Accepted!  -- Sparky

(Just wanted to get this posted before upgrade day....obviously no rush on processing it since I'm still working Corey towards his 10 posts...~Erika)

Your Nickname: Erika
Have you read and do you agree to the Code of Conduct?: Yes
How did you find us and decide to write with us? Other
If you have written other characters here: Yes
If Yes, list them all: See Erika's Member Board
Is this a Primary or Secondary Character?: Primary

Full Character Name: Aliya Casperinichna Grumman
Character Birthday & Age: December 18, 1991 / 18
City & Country of Birth: St. Petersburg, Russia
Pureblood, Halfblood or Muggleborn: Pureblood
House & Year: Durmstrang / 7th Year Oberteil

Wand: 9" canary wood, phoenix tail feather core, springy, spiraled shaft

Physical Description: The physical resemblance of Aliya to her cousin Melanthe at the same age is often startling for those who knew the older girl in her time at Durmstrang. Both girls share features typical of their Grumman fathers, particularly the strong, masculine looking bone structure in her faces. She is also just as tall as Melanthe, perhaps even a tad taller, but with a more slender frame.

Aliya's tendency to smile more freely and more genuinely is something that creates a noticeable difference in her features compared to the rest of the Grummans and, some might say, also to the majority of those attending Durmstrang.

Style wise, Aliya may always be wearing what is most fashionable, but she doesn't mind being more natural and conservative in her approach. She is rarely flashy or flamboyant in what she wears and she is more apt to wear clothing that will allow her to be free flowing, much like her personality.

Personality Description: Though she looks very much like her older cousin Melanthe (and many of her professors constantly tell her so and hold her to the same standard), Aliya has a distinctly different personality. Though both girls are seen as spunky, flirtacious and extroverted, Aliya has none of the same pretenses of the older girl. Her sunny disposition and enjoyment of the company of others is genuine. For the most part, she has been sheltered from many of the aspects of the Grumman lifestyle that have caused such misfortunes and darkness among her family members. As such, she is more mellow and less jaded when it comes to the way she interacts with the world. She is more likely to accept others for who they are and is not a victim of the prejudice that runs so rampant through her family.

She is cerebral and calculating, but for once a Grumman is intent on using these traits for the greater good and not to seek much personal gain or favor. Aliya found an affinity very early on for the Intangibles and aspires to become a politician or a scholar. She already showcases her skills as a saavy diplimat among her peers, often acting as the buffer between clashing personalities. For once sweet natured Aliya comes around, there's no need to be cross anymore. In this vein, Aliya strives to keep the more powerful personalities in the school from being too domineering, despite her desire to not be the most dominant. She's never wanted that kind of power, even if everyone assumed that by virtue of her family connection she would be entitled to it once she entered her final year.

There is, of course, an unspoken fear surrounding her. Does anyone wish to truly cross her and risk awakening the vengeful Grumman nature that so many before her have displayed? Or does one continue to treat her delicately and nurture all that is good and sweet and wholesome in her? Many a Durmstrang student or professor has decided to leave well enough alone. Flashes of her anger and jealously are enough for anyone to want to triffle with.

Still, it is her pure-at-heart nature that often gets her pegged as being weaker than her more serious and stoic classmates. She's not as ruthless or driven to be the best and in fact, she's probably closer to the Durmstrang equivalent of an underachiever, which has come with her share of scolding from her more studious friends. Even with their constant pushing, it is often difficult for Aliya to reign in her impatience and desire to be crazy and run a little wild.

History: Aliya is the second child born to the indomitable Caspero Grumman, who serves in the capacity of head of operations for the family business. Though the family home was in Siberia and bequeathed to him by virtue of descending down the line of the first born, Caspero was not particularly fond of the locale. Nor of the hands on aspect of what the family did. Thus, Caspero allowed his uncle and later his cousin, Orfeo, to maintain ownership of it while he took up residence first in Moscow and then in St. Petersburg.

Caspero met his first wife, a French witch who was part Veela while he was away on business in Paris. The two eventually realized they had very little in common and Caspero's rather morose nature did not suit the free spirit in her. But out of the marriage came the birth of a daughter, the fair Advenna, who in turn was also part Veela. Though he was a far better father than he was a husband, Advenna was not particularly fond of Russia, even the loveliness of cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg. She remained in France with her mother and visited only during vacations.

And so the lonely Caspero began to search for new companionship in his life. He happened upon his second wife, this time a Russian Jewish witch more compatible with his disposition. It is from this marriage that Aliya and her brother, Anton, were born.

From the beginning, Aliya was his little darling princess who he could dote on. She was the ray of sunshine that kept him young, even when tensions in the wizarding world, and in the Grumman homes, ran high. And when his beloved cousin was murdered, Aliya kept them all from being consumed with hatred and grief.

The truth was that she grew up too young to really understand the true nature of her family's work. Caspero was the first to voiw to keep her shielded from such harsh realities but the rest of the family quickly followed suit.

Aliya arrived at Durmstrang during her cousin Melanthe's final year. She idolized the older girl but their age difference left them little opportunity to interact in the school setting. Though she heard stories about Melanthe's darkness and her formidable skills when it came to Spellworks, she had never been privy to seeing those talents first hand. To this day, she still innocently believes that her cousin was simply a brilliant student who has since become a world traveler and socialite.

Aliya had her own ambitions anyway and they had nothing to do with following in her footsteps. She took a shine to the Intangibles, even as her heritage on both sides of her family allowed her success in Spellworks too. For the most part, she has been a dutiful student, but she is also a social creature, and unfettered by the troubles Melanthe had, she became popular in a different way. She was destined to join the Oberteil ranks along with many of her close friends.

Why Was The Student Allowed/Permitted To Attend The Tournament??: Quite simply, because of her name. Her family, including in more recent years her cousin, Melanthe, are legends at the school. Even if her skills are not as dynamic or powerful as the rest present, she certainly has the capacity to be Durmstrang's ambassador among the students of the other schools, a role she accepts quite readily.

Writing Sample: See Myrni Levartian.

Sum up your character in one paragraph: Despite the less than truthful circumstances that have shaped Aliya's disposition and outlook on the world, she is represents the small bit of humanistic good in the Grumman realm. Though dominated a great deal by displays of innocent optimism and romantic idealism, there is just enough fearless determination in her to want to be her own person.