Basic
Full Name: Dorian Alexander Innes
Age: 29-30
Birthdate: 29 October 1975
Relationship: Married to Selah Innes (m. 31 October 1997 - separated August 2005)
Hometown: London, England
Residence: Hogwarts (temporarily)
Blood: Pure-blood
Pet: A Great grey owl named Caius
Wand: Blackthorn with a phoenix feather, 12¾ inches, unyielding
Patronus: Black Morgan stallion
Boggart: His wife asking for a divorce
Certifications: Apparition
Skills: Duelling, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Wandless and Nonverbal magic
Occupation: Auror (September 1998 - present)
Trainee Auror (September 1995 - September 1998)
Dishwasher at the Leaky Cauldron (June 1994 - September 1995)
Appearance
Height/build: 6'4" (1.93m) / well built with broad shoulders
Hair/eye colour: Black/Hazel
Family
Father: Alexander Innes, 45, Auror
Mother: Carolyn Innes, 45, Auror
Brother: Trent Innes, 18, 7th Year Slytherin
Hogwarts
House: Slytherin
Years: 1987-1994
Quidditch Position: Beater (1988-1994)
Best Class: Defence Against the Dark Arts
Worst Class: Astronomy
Extracurriculars: Duelling club (1987-1994)
O.W.L.s
N.EW.T.s
Early Life
Alexander Innes and Carolyn Bell, both from long lines of pureblood families, became parents while still in their fifth year at Hogwarts. Their son, Dorian Alexander Innes, was born on 29 October 1975 and was left in the care of Alex’s parents for what was intended to be the remainder of their school years. Both families came from generational wealth and could have easily afforded to hire nannies, but Alex’s family, being very family-oriented, insisted on taking care of Dorian themselves. In contrast, Caro’s family was less understanding; displeased that she had become a parent so young, they distanced themselves from her. As a result, Caro moved in with Alex and his family for school holidays, where she was always welcomed.
After graduating from Hogwarts in June 1978, Alex and Caro eloped a week later, amidst the turmoil of the First Wizarding War. Eager to contribute to the war effort, they joined the Order of the Phoenix and began training as Aurors with the Ministry of Magic. For the next three years, their involvement in the war left little time for Dorian, who continued to live with his grandparents.
When Voldemort disappeared in October 1981, Alex had already lost both of his parents to the war, and Caro's family, having all but disowned her due to her teenage pregnancy, remained estranged. While Alex embarked on his career as a low-ranking Auror, Caro set aside her ambitions and stayed home to care for Dorian, who was now six years old.
Motherhood didn’t bring Caro the fulfilment she had expected, and the next five years were marked by dissatisfaction. While her career remained stalled, she watched as Alex advanced in his department, which only fueled her growing resentment. Dorian, having been raised by his grandparents his whole life, found it difficult to bond with his unfamiliar and emotionally distant mother. He had a better relationship with his father, but Alex worked long hours and Dorian only saw him on the weekends.
Hogwarts
Dorian was sorted into Slytherin on 1 September 1987, one day before his younger brother Trent was born. He was glad to be at Hogwarts, and, unlike many of his fellows in Slytherin, he made friends easily with students from all houses and blood statues. Dorian was a generally good student with occasional bouts of trouble-making that landed him in detention from time to time. Expecting to follow in his parent's footsteps, he focused on the classes that were needed to become an Auror and performed averagely in the classes that were not. Dorian preferred to spend his time with close friends rather than large crowds, and he participated in extra-curricular activities including the duelling club, and Quidditch, where he played Beater starting in his second year.
When Dorian returned home for his first Christmas break, he found the house empty and his baby brother in the care of hired help. It was from the housekeeper that Dorian learned that Caro had rejoined the Ministry of Magic and neither she nor Alex would not be home for the holiday. Though it was promised that this would be a rare occurrence, their absence in Dorian and Trent's life only grew more frequent from there on out. Dorian began to prefer to stay at school during breaks and spend his summers with friends rather than in an empty house with a brother that he did not know.
As Dorian and Trent grew older, Alex and Caro became aware of the emotional distance they had created between them and were additionally offended by the boys' attitude: Dorian's resentment and Trent's indifference. Rather than face the guilt and regret over their poor (or non-existent) relationships with their children, Alex and Caro began to spend - if possible - even less time at home. Nevertheless, their expectations of Dorian were abundantly present: he was to become an Auror. During his last few years at Hogwarts, Dorian remained in low contact with his parents, and his interest in becoming an Auror waned as his resentment towards them grew.
Graduation and Independence
After graduating from Hogwarts in June of 1994, Dorian immediately looked for a job — any job. Desperate for independence, Dorian took up a position as a dishwasher at the Leaky Cauldron and put every galleon he earned towards getting his own place. Dorian kept his distance from his family as much as he could while still living under the same roof, and when his N.E.W.T. results arrived later that summer, it was with reluctance that he shared them with his parents. Scoring high on all of the required subjects, Dorian was officially eligible to apply to the Auror training programme. Alex and Caro, both high-ranking Aurors themselves now, remained oblivious to his lack of enthusiasm and doubts, and expected his acceptance letter to arrive any day now.
In early August, with still no word from the Ministry regarding Dorian's application, Alex and Caro decided to take matters into their own hands and went into the office, demanding to know why their son had not yet been accepted. It was then that they learned the ugly truth: Dorian had never applied to become an Auror. They stormed home that day, outraged and demanding answers, and when Dorian admitted that he had no intention of working alongside them, they unceremoniously kicked him out of their house and out of their lives.
Eighteen years old, and no longer financially supported by his parents (and nor did he want to be), Dorian took on several more jobs in order to make ends meet. Until he could afford his own place, Dorian lived with friends, or if the gold stretched, he stayed in inns, but he never once returned to his parent's house. The days were long and laborious, but came with a sense of freedom and happiness that he hadn't felt in years; it was as though he had been drowning and was now coming up for air.
As an avid Quidditch fan, Dorian was among the campers when Death Eaters unleashed chaos by burning tents and terrorizing a family of Muggles. In the midst of the ensuing panic and confusion, Dorian's instincts kicked in. Without hesitation, he sprang into action to assist the Ministry of Magic (and by extension, his parents) in their efforts to restore order. Despite the intense fear that gripped him at the sight of the Dark Mark in the sky, Dorian couldn't deny the thrilling rush he experienced when he put his magical talents to use in the real world.
The following morning, Dorian dismantled his campsite and made his way back home. Over the next few weeks, he remained vigilant, and closely tracked the news for any updates regarding the capture and motivations of the Death Eaters. As time passed, the headlines changed, and the incident gradually faded from public view. Dorian, too, settled back into his routine, finding contentment in his current life. Yet, the memories of that night lingered in the back of his mind and left him with the nagging feeling that he was on the wrong path.
Over the next year, Dorian's days unfolded much in the same way. When he wasn't working one of his many jobs, he spent his time drinking, playing guitar, and enjoying the company of his friends. The Leaky Cauldron became a second home, offering both employment and occasional lodging in the rooms upstairs. It was there that Dorian reconnected with Selah Chen, a fellow Slytherin in the year below who had just graduated. Their relationship began as a drunken one-night stand that gradually evolved into a passionate relationship, though both Dorian and Selah tried to keep it casual as neither of them were looking for anything serious.
The Second Wizarding War
As members of the original Order of the Phoenix, Dorian's parents had access to information about Voldemort's return a year before it was officially announced in the Daily Prophet. Faced with the grim reality of a Second Wizarding War looming on the horizon, they shared this information with their eldest son, imploring him to reconsider his reluctance to become an Auror. Although Dorian initially harboured resentment towards his parents for exerting this pressure, the weight of the knowledge gnawed at his conscience for weeks.
With Selah's support and guidance, Dorian began to see the irrationality of allowing a feud with his parents to hold him back from pursuing his true aspirations, especially during these troubled times. He applied for the Auror office, and joined the Order of the Phoenix, offering his skills to aid in the war effort. This decision brought Dorian into close proximity with his parents, but they managed to set aside their differences in the name of a greater cause.
Dorian was nearly two years into his Auror training when Voldemort seized control of the Ministry of Magic, plunging the wizarding world into even deeper turmoil. Dorian and Selah, both Ministry employees, found themselves in a precarious situation. While officially maintaining their positions and appearing loyal to the Ministry, they were secretly engaged in activities opposing Voldemort's regime. The stakes were incredibly high, as their exposure as double agents would lead to certain death at the hands of Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
It was the constant threat of death hanging over their heads that forced Dorian and Selah to acknowledge the depth of the love they felt for each other. Like many other young couples of their time, they decided to elope, not worrying about what the future might hold for them if they survived the war. Their choice was fueled by a simple yet powerful desire to solidify their love before it was too late, and to confront whatever challenges lay ahead as husband and wife.
Return to Hogwarts
After the reopening of Hogwarts in September 1999, Dorian, still relatively new to the Auror department with just a year of experience, was assigned to the school as part of the department’s efforts to ensure its security. While the assignment wasn’t the most prestigious, Dorian was pleased with the opportunity. Having protected the students during the Battle of Hogwarts, it felt right to continue that role, and the work aligned with his desire to make a difference in the post-war world. More than that, he had finally earned his parents' respect during the war, and for the first time, he believed he could have both his dream job and a relationship with them that wasn’t built on disappointment.
His parents, however, saw it differently. Disappointed that he hadn’t fought for a more prestigious post, Alex and Caro begrudgingly accepted his assignment at Hogwarts. But if he had to be there, he might as well make himself useful by watching Trent, who had just started his first year. What should have been fulfilling work now felt tainted by their expectations, as if his accomplishments only mattered when they served their interests. It didn’t seem to matter that he was protecting the next generation; to them, it was just another example of him settling for less.
Dorian tried to ignore them, throwing himself into his work, but as the years passed and Hogwarts remained peaceful, his disillusionment grew. The job felt stagnant, increasingly beneath his training, and the respect he had earned during the war faded with each uneventful term. He wanted more, but if he left now to pursue a promotion or a more prestigious role, it would look like he was finally doing what they wanted. He had spent his youth rejecting their influence, making choices to defy them, and now he found himself right back where he had started. That thought alone made him feel like the rebellious teenager he once was, trapped in the same cycle he thought he’d outgrown.
Marriage Woes
Dorian and Selah had a good marriage, built on love and unwavering support, but moments of tension would spark whenever Dorian struggled with his growing disillusionment at work. Selah had always pushed him to pursue his aspirations, and Dorian knew she would do the same now if he let her in. But he couldn’t admit that his parents’ expectations left him feeling trapped, that his own stubbornness kept him stagnant, and that, despite wanting more, he was paralyzed by the same resentment that had ruled his youth. The shame of it all—the pressure, the anger, the way it controlled him—made it impossible to say out loud.
Dorian brushed aside his frustrations, and Selah followed his lead, moving past each rough patch as if it had never happened. At first, the tensions were rare and easily forgotten, but as the years passed, they became more frequent, lasting longer, always lurking in the background. Dorian began to dread coming home, and he found excuses to stay away—drinking, smoking, falling back into old habits—anything to avoid the questions he wasn’t ready to answer. The more Selah pressed him, the further he withdrew, shutting her out more with each passing day. Eventually, the tension that had been building for years snapped, unraveling into arguments neither of them could stop.
One night in August 2005, Dorian came home in a foul mood. Selah said she needed to talk, and when he brushed her off, she told him anyway: she might be pregnant. For a moment, he felt happy, instinctive and undeniable, but it didn’t last. His career was stagnant, his future uncertain, and he was already failing as a husband. How could he be a father? The emotions tangled inside him—joy and fear, longing and doubt—but he didn’t know how to express any of it. Instead, he lashed out, saying things he didn’t mean but couldn’t take back. The fight spiraled, old arguments resurfacing, until the anger became too much, and he stormed out.
Dorian stayed away for a few days, grappling with his thoughts. At first, fear overwhelmed him, but as time passed, he found himself wanting it. The more he thought about it, the more certain he became. When he returned home, ready to tell Selah, she told him she wasn’t pregnant after all. The loss hit harder than Dorian expected; he hadn’t realized how much he wanted it until it was gone. Anger flared up as he struggled to process his feelings, and the fight that followed brought back every old argument they’d never resolved.
Finally, Dorian suggested a separation, half-expecting Selah to fight him on it, to tell him they could still fix things, but she didn’t. She accepted, and the finality of it hit him harder than he was prepared for. That night, he packed his things in silence, neither of them knowing what else to say, and when he left, he didn’t look back. With nowhere else to go, Dorian took up residence in his small office at Hogwarts, telling himself it was only temporary, though he had no idea what came next.
Now, Dorian throws himself into work and distractions, avoiding any thoughts or emotions tied to the separation. The demands of his job keep him busy, and when he has free time, he turns to alcohol, trying to numb the regrets that never seem to fade. The separation remains unresolved, and Dorian is too afraid to face what comes next. He refuses to move forward, staying in denial, letting time pass without making any decisions.
Personality
Dorian is a man of contractions.
On the surface, Dorian appears self-assured, even a bit arrogant. He knows he’s talented; his skills and abilities are undeniable, and he carries himself with the confidence that comes from knowing he’s good at what he does. But beneath this outward bravado lies a deep insecurity, a fear that his talents and achievements will never be enough to make him truly worthy of love or acceptance. In his mind, no matter how skilled or accomplished he is, he’s always one step away from being abandoned, rejected, or forgotten.
Dorian used to love his hobbies; his guitar was his constant companion, and he played in public settings, sharing his music with anyone who would listen. He loved the rush of Quidditch, the freedom of flying, the thrill of the game. But now, his guitar sits untouched, his broom collects dust, and Quidditch no longer holds any appeal. The passions that once defined him have now faded into the background.
Dorian was once social and full of life; he enjoyed both large groups and quiet one-on-one interactions, always thriving in the company of others. Now, he keeps to himself, distant and withdrawn, choosing silence over conversation. He doesn’t engage, hoping people will leave him be, and when they don’t, he’s unapologetically rude, quick to shut them down. Yet beneath it all, there’s still a quiet longing for connection, a hope that he could somehow go back to the way things were.
Dorian is open about the small things in life—his day-to-day thoughts, opinions, and experiences—but when it comes to his deeper emotions, he pulls back. He struggles to understand those feelings, and the idea of sharing them with others feels overwhelming. Instead of being stoic, he becomes defensive, sometimes quick to anger if pushed too hard. It’s easier for him to shut down than to open up, even though part of him longs to connect on a deeper level.
Still, Dorian hasn’t completely lost himself.
Dorian is still hardworking, even if he’s come to despise his job. He immerses himself in it with determination, more than ever, as it’s the only thing that gives him purpose. The work keeps him busy, and he channels all his energy into it, sometimes until he’s worn thin, just to avoid confronting the emotions he’s buried deep down. It’s the one thing he feels he can control in a life that’s slipping away, a distraction from the feelings he can’t—or won’t—face.
Dorian is still brave, maybe even reckless when it comes to protecting others. His willingness to put himself in harm’s way for the greater good hasn’t changed. He might not seek out adventure like he once did, but there's still a fire in him when it comes to standing up for those who need it. He remains calm under pressure, even in the most intense moments, able to think and act quickly without losing control. He might not care about himself, but when it comes to protecting others, he doesn’t hesitate.
Dorian has always avoided unnecessary confrontation, preferring to keep his distance. Yet, when pushed too far or cornered, his temper flares. In those moments, Dorian stands his ground—whether defending his beliefs or protecting others—with words as sharp as they are decisive, and he isn’t averse to a physical brawl if the situation demands it. He doesn’t go looking for trouble, but when something truly matters, he won’t back down.
Faceclaim: Trent Reznor