James Laurence
| James Alastair Laurence | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Gender | Male |
| Nicknames | |
| Born | 09 May 1881 |
| Died | |
| Family | The Laurence Family |
| Bloodtype | Pureblood |
| Social Class | Nobility |
| Hogwarts House | Ombrelune (Beauxbatons) |
| Graduation Year | 1899 |
| Occupation | 20th Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Arundel |
| Residence | Arundel Castle, West Sussex, England |
| Wand | |
| Patronus | Fox |
| Parents | William Laurence IV and Vera St. Allswell |
| Siblings | Edward Laurence, Julia Laurence |
| Significant Other | Amelia Cornish |
| Children | Claire Laurence |
| Friends | |
| Status | Alive |
Overview
James Laurence isn't a man who moves without intention. He is never hurried, but never idle. He is the sort of man who arrives precisely when he means to, never a moment late or early, smile already in place.
There is an ease to him, disarming and familiar, the kind of charm that welcomes him into rooms full of strangers, or makes people linger in doorways to hear his next quip. He makes people feel seen, known, important. People want him in the room; invite him in gladly.
They just don't realize the cost until he's already smiling at their table.
James is neither a quiet man, nor a boisterous one. Rather he reads every room he enters and adapts accordingly. He is the epitome of a chameleon, his true personality saved for those closest to him - usually his family. Beneath the veneers of all of this, James is cold and calculating predator, unflinching when business takes a more unsavory turn.
To put it simply, James shows all the hallmark signs of a sociopath.
Within the safety of his home, James is warm, has a great sense of humor and is fiercely protective of his family and lineage. He is not exactly...monogamous, though this would be news to his wife. He has always been a bit of a playboy, even before his arranged marriage. And though he loves Amelia, as much as he can, he has a wandering eye and uses his charms, good looks and wiles to capitalize on that.
James isn't an anomaly; he's the meticulously crafted result of centuries of ruthless ambition. He's not just protecting his family; he's protecting an empire, and he will strategically destroy anything that threatens it.
History
Born on May 9, 1881 to William Laurence IV, 18th Duke of Norfolk and his wife, Vera St. Allswell, James was the second of three children. A lively, happy and boisterous child from the start, James was the heart of his family. Always coming up with little jokes and stories, he often brought the adults in the family to fits of laughter. He was precocious and intelligent and could often be found in the storage rooms, looking over old family heirlooms, taking them apart and trying to figure out how everything worked. He was incredibly observant and could often be caught hiding behind furniture to try and overhear the adult conversations that went on all around him. James was highly social and loved every party and family event that he was allowed to attend.
At the age of five, he lost his mother to childbirth when his younger sister, Julia, was born. It was a heavy blow, but while his brother, Edward, spiraled into bouts of rages, James instead shut down, preferring to keep to himself and his room amongst his toys and the imaginary friends he created for himself. He was tutored privately with his brother, but once Edward was sent away to school, little James often accompanied his father to meetings at the Ministry to listen and learn. It was here, beginning at the age of nine that James began to understand the intricacies and delicate dance that politics and social settings required. He'd watched his father in admiration as he twisted and turned the men around him to his will, with seemingly no effort.
At the age of eleven, James joined his elder brother at Beauxbatons where he thrived in Charms and Dueling. Like his brother, James was popular, though he ran with a different set of more serious students. Here, he threw himself into absorbing everything he could regarding spellwork, incantations and the delicate movements. He made connections throughout the school with his peers from more prestigious European families and solidified them through his good-nature and willingness to offer favors. All in the understanding he would be repaid ten-fold someday when he required it.
Following his time at Beauxbatons, James attended The University of Edinburgh where he double-majored in Ministry Politics and Communications. Here, James reconnected with his more fun-loving and relaxed side, finally allowing himself to enjoy the young social scene. University allowed James to make countless more important connections and relationships that in the coming years would serve him and his family well. After University, James continued working for his brother and father in whatever ways they required, including shady Ministry and Parliamentary deals and other endeavors that aren't quite clear.
Despite his affable and easy-going nature, James can be incredibly cold and ruthless and often shows this side when people aren't swayed by his charm. To put it simply, he is calculating, manipulative and dangerous, hidden by a mask of charm.
On August 25, 1918, James married Amelia Cornish, a young Pureblooded woman from a neighboring noble family. They had the following children:
- Claire Briann Laurence b. 1 May 1920
On February 8, 1919, James ascended to the title of Duke of Norfolk upon the sudden death of his older brother Edward.
