Wand:
Thick-shafted oak wand, stained darkly, well worn.  The core is pheonix feather, and it measures 15 inches.  Ollivander made it in 1949 and sat in the shop until 1963 when Knox gave it it's first wave in over a decade.  It's strong for Healing, but somewhat ungainly for any intricate charm-work, not unlike its owner.

Physical Description:
The wizard is ursine without being portly – generally thick, generally hirsute.  Knox is tall, 6 foot 4 inches, and not under 200 pounds.  His stature is imposing, but he is not threatening unless he is bellowing.  (His bellowing is a rare habit, but often admonished by his ex wife.) He keeps a short black beard and neglects his eyebrows.  His hair is long and thick, usually tamed by a cap.  He has a large smile of ivory-colored teeth.  His skin is darker than most Britons, due to some Mediterranean ancestry.  He prefers traditional wizards' robes and boots in earthy browns, greens and dim golds and coppers.

His accent is rough, and he speaks in casual terms, occasionally waxing ironical, almost intending offense.  He has a gravelly speaking voice and a splendid singing baritone.

Personality Description:
He is an amiable man, and young children tend to like him very much.  He laughs easily, a mighty laugh, but can lose his temper just as quickly.  He doesn't like laziness, he appreciates nosiness, and he doe not tolerate apathy nor blind faith. He stands by these convictions with a stubbornness that occasionally fails him. He is quite prideful, and when an argument eludes him, he will resort to name-calling.

He is an exceedingly passionate man who moves in and out of states of obsession and ennui.  At the same instant Knox craves both solitude and society – a reaction to his childhood with a large family.  Knox's manner makes him a capable and easy leader of his colleagues, whereas his candid honesty commands respect and trust from the students.  He enjoys contradicting expectations of himself.

He is essentially a good man despite little regard for conventional definitions of right and wrong and because of this he can be quite dark.  The ends can often justify any means.  He looks not to rules and traditions and old morals to help him decide what is right and wrong, instead he looks to himself.

History:
Knox's family is very large from both muggle and wizarding lines.  It was always a little joke among the Greyfriars that that Statute of Secrecy could never wholly apply to reunions or Sunday dinners. (But in reality it did.)  He was sorted into Hufflepuff in 1963.  Knox  did well in school - he was social, a bit mouthy, and participated in sport.  He was not made Prefect, but he did get excellent N.E.W.T.s in Potions and Herbology.  His aptitude and general concern for others (for Knox is a true son of Hufflepuff), prompted him to pursue the Healing Magics.

In 1972, he apprenticed to a Healer in London, a strict old witch who barely used a wand at all.  He lived in a large flat with two of his distant cousins, who were both of the St. James family.  The Greyfriar's connection to he St. Jameses was far in the past and by marriage, but family ties in those days were quite meaningful.  The cousins took Knox under their wings and showed him what it was like to live as a wizard in London.

But the St. Jameses, an old pureblood family, was not secretive about their dislike for muggles or muggleborns, nor their affinity for Dark Arts.  But in those days, the early 1970s it was less taboo, considered archaic more than sinister.  Knox's cousins were fine company though and generous teachers.  The three of them and his cousin's friends were close. 

By this time, Voldemort was clearly situated in the public eye, and the crowd Knox ran with were becoming deeply interested in the Death Eaters and their movements.  The St. James cousins and their friends began to escalate to anti-muggle talk to actual violence against muggles. And on more than a few occasions, they'd return to the flat battered and bleeding.  Knox would patch them up with few words.  But as the years began to pass, and the violence began to escalate, Knox was asking fewer and fewer questions about how a bullet found its way into their calf, or why shards of cricket bat were splintering from their scalp.  But Knox, a capable apprentice Healer, would patch them up, just the same as they'd slipped on the pavement.   

By 1976, the Death Eaters terrorized the country and, in London, Knox Greyfriar was the wizard to see about a very quiet patching up.  When he finally finished his Healer training, his cousins convinced him to delay applying at St. Mungo's and work exclusively for his 'friends' and the friends of his friends.   If he didn't help them, who would? They could die, they told him.  And that would be on him.   It would not have surprised Knox to have found out he politiced the puncture wound of Evan Rosier, or to have nursed the deep burning laceration that eventually killed a Death Eater called Wilkes.

He would have backed out had not heard of what had happened to the Black boy.  Instead he carried on abetting murderers and thieves, pretending he didn't know what was going on, never asking any questions.

But the sacrifice of the Potters in 1980 ended all of it.  With the fall of the Dark Lord, Knox quit London that very day.  He abandoned Healing as well, considering it the vehicle of his treachery against his fellow human beings.  Instead, he went to the north and consumed himself in the study of history, hoping to find some clue for the madness that had overtaken him, and so many others.  He found little solace, but instead, a passion to education.  And to fill young heads with ideals stronger than hate or fear - to fill brains instead with conviction and bravery, to give them minds that can think for themselves, lest they end up as he had.

Knox became the Headmaster of Hogwarts in 2005, after having taught History of Magic since 1998.  (The Battle of Hogwarts proved to be just what Professor Binns had needed to end his long haunt.)  His past as a Healer is a closely guarded secret.

He left Hogwarts at the end of the 2007-2008 school term and soon accepted and invitation to the Wizengamot.

In October 2008, he succombed to a werewolf bite and now lives his life as a werewolf.

Elaborate on your expertise in your field:
Knox studied History between 1980 and 1998, mainly in Europe and Britain.  His practical works range from several minor works on Grindelwald, the Goblin Rebellions and the various times and places where-in witch-burning was in fashion.  He has given talks in the last 12 Forums of Recent Wizarding History, as well as advised the Minister during a brief, but intense, disagreement with the goblins of Gringotts.  He has shown himself to be a capable leader, and a strong advocate for his causes, even in most intimidating company.

What is your teaching philosophy?:
Knox seeks to fill heads with knowledge and opinion before other, less worthy causes can sneak their way in, corrupting and poisoning untrained and lazy brains.

Writing Sample:
((From Specialis Revelio))

Hogwarts castle was never quiet.  It was constantly breathing, shifting, sighing, burping, settling on its ancient foundations.  The staircases grinded in their casings, shifting listlessly.  The suits of armor fidgeted. And the wind beat at the windows of the Headmaster's aerie.   Knox had settled in his chair shortly after a lacking dinner and had almost taken root, remaining quite still as night fell and his office darkened.  The nightshade tea was cold and half gone, but his mind was filled with one thing: where was he going to find gold?

The snivelling, greedy goblins were stabbing at the delicate underbelly of the wand-carriers, crippling the lines.  And they neglected not that cornerstone of wizarding pride - his Hogwarts.  They'd withdrawn his goblin accountant and sequestered away all available funds in the clandestinely secured vaults, not to be touched.  Knox suspected it would only be open to him once open hostilities began, were quelled and the world let out its held breath.

But in the meantime, he had to make due.

He shifted in his chair with an ursine growl, beleaguered and feeling oppressed.  He would have to resort to --  His thoughts were interrupted by a cold voice cutting through the dark.

"Go to bed.  You'll never find it."

Knox looked up into the darkness and glowered.  He didn't need this.

"You're a voyeur, Phineas.  I thought you were in London until such a time as my timely assassination."

"Blood traitor," was the reply.

"Relic," was the retort.

Silence followed as the Headmaster and the portrait of a Former Headmaster sat in the dark hating one another.  Knox's mind was weary and now, he felt, it was being watched.  The other portraits had been sleeping restfully in their frames since twilight and he had been quite alone, or so he thought, for many hours.

"I'll never find what?" Knox finally deigned to humor Nigellus Black.  He had clearly returned to his portrait for a reason, for truly had there never been a portrait more disgusted with the current head than Nigellus Black of Knox Greyfriar.

For a moment, Knox was sure that Phineas had returned to the Black house in London, but before long there came a reply.

"It doesn't matter.  You're far too dense, too stupid, to put it to good use even if you found it.  You'd squander it on something foul."

Sum up your character in one paragraph:
Knox Greyfriar is a large man with a booming laugh an a louder bellow.  He guards his past closely, but is in all other ways open, never hesitating to share his opinion or insert his advice.  He cares deeply about his students, and little for the opinion of anyone else.  He is an impassioned advocate for the oppressed, but seems to occasionally lack perspective.

b. November 18, 1951
Lancaster, Lancashire

Hogwarts. 1963 - 1970
Hufflepuff

Apprentice to Healing.  1972 - 1979
A twenty-year-old Knox went to London to apprentice to a local healer.  She was a strict taskmaster, and everything about the apprenticeship was practical.  She worked from her home outside of the city proper.

Living with the St. James Cousins. 1972 - 1980
Knox's pureblooded cousins were friendly and fun, but were quick supporters of Lord Voldemort.  Knox was swept up in the movement and the peer pressure, and found himself serving as a battle-field Healer of sorts, patching up injured Death Eaters in the flat he was sharing with his cousins.

Get Behind Me, Devil.  1980
The sacrifice of the Potter family ends Lord Voldemort's hold on life, and his hold on Knox.  Death Eaters everywhere fade to shadow, and Knox abruptly stops Healing.

History. 1980 - 1998
Knox begins to study history, hoping its lessons will fill his stupid youthful head with stuff of substance, so that no evil can fit.  He searches for clues to why people do horrible things.  He publishes on Grindelwald, Goblin Rebellions and witch burnings.

Hogwarts. 1998 - 2008
Headmistress McGonagal asks him to replace Binns who has finally passed over.  He teaches History of Magic for 7 Years.  In this time, he served 3 years as Head of Hufflepuff.  Then, in 2005 he began as Headmaster.

Father, Werewolf, Wizengamot. 2008
In a deathbed confession, the mother of Devlin Matthews reveals Knox is his father. At about the same time, he moves on from Headmaster to Wizengamot Elder.  Then, in October he is targeted in a werewolf attack.  He lives to tell the tale, but he is cursed forever.

Accepted - Mai

[Character Name:] Knox Greyfriar
[Previous Position:] Headmaster of Hogwarts
[Position Applying For:] Wizengamot Elder
[Link to Accepted Biography:] http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=78.0

[Why Have you chosen to change careers?:]

Greyfriar felt his time at Hogwarts was over.  Pushed to his limits by the (alleged) actions of Kyle Gibson, as well as the thoughtfulness that Remembering Day brings, Greyfriar realizes that he has not found the attonement he'd sought as Headmaster.  He leaves his position and hopes to again to find greater purpose in his life to make up for what he believes to be the dark sins of his past.

At 56, Greyfriar would be among the younger members of the Wizengamot.  But because of his high esteem in general in the Wizarding World he would be offered a seat on the Wizengamot sometime in September.  He would spend time in training and be subject to an inquery to judge his knowledge of wizarding law, his appropriateness for the position as well as questioning about his political leanings.  By October, he would be seated.

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 Wizengamot Elder, Greyfriar would sit on juries and rule on verdicts for cases brought by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.  He would be expected to use both his knowledge of the law as well as his personal judgement about the case and the people involved.  He'd also need to consider the safety and well-being of the Wizarding people.

Greyfriar is a true son of Hufflepuff and above all else he values human dignity.  He may even value this above the law.  While not quite a revolutionary, he won't be the type of Eldar to always vote quietly when prompted.  He'll speak up, ask questions and even challenge testimony.  I imagine he might occasionally get in arguments with other Eldars both in and out of the courtroom.

But Knox will also enter his post with a spirit of some humility.  Many of the other Elders have been serving for decades and Knox is still young in this world.  He will pay very close attention to the Elders he admires.

Before Knox Greyfriar was Headmaster of Hogwarts, he was a historical scholar who focused on magical conflicts of the past. While he has not specifically studied law, he has learned much about it and the reasons many laws were created.  He's delved deep into the motivations for the evil follies of witches and wizards and has written a great deal on the weakness people can experience when influenced by strong passions or people with strong passions.

He is also known to be a kind man who is unselfish and concerned for the greater good.

Accepted! ~Elle

Creature type:
Registered Werewolf

Employed? If yes, where and for how long:

Knox has been a Junior Elder on the Wizengamot since September 2008.  As of November 10, he has not been asked to resign.

What is your understanding of your character's special abilities or
attributes and weaknesses?:

Knox is a werewolf.  Once a month, the curse causes him to transform into a wolf-like creature that exhibits a mindless, savage rage.  In the wolf form, he is very strong and has keen senses.  In that form, only the most powerful spells could bring him down, and he is very susceptible to silver weapons.

In his human form, Knox is know somewhat weakened.  The curse takes its toll on witches and wizards by causing a sort of routine malaise and it grows worse as the full moon approaches.

Knox's already ursine appearance seems to also have been slightly increased - but this could be an illusion, or a change in grooming habits.

Is your character a dark creature?: No.

Is your character currently under pursuit by the Ministry of Magic? No.

How did your character become a creature?:

Knox was bitten on October 14 during a full moon by an as yet unidentified werewolf.  He was in Hogsmeade at the time and the werewolf emerged from the Forbidden Forest.

Character Name: Knox Greyfriar
Character Biography: http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=78.0

Sections Changed: I want to change his History to omit his Dark Mark.
Requested Changes:

Old:

By 1976, the Death Eaters terrorized the country and, in London, Knox Greyfriar was the wizard to see about a very quiet patching up.  He was paid handsomely at the end of his training to keep out of St. Mungo's and work exclusively for his 'friends' and the friends of his friends.    It would not have surprised Knox to have found out he politiced the puncture wound of Evan Rosier, or to have nursed the deep burning laceration that eventually killed a Death Eater called Wilkes.

He would have backed out had not heard of what had happened to the Black boy.  Instead, he took the Mark under heavy duress of his cousins, who claimed it was the only way for him to show he was not a threat to the Dark Lord.  For Knox had seen the agonized faces of many a Death Eater, and knew the precise dates of many of their movements.  And so he bore the Dark Mark as a brand of his cowardly shame.

New:

By 1976, the Death Eaters terrorized the country and, in London, Knox Greyfriar was the wizard to see about a very quiet patching up.  When he finally finished his Healer training, his cousins convinced him to delay applying at St. Mungo's and work exclusively for his 'friends' and the friends of his friends.   If he didn't help them, who would? They could die, they told him.  And that would be on him.   It would not have surprised Knox to have found out he politiced the puncture wound of Evan Rosier, or to have nursed the deep burning laceration that eventually killed a Death Eater called Wilkes.

He would have backed out had not heard of what had happened to the Black boy.  Instead he carried on abetting murderers and thieves, pretending he didn't know what was going on, never asking any questions.

Why do you wish to change these area(s): Whatever I was thinking back then, I've changed my mind.  I can get the affect I need without stepping on canon toes. 
Other RPed Characters this may affect: Knox has never discussed his past in a thread, he does not share that part of his history with any other characters, and he only ever mentioned the Mark in one or two threads.  I don't think this affects any other characters.

Career Change

Character Name: Knox Greyfriar
Character Biography: http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=78.0
Previous Job/Position: Wizengamot Elder
Position Applying For: Headmaster of Hogwarts & History of Magic Teacher

Why have you chosen to change careers?:
In-character, I think we had it that McGonagall was holding down the fort more or less temporarily until a more permanent solution was found. Knox and Minerva are old friends, Knox has held the post before, and has always missed it.

I propose allowing him to stay on as a Wizengamot Elder, but I'm not immovable on it.

Elaborate on your expertise in this new field:
Knox has served as Headmaster and other Hogwarts staff positions for many years: http://absitomen.com/lexicon/Hogwarts_Staff_Timeline

Describe your new job and how you go about doing it: