Basics
Full Name: Giuliano "Julian" Andrea Rossi
Age: 45-46
Birthdate: 14 December 1959
Relationship: Divorced (m. 1979; div. 2000)
Hometown: Manchester
Residence: Hogwarts & London
Blood: Muggle-born
Pet: A white barn owl named Cressida
Wand: Holly with dragon heartstring, 12 inches, reasonably springy
Patronus: Basset Hound
Boggart: The dead bodies of his children and ex-wife
Certifications: Apparition, Muggle Driver's License
Skills: Alchemy, Herbology, Healing Magic, Potions, Occlumency, Wandless and Nonverbal magic
Occupation: Headteacher (1999 - present)
Headteacher / Potions Teacher (1999-2000)
Head of St Mungo's (1991-1999)
Member of the Wizengamot (1991-1999)
Healer (1981-1991)
Trainee Healer (1978-1981)
Appearance
Height/Build: 5'10" (1.78m) / lean
Hair Colour: Bald (previously brown)
Eye Colour: Chocolate brown
Family
Son: Andrea "Andrew" Rossi (died 21 April 1998; aged 18)
Daughter: Penny Simpson, 25, estranged
Hogwarts
House: Hufflepuff
Years: September 1971 - June 1978
Best Class: Potions
Worst Class: Care of Magical Creatures
Titles: Prefect (1975-1977)
Head Student (1977-1978)
O.W.L.s
N.E.W.T.s
Family History
Born to Muggle parents on 14 December 1959, Giuliano Andrea Rossi was the oldest of six children. Giuliano, who was always called “Julian”, had an unusual childhood. Strange things always happened around Julian: doors would slam, lights would flicker, and broken toys would repair themselves. As these sudden bursts of magic always occurred whenever he was feeling particularly emotional, it was evident to Julian that he was somehow the cause. His parents, however, dismissed these occurrences as “nonsense”, and “coincidence” and he learned from a young age not to voice his suspicions. The first eleven years of his life were filled with questions, and fantasies of a world he did not think existed. In the summer of his eleventh year, Julian's answers were delivered by owl: a letter from Albus Dumbledore and his invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Julian, who always had the nagging sense that he did not belong, was overjoyed to learn that he was a wizard. Julian’s parents, on the other hand, were skeptical and initially refused to send him to study magic. It took a visit and some convincing from Dumbledore for them to grudgingly agree that their son was a wizard. Julian was happy to have permission to attend Hogwarts but was devastated by their implicit disapproval. Their goodbyes at Platform 9 ¾ were terse, to say the least, and his journey on the Hogwarts Express was filled with anxiety. He knew if he didn’t change their minds about Hogwarts, they would react just as negatively when his siblings received their owls over the next few years. Wanting to spare his brothers and sisters from that fate, Julian hoped that becoming a talented wizard would be enough to regain his parents’ respect.
Hogwarts
Julian began Hogwarts on 1 September 1971 and was sorted almost immediately into Hufflepuff. As he had received little guidance into the world of magic, his first few months at Hogwarts were challenging. Julian was nevertheless eager to fit in, and he did not allow himself to be deterred by any obstacles. With this dedication, he performed well academically, and he spent his first two years gathering as much information about magic and the castle as he could.
Julian planned to share his knowledge with his siblings, hoping that it would make their arrival at Hogwarts smoother than his had been. Owls did not arrive for any of his brothers and sisters, however, and it became clear that Julian was to be the only magical person in the family. His academic achievements were not enough; the disapproval of his lifestyle was impenetrable. With every holiday spent at home, Julian felt more and more like an outsider in his own family.
With the realization that he would never again fit into the Muggle world, Julian dedicated himself to his magical training. Julian was often regarded as a “teacher’s pet” and was named Prefect and later, Head Student. While some professors admired his work ethic, some found him to be overeager. Julian had difficulty containing his excitement in class and could be exasperating at times; he often dominated class discussions and asked many lesson-disrupting questions. Other than in Potions and Herbology, where Julian seemed to naturally excel, his academic achievements were owed mainly to his diligence rather than natural talent. Julian graduated from Hogwarts in June 1978, receiving top N.E.W.Ts, allowing him to begin his life as a Trainee Healer.
Later Years
Julian’s work ethic at Hogwarts carried into the workplace, and he thrived in the wizarding medical field. Julian married in 1979 and a year later had a twin boy and a girl. After thirteen years of working as a Healer, Julian was promoted to Head of St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. By the time of the Second Wizarding War, Julian and his wife had been married for fifteen years, and together with their two children, had a happy life.
With the Muggle Registration Commission in September 1997, Julian and his family went into hiding. Over the next eight months, Julian’s extreme vigilance was a constant source of stress in the family, and Julian often clashed with his son, Andrew. The tensions culminated in early April 1998, when a father and son argument led to the twins separating from the group. Two weeks later, when Julian learned via Potterwatch that Andrew had been killed when resisting capture from a group of Snatchers, he knew that it had been his fault.
After hearing that fateful radio broadcast, Julian reacted almost emotionlessly and carried on as if nothing had happened. While his wife and daughter mourned for Andrew, Julian watched numbly and offered little comfort. If spoken to about Andrew’s death, he replied vaguely or not at all. Julian muddled on for the next few weeks, performing defensive spells and feeling as though he was living in a bad dream.
By the time the war ended, Andrew’s death had fully registered, and Julian was overwhelmed with the sudden flood of grief. To the distress of his family, Julian returned to St Mungo's as soon as it was safe to come out of hiding. Work was a welcoming distraction, and as time went on, Julian found that he could not look at his family (particularly the surviving twin) without thinking of his son. Gradually, he began to spend more time at the hospital than at home, taking extra shifts and working longer hours.
Although he did not show it, Julian had fallen into a deep depression. During the few hours a week that Julian spent with his family, he was distant; his words and actions were perfunctory, mechanical, and with little emotion. He became withdrawn and reclusive, turned away from his family, and sought comfort in alcohol instead. His dependence on alcohol was gradual, but by the end, he was rarely sober.
Leaving St Mungos
As Julian’s addiction grew, he became increasingly reclusive at work. Because of his high position at the hospital, it wasn’t unusual for him to spend many hours tending to administrative duties rather than patients. Julian’s time spent in his office, however, was to conceal the fact that he was hungover - or later - still intoxicated from the previous night.
Despite Julian’s best efforts to hide his alcoholism, his co-workers were beginning to notice his odd behaviour. His closest colleagues had the most accurate suspicions, but out of sympathy for his situation, were discreet about what happened behind his closed office doors. Nevertheless, rumours began to circulate in the hospital, and Julian knew it would soon be time to leave.
At this time, Hogwarts was in the process of reopening. Considering its previous Headteacher had been murdered, the Ministry of Magic struggled to find a replacement. The Minister of Magic - oblivious to the gossip and knowing only of an untarnished reputation - sent an owl to Julian, offering him the job. As much as he wanted to, Julian could not bring himself to accept the position at Hogwarts. His last year at St Mungo’s was proof that he did not deserve either job, and he doubted that he would even be capable in his current state. Though he declined the position, the owl was nonetheless a wake-up call and a turning point toward sobriety.
Return to Hogwarts
When the Minister failed to fill the position and it looked as though the reopening of Hogwarts would be delayed, Julian (who was now mostly sober) accepted the job of Headteacher. On 31 August 1999, Julian quietly quit his job at the hospital, packed a bag and moved to Hogwarts, leaving behind a note filled with explanations and apologies.
Julian had known that his leaving was likely to have been the final straw for his wife, and he was not surprised when she filed for divorce soon after. Delivered by owl during breakfast in the Great Hall, Julian looked over the divorce papers in between conversations with his fellow staff members. When he had finished reading, he calmly pocketed the letter, and then carried on for the rest of the day as though his marriage of twenty years hadn’t just ended. It wasn't until much later in the evening, when alone in his office, that Julian broke down and quietly wept. He knew his actions had been unforgivable, and while he still loved his wife, he signed and returned the divorce papers without contention.
Due to understaffing, Julian kept busy for the next two years teaching Potions in addition to his Headteacher duties. In 2001, the Minister of Magic found a replacement Potions professor, and while Julian considered his heavy workload to be paramount to his sobriety, he felt secure enough to step down. After celebrating one year sober, Julian reached out to his daughter. Although his letters have remained unanswered, he maintains hope for reconciliation in the future.
Personality
With fifteen years of working in a position of authority, Julian has become rather adept at managing and maintaining his professional relationships. In large groups or one-on-one encounters, Julian appears to be quite extroverted. He is confident, charismatic, and - when necessary – assertive. As a boss and colleague, Julian is regarded as kind, understanding, and fair.
In his private life, where Julian allows the mask of extroversion to be dropped, he is shyer than one might think. He prefers to spend his time alone, or with close friends. When surrounded by the people he cares about, Julian is soft-spoken, humble, and quiet rather than the bold, outspoken person he appears to be in his profession. Julian can also be difficult to get to know. He is private and reluctant to reveal too many details about his past or personal life. When he lets his guard down and allows himself to express his emotions, he is warm and playful, with a contagious laugh and smile.
Faceclaim: Stanley Tucci