Name: Benjamin Chike Rider
Commonly known as: Rider, Benzi, Benz
D.O.B: June 2nd, 2070
Blood Status: Unknown.
Marital Status: Single In a relationship.
Child: Emma Louise Rider
Physical Description: First thing you’ll notice about Benzi Rider is that he seems to physically occupy a large amount of the space he is in. Tall, very physically fit and comfortable with himself, he has the ability to seem very imposing at first glance. Exceptionally useful in his line of work. He has dark brown skin, chocolate coloured eyes and a warm easy smile. Any time his daughter is around, or he speaks of her, Benzi lights up, his features brightening and losing that 'auror' seriousness he often sports when on the job.
Distinguishing Features: Numerous scars on his body courtesy of his chosen career path, a large tattoo of a wolf head on his back, and often the smell of shampoo and aftershave. Lots of gym time means lots of showers. You’re welcome.
Wands:
■First wand: 9¾'' rowan with unicorn hair, pliable
■Second wand: 11¾'' beech with unicorn hair, unyielding, destroyed
■Third wand: 14'' ash with dragon heartstring, unyielding, current primary
Broom: No thank you.
Pet(s): None. His mother has enough for Emma to play with.
Patronus: Wolf.

Job Title: Auror
Employment Date: January 2089 - 2090, August 2091 - present.
Job Description: Aurors are an elite magical law enforcement unit tasked with protecting the Wizarding World from dark wizards and witches. They specialise in the identification and defence against dark magic and are taught to use any means necessary to take down a dark wizard. They are licensed to use even unforgivable curses if a situation calls for it.. It takes three years of training in order to become an Auror and this is usually done at a specialised training institution, of which there are several in the Wizarding World. MLE employees in other divisions may undertake training if they wish to become an auror at the discretion of the Department Head. Some of the required subjects include Stealth and Tracking, Advanced Magical Combat and Concealment and Disguise.

Personality: he's a right pain is what he is TBA.

Hobbies: Benzi has had a myriad of hobbies throughout the years. As a child, he was very fond of football and enjoyed playing with his late uncle quite a bit. He was on the Hogwarts gobstones team for a year or two, but his biggest passion as a teenager was music. A proficient drummer and occasional guitarist, Benzi formed a band with two of his best friends (Noel Wallace, still one of his best friend today, and Hayley.. Diggory, now Valera, whom he rarely sees or talks to) called Wizriots. The band had meant everything to Benzi once upon a time, they played in school parties quite a bit, but as soon as graduation rolled around, the band broke up. He was a year older than his bandmates, and his career ambitions lay very far from music. Eventually, he drifted away from music in general, and only came back to it years later.

A steady hobby throughout his life is physical activity. Benzi has always known he wanted to be an auror, and being an auror meant that his body needed to step up to the task, all day every day. Rarely is there a day he doesn't partake in some form of physical exercise, and people should expect a foul mood from him should they cross him on a day like that.

As his daughter grew up, his hobbies shifted to adapt to her needs. He now travels a lot with her, their favourite of the father daughter activities, and even moved his musical instruments from storage to the living room, where Emma enjoys hitting them and making his ears bleed. He often wishes he could spark some sort of interest within him for cooking, as his diet goes hand in hand with his physical exercise and it’s important for Emma to stay healthy, but sadly he has yet to find joy from wearing an apron in the kitchen.


History:

Text Cut: Early years, school and young adulthood

Early years and school history up to his final year can be found here.

Benzi's seventh year and following young adulthood was tumultuous to say the least. Wizriots the band was on shaky ground with his graduation looming upon them in the summer, and sparks were flying between Benzi and Hayley, despite them both being in relationships. It was a year of shameful actions (cheating on Evie) and important successes (winning the dueling club contest, and receiving his letter of recommendation from Professor Dakest, which would guarantee him a place in the YATI program). It was a year of angry outbursts and sad, quiet moments. Of being full of responsibilities (Prefecthood) and wanting to do nothing all the time (that seventh year mood).

Benzi graduated Hogwarts with Hayley Diggory as his girlfriend, and nine NEWTs under his belt, very ready to start his first year as a YATI. And when January 2089 rolled around, he did just that. Evie Shaklebolt was there too, which was awkward, but he figured they were both far too invested in becoming Aurors to let something like that stand in their way. In Evie's case, he'd been right. Regarding his own... he was not. Half a year into his training, hardly having spare enough time to breathe, he received devastating news from the girl he loved so so much. From nowhere, for no real reason, Hayley Diggory had decided to break up with him.

Deeply attuned to his feelings, the betrayal and heartache affected him too much. He could no longer focus, the bitter taste in his mouth overpowering. He'd cheated on Evie for nothing, he'd gambled on Hayley Diggory for nothing, she just threw him away like trash first chance she got. Eventually, Benzi couldn't take living his life anymore and one disappeared off to America, with a one way ticket.

Nineteen years old, penniless and heartbroken, Benzi lived a numb life in New York. Pulling some connections with his old YATI Head Auror employer Legend Chosen, he managed to get Benzi into MACUSA security as an entry level sentry guard. Benzi spent his days guarding the New York wizarding community, and his nights partying. Party after party until it all blurred together and still he was numb, still had no intention of ever returning to England.

That is, until April 21st 2091. Twenty years old now and just returning from work, his doorbell rang. Thinking nothing of it, he rang the person up and open the door to find a sight that would forever be etched in his mind. Polina Diaz, Polly, one of the girls he'd been seeing on and off for some months, holding a tiny, tiny bundle wrapped in white. "This is your daughter," she'd said to him, and explained that she couldn't keep her.

That was the day his world changed, and life would never be the same.

Benzi returned to London with Emma Louise, his tiny perfect daughter, in July 2091. He had resigned from MACUSA, and sent a letter back in April to the British Ministry, requested to rejoin the YATI program. His request was approved, with a hitch: he'd have to start from the very beginning, no shortcuts. Thus began his life as a single, working father. Twenty two years old, his saving grace was his mother and her husband who were instrumental to his survival of Emma's first years. Whenever he'd be at work or at school, Emma would be with her grandparents, and he'd come pick her up as soon as he was done. Some days, she came with him to school, and if nothing else could be arranged, even to work.

It was a difficult period in his life, but his favourite. He'd never been so focused, so driven, so ready to step up to the task and prove to himself that he could do it all. It took him three and a half years to finish the YATI program, and graduate London WU. Without his mother, it wouldn't have happened. Without the support of his friends, Noel, Q, Evie, other Aurors from work, it wouldn't have happened. His life might have been a little easier if Hayley hadn't returned to it, but that was now in the past, and he was grateful that it never worked out. Hayley Diggory, now Valera, had been what he'd thought was the love of his life, and he'd proved to himself beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he could live just fine without her.

Eventually, life simmered down. Emma grew from a baby to a toddler to an energetic child who reminded him of himself so much he worried. His best friends got together, which made seeing them much easier. His family troubles lessened as his sisters grew older, and his pay grade rose as he quickly graduated from Junior Auror to Auror, and then to a very good Auror.

Life's good for Benzi Rider. Now, let's not jinx it.

Former Occupation(s):
MACUSA Security (2090-2091)
Waiter (during school breaks)
Babysitter (yes, it was an occupation, you try looking after Charlotte, Callum and Chloe Kettleburn)

Education:
Wizarding University, London Campus
Wizarding Law degree, as part of the YATI program
Hogwarts
NEWTs (9)
Ancient Runes: E
Astronomy: O
Charms: O
CoMC: E
DADA: E
Herbology: O
History of Magic: A
Potions: O
Transfiguration: O
OWLs (11)
Ancient Runes: A
Arithmancy: P
Astronomy: E
Charms: O
CoMC: O
DADA: E
Herbology: O
History of Magic: E
Muggle Studies: O
Potions: E
Transfiguration: O

Qualifications and Credentials:
British Ministry of Magic
Graduated the YATI program, 2094
MACUSA
Security License, issued 2090
Hogwarts
Hogwarts Ravenclaw Prefect, 2087-2088
Hogwarts Dueling Club Champion (6th-7th years tier), 2088
Hogwarts Dueling Club Most Resourceful Dueler (6th-7th years tier), 2088
Other
Extremely proficient in Krav Maga and wandless magic, gifted in stealth and tracking.