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Name: Jessi
Age: 17 almost 18
Email: have it
AIM: you have it!
Experience: colourexplosion

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Name: Alfred Potter
Age: 38
House: Slytherin

History: When Charlus Potter married Dorea Black, the Potter family erupted into an outrage, as did the Blacks. Though it took awhile, the two families eventually calmed down and the two were married. Dorea soon (perhaps a little too soon) announced her pregnancy and eight months later, Alfred was born. He was, of course, incredibly and disgustingly spoiled as a child, which isn't out of the ordinary for the Blacks. Or the Potters, for that matter. As he grew older, he began to reject the many, many gifts his parents (namely his mother) insisted on giving him.

As the hat sat on Alfred's head, debating whether to put him in Slytherin or Gryffindor, Alfred found that he couldn't really concentrate or make himself care about what house he would be put in, he was too busy trying to figure out a way to skip dinner and explore the castle instead. He was frequently doing things like that, especially in the Black Manor. He would often skip a meal to go exploring. In the end, the Hat decided on Slytherin, hoping it would bring out the hidden ambition it saw deep inside of Alfred; it saw great things for Alfred, great potential that the hat was sure a house like Slytherin would make him realize and live up to.

In his Sixth year, Alfred realized there was something a little different than the rest of the boys in his year. While they all changed girlfriends at least once a month, Alfred had never even had one. True, his mother tried multiple times to set Alfred up with suitable girls, but none of them had ever been able to hold his interest. The only girls that could even catch his attention weren't even in Slytherin, and Alfred knew it was more respectful to never marry than to marry someone less than Pureblood. (And while he didn't really believe in that, he was at least grateful for an excuse to never marry.)

Eventually, he realized that he was, in fact, gay and did his best to keep it hidden. Which was basically acting the same as he always had. Eventually he did get a girlfriend, Eileen Nott, but that was mainly to get his mother off his back. The relationship lasted a good four years, and Alfred had actually grown to care for Eileen, but then one day when Eileen came home and found Alfred in a rather compromising situation with Avery. They had been discussing the state of the Ministry, when suddenly Avery had put his hand on Alfred's knee and was kissing Alfred as Eileen came in. Alfred was actually quite confused about it all.

Alfred managed to convince Eileen that what she had seen was simply friends having a discussion over wine and that Avery had simply been comforting Alfred about a problem he was having and it simply escalated due to the intake of wine. Simple mistake. Eileen never believed him. She had always heard rumors from her girlfriends about Alfred, about how the only good thing he got from the Blacks was his ability to lie, how he'd never had a girlfriend for more than a few weeks. She'd just thought herself lucky that she had finally been able to snag him, and when she came home that day, her facsimile of a life crumbled.

Their relationship ended when she tried to modify her own memory and it went horribly, horribly wrong. Eileen was simply trying to forget what she had seen and make things go back to the way they had been before. She was admitted to St. Mungo's for permanent damage and died just a few years ago at the age of 35. One of the things Alfred regretted most in his life was his inability to ever go visit Eileen before she died. He did actually care for her, even if he couldn't love her. She was his best friend, really, the only person who ever even came close to loving him, other than his parents. After Eileen was taken to St. Mungo's, Alfred became a true bachelor and chose to live alone, he couldn't handle it if he ended up sending more than one person to St. Mungo's. He couldn't really handle the fact that he sent one person to St. Mungo's. It eats away at him, even to this day.

As Alfred was losing his mate, all of his cousins seemed to be gaining them. With each wedding that Alfred showed up alone to, the lonelier he became. He bought a cat, trying to fill the whole that losing his best friend had left. His cousins, however much their parents disliked him, were always his friends. Alfred had never really bothered to make other friends. He found himself going to Christmas parties and other events with more presents in tow than usual for his cousin's children. Even though he's not actually their uncle, most of the third generation Blacks call Alfred their "Uncle Alfie." He pretends to hate it, but really loves it.

Personality: Alfred, for as lazy as he is, is surprisingly intelligent. He always managed to make full marks on whatever he did with as little work as possible. His intelligence really only extends to intellect, be cause he's one of the most oblivious people you could ever meet. He barely managed to notice that Eileen did, in fact, have a crush on him. He's been known to act surprised at a family secret that everyone else has known about for years on end. No, really, ask him anything you can think of about Herbology, and he'll tell you, but ask him who supposedly took the silver from the drawing room because they gambled away their funds, and he'll look at you like you're crazy. He's not entirely gullible, since it takes a lot of convincing for him to believe something, but he is extremely oblivious to the obvious. Alfred can also be a bit manipulative, though quite without knowing it. He gets it from the Black side of his family, and most everything else from the Potter side, like his honesty, for instance. Alfred can lie quite convincingly, but he chooses to tell the truth when it comes to most things. He doesn't really understand the Black side of his family's urge to find out things in any way except simply asking the person.

As well as being approachable, Alfred is extremely good-natured and even-tempered. He loves to tease and joke around, and loves it even more when someone jokes back with him. It takes a lot to make him truly upset, and when it happens, it's not pretty. While he's not as scathing as some other members of his family are, he can certainly say things that hurt. He usually apologizes for losing his temper and saying hurtful things, and since most people like him, they generally forgive him. He's also incredibly charming, a trait picked up from years of Black family events and gatherings. He's been known to manipulate his way into doing special things. For instance, he hasn't been to a lunch while staying at the Black Manor for about ten years. Dinners he can tolerate, but the lunches are way too much for him. He prefers to eat privately and then go explore the Manor. He's still finding new things about it, even after so many years. Alfred hasn't quite figured out yet that he did, in fact, get the power of Black manipulation from his mother, so he doesn't really get a chance to use it all that much.

While neither side of his family outright shun him, they don't seem to mind if he misses a meal or two. Both sides of the family accept him (surprisingly, the Black side more than the Potter side), but it's really only his parents who love him. (His mother loves him the most, of course) Some of the cousins are a lot friendlier to him than others, but mainly they live under the influence of their parents, who simply tolerate him and give him all sorts of backhanded compliments. Alfred isn't anywhere near as conniving and manipulative as the Black side of his family (though he could probably be if he wanted to), so while they're all very polite to him and sometimes even nice, he can't quite ignore the stories he's overheard at Potter parties, about how greedy and evil the Blacks are. In truth, Alfred is more afraid and respectful of the Black side of his family than he is the Potter side of the family. He feels like he'll never be able to live up to be as great as their reputation makes them. He wants dearly to feel like he fits in with the Blacks, he wants them to not only accept him, but to love him as well. At least, as much as Blacks can love. As a result of this want, Alfred ends up doing whatever the Black side of his family wants him to do. He's gotten pretty good at reading between the lines of whatever Cygnus tells him, and whatever he gets from that, he goes and does. It's something Cygnus rather likes about him.

All of the Potters can't seem to get over the fact that Charlus and his son were in Slytherin. The only two Potters in history ever to be in Slytherin and what's more Charlus married into the Black family, the Potters like, mortal enemy. When Alfred attends the Potter family events, he usually gets a lot of stares and whispers. Once, he walked into a room and it went dead quiet, and he was forced to back out slowly. The Potter side of his family just simply doesn't understand him. They don't make an effort to know him, like his other side does. They simply can't get past their prejudices and fully accept Alfred for who he is, as a person and as a member of the family.

Alfred doesn't do commitment. He's never had a serious significant other after Eileen because he can't shake the thought that living with her for that period of time turned her crazy. The thought of being with one person for the rest of his life absolutely terrifies him because he's certain they'd go crazy or simply begin to hate him. Surprisingly, as afraid of commitment as he is, Alfred actually likes kids. He enjoys all the special events with his cousin's children and really enjoys spending time with them. He wouldn't be averse to having one of his own, if he could just get over his commitment issues.

Reputation: As one of the only Potters to ever be in the house of Slytherin (along with his father), Alfred is known as the 'Black sheep' of the Potter family. (The Potters think they're oh-so clever for calling him that behind his back.) He finds that he doesn't quite fit in anywhere, with the Potter side of his family or the Black side, but he doesn't let that get him down. The Black side of his family are slightly more welcoming than the Potter side, but both are decent to him. He enjoys time with the Black family more, though, because they seem to recognize his potential. Now, whether they'd use that potential for good or bad, well, only time will tell.

Details:
-He is unmarried, much to the dismay of his mother, also quite secretly gay.
-Loves being called 'Uncle Alfie' because he feels like it's as close as he'll ever get to having kids.
-Very good at charms.
-Helpful.
-Has a cat named George, whom he frequently loses. George is extremely neurotic and afraid of most everything, including peas.
-Hasn't ever actually had a serious boyfriend.
-Cautiously afraid and very respectful of the Black side of his family.
-Has a tendency to tell jokes at the dinner table that only he finds funny. They're a bit too tasteless for the Black side and a bit too condescending for the Potter side. It makes for nice, awkward dinners.
-Hates eating lunch with the Black side of his family.

First Person Sample:
[Private]
I had a dream last night that I walked through the grounds at the Potter manor and Eileen was waiting for me at the edge of the woods. She took me from the edge to the center, but it wasn't the center of the woods. It was all white and shining and I could hardly see her face, but somehow I knew it was her. She smiled at me and touched my face and my heart broke. I didn't love her, but Merlin, she was my best friend and I never even visited her. I couldn't even make myself go and see her. I told myself she wouldn't remember me anyway but damn it the Healers told me she was always waiting for me.

Ironic that the only thing she could remember up to was our first date, huh?

I've heard whisperings that Avery's going to visit soon. I don't know why in the world he would, but I suppose it has something to do with the ministry. I think his father must be coming too. I haven't seen him in years, since Eileen walked in on us. The day my life almost crumbled. Damn it all to Hell what am I going to do? I can't see him. I feel sick whenever I think about him, what the hell what the hell what the fuck.

This sucks.
[/Private]

-----

Mother,
I have been detained at the Manor. I'm very, very sorry. You must know that, right? I mean, it's not like I really want to be here while everyone's running around at Christmas break. I'd much rather be at home with you and father, but I suppose what's done is done, yes? You understand? I miss you terribly, and Father. Tell him Happy Christmas for me, please.

Love from,
Alfie

PS- Feed George please?
PPS- Don't worry, I'll tell you everything once I'm home.
PPPS- George's food is in the cabinet next to the sink.
PPPPPS- Not too much! He'll run away if you feed him too much.