17 31 JULY 2003 STUDENT 7TH YEAR GRYFFINDOR PUREBLOOD ENGLAND | PERSONALITY: Zinhle is very secure in her sense of self. She knows who she is as a person, and is happy with who she has grown into as a human. However, this security is not synonymous with complacency; she is driven and very determined to continue pushing herself as a witch and human. Above all, Zinhle always trusts in her gut, even if logic dictates something completely different. She is driven by her instincts, which often leads her to be impulsive. Zinhle has a strong moral code, and as such she tends to think she is always right. She can be rather stubborn and uncompromising. She has great deductive skills, and this innate sensibility, having proved itself time and time again, is what has led her to rely on her instincts so heavily. When interacting with others, Zinhle is outspoken and unafraid of calling out any perceived injustices. She is friendly and warm, but if her gut tells her something is off about someone, even if she hasn't had time to get to know them, she will not waste her time pretending to be nice. For all that she can come off as as unyielding and feisty, Zinhle does have a soft side to her. This mostly presents when she is around nature, in the process of feeling connected to the earth and magic around her. She is used to being independant and put together, and whilst she doesn't mind this, the idea of being looked after occasionally so that she does not always have to be strong, is an attractive one. ASPIRATION: Zinhle has always felt a deep connection with nature. She is at home outdoors, surrounded by plants. As such, naturally, she wants to work within this field, and will likely go on to further studies in herbology beyond Hogwarts. She is quite the activist, so after her training is complete, she'd likely do environmental work, something that puts good into the world, possibly protecting endangered species/habitats or working to stop the exploitation/erosion of natural reserves and areas. Zinhle has essentially been set to get married off for wealth. Whilst she has accepted that this is her path, she isn't exactly happy about it. In an ideal world, there would be some non problematic way for her engagement to be broken, but realistically, she hopes to be able to find some form of happiness eventually after getting married, even if that means burying herself in her work. She will continue to operate based on what she thinks is right, following her instincts and gut, and balancing this unapologetic aspect of herself with the pureblood, socialite environments that she is in. | LIKES: -Nature -Plants -Dancing -Animals -Rock climbing -Drinking -Biltong -Activism -Mysteries and puzzles -Gambling DISLIKES: -Being told what to do -Going against her morals -Losing -Corruption -Spineless people -Inaction -Things with multiple holes set close together (Trypophobic) -Getting sick -British cuisine -Using wand for magic -Gambling/casinos -Sleet |
FAMILY MEMBERS. | Kholwa Shacklebolt - 45 - Mother - Herbologist Dumisani Shacklebolt - 49 - Father - Hit Wizard Kingsley Shacklebolt - 58 - Uncle - Auror, former Minister of Magic |
CHILDHOOD. | Zinhle was born just outside of the port city of Durban, in South Africa. She was born in the branch of the Shacklebolt family still based in the homeland. As a child, Zinhle was always playing outside. She loved exploring the outdoors, and felt most connected and herself when surrounded by nature. Although a pureblood family, the Shacklebolts still based in South Africa weren't overflowing with wealth. They weren't exactly poor, but by pureblood standards there was still much to be left desired. In fact, a lot of money was put into maintaining appearances, which just meant there was less to spend on necessities. Her father had a gambling problem (it was his vice in a stressful career) which led to a lot of their financial struggles. He did a good job keeping it hidden, but it eventually came out that that was why things were such a struggle. Zinhle didn't quite understand the implications of this until she was a bit older, and it began to shape her desire to be better. Not force upon others the same struggles and hardships her father had forced upon her own family. Growing up, Zinhle heard a lot about her Uncle Kingsley in the UK, and all of his achievements. His involvement with the Order of the Phoenix, help with the chosen one, and his reign as a Minister of Magic. Although she only met him a handful of times, he became the role model that she looked up to and wanted to be like, rather than her father. She wanted to always stand for the right, help others less fortunate than herself. |
SCHOOL YEARS. | Zinhle began her magical education at Uagadou. Although there were smaller magical institutions closer to home, her parents opted to send her to the most prestigious one in the continent. For her first years, Zinhle was known for being impulsive and always speaking her mind. Yet in spite of these tendencies, she remained on generally good terms with most as she tried to always do what was right and stood up for others. She had a natural gift for herbology and care of magical creatures, though she tried her best to maintain her grades well across all subjects. As she got older, her parents began discussing marriage prospects, saying that she needed to do her part to help the family. The Shacklebolt name was highly regarded, and their financial struggles weren't public knowledge, so they managed to arrange her to a wealthy family. Zinhle wasn't necessarily opposed to the idea of being arranged; she'd been raised to accept that it would be a part of her path, but right around her 17th birthday, she was informed that she had been arranged to the heir of a wealthy family in the UK, and would be transferring to Hogwarts for her last year of schooling. Zinhle was furious to hear of this news. She'd always hoped at least that when she eventually got married, she'd have the comfort of being at home in South Africa, and have more time to get to know him. She loved her home country after all. The move was an adjustment. For the first time in her life, she had to learn how to use a wand, as at Uagadou students are taught wandless magic. She had to adjust to the different culture, ways of life, and of course, her future husband. She is still angry about being shipped off to the UK to be married, and determined to make something of herself beyond just her name or arrangement. |
