Hogwarts School: A Harry Potter RPG

CHARACTER INFORMATION
Character name: Marvin Ludwig Fleisher

Previous and/or Current Character(s) if applicable: Newton MacDonald, Amos Feinbary, Irma Scrivner, et al.

Character age: 31 (b. 18 January, 1950(1913)) in Kaliningrad (Königsberg), the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia.

Character education (remembered):
Eisenstab Hexengymnasium (1924 - 1931) Graduated School with honors.
Deutchland Kriegsmarine (1931 - 1933) A required three years of service in the military, in this case the Unified German Navy as a member of the Prussian Royal Marching Band.  His term of service ended early, on 31 December, 1933- coinciding with the day before Germany took military control of Prussia.
Wroclawski Instytut Sztuk Magicznych (1934 - 1937) Four years of study in Wroclaw, Poland- earning him high honors, despite impending war.
Hapsburg School of the Magical Arts (1937-1941) Professor of Sonomancy, until the war closed the school.

Character education (actual):
Eisenstab Hexengymnasium (1961 - 1968) Graduated School with honors.
Deutchland Kriegsmarine (1968 - 1971) A required three years of service in the military, in this case the German Navy as a member of the Bundeswehr, specifically Marinemusikkorps Kiel.  His term of service ended on 31 December, 1971- mysteriously coinciding with the resignation of American CIA Deputy Director Lt. General Robert E. Cushman, Jr.
Wroclawski Instytut Sztuk Magicznych (1972 - 1937) Four years of study in Wroclaw, Poland- earning him high honors, despite a confusing transitionary period and impending war.
Hapsburg School of the Magical Arts (1937-1941) Professor of Sonomancy, until the war closed the school.

Strength and weaknesses (details please): Marvin is an exceptional musician and illusionist, drawing upon spells from Charms, Conjuration/Summoning (illusions), and even Transfiguration for minor effects.  As with many, he finds little strength in Divination.  He is a pacifist at heart, preferring to disarm/disengage an enemy before violence can occur.  Paradoxically, he is enamored by historical recreations of battles of the distant past, especially those of musical interest mentioned in famous ballads, remembered in marches, or written about in symphonies, or specific significance (Scottish bagpipes or Kenyan war drums).

He is proficient in the guitar, piano, organ, and most Wizarding wind instruments.  He is capable of casting spells using an instrument instead of a wand (related to the alchemical spheres in accordance to the instrument he is playing).  He is a professional-level saxophone player, well-versed in classical, jazz and military marches.  His greatest strength is also his weakness, however: unless he can somehow relate it to music, he quickly loses interest in most endeavors- even to the point of feigning ignorance to get out of it.  This includes his personal life.

He speaks English and German fluently.  When excited, his German influence invades his accent strongly.

Marvin has a severe allergy to wool, causing him to break out in horrific blotches of stretched, pale skin; causing bulging visible blood-vessels and hives; and drying out his eyes, mouth and throat to the point of being parched.  This allergy has been known to pull open old scars.

Physical description: Marvin has struggled with his weight most of his life- a trait he shared with his father, Ceslaus.  He wears his dark hair long and free, mostly to hide a wide scar across much of his scalp- the result of an unfortunate incident involving the entire Sousaphone section during his run with the Bundeswehr.   He sweats profusely and constantly, a glandular disorder that requires that he towel himself off constantly.  To hide this, he often wears excessive clothing treated to 'wick up' and teleport away excess moisture (the bucket next to his desk is not there to catch leaky roofwater).  He also carries an array of brightly-colored scarves to dab himself frequently- giving him an almost 'foppish' look to those observing him for the first time.  He is increasingly far-sighted, but refuses to wear reading glasses.

Personality (nice, rude, funny etc. Paragraph please.):  Mr. Fleisher has a dry, sardonic wit when calm- and an almost technical verbiage when teaching.  This gives way over when he begins speaking of something he is passionate about- upon which he becomes increasingly manic and wild.  During his time at Hapsburg, it was not uncommon for him to begin a lesson with students falling asleep, only to end it dancing on his desk, kicking over potted plants and playing his saxophone wildly.  Consequently, he was a widely popular Professor at that school.

He looks for ways to relate what he knows to everything- from alchemy to Magical Defense to the intricacies of dating.  As a result, he can seem a little like a broken record, even boring to his colleagues.  He is the consummate musician- unless he is performing, he is socially awkward.

Hopes and dreams. Why are you teaching at Hogwarts?:  Following the bombing of Hapsburg School, Marvin found himself a fugitive in East Germany, running from Nazi oppression and muggle investigation alike.  He requested asylum when an opportunity arose for him to turn himself in to British troops; and he was able to escape the country- an illegal act (as he was considered a National Treasure and therefore property of the State).  He is hopeful to raise awareness of Sonomancy as a legitimate field of magical study, and share his knowledge with the world at large.  He is also looking for a protégé to nurture.

Biography (500 words minimum. There is never such a thing as too much.):
In the Spring of 1949, Homily Chattermas- a 7th-year pureblood Gryffindor student of little merit- met a charismatic young wizard by the name of Ceslaus Fleisher during an outing to Hogsmeade.  He had a golden tongue, fabulous smile, exotic accent, and followed strongly the works of Carl Marx and his ilk.  She was enamored by his wit and charm instantly.  By the time she graduated, she was already pregnant- and flew at once to her lover's arms.  Less than a year later, Marvin Ludwig Fleisher was born.  While their marriage was sometimes strained by Ceslaus' ever-increasing political fervor, the two truly did love each other.

From an early age, it was clear that Marvin was a prodigy- he'd learned piano by age three, and mastered both clarinet and trumpet by age seven.  With the political sway of his father in Communist circles, he was able to tour Europe, playing for Dukes, Ministers, and other Heads of State.  He was even declared an East German National Treasure, and given a full-scholorship to Eisenstab Hexengymnasium.  He was truly a child star.

During his school career, he had a total of three girlfriends- Agilberta von Scheisse, Leta Gauck, and a British exchange student Stephanie Cadwallader.  All three left school before graduating- quietly.  He has lost contact with all but one of them- he is aware of a son by Agilberta (named Klaus).  While his marks were routinely mediocre at best, and his antics for wild partying and anti-establishment behavior legendary, he still graduated from Eisenstab with honors- his professionalism and prowess with music was a powerful source of prestige (and pay) for the school.

Following graduation, he surprised the nation by choosing to enter the Navy rather than go immediately to University- despite his open stance against violence.  The government responded by placing him within the Bundeswehr, the elite marching band unit.  There attained the rank of Stabsgefreiter (Vice Corporal) before leaving the military quietly.  As it happened, Ceslaus Fleisher had secretly been a spy for the CIA- and when his exploits were discovered, he fled the country and saught asylum in America.  Marvin was removed from service to avoid scandal in connection to his father, and quietly placed in Magical Arts School in Wroclaw, Poland.

The Time Warp:
During his stay in Wroclaw, time shifted violently- plunging Poland into turmoil as the magical community reeled against a sudden, repeated Nazi occupation.  Memories shifted- now Marvin remembered growing up in Imperial Prussia, his life much the same except his parents facing off against crippling debt from the IWW; and his decadent privelege now in spite of national poverty.  He was still a National Treasure. 

He was still a National Treasure.  He still had fame among the high and mighty- but now, the 'common' folk saw him as a blight rather than a beacon of hope.  His fame dwindled- and he settled into a more relaxed role.  Ultimately, this led him to higher marks, and a deserved Honor upon graduation.  His field of expertise was Sonomancy- an elemental school of magic that focuses on sound to create magical effects.  Marvin can cast spells using musical instruments as a focus, as well as with his wand.

He moved from University directly into his Teaching role at Hapsburg.  This continued even after the war officially started.  His students were among the few not injured when the bombs fell- they had been practicing a piece focused on magical Earth (drums), and their combined effort held the room together despite the hall roof collapsing.  Immediately following the attack, Marvin found himself hunted as a potential threat to the Reich (his father's betrayal had more serious consequences in this, revised past).  He fled to the countryside, hiding in shadows and living as one of the persecuted.

He was still hiding in East Germany in late 1944- and took an opportunity to turn himself in to British troops and request asylum.  After rigorous questioning through the muggle military and then Ministry of Defense, he has been granted this asylum.
After rigorous questioning through the Ministry of Defense, he has been granted this asylum- and given the authority to request a position within Britain's elite Magical School.

SAMPLE ROLEPLAY
Roleplay Response:
This was Hogwarts.  He'd heard his mother speak so fondly of it days long ago- the majestic towers and parapets, the presigious Wizards who graced the halls.  The strength of the four houses, standing as one in times of trouble.  It seemed like an otherworldly dream- a fantasy too wild to be believed.

It was a little cold, to be honest.  The door to her office a magnificent heavy wood, designed to be intimidaing, no doubt.  In truth, it made his work easier for him.  "Sehr gut," he whispered, "very good indeed."

A musician was never late- the show started when he arrived and never a moment sooner.  He knocked strongly before opening, stepping inside with unbridled confidence.  He met her gaze as one would an equal, despite his feelings on the subject- he had performed in front of kings.  Surely this woman would be of no consequence- another hurdle he must overcome to reach his goal.

But he had to approach with caution, too- he'd heard of the events that had transpired just a few months prior- how the Nazi regime he thought he'd escaped in Germany had struck again- here of all places.  It would behoove him to be up front about his heritage and not try to hide it, but it would also be prudent to keep his accent to a minimum, both now and (if hired) during his tenure.

"You are late."

He laughed, "Ms. Ivanova," he began, making sure he understood that she was not, in fact, married, "That merely heightens the antici-"  He held the pause for exactly the right amount of time to get his point across, "-pation."  He stamped a foot loudly, triggering his spell- his 'audition'.  The door, in response, boomed to a close.  But instead of just echoing, it seemed to bounce off every wall, creating a repeated percussion that only grew larger as his spell unwound.  The room became markedly warmer and darker- focusing the attention on himself.  From his long overcoat he produced a miniature harp, which he placed on the floor in front of him.

"I trust you've read my credentials.  This is an example of elemental music- a foundation of earth, as strength would dictate."  Then he pulled out a violin, waved his wand (that suddenly transformed into a bow- or was it always a bow, and it had only been assumed?), and began to play a a rousing piece of music.  "Fire adds color and life- the Sonomantic supposition of alchemical fire is 'change'. "  As the illusion enlarged with each crescendo, the distinct smell of smoke began wafting in from the far corners of the room.  At the first glissando, a phantom fire roared from the violin itself, creating a lick of blazing light that lit up the room in daring reds and yellows.  The flame increased, the intensity almost palpable- it was almost too real to be imaginary.

Transition- he threw the violin into the air and it burned to ash in a whisp.  The ash fell upon the harp, which in turn grew to full size- like an inflating balloon.  He took to it just as quickly- the first chorus had fires extinguished in blasts of frigid cold.  Ice crystals tore through the room, playing off the rhythmic echoes still resonating through the hall.  This was a circus.   He spoke mid song,  "A demonstration of Sonomancy- how one element of music lends to the next, led by the very sounds piercing the air.  Controlled by them.  I had heard that Hogwarts had been lax of late in musical arts Instruction."

The song continued for a moment, gathering speed and intensity- until it was- perhaps- almost too much to bear.  When it ended abruptly, the spell ended as well- the lights came up, the illusions vanished- it was the finality of a concert performance.  It left him drenched in sweat, panting hard- but smiling broadly.  "I am here to remedy that situation."