Ben Scamander

21. Hufflepuff beater. potions major.

[aurelie-lemieux]

Aurélie’s favourite part about parties was the aftermath; the silence in the halls as students slept off their hangovers, the occasional person you saw doing a walk of shame, and the teachers pretending not to know why there were barely any students in the Great Hall in the morning. She hadn’t gone to the party, though she had debated it for a while before deciding that she didn’t want to deal with the hangover that would surely follow. 

She sat in the library after she woke up at the crack of dawn (but actually 10:30), and had been pretending to read a book for at least a half hour, but she’d gotten distracted by a bird that had flown by the window, and then her train of thought had gone berserk soon after. She only looked away from the window when she heard a chair scrape, and someone sat down across from her. She smiled before deciding to speak up.

“Rough morning?” She questioned, “Or trying to get away from someone who’s having a rough morning?”

Keep reading

[benxmander]

Ben had always been something of an early riser. Well, something of an early riser - it was important to clarify. Really, it was less that he woke up early and more that he didn’t wake up late. It wasn’t something he was in great control of: if he’d had it his way this particular morning, he would’ve slept till noon. Maybe he’d wake up at twelve, then doze back off for an hour, then maybe get out of bed. Maybe. 

But he was awake, and it wasn’t even 11, and it seemed almost every other person in Hogwarts was still asleep. There was no dozing off for an extra hour to be had: when he was up, he was up, and that was that, so he might as well get something done. This morning, that meant a trip to the library (if he could get his head on straight enough to focus). He wasn’t alone, and given who it was, he was thankful. He sat across from Aurélie with a huffed sigh and plopped his books down as if to say, That’s not happening. Not today. 

“Rough morning, but better if you’re here,” he said, voice scratchy from sleep. Merlin, if someone could turn off the nerves in his head. “You look like you’re doing better than anyone else in the castle. Didn’t make it last night?”

[totheaocean]

@finestra-starters​

Thea was overwhelmed - although that wasn’t anything she would say out loud, lest anyone actually hear her. She had been writing papers for hours, and had taken up most of a table in the library with just her things. Books of different subjects were open, parchment with notes tucked into several of them, and there Thea was, in the centre of all of it. After finally closing one of her books, she groaned, leaning her forehead down to rest against the cool surface of the table. “I’m busy,” she said flatly when she felt someone approach, “so choose your words wisely.” She stayed like that for another moment before lifting her head to actually see who was bothering her.

[benxmander]

Ben rarely found himself in the library for very long. If he wanted books, he’d check them out, then go back to the dorms or the common room. Or he’d find somewhere outside, or sometimes he’d even go to the Great Hall. He was just about to leave, until he noticed Thea nearly taking up an entire table with books and papers. It couldn’t hurt to make sure she was alive.

“No offense, but you look miserable,” he said, “And so does the table. What’s this all for?”

[unbrckenbones]

@finestra-starters​

Elias could not believe that he had found himself in this situation. He simply could not believe it… but there he was, a hat placed carefully on his head, walking very quickly through the halls of Hogwarts towards the back exit. He just had to get to Hagrid, or a friend - but he certainly needed help. Everything he’d tried, he’d made things worse. “Yes, yes, I know, I’m working on it…” He muttered, seemingly to himself, as he rounded a corner: and subsequently crashed right into someone, his hands flying immediately to his hat to keep it on. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry - are you okay?” He winced at something before shaking his head. “Sorry, I have to go, I hope you’re okay…” He said apologetically, his hands falling back to his sides as he started to walk again.

[benxmander]

Ben had been in a good mood. He’d just gotten in from an unusually refreshing session on his broom, and despite being a bit windburnt and a bit tired, he had the distinct sense the rest of the day was bound to go well. That is, until he crashed directly into Elias - or Elias crashed into him, more like. He didn’t feel like apologizing or accepting apologies (especially not from Elias Bones) or at least he didn’t at first, until he saw the hat. 

“Elias, wait,” he said, trying not to laugh, “What’s with the hat, mate?”

[mirroredsorrows]

“It may come as a shock to you, but I’m not in a celebratory mood.” Which of course didn’t mean he wasn’t going to have a go at his own private stash later, away from the wary eyes. In the meantime though, he would make the obligatory appearance. “So if you want to chat, maybe take it elsewhere? Like say over there.” He jerked his chin in the direction of a gryffindor group nearby. “Evans and Macdonald look awfully chipper tonight, I imagine they’ll be interested in whatever you want to say.”

@finestra-starters​

[benxmander]

While Caunus might not have been in the most celebratory mood, Ben was feeling absolutely and positively ready to go. This wasn’t the sort of thing he normally did, but he was enough drinks in to be just loose enough. “Well, that’s just the problem, isn’t it?” he said, not at all surprised that Caunus hadn’t immediately warmed in his presence. They weren’t exactly the best of  friends. “How could I let my favorite Slytherin in the whole wide world stand here all alone?”

[benxmander]

tellmeabbottit‌:

Bryn had actually managed to be kind of productive so far that day. He’d gotten some homework done, and had even gone to sketch for a bit, and now he was just heading back to his dorm to try and take a nap. He really needed time, just an hour or so, to try and catch up on some sleep. All he wanted, really, was to sleep for more than a couple hours at a time, but he couldn’t do that in the middle of the day.

He was just about to tap his wand to the correct barrel to go into the common room, but jumped when he heard his name suddenly from down the hall. He spun around, eyes wide, and immediately spotted Ben. “Oh. Hey.” He said softly, waiting for what he was going to tell him. “Oh.” He repeated first, his expression changing from curiosity to hesitance. “I don’t know, I’m kind of tired… I was going to take a quick nap.” 

A quick nap... on a day like today? Ben had been outside earlier, and it was the kind of breezy, not too cool but not too hot day that called to be reveled in. “Bryn,” he said, looking at him as if to say I can’t believe you’ve offended me so deeply and personally, “Look, I get it, you’d rather stay inside and nap than go nap under a tree on a beautiful day like today. Whatever suits you.”

He made as if he was about to walk away, but stopped just short of the door. “The offer still stands. It won’t be the same by myself.”

[benxmander]

maeflxwers‌:

“But then we’d have dogs!” Maelie whined. “I miss my puppies. They get so excited when we come home from Hogwarts every break. I just want that more often.” She crossed her arms stubbornly, but then her pout broke and she laughed at what he said next. “I’m glad I’d have your vote. But no, I don’t think the cat owners club would be… that upset about it. I’m not sure. As long as the dogs didn’t eat the cats it should be okay.” 

“Aw, Maelie, come on,” he said, grinning. “Don’t tell me a little cat owners versus club dog owners club rivalry wouldn’t be a nice change of pace. It’s the battle of the century: the honorable dog owners club, headed by the ever graceful Maelie, versus the despicable cat owners club. Just imagine the headlines! I volunteer as club VP. Though, well - technically, would you need a dog to join? It’s in the title and all, but it seems like just a formality, maybe.”

[benxmander]

patrickclxrk‌:

Patrick let out a heavy sigh when whoever it was started to stammer, and he took a deep puff from his cigarette before looking over his shoulder at him, an unimpressed look on his face. He truly didn’t mind company, if that was all it was - he wasn’t really in the mood to chat with someone, especially someone he didn’t actually know all that well. But, it seemed like that was what he was going to get, because it already sounded like the other was going to try and make small talk.

“Kind of often. People give me shit for smoking in other places, so…” Patrick trailed off, taking another puff and, after holding it in for a moment, let the smoke out again.

“Well, if that’s the case, I’ll spare you the whole you know it’s gonna kill you one day thing,” he said, thinking he didn’t seem like the sort of person he wanted or needed to lecture about the long-term health risks of smoking. “I’ve not seen you around before.” Though, it seemed like he should’ve been able to smell him, at least. He wasn’t going to say anything about it, but the smell of cigarettes didn’t sit well with him.

“I’m Ben,” he said, finally. “Scamander.”

[bbywyatts]

|| @finestra-starters​

“You know, it’s going to be cold out there,” Wyatt caught the other just as they were about to walk outside. “Did you want a hat? I have like five. I kinda knit when I’m stressed and after the February we’ve had, I have a whole dorm room full of knitwear.” The boy rambled, cheeks flushing slightly as he pulled out a bobble hat from his bag. “Unless you would rather not, then that’s totally cool too. Whatever floats your boat.”

[benxmander]

“You know, your hats have always been works of art,” Ben said, eyeing Wyatt’s offering. It was cold, and he was tempted. “But I’m going for a quick pass round the black lake, and you’re going to need that hat if you come with me. Come on, if you want. Fresh air’s almost as good for the mind as knitting is.”

[benxmander]

@bxdgerxrhys​

During an average school week, it seemed Rhys and Ben were together more often than they were apart.They were a year apart, but the year they hadn’t been together had been a long time ago, now, and they had been fast friends anyway. Once they ended up on the Hufflepuff quidditch team together, that sealed the deal: Rhys and Ben were in this whole thing knowing they always had someone to turn back to.

They didn’t always end up together in the Great Hall, but this particular morning, Ben sat himself directly across from Ryland. He had half a plan, and it was a stupid one, but one he had to voice.

“Rhys, darling, light of my life, my sun and stars,” he started, grinning. “How set are you on going to potions today?”

[benxmander]

@tellmeabbottit

Ben was the specific kind of chipper that, for him, meant there was no way he was getting any work done. He stared at the potions paper in front of him, and while a very small part of him was thinking about it, he was more concerned with his own restlessness. This wouldn’t do. It was a day off, dammit, and he would sooner swallow a bucket of worms than think about school for even a second longer. 

He wasn’t entirely sure where he was going other than out when, as he was leaving the Hufflepuff common room, he saw Bryn. Perfect. “Bryn!” he said, stopping in his tracks, “Hi, so, here’s the deal: I’m going to implode if I stay inside any longer, and I’m going - well, I haven’t gotten that far yet, I’m not sure where I’m going, but - you should come with me. If you’re not busy, of course.”

[patrickclxrk]

@finestra-starters​

Patrick sighed in relief as he wandered up to the top of the stairs, seeing that nobody was already outside in his spot. It wasn’t that it was his, he knew that - but it was a spot he’d discovered right after transferring, and it was the one place he could (theoretically) be alone. After lighting a cigarette, he moved forward and leaned forward against the stone wall, looking out over the forest. However, not even five minutes later, he heard footsteps heading up the stairs, and he forced himself not to groan. “I’m chill with you being here, but I’m not putting out the cigarette.” He told whoever it was, not bothering to turn around.

[benxmander]

As much as Ben liked the Hufflepuff common room, sometimes he had the distinct need to move around a bit. Well, not move around, really - he was just relocating himself and his knitting supplies to a different location. It was a change of scenery. This evening, the destination was a little nook that he had passed a few times but never seen occupied, with an outlook over the forest. He had his needles and yarn ready to go and neatly cradled in his arms, but when he got there, the spot was decidedly less empty than usual. There was something about whoever had gotten there first that made him a bit uneasy; all the knitting supplies felt a bit silly in his arms. 

“Um, right, sorry - I mean, that’s fine, yeah,” he said, unsure of whether or not he should sit down or give up and leave. He settled on standing in the same spot for slightly longer than was comfortable. “You... come here often?”

[maeflxwers]

@finestra-starters​

“Okay, so call me crazy if you want to, but imagine that instead of being allowed owls, toads, or cats, we’re allowed dogs too. Can you imagine the chaos of having dogs at Hogwarts? Running all over the place, chasing the cats: the hallways would be insane.” Maelie explained first, only pausing for a moment so she could take a breath. “And yet, I’m still really tempted to start a petition to allow us to have dogs. Don’t get me wrong, I love my cat, but I really miss my dogs. So if I decide to actually do this, would you sign the theoretical petition?”

[benxmander]

“Dogs? Maelie, the absolute carnage that would cause... think of the children!” Ben said, shaking his head. It was mostly a joke - mostly. “Okay, I mean, in theory, I’d hypothetically sign your theoretical petition, but only because I wish you every happiness and love you endlessly. D’you think the cat owners club would have anything to say about it? I get the sense they could be a nasty bunch under the right circumstances.”

[benxmander]

potential connections

I. FRIENDSHIPS

-When Ben’s attached, he’s attached. He doesn’t have many casual friends: if he’s someone’s friend, it’s serious business. That being said, some possible and broad friendship connections:

      -Quidditch friends

      -Other potions majors turned study buddies

      -Baking/knitting/potions club members

      -If your character’s outgoing: someone to drag him out of his shell and into n         the world

      -If your character’s not outgoing: someone that appreciates a good night in

(Enemies & romantic relationships under the cut)

II. ENEMIES

-Ben’s not an antagonistic person, and he doesn’t love conflict, but he has his moments. His moments are petty, and they’re bitchy. 

      -Rivals (quidditch, potions, otherwise: he gets jealous easily and doesn’t like         knowing other people are better than him)

      -Frenemies (solely because I love this trope to death)

      -Forget the frenemies: plain enemies (if you think they just wouldn’t get                 along at all)

III. ROMANTIC

-Ben’s the master of puppy dog eyes and longing glances. He’s also the master of never telling anyone how he feels. Good luck with this one. 

      -Unrequited love: Ben’s never ever ever going to even try anything here,               because it’s pretty clear it’s never coming back his way. But still, when he             bakes something he’s particularly proud of, he’ll pretend he made extra just         to give them some. 

      -Mutual crush: Unless your character’s bold enough to make the first move,         this probably means mutual pining. Sorry not sorry. 

       -Exes: He probably hasn’t dated a bunch of people but like... I’m open.

That’s it! Of course, these are just a few possibilities - all of them need to be fleshed out. 

[benxmander]

about: ben

a bio extravaganza

There’s something about being the child of a highly accomplished wizard that gives a kid an inferiority complex. When your last name’s Scamander, there are a couple expectations that just come with the territory. One, obviously, any child of Newt Scamander should be nearly as well versed in magical creatures as his father. Two, if he isn’t a master of that particular field, he should at the very least be a master of something. 

Oddly enough, but predictably enough if one knew his father, none of this pressure came from Newt himself. In fact, Ben had what could only be described as a charmed childhood. He was surrounded by all the things a young wizard could ever want: a happy, loving family, a cat that he didn’t have to try at all to convince his parents to keep, and an exposure to magic that began the moment he opened his eyes. 

He didn’t, to most people’s surprise, inherit his father’s touch for magical creatures. This became abundantly clear the first time he ventured into his father’s basement, where he kept all his creatures. Ben wasn’t an easily frightened child-he fell from his broomstick constantly and wandered much too far from the house-but something in the boy’s constitution twisted and turned at the sight of most everything his father kept down there. Billywigs made him shudder, hinkypunks brought a shiver down his spine, and he even liked to keep at a distance from the elderly kneazle his father kept around. He could handle his cat, but most other things, as far as he was concerned, hissed and hid in dark corners and wouldn’t be opposed to taking a chunk out of his side. 

His father had been quite sure he’d grow out of it. Ben, on the other hand, was determined to go in the basement as little as possible for the rest of his waking days. At Hogwarts, his classmates quickly learned not to ask for his help or to work with him when creatures were concerned. They’d be better off on their own. 

Ben enjoyed things that could be measured and controlled, all things abiotic and stable. He liked quidditch, and really he didn’t like quidditch as much as he liked brooms; he liked charms and potions and things that could be practiced and perfected. When he was younger, he liked to carve little brooms out of sticks in his free time, and as he got older, little sticks turned to real wood. It was a passion project sort of thing. 

If he didn’t inherit his father’s gifts, he did inherit some of his temperament. Ben had a tendency to be quiet, unless you got him talking about the right things, in which case he tended to ramble endlessly. He either loved things or on some level hated them; his world was one of great contrasts, one that was rarely grey. He didn’t do in-betweens. 

One of the greater gifts that come from growing up in such a stable environment is the sense that one always has time. When Ben needed to choose a major, potions seemed... fine. Fitting, and enjoyable, even if he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life standing over a cauldron (or worse, teaching). He didn’t like all the dreadful, hurt-you-kill-you-make-your-insides-hurt bit of potions, but he did like the occasional sleep-aiding draught of peace. He figured it was good enough. 

Sometimes he humored himself into thinking maybe, one day, he could design the best, fastest, sleekest broom the wizarding world had ever seen, and he’d be set for life.

There are different things on his mind now, of course.  He’d been holding off picking sides, because, well - life in extremes. He could either avoid it entirely, just like he was avoiding finding a real purpose, or risk his life and join the order. It was selfish, perhaps, but he rather liked his life, and more than protect the future of the wizarding world, Ben wanted to make sure he could keep on living it.