Caspian Locksley

[Calla Douglass]

CHARACTER INFORMATION
Character name: Caspian Locksley

Previous and/or Current Character(s) if applicable: Calla Locksley

Character age: 24 Born: 15/8/49

Character education: Attended Hogwarts all seven years. Gryffindor from 1960-1967

Strength and weaknesses (details please): Caspian’s biggest weakest is that he can be pretty lazy. He does the work that needs to be done, but puts in as little effort as possible to get it done. He’s always been okay with not being the greatest at something. As long as he was good that’s all that really mattered to him. That being said, he will fight against anything he views as an injustice. It is both a strength and weakness that Caspian tends to have a one-track mind. When he is focused on something he is passionate about, it doesn’t take long for him to accomplish his goals. The bad part about having a one-track mind is that things he should get done don’t always come first because they may not be what he wants to do. Caspian’s biggest strength is that he loves being around and working with almost everyone. Caspian adapts easily to most situations, so it’s easy for him to have conversations with almost anyone.

Physical description: Caspian has black hair and blue eyes. He’s a little short for a male at 5’9”. He has a stocky, muscular build. He has a friendly face and he smiles a lot.

Personality (nice, rude, funny etc.)Caspian is easygoing. He is friendly and likes to make people laugh. He doesn’t try too hard to make people like him, mostly because he doesn’t try too hard for anything, but he definitely prefers people to like him. Caspian can be charming, but sometimes it comes off as pompous because charming to him means playing up his own attributes rather than complimenting someone else. Caspian isn’t afraid of hard work, but he does try to avoid it whenever possible. He’s not lazy, exactly, but more of a procrastinator. He prides himself on waiting until the last minute to get something done and still managing to complete it. He doesn’t excel at any one particular thing, but he’s good at many different things.

Hopes and dreams. Why are you teaching at Hogwarts?: Caspian doesn’t plan far enough in advance to ever think about what he wants out of life. While he was in school his dream had been to become a Quidditch player, but he never thought to make any preparations for that before he graduated. When the opportunity to play fell through, Caspian didn’t hurry to find something else to do with his life. His teaching at Hogwarts is just his newest idea as a way to make a living. At some point in his life he does hope to marry and start a family, but he isn’t looking for that right now and doesn’t have any plans to start looking any time soon, because Caspian doesn’t make plans.

Biography (500 words minimum. There is never such a thing as too much.): As the oldest of four siblings in a Muggleborn family, Caspian Locksley had a relatively normal childhood. His father, Andrew, owned a farm in Kingsteignton in Southeast Devon. They raised livestock and sheep and chickens-all the usual farm animals. Caspian had his own horse from a very early age. Both of his parents-his mother, Margaret, was a local librarian-taught him what a good work ethic was. So when Caspian spent as little time as possible doing his required chores around the farm, he knew he wasn’t working as hard as he could, but that never bothered him. Not even when his father would review his work and give him a deadpan look, shaking his head slightly at the results. Caspian had done what was asked, he couldn’t be reprimanded and that was all that mattered to him.

Caspian wasn’t an only child for very long. His brother Lucian joined him when he was three. The two were always in trouble while growing up. Whether it was letting the chickens out of their house so they could chase them around the yard or almost setting their own house on fire by finding some matches and figuring out how to light them, Caspian and Lucian were pretty inseparable, even for brothers.

Lucian was actually the first one to see Caspian perform magic for the first time. The two were behind the house where there was a large pond. They often swam in it during the hot summer months. It was late August; Caspian had just turned eight a couple weeks earlier. The boys were taking turns jumping off the dock. It was Lucian’s turn and Caspian was behind him. Thinking it would be funny and entertaining, Caspian stepped up close behind his little brother as Lucian prepared himself to leap from the dock. Right as Lucian’s knees bent and straightened again, his feet leaving the wood of the dock, Caspian flung both arms out and pushed his hands against his brother’s back. Caspian watched, laughing hard, as Lucian’s head snapped back and then forward again when the boy’s body connected with the water. Caspian continued laughing for about fifteen more seconds, until he heard thrashing in the water and Lucian grasping frantically for air.

That noise stopped Caspian’s heart for a few beats. When it started back up he flung himself to the end of the dock to find Lucian fighting to stay above the surface of the water. Caspian lay on his stomach on the dock and called out his brother’s name repeatedly, a hand outstretched, reaching for Lucian. His arm wasn’t long enough to grab his brother’s hand and Lucian was still struggling to stay afloat, there was no way he could reach out. Panicking, Caspian began slapping at the water, as useless as it seemed, trying to create waves that would carry his brother closer to him. Suddenly, his wish came true. From the middle of the pond gentle waves started, lapping in the right direction to carry Lucian nearer to Caspian. The moment Caspian’s fingertips found Lucian’s upper arm, he yanked his brother to the edge of the dock, grasped him with both hands and pulled him up. Lucian hadn’t been under long so just a few hard pats on the back dislodged the water from his lungs. Caspian never forgave himself for that day and he never forgot what happened with the water coming to his aid.

When Caspian was ten and the December before he was destined to start Hogwarts, he gained another sibling. A sister named Calla. Being a big brother to a little sister was different than being a big brother to a little brother. His perspective changed from seeing Calla as a playmate, like he did with Lucian, to seeing himself as her protector. Especially with their difference in age, he felt it was his duty to make sure nothing bad ever happened to her. Of course, with his leaving for Hogwarts the following summer meant he didn’t get to see her for most of the year. Still, Caspian and Calla were always very close. When Caspian was almost fourteen his third sibling and second sister, Laurel, was born. That feeling of protectiveness doubled in Caspian with the arrival of Laurel.

Caspian’s days in school weren’t anything remarkable. He made decent grades and passed all of his classes, but he didn’t excel at any particular subject or activity. His favorite subjects were Charms and Care of Magical Creatures. He did have an above average aptitude for Transfiguration, but found all the work required to get the desired result tiresome and so never put much effort into the subject. A pass was acceptable to him; he didn’t feel the pull to prove he was the best in everything. He’d been placed in Gryffindor, not Ravenclaw.

Caspian was very passionate about Quidditch. He played for Gryffindor from second to seventh year as a Chaser. It was the one thing he exerted more than just the minimum amount of effort in. Even then, he didn’t put his full energy into becoming a better player.

After graduating, when it came time to decide on something to do, Caspian had tried out for Ballycastle Bats and had made the practice team. He had enjoyed it-while it lasted. Before he’d had much time to get used to playing for a professional team, Caspian suffered a hit from not one, but both Bludgers. One right after the other and to the same shoulder. He’d suffered enough damage that not even magic could heal it completely and his arm didn’t move the same way it used to. It had taken Caspian several months to overcome his grief at the realization that he wouldn’t be playing Quidditch professionally.

Now, Caspian has come to the conclusion that teaching would be the best way to spend his time. At least for the time being, because he didn’t have any other opportunities currently open to him. If teaching wasn’t his thing he’d realize it pretty fast, but he was trying to keep a positive attitude. He liked most kids and with his rather childish view on the world, he could get along with them well enough.


ROLEPLAYING
(Please respond to to this in third person past tense. Do not write the other characters' reactions. Only your own.)

The Headmaster of Hogwarts was typically a firm, but reasonable man in most regards. His years as an educator had taught him no small amount of tolerance and patience in dealing with the turbulent teenage years of the most hot-headed, rebellious witch or wizard to grace the castle halls. He was quite scholarly and knowledgeable, albeit a bit eccentric on surface appearances, and his laid back manner usually had an effect on even the most savage beast… err student. In fact, for all intents and purposes, he was the voice of reason in a sea of calamity.

…Except in one very particular regard.

Today was the day he was scheduled to hold conference with the new professor who had just been hired. Normally, such trivial things like appointments didn’'t hold much sway over his daily activities as he marched to his own drummer - sometimes literally when the house elves were feeling musically inclined. However, nothing delighted him more than to engage in conversation with a fellow educator, espousing the virtues of their shared profession along with the rewards of learning in general. And in preparation for a most delightful chat, the tea tray had been polished to glistening radiance while a separate pot of his own beloved kaffe was set off to the side.

To top things off, as no detail was left unattended thanks to his ever faithful caretakers, all sorts of tasty treats had been arranged to curb the hunger of even the most finicky of faculty members. The centerpiece to all of this was a bowl of scrumptious, salty licorice treats to which the Norseman had been looking forward all throughout the morning.

Alas, as luck would have it, just before the start of the meeting Einar had been called away from the office due to reports of excessive owl droppings being sighted in the corridors. It had been a dreadful mess to square away, causing his return to be delayed. Yet upon his arrival, he stepped into the room with a smile to offer his greetings and apologies when suddenly it caught his notice that things were entirely amiss upon his desk. Someone had started the festivities without him!

His glance straying back and forth between the empty bowl and his new employee, a dark scowl is visible on his features as he asks, “"First, it was McStingy and now this! What in the name of Odin happened to my lakrits?"”

By the expression on his features, it is quite clear who he suspects to be the culprit of this dastardly crime. After all, who doesn'’t like salty licorice?

So… how exactly does one handle an irate Headmaster?

Roleplaying Response: It had been a long time since Caspian had set foot inside Hogwarts. Around eight years, if he was remembering correctly. One thing he knew for sure was that he’d never once been this nervous in the castle. Not even when he’d been a small eleven-year-old boy gazing up at the giant oak front doors; beyond which he had no idea what was held.

Caspian Locksley didn’t get nervous. He didn’t usually care enough about the outcome of most situations to get nervous. Things always worked out in the end, there was no reason for him to worry about anything.

He was nervous now, though. Caspian made his way up the marble staircase, toward the Headmaster’s office. He pulled at the collar of his light blue button-up shirt, hoping for a little bit of air to flow through. He ran the fingers of his other hand through his dark hair, huffing out a heavy breath as he did so.

Meetings with his employers after just being hired were never something he looked forward to. He had to listen to all sorts of rules and regulations. He had to hear how he should do certain things and how he shouldn’t do other things. It was all too tedious for his liking. He hadn’t had too many of these types of meetings since graduating Hogwarts. Planning wasn’t his forte and so he hadn’t made any job arrangements before graduating. He’d gone back home and worked for his father while trying to decide what to do. After he’d gotten tired of that, he moved to London and worked for several different shops in Diagon Alley.

Finally, he’d gotten a chance at playing professional Quidditch. That had lasted under a year. Absentmindedly, Caspian’s hand on the collar of his shirt moved to reach across to the opposite shoulder, the shoulder he’d injured while practicing with the Ballycastle Bats. He rubbed it gently, cringing a little at that slight sting that reverberated through his nerves.

This job at Hogwarts was different, though, which was why he was actually nervous for a change. Education was important and he would really have to listen to the Headmaster. He was a wise man, and Caspian could learn a lot from him.

Reaching the entrance to the office, Caspian issued the password he’d been sent and entered the Headmaster’s domain. He walked in confidently enough, letting his natural sunny disposition shine through. The smile on his face faded slowly, however, when he walked around the room and realized he was the only one present. Strange. He knew he wasn’t early. Caspian Locksley never arrived early. He was usually late, but for this particular meeting he’d been sure to arrive on time.

Caspian shrugged and took a seat across from the Headmaster’s desk. Which was when all the snacks caught his attention. Particularly the licorice treats. Caspian hadn’t had those in a long time. He didn’t make enough money working in the shops in Diagon to be able to afford such luxuries as expensive licorice sweets. Caspian licked his lips. He reached over and scooped up a large handful. Throwing the lot into his mouth, he figured he was allowed to have some since they were just sitting out amongst the rest of the treats and beverages.

Before he knew it the entire bowl was empty.

Apparently he hadn’t had enough to eat for breakfast that morning. He didn’t have time to think about the fact that he’d just eaten an entire bowl of licorice treats when he heard the office door squeaking open. He rose from his seat and placed the charming smile back on his face.

The smile was wiped away only seconds later when the Headmaster noticed the empty bowl and asked Caspian what happened to them. Caspian may have blushed just a tiny bit. He was actually embarrassed for once in his life.

Looking down at the ground and rubbing a hand along the back of his neck for a moment, Caspian thought quickly of something to say. After several moments of silence, Caspian looked back up, a lopsided grin on his face and said, “Uh, sorry, Professor. They were delicious. I’ll be happy to buy you a double batch when I get my first paycheck.” He chuckled lightly, a little uncomfortably. Hopefully he wasn’t about to get fired before he even started the job.

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