♔ OC INFORMATION ♔
NAME/ALIAS & AGE:
Ashley & 23
PREFERRED PRONOUNS:
She/Her
TIMEZONE & ACTIVITY LEVEL:
I am in the PST timezone and i’d rate my activity as about a 6/10. I’m currently in medical school and i’ve got a job. My externship will also be starting in April. However, I do try and get online at least once a day to do any and all responses that I may have.
ANY POSSIBLE TRIGGERS?:
So long as everything is properly labeled and I am prepared for it, then I am perfectly fine with everything.
ANYTHING ELSE?
Currently my favorite song is “Read All About It” by Emile Sande and “Stone Cold” by Demi Lovato.
♔ IC INFORMATION ♔
FULL NAME:
Amos (Strong, Carried, Brave)
A family divided, but finally a reason to stay. When Amos was conceived discord had just started sewing it’s seeds within the marriage of Tansy and Renaud Diggory. He was away a lot, and when he was home he was never truly present. Quidditch was all he talked about, and to Tansy it was the only thing that he cared about. With the coming of their new baby she wouldn’t have to be lonely anymore. Tansy rejoiced in reading all of the books they had out there on motherhood, even though some of them scared her. She’d picked up numerous baby name books, and no matter what she did one name always stuck out Amos. The meaning was beautiful, and simply rolled off the tongue., It was something that her son could aspire to be, though she would adore him even if he didn’t fit the bill simply because he was hers.
Renaud didn’t favor it the way his wife did. It was a major source of argument for them. Before his boy was even born Renaud had a plan for the way that he wanted him to be, and in his eyes a strong boy should have a strong name. A good, pureblood name like the others in his family did before he went and married what was once a lovely muggle woman with an admiration for sports. He only agreed when his wife was in labor, demanding for the first time since they had gotten together to have her own way. Eventually, the name grew on him. Especially as he learned more about it’s history.
“Amos is one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament, the author of the Book of Amos, which speaks out against greed, corruption and oppression of the poor”
Eldritch (Noble Ruler)
A reflection of the good, pureblooded name that Renaud wanted his son to have. Amos was given this middle name by his father as a sort of permanent reminder of the greatness that he was expected to achieve. Eldritch Diggory served as Minister of Magic from 1733-1747 and was famous for creating the Auror recruitment programme in Great Britain.
At some point in his career, Diggory visited Azkaban. This proved to be a shock for him, since he'd had no idea of the awful conditions inside the prison, where many had died of despair and the rest was mostly insane. When he returned to London, Diggory established a committee to explore alternatives to Azkaban or at least remove the Dementors as guards. Experts argued that if the Dementors were deprived of prisoners' souls on which they could feed, they might abandon the prison and head for the mainland. However, Diggory, being so horrified at what he had seen, continued his search for alternatives nonetheless.
In 1747, Diggory died in office due to a case of Dragon Pox. This disabled the committee from reaching a decision concerning Azkaban
(Information of Eldritch Diggory obtained here. All information about him belongs to J.K. Rowling and is in no way mine)
Diggory (Astray)
Astray - (adverb) away from the correct path or direction
Something, which is most certainly foreshadowing for a family that aspires to such greatness and where expectation is held so high. It could possibly even mean a lot for Amos himself. He wants so much to please his father, and believes that nothing he does is quite good enough. He’s just come to notice that he is not very happy and I could see him working towards going against what he was grown up to be, which for a Diggory is not necessarily the correct path.
FACECLAIM
I’d love to stick with Dominic Sherwood if at all possible. I’ve gone through a lot of his gifs, and a lot of the goofy stuff he has I believe is a wonderful fit for the way that Amos would have when he is around those that he trust (such as Edgar and Greta and on occasion the quidditch team). He’s also got some more serious stuff that is fitting of his more everyday approach to everything and reflect how closed off he is.
I haven’t really looked at someone else, so i’ve got no idea who to choose as a second choice. If Dom is taken, I don’t mind exploring more options with the admins.
FUTURE PLANS
Those mountains you’re carrying you were only meant to climb + Striving to be the best, to stand out for something, is all that Amos has ever known how to do. The weight of aiming for an unobtainable goal is beginning to weigh down on him and he goes farther and farther out of his way to slip from the shackles his father has put on him and become his own person, to find what makes him happy
She’s been through more hell than you’ll ever know. But that’s what gives her beauty an edge....You can’t touch a woman who can wear pain like the grandest of diamonds around her neck + Their was so much toxicity in his home as he grew up, he just wasn’t always aware of it. He saw how said his mother was, but he was young and never knew what to do about it. Now that he’s older he realizes that he is the only reason that Tansy stayed. I’d like for him to explore his relationship with his mother as he reconnects with her and watches her move on, start a new family with a new man that seems to genuinely care for her in a way that his father never did and maybe even eventually have a little step-sibling and watch the exchanges between the step-father and child to draw parallels to what his life could have been.
You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt, you have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones you’re holding + I have this idea that at some point Amos is going to confront his father about his upbringing and the flood gates will simply open. The reasons for all the manipulation, the harsh words, the belief that good was never good enough. I’ve got it in my head that Amos’ upbringing is a major reflection of his father’s and I desperately want to show that, though I don’t know precisely how as of this moment. It’ll come as Amos develops more, i’m sure, likely towards the end of his seventh year when he reaches the crux of self-development.
DATE OF BIRTH:
January 4, 1959 (Capricorn) - Capricorns are goal oriented and driven to succeed despite all odds. They will work long and hard hours towards a goal. Achievement is everything to a Capricorn. For this reason they tend to take life very seriously and are not tolerant of those who do not. Because they are so dedicated to the big picture and the minute details, they can seem dull to others, who don’t understand the active internal nature of the Capricorn. While seeming almost emotionless on the surface, the Capricorn’s mind is always running on overdrive. They can often seem selfish and stingy, keeping information to themselves, or strategically withholding information for their own gain. Often they can be the less imaginative of the signs and refuse to face the facts about a situation because it would signal that they were wrong about something (which they hate)
SEXUALITY/SHIPS/ANTI-SHIPS:
Chemistry will speak for itself. While I imagine him heterosexual, if he has good chemistry with a man i’m not going to stop it just because of gender. I do believe that a slow build is fun though, so whatever relationship he may or may not end up in will happen slowly. I am thinking about making him have a small crush on Greta, but this will be something to act as means of confusion for him since their relationship is built on being just friends and not having inclinations towards that sort of relationship and not something I actually expect to develop into something (unless it does, in which case that’s fine).
I also have this totally off the wall ship idea in my head that might be kind of cute, but again only if it happens naturally. Amos/Gwenog, perhaps? I know, crazy.
WAND, PATRONUS, & BOGGART:
Wand - Chestnut (”Chestnut is a most curious wood that little character or traits of its own other than its attraction to witches and wizards who are skilled tamers of magical beasts, those who possess great gifts in Herbology, and those who are natural fliers. Instead, the wand of chestnut tends to take on character of the wand core and the owner” - Garrcik Ollivander), Unicorn Hair, 10.5 inches, subtle flexibility
Patronus - Octopus (Those with an octopus patronus have many branches to them, as an octopus has eight legs. They tend to be virtuosos, having expertise in a little bit of every aspect of their lives. This means they can be social while enjoying time to themselves as well, and be creative and logical equally. They are those who often have an evenly matched right and left brain, and also tend to have very tight typologies. They have a beautiful uniqueness to them in the aspect that they can do whatever they please and are perfectly comfortable with it, and rarely have trouble getting far in life. The most common house for an octopus patronus is Ravenclaw, the most common signs are Gemini and Libra.)
Boggart - Amos believed himself ready when it came time to face a boggart. He’d done reading on it, asked others what they had seen and evaluated himself to decide what his biggest fear was. Failure, he had thought. It hadn’t been something that had ever so much as been an option in his life. It came as a surprise when he stepped in front of the boggart and it took the shape of his father. He looked into the man’s eyes and saw deep sadness. Disappointment. Amos had let him down, and that was after all the one thing he really, truly had aimed to not do. To be Renaud DIggory’s perfect son, the quidditch star, had always been his ambition - or so he believed. Deep down he always knew that it had been Renaud’s wish that he had eventually set as his own, but it’s not something he ever acknowledges because in spite of it all he still loves his father and doesn’t want to let him down.
Fear: Disappointing his father
FOUR CHARACTERISTICS:
(+) Teacherly - Amos is teacherly. He believes that being successful isn’t nearly so fulfilling if it isn’t something that you’ve had to strive for, and continually have to grasp at. He’s aware of the fact that he’s talented and is more than willing to help others as well. He’s just the type that you’d find with a second year Ravenclaw who just wanted to learn to fly for the joy of it, or with a fifth year Gryffindor struggling in herbology. Knowledge obtained should be knowledge shared, so far as he is concerned.
(+) Dedicated - One of the best known facts among his peers is his degree of dedication to near about everything that he does. With quidditch this is evidenced by the newspaper clippings he has stashed away, the play book he keeps by his bed with evaluation of maneuvers that have used in the game for as long as it’s been around, and by the way that he drives each of his team members to be the best that they can be both on and off the field. In classes this is shown by him often staying after to ask questions if he didn’t understand something as precisely as he believed he should have and by his frequent visits to the schools library and all of this is to meet one final end goal.
(+) Self-Disciplined - Amos is not one to indulge in anything. He’s not really one for sweets or candy, often preferring to either not eat them or find a way of making the sugar free if at all possible. The only thing he ever has to drink is water. He follows a rather strict work out regiment, including waking up well before the start of breakfast and going for a run around the lake. Amos has also set up a study schedule for himself that way he can stay on top of classes. He’s been doing all of this since he was a child, and it’s something which he has never faltered in doing.
(+) Fair - Amos believes strongly in being as kind as one can be, but also knows that it is best to be firm from time to time so in his day to day interactions he does as best he can to find a balance between the two. This reflects in his position in the war. To him, it’s the job of the ministry to stand up when bad things begin happening to the people they stand for and they should first be allowed to do their jobs before the people begin to interfere and form alliances which are more than likely unnecessary. However, he also doesn’t believe their to be anything wrong with muggles or those who are muggle born and will readily stand up to defend them if he needs to.
(-) Self-Critical - No matter what it is, he always could have been better. He exceeds expectations when he should be outstanding, his grip on the broom handle should have been tighter, he should have run the drill with his team one more time, maybe he’s being to hard on them, maybe he’s not pushing them enough, perhaps he should try harder. There’s always potential to be greater, and he’s just not achieving it.
(-) Closed Off - Thoughts and emotions aren’t something which should be readily shared. To Amos this could lead to opening up and this isn’t something that he wants to do. To open up would mean to admit that he’s broken. He’s never needed anyone to take care of him anyway, so far he’s done just fine on his own.
(-) Domineering - He doesn’t mean to, but Amos has found himself exerting his team to the point of exhaustion just as he has always been pushed. Amos doesn’t know when to stop sometimes, believing that if he is still able to keep going then others should be able to as well and on occasion has made them do so. He’s well aware of the fact that his quidditch training far exceeds that of many of the others, and sometimes will remind people when he feels it necessary.
(-) Competitive - His drive to be better at everything has also lead to him desiring to simply be the best at everything. He tries having the highest test scores, have the best quidditch team, to be an amazing duelist, a great singer. Amos sees himself surrounded by amazing people who are so good at everything and he just wants to be remembered for something.
CONNECTIONS:
The Hufflepuff Quidditch Team - When he is at school, they are his family. His chosen family. The ones he feels the absolute happiest with. Amos loves being out there with them and watching as they learn, as they have fun with one another. He loves the bond that they all share while they are out on the field. They are his pride and joy.
Edgar Bones - Amos imagines that if he ever had had a brother, that their relationship would be a lot like what he has with Edgar. Edgar is one of the few people that Amos has ever felt comfortable opening up to, because he knows that he can trust him to keep his secrets and he will do the same thing for him. When he is around his best friend he is a lot more carefree and happy, not afraid of saying something wrong or having to outdo him in every subject that they are in. His best friend is the perfect break from the ordinary, and probably the only thing helping Amos to remain sane.
Greta Catchlove - She confuses him. Their relationship is so easy, and so open. They’re friends and nothing more and he’s always prized that because he likes that their relationship doesn’t have any true attachments beyond moments shared within the kitchen, and yet he can’t help but notice how beautiful she is and how her smile lights up the room. Greta knows near as much about him as Edgar, and that happy and carefree attitude tends to make appearance when he is around her. He wants to get to know more about her.
Gwenog Jones - They are his main source of competition. Gwenog has so much natural talent that it makes Amos a bit jealous. Still, he wants to see them succeed and will be certain to attend all of their matches when they have been signed. Perhaps then, when they don’t have to be so competitive with one another, Amos can try and strike up a friendship.
Renaud Diggory - (tw: verbal abuse, neglect, and heavy psychological abuse) Above all Amos prizes the opinion of his father, only pushing himself as hard as he does to try and make the man happy. It wasn’t until recently that he even began to realize how poor the relationship between the two of them is. He’s seen the relationship between other men and their son, and now wishes that that’s what he would have had, but being verbally berated for improper handling of a broom, or being completely ignored for days at a time due to bringing home an “Acceptable”, being pushed until his body collapsed from physical exhaustion and he was no longer able to move, and trying to ride around while coughs racked his body and snot ran down his face was all he’d ever known. Slowly, he is trying to get away from Renaud. It’s a struggle for him, because he believes that leaving will be the biggest let down - even if he does achieve the goal that they have been working towards.
Tansy Taylor (previously Diggory) - (tw: abandonment) She was so opposite his father, always smiling and giving encouraging words. It was because of her that his love of sports outside of merely quidditch developed. She was a reporter for the sports section of their local newspaper and would take her sons to as many games as she was able to get him away from his father for. Though Amos could see her sadness nothing quite prepared him for the day that she left them. He woke up one morning and she wasn’t there. Months later he found out that she had a new boyfriend and his parents had undergone divorce agreements without saying a word to him, Tansy giving Renaud full rights. Amos began to write, but she’s never responded. He continues to write anyway.
FREESTYLE PORTION
I’ve still got full intention of having a page dedicated entirely to quidditch on his page. I’d also like to post up so letters or something of the like from the recruiters who have shown interest in him (as mentioned in his biography)
I went through the character development tag as well and just picked the first five questions that I saw:
If your character went to school, what is their favorite or best subject?
Amos best subject is Care of Magical Creatures, though he is also very talented at Herbology. Being around the creatures brings a smile to his face and he genuinely enjoys having something that he has to take care of, nourish, and watch grow.
When does your character feel truly at peace?
Amos feels the most peaceful when he’s flying. Cool wind and sun on his face bring him true joy and his worries vanish for a few moments. No one expects anything from you when you’re hundreds of feet in the air, except to not come crashing down.
Has your character ever sung along to a song that they don’t like?
He’s in choir, so of course he has. Sometimes he finds the arrangements for the bass section to be completely boring, especially because more often than not they are merely keeping the beat rather than doing something interesting.
What are some things that your character absolutely cannot stand in others?
He’s got no problem with swearing, but he doesn’t believe that it should be something that is done in overabundance. There are other, better, uses for language. He also has a difficult time with people who just fly by the seat of their pants. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to not have a plan and go moment from moment. Amos just doesn’t get it.
Is your character and early bird or a night owl?
Both. He goes to bed very late at night because of studying and midnight snacking (healthy snacks, of course) and wakes up before breakfast to begin his exercise routine. Amos runs on about four hours of sleep a night.
WRITING SAMPLE:
Sample 1 (Disclaimer: I’d like to apologize in advance to Kyra. Greta has precisely one line in this and a couple of actions, and I want to say sorry if they are completely inaccurate)
Gentle music wafted through the air, the house elves moving about the kitchens at an easier pace and seeming all the happier for the welcome intrusion. Amos hummed along to the slow song, enjoying the rhythm greatly. "Dance with me" he invited, extending his hand to the brunette who accompanied him. A ready smile jumped to his lips when she wiped flour dusted hands off on her apron and took the hand that he offered her, giggling as she did so. He knew that dancing was silly, but so was baking - especially for someone who didn't actually consume sugary products, but he had learned during his friendship with Greta that sometimes a tiny bit of silliness could be incredibly fun.
Amos had no talent for dancing, and he was more than aware of it so he just pulled the girl close and swayed in place. "Remember the time that I tried to make brownies with cinnamon instead of sugar?" he inquired, scrunching his nose up at the memory. His friend had been so kind then, genuinely trying to eat them despite how terrible they were. He laughed freely, seeing the twinkle in the girl's eye. "You're good at bread?" she said, the smile on her lips barely restrained and teasing scarcely veiled. Amos stopped in his humming and lifted his brow, "Rude!" he teased, smiling so that she would know he was teasing before continuing on, "I've made brownies again and I tried them this time, they're safe"
The song came to an end and he released her, pouring her some juice and grabbing some water for himself. "How was your day?" he inquired gently when the two of them were settled in. They talked often, but he felt like they spoke of him far more regularly. Greta brought him a lot of joy, and she wished to do the same for her if she would just allow him to do so.
Sample 2
Crystal blue with an intrusion of brown, that was the color of his eyes and the root of his deepest physical insecurity. Amos glanced in the mirror and could see he had handsome features, a wonderful mix of his father's angular face and his mother's which were far softer, but when he looked into his own eyes he only saw that smidgen of brown. The color that didn't belong, that was a representation of precisely how imperfect he truly was. That bit of brown held the failure that he could be. It was representative of his internal struggle, something that he didn't want anyone to see or no about but which he was so convinced that everyone could see merely by looking at him hard enough.
The brown was maybe something which Tansy had left him. Her eyes had been deep and incredibly warm, unlike his. Sometimes he thought of that part of his eyes representing struggle in general. His mother and father had been unequal in their raising of him, and that had been evident even before he was born, the icy color of his father's eyes dominating his own features.
Early in his magical education Amos had learned that the colors of things could be changed, and learned how to do so quickly but stopped when his mother left. He needed that part of her to be with him, even if he did hate it. Love for his mother and hatred for being different, just another struggle that was represented by the color brown.
Sample 3
His head was spinning, mind racing as a thousand thoughts popped up at once. Amos needed air. He allowed his feet to guide him, wandering up through the castle and up into the astronomy tower where he was greeted by open air and surrounded by telescopes that waited for the next class to come and use them. Slowly, he lowered himself to the floor closing his eyes and allowing the chill to envelop him. "I don't know what to do" he said into the open air. No one could hear him, he knew, but it helped to say it out loud. The deadline for this assignment was looming and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't figure out what to do for it. Not so much as a single word had yet to grace a piece of parchment.
Admitting that he needed help was something that he had never done before. Usually, Amos was the one doing the helping. Hopefully the cool air would help him and something would come to mind. One bad assignment could bring down his entire grade, and he couldn't have that happen again. He remembered the last time that he had brought home something that wasn't outstanding that his father didn't even dare look at him for about a week. Amos knew that he could always ask Edgar, but didn't want to trouble him because he had things of his own to worry about. He'd figure it out, somehow.
Ideas poured in, disregarded almost as quickly as he thought them. His thoughts only became interrupted when he heard shuffling steps heading towards him. Amos leaped to his feet as he realized how strange it must seem that he had just been laying up here with his eyes closed, "I - I was just -" he rushed out, not certain of how to explain himself. Then he recognized the individual and felt the smallest sense of relief. They weren’t close, but he knew how intelligent the younger boy was. Maybe this is what he needed. He bit back his pride and looked at his best friend's brother, "Micah? I uh - if you have time, can I bounce some ideas for an assignment off of you?"
