Workshop # 1

1) Were you raised by both of your parents? If yes, who were you closest to and why? How did you interact with each? If no, who raised you and how has this affected who you are today?

Yes, I was raised by both parents. *Pause* Ifelt closer to my Dadbut dont tell Mum that. My Mum was eternally fussy over everything I did. Dad didnt really care if my hair was messy or if my clothes were rumpled when I was with him. He took me fishing, taught me how to ride my bike, swam with me, and even let me ride with him when he inspected the land surrounding our country estate. Mum was strict. I always had to be on my best behavior when she was around. Butshe did teach me that so I have her to thank. Shes a bit more mellow now, especially afterthat happened.

2) What do your parents do for a living? Do they expect you to follow the same path? Is this what you want to do? What would you rather do? Do they support your choices?

My dad holds a seat in the House of Lords. I know, it may seem a littleodd as a job, but it does keep him busy when Parliament is in session. He also co-owns a shipping company, by the way. Mum, on the other hand, is a Healer at St. Mungos. Follow the same path? Oh, er, well, it isnt possible for me to be a part of the House of Lords since my brother, Forrest, is the heir. Julian would most likely succeed Dad in holding the ownership of the shipping company since he has the head for business. Fear not, my parents dont despair of meyet. I can choose my profession, theyve told me so. And although my mind isnt made up yet, I think Id be delighted to work with Mum as a Healer.

3) Parental support and approval is an important key to self-esteem, or lack thereof. How much support and approval do you receive? It is of a good nature (ie - supporting you to make the right choices even if it's not popular) or of a dodgy nature (ie - encouraging you to do what must be done to keep yourself on top)? How has this affected you?

My parents have always stressed the importance of doing what is right, even if you are the only one who believes its the right one or of you are the only one who makes that choice. I suppose that would be the reason for my (fairly acute) sense of right and wrong today. Yes, my parents may not always approve of the choices I make but if I give them my reasonsperfectly sound ones, I assure youthen my parents are kind enough to consider whatever choice I pick.

4) No matter how wonderful ones parents are, teenagers and parents fight. Even adult children fight with their folks. What sort of things do you and your parents fight about all the time? Do you fight often, or rarely?

Oh, Merlin, do I have to answer this? *Very long pause* Very well My parents think Im too blas about everything in my lifewell, Mum does. Mum torments me, says I should exert more effort into schoolwork. She sends me a weekly reminder when Im at school. Full-blown fights between any of sibling (and I) and our parents rarely ever occur. I may also tend to omit it from memory so

5) Grandparents can often be an important factor in a life. Are your grandparents still alive? How much of an influence do they exert on your life? On your parents' life?

Nana and Papamy grandmother and grandfatherIm never to call them that in public, you know. Papa passed away three years ago but Nanas still very much alive. Nanas very caring and she spoils us rotten, like she did Dad, I suppose. Shes also very demonstrative and still has a strong grip. I often find the air squeezed from my lungs whenever we visit her. Papa was somewhat Nanas opposite. He was authoritative but he never was callous. They took care of us (my siblings and I) when our parents were both away. I loved spending lazy afternoons with them. I still do love spending them with Nana during the summer. She makes the best oatmeal cookies (and she serves us ice cream!). Mum likes them too so everythings all right. You might as well know then that Ive never known my mothers parents. Maybe its just as well

6) How many siblings do you have? Older? Younger? How do you get along with each? Is there any significant rivalry with any of them? Do your parents favor (or appear to favor) one over the other? How do the dynamics of your siblings affect you?

I have four siblings, two older brothers and two younger sistersyes, I realize I belong to a fairly large family.

If you saw my parents, Id think its pretty obvious that they dote on Louisa, the youngest. Then again, we all spoil her. Our little princess, thats Louisa. Dyou know how persuasive the little brat can be sometimes? I cant say no. Ever.

Forrest, the eldest, is entirely too somber for me. Hes quiet too and I think hes hiding a girlfriend from us. He and I are rarely on unpleasant terms but we arent in very good terms eitherexcept if were playing Quidditch. Julian isoutspoken. He speaks before thinking sometimes and could be a bit brash. But he and I get along quite well anyway. I just have to slip away if hes angered any unfavorable character with his candor. The only rivalry that seems to exist between Julian and I is the one that begins when we practice with spell-castingplease dont tell Mum that. Now, Danielle comes after me in birth order. Shes only a year younger and is the one I get along with the best among my siblings. Shes my confidant if I need someone to listen without passing judgment.

Oh, competition between me and Danielle, you say? Hmm Ah! Who gets the most goals in through the Quidditch hoop, who reaches the other side of the lake first, who eats the most sandwichesa lot, really.

As for the dynamics of my siblings, Im who Jules and Forry used to order about. They still do sometimes. If, sometimes, I ignore them, they simply walk away and do what they were about to tell me to do for them. With my sisters, I like to think of myself as the big brother that I am, the one who fixes something they broke or the one they call for help. I do what I can for them