van Gheule, Vincent - Minister of Magic

[Vincent van Gheule]

Accepted! Welcome to Hogwarts: The New Ages

Full Character Name: Vincent E. van Gheule
D.o.B./Age: May 19, 1984 / 44
Place of Residency: Bibury, Gloucestershire, Britain
Blood Status: Pureblood

Position Requesting: Minister of Magic

Credentials:
Potions: E
History: O
Defense Against the Dark Arts: O
Charms: O
Transfiguration: E
Ancient Runes: O
Astronomy: E
Herbology: E
Care of Magical Creatures: E

Entered the Ministry as a File Clerk in the Department of Magical Law
At age 22, he moved up to the Improper Use of Magic Office
At age 26, he became Department Head for the Improper Use of Magic Office
At age 31, he changed Departments and worked in International Magic Cooperation
At age 33, he entered the International Magical Office of Law as one of the top men
At age 36, he became Department Head for the Magical Office of Law
At age 39, he saw the cracks beginning at the Minister's Level and began petitioning for his removal
At age 40, he ran for the Minister of Magic Position, and won.

History:
Born Vincente Eustorgio Gheule, name changed to Vincent E. van Gheule.
Parent(s): Antonio Gheule and Katja van Houten
Sibling(s): Margriet and Nicolet van Gheule
Other(s): N/A
Economic Status: Wealthy

Antonio and Katja were betrothed to one another at a young age, an arranged marriage to ensure their family lines of pureness remained in-tact. Many of their friends had fallen off the wagon as their parents had said, and they would not allow their own children to do the same, even if it meant forcing a marriage between them that was not meant to be. As long as one heir could be produced, then they were fine. Antonio's three brothers were betrothed to pure-blood woman from around the world, and Katja's one sister was also betrothed, to a man in Australia.

When Antonio and Katja met at the age of seventeen, a proper age to begin discussing marriage and plans for children, they had not got off to the best start with one another, especially as Antonio was blatantly flirting with Katja's sister, whispering in her ear and calling her to his room with him. But how was he to know that she was not the woman he was to marry? He couldn't understand a word they spoke.

Once the language barrier had finally broke and things were explained, Antonio could not say he was pleased to be sitting at a table with a scar across his face from a rather nasty spell sent his way from the young woman he was to be marrying, and not the sister that was two years his junior.

The marriage was quick and to the point, there was nothing special or extravagant about it, and they were expected to begin their family immediately. And they did.

Margriet was born, a strong and healthy baby, but not what the family had really wanted. Less than a year later, Nicolet came along. Again, healthy, but neither Katja's nor Antonio's parents were pleased. So, almost a year later, another surprise came, that being Vincent. It was finally an heir and they could stop putting on the show of being happy, although Katja and Antonio were finally comfortable with one another. And that had been the agreement, an heir needed to be produced, and the sham could end and each go their separate ways for most accounts.

However, neither wanted to. In the end, Antonio changed his last name to add the common Dutch "van" to make it sound more reasonable for where they moved to within England. All three children were accepted to Hogwarts, and their two daughters were married off to pure-bloods, although Nicolet died in a rather tragic incident, and Margriet passed during childbirth. Vincent was all that was left, and he refused to marry. He also changed his name slightly, making it more friendly for the place he lives, especially once Italy began to be a place of worry for many.

Instead, Vincent through himself into studies, into making his name known in the Ministry and the world of magic. He gave himself little time to reflect on his past, the love between his parents, or anything that wasn't factual. He wanted to change the world, as his Grandparents had started, and truly believes that an act of causing all purebloods to marry one another and produce heirs would keep their lines more pure. After a generation or two, they could agin submerge themselves with those who are less... worthy or pure, and keep from inter-relations becoming too close amongst one another.


Personality Description:
Vincent is a difficult man to figure out. He is charming, intelligent, arrogant, cheesy, manipulating, calculating, defiant, rebellious, leading, misleading, and more. He has also had practice over the years to learn how to be whatever it is he is needed to be. Some might say he has a multiple-personality disorder, but he doesn't. It's that he knows how to be who he needs to be in just the right situation. It is, after all, how he's gotten to be the Minister of Magic today.

Vincent rarely shows his anger at anyone, choosing instead to be the man without anger, unless someone has really pissed him off. And if a person has made him that angry, then he takes care of business without witnesses.

Over all, upon first meeting him, although many take an immediate dislike to the man, he is always on his best behavior. Manners are important to him, because he knows they're needed to get anywhere in the world. If he wants to complete his dream, then he needs to be polite at all times, even coaching his bodyguards to be the same although they choose not to listen as often as possible.


Physical Description:
Height: 5'8"
Weight/Build: 185 lbs/stocky, but still athletic
Skin Tone: lightly tanned
Hair Color and Style: dark, although silver whisps are appearing in his hair
Eye Color: dark, almost black

A good look man, Vincent has always been followed around by women, although he rarely allows himself the pleasure. He had well-defined cheek-bones, giving his face definition but his skin is not too taut over his bones. The man has a rather weak chin, but a strong jaw. His bottom lip juts out more than his top, but both are a full pink color that seems strange on a man, but is eccentric enough to cause curiosities in many.

His eyes are almost hidden beneath his brow, although are dark and deeply intelligent. Rarely without a calculating gaze, Vincent has a certain charm to his looks. He's also very well built, muscular and strong, able to take care of himself.

He has always dressed fashionably, although still prefers the old ways of robes and cloaks to expensive suits. He does, however, also have an entourage of people who make sure he is dressed appropriately at all times.


Likes:

• power
  
• life
  
• the ability to make a difference
  

Dislikes:

• imbeciles
  
• those who fight against him
  
• the idea that the world couldn't change

Special Talents:
A talented wandsman, Vincent is also a dueler. He has always been extremely intelligent and believes that only a fool wouldn't expect the next move. He enjoys the game of chess and fencing. He owns a herd of Pegusai and a large number of cats frequent his home. Vincent has a special interest in astronomy and has been rumored to consult with centaurs on the matters of the universe, although no one has been able to actually pinpoint it on him.

RP Example:
The elections had been out of the way for almost a month now, and Vincent was doing quite well. Everyone seemed to love him, or were not stupid enough to outright oppose his word yet. The changes in the Ministry were slow, just the way he wanted them to be, and he was quiet about the next step in changes he wanted. Very few knew of the direction he wanted to see the Ministry head in, and of those few, only two could talk. No, the others were not dead, but they were his cats.

And although he'd never attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry himself, having attended a foreign school in Italy, Vincent was not surprised to see the invitation in his pile of mail one morning. Ophelic was not as dumb as he often played, and he knew well enough to keep his ties close with the newest Minister of Magic. Their meetings had gone well, played quite carefully over the years, and everything was coming together.

Apparating with his usual body guards, Vincent refused to take any chances. They were going to be in the midst of Muggles, and although he was not fond of them, knew he could easily overpower any of them, he felt it best to appear as nonchalant as ever over the circumstances. The Muggles wanted to forge a peace agreement, one that had been in the works for the last year, and he was not about to upset that. Not yet.

Entering the castle, he was quite impressed. This was his first visit through the front doors and even he had to admit that his own school did not have his kind of caricature. It was quite splendid, although he hit a solid mass of wall almost immediately, which caused the corner of his lips to twitch. One snap of his fingers, and bodyguard A, also known as Alvin Bulstrode, pushed through the crowd to give entrance way for Vincent. Bodyguard B, also known as Devon Nott, brought up the rear while bodyguard C, Zeb Tripe, tried his best to remain apart from the group but was there in case.

Offering a smile to all he passed, Vincent was careful not to tread too closely by anyone he did not recognize (assuming they were Muggle), but went and dove straight into conversation with minions of his from the Ministry. He had to show airs, that was all. And at least he was there, although he could be home enjoying an evening to himself instead. But it was all about putting on the face of the Public Member, and he was the man of the hour, until he was boosted from his seat, which was a plan not to be made.