HP Next Gen Headcanons: Albus
Full Name: Albus Severus Potter
House: Slytherin
Wand: larch and thestral tail hair
Patronus: thestral
Boggart: Scorpius being tortured/screaming
Profession: magizoologist
Sexuality: demisexual
Image(picrew):
Bonus: he has nightmares about delphini torturing and even killing scorpius which has made him very, very protective. He gets along with Lily the best of his siblings but still really loves his brother (even if he's annoying af sometimes). His worst subject is Potions but after his fourth year he buckles and asks James to tutor him (since it's Jamie’s best subject). After that, even though it's still his least favorite subject, he tries extremely hard to get good marks solely to make James proud. Can't balance on a broomstick or fly to save his life and Quidditch bores him to death. His favorite and best subject is Care of Magical Creatures, and his favorite Beasts are the aviary ones. He gained the ability to see thestrals after the incident with Delphini, learning quickly that they weren't nearly as frightening as he always believed. He acquires a strand of tail hair while visiting the herd of thestral near Hogwarts, and later brought it to Olivander to ask if he'd fashion a wand around it. The old wandcrafter was cautious to use it but was stunned to find how well the wand actually fit Albus (it remains the only wand he's ever made utilizing thestral tail hair). Having that wand made him more confident and reminded him that even great fear can become one of your greatest strengths. Gets along famously well with Draco which Harry fuuuuuckin hates.
Extras:
Wand Wood — larch
"Strong, durable, and warm in color, larch has long been valued as an attractive and powerful wand wood. Its reputation for instilling courage and confidence in the user has ensured that demand has always outstripped supply. This much sought-after wand is, however, hard to please in the matter of ideal owners and trickier to handle than many imagine. I find that it always creates wands of hidden talents and unexpected effects, which likewise describes the master who deserves it. It is often the case that the witch or wizard who belongs to the larch wand may never realise the full extent of their considerable talents until paired with it, but that they will then make an exceptional match."
Similar to Scorpius, Albus' previous wand (cherry wood and dragon heartstring) was broken in half by Delphini, which led him to receive his larch wand over the summer. Olivander warned Albus that it may be a bit difficult to master due to the properties of the wood. It was no secret that Albus wasn't considered the most talented of wizards: he had difficulty performing simple spells, struggled with potions, and the like. This was greatly due to the self-imposed expectations, as well as the abysmal lack of confidence he suffered from. Though his cherry wand did choose him, it never felt right in his hand. It isn't until after he faced Delphini that he began to trust himself a bit more, likely due to spite more than anything else. Olivander was stunned to see just how well the larch wand fit in Albus' hand. As if he was born to hold that wand. Olivander considers it to be one of his most impressive wands, as well as one of his more tempermental, because it doesn't like to perform for wizards who are not Albus. It will, however, work well in Scorpius' hand. Olivander theorizes this is due to the fact Albus cares deeply for Scorpius, and unconsciously instills that same care into his wand — an extension of his emotions. The larch wand will try to protect Scorpius in Albus' stead if the need arose. It's quite an interesting phenomenon.
Wand Core — thestral tail hair
"Thestral wands generally produce strong magic, but only when the wielder understands themselves. If the wielder does not know themselves or loses themselves, then their spells will suffer. When the wielder knows themselves, then this wand can create very strong spells. The Thestral wands are very tempermental and rare to find with Wizards and Witches of today."
Albus realizes that he can see the thestrals on the Hogwarts grounds soon after Christmas break his fourth year. Initially, he's cautious and avoids them to the best of his ability, but his curiosity eventually sees him visiting the herd in his spare time. During these visits, he quickly comes to realize that in spite of their startling appearance, Thestral are extremely docile and gentle. He becomes good friends with the herd and deeply enjoys being around them. During one of his visits, while giving one a good pet, a few strands of tail hair get caught around his fingers. He doesn't have an explanation of why he keeps it, but he feels compelled to bring them to Olivander himself, asking him to form a wand around them. Olivander is hesitant at first — he doesn't normally craft wands with such an unusual, unstable core — but eventually gives in. Albus is persistent, after all. It's just as well that he chooses to use larch, a wand wood known for instilling confidence, as a way to naturally counter any hesitancy that may still be lingering in Albus. His magic seems more powerful now that it's directed through a wand made so entirely for him, and it seems to grow even more powerful as time passes and Albus grows even more confident in himself. It's truly a symbiotic relationship, and Olivander swells with pride whenever he sees it in action.
Patronus — thestral (very rare)
"Since only people who have witnessed death can see thestrals, many associate them with loss of life; however, those with this Patronus are genuinely gentle and kind. People with the Thestral Patronus are empathetic and realistic and have the ability to look at the bigger picture, making them deeply powerful. They're often misunderstood by others and are way ahead of their years, having contemplated ideas that most only think about on their deathbeds."
James used to tease Albus using thestrals as a device of fear. Albus always knew he was just joking, but as a child, he couldn't help how scared he got when hearing the creatures description. Even following Craig's death when he was able to see the thestrals, he still felt nervous; but it offered an alarming sense of relief when he finally chose to approach the beasts and realized just how benign they were. They looked a certain way, so were perception as being malicious. A great majority of people with little to no understanding of them assumed the worst of them — just like they did with Albus. A creature that Albus once feared becoming a source of enormous strength and confidence, to the point where it becomes the core of his magic — is there anything more poetic than that? He loves thestrals now, and he bursts in joy when he casts a corporeal patronus the first time. While his classmates take a cautious step away, he would hold his hand out and smile, because he isn't afraid anymore.
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