Ariadne Lydia Marchbanks



At a glance…

Date of birth: 15 August 2063
Star sign: Leo
Place of birth: York
Lives in: Otley,West Yorkshire, UK, in an old English house, with her grandparents, as of her fifth year; spends summer in the south of France with her mother and step-father.
Siblings: none
House: Gryffindor
Nicknames: Ari
Pets: a hideous grey cat named Pluto
Wand: cherry, unicorn hair, 11.6'', Sturdy
Patronus: a big dog (not yet produced)
Boggart: Failing at something
Favourite spell: Arresto Momentum
Greatest ambition: to become a wandmaker
Strongest subjects: History of Magic, Potions
Weakest subjects: Flying, Astronomy
Appearance: Ariadne is a slim girl of medium height (though she constantly complains about being short), with long brown hair, dark brown eyes, and a pale complexion, with a few freckles.
Model: young Ari-Lauren Boles; older Ari-Gemma Arterton.

Likes and dislikes

Likes: Hogwarts, Gryffindor, her family and friends, cats, reading, history, wands, Chocolate!, Diagon Alley, nature, swimming, travelling, adventures, weekends, the colour purple

Dislikes:dunderheads, boredom, rainy days, sports (except swimming), flying, chess, mutton, bad hair days,peaches,trains


Family background

Ariadne is the daughter of Ava Marchbanks, from a Pureblood family, former owner of a small bookshop in Otley, and a Muggle, Lloyd Gallagher, now a prominent politician in Muggle Britain. Ari's father had left her mother whilst the woman was pregnant, when she confessed she was a witch, and never returned, unable to deal with the fact. Ariadne never got the chance to meet her father, but she still hopes that would be possible one day. Ava Marchbanks decided to give Ariadne her surname rather than Lloyd's, given the man’s lack of involvement in the family.

Ava's younger brother Tristan served as a father-figure for Ariadne, becoming her favourite uncle. Ari also has a close relationship with her maternal grandparents, Ambrosius Marchbanks and Calliope Marchbanks (nee Goldstein). Both the Marchbanks and Goldstein families have been in Ravenclaw for generations, until Ariadne went to Hogwarts. One of the girl's great-grandmothers was Griselda Marchbanks, Ravenclaw Prefect and then Head Girl in school, Governor of the Wizarding Examinations Authority and member of the Wizengamot, who tested Harry Potter in his Divination O.W.L practical.

When Ari finished her third year, her mother married Matthew DuBarry, a wizard working at the ministry. The pair decided to move to France, where Matthew inherited an estate from his late father. Ariadne could not adapt to living in France and attending Beauxbatons, so she returned to England for her fifth year and lives with her maternal grandparents.


Personality

What is most noticeable about Ariadne is her intelligence and her inquisitiveness. Her biggest fear is failure; she is very ambitious and a perfectionist. Ari also has a spirit for justice, but that doesn't stop her from mischief every now and then. Besides determination, the girl has also got lots of courage and is independent.

Ariadne doesn't strike you as a very friendly person, but she is likeable and compassionate. Sometimes sarcastic, but rarely truly funny, she appreciates people who make her laugh. The girl likes company, but isn't bothered by solitude either. As an only child raised by a rather busy single parent, she learned to do many things on her own. However, she is very loyal to her friends and would do anything for them.

Ariadne loves reading and is very passionate about history, both magical and Muggle. She also enjoys spending time outdoors and swimming. She can sometimes be quite a chatterbox, especially when she's nervous. On the outside at least, she always seems very calm and composed. Outbursts of either joy or fury are very rare in her case.