Cepheus Gamp

Cepheus Augustus Gamp
Biographical Information
Born	2 January 1977, 41
City of Birth	Godric's Hollow, England
Current City	London, England, UK
Residence	Diagon Alley
Blood status	Pure-blood
Also known as	Ceph
Physical Information
Gender	Male
Height	5' 9
Hair Colour	Black
Eye Colour	Blue
Skin Colour	Pale
Relationships
Father	Mortimer Gamp
Mother	Lyra Gamp
Siblings	Orion Gamp Andromeda Gamp
Extended Family
Ariadne Gamp niece Edmund Gamp uncle Mabel Gamp aunt Adrestia Gamp cousin Percival Gamp uncle Clea Gamp aunt Leo Gamp cousin Genevieve García-Gamp cousin Gabriel García first cousin once removed Aries Gamp cousin Ara Gamp cousin Ascella Gamp second cousin Hyperion Gamp second cousin
Dated: Arcturus Hollingbury 30 December 2011 - 27 January 2012 In a Relationship: Virgil Carstairs 11 February 2012 - 30 September 2012 In a Relationship: Arcturus Hollingbury 3 November 2012 -
Pet(s)	Cat - Claude
Magical Characteristics
Wand(s)
Spruce, phoenix tail feather, 12" (Made by Ollivander)
Patronus	Stoat
Education
School	Hogwarts
House	Ravenclaw
Class of	1995
Classes Included
Occupation
Title: Division Head 1 January 2011 - Office: Being Division Department: Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures Ministry of Magic Title: Employee Office: Goblin Liaison Office Department: Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures Ministry of Magic Title: Administrator Department: Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures Ministry of Magic Title: Clerk 1996 - 1998 Gringotts Wizarding Bank
Character Information
Playby	Ben Whishaw
Biography Threads
Kit

Cepheus is Being Division Head. He was appointed January 2011. He is a pragmatic, determined and sensible soul who never ceases to fiddle. His experience with goblins, giants and other beings lead to a climb through the ministry for over a decade before reaching his post. A patient, reliable friend, he seeks new challenges both personally, professionally is rarely far from a set of juggling balls.

Two years younger than his brother Orion Gamp, and older than his sister Andromeda Gamp, Cepheus is the son of Mortimer Gamp and Lyra Gamp. He grew up in Godric's Hollow and attended Hogwarts in Ravenclaw house.

He took over from Skylar Carstairs as Head of Being Division in January 2011 after applying for interview in December 2010.

1996-1998, he worked for Gringotts before joining the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures after the Battle of Hogwarts.

He lives with his long-term partner Arcturus Hollingbury.

Appearance

Cepheus has always been a little slight. Both his parents are on the willowier build, though he did not inherit their height at 5ft9 he and sister Andromeda seem to have drawn from a previous generation of Gamps. Cepheus doesn't mind, it means more room in a bed.

He has blue eyes sat beneath bushy eyebrows. His hair is very dark brown, pretty much black at a glance. He often wears it long, disliking the shape of his head when it is short. It can be a little wild in the morning but he's a good enchanted comb to tame it. He has a tendency to sport a bit of a shadow, though his preference on facial hair is changeable, so it is not uncommon to see him shave it all off on a whim.

Ceph has pale skin, a family trait, and in winter weather sports rosy cheeks. He has an infectious smile, a long straight nose. His laugh is gentle, as is the tone of his voice. It quickly changes up a gear at work, or to grab attention, where he projects well. His mother brought him up to speak without a West Country accent, so he speaks with something closer to received pronunciation.

He walks with a quick pace, almost as if he is always in a bit of a hurry. Caught up in the London rush mostly. Quite an animated speaker, he makes good use of hand gestures, and does not shy at physical contact with friends and family. His mannerisms are generally quite relaxed, even at work, and given an armchair he is a habitual slouch behind a book. He has a terrible habit of fiddling, and to counteract it learned to juggle as a teenager. It is quite normal to observe him juggling four, five balls in his office at work. It settles him when restless, gives his mind a break when frustrated.

Brought up in the wizarding world, Muggle fashion was more of an afterthought for Cepheus until he left home. He errs on the smarter side for work, never quite sure where he might be called to internally to report to and keen to make a good impression. Outside of work he favours jeans, t-shirts, jackets, comfy leather shoes and indulges in light accessorising when the whim takes him.

He smells of sweet orange and cedarwood, and occasionally of his cigarettes. His home smells green from the plants and for living over a florists.

Personality

Cepheus has always been perceived as mature for his years. His older brother, Orion was the troublemaker and tearaway. Cepheus was the much more sensible brother. He grew up protective of his sister (who turned out not to be more of a bad ass than either brother) and his niece, Ariadne.

A generally patient soul, Cepheus has a high tolerance for friends and colleagues. He is generous with his time and his money with those he loves. It takes a lot to anger him, and a lot to shake him. He is very pragmatic, a realist rather than a dreamer. He seeks obstacles and overcomes them with steadfast determination. Often the solution does not come immediately, but it does come to Cepheus in a short time later. A better idea often comes along behind his first.

He takes his work very seriously, and is disciplined. He dislikes tardiness, disorganisation. Very good at managing his financial affairs and that of the Division, he despairs quietly at overspending.

Sometimes his outlook can be a little stubborn, and he can appear disdainful of those who aren't quite as organised and steadfast, but in his years he has recognised and tried to overcome (or hide) these feelings. When times are hard for a while, he can lapse into pessimism and become down and detached. He values close friendships to confide in his frustrations. Occasionally his fascination with work and projects there can dominate his conversation topics.

He worries whether his family are happy - more about his sister and his niece, Ariadne, admittedly. His brother’s always up to something and can usually escape it. He worries about making the right decision. Ceph’s first choices are often not as wise as his second or third ideas. He worries about whether things are going right at work, though outwardly he doesn’t show it so much unless he hasn’t time to process and consider things. He worries about friends when they have troubles and hopes that they’re having a good day.

To keep spirits high amongst friends and colleagues Cepheus indulges in subtle jokes, especially enjoying those based on the personalities and interests of those around him. Every now and then he can be found chuckling to himself, unable to clearly explain why, based on piecing two unrelated observations together and linking them.

He makes friends fairly easily, making efforts to avoid creating enemies in his daily life, not one to actively ruffle feathers. He'd very much like someone, or some people to share his life with on a closer basis. Although he's had a few boyfriends in his twenties, none of them lasted, a combination of him being bored, or things stagnating. He's not yet found someone he feels comfortable just coexisting with other than his cat.

Cepheus is most driven by the need to further humanity. His work in Being Division is spurred by helping Beings who are considered second class citizens. He does not abide by prejudice against Beings, Squibs, Werewolves etc. He would even defend Goblins and daresay the demands they have recently placed on the Ministry (though he thinks many of them ill advised). He feels no better day than when he goes home knowing a situation for a Being has been put right, a wrong resolved.

Ceph isn’t bothered if his other half is a wizard, squib or even a muggle. Just as long as they’re male, put up with him (and Claude, has to like cats), and generally neat they meet the basic criteria. His other half will be a best friend, though he will retain his other best friend of course. If they can co-exist in a space without annoying each other, share a few interests and certainly get on with each other’s friends, then that’s all good. The more he thinks on it, the more he does have requirements, but he’s just willing to get to know people a bit more before he feels bold enough to ask.

As a collector of umbrellas (Gamp means oversized umbrella too) he does like the odd bit of spring rain. The one where sunshine swiftly follows… Fair weather is always well received, and the odd bit of snow (not prolonged please) isn’t bad. Cepheus does not take particular joy in stormy weather, as he is often out and about.

Snap Facts

• Ravenclaw
• Likes Chocolate frogs
• Dislikes Bertie Botts (earwax once too often)
• Prefers to apparate
• Chooses Daily Prophet over Witch Weekly
• Watches Quidditch
• Likes Butterbeer
• Keen juggler
• Good on a broom, bicycle and can drive but has no license.
• Owns an Oyster card and can navigate the tube.
• Cat person! Adores Claude (de Pussy, pun on the composer) and will actively seek out feline affection.
• Talent for maths - financial and arithmetic methods
• Can speak gobbledegook
• Decent cook
• Not keen on heights

Guilty Pleasures

• Sunday mornings in bed petting Claude and reading the newspaper (one good thing about being single)
• Collecting cat mugs (it’s getting a little ridiculous)
• Buying pretty books (reading them too is great, but sometimes secondary to their beauty)
• Keeping things tidy at home (always been house proud and organised)
• Amateur floristry (due to living above the florists)
• A good hug (enjoys physical contact)

Family History Pre-Birth

The Gamp surname is also the British Muggle world for a large unwieldy umbrella. Cepheus has always been fond of a good umbrella. He owns a collection of four lovely ones.

Ceph's parents, Mortimer and Lyra married in 1969, both unspeakables at the time.

Six years later, in 1975, Ceph's older brother, Orion came to be. Their mother moved into a less risky job

1977 - Born

When Cepheus arrived, their mother switched to teaching and tutoring from their home in Godric's Hollow. It began at first with a few faces, and grew.

His mother was ever present in childhood, his father making time for them as best he could around working on research. The house during the week was filled with increasing numbers of other children, which pleased Cepheus no end. He was rarely lacking in friends, older and younger. His older brother also thrived, but caused trouble, for which Cepheus occasionally got the blame. Orion always less sensible.

Meanwhile, Mortimer continued to progress with more and more responsibility within the department, leading projects, writing proposals. The Ministry thrived under Millicent Bagnold's lead from 1980.

1981 - Birth of Andromeda & Death of the Potters

The arrival of little sister Andromeda was quite a bit of excitement for four year old Cepheus, less so for Orion, though both brothers took 'big brother' duties very seriously. Cepheus was absolutely fascinated by how small she was.

A couple of months later Voldemort murdered the Potters, and though he has a vague recollection of the commotion of it in the wizarding world, he cannot recall anything clear.

Childhood, in peacetime was generally unremarkable. The family would take holidays together in the summer, and lived very comfortably in Godric's Hollow. Sometimes Mortimer would not come home if he was close to a breakthrough, other times he would have to go overseas for a few weeks to pursue possibilities. Cepheus found he missed his father, mirroring his mother's dismay.

1986 - Orion goes to Hogwarts

Two years ahead, Orion shot off to Hogwarts, coming back with all manner of tales and adventures from school Cepheus would enjoy the renditions of his stories, helping him act them out until it came to the second or third rendition, and the exaggerations became wild and fantastical. He missed Orion's company.

1988-1989 - First Year

Hogwarts was everything that Orion had described and more. Sorted into Ravenclaw, Cepheus thrived. His mother's tutoring had given him a headstart on many topics, so he tried to use the time wisely, though admittedly spent quite a bit learning how to blow enormous bubbles in gum, lying on his dormitory bed. His control of lung capacity would turn out useful in later life by strange coincidence.

1990-1991 - Third Year

In his third year, Cepheus picked up Muggle Studies, and Care of Magical Creatures. The former was out of deviance. His father very much wanted him to study Runes and Arithmancy, so out of obligation he also picked up Arithmancy. Orion was proving mischievous and unlikely to follow his father's footsteps into Mysteries, but Cepheus showed potential. The latter was out of sheer curiosity and interest. It grew from creatures more to those classified as non human, with intelligence as years went on.

1991-1992 - Fourth Year

September was all abuzz with the arrival of Harry Potter to Hogwarts. Cepheus couldn't quite see all the hype, he looked just like another first year. By the end of the year he was beginning to sympathise with the Slytherins who called favouritism.

1992-1993 - Fifth Year

Cepheus turned out a cracking set of OWLs. He had pretty much the pick of all his subjects to take forwards, and spent a lot of time deliberating.

In the summer between fifth and sixth year, Cepheus had the new experience of becoming an uncle while still a teenager. His older brother had become a father barely out of school, which was not a surprise to his younger brother in honesty. He'd witnessed Orion's attentions to women, and in particular his classmate Nadine. Ariadne was a bit of a surprise to the rest of the family, but the pair married as soon as they could before the arrival to 'do right' in the eyes of the old families.

1993-1994 - Sixth Year

For NEWTs, Ceph chose Care of Magical Creatures, Arithmancy, History of Magic, Charms, Transfiguration and Muggle Studies.

In the summer between his sixth and seventh years, Cepheus attended the Quidditch World Cup with friends. His mother was beside herself on hearing the news about the dark mark, and he found his wings severely clipped. Orion, who had already left to travel the world, had shown him a few suggestions on how to break out of the house, but Mortimer put an end to it on catching Cepheus hanging onto a drainpipe outside his window to disapparate outside of the house wards.

1994-1995 - Seventh Year

Feeling bold, Cepheus entered his name into the Goblet of Fire, but was not overly surprised to see Diggory be chosen from Hufflepuff. He got on well with Cedric, and threw his support behind him rather than Potter.

He had a good time getting to know the Beauxbatons and a few of the Durmstrang students, and kept in touch with several of them with letters and the occasional visit.

The Gamps offered support to the Diggory's upon Cedric's death, and the whole horrific incident threw a great shadow over Cepheus' departure from Hogwarts.

1995-6 - Return to Britain, Job Seeking, Voldemort Returns

With some close friends from Hogwarts, Cepheus took half a year away from Britain. He didn't want to travel for too long, feeling it was important to return and further his skills.

He returned by Christmas, and applied for work with Gringotts. At first this was rejected, so Cepheus sought alternative income, staying temporarily with his parents. He took on all manner of work in retail, and reapplied to Gringotts ahead of the Hogwarts leavers, securing a place.

During the year, and much to Ceph's dismay, Orion dishonoured Nadine by straying to other women when Ariadne was only three. However close he was to his older brother, he thought it a pretty awful thing to do.

The wizarding world was shaken by the renewed accusation that Voldemort had returned. Cepheus' father and colleagues became ever more secretive as the news began to get out that Harry Potter and his friends had infiltrated the Department of Mysteries with Death Eaters.

1997 - Fall of the Ministry, Gringotts

The late 1990s were dark years. The Gamps escaped the worst of the troubles of the war through their heritage and bloodlines, though some of the children who Lyra taught vanished, the families with Muggle husbands and wives going into hiding, imprisoned, ridiculed or worse.

Security at Gringotts was ever tighter, with the bank being placed back under the Ministry's control for the first time since 1865. Cepheus tried his best to keep his head down, and made attempts to learn a little Gobbledegook.

Cepheus worried plenty of his younger sister who was still at Hogwarts. Information was scant, but it was the suggestion that things were not going well there. He implored his parents to remove her, but his father equally held a very difficult position at work, entirely unable to speak about his days. To remove Andromeda was perceived as a move against the occupied Ministry, which could result in them all being at risk.

1998 - Gringotts, Hogwarts, Restoration of the Ministry

The break-in by Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley upset what little order remained in the bank with the Goblins. Appalled at the use of dragons with torture to guard the vaults, Cepheus' allegiance to the bank waned dramatically.

As soon as Cepheus heard the news of the Battle of Hogwarts, he along with others came to help, and to try and see his sister out of the battle. Andromeda, a future auror, was the better wand, but Cepheus did what he could. His injuries healed, but like many who took part, memories linger.

Under Shacklebolt's command as Minister, Cepheus was amongst the flood of people joining the Ministry to help get the country moving again. He was very proud to join the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.

In the first instance, Cepheus took on any and all that was thrown at him - not belonging to any particular Division. Since the Ministry was in disarray it was more important to get everything moving and re-established in the first instance. It gave Cepheus a thorough foundation in a wide cross-section of the work the Department did as a whole.

A year later, his younger sister joined the auror corps fresh out of Hogwarts. Cepheus was fiercely proud, and declared all lingering dark wizards better run for the hills.

By the end of 1999, the Ministry back on its feet, Cepheus was finally assigned formally to the Goblin Liaison Office. He had applied on the basis of his short time at Gringotts, and because the Office was historically held in high regard. It was hard work, and goblins were not at all the easiest people to deal with, but the toil was worth it in the end.

2006 - A Temporary Break from Goblins: Operation Molehill

Seeking a new challenge, Cepheus took up the opportunity to explore reintegrating giants to the British Isles: Operation Molehill. The population took an almost extinction-level hit during the second wizarding war owing to their alliance with Voldemort. However, the numbers were beginning to recover in the tribes out near Minsk which Rubeus Hagrid had approached.

As part of a team, Cepheus scoped out suitable habitats historically populated by giants, learned what he considered 'far too much' about their reproductive tendencies and navigated complicated statute of secrecy and international laws to reintegrate a handful of giants.

Cepheus held Skylar's promotion to Division Head in 2009 in good regard, despite her junior age. She was incredibly efficient, assertive, and took the Department forward a great step. Occasionally he found her too firm, but only for Cepheus daring to question and float a different possibility when the decision had seemingly been made.

The giant project being over, Cepheus had returned to the Goblin office, though had itchy feet once again.

2010 - Ambitions

At what seemed like (and literally was) a lifetime, his father, Mortimer was promoted to Head of the Department of Mysteries in March. The whole family were incredibly proud of this, despite how much secrecy and pressure it placed them all under.

Andromeda got herself put in St Mungo's in April, and Cepheus hoped it wasn't the start of things to come.

Orion was fine, running around the world. He was only at risk if someone wanted to force his father's hand. As it turned out, he got into trouble in Venezuela just before the Hogwarts summer holidays, and their father's promotion was very handy to return him to Britain.

Fearing the law of threes - Cepheus took care. Towards the end of the year, news got out that Carstairs was on to bigger and better things. It did not surprise him to discover, but spurred on by his father's recent ascension, Cepheus put in his application, sat for interview against a panel including Department Head Hollow, and was confirmed just before Christmas to take up the post at the start of January 2011.

Christmas is spent with the family in Godric's Hollow, as it is Ariadne's final Christmas before she finishes Hogwarts.

2011 - Became Division Head

As Being Division Head, Cepheus oversees and manages the affairs of the Division and the sub divisions. He has the deciding vote in Division matters, represents the Division within the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and above. A proportion of his time is given to sitting in on meetings, attending issues, ensuring good inter-division and inter-department work. Some of this is consultation, research, media relations. There is also an element of financial management and a healthy dose of mapping out the future plans.

A smaller Division than the sister Beast Division, and larger than Spirit Division, Being Division's chief audience are intelligent creatures, often marginalised and repressed. Cepheus does his best to consider what his Division staff observe and have discovered before offering his immediate opinion. He ensures he chips in something for every discussion he is party to. He endeavours each month to sit in on a handful of interviews with those who call on the Division for assistance so he is never too far away from the 'front line'.

2013-2017

At the end of 2012, Cepheus got back together with his short-lived boyfriend, Arcturus Hollingbury. This time it was the right time, and things stuck. A month or two into the relationship he’d met the parents, and they were dividing their time between family gatherings at Christmas. They fell into a natural flow, spending time together when their jobs allowed. They became skilled in scheduling cooking, socialising and the all-important downtime where both Ravenclaws are content to co-exist in the same room and read, sometimes sprawled on the same sofa.

Ceph never wanted to hurry his lover into moving in, but it seemed like the logical choice given how much time Arc was spending in the flat Ceph owned above the florists. Cepheus understood Arc’s relationship with Lix Mordent, fellow healer and flatmate, was incredibly important, and he didn’t want to leave her trying to pay all the rent or finding a new flatmate. When she announced in the summer of 2013 she was heading to Sweden to study at the famous Frolich Institute of Wizarding Medicine she did Ceph a solid by telling Arc it was definitely time he moved in officially with Cepheus, if only so she knew where to address her letters and postcards.

Meanwhile, a much more grounded and content Cepheus continued to defend the Vampire Rights despite continued controversy around the consensual feeding. There was also movement on the wix culture of House Elves, especially when Being Division questioned elves up and down the country on their conditions and pay. The results led to marches and protests, particularly against pureblood families. Ceph was even put on the spot by the Daily Prophet when he had to explain the Gamp family’s use of elves.

Through the years Being Division have never been all that quiet, despite being often overlooked. The latest bother in 2017 was amongst the giants. A good friend and colleague, Cormy reported a violent and bloody fight between a Gurg and a younger challenger and this led to the whole colony pitching war and breaking out of their boundaries. All giant specialists and beast handlers were called in. Ceph joined of course.

When they tried to reason with the Gurgs, the older Gurg kidnapped Cormy and made off with him. It took three long days to rescue him. Cepheus, Balfour and others from Level 3 managed to infiltrate the hiding place using animagi forms and other methods of concealment but it took a huge operation to subdue the giants enough to rescue. In the struggle the older Gurg suffered a mortal injury. The whole ordeal set progress with the colony back years and warranted an inquiry.

Cormy had been near buried in a giant’s den, crushed and had to spend some weeks in St Mungo’s while his bones mended. Ceph had also suffered injuries but had healed quicker, and Arcturus kept him under strict supervision!

When not at work, Cepheus enjoys his hobbies such as playing piano, attending Arc’s dancing performances, reading, attending music gigs with Arc, finding new recipes to cook, buying too many books at the Sunday market. They have also gone away a few times (when Ceph can persuade Arc that the other healers can and will be ok without him at the hospital). They socialise, but their style is much more to have friends over for dinner, or go visit them once in a while. They like their home comforts and space together, but they are not foreign to drinking a few pints in a Diagon Alley pub with friends and colleagues.

Ceph has a good relationship with Arc’s parents, and the pair of them are invited for Sunday lunch every few months. Ceph always brings wine and flowers, even if he’s told its unnecessary. He was raised pureblood and there’s no harm in being polite! They also like to book tickets to see the latest thing on at Stardust, as it turns out the Hollingburys are a bit of a sucker for the West End lights of the wix kind…

2018

At the start of 2018, the couple are celebrating their usual January birthday month, five and a bit years into their relationship.

ESFJ

ESFJ (Consul)[1] is a personality type with the Extraverted, Observant, Feeling, and Judging traits. They are attentive and people-focused, and they enjoy taking part in their social community. Their achievements are guided by decisive values, and they willingly offer guidance to others.

For people with the ESFJ personality type (Consuls), life is sweetest when it’s shared with others. These social individuals form the bedrock of many communities, opening their homes – and their hearts – to friends, loved ones, and neighbors.

This doesn’t mean that they are saints or that they like everyone. In fact, they are much more likely to form close bonds with people who share their same values and opinions. But regardless of other people’s beliefs, ESFJ personalities still strongly believe in the power of hospitality and good manners, and they tend to feel a sense of duty to those around them. Generous and reliable, they often take it upon themselves – in ways both large and small – to hold their families and their communities together.