PERSONALITY
Avery is friendly and outgoing. He’s not afraid to strike up a conversation with a stranger. He’s never been overly motivated about schoolwork and would rather explore the Hogwarts grounds than do homework. Avery’s father is constantly disappointed that he doesn’t “apply himself” like his older brother.

ABOUT
Father: Greg Shepherd, Doctor
Mother: Stephanie Shepherd, homemaker
Older Brother: Thomas Shepherd, Medical Student
Birthday: November 15
Gender: Male
Skin Tone: Pale
Eye Color: Hazel
Hair: Naturally dark brown, usually messy

HISTORY
Before Hogwarts:
Having an over-achiever for a brother was a constant source of annoyance for Avery. Thomas got perfect grades and seemed to do whatever he could to make his father proud, including going to medical school to follow in his father’s footsteps. Avery, on the other hand, hated school. Sitting in a boring classroom all day, doing homework, that was for suck-ups like his brother. He’d rather be out playing with his friends. It didn’t seem to matter that he never paid attention in class, somehow he managed to learn things and get decent enough grades.

He knew his dad hoped he’d also grow up to become a doctor, but nothing could be farther from Avery’s mind. He wasn’t exactly a “plan ahead” kind of kid, more like go for it and hope for the best. His spontaneous nature frequently got him into trouble; he was often coming home with scraped knees and elbows. But in the end, things usually worked out for him, one way or another. If he couldn’t puzzle something through, he could usually talk his way out of it.

While he wasn’t close with his brother, there was a significant age difference, or his father, there was a significant priorities difference, he got along well enough with his mum. She doted on him, being the younger son, the baby, and he could usually count on her to take his side when it came to arguments with his father or brother.

First Incidence of Magic
Avery's first accidental use of magic was when he was 8 years old. This took place in his home in England. His mother was baking a cake and he was upset that he couldn't have a piece. It was for guests that would be coming, his mom explained. In his frustration over the matter, he gestured toward the cake, causing it to be pushed back against the backsplash of the counter. Pieces of cake went everywhere! The emotions he felt while it was happening were shock and surprise. After it happened, he was confused, not knowing what this all meant. His parents, being Muggles had no idea either. They reacted with confusion. They just assumed he had pushed the cake with his hands, and he got in trouble for making a mess. The whole incident was quickly forgotten, and Avery made sure to keep his temper under control after that. Needless to say, the letter that arrived on his 11th birthday went a long way toward explaining things.

Hogwarts Letter:
When an unusual stranger arrived at their house on the morning of Avery’s 11th birthday, his life would change forever. As great as his brother was at everything else, Avery was going to a wizarding school to learn… magic, which was real, by the way, and it wasn’t just those corny card tricks at birthday parties. He would be able to do actual magic, and his perfect, over-achieving brother wouldn’t.

His mother was beyond pleased, as she’d always known he was her “special little boy.” (Avery hated when she called him that.) His father was skeptical. As a man of science, he “didn’t see how any of this nonsense was possible.” But the Hogwarts representative must have managed to talk him into it. Avery was sent outside about that time and missed out on the juicy bits of the conversation.

They were given very specific instructions for how to get to the mysterious Diagon Alley and how he would be boarding the Hogwarts Express. Avery felt like his life was finally beginning. And it would be a life just for him, not something his father had chosen.