======Ben Copper======
=====Introduction=====
Ben Copper is a [[Muggle]]-born [[wizard]] who began attending [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] in 1984. He is sorted into the same [[House]] as the player character and is one of the first friends they make. (Hogwarts Mystery video game) Characterized by his extreme timidity and fearfulness, Ben's core role in the story is to serve as a loyal friend who undergoes significant character development, gradually learning to be brave with the player's help while navigating the mysteries of the [[Cursed Vaults]]. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
=====Biography=====
Ben Copper was born into a [[Muggle]] family and grew up in the [[Muggle]] world. His parents were frightened when they learned he was a [[wizard]]. (Hogwarts Mystery video game) This upbringing contributed to his own intense fear of the [[Wizarding World]] and everything in it, from flying on a [[broomstick]] to [[Hogwarts]] itself. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
He began his first year at [[Hogwarts]] in 1984, the same year as Jacob's sibling. Upon arrival, he expressed a desire to be sorted into [[Hufflepuff]], but is ultimately sorted into whichever [[House]] the player character chooses. (Hogwarts Mystery video game) He quickly befriends the player, as well as other students like [[Rowan Khanna]] and [[Penny Haywood]]. (Hogwarts Mystery video game) Throughout his early years at [[Hogwarts]], Ben is frequently a target for the [[Slytherin]] bully [[Merula Snyde]], and his cowardice often leads to him hiding or ending up in the [[Hospital Wing]]. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
Despite his fears, he becomes involved in the player's search for the [[Cursed Vaults]]. Though initially reluctant, his loyalty to his friends compels him to participate in their adventures. Over the years, with constant encouragement from the player, Ben slowly builds his confidence, learning to stand up for himself and even becoming a competent [[duellist]]. His journey from a scared first-year to a braver, more capable [[wizard]] is a central part of his character arc. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
=====Physical Appearance and Personality=====
Ben is depicted as a young [[wizard]] with fair skin and short brown hair. His posture and facial expressions almost always convey a state of anxiety or fright, with wide, worried eyes being his most common look. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
Ben's defining trait is his cowardice. He is afraid of nearly everything, including but not limited to [[Quidditch]], [[duelling]], [[Potions]] class, [[Merula Snyde]], and rumours about the [[Cursed Vaults]]. (Hogwarts Mystery video game) He is clumsy and prone to panic. However, beneath his fearful exterior, Ben is exceptionally loyal, kind-hearted, and a supportive friend. He is also quite knowledgeable about the [[Muggle]] world, often sharing facts with his [[witch]] and [[wizard]] friends. (Hogwarts Mystery video game) Over time, he develops a courageous side, though he never completely sheds his anxious nature. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
=====Magical Abilities and Skills=====
Initially, Ben's magical abilities are severely hampered by his lack of confidence. He struggles with practical spell-casting and is considered a weak [[duellist]]. (Hogwarts Mystery video game) However, he shows aptitude in more academic subjects that do not require daring, such as [[History of Magic]] and [[Herbology]]. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
As he gains confidence, his practical magic improves significantly. He learns various [[Charms]] and defensive spells to aid his friends in their search for the vaults, including:
  * **[[Incendio]]:** A fire-making [[spell]]. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
  * **//Flipendo//:** The Knockback Jinx, one of the first offensive spells he masters for [[duelling]]. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
  * **[[Herbivicus Charm]]:** A [[spell]] used to rapidly grow plants, which he learns in [[Herbology]]. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
Details regarding his [[wand]] and whether he can produce a [[Patronus Charm]] are unknown. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
=====Possessions=====
Ben's known possessions are standard for a [[Hogwarts]] student, including his [[wand]], a [[cauldron]], textbooks, and his school robes. He does not own any particularly noteworthy or unique magical objects. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
=====Relationships=====
  * **Jacob's Sibling (Player Character):** Ben's closest friend and greatest supporter. The player character consistently defends Ben from bullies like [[Merula Snyde]] and encourages him to be brave, playing a pivotal role in his character development. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
  * **[[Merula Snyde]]:** Ben's chief tormentor. Merula frequently mocks and bullies Ben for his cowardice and [[Muggle]]-born status. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
  * **[[Rowan Khanna]]:** One of Ben's first and best friends at [[Hogwarts]]. They share a close bond within the player's circle of friends. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
  * **[[Penny Haywood]]:** A popular and kind [[Hufflepuff]] student who is also a good friend to Ben, often showing him patience and kindness. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
  * **Family:** Ben is [[Muggle]]-born. He reveals that his parents were scared of magic, which has deeply influenced his own fearful perceptions of the [[Wizarding World]]. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)
=====Etymology=====
  * **Ben:** A common English name, often a short form of Benjamin. The Hebrew origin, //Binyamin//, means "son of the right hand," which can imply fortune or strength. This may be ironic given Ben's initial cowardice, or it could foreshadow his eventual development into a brave individual.
  * **Copper:** A common, reddish-brown metallic element. Unlike precious metals like gold or silver, copper is basic and widespread. This could reflect Ben's [[Muggle]]-born heritage and his initially unassuming, non-heroic personality.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
Ben Copper is a character created specifically for the mobile game **//Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery//** and does not appear in the original seven novels by J.K. Rowling, nor in the films. He is one of the main non-player characters and a key companion to the player.
In the game's design, Ben's [[House]] is not fixed. He is always sorted into the same [[House]] that the player chooses at the beginning of the game, allowing him to be a consistent presence in the player's [[Common Room]] and classes regardless of their choice. (Hogwarts Mystery video game)