#penelope shingleton

[darknesscall-rp]

Mary MacDonald

Penelope Shingleton

Fredrika Gregorovitch (admin vex)

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⦃ application count + 3 ⦄

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✖ full name: Penelope Shingleton ✖ age: 21  ✖ preferred pronouns: She/her ✖ affiliation: Death eaters (not marked) ✖ occupation: Secretary at the Ministry of Magic and socialitè  ✖ blood status: Pureblood ✖ former house: Ravenclaw

✖ checked information (x) ✖ face claim: Aja Naomi King

(recollected by Rita Skeeter. Sources can be less than reliable.)

✖ Isn’t she adopted? Everyone thinks she is, but she never confirms it nor denies it. ✖ It must be difficult to grow up in a family like hers. Everyone there is a genius. How does she handle all that pressure? ✖ Apparently her parents are already rushing her into marriage. If she scores a good suitor it’s going to be the talk of the town.

Born on the first day of Fall, Penelope Fiona Shingleton grew to be both the flower that fell as well as the serpent beneath it. To live with a shadow cast over you for so long, would cause anyone to call darkness a friend and dear Penelope made peace with the dark long ago, letting it cover her, fill her up, until she too became one with it. But to understand how the girl, once sweet and soft as the petals of jasmine, came to foster such resentment, came to expel such anger on the world, the story needs to begin in the years before she was born.

The Shingleton name, while not of Sacred Twenty Eight, was still a prominent one in England as well as France’s pureblood society, her grandparents had made sure of it. Darius Shingleton, her father, was the heir to the Shingleton Estate, the first and only born son to his parents. Like the many other young men his age, his entire life was meant to go according to a very specific and cemented plan. He was to attend Hogwarts, get his education and scope out potential brides, and if he returned at eighteen years old without a choice, one would be provided for him. Enter, her mother, Delphine Fontaine, hailing from Southern France, fresh faced and wide eyed after graduating from the Beauxbatons Academy. Their marriage was drawn up like a business contract, and they wed the spring of the next year. It wasn’t before long when they brought their first child into the world, a beautiful boy – Gaspard.

She was the child that took the Shingletons by surprise, and soon everyone would see that as a recurring pattern with Penelope. As she grew, Penelope was forced into understanding two things: the home would be her ruling ground and that marriage was her destiny if a ’nice pureblood boy’ would have her. She was the second child, the technical extra, the spare to Gaspard – the proverbial heir. He had and enjoyed all the perks that came with not only being the first, but being fortunate enough to be born a male. The mere difference in their anatomy caused the Shingleton siblings to be treated with subtle difference. As a girl, Penelope’s time was spent learning specific ‘arts’ from her grandmother, arts worthy of a woman. Dancing, etiquette, preparing meals magically, weaving and sewing spells, and healing with herbs and perfumes. On the other hand, Gaspard spent his time learning ‘real’ things. He was allowed to spend his time reading, educating himself on magic, on science and history. And Penelope wished to learn too. But she wasn’t allowed, not entirely.

The girl was allowed a reverie as her older brother went off to Hogwarts. Suddenly, the attention solely belonged to her, and she reveled in it. That was…until Gaspard sent the family a letter, or Gaspard came home for the holidays, and she was eased to the background once again. But soon, the young witch turned eleven, and she joined her brother in the monstrous and magical castle he’d written about. She didn’t stand much of a chance, though. Gaspard Shingleton’s little sister. It’s what she was known as the moment she stepped her prim kitten heel into Hogwarts. The genius, the child prodigy, the brilliant innovator – that is what she was up against. And how was a girl to forge an identity of her own when her brother’s was so large?

The Shingletons had a prevalent legacy in Ravenclaw House, and the Sorting Hat placed Penelope accordingly once it sat on her head and dipped into her innermost thoughts. Her brilliance was not a natural one, just picking up on things in the way her brother could. But Penelope was studious, and she would be damned if she didn’t buckle down teach herself, fill her knowledge gaps on her own. While Gaspard was the creative, Penelope was more concrete – excelling in things like numbers, like theories she could prove, like instructions she could follow to a proper and predetermined end.

Graduation rolled around and since then Penelope has settled into a secretary’s life. In school, Penelope wasn’t the greatest witch but she did show aptitude in Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, making her an excellent candidate for Curse Breaking. But such dreams were unrealistic - she was a lady, ladies had no business running about in the deserts trying to break ancient curses, her mother had told her when she expressed interest. It only made her bitterness run further. While Penelope wants more, knows she’s capable of more, she’s found the Ministry to be the beacon of all connections she could possibly want. She’d been working there for six months when she was approached and given a package from a man she didn’t know, a man she would soon come to understand was a Death Eater. It held instructions for a ‘special assignment.’ Inside the envelope contained what appeared to be a letter. The text completely scrambled to appear as nonsense. She’d done enough reading to recognize an encrypted message when she saw one. Penelope knew what she had to do.

It was how she proved herself useful to the Dark Lord. It took her mere hours to decrypt the text - a letter they’d intercepted from the Aurors, she found - something that no one had yet been able to do for Him. With her talents realized, came an ornate mask, a set of midnight black robes, and membership into the elite. All she ever wanted. So now, Penelope plays the part of unsuspecting doe-eyed secretary while utilizing her position to flow between the Ministry’s departments, collecting and passing along information.

Rayna Karkaroff, Constance Rosier: Best friends.  Augustus Rookwood: Vague talks of betrothal.  Fabian Prewett: Always found him funny, doesn’t know how to approach him. Annick Rousseau: Goes to for advice.  Gaspard Wilkes: Tries to avoid. Leanna McLaggen, Althea Fawley: Partners in crime. 

[penelopeshingleton]

Penelope Shingleton - My heart still beats.

Adelaide Kane as Penelope Shingleton

Chris Nott as Ernest Shingleton

Madeleine Stowe as Victoria Shingleton

Josh Bowman as Gaspard Shingleton

Torrance Coombs as Bartemius Crouch Jr.

Eddie Redmayne as Fabian Prewett

Premise: Ernest and Victoria call Penelope home for a certain 'exceptional occasion', however when Penelope arrives at home the occasion appears to be the introduction to her fiance, Bartemius Crouch Jr., a match chosen by her parents. Penelope resists at first and clashes with her older brother Gaspard who tells her that it is her duty. Victoire Shingleton, Penelope's mother, finds it a bit harder to see her daughter struggle, for she remembers a certain time, long ago when she was married off to Penelope's father, Ernest. Due to this, Penelope feels betrayed by her, but also by her father. Penelope soon realizes that the more she begins to loathe her fiance, Bartemius, the more interesting he seems to find her. Trying to find a way out of a situation she can't seem to escape, Penelope becomes desperate. Only one thing becomes more clear to her during the entire process: her potential feelings for Fabian Prewett.

[penelopeshingleton]

Character Questionnaire

BODY AND APPEARANCE

1. Describe the character’s height and build. Is she heavyset, thin, short, rangy?

Penelope is quite tall and very slim. 

Sixteen. 3. Describe her posture. Does he carry herself well or does she slouch?

Penelope comes from an aristocratic family, which naturally lead her to walk like a queen. She doesn't walk, she strides, with a straight back her chin up and most importantly; with confidence. 

4. How is her health? Is she fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?

Penelope is in perfect condition, although she believes herself that she seriously needs to address her shape, for she wants to make it to the Ravenclaw quidditch team next year. Also, Penelope has an allergy for cats. 5. How does she move? Is she clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?

Penelope is not particularly clumsy, however like most, she does have her moments and episodes of clumsiness, especially when she is stepping out of her comfort zone. In general, Penelope is found to be quite graceful in her movements.

6. How attractive is this character physically? How does she perceive himself in the mirror?

Penelope has never cared much about her looks in particular, for it was always her wits and smarts that she and her parents concentrated on. Penelope believes that she is fairly pretty, however still has her insecurities.  7. Describe her complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?

Penelope has a very light, almost pale, complexion. Unlike most other students, she barely leaves the castle. However, her skin is clean and smooth, no scar to be found.  8. Describe her hair: color, texture, style.

Penelope has long, dark brown curls. Her curls are smooth, generally, but when she wakes up in the morning it takes her quite some time to tame them. 9. What color are her eyes?

Brown, hazel eyes. 10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?

She can pout and roll her eyes like no other. 11. What are her chief tension centers?

Intense staring, clenching fists and deep and heavy breathes. 

12. What is the character’s wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit?

Penelope owns many majestic and elegant dresses. Her style could be described as old-fashioned, romantic and feminine. The basic colours she wears are usually neutrals. Her wealthy background provided her with a very rich and large wardrobe. 

13. Do her clothes fit well? Does she seem comfortable in them?

Peneope wears every piece of clothing with pride. 

SPEECH

1. What does this character’s voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?

Penelope's tone of voice comes across as distant and disinterested. It's neither high nor really deep, but somwhere in the middle. 2. How does she normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does she talk easily, or does he hesitate?

Penelope usually speaks loud and clear, however in presence of her parents she talks fairly softer. When she feels uncomfortable or insecure her voice will even become nearly inaudible. 3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?

Penelope speaks with a very posh, British accent. 4. What language/s does she speak, and with how much fluency?

Penelope learned to speak many languages, such as French, Italian and Spanish, but is also capable of reading and translating Latin, Greek and Ancient Runes.  5. Does she switch languages or dialects in certain situations?

No. 6. Is she a good impromptu speaker, or does she have to think about her words?

Penelope sometimes accidentally blurts out certain things she shouldn't have said, however was raised to think before she speaks. 7. Is she eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?

Like mentioned earlier, she is quite eloquent unless she feels less secure.

MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL

1. How intelligent is this character? Is she book-smart or street-smart?

Penelope is highly intelligent, which allowed her access to the Slug Club. Her intelligence, however, would be better described as book-smart.

2. Does she think on her feet, or does she need time to deliberate?

Penelope is always pondering and deliberating. She is a rational person, therefore always needs time to think about everything. 3. Describe the character’s thought process. Is she more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?

Penelope used to be more logical than intuitive and more practical than idealistic, however recent occurrences have slightly changed this.

4. What kind of education has the character had?

Penelope was long home schooled before she attended Hogwarts. Her parents hired a former Hogwarts teacher to tutor her and her brother and provide them with an advantage long before the other students would start their magical education.

5. What are her areas of expertise? What, if anything, is she interested in learning more about?

Charms, Defense Against the Dark arts and Study of Ancient Runes are her strengths. And she would be eager to learn more about Care of Magical Creatures.

6. Is she an introvert or an extrovert?

Introvert.

7. Describe the character’s temperament. Is she even-tempered or does she have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?

Penelope is a melancholic character, she lives in the past as much as in the present. She is generally even-tempered, however she is quite vulnerable and is easily upset. 

8. How does she respond to new people or situations? Is she suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?

Penelope is very suspicious and timid in her respond to new people and or situations.

9. Is she more likely to act, or to react?

React.

10. Which is his default: fight or flight?

Flight. Penelope absolutely hates confrontations.

11. Describe the character’s sense of humor. Does she appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?

Penelope is not easily amused. She appreciates sarcasm and irony the most.

12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does she deal with them?

No.

13. What moments in this character’s life have defined her as a person?

Many moments have defined Penelope as a person, in fact her personality is still shaping and forming.

14. What does she fear?

Penelope fears to disappoint her parents, to be disowned, to live in the shadows of her brother and she has an irrational fear of wave-like motions in water.

15. What are her hopes or aspirations?

Penelope wants to be happy and free. Her aspirations used to be in line with her parents', as her only goal in life was to please them. Nowadays, Penelope feels that she wants more from life. She wants to feel like she is alive.

16. What is something she doesn’t want anyone to find out about her?

That she smokes, for one. That she has never kissed someone or been in love in the first place. That she secretly despises her family.

RELATIONSHIPS

1. Describe this character’s relationship with her parents.

Penelope's relationship with her parents is quite difficult. On one hand she feels the need to please them, she wants them to recognize her and love her for who she is, rather than what she has accomplished. On the other hand she despises them and their narrow-mindedness. During her years at Hogwarts Penelope has learned to view the world from so many different perspectives that she simply can't agree with them any more.

2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?

Penelope has an older brother, who is three years older than her. Their relationship is strained. In the very early years they used to be playmates and they used to be very close, however at one point Gaspard left her behind and merely focused on academic goals and ambitions. He excelled in everything he did, drawing all their parents attention to himself and making it very hard for Penelope to be noticed. Nowadays, they barely speak. 

3. Are there other blood relatives to whom she is close? Are there ones she can’t stand?

Penelope is particularly close to her uncle, her father's father, who is more gentle and warm. He used to be the only one paying attention to Penelope, before she became a prefect and a member of the Slug Club. He also used to take her out on trips to Italy and tried to teach her about the many wonders of the world. Penelope is very fond of him.

4. Are there other, unrelated people whom she considers part of her family? What are her relationships with them?

Penelope is very cautious with allowing people to get close to her.

5. Who is/was the character’s best friend? How did they meet?

Barnabas Cuffe. They met during one of the Slug Club dinner parties. They found that they held the same attitudes and opinions on several subjects and reasoned that they might as well become friends.

6. Does she have other close friends?

Yes. Septima Vector, Xenophilius Lovegood and from time to time she indulges in conversations with with Lily Evans.

7. Does she make friends easily, or does she have trouble getting along with people?

Penelope is a kind person and nice to be around, however she doesn't allow many people into her inner circle of friends.

8. Which does she consider more important: family or friends?

Family. Even though she might not always like them, they are of utmost importance to her.

9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has she been married more than once?

She is single, however soon to be betrothed. 

10. Is she currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?

No. 11. Who was her first crush? Who is her latest?

Penelope has never been in love, not even liked someone for that matter. She is pretty sure that she is attracted to males, however she has never met one who has been able to capture her attention long enough.

12. What does she look for in a romantic partner?

Smart, wise, witty, humorous, talented, attentive, gentle, kind, mysterious.. and so the list goes on and on. Penelope is very demanding, however she honestly doesn't have the faintest clue what she is looking for exactly.

13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does she relate to them? If no, does she want any?

Penelope dislikes children and is currently not planning on having any. 14. Does she have any rivals or enemies?

First of all, her brother could be categorized as a rival. Second, the pretty much considers everyone who excels at a certain area or subject to be a rival.

15. What is the character’s sexual orientation? Where does she fall on the Kinsey scale?

She's not quite sure yet, but probably very till entirely heterosexual.  16. How does she feel about sex? How important is it to her?

Penelope is quite inexperienced. 

BELIEFS

1. Do you know your character’s astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does she fit type?

Penelope is a Gemini. She's witty, clever, imaginative and indecisive. 

2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in her life?

Neither. Penelope believes in what she can see.

3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?

Penelope was thought by her parents the morals that came along with being a descendant of an aristocratic pure-blooded family, however she slowly moved away from her parents' opinions and codes and started to form her own.  4. How does she regard beliefs that differ from hers? Is she tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?

Penelope was raised to be intolerant and she is quite stubborn, though she was born with a curiosity that helps her to accept and listen to all different kinds of beliefs.  5. What prejudices does she hold? Are they irrational or does she have a good reason for them?

She holds quite a few prejudices. She does pay a lot of attention to people's class and tends to look down upon those who are less well off. She also holds certain prejudices towards men, she's a real feminist. 

DAILY LIFE

1. What is the character’s financial situation? Is she rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?

Coming from a wealthy family such as the Shingletons she has never been confronted with any form of money issues. She gets everything served to her on a golden platter.  2. What is her social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected her?

Penelope has a good name and reputation, however people don't seem to know the real her.  3. Where does she live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home her castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?

At Hogwarts, naturally and her family mansion in Oxford; the Shingleton Manor.  4. Besides the basic necessities, what does she spend her money on?

Educational devices such as the most expensive cauldrons, quills etcetera. She also likes to buy luxurious items for her owl pet; Kai. 5. What does she do for a living? Is she good at it? Does she enjoy it, or would she rather be doing something else?

Penelope is currently still a student at Hogwarts. 6. What are her interests or hobbies? How does she spend his free time?

Penelope loves reading, writing, painting, collecting chocolate frog cards.

7. What are her eating habits? Does she skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?

Penelope is currently trying a vegetarian diet, she doesn't drink alcohol in general.

ASSOCIATIONS

1. Color? Ivory. 2. Smell? Vanilla and Coconut. 3. Time of day? Late afternoon. 4. Season? Winter. 5. Music? Classical. 6. Place? Greenhouse, Wyndham's Theater. 7. Substance? Wood. 8. Plant? Hibiscus. 9. Animal? Porcupine.