Catch The Snitch

Basic
Full Name: Nigel Graeme Dextera
Age: 31-32 (as of 2005)
Birthdate: 21st November 1973
Hometown: Edinburgh, Scotland
Residence: Hogwarts and Edinburgh, Scotland
Blood: Half-blood
Wand: Walnut with unicorn hair core, 10¾″, slightly springy
Patronus: Raven
Boggart: Werewolf attacking his loved ones
Certifications: Apparition, metal charming, horology
Skills: Occlumency, non-verbal magic
Occupation: Transfiguration Professor and Acting Head of Hufflepuff at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (2001–present)
Unspeakable at the Time Room at the Ministry of Magic (1992–2001)

Appearance
Height/Build: 1.73m (5′ 8″) / Slim
Hair/Eye Colour: Dark Blond / Blue
Any unusual physical attributes: Numerous scars on his back and arms from a werewolf attack

Family
Father: Warrick Dextera, 52, horologist and metal charmer
Mother: Muriel Dextera (née Ritchie), 52, retired Auror

Hogwarts
House: Hufflepuff
Years: 1985–1992
Best Class: Transfiguration
Worst Class: Herbology

O.W.L.s
Arithmancy – O
Astronomy – O
Charms – O
Defence Against the Dark Arts – E
Herbology – A
History of Magic – O
Magical Theory – E
Potions – E
Study of Ancient Runes – E
Transfiguration – O

N.EW.T.s
Arithmancy – O
Astronomy – E
Charms – O
Defence Against the Dark Arts – E
Magical Theory – O
Potions – E
Study of Ancient Runes – O
Transfiguration – O


History

Family and Early Life
The only child of Warrick Dextera and Muriel Ritchie, Nigel bears the full weight of the rich history behind his parents' families. The Dexteras are an old wizarding family well-known for their mastery of horology and metal-charming, as well as their blood ties to a number of prominent muggle clockmakers and watchmakers. It comes as no surprise then that the Ritchies are related to the founder of Scotland's oldest turret clock manufacturer. Despite the similarities between the two families, Nigel's parents were as different as night and day. Warrick was a typical Ravenclaw: studious and methodological to a fault, and obsessed with doing things 'the logical and correct way'. Muriel, on the other hand, was a muggleborn Gryffindor with a temper as fiery as her hair and a propensity for breaking every possible rule in the book. For some reason they were attracted to each other, and stayed together despite their differences. Eventually they settled down in Edinburgh, where Warrick opened his own workshop and Muriel pursued a career as an Auror.

Despite Warrick's meticulous planning, Nigel came unexpectedly into the young couple's lives. It was by no means unwelcome, and for the most part Nigel's childhood was rather pleasant. Muriel's work kept her busy at times, so Warrick would instead bring young Nigel to his workshop, where he soon became fascinated by the wonders of clockwork and metal-charming.

Hogwarts, Graduation and Employment at the Ministry of Magic
At the age of eleven, Nigel enrolled at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Curiously the Sorting Hat placed him immediately into Hufflepuff, making him the first Dextera to not be a Ravenclaw. The Hat's decision proved to be correct, for while Nigel did alright in school, he did so through his diligent and hardworking nature, rather than the eccentric ingenuity that was characteristic of a Dextera. (Not that he was lacking in that department; it was simply not his most defining feature.)

Fortunately – to his father's immense relief – Nigel did have a knack for horology and metal-charming. During the school breaks, his father would tutor him in his workshop, teaching him how to craft intricate clockwork mechanisms, and how to bring these contraptions to life. However, Warrick knew that Nigel wouldn't be satisfied with taking over the family business, and encouraged him to forge his own path towards success. Eventually, upon his graduation from Hogwarts, Nigel found employment at the Ministry of Magic as an Unspeakable in the Time Room.

Second Wizarding War
The return of the Dark Lord was grim news for the Dexteras. Though the Dexteras were a well-established half-blood family in the wizarding world, they had historically associated themselves with muggleborn and muggles, and Muriel was herself a muggleborn. Furthermore, Muriel and Nigel both worked in the Ministry of Magic, and had access to critical information that could turn the tide against the Dark Lord. Their greatest concern however was Warrick's safety: Muriel could hold her own in a fight, and the mysterious ways of the Unspeakables meant that it would be much harder for anyone hostile to track down Nigel. Warrick was, however, a much easier target, and a way to lure out his wife and son.

Together with a number of muggleborn friends and associates, Warrick went into hiding. However, the safe house proved to be not so safe after all when the Snatchers came for them a fortnight later. Fortunately, Muriel had received a tip-off about the attack from an anonymous source and hurried over with a group of Aurors in to, along with Nigel who – coincidentally or otherwise – happened to be in the area as well. In the ensuing fight, Warrick was bitten by a werewolf and afflicted with lycanthropy, and Nigel sustained severe scratches on his back and arms while defending his father.

Eventually, the family lived to see the end of the war, though Muriel subsequently suffered an injury during the Battle of Hogwarts which forced her to retire as an Auror.

Return to Hogwarts
Following the Dark Lord's defeat, Warrick reopened the workshop, assisted by Muriel, while Nigel and his fellow Unspeakables resumed their work at the Ministry of Magic, repairing the damage caused during the war. A couple of years later, he abruptly left the Ministry and took up a recently-vacated position as a professor at his alma mater.

Presently, Nigel continues to nurture and guide the next generation of wizards and witches at Hogwarts. He has built up a reputation for being a firm but fair professor, and is always willing to lend a listening ear or conduct extra lessons for those in need. With regards to the presence of Aurors in the school grounds, he has expressed neither support nor opposition. Instead, he tends to avoid the topic altogether, or divert the question back to its source. This has led to rumours surrounding the circumstances of his sudden departure from the Ministry of Magic years ago. And while the rumours remain speculative, his mysterious past as an Unspeakable has nonetheless fuelled the wild imaginations of many students. Did he see something in the Time Room? Why did he come back to Hogwarts as a professor? Where does his allegiance lie? Indeed, only time will tell, because Nigel won't.


Personality
Affable yet private, unassuming yet self-assured, calculated yet prone to sudden bursts of spontaneity: Nigel is an enigmatic mix of seemingly contrasting traits. Most people find him to be friendly, thanks to his easygoing and accommodating demeanour. Coupled with his introspective nature and pragmatic approach to solving problems, he is regarded as a reliable source of help and advice by both his students and colleagues alike. However, he has a habit of deflecting the topic of discussion away from himself, and consequently few are able to claim that they know Nigel very well. His preference for staying out of the limelight too has resulted in him preferring to play a supportive role. Apart from matters related to his areas of specialty, he is more than happy to let someone else take the lead, and render his assistance as best as he can. Still, few can doubt that Nigel does in fact have the ability to step up if he needs to, judging from the way he goes about his tasks with quiet confidence and practiced ease.

Nigel's reserved personality stems not from a mistrust of other people, but rather his belief that he as an individual is merely a small and insignificant cog in a much larger machine. Every component within any sort of mechanism has its own role to play, and no component is more important than another. Likewise, he knows what his strengths and weaknesses are, and he knows the ways in which he can contribute and synergise with those around him. When people perform their own roles and work together in harmony, they will be able to collectively achieve anything they set out to do.

Nigel is also not one who would wish to burden others with his worries, preferring to sort them out by himself. "Every problem has a solution" is a motto that he lives by, and the ability to figure out the solution independently has become a source of pride for him. That said, he will not shy away from asking for help when he needs it, especially if he knows from the start that he is out of his depth.

To the few whom Nigel considers his close friends, he reveals an unexpectedly playful and impulsive side, and enjoys trying out new and novel experiences for the thrill of it. Curious and easily bored, he is constantly starting and abandoning pet projects, jumping at the next thing that has captivated his attention and moving on just as quickly. While this might seem bewildering to some, it is but the hallmark of a tinkerer and a true Dextera.


Face Claim: Dane DeHaan