Nicknames: Gerry
Birthdate: March 26, 1868
Current Age: 20 Years
Occupation: Shop Worker at Dervish and Banges’ / Magical Maintenance at Hogsmeade Hospital
Reputation: 8. Gerard seems to be a model working class citizen, but stands on the side of controversial rights, believing men, women, and half breeds should be seen equally.
Residence: Men’s only boarding house in Pennyworth
Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw
Wand: holly, 9", springy, single unicorn hair. Darkly coloured and intricately carved
Blood Status: Pure
Social Class: working
Family:Mr. Banges(father), Mrs. Banges(née Dervish, mother)
Appearance: Standing slightly taller than average at 5’ 7”, Gerard is of an average build, with a bit more tone in his body than average, and tends to be a little bit dirty. He uses his right hand as his wand hand, and dresses fittingly for someone in the working class of Pennyworth, though he has only few clothing.
History: Born early in 1868, the second son of Mr. Banges, Gerard Lawrence Banges quickly found his way as an intelligent child, often heard just as much as he was seen. His first signs of accidental magic happened when he was 4 years old, and his pureblooded parents were proud. Around the time he started paying more attention to politics, Hogsmeade was established, and so was his father and uncle’s shop. He was immediately fascinated with the various magical objects.
When he was 11 years old, he was sent to Hogwarts on scholarship, and sorted as Ravenclaw. He made few friends because of his social class. Though his father could pay for his older brother, at the time, he needed financial help for Gerard, who excelled in each subject and qualified for either a full or partial academic scholarship each year, including his fifth year, which was the year he never had at Hogwarts. Quitting the school afterwards was difficult, but he was able to work at his father’s shop.
During the fire, Gerard sustained scarring to his left leg, and lost many of his belongings, still living with his family. At age 15, he started saving for boarding elsewhere, believing it logical if he was to move out on his own eventually.
At 17 years old, Gerard felt that his sisters weren’t receiving the same amount of opportunities as he and his brother were. Feeling this was because of money, he took a second job at the Hogsmeade Hospital to help pay. However he discovered that it was due to their gender, and he was curious. Did all witches have these same problems? The same year, Gerard moved to a men’s only boarding house in Pennyworth for ease of access to both the Hospital and Dervish and Banges’, knowing that his older brother wasn’t likely to give up his birthright, Gerard’s beloved shop, when their father retired.
In 1887, Gerard took a basic Culinary Magic course with money he had saved up, hoping to be able to afford his own house if he became a chef, but no employers took him. Currently, he works hard to support his youngest sister’s OWLs and his other sister’s exploits, whatever they may be. He speaks out loud for the rights of halfbreeds and women, as well as those in the working class.
Personality: Gerard is ambitious, though it is little wonder that he was sorted into Ravenclaw, with his natural curiosity about the way the world around him works, which lead to him being something of an activist as he hopes to have equality around the United Kingdom. Gerard can hold grudges for a long time, but tends to make friendships that last longer. As he grows older, he begins to fear dying alone.
Other: Gerard currently receives pay of 3g5s from his job at his father’s shop every week, and earns 14s every week from his job at the Hospital.
Sample Roleplay Post: [Set after Gerard hears he can't go back to Hogwarts]
Gerard had considered debating with his father when the man said that he could no longer attend Hogwarts. The school was very close to Hogmeade as it was, and he felt that it was unfair to take him away just before he could take his OWLs. His older brother had gotten to take his OWLs, after all. Being second could feel so unfair to Gerard, but he knew that his brother would eventually manage the store that Gerard so loved. So it was only fair that he got more education to run it, right? The fifteen year old would have spent more time being angry at his father, had he not had to work with the man.
Having considered this his 'apprenticeship' at age 15, Gerard worked for his father knowing that it might be the only chance he got. The magical objects inside the store, including the revolutionary new Sneakoscope, were a fascination of Gerard's. His younger sister came downstairs, her eyes red. Crying again, he supposed her latest 'suitor' at Hogwarts had written a letter to her. Gerard said, "Hey, are you okay?" and hoped that she wouldn't run away as she had been for the 3 days of summer they had had so far.
Age: 14
Contact: PM
Other Characters: none
How did you hear about us?: I looked for a HP roleplay accepting of a younger player like me!