Professor Balthazar Balefyre

==Academic and Professional Career==
Born in the late 18th century, Balthazar attended Durmstrang, where he was taught spell casting under the most brutal of circumstances. The headmaster of Durmstrang at the time believed very strongly in ‘survival of the fittest’ and shaped the school’s education methods to reflect this. Students were taught to undermine each other in constant competition to determine who was best. Despite this brutality Balthazar doesn’t regret his education and in fact credits it for making him who he is today.
Balthazar was back to back World Wizard Dueling Champion (WWDC) in 1808 and 1812. He is one of the world’s best technical duelists excelling in multiple forms and mastering many techniques. Commonly referred to as the ‘guru’ of dueling he has incredibly insights and can explain dueling like no other professor. Whereas most instructors rely highly on correcting errors during training Professor Balefyre has the eloquence and articulation to explain what students should be doing before practice even begins.
Balthazar is the most battle hardened veteran of any Professor at Hogwarts having fought in three major wars and countless battles over six continents. He has the tactical and strategic command experience of leading both muggles and wizards into battle.
==Personal Life==
Nicolas Flamel was a mentor and a father figure to Balthazar and the Professor’s longevity is due to this relationship.
Ironically, even though Balthazar has lived for hundreds of years he is extremely obsessed with the efficient use of time.
Balthazar excels at both wordless and wandless magic. A fact he generally keeps hidden for tactical purposes.
Balthazar is one of the few wizards able to duel wield. His second wand, a seax (short sword) made of goblin-wrought silver, never needs to be sharpened and cannot be broken. When exposed to magical or alchemical energies it can absorb their properties. It was given to him for his role in negotiating a peace settlement between the goblins and the giants. This agreement required him to marry the Giant chieftain’s daughter. The weapon is his most prized possession.
Like many master wizards, he has developed the ability to sense magic in his vicinity, allowed him to block or counter spells he did not visually see cast. 
His gloves are enchanted and can be used to block a couple of minor spells before losing their protection.
Category:Characters