettle: 



19 December 1987[2]

"All right, try again. FOCUS. Focus on the form, the shape - from the top of the head, the beak, the eyes, the specks on the feathers, right down to the razor sharp talons."

Gabrielle looked at her former professor with a look of disdain. Spewing feathers out of her mouth was precisely what had ten minutes ago when she focused. "We don't have to continue these lessons, Murray, but remember you were the one who came to me last summer, begging to learn this," Minerva chided in a tone that oddly made Gabrielle think of Crina and Carmina Dragulia as well as Granmum Mary. There were also the small voice of her mother, Mina, of her father, even Gwyn and her boyfriend, Francis, pressing her forward. A smile crept up to Gabrielle's lips in thinking of Francis Pepper - curls and cheeks and all. He'd be so proud of her if she accomplished this and so, she nodded her head slowly as Minerva watched her onward like a mama bird.

"AGAIN. Close your eyes. Visualise the form."

Gabrielle closed her eyes, relaxing her body as Minerva had told countless times over the past year to do. "Do you see it? The top of the head - its beak, its eyes? The golden red hue for its feathers?" Gabrielle nodded 'yes' as Minerva pressed onward, describing the falcon in perfect form. Gabrielle continued breathing, unaware that her body was slowly losing its height and weight, not to mention the blonde hair was fading into the golden feathers that had been mention moments before. Gabrielle soon shivered, feeling that maybe it was the cool wintry air that sometimes creeped up in the classroom, however a chuckle caught her off guard.

Minerva McGonagall, chuckling? Minerva McGonagall never chuckled or so Gabrielle didn't recall.

Gabrielle's eyes opened and found herself looking . . . up!? Her head tilted immediately and tried to talk. A cry came out instead. No. Way.

Her wings waved and Gabrielle looked at both sides of what had become of the said "arms" - She'd done it. She had finally transformed. Desari's ghost. She was a falcon. Another cry of excitement escaped her beak, but this time time Minerva gave a warning 'sshhh!' as though it was going to alert the Headmaster or even Filch. Nodding her head, Gabrielle grew quiet as Minerva smiled gently to the young witch. "Congratulations, Miss Murray-Harker. You've completed the year long journey - now that one hard part is done, let's get you back to your normal form."

A pause as the smile stayed on the woman's features as it was evident what McGonagall was about to say.

"Focus. Visualise."

1.	Approved by Michael!!
2.	G-Mod approved likewise by Michael!!