ELENA CORTEZ

[PROFESSOR ELENA CORTEZ]

ELENA CORTEZ



30 years old • 1st August 1991 • Graduate
Hogwarts
Pureblood
Catherine Zeta Jones

LIKES:
Dancing
Singing
Music
Coffee
Spending time with friends
The sun
Reading
Going back home to Spain as often as possible
Her family
Being a friend to her students
Animals

DISLIKES:
People on power trips
Being challenged in any serious way
Arrogant students
Being judged by her age
Being away from her family
The fact that she's thirty and not even close to getting married or having children yet
The cold
Her boyfriend living so far away

STRENGTHS:
Defence Against the Dark Arts
Confident
Friendly
Passionate
Loving
Funny
Kind
Loyal
Strong
Fun
Dancing
Singing
Making people smile

WEAKNESSES:
Cute animals
Her body clock is ticking very loudly
She's far too generous
Her accent can cause communication problems
Honeydukes
Florean Fortescue's
She's a sucker for a love story
She is the youngest Head of House at Hogwarts, and so has to fight to be taken as seriously as the others

ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE
MYSELF

"So, Miss Cortez, we're curious, how is it that a Spaniard came to attend Hogwarts, and then go on to become a Professor and Head of House?"
'Well, let's just say my father is a very influential man. I'm not implying that the school took money from him as a bribe, by no means, this school would never dream of participating in such a thing. It was merely an act of loyalty from an old family friend. So, yes, I was able to attend from the age of eleven. I'm very grateful.'

"People say you look a lot like your father, is this true?"
'Ahhh, yes and no. I look like my mother! She has the long dark hair, and the almost sherry coloured eyes, like mine, my fathers are a lot darker. I suppose I have his smile. And I'm tall, like him. I'm five feet and eight inches, which in Spain is a lot taller than most of the other women. I like it, though, it always been part of who I am. Even at school, I was always taller than the boys. Then I would go back to Spain in the holidays and it would be exactly the same there. I could never escape it! Hahaha. It gained me a lot of attention, and I already had enough from my looks. I'm not complaining, but beauty is a curse sometimes.'

"And you were sorted into Hufflepuff House, were you not, which you are now Head of..."
'Yes. People always say I am too fiery to be a Hufflepuff, but then I tell them that I am also cunning, and intelligent, so maybe the Sorting Hat was confused! It doesn't really matter to me, I think I have a lot of mixed qualities. I can be loyal and kind, like the Hufflepuff cliche, of course, but I think I am not strong enough in the defining areas to make the cut in the other Houses. And then when the position opened up recently, of course it was a natural progression for me to take over as Head of House. I have a lot of ambition, and I love to help and guide students, so really, it is a perfect role for me. I find it quite easy to lead people with a fair hand. That's how all people in positions of power should be, no? There are none of these power trips or things going to my head. I won't have it.'

"You have quite a strong Spanish accent. Did you never lose that while at school?"
'Nooo. No, no, no. My accent is a part of who I am. An important part. I am proud to be Spanish. There have been moments when people struggle to understand me, and vice versa, but it's not that big of a hurdle, really, is it? Maybe if my family would have moved over to England during my school years my accent would have faded, but my home has always been Spain. I would go back there in the summer, and on holidays, and after I graduated, I went back there full time until two years ago when I got the job as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.'

"Surely there are difficulties and culture barriers between you and your students? Is it easy for you to teach them? And why did you want to teach that particular subject?"
'Defence Against the Dark Arts? Why not? I always had a passion for it when I was younger, and it was one of my best subjects. I think it's important for children to learn to protect themselves. Especially with the school's history. I was only a child when the Battle went on, so it never really affected me, but I feel very strongly about taking steps to ensure nothing like that ever happens again. There is also this ridiculous preconcieved notion that people who teach this subject only last one year, then they leave, or die, or some other silly nonsense. I want to prove that wrong. I'm determined to hold on to this position for as long as humanly possible! I will break that curse! And no. I've been teaching for two years now, the students are used to my voice and my mannerisms. They sometimes like to tease me and joke about how overly passionate I can get in lessons. I like that. It's nice to feel your students look at you as a friend, and still respect you. It's a hard balance, and not everyone can manage it, but I always remember wishing I could have more amiable professors at school. That is what I try to be now. I even teach them Spanish on occasion. You know, writing instructions on the blackboard in Spanish, or teaching the whole lesson in my own language. It's fun for them. It's fun for me. Working here never feels like a chore, or a job. I enjoy it very much.'

"You're quite young to have a position of such power..."
'Am I? I don't think so. I don't judge people competence on their age. As long as you have a strong work ethic and a sensible head on your shoulders, you can do whatever you set your mind to, at any age. I am thirty years old! If I don't have enough experience to do such a job, then when will I have it? Because I surely don't feel like I've changed much in the past fifteen, twenty years. I've always been able to shoulder great responsibility with dignity and poise. Age has nothing to do with ability. And I hope my students have learned that from me, or my work here is a waste of time.'

"Well, we're sorry to have made that mistake."
'Thank you. I appreciate that.'

"You have lovely manners..."
'Well, my mother always taught me that manners are important. That, and "cleanliness is next to Godliness" were drilled into me throughout my childhood. There are lots of strange sayings in my family. I tend to take most of them with a pinch of salt, but it's difficult when you have such a large family. I have four brothers. All older than me. Seven nieces. Two nephews. Six aunts, five uncles and about a trillion cousins. There are definitely a lot of sayings!'

"No mention of a husband or children in there..."
'Hmmm. I have a boyfriend. Diego. We've been together for a few years now, but he lives in Spain, and refuses to move over here to be with me. So... we work on it. I would love to have children of my own, and settle down and get married and all of those things most girls dream of. It just doesn't seem to be happening yet...'

"Now, you obviously have a life outside of your work. What kinds of things do you do in your free time?"
'Between you and me? I spend my life in the Three Broomsticks. Hahahaha. Well, not really, but you know when you've been working all day, and you just want to relax and have someone run around after you. I head into Hogsmeade most evenings and spend some time with friends I have in the village. We drink (not too much), laugh, sing, dance. I like to get them to play music for me. I charm them into it. Haha I don't think I could survive if I didn't have music and dancing in my life. It's my escape. So I entertain the patrons with my dulcet tones and flashy moves. Luckily I took dance lessons as a child, so I don't make too much of a fool out of myself! Annnd, ah, aside from that, I like to read. I have floor to ceiling bookshelves in my office at the castle. I know there is a library, but there's nothing like having your own collection of books with you. And I try to spend a lot of time with my colleagues. It's nice to have a bond with them. I think it helps to be friends with the people you work with every day. Oh, and I knit. I know, I'm an old woman! Hahaha! You don't have to be old to knit. My cat has some beautiful blankets. Granted they all have holes in them, but I'm getting better!'

"Well, thank you very much for your time, Miss Cortez!"
'My pleasure! It was lovely speaking with you. Now, where can I get a good, strong cup of coffee around here...'

__________________________________

NELLE
24 years old
England. GMT
RPing for 3 and a half years or so
I was invited to join by the lurverly admin. 8]

[QUINN]