Age: 11
Personality
As a child, because of the growing prejudice surrounding werewolves, Remus was a very lonely little boy. Due to his condition, he was not allowed to have friends his own age. Remus supposed, at the age of eight, that this was partly to ensure he was unable to hurt and infect anyone. Accepting of this fact and appreciative of his parents' efforts, Remus became an avid reader. Perhaps it was a form of escapism, but by the time he was nine, he had devoured many magical books and had moved on to muggle literature. He went into the Wardrobe with Lucy, followed Frodo and Sam to Mount Doom and very nearly cried with...A hero or heroine who shall remain nameless. His love of literature, combined with his relative isolation, resulted in an analytical mind and a rather good imagination.
Consequently, Remus is a very empathetic and perceptive individual. He tends to notice little details, and finds it easy to imagine the thoughts and feelings of others. While this makes him a kind and compassionate friend, it is a double-edged sword. Due to the prejudice he has experienced, Remus particularly values acceptance and the few friends he does have - perhaps cares too much what they think of him.
At times, this can make Remus seem awkwardly self-controlled and painstakingly civil. Although he is not naturally an introvert, Remus does not give much away. He tends to avoid direct eye-contact, and very rarely voices exactly what is on his mind. He is quite happy to listen to other people talk about their emotions, but feels highly uncomfortable admitting to or talking about his own.
While he is eager to see and encourage the best in others, Remus is virtually unable to extend this kindness to himself. He is ashamed of his condition, so tries to better himself in other areas of his life. When his father began his magical education (prior to Dumbledore's visit, in 1971, Remus' parents believed he would be unable to attend Hogwarts. Lyall, therefore, planned to educate him at home), Remus threw himself into his studies and tried hard to please. Likewise, thanks to his mother's tuition, he is able to make a passable Victoria sponge.
Remus also possesses a quiet and quite dry sense of humour. He is able to appreciate, for instance, the tragic coincidence of his name (at least, Remus likes to believe it is a coincidence, rather than nominative determinism):
Remus - one of the mythological founders of Rome, raised by a she-wolf.
Lupin - 'lupus', the Latin for 'wolf'
Add to that that his mother's maiden name, Howell and his father's name, Lyall (also wolf), and Remus is essentially Wolfy McWerewolf II!
Likes:
- Books
- Chocolate
- Jazz music
Dislikes:
-The full moon
- Being a werewolf
- Prejudice
- Mushrooms
Appearance*
Remus has light brown hair, brown-to-amber eyes and a complexion just a little too pale to be healthy. Although he tries to look presentable, his hair grows very quickly and if not kept in check, it is prone to 'doing that poofy thing'.
As a child, Remus' parents were always reminding him to 'wrap up warm', in order to ensure that their son's condition was -quite literally- kept under wraps. Years of monthly transformations left Remus with more scars than he cares to count or explain away, so the habit stuck. Even if it's too hot to wear a jumper, Remus will opt for a long sleeved shirt and shorts are practically taboo. He is quite frankly, very uncomfortable in his own skin.
As such, Remus will only get dressed in the bathroom or on his bed, with the curtains firmly closed. Naturally he's been called a 'prude' once or twice...and once or twice he's rebuffed the allegation (the fact a person likes wearing jumpers and chooses not to parade around starkers, does not make them a prude)..But secretly, perhaps Remus doesn't mind so much. After all, what's wrong with a bit of decorum?
*Never found a playby I liked, really, so I sketched up his avatar, instead.