Jalen Stark

Personality
As a member of the ancient pure-blood House Stark, Jalen carries himself with a slight air of nobility and superiority. He doesn't despise half-bloods or muggle-borns by any means, but he does have a somewhat classist attitude toward them. Jalen was raised to believe that he was destined for leadership and greatness, and often has a hard time when he is knocked down a peg. Despite this, he does his best to be kind and loyal to those he considers friends and just towards those he considers enemies.

History
Jalen is the only son of Richard Stark, a well-respected magic historian. His mother Rose died giving birth to him, and his father has always borne a resentment toward him because of it. In addition, Richard often travels across the country for speaking engagements and guest lectures, and as a result much of Jalen's upbringing has been by his Old Nan and other household employees.

Fully aware of his father's resentment toward him, Jalen has lived most of his life with the express purpose of earning his father's forgiveness, though he has always fallen short. Despite being his only son, Richard has little regard for Jalen's life and hasn't hesitated to put him in situations that could have gotten him killed. One such time was when he forced Jalen to ride his old firebolt when he was only 6 years old and without any training at all. Jalen suffered grievous injuries as a result and had to spend a week in St. Mungo's. At the age of seven, his magical abilities were confirmed when he was playing in the kitchen and accidentally levitated a tomato that the cook was about to cut. When he turned 11, Jalen received his letter from Hogwarts. Richard was away on business at the time, and when Jalen excitedly sent him the news, he received only a Howler with a curt "Good." as the sole message. His Old Nan saw him off at King's Cross, and Jalen is ecstatic to start his Hogwarts journey. Mostly he hopes that Hogwarts will provide him a venue to do something that will finally earn his father's love, but part of him secretly hopes that he will find a new version of himself; a self that is free to live his life unhindered by the stigma of his father's resentment.