Mariella Thorn

## Mariella Aurora Volkov (née Thorn) †

"*The only person standing in your way is you.*"
— Sasha to Mariella

**Mariella Aurora Volkov** (née **Thorn**) (b. 3 April, n.d. — 7 December, n.d.) was a pure-blood witch born to the House of Thorn and Knight family, known for her participation to the arts as one of the finest dancers of her generation. She was the daughter of Savannah Thorn and Jonathan Knight and the younger sister of Sasha. She was also the godmother of her niece, Summer. Mariella best rose to popularity in the wizarding world as the wife of the late Joseph Volkov and was also a reputable socialite and philanthropist.

In the following year after her sister, Mariella also attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where she was sorted into the Ravenclaw house. Often in the shadow of her sister, Mariella was seen as introverted and unusual, taking a greater interest in her studies and exploring her creativity privately, rather than openly. At some point during her education, Mariella rediscovered her childhood passion for dance, particularly ballet, and became known for her elegance and exquisite movement that she later channelled her deep-forming emotions into, notably the sexual abuse she experienced during the Yule Ball in her third year. In spite of this, Mariella was a dedicated student and a known member of the Slug Club, leaving Hogwarts with seven N.E.W.Ts in total, all at 'Outstanding' level. Mariella later became a part of the Royal Ballet in London and eventually married into the Volkov family.

In summary, Mariella was a witch of average talent but one of bright intellect, having successfully achieved outstanding grades in her academic studies that allowed her to perform various fields and levels of magic with proficiency and adept skill. Despite being a born human and lacking the inherited gene of the Mermaid or Siren species, Mariella excelled in her own right, providing to be one of the greatest dancers of her time and the greatest ballet performer of her family line. Despite her untimely death, Mariella lived both an adventurous yet painful life, all of which allowed her to create impeccable art in the work she delivered on stage as the performer she was born to be.

## Biography

### Later life

"*All I ever wanted was to be a dancer. Ever since I was a small child. Father would take me whilst mother was working at the Ministry. And I would look out of the windows at the people going about their lives. Going to work, half asleep. And I would tell myself, I'm not like them. And I never will be. Because I'm special. I want to be special again.*"
— Mariella to Linus at Joseph's funeral

## Personality and traits

"*I'm a slow learner. It's true. But I learn.*"
— Mariella to Caoimhe
In contrast to the wild and rebellious ways of Sasha, Mariella grew up as the younger daughter of the French Minister for Magic, and a descendant of two great and ancient families, often trying to emulate her mother's example of a proper lady. Mariella's devotion to the traditional, refined virtues of feminity caused friction between her and her blunt, outgoing sister. As a young girl, Mariella upheld religious beliefs and morals and naively believed in virtue among all, infatuated with traditional romances of poetic tales of love. Her innocent and naive trust in ideals of archetypal love made her tragically susceptible to the manipulation of Joseph.

## Magical abilities and skills

"*Thank you for all your many lessons, Joseph. I will never forget them.*"
— Mariella saying her final goodbye to Joseph at his funeral

## Possessions

* **Sequoia wood wand**:
* **Freyja**:

## Relationships

### Family

#### Caoimhe Olsen

"*Many underestimated you. Most of them are dead now.*"
— Caoimhe to Mariella

## Etymology

**Mariella** originated from the name Maria: Latin form of Mary, which is derived from the Hebrew Miryām, a name of debated meaning. Many believe it to mean *sea of bitterness* or *sea of sorrow*.

Mariella's second name, **Aurora**, was a Latin baby name. The mythical Goddess, Aurora, was a deity of the Dawn.

The surname **Thorn** derives from an English and Danish background. It is a topographic name for someone who lived by a thorn bush or hedge (Old English, Old Norse þorn).