Ability Applications

Evgenia Starkova grew up mostly in Scotland, figure skating since the age of five. It serves a figure skater well to be graceful - a quality Zhenya has honed and developed in her six years of skating. Zhenya’s mother signed her up for learn-to-skate lessons when she was five years old, after she repeatedly stated that she liked being on skates while playing hockey and liked to watch ballet dancers’ expressive artistry and the emotions they were able to convey, but didn’t feel that participating in either sport was quite complete. Skating stuck - some called Zhenya a prodigy, and others told her mother she was perfect for the sport. Not only was she able to learn ideas and elements quickly, and successfully execute them in only a few days after copious amounts of practice, but she had a natural gift of expression that allowed her artistry to begin developing at a very young age. Skating improved Evgenia’s balance, kinesthesia, and flexibility, which in turn improved her all-around movement. She had always had a more athletically-built and capable build, but she flourished with her skating. She liked to sneak up on her mother as a young child, shrieking in laughter every time she was caught - and, before long, began to succeed regularly. She naturally walks fairly quietly, her steps light rather than heavy, because she is used to gliding on the ice several hours a day most days of the week. Skating elements require very purposeful movement - correct placement of the correct foot to push off of the correct blade edge; correct position and timing of the correct glide to enter into the correct spin or jump. In a sport where one tiny mistake can mean a huge consequence, Evgenia has excelled because of her gracefulness. She carries her movements on the ice over to the floor - even off the ice with no skates on, she always moves with clear intent, relaxed and quiet yet well-controlled and powerful. She likes to always act or feel as if she is skating, so she tends to incorporate tiny little training exercises into her off-ice time even if she isn’t training off-ice. And with the amount of time Zhenya spends on the ice and her dedication to her sport, it can be argued that she does not even know how to fully leave the ice behind in any way. She continues to successfully sneak up on and surprise people, though a lot of it is accidental by now.

HIIEver since Winter’s dad died, she has been very quiet and would not talk to anyone except her mother. In school, after she set her school on fire on accident, nobody seems to notice her except her best friends as if she is invisible. She actually think that as an advantage for sneaking around or helping people with it.
HIIOne time, during elementary school, a popular kid was crying because she lost her favourite teddy bear. It was brown with a pink dress and ribbon with a soundbox. Winter remembered that she has seen the teddy bear in the shop near the school. So she snuck out of school, bypassing the security and ran over to the shop. She then ran back within 5 minutes and got the teddy bear. She climbed the wall back in and ran to the classroom. She threw the teddy near the crowd surrounding the kid. One of the kids in the crowd saw the teddy bear after 2 minutes and gave it to the popular kid. Winter was proud of the fact that she helped the popular kid and yet nobody knows who threw the teddy there. A few days later, they found out that the popular kid’s best friend stole the teddy bear because she was jealous of her wealth. And yet, the mystery of who got a new bear for her is still unsolved.
HIIThe second time is when Winter got detention for not finishing her Maths homework. The teacher demanded to stay after class and finish the homework. Winter rolled her eyes at the teacher. During class, she secret did the homework on her lap. She left the classroom with the others and yet the teacher didn’t even notice until an hour later.
HIISince Winter is pretty shy and unpopular, she wonders around the school during lunch and recess with nobody bothering her. Sometimes, she sees some things that belongs to teachers in random corners, probably the pranksters hiding their stuff again. Winter helps the teachers get their lost lesson plan, phone or even keys and puts them back on their desks. The teacher never knew they were stolen.
HIIAnother time is when Winter was about to leave and saw a teacher crying in the classroom after a rough day. Winter couldn’t bare watching somebody cry secretly so she took her sticky note and wrote an encouraging message to the teacher. She slid it through the door and walked away cheerfully.

"Mom!" Zach whined to his mother.

The Muggle turned her head from the wet dishes in her hands to her son. She asked, "What happened?"

"I think my wand hated me." The boy jumped to the nearest dining chair. His head melted on the table.

She dried her hands. The Muggle remembered this thing from her acquaintance in the Wizarding World, other parents of Wizarding kids. Wands might lose their attachment to their owner, and it could happen anytime. "Let's check it in Ollivanders," she said. "I have time today. We can go after your grandma comes."

Zach's eyes were sparkling with joy. And so that day, after his grandparents came, the mother and the son drove to the Leaky Cauldron to access Diagon Alley. It was crowded as usual. They immediately went to the Ollivaners.

The shopkeeper helped the boy to pick his wand. Dozens of attempt was done. He faced many failures and explosions. The attempt stopped when the wand with Unicorn Tail Hair core and Willow wood showed interest. The shopkeeper knew, the wand chose the Muggle-born.

And so they bought the wand. They also bought some necessary things for Zach's lizard pet, Zarcon, that day, and went home with bags full of things.

Core: Unicorn Tail Hair (177 words)

Unicorn Tail Hair, the core that resonates with Zach Zaphiere more than other cores. This was surely surprising. Phoenix Feather suited Zach for the first time. The boy was full of surprise, versatile, and very Phoenix Feather-like. But the core slowly stopped taking an interest in Zach since the boy started to focus on one type of magic only, which was healing magic. The wizard and the core became distant day by day, and eventually lost the connection.

So when it was time for the young wizard to be connected to other cores, Unicorn Tail Hair showed itself. The core saw the moralistic and loyalty aspect, which took more interest in the young wizard. Zach kept his consistency in studying the healing magic and seldom missed the chance. The moralistic side became sharper in his time as a healer intern in the Hospital Wing. Not to mention how he became far and didn't have an interest in the Dark Arts. These were enough reasons for the core to choose the young wizard as its owner and partner.

Wood: Willow (168 words)

Insecurities and uncertainty were always part of Zach's life development. Born in a Muggle family with a thick medical background, Zach often questioned himself about what he would do if they found out that the boy couldn't really be part of them. Being a wizard crushed his dream of being the same as his family. It wasn't until he found that there was an adjacent one in the Wizarding World. Being a healer.

He started to deepen his knowledge of healing magic. The attempt that was started from the thought of being the same as the rest of his Muggle family, masked by "the dream" to be a doctor. Some would be tired of doing this, but it wasn't the case for Zach. He started to enjoy it. He didn't do it to be part of the family anymore. His studying process became more of a love for the knowledge.

This was what the wood saw from him. This was the reason the wood chose the young wizard.

Length: 27 cm (141 words)

Zach was silent and shy. But it was all his past. Zach Zaphiere was never silent or shy anymore. Hogwarts built the boy throughout the years. He joined extracurriculars, built a club, even took on a leadership role such as captaincy and prefect, all of which formed the boy that people saw nowadays. He didn't hide himself to do anything he liked. He would initiate things. He would pull people he loves to do many things together. He didn't hold himself. He was freer than his older self. He was prideful.

But the growth was not without control.

Zach knew where and when to place himself. He knew when to hold himself up. He was ready to stop anything just to help the people around him. He knew his balance, even though it sometimes conflicted with what he wanted to show.

Flexibility: Pliant (80 words)

Zach Zaphiere was pretty flexible to adjust. The Wizarding World was alien for the Muggle-born. The boy didn't know anything about the world or what he should do. He just came and followed what had been instructed. The rest was all of his effort to adapt.

And he succeeded.

He survived his years at Hogwarts. He could catch up with everything that wizards know, at least the basics. This wasn't his effort alone. Thanks to the good people around him.

Like most people Fawkes had gotten her wand from Ollivander's. Her current wand was of chesnut wood and a snallygaster core. But whenever she used it there was something. Something that never felt quite right. She could cast well with it that's for certain but it never felt good. It was as if she was forcing her magic through the wand rather than letting it guide the magic.

She had decided it was better to try and get another wand. It wasn't a neccesity but her mother had mentioned once that in order to be a good at duelling it was important to have a good relationship with your wand. A wand that doesn't fit would have an increased chance of not doing what you want it to.

When she had mentioned wanting to get a new wand off handedly to her grandparents, her grandfather stopped her before she could. He took her to the library in her own home and made her climb one of the ladders to the top of the shelves. Confused, she did as asked. At the top sat multiple boxes with various things inside. Multiple family heirlooms ranging from jewelry to artifacts. She was directed to get a rectangular box down however.

When she brought it down to her grandfather, he opened it and inside were three wands of different sizes and woods. He explained that when her brothers were born, his father (Fawkes' great grandfather) was still alive and he happened to be a wandmaker. At that time, he made wands for all his great grandchildren which by then they were around 7 of them at the time. He had passed away a few months later but the three wands made for her and her brothers were kept safely in the Chaos family home library.

Her grandfather pointed them out. One was a dragon heartstring core. One was a Phoenix feather core and the last was a Unicorn tail. He suggested the Phoenix feather wand first. That was the one her great grandfather thought would fit the best. Fawkes shrugged and decided to give it a wave. She felt that familiar feeling of warmth creep into her body. It was similar to what she felt with her current wand but it was more... fiery. Warmer than before. Perhaps due to it being a Pheonix feather? She decided to cast a simple levitation charm to put a book back in its place.

When she casted the spell it wasn't like her old wand where the magic felt forced. It felt strong and guided as if coaxing her to use more power, to be more confident in her own magic. She knew this was the wand. Her great grandfather seemed to be quite knowlegeble about what would fit her best even though she was barely 3 when he passed and she didn't remember him.

Core: Phoenix Feather (109/50)
Fawkes had always been a stubborn child even as a toddler. She hated going to bed early, she would throw one of her rare tantrums when she had to go back inside when it became late at night instead of being allowed to watch the stars, as well as other similar insatnces. This stubborn streak could also be why her great grandfather was more inclinded to make a Phoenix feather wand for her. When it came to being enduring, she often hid her pain from others. Her life wasn't particularly painful but whenever she was scared of something she would try to hide it. Especially with her horrifying nightmares.

Wand wood: Alder (72/50)
While Alder wands prefer an owner who isin't stubborn, they do prefer owners who are helpful, considerate and generally likeable. Fawkes embodies all three of those values. Despite being stubborn about certain things, she's also kind and willing to help anyone in need. She tries her best to take other's opinions into account when it comes to making important decisions and from what she's been told she's rather likeable to most people.

Wand length: 30 cms (51/50)
Her wand length being 30 cms was quite average yet it fit her. She wasn't overly lively or dramatic but at the same time she wasn't quite refined with her magic either. She was comfortably in the middle being able to produce flashy spells as well as softer more refined ones.

Wand Flexibility: Very Flexible (74/50)
Her wand being flexible is a testament to how she deals with change. She dislikes when certain things change for example a disruption in her routine or a sudden change in her safe spaces but at the same time she can adapt. It may take time but she can adapt to many situations. She's also quick to adapt in high stress situations Detention Detail and can figure out a way to solve problems in a pinch.

Please make the display like this:

436/400
It is already her second year in Hogwarts. Until those time, she already have been meeting and encountering with many new and unique people. Witch and wizard. Human and half-breed. She almost didn't believe herself she can reach until the second September here in Hogwarts. It is rather luck, or it was the very reason she got accepted to Hogwarts in the very beginning that she not really realizing it just yet.

Even so, she actually still adjusting to her new all over surrounding. Though, who would blame her if she had that cautious thought if maybe that one student who is a dhamphir will be suddenly lunged at her and sip her blood, or that one student who is a werewolf will be suddenly wild for no reason, or that one student who is a veela which actually not shown an obvious danger but still give her an odd sense of oddity. That really is her first experience to meet another person whose not 100% human, so who would blame her?

She had enough with bullies in her old school she trying hard to stay away for before for years. She thought when she moved to Hogwarts which is nobody know her is a safe chance to her new school life. She can do whatever she want, move wherever she want. But now, she have another personal problem instead with inhuman people in her new school. No, it doesn't mean she is racist. It just because of her high sense of alertness. Back then, with her bullies; now, with them.

And that she also realized they are not totally as dangerous as she first thought--with realization they wouldn't be accepted to school here if they are dangerous. But still, she can't help with those past experience she had have. She ended up having trust-issue and better to keep her distance before approaching. Thus, she developed such a high awareness of her surrounding wherever she want to go. Human, inhuman, and even ghost. Students and professors. Classmates and upperclassman. Friends and foes. Not gave an immediate result by one day learning, however. She wasn't that prodigy, but she liked to try everything she liked. And slowly, it's not only affected just for people but also things she first not really noticed it's always there. An even count armored-knight, groups of female and male portraits that can be found disappeared or moved to the other portraits by exact time, or the occasional time the stairs would be moved. Mundane observations, indeed, but if somehow can help her with anything, it still can be count help, is it?

Max was always one for competition. Who could throw the furthest, race the fastest, climb the highest. It didn’t really matter much what the competition was, it gave him a rush no matter what. A spark of adrenaline, and a pinch of nerves that only added to his confidence.

The problem with competition was that he couldn’t win every time. Being a sore loser was far from a well kept secret. Besides, what fun was there if no one pulled a few dirty moves and tried to trick the other without the referee seeing? None. The only problem back home was that his sister always spotted his antics from miles away, even managing to make him regret some of the choices. The last time they wrestled, and he pulled a quick jab at her… he would rather not remember.

He started Hogwarts, and new problems arose. People weren’t as used to his tactics, so he got away with a lot more than he probably should have. The only problem came once he tried to cheat on a test. He hadn’t been caught in the moment, but his inability to lie convincingly soon enough blew his cover.

So he adapted. Cheating really was the most fun in games and sports. Then he wouldn’t be caught up in trying to lie his way out. Either the referee spotted the foul, or they didn’t.

It didn’t take long before quidditch caught his eye, and he started almost obsessively paying attention to the Gryffindor team. In matches, but also at practice. How fouls were done while on a broom, which ones were too obvious not to be spotted.

He started trying out a few moves when practicing on his own. It was far from easy. There was a subtleness to it that he didn’t quite seem to be able to grasp. Making it look like he was up to nothing, before quickly striking, and going right back to what he had been doing before. It was exhausting, and he was getting no better at it.

He still stood rock fast to his desire to play, no matter the cost. So he signed up for a few unofficial games. The extra experience couldn’t hurt, and it would be a better way for him to show off his skills on a broom.

Halfway through his first match, it was as if something finally clicked into place. He didn’t have to worry about getting caught, and therefore messed up his whole plan, if he just acted on whims instead. Sure, feigning innocence was useful too, it always was. But as long as he didn’t form the plan ahead of time, there was no pressure to keep up the mask.

Truly, he had found his own. He loved flying, and loved quidditch even more still. The prospect of cheating without actually getting caught brought a whole new level of excitement. He could do this, and he would do it well. Those who said that cheaters never prospered were idiots. They had obviously yet to meet him.

Avery had always had a knack for finding things in the weirdest of places. It was the reason why her grandmother had made her many times figure out where she could have misplaced her knitting needles or where her wooden spoon for stirring soups could have gone. That was why she wanted to become a Quidditch Seeker for Gryffindor when she saw her chance come. It was her way of giving back to her house with her special skill of finding even the smallest of objects.

Avery had been in many Quidditch games and played Seeker for them. Though she usually sat on the bench, she had the rare occasions where she did play and had easily spotted the snitch. Though she never really had the chance to grab at it as she was always blown out of the sky first, but that wasn’t the point.

When Avery had free time, she would spend hours out on the pitch practicing searching for the snitch. And, as time went on, she got better at it. Even the slightest flutter of wings or the slightest hint of gold caught her attention and she knew where the snitch was.

She had to be good enough for the Gryffindor team’s upcoming season. Though she would probably continue to be benched, she would still be ready to answer the call and she would be very well practiced in spotting the fluttering golden ball even when its tiny self shot across the pitch.

Was it easy to practice searching for the tiny snitch over and over again without losing interest? Of course it was. Why would it not be? But she also knew something else. Practice made perfect and she needed all the practice she could get if she was going to make her team proud. That was her job as a Seeker. Find the snitch and catch it as soon as possible so you can lead your team into victory.

She had ingrained finding that snitch into her brain until it felt that she could fine it in her sleep. That was a satisfactory thought. Finally after all this careful planning, plotting, and practice, her sharpness in her eyes to notice things had become even clearer. That meant she could finally live up to the name her grandfather used to call her whenever she was little and would find forgotten things lying in strange places around the house. Eagle eye.