CHARACTER BASICS
Name: Nikolai Aleksandrovich Orlov (Nick Orlov) Date of Birth: December 8th, 1983 Place of Birth: Moscow, Russia Actual Age/Age of appearance: 36 Marital Status: Divorced Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual Pronouns: He/him Religion: None Health details: Sometimes walks with a limp from a previous injury on the job Occupation: Auror for the British Ministry of Magic
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION (OR WRITE A COUPLE PARAGRAPHS)
Height: 6’4" Eye Color: Blue-Gray, gray-blue Hair Color/Style: Brown, shorter on the sides, longer up top, usually swept to the side with an off-center part Style: Dresses more modern than the average wizard but still in dark colors; usually wears long coats/robes, with popped collars. Closet probably needs a makeover and colors need to be introduced. Aesthetic: one last cigarette before bedtime, which is late; smell of cold rain, basil, and cedar wood; late hot showers; black coffee in the morning; early morning rain; Other: Scars from life, work; birthmarks in particular areas, such as right side of torso, back of the neck, and tiny specs on the forearms. Grown-out stubble or light beard. Play-By Used: Alexander Skarsgard
BACKGROUND AND CHARACTER
Personality: Nick is shrewd, brooding oftentimes, yet loyal and generally willing to absolve those that aggravate him, unless they have grievously crossed him. He is particularly loyal to those closest to him, including co-workers, other Aurors, like Eve Maitland, whom he’d gone to school with. He will do anything for them. However, to achieve such a level of respect from him is difficult.
He has high standards and a strict work ethic. He tolerates those he must tolerate, bureaucrats at the Ministry, for example. He does have an ego and it will often time come out when he’s dealing with junior Aurors or anyone below his rank. An individual must prove themselves to him. Some people, however, impress him without trying. It doesn't happen often, but it happens.
Being a restrained and methodical individual, he is mostly in control of his emotions. He rarely loses his temper in an outright explosion, but he can show great potential for violence when pushed. He expertly harnesses this while on the job and is a leader, which is why he holds rank as a captain.
He is a very honest man, is known to be blunt, and is generally not sentimental on a surface level; although when the happiness and well-being of someone he cares about is at stake, he will show his concern and care through actions and can most definitely put their needs above his own. At present, there is no one he loves more than his mother, his sister, and his son.
Nick is a good father. He’s such a good father that he ended up divorcing his wife for pouring all of his affection into their son, Thomas. He feels guilty for separating because of how it affects Thomas, but Gloriana was the one that initiated the divorce. She no longer wanted to be with Nick. In her mind, he didn’t give her the attention she deserved, he didn’t understand her, and although she never admitted it, she didn’t understand him.
If an individual is within Nick’s circle, he will return loyalty and respect wholeheartedly. He might not be one who is open and expressive, but it is characteristic of someone who has gone through what he has. He values everything he has. He takes nothing for granted. During moments of happiness and enjoyment, he’ll let his dark, dry sense of humor slip. People have seen him smile, really.
Regarding romance and partners, Nick is also restrained, perhaps even a bit reserved. He doesn’t lament over divorcing his ex-wife, has become jaded, and he has not entertained the idea of another marriage.
History: Nick was born in Moscow, Russia, but at an early age, he and his parents moved to London, England, where his father started working at Saint Mungos as a healer. Up until attending Hogwarts, Nick had a fairly uneventful life. They were immigrants, and there was always something to prove for his parents. It’s the same whether you’re a muggle or a wizard in a different country. Alexander Orlov worked nights, was always on call, striving to prove himself as a young healer. Valeria, his wife, took care of Nick meanwhile. They never visited Moscow when he was a child. He hadn’t known why then, but his parents were avoiding going back. Something about their extended family that they left behind.
The secret death eater ties on his father’s side didn’t start to unravel until Lord Voldemort made his presence known during Nick’s first year in 1994, which was the year of the Quidditch World cup and the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Nick’s mother, Valeria, suggested taking her son out of Hogwarts. He’d only been in school for a year. It was all right, she had argued with her husband. He could’ve started elsewhere without interrupting his education too much. Beauxbatons, perhaps? Or better yet, they could’ve taken a risk and moved to the United States, and Nick could’ve gone to Ilvermorny.
But at that point, no school was really safer than Hogwarts, Nick’s father was confident in the legendary Albus Dumbledore, and he couldn’t just up and leave his job, start his career anew in America. Valeria lived in a constant state of paranoia because of their decision to stay, and the death eaters in their own family. He suspected the dark ties in their extended family, but he never got answers, not until later.
So instead, Nick’s parents advised him to stay as far away from Harry Potter as he could, study well, and most importantly, to be careful. Nick never spoke to the famous orphan, and it helped that he was in Slytherin. Slytherins stayed away from Gryffindors, after all. However, try as he might, it was impossible to ignore the whisperings about dark magic, prejudice, and the coming change for the betterment of purebloods everywhere. Nick had kept his mouth shut about not being one himself.
Within the cunning house, the older kids boasted about their own families’ death eater connections. Most were outright lying. Their parents were just blood-elitist. A few Slytherins, like Draco Malfoy, was legitimately in line to become a Voldemort follower himself. Most of the younger years, including Nick, stayed away from such talk, afraid or uncomfortable. Some were intrigued and often snuck into late night conversations while someone in Potter’s year professed their hatred and whispered the name Voldemort with sneaky little smiles. The kids were more often than not caught by the older students and punished. Nick was smart and didn’t stick around to get his ass beat by an older year. He socialized with his own year and those younger.
Eve Maitland, a Slytherin in his year, was in his small group of friends. They kept to the fringes of the house. They were there at Hogwarts to learn, not to meddle with house rivalries, or worse, do anything that could endanger their lives. 1997 was the most difficult year that Nick and his friends had to go through. That was his fourth year and the year of the Battle of Hogwarts.
When things rapidly changed at the school, Snape becoming headmaster and death eaters taking teaching positions, Valeria wanted her son out of there. Out of there immediately. His parents were smart enough to realize that the Ministry was corrupted and that dark things were happening at Hogwarts. Finally, Alexander had agreed, but it wasn’t possible to arrange Nick’s departure when the school was essentially in the control of Voldemort. Nick ended up staying for the full year. During that year, he finally learned that his uncle, his father’s brother, was a follower of the Dark Lord, and this was perhaps what spared Nick the many punishments that were dolled out by the new teachers.
Mikhail Orlov visited his brother in London while Nick was away and asked him to join the cause. A healer is needed in all situations. Upon Alexander’s refusal, Mikhail threatened to take Nick over to the Dark Lord’s side, by force if need be - reports from the school mentioned that Nick had much potential, a fourteen-year-old boy could be molded, after all. Alexander engaged his brother in a duel, a duel that took his life. Valeria was spared because she managed to get away with Nick’s sister Vera, who was only a toddler then. When their son heard of his father’s death, it was days later. Unable to do anything, Nick only had the support of his friends and Eve while they waited out the year.
During the Battle itself, they were evacuated with the rest of the younger years while the older students who wanted to fight stayed. Nick wanted to stay, too, he wanted to kill the uncle he’d never met, but of course, there was no way in hell he was allowed to. Instead, finally he reunited with his mother and baby sister. When it was all over, after Voldemort was defeated, all they could do was continue living for the sake of each other. Fortunately, Mikhail Orlov was caught, along with other death eaters who remained alive, and was sentenced to Azkaban for life.
Nick resumed school. The relief of Harry Potter and his friends finally being gone was palpable. He and his friends finally settled in their places comfortably as they should’ve been allowed to all along. The atmosphere within Slytherin lightened significantly. While the other houses avoided them most of the time nonetheless, rumors died hard, all that mattered was that the students of the house, those who simply wanted to learn and graduate could do so with peace without the threat of darkness over their heads. When he graduated in 2000, Nick became an Auror in order to channel his need for justice. Eve Maitland also joined the Ministry. Later in his career, she became his partner in the Auror department. It was almost like they were back in school again.
During a Ministry party seven years ago, Nick met Babs Mimzy, who wasn’t yet a Hogwarts professor. Despite his standoffish nature, the two hit it off and two years later, they got married. Shortly after, Babs became pregnant and they had a son named Thomas. As soon as he learned to talk, it was clear that he would become a precocious, solitary boy, just like his father. The birth of his son changed Nick for the better, surprisingly. Becoming a father was a good thing for him. He became less of a cold asshole. He smiled more. He laughed more genuinely. His overall physiognomy became less dark. But Nick started to spend more time with his son and less with his wife.
He and Babs divorced when Thomas was three, just two years ago. Nick and his wife were just too different. Babs needed more out of him, more emotion, more attention, just more understanding. It was all good that he doted on their son, but he couldn’t just leave his wife out. In the end, perhaps they were just too different. Their paths were also different. After their divorce, Babs got hired at Hogwarts as their new charms professor and moved away. Distance made it hard on Nick - just knowing that his son is in another country - but he does visit as often as he can.
Presently, Nick doesn’t regret their divorce - there was no way that he and Babs could make it work - but he's aware of how difficult Thomas’ life will continue to be with their parents separated. Also, Babs has a new man as of late - Alex Fraser. They’ve been engaged for a couple months too now. The guy's a ex-quidditch player (with a scandal that had him off the team) and isn’t too smart, in Nick’s opinion. At least he’s nice to Thomas, but Nick swears that he doesn’t have any brains. He doesn’t stimulate Thomas enough. He just buys him things, like that children’s quidditch set on Christmas. Thomas was too scared to try the kid’s broomstick. Nick tries to suppress his irritation for the sake of his son. He’s all that Nick has - besides his job.
When he was offered the opportunity to be involved in the Statute of Secrecy Task Force, Nick hesitated in taking the offer only because doing so would take him away from Thomas - visiting is hard enough. Even Eve couldn’t convince Nick to take a new position. But the little boy, far smarter than most kids his age, told him to go. So with his son’s blessing, Nick is one of the senior Aurors overseeing the task force.
Connections: Eve Maitland: Probably his one and only best friend, although Nick doesn’t use the word best friend, he’s not a teenager. She’s been through many things with him together, whether or not they affected her own life. He might not share her self-interest in recognition at the Ministry, or agree with some of her dubious, less-than-legal skills and talents, but she’s been there for him too many times to count - like after his father’s death, his divorce - and her friendship and loyalty mean more than anything. Equally, he’d do anything for her.
Valeria Orlov: His mother, whom he visits but probably not often enough. She’s a reserved, graceful woman in her late fifties who lives for her children and grandson. Otherwise, she works with sick children at Saint Mungos and attends various clubs and activities in her spare time with other witches her own age.
Vera Orlov: Nick’s younger sister with whom he’s not too close with. They have a 12 year age gap between them. He was attending school, then went off to work for the ministry right after. They’ve tried to connect, but they’re just so different. Vera isn’t too aware of the dark times of Harry Potter and Voldemort. She was also born in England. She’s of a different generation. She’s more open, expressive, and has gone toward an art career. She’s lucked out, exhibiting in several cities across Europe for her dancing colors collection.
Babs Mimzy: She once attracted him with her wit, her intelligence, and impressed him by the fact that she wasn’t trying to impress anyone, she never did. Nick was able to open up to her enough that she fell in love with him and vise versa. But they reached a stalemate in their relationship. After five years, it turned out that he couldn’t give her what she wanted, and they couldn’t find a solution to make their relationship work. They divorced.
Future plot ideas: Purist ties to his family in Russia. His sister, with whom he doesn’t have a relationship with. Drama with ex-wife and her new fiance.
FAMILY
Mother: Valeria Orlov, 58 Father: Alexander Orlov, Deceased Siblings: Vera Orlov, 24 Pets: None Children: Thomas Miller, 5 years old. Ex-Spouse: Babs Mimzy
MAGICAL
Wand: Bog oak, 13.5 inches, Dragon heartstring Basic education: Hogwarts, Slytherin, started in 1994, graduated in 2000 Lineage: Half-blood. Dad was a pureblood. Mom was a half-blood. Skills: Animagus - borzoi. Best at defensive and offensive spells, including all of the spellwork that his job requires. Spells for the ordinary such as cooking, cleaning, housework, he doesn’t use. They make him feel lazy. But he’s also good at potions, as this was his best class. He was once taught by the great Severus Snape, not that Nick was a favorite of Snape’s. Snape had no favorites. Nick is great at apparating, uses it when in a wand fight.
Some facts
Smoking: Yes, he’s a smoker. He should quit. He likes Muggle cigarettes, Parliaments Drinks Alcohol: Yes, however, no issue with it like alcoholism. He prefers gin. Religion: None Worst Habit: Allergies: Most fantastic beasts with fur. Most Common Misconception about them: He’s aware of how he makes people feel; it’s a matter of whether he cares from one situation to another Biggest Fear: To lose his son - that could just mean losing the ability to see him. Greatest Strength: Confidence, experience, intellect, honesty, loyalty; generosity toward those closest to him Greatest Weakness: Can be ruthless on the job, cold, harsh, closed off emotionally; a difficult superior; can be impatient and not understanding Weapons: His wand
Intimate Facts
One Wish: That he doesn’t lose anyone important to him. Greatest Secret? Ideal Kiss? One that’s deliberate Sleeps In? Never, unless by accident Virgin? He has kid. What turns them on? Challenges, surprises when he expected something else
Random facts
Most Uttered Phase/Word? Tends to Always? Slouch a little, glower Is Ticklish? His feet Oddest Thing? Most likely to find them? Knows they’re really sorry if? You can see it on his face, even if he tries to hide it. Or in his actions, you can tell that he feels guilty.