Post by Manon Caroline Chevalier on Jul 19, 2009 0:48:30 GMT -7
---BASIC DETAILS---
Full Name: Manon Caroline Chevalier
Date of Birth: May 23, 1984 (twenty-seven years old)
Place of Birth: Marseilles, France
Gender: Female
Race: Witch
Appearance:
Occupation: Ministry Worker (Department of Magical Law Enforcement - Auror Headquarters)
---BACKGROUND---
Heritage: Pure-Blood
Family:
- Father - Albert Lyon Chevalier, 57, Ministry Worker(International Confederation of Wizards, French Seats), Pure-Blood, Alive
- Mother - Caroline Marie Dupont, 56, Housewife, Pure-Blood, Alive
- Brother - Michel Albert Chavalier, deceased at age 17
History:
CHILDHOOD
When Manon was born, it was warm and sunny outside. Her mother held her gently in her arms and her father looked lovingly down at her small, pink face. Her mother had given birth at the family's estate in Marseilles and they took comfort from the familiar surroundings.
As a young child, Manon was shown much love and adoration. She was provided for in every way a young girl should be - but not necessarily spoiled. For though her parents were well-off, they weren't sickeningly wealthy. Her father made good money working for the Ministry of Magic and made sure to budget his finances with skill and finesse.
Michel was seven at the time of Manon's birth and knew that her arrival would change things drastically, but he never treated as anything but a princess. Manon, in turn, would follow him everywhere once she learned to walk. She ate what he ate, sleep when he slept, and - unfortunately for her parents - said exactly what he said. Often times this would inadvertently get Michel in trouble, but he quickly forgave his sister.
At the age of eight, Manon was given musical lessons. She was taught to play the piano and the cello, but her favourite was the cello. She would play it constantly, practicing the same measure over and over again until she got it perfect. Luckily for her parents, she often did this outside when the weather permitted. It was around this same period in her life that she began showing her magical heritage.
Manon knew, of course, what was happening. She was excited and anxious to attend the school her brother had already entered. Her parents watched her play with her abilities with patient amusement for the most part, but encouraged her to try them out out of the house, as Michel had already managed to break quite a few things during his pre-school years. So she would run about the family property, making flowers float and leaves dance. And it never got boring. In fact, it only whet her appetite. As she drew closer to age eleven, she found herself daring more stunts, pushing her immature magic as far as it would go.
Manon had been wading in a pond near her home, trying to hold her breath for as long as possible before resurfacing. Michel had come to keep an eye on her, but had decided to fill out work applications rather than join his sister for a swim. He was thinking of following in their father's footsteps at the Ministry and Albert was very proud of him. It was very quite, but for the sounds of Manon's splashing, and Michel was able to hear the man coming from a mile off. He was dressed ordinarily for a wizard - black robes, suit. It looked like he had just gotten off work at the Ministry. As he made his way up the small dirt path, Michel noted how late it had gotten without him realizing it. The sun had all but disappeared from the horizon, leaving behind the shock of gold and orange that seemed somehow brighter than mid-day. Michel called for Manon, informing her that it was time to head home. Grudgingly, she left the cool waters behind, drying herself with the thick towel that she had brought with her. Michel packed away his ink and parchments and then lead the way toward to the road that would wind all the way to their residence.
By the time they had reached the road, the sun was gone and only remnants of it remained behind to light the twilight sky. Everything was cast into deep shadows and Manon, fearing the dark as any child does, grasped Michel's hand for comfort. The man were very near at this point and it was not hard to hear the ripping sound that arose from behind them. It was not quite the same sound parchment would make - it was far too wet, too thick. And then the sounds of bones breaking and grinding against each other followed it. Michel and Manon spun around, eyes wide with shock and fear. The stranger was transforming before their eyes, grotesque smile plastered to his face as his teeth elongated and his mouth grew into a snout. Manon screamed in the same instant her brother drew out his wand. He cast a single stupify at the monster, who - unable to reach for his wand while his body was being pulled apart - was blasted backward. The siblings bolted for their home, racing toward safety and far more experienced wizards. Behind them, they could hear the final sounds of the transformation and then the inevitable sounds of pursuit. Manon was too scared to do anything but run, but Michel kept pointing his wand over his shoulder and firing curses blindly. Very rarely did one hit. And as the padding of heavy paws drew closer and closer, both were struck with the realization that they would indeed be caught. One way or another.
He told her to run, run and not look back no matter what. They were almost to the mansion and both could see the front doors, the lighted windows. Manon began screaming, hoping her parents would hear, but there was no indication that they did. With a snarl and a thud, Manon caught sight of her brother falling from the corner of her eye. She wanted to stop, to do something, but he had said to run. And he yelled it again as she slowed, urging her to call for help, to reach the house. She pumped her legs harder, faster, needing to reach her parents before... Just before. But no matter how far away she went, the awful ripping and tearing reached her ears. Curses still blasted behind her, the light from them just barely catching her eye, but after a few seconds they stopped. And then only the wet ripping noises remained.
Eventually Albert heard the screaming. He came running out of the house, wand at the ready, but it was too late for Michel. After firing off a couple well-placed curses, the werewolf lay motionless on the ground, his prey at his side. The body of Manon's brother was too mangled to be moved easily and Albert was in no state to do it himself. So after getting Manon inside the house and with her mother, he sent an owl to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and then went back outside to guard the werewolf and his son.
The next weeks were the hardest Manon has ever had to endure. The sight of her brother being eaten alive was branded in her memory, forever singed into her being. And as she listened her mother cry and cry, as she watched her father try to keep it together even as tears ran down his face, as she witnessed her brother's casket being lowered into the ground, Manon knew she would never forgive herself. And she knew her parents would never be able to either. Because wasn't it her fault they were even outside that day? Wasn't his sacrifice her doing? If she had been able to cast a spell, to do anything of worth, he would be alive. But he had had to protect her, to make sure she was safe.
BEAUXBATONS
When she entered school, she did so with a different attitude toward magic and life. Knowing that magic could have saved her brother, she threw herself into Defense Against the Dark Arts, studying a variety of different cruses and jinxes that worked against a menagerie of different opponents. She wanted to destroy anything that would dare to hurt her or someone she cared for. But her feeling toward life was not the same innocent one she had had before. Now she knew it was fleeting and insubstantial. You could lose it at any time if you weren't careful. Death become her obsession - avoiding it at all costs was her goal.
But Manon was not the only one that changed with the death of Michel. Albert and Caroline grew distant and eventually neglectful of their remaining child. Every thought and action was geared toward remembering their lost son, instead of treasuring their remaining child. They no longer cared what Manon did with her time and they rarely showed affection of any kind except when they were in Michel's room, handling his old things. It was almost as though Manon had died, too.
She didn't make friends well. Having experienced loss at such an early age and having no parental support, she quickly learned to rely only on her and her capabilities. Her faith in people had been shaken, not only by the savagery of the man that attacked her and her brother, but also by the hurtful way her parents dealt with the event. Her books and her spells become her support and the more she excelled, the more support she had. Her best subjects became apparent early on as her teachers praised her for her quick learning skills. Defense Against the Dark Arts(of course), Transfiguration, Charms, and Potions were her top subjects. She barely scraped through History of Magic and did not much better in Herbology. Care of Magical Creatures was a sensitive subject for her, but she forced herself to take it. Her marks were average - the desire to learn about beasts was non-existent. The only reason she had taken the class at all was to prove she could do it, that she was stronger than the memories.
Manon never returned home for the holidays and her parents never asked why. They didn't write and she didn't write. Her family had become little more than strangers in less than a year's time and she did nothing to change it. Besides, making ties with people only got you hurt. Caring only caused pain.
ADULTHOOD
When Manon graduated from Beauxbatons, she returned home only for a short time. After receiving a small sum of money from her parents, she moved to England. Since her father had worked in the International Confederation of Wizards, she had been taught some English and traveled to the country a few times in her childhood. Though her English was a little rusty, she knew it was better than staying near her mother and father. She had to get away from Marseilles, away from France and the memories it held.
Upon arriving in England, she applied for a part time job in Madam Primpernelle's Beautifying Potions to earn money while she was training to be an Auror. After two years, she made it into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, but it was another five years until she finally became an auror. Now at age twenty-seven, she has been an auror for four years. Though she loves her work, her true passion is still learning and she takes every opportunity to gain magical knowledge that would help her in her quest for longevity.
---GENERAL CHARACTER TRAITS---
Personality: Though Manon was once a kind, carefree girl, her brother's death turned her into a distant, cool, and calculating individual. She doesn't care for personal connections and only makes acquaintances to further her career and retain some semblance of normality. She doesn't care for anything but her goals and is willing to do almost anything to achieve them. Though is cold and aloof, Manon still seeks approval and popularity among her peers. Her loveless home atmosphere made her crave attention and want from others. If she's feels desired and needed, she's as content as she could possibly be. Her temper is sometimes easily incited, but just as easily hidden. She never loses her head in an emotional situation - partly because she's an emotionless bitch and partly because she's become numb to most things over the years. She is determined, fiery, ruthless, and sharp-tongued.
Likes:
x. defense against the dark arts - it was and is still her favourite subject
x. the scent of vanilla
x. order - a place for everything and everything in its place
x. feeling needed and/or wanted
x. nice things - clothes, objects, etc.
x. the sound of the cello - which she plays regularly
x. the smell and sound of rain
x. having a glass or two of brandy/wine in the evening
x. magic and the strength it offers
Dislikes:
x. being ignored and/or forgotten
x. when people mispronounce her name
x. the cold
x. germs - she hates dirty things
x. cockiness/arrogance
x. swimming/water
x. half-breeds and beasts
x. boggarts
x. weakness
Habits: Manon is a big brandy and wine drinker. She loves her alcohol - though she isn't a drunkard.
Does your character like Quidditch? Well enough.
---ABILITIES---
Strengths:
x. Her best subject in school was Defense Against the Dark Arts, so she's quite apt at dueling.
x. She's intelligent and level-headed.
x. She's graceful and quite good at things that require stealth and concealment.
Weaknesses:
x. Manon is an attacker. She knows how to cast protection spells, but her strengths lie in offense, not defense.
x. Sometimes her sharp tongue can get her in more trouble than she can handle.
x. She isn't very adept with healing magic. So if she doesn't get her attacker before her attacker gets her, she's screwed.
Powers: She is as accomplished as one her age can be in Occlumency and Legilimency.
---OTHER---
Pets: N/A
Wand: Rowen wood, 12' 3/4" long, scale from a chimaera core
Broomstick: N/A
Which Hogwarts house would you NOT like to be in?: Hufflepuff
Anything else?:
How did you find us?: I found the original TWOM in a Google search.
