Markus Gaunt

Name: Markus Gaunt

Age: 52

Blood Status:Pureblood

House/School:Slytherin/Hogwarts

Wand: Aspen, 13”, Basilisk Horn, Rigid 

Patronus: Thestral (after wife’s death) Runespoor (prior to wife’s death)

Ministry Position: Head Auror

Reputation: A man with a ruthless dedication to his job, upholding order by any means necessary. 

Family Reputation(s): Descendants of Salazar Slytherin and Cadmus Peverell, the Gaunt family is wealthy and well-esteemed among the pureblood "nobility" of the wizarding world, its members known for being drawn to the grandeur.


History:

The current patriarch of the Gaunt household and Head Auror of the Ministry of Magic was born in little Hangleton in 1655, the first son of the aging Scorpius Gaunt, a high ranking judge of the Wizengamot. Well passed his prime, the aging wizard had been trying to decades to sire a son to carry on his legacy. With the fate of the Gaunt name on his shoulders entirely, Markus was expected to achieve greatness in his life, with anything short of perfection met by scorn of his domineering father. As a son of a judge, he was also raised to believe that order was the ideal state of the world and needed to be maintained by any means necessary. The addition of three more siblings did little to divert his father's attention, making Markus feel alone in a full household.

With such an upbringing, it is no wonder Markus was sorted into Slytherin. He excelled in his studies, as was expected, earning top marks in Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions. He had a pragmatic approach to his schooling, only putting effort into tasks he thought would further his future. It was for this reason that he struggled with divination and avoided such pointless past times as quiddich. The Dueling Club was an extracurricular activity worth his time, with Markus becoming captain. He was also made prefect, though fell short of Head Boy, a fact which is father consistently shamed him for. Though described as dour by most, his friends would note an occasional dry wit and a twinkle of amusement behind his grey eyes after some success or other, with a cold fire that drew others to him and made them willing to follow. He graduated with honors, passing his five N.E.W.T.s with ease. When he was accepted into the auror program, few were surprised.

Upon graduating, he married his school sweetheart, Honoria Malfoy. His brother married her sister, Drusilla. It was a celebration of wealth and grandeur, the union of two of the wizarding world's most esteemed houses. They're union was a happy and affectionate one, softening the dour man, even if his wife was the only one that saw it. They had three children: Cadmus, Leander, and Aurelia. His work was demanding and the life of an auror did not leave him much time for his family. He was distant, yet expected the same of them as his father had of him.

Markus worked his way through the incredibly difficult Auror training; passing the stringent series of character and aptitude tests to show they react well under pressure. He was trained in advanced magical combat and other elements of practical defence, as well as methods of criminal investigation.
He completed his "Concealment and Disguise" and "Stealth and Tracking" schools with flying colors. Upon becoming an auror, Markus found the job itself was the true challenge. Enforcing order in was no small task, though he performed it with ruthless efficiency. He was a loose cannon in his early days, wont to use his enemy's most dangerous spells against them. No less than three internal investigations into excessive force we launched against him, but all fizzled out due to either bribery or intimidation. Order had to be maintained, at any cost. 

His utilitarian work was met with results, but also criticism, the auror a controversial figure within the organization. When the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy was put forward, he famously abstained from voting. Though he had no love for muggles, he also would not be seen to have stood in the way of the implementation of order. Surprisingly, he was chosen by Ksta Urquart as Head Auror after it passed, as his predecessor had stepped down in protest. The reasoning was that a firm hand was needed in the anarchy of transition. He has served in the office with distinction, if a heavy hand, under the supervision of the young Head of Magical Law Enforcement.

This life though was just the preface for what was to come. For it was not accomplishment, but tragedy that made Markus Gaunt. First, the Tragedy of Whitehall, which saw the death of his wife and sister in law. Then, the drowning of his son. Whatever affection his wife had provided, which had dulled his edge, is gone now. Loss has opened the man's eyes. He may be a champion of order, but it is not man's natural state and does not rule. It is anarchy...and it must be stamped out. 


Skills:

Transfiguration: 3
Charms: 7
Curses: 7
Jinxes / Hexes: 5
Counter-Spells: 7
Healing Magic: 3
Divination: 1
Legilimency: 3
Occlumency: 4

Magical Knowledge: 10
Potions: 7
Herbology: 4
Magical Animals: 4
Arithmancy : 3
Ancient Scripts: 4
Magical History: 5
Muggle Awareness: 4

Social Skills:
Expert :Intimidation
Apprentice: Deception
Apprentice:Observation    
Novice:Persuasion
Novice:Seduction

Special Ability: Parseltongue

Heirloom: Owner of the Gaunt Family Ring

Other: Member of the Silver Spears