Claude Ludovic Von Volkheim

[Professor Claude Von Volkheim]

Claude Ludovic Von Volkheim

the stats
Name: Claude Ludovic Von Volkheim
Nickname(s): None
Age: 37
Blood Status: Half-Blood
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Wand: 12 ½ inch Hemlock, Hippogriff Feather, sturdy.
Birthday: May 18
Patronus: Lion
Occupation: Muggle Studies Professor aspiring Potions Professor
Play-by: Hugh Jackman

the history
Abraxas Von Volkheim never considered himself a family man. His entire life had been spent carefully planning everything out. He was going to go to school, learn whatever trade he found suited him best, and stick to it until he died. Imagine his surprise when he met Mariellen Jacobson. She was beautiful, intelligent, funny....and six years younger than him. She was 17, he was 23.

No one could figure out why only after a few years Abraxas stopped writing his book and married Mariellen, though they figured the birth of Claude seven months after the wedding had a bit of something to do with it. The Jacobson family was not pleased, and the Von Volkheim's were just shocked. Their Abraxas had a wife and child now, that went against everything he'd ever claimed he wanted out of life. The Jacobson's thought he was too old for their little girl, but being kind they would never voice their opinions of the union, no matter how strongly they felt it was simply for convenience rather than real love.

Abraxas never did become a famous author, finding that raising a child and keeping a stable home provided little time to sit and write, but he found comfort in being a Healer. Whether is was intentional or by accident, Claude was gifted with twin sisters when he was six years old, and they were named Ada and Brin. Claude did his best to help with the babies, changing diapers and helping with feedings. He was the best big brother the two little girls could have asked for, and he was often praised by his mother for his help.

Then news rolled around and wizarding Britain was hit with a crippling blow. It seemed as though Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore had not been lying, Lord Voldemort had returned. Mariellen was frantic, what should they do?! She had a nine year old son and two six year old to worry about, she would not raise her children in fear. After a long night, staying awake at the kitchen table with her husband a decision was made. They would move to Germany and stay near Abraxas's family. Should Voldemort's influence spread that far from Britain, then they would worry, but they would be in the company of many wizards Abraxas knew he could trust. After all, family was everything, and to betray one's family was to die, at least in the eyes of the Von Volkheim household.

In the early spring they'd finally made all the final preparations and moved their family to a small house close to most of Abraxas's relatives. He thought his wife was overreacting, what would the Dark Lord have wanted with a German writer 'wannabe' and a muggleborn housewife? It took a few weeks of sleepless nights and a lot of comforting from her husband, but finally Mariellen realized they were all safe, at least for the time being.

When Claude was 11 he was accepted into Durmstrang Institute, his father's Alma mater. Mariellen would have preferred Hogwarts for her son, but she knew Britain was in very bad shape, and their home in Germany was much better for her children. She knew Durmstrang was not a place for halfblood children, and she worried for them, knowing they would be teased about their Mudblood mother. Abraxas would hear none of it, Durmstrang was not the house of horrors his wife believed it to be. And what with all the Death eater business and the British Ministry being overthrown, he was happy to be in his homeland.

A year later though, news spread like wildfire. Voldemort had been defeated, and straight from the mouth of Ada Von Volkheim, 'for REAL this time!' Mariellen wanted to ship her family back to Britain immediately, but with Claude already accustomed to his school and not wanting to separate her children in their educational experiences, she agreed to stay, under the condition that they would return to her family one day. She'd known none of them had been hurt, but such a long separation and worrying for them had taken it's toll, and the least Abraxas could to do console her was allow them frequent family visits.

Claude's magical education was smooth sailing for the boy, he found he had quite the knack for potions and surprisingly had a great understanding for Muggle methods and objects, and by his graduating year he told himself he'd be a Potions professor even if it killed him. Two years after Claude's graduation the Von Volkheim family was hit with one final surprise.

Mariellen was pregnant again, at 43 years old.

Every medical precaution was taken for the woman, she was treated as though she were made of glass and gold, and nine months later Dimitri Von Volkheim was brought into the world, healthy, happy, and screaming his little lungs out.

To say Dimitri was an 'oops' baby was the understatement of the century. Abraxas was stunned and Mariellen's fear of empty nest syndrome was now a thing of the past. The way that Dimitri was different from his siblings was like night and day, his brother and sisters were fairly down to earth and practical, though Brin and Ada were prone to giggling fits, but what girls weren't? Dimitri had his head in the clouds from the moment he could voice his own thoughts. His off the wall ideas and theories on the world around him often led Abraxas to shake his head and sigh, and Mariellen to simply stare at her son with an understanding smile. It didn't hurt to be different, although...she did wish her youngest son had a filtering ability on when and how loud he would speak his mind.

Claude continued his training into becoming a professor, and like his father, that was all he concentrated on. Up until the age of twenty three he studied potions and their components and different ways of mixing, grinding, juicing and pulping ingredients. He dated women on and off, but it seemed to his family that he never took any of them, though every man has his vice, and like his father, he was soon distracted by a beautiful younger woman named Nora Witte. Pleasantly enough though, Nora was only two years younger than Claude, rather than his father's staggering six years Mariellen's senior. It seemed to be a carbon copy of his fathers early life, the two met, and a year later were abruptly married, though thankfully it wasn't due to the conception of any child. Both partners just preferred a quiet wedding, no big to do about it. Thank goodness not much money was spent on nuptials, seeing as how their marriage only lasted four years and ended in a rather bitter divorce.

It seemed that the same passion that fueled their love also fueled rather loud arguments. No punches were ever thrown and no hexes were cast, but words were exchanged that would make a Veela's hair curl.

Nora claimed Claude was an emotional train wreck who never paid any attention to her. Claude countered that Nora was psychotic and needed mental reprogramming. It was the story of most who marry young, a wonderful beginning, a crash and burn end. Some of what Nora claimed seemed to be right however, as Claude got over the split rather quickly and he was quickly absorbed back into work full time. Nora had absorbed so much of his time that he had been working as a simple potioneer for a small shop, raking in a nice enough salary to live on, but the job didn't hold Claude's attention like he wanted it to. He wanted to teach dammit, and he'd cast the Killing Curse on himself before he gave up on teaching. Unfortunately there was no opening for a teaching position at Durmstrang, so his mother suggested he try Hogwarts.

Nothing else to lose he headed for Britain and quickly put in his application for Potions. He was gently declined, the stern looking headmistress telling him the position had already been filled. Thankfully the older woman also recognized his credentials and he was offered the position of Muggle Studies professor. Claude accepted. It wasn't the job in Potions he'd craved, but there would be other opportunities. His family would keep him posted on the Potions situation at Durmstrang, and he'd try again after a few years at Hogwarts when the position was opened again. He's yet to have a go at either opportunity.

Now at age thirty seven and having his position at Hogwarts for several years he's established a rather firm but informative class curriculum, and students know, when stepping into Professor Von Volkheim's classroom, you'd better take your lessons seriously, he will not tolerate little snot-nosed brats talking about non-magical people as though they were scum.

the appearance
With his rugged features and height of nearly six feet three inches, Claude is someone to be taken seriously. Born with his mothers mass of dark thick hair, chocolate colored eyes and surprisingly boyish smile he's been called handsome by many, though this compliment usually falls on deaf ears.

His build is muscular, and anyone looking at him would assume he used to be a Beater for some Quidditch team, though he'll tell you himself he doesn't care much for the sport. A tan usually graces his skin, though during the winter months when ventures outdoors are scarce he tends to lighten up considerably, but never to the point of being called pale.

His hair can be seen at various lengths throughout the year, usually starting short at the beginning of the year and permitted to grow through the term, until the Headmistress mentions its length, that is usually Claude's que to get a bit of a trim. As it grows he wears it more slicked back, and while short he'll simply comb it back. He regrets the fact that his hair does have a mind of it's own some days, and on those days he simply has to let it do as it pleases, considering it's not too horrific.

He usually sports a bit of stubble, going a few days before shaving his face again. These traits do not define him as a slob however, he simply knows what does and does not look good with his facial features, and he likes to play games and see what McGonagall will let him get away with.

His wardrobe consists of many suit and tie ensembles, dress slacks and shirts with no tie being what he wears when not teaching. He is honest and readily admits he wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of jeans while in the school's walls, thinking they make him look unprofessional.

the personality
Despite his intimidating stature and rather firm teaching methods, he's not that strict of a man personally. The reason he's so hard on some students is because he knows either they're just being lazy or need to be pushed, but upon noticing a student is having real issues he won't hesitate to see if he can help them out with the class. It's not his goal to see students fail, but he will not simply pass them to see them do well either. His theory is that sixty percent of the grade is honest effort. If a student simply can't wrap their heads around how the filament in a light bulb works, well that's just fine, a little sad but nothing they should be outright failed for. He will grade students who don't try a little harder though, if he sees you sleeping in class, he'll wake you up and give you a warning. A second time, he'll give you a detention. Third time, which is his favorite, he'll give the leg of your desk a nice kick, scare the pants half off of you, and then give you a detention, all with that boyish smile on his face. It is rare to see Claude get angry in class, the most any student has ever seen his his eye twitch in annoyance.

He likes to make his class enjoyable without making it seem like an 'easy A' environment. Funny things and a bit of goofiness will happen in his classroom, but most of the time it is pure learning about Muggles and how they live.

Claude's relationship with his colleagues is professional as well, some he gets along with, others not so much, but the ones he doesn't have a liking for will never be aware of his dislike. He doesn't consider that fact being 'catty' or 'two-faced' as the teens call it, but simply being civil. Why would he go out of his way to make sure someone know that they annoy him? That would only make him feel guilty and turn the other person's day for the worse.

He values family over all else and would drop everything in a moment's notice if his family needed him. He does crave a family of his own one day, but with his track record of girlfriends and breaking up with them he doesn't foresee any wife or children in his near future. He's not a hard man to please, but he is rather hard to live with. He keeps an insanely clean house and insists anyone who sets foot in his home try not to make a mess either.

If there is a woman he's interested in, he is quite the little charmer. His boyish smile can turn to a devilish smirk and in the blink of an eye you can see a side of him you'd never expect.

the likes & dislikes
Likes:
- Potions
- Teaching
- Students who put in an honest effort
- Creativity
- Hand held video games (Tetris is his favorite)
- Cellular telephones
- Working outside on free time
- Firewhiskey
- Vanilla bean ice cream
- Waking sleeping students up in class

Dislikes:
- Students who try to 'bullshit' their way through a class
- Chocolate
- Strong perfume
- Cats
- Pushy women
- Nora, his ex-wife
- Cuckoo clocks, so noisy
- Students who refuse to see Muggles as people
- Pork
- Grapefruit

Amortentia:
- Rose oil
- Ink
- Old books

Pet Peeves:
- Being interrupted. He'll do it right back to you if you're a repeat offender, or just keep talking over you. If you miss what he said, sucks to be you.

- When students don't take his class seriously. It's an elective, why are you here if you aren't going to pay attention?

- Students sneaking food and drink into his classroom and leaving a mess behind. If you're going to be sneaky and have food in his class fine, but do a good job of hiding it. What he doesn't see, he doesn't mind. Also, gum under desks makes him want to punch unicorns.

- When people cough or sneeze and don't cover their mouths. Ew.

- When students come into his class and talk about Muggles as though they're common beasts. We are hear to learn about PEOPLE, not look at a zoo exhibit.

the strengths & weaknesses
Strengths:
- Potions
- Knowledge on Muggles
- Keeping a cool demeanor in the face of unruly students
- Merciful
- Keeping composure in most situations
- Versatile teaching methods
- Cooking
- Cleaning
- Understanding
- Logical

Weaknesses:
- Pretty women (no one must know)
- Talking about Nora, she tends to stir up bad memories
- Dimitri, Claude knows he's overprotective of his little brother, but he can't help it.
- Family, he'd do anything for family
- Alcohol
- Uptight
- Repetitive noises (clocks ticking or pencil tapping) give him a headache
- One track mind
- Proud
- A bit shallow

Boggart: Like most people who were young during the Second War, Claude fears the rise of another powerful Dark Wizard. A boggart will take the form of a cloaked and masked figure, followed by a sinister laugh and eerie black fog.

the family
Family:
name: Abraxas Von Volkheim
blood status: Pure
age: 66
occupation: Retired Healer, writes for pleasure in spare time
former house: Attended Durmstrang

Mother
name: Mariellen Von Volkheim (nee Jacobson)
blood status: Muggleborn
age: 60
occupation: Retired Obliviator
former house: Gryffindor
Siblings

name: Ada Kingsley (nee Von Volkheim)
blood status: Halfblood
age: 30
occupation: Housewife
house: Formerly Durmstrang

name: Brin Von Volkheim
blood status: Halfblood
age: 30
occupation: Transfiguration Professor at Durmstrang Institute
house: Formerly Durmstrang

name: Dimitri Von Volkheim
blood status: Halfblood
age: 17
occupation: Student
house: Attending Durmstrang

the roleplayer

name: They call me Punky
years roleplaying: Ten-ish...
other characters: Jeanne Renard, Dante Renard, Koji Takeda, Leila Marius
age: 22

roleplay sample

“I think this new look really compliments your face shape Connie.” Lin's hand sifted through the now short hair on the teen's head. It really was a drastic change for the girl, going from collarbone length and curly to the sleek and A-Line cut, but Lin wasn't going to tell the high school girl to rethink her decision, freshening up your look was always a way to feel better about yourself.

Most of the time, these changes were a trial and error process, but Lin felt that they had hit the nail on the head this time, with caramel and honey colored highlights added to Connie's brunette along with the new cut and straightened style really made the girl look like a different person. Handing the younger girl a hand mirror she positioned the stylists chair so she could see a full 360 of her new look, and the expression of excitement that crossed her features was proof that Lin had done her job, and had done it right.

After a few minute of praise from the girl and her mother, Lin ushered them off to the front desk to pay for their services, though she knew the good feeling in her gut wouldn't last, considering she had to go from servicing a pleasant teen and her just as pleasant mother to a taking perm rods off the head of one of the crankiest old ladies Lin had ever had the pleasure of encountering, and after that she had a cut and a manicure scheduled, and she didn't even know who that client would be...and it wasn't even one yet.

Thankfully the old woman was already over half finished, Lin only had to deal with her because a coworker had to leave early to take care of a sick child, all that was left to do was take the perm rods out and blow dry.

If ONLY life was ever that easy. The rinse went beautifully, no issues there, but when Lin began the horrifyingly annoying process of unwrapping the perm rods the woman complained that Lin wasn't doing it correctly, and once the task was finally finished and she was lead back to the stylists chair the woman, who Lin now knew was named Eugenie, snatched the hair pick from Lin's hands and proceeded to blow dry and style her own hair, leaving Lin standing behind the chair with a carefully hidden dumbstruck look. Eugenie then proceeded to pick herself up from the chair, tear the protective cape from around her neck and storm to the front desk, complaining that the service was awful, and finally stating that she wasn't paying for the service.

It was at that point that Lin slipped out for a 'break'. If she ever wanted to punch an elderly person in her whole life this was the time, but in true Lin fashion she only paced around outside in the 'smoking area' to calm herself down. It was a day in the life of working in a salon, it was an emotional roller coaster, and by now Lin was pretty much used to it, but she needed to walk it off every once in a while, she even considered lighting up a cigarette, but the smell would stick to her clothes and hair and that would cause another set of problems she wasn't ready to deal with today.

Glancing through the window at the clock she saw she had twenty minutes before her next client would arrive, and she watched an old station wagon pull out of the parking lot, driven by none other than the devil Eugenie herself, so the young woman composed herself and re-entered the salon, untying her dirtied chemical apron and tossing it into the laundry room as she went and pulling a fresh black one from the hooks labeled 'clean'. Once she was back on the salon floor she went into robot mode, sweeping her station area and spraying the counter tops and chair with a sanitizer, making everything nice and clean for the next person who came in.

Everything looked alright, now to be sure that she herself was presentable. Peering into her wall mirror she surveyed the damage, and to her surprise she didn't look as frazzled as she felt. Her dark hair was still clipped back in a messed casual fashion just the way she'd left it, her makeup needed no touching up and to her extreme pleasure, she's gotten no hair color on her white turtleneck sweater dress. There was however a spot or two on her bare forearms, but that was to be expected, that was why sleeveless was always the way to go, and she always obeyed this rule, even in the dead of winter. Her black leggings were pristine and her black heels were free of smudge. She looked fabulous, as usual.

With renewed self confidence she spun herself around and leaned against the arm of the chair, simultaneously lifting the lock bar with her foot so the chair itself wouldn't shift with her weight, and she stared at the door, waiting for her next customer. Who knew, maybe this one would make her day that much better.