HOUSE & YEAR: Ravenclaw, 7th year
WAND: Mahogany and Ash, unicorn tail hair core
PREFECT or HEAD: N/A
LOYALTY: Currently doesn't have one - Septima has her head pretty much in the clouds when it comes to politics. She isn't one for fighting, either, but would do her best to protect those who hope to do the right thing.
BOGGART: A tarantula. It's something about the way those hairy legs wriggle...
ANIMAGUS: N/A
METAMORPHMAGUS:N/A
PATRONUS: It's not quite there yet, but it's on the verge of becoming a winged horse - an animal commonly associated with Greek myth. Horses are associated with power, strength and freedom.
CLASSES: Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Astronomy, Charms, Potions and History of Magic.
OWLS SCORES: Ancient Runes (O), Arithmancy (O), Astronomy (O), Charms (EE), Defence Against the Dark Arts (A), Herbology (EE), History of Magic (O), Potions (O), Transfiguration (EE)
QUIDDITCH: Chaser
CLUBS: As well as Quidditch, Septima is a keen member of the Chess club. Why? Because it has obvious links to mathematics and strategy, of course!

Septima is of slightly above average height for a female, standing at 5'7 in stocking feet. She supposes that this, coupled with her somewhat dainty overall build, is what causes people to say that she is the child who most resembles her mother. However, she has nothing of Hera's look of frailty about her - for some odd reason, the fact that her head is so often in the clouds lends her an air of quiet strength and security.

Despite the years of pureblood training about proper deportment and decorum, the downside to Septima's height is that, unlike other tall girls at school, she did not learn to master her own body with elegance and grace. She has a walk that is more like a skip, and is often known for being a little clumsy. One might say that being protected so much by her mother as a child meant that she wasn't allowed to take risks, and as such prepare herself for how to handle certain activities. Flying is the only time where she appears graceful, as her quick mind allows her to make movements that are fluid as well as speedy.

She is generally in good physical health and looks like a typical teenage girl - however, this is mostly due to the fact that she KNOWS she needs to eat well and exercise and has to force herself to do so... the inner strength again. She is not unattractive in her appearance, although she puts little thought into such things as makeup unless prodded into doing so by her friends. She is lucky to have inherited the shiny hair and clear skin that made her mother look like such a pretty young woman. Her eyes are a deep blue and her hair a glossy dark brown - nothing to make her too noticeable unless one is looking for such things. Septima likes it that way - she feels it makes her look neat and tidy. Something about her has to be, even if her personality isn't.

Early childhood and pre-Hogwarts

Arcturus Vector, the eldest of three boys, had been working in the Experimental Charms Committee chambers for two years out of Hogwarts before being recruited for the secret work of the Department of Mysteries. His gift with Charms meant that he was well suited to the experimental nature of his new job and he quickly became enthralled, the sort of man who would work 24/7 were it not for the basic needs of food and sleep. When it came to his first Christmas on the job, his department superior - a man named Ichabod Ogden - insisted that the younger man attend a Ministry of Magic Christmas Charity Ball, which was where he met a beautiful, young looking witch of 19 who had been on the organising committee. Her name was Hera Darcy.

For the first time in his young life, Arcturus became captivated by female charms. The more outgoing Hera made it her job to encourage Arcturus to have a good time at the event, and by midnight, he was smitten. Even better, his traditional, old fashioned parents approved of her. She was a 'good girl' from a reasonably old magical line not related to theirs, and so he was encouraged to court her. He, under the pressure to marry and produce an heir, would have married sooner - but Hera's parents, protective of their only daughter, wished for a delay in the match until she had attended more society events, allowing her to indulge in professional networking.

Two years later, at the respective ages of 21 and 23, the couple were wed. It took a suprising (to their parents, at least) amount of time for them to conceive their first child - Julius did not arrive for another four years - but married life suited Arcturus and Hera. Still smitten by the idea of young love, it seemed as though they were enjoying each other's company too much to allow a child into their lives just yet. However, there was great joy from both sides of the family when the first child was the much wanted son and heir, and greater joy from the new mother who felt that she had found a new vocation.

A child arrived almost every year until Gaia, Marcus, Hester and Nyx joined Julius in the family nursery. However, subsequent pregnancies on a delicate body had weakened Hera and her pregnancy with Antonius was a very difficult one. As a result, the wizarding midwives strongly suggested to her that he should be her last, a prospect that rather upset the devoted witch, who proclaimed that she simply "wasn't ready" to give up just yet. After much coercion, she persuaded her husband to try for "just one more", knowing at this time that she would be prepared to have no more children after this one.

Septima Antigone Vector arrived on a pleasant spring day. Born in the family home in an affluent area of Aldershot, the little girl grew up to be as sunny and warm as the date of her birth could have divined. She could often be found playing in the garden with the younger of her siblings, begging Antonius to allow her to ride the toy broomstick he treasured. Already showing the noble tendencies that resulted in his Sorting into Gryffindor, he let her - and she surprised everyone by staying on the thing on her first go.

A few hours a week of coaching in the basic matters of the wizarding world was all the education the children had as they stayed home with their mother, and Septima became increasingly puzzled as her elder siblings disappeared for 'school', returning for the holidays and sticking their noses in big, heavy books. This was not an environment not overly encouraged by Hera Vector, although on his rare visits home, Arcturus Vector - now deputy head of the Brain room - seemed to approve of their studying. This did not escape Septima's notice.


Sorting and Early Years at Hogwarts

When the time came for Septima's own departure for Hogwarts, her mother's demeanour very nearly put her off going at all. Hera became somewhat down in the dumps and generally sulky, telling everyone who would listen about how terrible it was that the last of her babies was about to fly the nest. It made Septima anxious and nervous, although luckily her sister Nyx, about to go into her sixth year, took her under her wing. It was from Nyx that she learned the details about the different houses, the quirks of the castle and what the lessons were like. Nyx also booted her boyfriend of the time out of the carriage they normally shared on the school train, so that little Septima could have some friendly faces on her first journey. Septima from then on looked up to her nearest sister as a role model, and still does to this day.

The Sorting itself was the single most nervewracking moment of Septima's entire life. She knew it wasn't rational - she had siblings who had been in all four houses and it wasn't as if her parents wouldn't approve of where she ended up - but the enormity of this one moment choosing where she would spend the next seven years of her life did not sit well with her. Luckily, the Hat didn't torture her into a long sorting, deciding pretty quickly that her thirst for knowledge - a trait she had encouraged in herself since seeing how much her father approved of it - made Ravenclaw the best place for her.

For the first few years of her schooling, Septima simply kept her head down and studied like a good girl. It was, as a pureblood girl, what was expected of her and for the time being, she had no need to contradict that goal that her parents had set for her.


Quidditch and later years

In her fourth year, down to one of her whims, Septima took it upon herself to try out for the Ravenclaw Qudditch team. She never was able to put a finger on what possessed her to do this, beyond "it seemed like a good idea at the time" - but she found that Chasing was something she really enjoyed. She loved the strategy and planning involved in working with the others on the time, and tactics and outfoxing the opposition was brilliant fun. Due to the fact that she had had little practice at home, she only made it onto the reserves, but that was good enough for her.

The folllowing year saw Septima start a game for the first time, her predecessor having completed her NEWTs and left school. Flying quickly became her release from the stress of OWL year, which she made it through with little trouble as a result. Whether or not they won the cup was a matter of supreme indifference at the time, simply because she was enjoying herself so much. However, having passed her OWLs pretty much with flying colours, Quidditch later became the outlet through which her previously latent competitive streak was allowed to pour.

Now in her seventh year, Septima is at something of a quandary. What to do after Hogwarts? She doesn't know if she wants to get a job in the Ministry or not as it did seem like it would be rather tying if she ever has a family of her own, an experience she knows to be true from her own father. There aren't many things that seem proper enough, and that certainly includes Quidditch, however much she might enjoy playing.

There's also the matter of a growing political situation, rumours of which are sneaking through into the castle and starting to worry certain students. Though she comes from a pureblood family, Muggleborns and half-bloods never did anything bad to her, so she isn't at all sure that she wants to get involved in any of this purebloods first stuff that she's heard whispers of. At the moment, her head is in the sand and she's hoping that it all goes away before she has to make a big decision...

The Ravenclaw Taurus
In some ways, this seems almost a contradiction. A head-in-the-clouds, theoretically-oriented Ravenclaw, born under the pragmatic, materialistic sign of Taurus? However, a surprising number of philosophers (including Socrates) have been Taureans. The intellectual Taurus is gifted not only with prodigious mental capacity, but also the sensible logic, determination, and assurance to see a theorem through from start to finish. Ravenclaws born under this sign make excellent magical researchers and are gifted with the unusual capacity to write sensibly and fluently about their results and interpretations of experiments. Because Taurus is a patient sign, and good at communication, many Ravenclaw Taureans eventually end up teaching at Hogwarts.

Somewhat ironically for someone who believes very strongly in the clear and straightforwardness of mathematics rather than the somewhat woolly discpline of astrology, Septima's birth horoscope is rather accurate. She is known for having her head in the clouds, often considering the theory and tactical nature of a subject rather than the down to earth reality. In fact, she can often be seen staring into space, either during meals where she'll be pondering something discussed in class, or in classes themselves. She doesn't mean to be rude, but more often than not her interest has been sparked and her mind is taking her down its own particular route.

Her intellect is undeniable, however, and she breezes through the theory/word heavy subjects such as Arithmancy, Ancient Runes and History of Magic, so detested by many other students. She's even good at the more complicated Potions theory and sailed through the dustier aspects of her subjects in the OWLs - but she often goes to pieces in the practical parts of exams, meaning she needs a little extra practice - and sometimes extra help - to get things quite right. She often puts extreme pressure on herself to do so, because if there's anything she wants to achieve, it's to impress her strict father.

Strengths: Despite a lack of it in herself, Septima is incredibly patient with others. It's not that she will give them endless chances, more that she will give them plenty of time before deciding that their chance is up. It makes her a good tutor in the things she knows, and means that she is willing to explain things several times if necessary, unless she is completely riled.

She is also very mathematically minded. Not just in the strictest sense, which is what makes her so good at Arithmancy, but in her ability to see everything in its most basic terms. It helps her cut straight to the heart of an issue, and plan future matters well, as she is able to think three or four steps ahead of others. This is a skill that, rather helpfully, also makes her a good Chess and Quidditch player.

Weaknesses: She often goes to pieces when she is nervous, and this couples with her more theoretical brain to make her practical skills weaker than they ought to be for someone with her intellect. It makes her very cross with herself and she has been known to snap when people tease or try to comfort her about it, although this is a habit she is trying very hard to rein in.

With being such a head in the clouds type, she is often a little naive and blind to the faults of others. It means that she isn't particularly streetwise or as analytical of other people's motives as other girls her own age - a very charming person might find it easy to manipulate her. Such is the problem with having had a sheltered upbringing...

Goals: She doesn't have any - at least, none that she is able to particularly verbalise... so you could say that her goal is to find a goal, really. She would like to find her niche in life, and although she wouldn't admit it, she'd like to find a boyfriend too. One that her mum and dad will like.

Fears: That she'll be on her own for the rest of her life, with no friends or family to comfort her. That she'll go aimlessly through life with no real purpose. That the political situation, that mysterious beast about which she knows so little, will become bad enough for her and her family to have to make a choice about where their loyalties lie.

Many people's first impression of Septima is something along the lines of "What on EARTH is she doing?". An airy fairy sort of type for much of the time, she lacks grace and poise as soon as she steps off her broomstick and onto solid ground, and often looks as though she has slipped into a semi-conscious state when she is off in her own thoughts.

However, if you take time to get to know her, she is not without her plus points. She is genuinely helpful, and is not the sort of friend who will blank you the instant you do something wrong. Although she isn't weak enough to give too many chances, she is patient enough to allow people to figure out what is wrong about their behaviour and give them the opportunity to rectify it. She learns quickly and is keen on passing her knowledge on to others. Despite a cosseted pureblood upbringing, she is not a snob and is happy to learn about what makes other people tick, although her knowledge of Muggle culture isn't exactly extensive...