Basics
Full Name: Samantha Grace Riley-Turner
Age: 16
Birthdate: 11 August 1989
Birthplace & Residence: Diagon Alley
Blood: Half-blood
Pet: An orange tabby cat
Wand: Cypress with unicorn hair, 9 inches, nice and supple
Patronus: Badger
Appearance
Height/Build: 5'6" (1.68m) / Slender
Hair/Eye Colour: Golden Brown/Brown
Family
Father: Luke Turner, 44, Quidditch correspondent for Daily Prophet
Mother: Corrine Riley, 39, Reporter for the Daily Prophet's Showbiz segment
Stepmother: Calista M. Turner, 42, Seamstress/Designer/Shop Owner
Hogwarts
House: Gryffindor
Year: 6th (2000-2007)
Quidditch: Chaser (2003 - present)
Broom: Firebolt
N.E.W.T Classes: Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Divination, Herbology, Potions, Transfiguration
Best Class: Care of Magical Creatures
Worst Class: Divination
Extracurriculars: Music
Clubs/Activities: The Hogwarts Times, Frog Choir
O.W.L.s
Family History
Sam comes from a long line of writers, particularly on her father's side of the family. Her paternal grandfather, James Turner, worked as a Quidditch correspondent for the Daily Prophet. Her paternal grandmother, Mary Jones, had been writing celebrity gossip for Witch Weekly. Their paths crossed at a Quidditch match when they were both fighting for an interview with the same player, and it had been love at first sight. They married, and a year later in 1960, Luke Turner - Sam's father - was born.
History repeated itself at the 1988 British and Irish Quidditch League Cup match when Luke, now a Quidditch correspondent himself, met Corrine Riley, a journalist for the showbiz column of the Daily Prophet. Unlike Sam's grandparents (still married 45 years later), however, it hadn't been love at first sight for Luke and Corrine. In fact, there hadn't been any love at all between the two. Never marrying, Luke and Corrinne split amicably a year after their daughter was born.
Early Life and the Second Wizarding War
Samantha Grace Riley-Turner was born on 11 August 1989. Sam, who expressed her dislike for the name 'Samantha' as soon as she could talk, did not live with her father for most of her childhood. Although Luke and Corrine shared custody, Luke travelled all over the world for his work as a Quidditch correspondent and rarely maintained a permanent residence.
Luke's absence in her early childhood hadn't bothered Sam; she loved her life with her mother in their small flat in Diagon Alley and it wasn't as though she never saw her father. No matter how long he was away, he would always come back, and with him, he would bring toys, treats and best of all: stories. After spending the day at the park, Luke would tuck Sam back into her bed at Corrine's, and together they would read books from the series of children's novels he had authored especially for her.
In early August of 1994, Luke left to cover the Quidditch World Cup, missing Sam's fifth birthday. When he returned, Corrine had had enough of his absences and broken promises and would not allow him to see Sam until he made some changes in his life. Immediately, Luke stepped down at the Daily Prophet and dropped most of his projects at work until he was left with only a weekly column. He purchased a two-bedroom townhouse in London, and for the next 10 months, Sam split her time between two loving and happy households.
On 24 June 1995, Luke had been reading Sam a bedtime story when they were distracted by something out the window: a ghostly bird had appeared in the front garden. Luke hurried down to it, and when he came back upstairs, he told Sam to pack her things; he was taking her home to Corrine. As a member of the original Order of the Phoenix, Luke had known exactly who the Patronus had belonged to, and the sight of it filled him with fear. He hadn't seen it in over fourteen years, and he knew it could only mean one thing: Lord Voldemort had risen again, as Dumbledore had always said he would. Once again, Luke offered his support to the Order of the Phoenix.
Unable to work for a newspaper that campaigned against the truth, Luke quit his job at the Daily Prophet. Writing for a private newspaper and publishing under an alias, Luke provided the wizarding community with many facts that the Ministry of Magic tried to keep from the public. Despite his safety precautions, Luke's name came under suspicion, and as a target of both the Ministry of Magic and the Death Eaters, Luke went into hiding in the Muggle world until the war ended on 2 May 1998. It wasn't until Sam was much older that she fully understood what had happened in the summer of 1995 that caused her father to disappear from her life for nearly three years.
When Luke returned after Voldemort's fall, Sam was overcome with relief. After so many years of uncertainty, seeing her father alive and back home was something she had longed for. But Luke wasn’t alone—he brought Cali, a Muggle woman he had reconnected with while in hiding. To Sam's surprise, they were married now, making Cali her stepmother. From the very first moment they met, Sam felt an immediate connection with Cali. She was warm, and caring, and it was clear how much she meant to Luke.
Now, Sam has two homes: one with her mother and another with her father, Cali, and her half-siblings. Though it took some time to adjust, Sam now finds comfort in the steady routine at her father's home, where she feels cared for by both Luke and Cali. Over time, her relationship with Cali has shifted; she no longer sees her just as her father's wife, but as someone who has become a true mother figure in her life. Luke, who had stepped away from his demanding job as a Quidditch correspondent during the war, has since returned to his career. Despite the time commitment it requires, with Cali's help, he has learned to balance work with being present for Sam.
Hogwarts
Sam began her first year at Hogwarts in 2000, where she was sorted into Gryffindor, just like her father. Though she made friends across all the houses, she was never one of the popular students—preferring a close-knit group of friends.
From the start, Sam developed a passion for Herbology. The subject fascinated her, especially the hands-on nature of it. She enjoyed physically interacting with the plants—tending to them, feeling their leaves and roots in her hands—much more than just casting spells with a wand. Herbology became an escape, where she could work directly with nature and experience magic through something more tangible.
Flying was another area where Sam excelled. Growing up surrounded by Quidditch, she had developed strong skills from an early age. By her third year, she was ready to put them to the test. After trying out for the Gryffindor team, she was thrilled to make it as a Chaser, just like her father had once been. Sam was proud to follow in his footsteps, and she often wrote home to Luke, excitedly sharing the personal speed records she had set, new manoeuvres she had learned, and memorable matches she had played.
In her third year, Sam finally began Care of Magical Creatures, a class she had eagerly anticipated. She had always had a fascination with magical beings and spent her younger years sneaking around the paddocks and exploring the edges of the Forbidden Forest, hoping to catch a glimpse of the creatures there. Now in her sixth year, Sam’s passion for magical creatures is as strong as ever, and she dreams of one day becoming a Magizoologist.
In her fourth year, Sam discovered a hidden talent for singing. She had always sung for fun, but a close friend encouraged her to join the Frog Choir. At first, she was hesitant—shy about performing in front of the entire school—but soon she found herself enjoying the formal training and refining her skills. Singing, once just a hobby, became something she took pride in, and she embraced the structured lessons it offered.
That same year, wanting to make her parents proud, Sam joined the school newspaper, The Hogwarts Times. Writing ran in the family—her mother, father, and even her grandparents had built careers with their words and it felt natural to follow in their footsteps. While Sam had a natural aptitude for it, she quickly realized she didn’t enjoy it. Every article felt like a chore, but she stuck with it, not wanting to let anyone down.
By her fifth year, the pressure of O.W.L.s began to mount, and Sam found herself stretched thin. Trying to balance extracurriculars with her academic workload, she brought up the idea of quitting the The Hogwarts Times to lighten the load. Corrine, who had always been so supportive of her writing, suggested she drop Quidditch or the Frog Choir instead—activities she saw as less practical. Luke and Cali, on the other hand, reminded her that what mattered most was doing what made her happy. In the end, Sam kept everything, torn between not wanting to let her mother down, and refusing to give up what she loved.
Now, in her sixth year, with fewer classes to juggle but with her N.E.W.T.s on the horizon, Sam is determined not to put herself through the same kind of stress again and is seriously considering quitting the school paper. She and her mother have always been close, and disappointing her is the last thing Sam wants, but she also knows she can’t keep pushing herself to do something she hates.
Personality
Sam is naturally shy when the spotlight falls on her or when she’s surrounded by unfamiliar faces. In new situations, she tends to hang back, observing quietly rather than stepping forward. But around her close friends, she’s entirely herself—speaking her mind, laughing freely, and quick with a teasing joke. She’s fiercely loyal, never hesitating to stand up for those she cares about, even if it means drawing attention to herself or facing confrontation.
When it comes to her skills, Sam is quietly confident. Flying, Herbology, and working with magical creatures are where she feels most capable, her hesitation falling away the moment she’s doing something she loves. She’s less self-assured about her appearance, though she refuses to let that insecurity change who she is. Sam doesn’t bother with makeup, rarely styles her hair, and chooses clothes for comfort and practicality rather than fashion. She knows she could present herself differently, look prettier, maybe even turn heads, but she'd rather feel like herself, even if that means living with a few doubts.
The outdoors has always been Sam’s favourite place. Whether she’s flying, working in the greenhouses, exploring the forest for creatures, swimming in the Black Lake, or hiking and climbing, she’s happiest when surrounded by nature. Being cooped up indoors leaves her restless, and when the weather allows, she can almost always be found studying outside, stretching out on the grass with her books.
Like any true Gryffindor, Sam is brave, but her courage is focused where her skills are strongest. She’ll dive into a dangerous flying manoeuvre, approach a temperamental creature, or work with a plant that could easily turn hostile— her confidence in those areas makes the risks feel manageable. But when it comes to magic she’s less sure of, like tricky transfigurations or volatile potions, her bravery gives way to caution. She recognizes her limitations and knows when the stakes are too high, understanding that some risks are worth taking, and others aren’t quite within her reach yet.
Sam is hardworking to a fault, never content with half-measures. It’s not about perfection—she couldn’t care less about top marks or recognition—but she hates the feeling of leaving something unfinished or poorly done. Even when it’s a subject she plans to drop after O.W.L.s, or an extracurricular she doesn’t enjoy, she pushes herself to see it through, unable to settle for anything less than her very best efforts.
Sam’s family has always been at the heart of everything she does. Her mother is her closest confidant, even when they don’t see eye to eye, and she cares deeply for her father, stepmother, and younger siblings. More than anything, Sam wants to make them proud, not because they expect it, but because their opinions mean the most.
Faceclaim: Emilia Jones