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Prepping For Class
Author: Saffron
Date: 07-31-07 14:54
Counting out the six dream diaries she'll need to hand out to her sixth years, Saffron can't help but sigh. She still feels as though she let people down, not knowing specifics behind the sense of foreboding and ill feeling she'd had ever since Harriet Snider's appointment. She's not even sure she wants to be here anymore.
Scratch that.
Saffron knows she doesn't want to be here anymore.
Aaron and she are staying on for the students. The temptation to send Sage and Deak away and to encourage the Wenlock cousins to pull their children as well is great. Greater now then it first was Saturday night during the feast after the announcements of the changes were made. For now, Aaron and she won't make that encouragement, won't pull Deak and Sage.
There's a knock at the door.
Without looking up, Saffron says, "Come in."
Bathurst Askew's deep voice, sounding slightly out of breath, says, "I'm sorry to interrupt."
Saffron does looking up now. Bathurst is only of medium height, with a short torse and long legs. He's got dark brown hair salted with light gray that exactly matches his gray eyes. Saffron guesses him to be in his early forties.
After the feast, all day yesterday, and until just now, Saffron has managed to avoid so much as saying hello to the man. Now, forcing herself to be polite she asks, "Yes, what might I do for you?"
"Wasn't there a trap door and a ladder?"
"You're a Hogwarts graduate then," Saffron states before answering, "Yes, there used to be a ladder leading up to a trap style door. I had them replaced shortly after I took the position."
"Still quite the climb. I have to say I'm glad to be assigned to a first floor classroom. Look, I'm really sorry to be asking this but I had some journals on order to use as dream diaries but as of ten minutes ago, the shipment is no where to be found. If you have any extras, I'll be happy to replace them when mine come in. That is, if you do dream diaries."
Saffron holds up one of the six she'd retreived for her class coming up soon, at 3:30. "As a matter fact, I do have the students keep dream diaries. I do it with all my classes."
Saffron shows Bathurst the shelf where the other diaries are located. "These are all charmed so that only the student to whom a diary belongs and me are allowed to open it without express permission from the student. Let me show you. You'll need to show your third years and others new to Divination how to activate their books and probably give your others a refresher."
Saffron walks Bathurst through the simple process then looks at him as if to ask, "Anything else?"
Bathurst says, "I'll take these for now and come back for the others. Thank you, Professor Sacheverelle. Did I say that correctly?"
"Yes, pefectly. If you find yourself short of other supplies for the time being, help yourself, Professor Askew, just do let me know what you take."
Bathurst starts for the door, stops, turns and walks back towards Saffron. "I thought I would be working at a new school in Switzerland. Don't hold it against me that I didn't quit Saturday night. I need this job."
Saffron nods, not saying anything because she knows if she opens her mouth right now it would be to ask what his feelings are regarding those deemed of lesser status because of being a Non. Bathurst looks at Saffron for another second before exiting the classoom.
Saffron takes the six dream diaries she'd gotten from the shelf and puts them on her desk then takes out her wand. With a wave, she has two square tables joined together into one longer one. With another flick of her wand, the table moves to the center of the room and six chairs arrange themselves around it. Placing a dream diary at each place, Saffon tries to think positively about how with her already small classes made even smaller, she can get a great deal of one-on-one work done with each student.
Herbology Sixth and Seventh Years
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 07-31-07 15:01
Lawrence looked over the group that was now the sixth year Herbology N.E.W.T class for pureblooded students. There was at least one or two faces in the small group that he knew from his time at Hogwarts, and one he knew from seeing her quite a bit over the summer from his relationship with her sister. Most had arrived early, or on time, a few had straggled in just after ten, but no later than five after ten.
First thing first, Lawrence went over the roll. "Iris Audley." A hand was raised. "Here." "Alanna Beck." No response truly needed as he knew she was there already. "Cecelia Berenger." The young lady from Ravenclaw raised her hand. "Mary Black." The Slytherin girl gave a curt nod, before diverting her attention elsewhere. "Crispin Cooke." Another member of Slytherin house, who was seated next to Mary raised his hand. "Ronan Eastwick." A young Gryffindor who had settled near Oreileah McCoi and Cailyn Spicer raised her hand. "Katharina Lounders." The young Hufflepuff raised her hand. "Oreileah McCoi." He offered the young Gryffindor a smile. "Sage Porter." The handsome youth raised his hand, and again, looked away from the professor. "Cailyn Spicer." The Gryffindor girl raised her hand and finally Lawrence reached the last name on the list. "Jared Wynbourne." Another face he recognized vaguely, from his time at Hogwarts and playing Quidditch.
A total of three, were recognized as familiar to the Herbology Professor, the others were vaguely familiar, and a few he knew not at all.
"Alright. Now, that is out of the way. Time to get down to business." They were currently in the second greenhouse, Marzipan's class was going on in the first greenhouse. "I'm going to begin with this, I am a former Hogwarts student, my name is Lawrence Masterson, formerly of Hufflepuff House, and I know that this is not how Hogwarts is supposed to be. Professor Snider's announcement came as just as much as shock to me as it did you and your classmates. However, at the current time, there is not much that can be done, due to the fact that the Ministry's got its hand in the mix. Hopefully things will return to normal here at Hogwarts soon, but until then we must press on. Now, to talk about herbology."
He flipped open the copy of the text for his sixth and seventh years, the N.E.W.T level text. He then with flick of wand sent syllabi to each student as he spoke. "Open your texts to the section on shrubberies. We are going to start with a shrub called buchu. Buchu is a woody shrub that produces slender stems of small, dark green, shiny, oval or round leaves. Who can tell me the scientific name for the oval leaved buchu?"
Several hands raised and Lawrence called on..."Crispin Cooke."
"Agathosma crenulata."
"Very good, Mr. Cooke. Five points to Slytherin." Lawrence said, making note. "Now, who can tell me the scientific name for the round leaved buchu?"
Again, several hands raised and this time he called on..."Sage Porter."
"Agathosma betulina."
"Nicely done Mr. Porter. Five points to Hufflepuff."
The discussion continued, and then the sixth years were given their homework assignment. Each student was to cultivate a buchu shrub, and also complete a one scroll essay on the uses of the buchu shrub.
As the sixth years filtered out, the seventh years filtered in. Once all were in, Lawrence did yet again a roll call, finding all students where they needed to be...he then sent syllabi to each student and started on with the lesson, giving the same introduction speech he'd given his last class, and knew it would not be the last time he gave it. "We are starting the term with Poisonous plants. Our first herb is Aconite. Who can tell me different names that Aconite goes by?"
Half a dozen hands raised, and Lawrence called on..."Daria Matthews."
"Monkshood."
"Nicely done Daria. Five points to Ravenclaw. Now, who can tell me another?"
"Bailey Gray."
"Wolfs bane."
"Very good. Five points to Gryffindor. One other?"
"Ariella Beck."
"Blue rocket."
"Very nicely done Ariella. Five points to Hufflepuff. Now, before the discussion continues, your homework assignment due next class is one full scroll on why the derivative names of Aconite came about."
The discussion continued until the end of class and soon the other students filtered out. Lawrence stopped Ariellia. "I'll see you at dinner?" He questioned, they'd not had a chance to talk since before they'd parted in Diagon Alley. She nodded, before heading off to her next class. He moved back to get ready for the third years coming in.
Herbology: Third through Fifth Years
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 07-31-07 15:27
As the seventh years filtered out, Lawrence took the hour he had to reorganize his classroom, call forward what he needed for the third year class, and head to the Great Hall for a quick lunch. He returned to the second greenhouse, with about five minutes to spare before his third years began filtering in. Again, a variety of houses, and all a common thread purity of wizardry blood.
Lawrence gave the same welcoming speech he'd given his sixth and seventh years before doing a quick roll call and getting familiar with the names and faces of those in his class. "Good afternoon. Here is a copy of your syllabus, read it carefully, so you know what will be expected of you this year in my class. Now, in your text please turn to the information on Chamisso Arnica. This is the first herb we will be studying. Can anyone tell me the scientific name for Chamisso Arnica?"
A few hand went up, and he called upon. "Eithne ni Domhnaill."
"Arnica chamissonis."
"Very good. Five points to Hufflepuff. Before the discussion continues, your homework assignment will be to read the information on Chamisso Arnica, and prepare one half scroll on one item of interest concerning this herb, due next class."
The discussion continued until the end of class, most already knowing what they would do their scroll on. As the third years filtered out, the fourth years filtered in. Again that welcoming speech given and syllabi handed out and roll taken. "Welcome to Herbology. Your syllabus tells you what will be expected of you this year, as well as what subject matter we will be covering. We are going to be starting off with the Thornapple. I am quite aware that this not precisely a seed, but the seeds of the Thornapple are used, as are the leaves. Who can tell me a derivative of Thornapple?"
A few hands rose and he called upon..."Ivan Grimsby."
"Devil's Apple."
"Very nice. Five points to Slytherin. Who can tell me another?"
"Anne Kendrick."
"Stinkweed."
"Again, five points to Gryffindor, aptly named and we will find out why, and one final derivative?"
"Stephen Hunt."
"Devil's Trumpet."
"Quite nicely done, five points to Ravenclaw." Notations made, all houses gaining at least ten points today between his first four classes. He'd made certain to give each house points as often as he could, make certain each house had a fairly even start to the school year and the race to the house cup.
The discussion quickly continued and soon the class was over and as the fourth years filtered out the fifth years came in and this, thankfully was Lawrence's last class of the day. He was doing well so far, or at least he thought. Again, same welcome, same handing out of syllabi, and roll call.
"Greetings, welcome to your o.w.l level Herbology class. We are going to be discussing puffapods."
He ended up awarding Erebus Mars five points, which benefited Gryffindor, for his excellent description of the flowering that occurs when the seeds from the puffapods hit the ground. Finally, class was over, it was four, and he could step out of the green house, fully for the day, save for the hour break between seventh and third years.
He was somewhat anxious to talk to Ariella, this definitely would make things interesting for the duration of the school year. Would their newly formed relationship be able to survive it? He hoped so, because he truly did like Ariella, and he'd really rather not get on the bad side of the entire Beck Family which now included his friend Bronwyn (as she'd just recently married Ariella's brother and her long time on again off again boyfriend Toby Beck). He gave a polite nod to Marzipan and headed toward the Great Hall, hoping to catch Ariella there and talk to her a bit.
Herbs and Numbers Oh My!
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 07-31-07 15:44
Orie had gotten out of Herbology at elven, and was essentially free until two when Arithmancy started. She'd spent maybe an hour or so on the grounds and headed back in to the castle, pausing in the Great Hall to get something to eat, she'd spend a few hours in her room reading over the Arithmancy section of her N.E.W.T text. She also needed to start working on her scroll for Professor Masterson...weird, having a former student, so recently graduated from Hogwarts as a teacher...especially one she'd played against in Quidditch when she'd started on the team for Gryffindor. She still needed to hunt down Jared, they hadn't actually had time to talk about the Quidditch team this year, and what she'd done this summer, meeting the Ireland National Team and all.
Soon enough, it was time for her to head to the fourth floor and the Arithmancy class. Stepping into the classroom she offered a faint wave to Professor Everard, and settled down in a seat as her classmates started filtering in. Soon enough, class started with the usual first day of term protocol, roll call, handing out of syllabi, greetings, and then down to business.
They were doing a review on Gematria, a numerology of the Hebrew language and alphabet. Orei answered a few questions correctly, but other than that, class flew by quickly and soon it was three thirty. She headed out of class giving Professor Everard a nod as she headed to the Gryffindor common room and settled down on one of the couches. Eyes sliding closed as she let out a sigh. This was definitely going to be an interesting year, now that Harriet "Hairy" Snider and the Ministry have segregated Hogwarts.
Herbology: Third Year
Author: Eithne ni Domhnaill
Date: 07-31-07 18:38
Eithne met up with Francis just outside the second greenhouse; they went in together and found a spot around the central table about midway on what would end up being the Professor's left. Cornelia Vanderbilt was opposite a little to the fore. Eithne scowled.
Francis said in her ear, "You really need to get over the thing you have with Cornelia, you know."
"She threatened to feed Audrey to her awful spider." Eithne hissed.
"You don't know that. Besides, you said yourself, it was probably just your jerk of a cousin who painted the threat."
Eithne sighed and smiled sweetly at Cornelia, just for Francis' sake. She managed to keep from rolling her eyes. For her part, Cornelia looked totally confused as to why Eithne was making faces at her, one way or the other. But neither girl had the time to pursue it since Professor Masterson was calling the class to order.
"You can say that again!" Francis huffed next to Eithne at the Professor's comment about how things should not be at Hogwarts. Eithne spared a glance at Eleanor and shook her head. To Francis she said, "Her chin is so far in the air, it's a wonder her neck doesn't snap." Francis just shrugged.
The roll call complete, Professor Masterson began the lecture. Eithne's hand shot up at his easy question and Francis teased, "Show off." Eithne whispered back, "It's not like that one wasn't obvious."
There were a few "ooo"'s when the professor conjured a set of the leafy herbs with the bright yellow flowers. The class being only an hour, most of the time was taken up with simply identifying the parts and attributes of the plant. As they shuffled out to their next class, Eithne heard Eleanor comment to the girl beside her, "I wonder why we're studying a plant native to America. Do any grow here?"
Eithne looked over her shoulder and said, "Maybe on Wednesday, we'll find out its magical properties or uses." Eleanor shrugged.
Eithne grimaced and said to Francis, "What are you going to write about?" Again he shrugged.
Completely Different
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 07-31-07 20:06
Everything about Hogwarts was different now. Since yesterday morning, Ariella had a purple hem on her school robes. It marked her as a pureblood, the superior class of students at Hogwarts, though if anything it made her feel a bit rotten on the inside, like spoiled milk.
She no longer shared a room with four other girls her age. Now her roommates included her sister Alanna and Katharina Lounders, both sixth year students, Gabrielle Delacour, a fifth year, and young Eleanor Bishop, a mere third year. The basic layout of the room looked more or less the same, but the sheets felt softer and the pillows seemed fluffier. The light that glowed from the wall sconces seemed to radiate beautifully onto every face. Everything seemed better and more magical than last year, but at what cost?
Although Ariella hadn't seen the "nons" dormitory rooms, she'd overheard their whispered complaints in the common room. They slept on old, stiff mattresses. The furniture seemed worn and uncomfortable. Their rooms weren't well lit, so that it seemed as if they lived in perpetual darkness. Everything for the nons seemed much, much worse than what they'd been accustomed to in previous years, though the unfortunate first years who were nons didn't know any better, at least not from experience.
Classes, for the most part, hadn't changed, only the faces teaching them had. Ariella's first seventh year N.E.W.T. level class on Monday morning had been Ancient Runes with Professor Urmaleen Closterfob, who'd also usurped Filius Flitwick as Head of Ravenclaw House. Ariella wasn't sure what to make of Professor Closterfob yet, but knew right from the off that she wasn't nearly as pretty as Professor AJ Hodfuffer.
Ariella's next class had been the one she most looked forward to and simultaneously dreaded, Herbology with Lawrence, or, as she forced herself to call him, Professor Masterson. Somehow she'd managed to get through the hour without driving herself crazy over the fact that her boyfriend was now her teacher and responsible for her education (at least in terms of Herbology) and her marks in both the class and conduct. When he called to her at the end of class and quietly asked her about dinner, it was all she could do to not reach out and take his hand.
Ariella's last class of the day had been History of Magic with Professor Bruno Pilliwickle, the new Head of Slytherin House. At least he wasn't a bore like Professor Binns, though Ariella found she actually kind of missed the old ghost.
Now it was supper time and she walked into the Great Hall, immediately scanning the first of the high tables for Lawrence. She saw him and instantly locked eyes with him. He gave her the subtlest of nods and she, trying not to beam broadly at him from across the room, smiled demurely and moved to the very front of the Hufflepuff table. When would they get the chance to talk in private, and how could they do so without drawing suspicion to either of them? Ariella hadn't told anyone currently at Hogwarts about her relationship, other than Alanna, of course. Perhaps it could remain one big secret until next summer, after Ariella's graduation.
"Stop looking like that," Alanna said, sitting down across from Ariella.
"Like what?" Ariella asked.
"Like it's going to be the longest school year of your life."