Written 2003, © Erica 2005

Character Workshop for An Adventure at Hogwarts.

Workshop #1

So…what part will your character play in things? What is their role or function that they will serve among their peers? What’s their personality archetype, what do they stand for? What sort of basic concept have you come up for them as a starting point? In other words, how would you define this character?
Generally a quiet and restrained individual, Berlioz is the listener in his group of friends. He's always there to offer a friendly ear to those that know him (and some that don't) and dole out what handy advice he can. He is very empathic toward how others feel and usually knows when to drop a subject. Because of this, Berlioz is pretty much an easy person to like, though he does have a slight problem with listening too much and not talking enough. (But a few people have realized his potential for natural comic relief... stick a girl next to him and sit back for some laughs...) But when I say, generally, I mean, generally. Berlioz does have moments where he comes out of his shell with some really off the wall idea. But he's a Ravenclaw after all... and to be gifted with intelligence, one must give up some small part of his sanity...

Workshop #2

A) Make a list of 5 distinguishing character traits for your character, and explain each a little. If possible, add reference from an older post of yours, or make a new short scenario that introduces the quirk, which is great for development as well.
Humming melodies to himself: As a musician it's not uncommon for various pieces to be running through his head at any given moment. Berlioz will walk down the corridor humming a Bach concerto and not notice he's doing it.
Tapping out rythems on desks: Again, has to do with the musician thing. If a piece is really on his mind, his quill has a way of tapping out the rythem on his parchment. Few people realized the tapping actually has a pattern to it.
Daydreaming: Berlioz reads mounds upon mounds of muggle fantesy and science fiction books. So it's not entirely his fault when his mind wanders off into the latest book he's read... except opps... he's practically living in one of his books already...
His blush: Gosh... the blush. *laughs* It's one of those blushes that is none to suttle and will quickly but gradually creep onto his face until he's completely beet red. While that type of blush isn't all that uncommon, it's how little it takes to set the blush off. A certain Ravenclaw girl in his year that has been stalking him for who knows how long can set it off but just looking at him. Not that he likes her back... (he thinks)... Berlioz just finds it extremely uncomfortable...
The hair: Somewhere between blonde and brown, it's not that unusual a color. But the fact that it falls in slight curls is certainly considered cute by some. And then there's the fact that when he's agitated, Berlioz will run a hand through his hair, causing it to stand somewhat on end, again, considered by some to be cute. Throw in the blush, and you know his stalker's been around... *gives Cassandra Raevynn a poke*
B) Pick 2 other characters from the board, played by other people, and write one characteristic for each that YOU'VE picked up on from reading their posts, not necessarily something that's already been mentioned in their workshops.
Cassandra Raevynn: She's a complete and total hopeless romantic. (Of course, her hopeless romanticism involves my character so of course I notice it... but still...)
Azelia Castleton: She's something of a worrier. She's very much concerned with not breaking the rules, but she's a second year, so that's understandable.

Workshop #3

1.Who was your authority figure and primary caregiver growing up? What sort of emotional attachments, if any, did you character have with them? Were they seen as role models? Did you favor one parent over the other?
My parents are almost equal authority figures in my family, though my mum might be slightly ahead of my dad, but it was my mum that's the caregiver. If ever I had a scraped knee or bruised elbow, it was my mum I ran to. I guess I'm a bit more attached to my mum than my dad, probably because I spent a lot more time with her because of my music. Sure, my dad and I had our "guy stuff" we would do, but my mum was my real role model. So... I might have favored Mum a bit. Most of my siblings were more attached to my dad and I was kind of my mum's baby boy.
2. Sometimes, a child models their view of love by watching the way parents treat each other. Was there a divorce, or affair, or general air of distance in the household that changed your way of thinking?
Nope, my parents were and are still very close to each other. I can remember as I grew up, they'd go on a date together once a week, leaving one of my older siblings in charge. In fact, they still do that, though they have to get a sitter to watch Kalli.
3. Were your parents tough on discipline, lax and irresponsible themselves, or (if you're an orphan) how does lack of parentage affect your behavior and discipline?
My parents would probably be considered "normal" in terms of disciplie and responsiblity. They gave us kids enough room to be ourselves, but still made sure we behaved ourselves. They made sure we had a set of good morals and the extent of their punishment was a good spanking. As I got older my parents started grounding me more than spanking. Though I didn't really need much punishing. *grin* Kalli's the trouble maker of th family.
4. What is their overall demeanor? Warm and somewhat overprotective? Cold and callous? Distant? Overall, my parents were very warm and carring. They may be a little overprotective, but as long as I tell them where I'm going, who I'm going with, and when I'll be home, they're fine. That's how it was with my older brother and sister.
5. What sort of future would they want for their child?
My parents have always encouraged all of us to achieve the best we can. My older brother Franz is a computer programmer, and my older sister Persephone is currently studying to become a pediatrician. Like my mother I've decided to go to music as a profession. I suppose that as long as we choose a profession we can support ourselves and our future families with and don't become a bum they're fine.
6. No teenager is on fantastic terms with their folks every single day of their lives...is there some sort of serious clash at home? Do you fight often? Whats the main issue you and your folks can't agree upon?
Actually, I'm on pretty good terms with my parents. Probably the only thing we don't agree about is that I don't go outside enough when I'm home during the summer. *laughs softly* Probably has something to do with the neighbor's huge dog... *shudder*
7. What do they do for a living? How much time does that job take up? Are you proud of your parent's occupation?
My mother is a concert pianist and my father is a Greek professor at Eton. Mother is at home most of the time, and Father comes home every night. Father does spend a lot of time working on his lessons for the next and grading papers, but the whole family always eats dinner together. But during the summer Father isn't as busy as during the rest of the year, so we're able to spend some time together. And I usually spend most of the day with my mother and Kalli during the summer. I'm very proud of my parents as well as my older siblings.
8. Did your parents have any close friends, or old rivalries that have any current effect on your life?
Well, there are some of my mother's friends in the orchestra. My mother would take me to concerts she wasn't playing in and we'd go backstage afterwards and talk with some of the musicians. I suppose that's had some part of helping me decide I really want to become a professional pianist.

Workshop #4

Here's another freewrite exercise...one I'm sure your rival's player will get big kicks out of, reading the input. Write, from a 1st person character's viewpoint, (under truth serum once more, for maximum effect and juicy deeper rooted jealousies and 'I'll never admit it' stuff abound) their current opinions, rants and raves on their chosen object of hate.
All around, I'm a generally nice guy, I like to think. I get along with most people and most people get along with me. In fact, there's isn't really anyone I feel is a rival or enemy. But I do greatly loth one person... Cassandra Raevynn. The Girl Just Won't Leave Me Alone!!! I mean, come on! Why in the world is she always following me?! I know we have a lot of classes together, being in the same house, but other than classes! I keep seeing her in the corridors, and she keeps sitting by me at meals! And she keeps looking at me with this look... that just reminds me of a cat staring at a canary! It's just... It's just scary really! I mean, at the end of last year... I found this... I could only describe it as a love letter sitting on my bed, along with a rose. It wasn't signed or anything, but I could tell it was from her. It's like she's stalking me! And it's not just the letter! How did she know which bed was mine?! And then this year, she somehow arranged it so that the only place on the WHOLE bloody train was the empty compartment I was in! Why won't she leave me alone?!... ((*CACKLES* I love this!!!))

Workshop #5

A) What they fear most? (what they would see as a Boggart)
For Berlioz, the Boggart would turn into a HUGE Irish Wolfhound that would look exactly like his Uncle Luke's Foofoo. Ever since the real Foofoo bit him when he was ten, Berlioz had been completely terrified of dogs, any dog. Even a chiuaua would make him uncomfortable enough to edge away as casually as possible. When faced with a big dog, like a wolfhound, great dane or mastiff, Berlioz will leave the vicintiy as quickly as possible.
B) What they want most in the world? (what they would see in the Mirror of Erised)
What Berlioz wants most in the world is to be a concert pianist. He'd see himself on the stage with the London Symphony playing a Beethoven concerto. His whole family would be sitting in the front row and the crazy group of girls that usually swarm him after concerts would be locked in jail.
C) Their worst memory? (what they would relive when faced with a Dementor)
If ever faced with a Dementor, Berlioz would relieve his memories from when his family's house caught on fire when he was six. It was the most terrifying experience of his life. He'd been in his room playing, when the fire started. The flames lept up the stairs before Berlioz could run down them and he was soon trapped his room, the flames on the other side of his door. The fire fighters were able to rescue Berlioz but he never saw them. He'd been overcome by smoke a just before they got to him.
D) What would protect them?? (what their Patronus looks like)
Berlioz's Patronus would probably be a Red Deer. Indigenous to Britain, red deer are live in large herds and are quite family oriented, in their own way. Like all deer, they are skittish but when necessary they will protect one another. Beside's the fact that the only deer he's ever seen are red deer, Berlioz is very similar to a deer in personality and temperment. He's calm and intuitive, but always on the lookout for trouble. And when trouble comes, he'll do what he needs to do to get out of it, whether by fighting or strategic retreat. Berlioz is not a coward, but he'd rather not hurt his hands by bloodying up someone else's face. And like a deer, he is able to defend himself well.