ancient runes
"Professor Sokolov loves Gryffindors, whether he wants to admit it or not!"
Whether or not this statement by Dora Umbridge – who, incidentally, IS a Gryffindor, so there might just possibly be SOME bias – is true we will never know for sure. What we DO know about Professor Sokolov, however, is that he loves all of his students enough to provide them with extra comfortable chairs during his Ancient Runes lessons. And really, what more could you possibly wish for as a student?
If you ever need help going into battle, apparently Professor Sokolov is always game, as well. And the sigil on the blackboard during one of his first Ancient Runes lessons this term was sure to help you, too: the Icelandic sigil of the Helm of Awe or Helm of Terror Ægishjálmur which inspires both awe AND fear within one’s opponent. First, the professor probably instilled both awe and fear in his students, however, by asking them what kind of runic tattoo they would want to get. Was Professor Sokolov going to pay for them all to get a tattoo?! While some of the younger students, like Leesha Griffel, were being rather cautious about their answers, not wanting to decide on a rune without knowing enough about it to fully understand it, others (looking at you there, Carlton Lewis) were trying to outsmart the school’s education system by choosing the rune Ansuz to help them pass their exams. No such luck, however, unfortunately. Punching someone in the nose or even stunning your opponent to put a tattoo on them in order to curse them seems to be, while highly creative, still not common practice in the field, either. A discussion on cursing poles, originally called Níðstang in Old Norse, which look like a horse’s head on a pole and are used to channel the goddess of death through it (who wouldn't want that, right?) was quickly followed by a pros-and-cons-list of other surfaces, aside from wood and stone, that could be used for runic engravings. Turns out neither food nor clothes are durable enough to have any long-lasting effects. The more you know.
If you're still in need of a birthday present for a loved one (or a hated one?) a rune charm might be the way to go. To create one you have to combine three runes with three divine powers, THREE being a magical number in Ancient Runes such as the Three Norns, the Three Fates (and the Three Little Pigs, no, just kidding) or the fact that in Slavic Mythology the Moon God is triple-headed. Consequently, to make a runic money charm for instance, the three runes that have to be combined are Fehu, which stands for prosperity, Ingwaz, which represents plenty, as well as Laguz which increases magical power and growth. Now in order to make your own charms you have to use so-called bindrunes, which as the name suggests, bind the three chosen runes together (and no, they are NOT used to hold your paper’s together, Derfael). Unfortunately, this term was going to be Professor Sokolov’s last at Hogwarts (for now), as he went back into the field of cursebreaking. He will truly be missed. Especially by his favorites. You know who you are. (Hint: Those who he called on by their first name.)
Whether or not this statement by Dora Umbridge – who, incidentally, IS a Gryffindor, so there might just possibly be SOME bias – is true we will never know for sure. What we DO know about Professor Sokolov, however, is that he loves all of his students enough to provide them with extra comfortable chairs during his Ancient Runes lessons. And really, what more could you possibly wish for as a student?
If you ever need help going into battle, apparently Professor Sokolov is always game, as well. And the sigil on the blackboard during one of his first Ancient Runes lessons this term was sure to help you, too: the Icelandic sigil of the Helm of Awe or Helm of Terror Ægishjálmur which inspires both awe AND fear within one’s opponent. First, the professor probably instilled both awe and fear in his students, however, by asking them what kind of runic tattoo they would want to get. Was Professor Sokolov going to pay for them all to get a tattoo?! While some of the younger students, like Leesha Griffel, were being rather cautious about their answers, not wanting to decide on a rune without knowing enough about it to fully understand it, others (looking at you there, Carlton Lewis) were trying to outsmart the school’s education system by choosing the rune Ansuz to help them pass their exams. No such luck, however, unfortunately. Punching someone in the nose or even stunning your opponent to put a tattoo on them in order to curse them seems to be, while highly creative, still not common practice in the field, either. A discussion on cursing poles, originally called Níðstang in Old Norse, which look like a horse’s head on a pole and are used to channel the goddess of death through it (who wouldn't want that, right?) was quickly followed by a pros-and-cons-list of other surfaces, aside from wood and stone, that could be used for runic engravings. Turns out neither food nor clothes are durable enough to have any long-lasting effects. The more you know.
If you're still in need of a birthday present for a loved one (or a hated one?) a rune charm might be the way to go. To create one you have to combine three runes with three divine powers, THREE being a magical number in Ancient Runes such as the Three Norns, the Three Fates (and the Three Little Pigs, no, just kidding) or the fact that in Slavic Mythology the Moon God is triple-headed. Consequently, to make a runic money charm for instance, the three runes that have to be combined are Fehu, which stands for prosperity, Ingwaz, which represents plenty, as well as Laguz which increases magical power and growth. Now in order to make your own charms you have to use so-called bindrunes, which as the name suggests, bind the three chosen runes together (and no, they are NOT used to hold your paper’s together, Derfael). Unfortunately, this term was going to be Professor Sokolov’s last at Hogwarts (for now), as he went back into the field of cursebreaking. He will truly be missed. Especially by his favorites. You know who you are. (Hint: Those who he called on by their first name.)
Arithmancy
To repeat last term’s perfect analysis of the subject: Arithmancy is hard.
Arithmancy is apparently not just hard for the students to learn but also for the teachers to teach. It’s a vicious cycle, clearly. As Professor Rafael Carraro only made it through one term at Hogwarts before moving on (or giving up, it’s HOPELESS!), Professor Imogen Greyvson followed in his footsteps as the new Arithmancy professor. While previous staff members might have had problems motivating the students, Professor Greyvson tried something new this year: yoga mats, scented candles and pillows. While that might sound good in theory (and might invite some people to catch up on missed sleep, ahem, Prefect Woods), once the topic which would be covered was announced - Kundalini and Tantric Numerology, as part of Cultural Arithmancy - it seemed that not even meditation could help. The new professor, however, had come prepared and had brought her very own secret weapon…
….HER PUPPY YETI!! Isn’t he cute?! He makes you forget all about how not fun calculating numbers is or how confusing it is to consequently use them to predict the future, right? Right, Mr. Westwood? Mr. Montmorency? Exactly. And people were allowed to PET him and give him TREATS and everything. Some lucky ones even got puppy-snogs; Rooney Bronwyn clearly has henceforth replaced Harry Potter as The Chosen One! What a cool and fun lesson, right?! Arithmancy is fun!! Naturally, there was talk of numbers too, however. This time in combination with bowls. Which turned out to be not royal cereal bowls (sorry, Miss Spinnet) but so-called Tibetan Singing Bowls. And no, unfortunately they are not used to “crunch some numbers” (really, Miss Guidry? Really?). Instead, they most often find their usage during meditation and yoga. Meditation, on the other hand, can facilitate balancing out one’s eight chakras, which flow through the body, should they have become unbalanced. Finally, the students were asked to calculate their Soul, Karma, Gift, Destiny and Path Numbers which were then interpreted in consideration of Tantric Numerology….remember the puppy, though?
Unfortunately, we must all say goodbye to yet another great Arithmancy Professor after just one term, seeing as Professor Greyvson had to prioritize her family’s well-being over teaching at Hogwarts. Good luck, professor, and, Yeti, you will be sorely missed.
Arithmancy is apparently not just hard for the students to learn but also for the teachers to teach. It’s a vicious cycle, clearly. As Professor Rafael Carraro only made it through one term at Hogwarts before moving on (or giving up, it’s HOPELESS!), Professor Imogen Greyvson followed in his footsteps as the new Arithmancy professor. While previous staff members might have had problems motivating the students, Professor Greyvson tried something new this year: yoga mats, scented candles and pillows. While that might sound good in theory (and might invite some people to catch up on missed sleep, ahem, Prefect Woods), once the topic which would be covered was announced - Kundalini and Tantric Numerology, as part of Cultural Arithmancy - it seemed that not even meditation could help. The new professor, however, had come prepared and had brought her very own secret weapon…
….HER PUPPY YETI!! Isn’t he cute?! He makes you forget all about how not fun calculating numbers is or how confusing it is to consequently use them to predict the future, right? Right, Mr. Westwood? Mr. Montmorency? Exactly. And people were allowed to PET him and give him TREATS and everything. Some lucky ones even got puppy-snogs; Rooney Bronwyn clearly has henceforth replaced Harry Potter as The Chosen One! What a cool and fun lesson, right?! Arithmancy is fun!! Naturally, there was talk of numbers too, however. This time in combination with bowls. Which turned out to be not royal cereal bowls (sorry, Miss Spinnet) but so-called Tibetan Singing Bowls. And no, unfortunately they are not used to “crunch some numbers” (really, Miss Guidry? Really?). Instead, they most often find their usage during meditation and yoga. Meditation, on the other hand, can facilitate balancing out one’s eight chakras, which flow through the body, should they have become unbalanced. Finally, the students were asked to calculate their Soul, Karma, Gift, Destiny and Path Numbers which were then interpreted in consideration of Tantric Numerology….remember the puppy, though?
Unfortunately, we must all say goodbye to yet another great Arithmancy Professor after just one term, seeing as Professor Greyvson had to prioritize her family’s well-being over teaching at Hogwarts. Good luck, professor, and, Yeti, you will be sorely missed.
Astronomy
Those of you who were present last term will know that Astronomy was taught by our very own veteran professor - and most recent addition to the school ghost rota - Professor Marion Burbage. This term saw the addition of new Professor, the very much alive and presumably solid Carolina Salvatore, who took over the post of teaching Astronomy and guiding her students through the galaxies, from the comfort of our very own school.
Some of the more creative students were in for a treat in one particularly notable November lesson, something made evident by the plentiful arts and crafts supplies laid out for all to see as they filed into the classroom. Not one to leave her students on tenterhooks, Professor Salvatore soon revealed that her lesson would be a welcome break from the usual classwork and homework, with a predominantly creative focus. Nevertheless, she kicked off the lesson with straightforward question and answer session, focusing on the planets of the solar system. There is, of course, zero likelihood of ever discussing the planets of the solar system at Hogwarts, without discussion turning to The Great Pluto Debate, and Professor Salvatore even revealed her own surprising pro-Pluto opinions before urging the class onwards. After a brief discussion of Saturn and its rings - and some discontent among the ranks of students regarding plants and their classifications, not to mention criticism of Professor Salvatore herself, particularly from loud and proud outspoken sixth year Ravenclaw Prefect Rooney Bronwyn - Professor Salvatore revealed her creative activity. She had the students form groups before picking a planet to research and then making a poster for it; with this laid back activity, the promise of a break from usual information-heavy classes was fulfilled, and the remainder of the lesson passed in relative peace.
Most Astronomy lessons, for what should be obvious reasons, take place at night, and that was exactly the case for Professor Salvatore’s moon-focused lesson. As usual, the lesson started with facts; this time, it was all about establishing facts about what is classified as a moon in our solar system, followed by an overview of some key details about Earth’s moon. After a short mini-activity wherein the students took it upon themselves to research moon phases, Professor Salvatore provided everyone with more craft materials, and had the class create their version of a moon phase board, having shown an example of what exactly they were supposed to create. With the details of their research firmly in their minds, the students put their skills and knowledge to the test to create their own emulations of the moon phase board.
Professor Carolina Salvatore - with her no-nonsense classroom control, her accessible lessons, and her appreciation for the more creative and hand-on method of learning - quickly established herself as an educator well-suited to the sometimes challenging environment, and made her mark on the halls of Hogwarts. Thank you, Professor Salvatore.
Some of the more creative students were in for a treat in one particularly notable November lesson, something made evident by the plentiful arts and crafts supplies laid out for all to see as they filed into the classroom. Not one to leave her students on tenterhooks, Professor Salvatore soon revealed that her lesson would be a welcome break from the usual classwork and homework, with a predominantly creative focus. Nevertheless, she kicked off the lesson with straightforward question and answer session, focusing on the planets of the solar system. There is, of course, zero likelihood of ever discussing the planets of the solar system at Hogwarts, without discussion turning to The Great Pluto Debate, and Professor Salvatore even revealed her own surprising pro-Pluto opinions before urging the class onwards. After a brief discussion of Saturn and its rings - and some discontent among the ranks of students regarding plants and their classifications, not to mention criticism of Professor Salvatore herself, particularly from loud and proud outspoken sixth year Ravenclaw Prefect Rooney Bronwyn - Professor Salvatore revealed her creative activity. She had the students form groups before picking a planet to research and then making a poster for it; with this laid back activity, the promise of a break from usual information-heavy classes was fulfilled, and the remainder of the lesson passed in relative peace.
Most Astronomy lessons, for what should be obvious reasons, take place at night, and that was exactly the case for Professor Salvatore’s moon-focused lesson. As usual, the lesson started with facts; this time, it was all about establishing facts about what is classified as a moon in our solar system, followed by an overview of some key details about Earth’s moon. After a short mini-activity wherein the students took it upon themselves to research moon phases, Professor Salvatore provided everyone with more craft materials, and had the class create their version of a moon phase board, having shown an example of what exactly they were supposed to create. With the details of their research firmly in their minds, the students put their skills and knowledge to the test to create their own emulations of the moon phase board.
Professor Carolina Salvatore - with her no-nonsense classroom control, her accessible lessons, and her appreciation for the more creative and hand-on method of learning - quickly established herself as an educator well-suited to the sometimes challenging environment, and made her mark on the halls of Hogwarts. Thank you, Professor Salvatore.
care of magical creatures
Care of Magical Creatures is a popular favourite among students here at Hogwarts; like famous Hogwarts alumnus and magizoologist, Newt Scamander (author of your textbook, if you've ever taken the time to crack the spine and look inside) Hogwarts students are naturally drawn to the subject because of the appeal of magical creatures themselves. However, it has come to this writer's attention that, to some of you, the appeal of the creatures comes only second to the professor that teaches the subject - or, rather, his face. Professor Jordan Hernandez is the man in charge of the barnyard, and he was back again this term to deliver Care of Magical Creatures classes to Hogwarts students of all ages.
In one typical Care of Magical Creatures class this term, when everyone arrived at the typical barnyard classroom, they found nothing to indicate what the day's topic might be. Once everyone was situated, however, Professor Hernandez posed a simple question to his students which served as the first clue as to the topic of the lesson: when they were sick, what would they do in order to make themselves feel better? There came a range of answers, though most focused on consuming food, drink, or potions in order to promote healing, or getting some well-needed rest. Professor Hernandez then reaffirmed what most already knew, or had guessed from the line of questioning: caring for sick humans is not so different to caring for sick animals.
As the lesson progressed, the day's focus turned to how to differentiate between a sick creature and a healthy one, as most creatures can't easily explain when they're feeling out of sorts. Most students provided suggestions regarding creatures acting differently to the way they normally did; subdued, tired, or distressed. However, here there came an alarming yet very Hogwarts-esque altercation, as Zoryn Spinnet of Gryffindor suddenly sunk her teeth into the shoulder of an older Slytherin student, Jonas Emery, who had snapped at the first year. After the fight was broken up, and points were deducted from both parties, Professor Hernandez had everyone don boots and masks, before moving into the barn. There, he introduced his students to a collection of sick kneazles that the professor had already started treating. For the class activity, he gave instructions on how to continue to care for the kneazles, and the rest of the lesson was spent with his students cleaning the creatures' environment, treating them with kneazle tonic, feeding the kneazles, and keeping them warm. A peaceful class activity, however, was not on the cards, thanks to an incident involving an explosion of soiled kneazle litter, courtesy of Hufflepuff first year Derfael Ashburry-Hawthorne.
Gryffindors biting Slytherins, exploding kneazle-litter, fawning pupils: it's all in a day's work for Professor Jordan Hernandez. This term saw just a continuation of the usual Hogwarts eccentricities that any staff member should be able to take in their stride. Professor Hernandez consistently proves his worth in his delivery of lessons and handling of typical student bizarreness, and I gather that many students (and probably staff) of all genders continue to appreciate his face.
In one typical Care of Magical Creatures class this term, when everyone arrived at the typical barnyard classroom, they found nothing to indicate what the day's topic might be. Once everyone was situated, however, Professor Hernandez posed a simple question to his students which served as the first clue as to the topic of the lesson: when they were sick, what would they do in order to make themselves feel better? There came a range of answers, though most focused on consuming food, drink, or potions in order to promote healing, or getting some well-needed rest. Professor Hernandez then reaffirmed what most already knew, or had guessed from the line of questioning: caring for sick humans is not so different to caring for sick animals.
As the lesson progressed, the day's focus turned to how to differentiate between a sick creature and a healthy one, as most creatures can't easily explain when they're feeling out of sorts. Most students provided suggestions regarding creatures acting differently to the way they normally did; subdued, tired, or distressed. However, here there came an alarming yet very Hogwarts-esque altercation, as Zoryn Spinnet of Gryffindor suddenly sunk her teeth into the shoulder of an older Slytherin student, Jonas Emery, who had snapped at the first year. After the fight was broken up, and points were deducted from both parties, Professor Hernandez had everyone don boots and masks, before moving into the barn. There, he introduced his students to a collection of sick kneazles that the professor had already started treating. For the class activity, he gave instructions on how to continue to care for the kneazles, and the rest of the lesson was spent with his students cleaning the creatures' environment, treating them with kneazle tonic, feeding the kneazles, and keeping them warm. A peaceful class activity, however, was not on the cards, thanks to an incident involving an explosion of soiled kneazle litter, courtesy of Hufflepuff first year Derfael Ashburry-Hawthorne.
Gryffindors biting Slytherins, exploding kneazle-litter, fawning pupils: it's all in a day's work for Professor Jordan Hernandez. This term saw just a continuation of the usual Hogwarts eccentricities that any staff member should be able to take in their stride. Professor Hernandez consistently proves his worth in his delivery of lessons and handling of typical student bizarreness, and I gather that many students (and probably staff) of all genders continue to appreciate his face.
charms
Charms seems to be a favorite class among the students, for who doesn't love to learn magical spells? It's one of the main reasons why we attend Hogwarts! And thankfully our favorite French Charms Professor is back, providing us with amazing classes and teaching us much needed spells to make us better witches and wizards. He has also brought a dash of France to our hallowed halls, part of his Charms classroom is now a French Bistro, so come for the classes and stay for the macrons and croissants! Professor Marchand, please continue to keep gracing us with your presence and perhaps your pastries as well.
The first lesson once again saw a new classroom arrangement, the desks had vanished and instead there were benches lining the right and left sides of the room. Not only that, but there was a mysterious trunk snack dab in the middle of the room. As usual there were tasty treats in the back of the room, hot cocoa and fudge with bits of candy cane in them. The students filed in and picked their choice of either sitting on the left of the room or on the right. Precisely on time the Professor shut the door and started the lesson out with a question, "Imagine a large object, like that trunk was hurtling towards you. What spell would you use to stop it? An interesting question and answers started to pour in. Students had all sorts of different responses from spells like Arresto Momemtum to Shield charms, a few people like the dear Carlton Lewis even suggested ducking. Not exactly a spell but surely it would be effective, yeah? Only a two students, Miss Olivia Phillips and Miss Katy Toussiant correctly guessed what the Professor was aiming for with his question. Namely, the banishing charm. Which does exactly what you would think it would do. Banishes objects. Professor Marchand then demonstrated the simple wand movement, merely a sweep of the wand in the direction of the object you want banished and then say the incantation. Depulso Simple enough. Practice would come in a bit though, for the Professor asked another question. "Think of spells that would complement or counteract the banishing charm." The answers were rather overwhelmingly all alike, the summoning charm. A few kids some some different things, Leon Kennedy suggested the Disillusionment charm and Olivia Holden was still trying to make Arresto Momentum happen, but the correct answer was of course the summoning charm. Accio. After demonstrating how to do the spell, the Professor finally opened up the mysterious trunk to reveal its contents: enlarged cotton balls! The instructions he gave were simple, summon one of the cotton balls to you and then banish them away. A rather fun and inventive way to practice the spells that they had just been taught. The students got a few minutes to practice and took to it immediately. White cotton "snowballs" (as they will now be referred to) started to fill the room, being summoned and banished as the kids practiced their spells in earnest. After everyone seemed to get the hang of summoning and banishing, the Professor introduced a little game called: 'Aim the snowball at your classmate.' Basically you summoned the snowball towards you and then banished them towards your classmates, if it hits, the snowball will explode into blue glitter and then you are out! It only counts if you are banishing the snowball though, if you are summoning a snowball, silver glitter will erupt if it hits you. Silver glitter good, Blue glitter bad! Armed with the rules, the students quickly started to play. Everyone was surprisingly good at aiming and dodging the "snowballs" and the first out didn't come for awhile and then it was in the form of Mr. Ashbury-Hawthorne followed closely by Carlton Lewis. Tenacius Salander and Leon Kennedy were next to get out right before the Professor called time. Class was dismissed and everyone left a bit more sparkly then they had walked in. Let's hope the banishing charm works on glitter!
The next class the students entered to find that their desks were actually arranged normally. Gasp! But there was something placed on the desks, an Easter basket with three large eggs inside. The Professor was no where in sight, but there was a note on the board saying to leave the eggs alone. The kids filed into the classroom and mostly did what the board said.. Left the eggs alone! As the last student entered, the door closed itself and locked and then The Professor appeared in front of them! He had been under the Disillusionment charm and no one had noticed, needless to say that's exactly what the class would be learning today. Before he got started on teaching the spell though, the Professor asked a question. "Before we get into the spell itself, who can tell me something about disillusionment charms? It could be a definition, a fact, something you think is an advantage or disadvantage of using the spell... anything. The more outside-the-box, the better!" And before you could say, "Now you see me." Students started to jump in with different answers. Several kids brought up the fact that the spell doesn't make you invisible per se, it merely lets you blend into your surroundings, like a chameleon. A Miss Genny Tate also brought up how they would use Disillusionment spells in ancient Egyptian tombs as traps! Yikes! Remind me not to visit any of those any time soon, but I digress.
He soon tasked the class to practice the Disillusionment Charm and Revelio on the Easter eggs that were on their desks in front of them. They had to disillusion the eggs and then make then reappear, thankfully the eggs were charmed to either beep or give off a floral scent when spelled so none of the students would lose them. Practice started and went smoothly with no major mishaps or anything interesting of note to report, most everyone seemed to be able to get the two spells rather easily. So the Professor moved onto the main activity. A disillusioned Easter egg hunt! Everyone was to charm their eggs, and go hide them in the field that had suddenly appeared inside the charms classroom. Once your eggs were hidden, you were free to go search for other eggs. Using Revelio of course to reveal the charmed eggs. Any eggs found were the students to keep as were the prizes inside of them. The activity started and went fairly smoothly as well, with students hiding eggs in creative places, making sure they disillusioned them and then heading off to find other eggs. Thankfully the beeping eggs and the floral scented ones helped out in finding their hiding spots. The class ended with most everyone ending up with at least one egg, and the students walked out full to the brim with knowledge of how to camouflage ones self. Can you see me now?
The first lesson once again saw a new classroom arrangement, the desks had vanished and instead there were benches lining the right and left sides of the room. Not only that, but there was a mysterious trunk snack dab in the middle of the room. As usual there were tasty treats in the back of the room, hot cocoa and fudge with bits of candy cane in them. The students filed in and picked their choice of either sitting on the left of the room or on the right. Precisely on time the Professor shut the door and started the lesson out with a question, "Imagine a large object, like that trunk was hurtling towards you. What spell would you use to stop it? An interesting question and answers started to pour in. Students had all sorts of different responses from spells like Arresto Momemtum to Shield charms, a few people like the dear Carlton Lewis even suggested ducking. Not exactly a spell but surely it would be effective, yeah? Only a two students, Miss Olivia Phillips and Miss Katy Toussiant correctly guessed what the Professor was aiming for with his question. Namely, the banishing charm. Which does exactly what you would think it would do. Banishes objects. Professor Marchand then demonstrated the simple wand movement, merely a sweep of the wand in the direction of the object you want banished and then say the incantation. Depulso Simple enough. Practice would come in a bit though, for the Professor asked another question. "Think of spells that would complement or counteract the banishing charm." The answers were rather overwhelmingly all alike, the summoning charm. A few kids some some different things, Leon Kennedy suggested the Disillusionment charm and Olivia Holden was still trying to make Arresto Momentum happen, but the correct answer was of course the summoning charm. Accio. After demonstrating how to do the spell, the Professor finally opened up the mysterious trunk to reveal its contents: enlarged cotton balls! The instructions he gave were simple, summon one of the cotton balls to you and then banish them away. A rather fun and inventive way to practice the spells that they had just been taught. The students got a few minutes to practice and took to it immediately. White cotton "snowballs" (as they will now be referred to) started to fill the room, being summoned and banished as the kids practiced their spells in earnest. After everyone seemed to get the hang of summoning and banishing, the Professor introduced a little game called: 'Aim the snowball at your classmate.' Basically you summoned the snowball towards you and then banished them towards your classmates, if it hits, the snowball will explode into blue glitter and then you are out! It only counts if you are banishing the snowball though, if you are summoning a snowball, silver glitter will erupt if it hits you. Silver glitter good, Blue glitter bad! Armed with the rules, the students quickly started to play. Everyone was surprisingly good at aiming and dodging the "snowballs" and the first out didn't come for awhile and then it was in the form of Mr. Ashbury-Hawthorne followed closely by Carlton Lewis. Tenacius Salander and Leon Kennedy were next to get out right before the Professor called time. Class was dismissed and everyone left a bit more sparkly then they had walked in. Let's hope the banishing charm works on glitter!
The next class the students entered to find that their desks were actually arranged normally. Gasp! But there was something placed on the desks, an Easter basket with three large eggs inside. The Professor was no where in sight, but there was a note on the board saying to leave the eggs alone. The kids filed into the classroom and mostly did what the board said.. Left the eggs alone! As the last student entered, the door closed itself and locked and then The Professor appeared in front of them! He had been under the Disillusionment charm and no one had noticed, needless to say that's exactly what the class would be learning today. Before he got started on teaching the spell though, the Professor asked a question. "Before we get into the spell itself, who can tell me something about disillusionment charms? It could be a definition, a fact, something you think is an advantage or disadvantage of using the spell... anything. The more outside-the-box, the better!" And before you could say, "Now you see me." Students started to jump in with different answers. Several kids brought up the fact that the spell doesn't make you invisible per se, it merely lets you blend into your surroundings, like a chameleon. A Miss Genny Tate also brought up how they would use Disillusionment spells in ancient Egyptian tombs as traps! Yikes! Remind me not to visit any of those any time soon, but I digress.
He soon tasked the class to practice the Disillusionment Charm and Revelio on the Easter eggs that were on their desks in front of them. They had to disillusion the eggs and then make then reappear, thankfully the eggs were charmed to either beep or give off a floral scent when spelled so none of the students would lose them. Practice started and went smoothly with no major mishaps or anything interesting of note to report, most everyone seemed to be able to get the two spells rather easily. So the Professor moved onto the main activity. A disillusioned Easter egg hunt! Everyone was to charm their eggs, and go hide them in the field that had suddenly appeared inside the charms classroom. Once your eggs were hidden, you were free to go search for other eggs. Using Revelio of course to reveal the charmed eggs. Any eggs found were the students to keep as were the prizes inside of them. The activity started and went fairly smoothly as well, with students hiding eggs in creative places, making sure they disillusioned them and then heading off to find other eggs. Thankfully the beeping eggs and the floral scented ones helped out in finding their hiding spots. The class ended with most everyone ending up with at least one egg, and the students walked out full to the brim with knowledge of how to camouflage ones self. Can you see me now?
defense against the dark arts
The Defence Against the Dark Arts professor here at Hogwarts needs no introduction, but he's doing to get one anyway. Professor Roderik Hirsch is a long-standing member of Hogwarts staff, and has held the post of DADA professor for a number of years. Professor Hirsch returned again this term with another repertoire of intriguing lessons - as well as the popular Dueling Club - much to the delight of the students of Hogwarts, and, in particular, his ever-growing fan club.
Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons are rarely, if ever, delivered in the traditional format requiring students to remain sat at their desks, thanks to all of the practical work involved. In one such lesson this term, Professor Hirsch's students arrived to find no clues as to what the lesson would be about, except for the tables at the far side of the room, their contents covered by a cloth. When Hirsch called the class to attention, he let the objects on the tables remain a mystery, citing 'constant vigilance' for his reasoning, before going on to ask his students what they found to be the most difficult or frustrating part of spell-casting. The answers he received were varied and covering a whole range of issues, but the focus of the class turned out to be the difficulties of using a spell that requires one's fullest concentration and commitment, and which doesn't allow for any other spells to be cast at the same time. This, of course, led Hirsch to the focus of the day: Fianto Duri. This spell, he explained, is used in conjunction with another spell to keep the latter "alive" and active, opening up an opportunity for further spells to be cast or for multitasking to be employed. After initially practicing Fianto Duri with the shield charm, Hirsch had a novel - if completely uncivilised - activity for his students to partake in: a food fight. Nothing quite like the threat of a mashed potato hat or a stunning gravy coat as motivation for working on sustaining a shield charm, right?
In another of Hirsch's lessons this term, upon arriving in the classroom students were met with a table full of music boxes, and a message inviting each student to take one. When the lesson commenced, Professor Hirsch revealed that the lesson would focus on Erklings, a Dark creature from the professor's own homeland of Germany, and one that has a particular proclivity for eating children. Delightful. After a short summary on the creature and the possible reasons for those very specific diets, the discussion moved on to how best to fight an Erkling. As Professor Hirsch explained, Erklings lure their young prey to them with their high-pitched cackling, and for that reason the spell he had chosen to teach everyone was the Silencing Charm. When used against an Erkling, the creatures would no longer be able to use their enticing laughter to draw in children, but the spell would also useful in duelling situations, especially against an opponent not quite proficient in non-verbal magic. The remainder of the lesson was spent first practicing the Silencing Charm on the music boxes, and then fighting off realistic dummy Erklings in a simulated classroom battle. While some preferred to sit out on the activity, quite unsurprisingly, the majority of the students in attendance spent the rest of the lesson fighting off the dummies, a task that proved thrilling, frightening, and downright exhilarating. Who wouldn't love to make an Erkling go boom, after all?
Along with his usual exciting, action-packed lessons, Professor Hirsch also provided his students with another year of the highly popular Duelling Club. A duelling tournament was, as always, held over the course of the term, with students paired up with each other to duel and ultimately strive for the top spot in one of the four categories, divided by age: Jinx (first to third years), Hex (for fourth and fifth years), Curse (sixth and seventh years), and Unforgivable (staff). At the end of the end of the tournament, in the Jinx category, Derfael Ashburry-Hawthorne of Hufflepuff took the first place position out of the first years, Kane Westwood, also a Hufflepuff, took the same accolade out of the second years, and Slytherin Skylar Diggory came out on top out of the third years. In the Hex category, Hufflepuff’s Katerina Delgado won out of the fourth years, and Charlotte Kettleburn, Gryffindor, took the first place position out of the fifth years. Meanwhile, Slytherin Head Girl Natalia Franks-Mundie won the top position in the Curse duel standings, and Professor Kaysha Stewart duelled her way to the top spot in the Unforgivable category.
This year, however, was not only marked by exciting lessons and a successful duelling tournament, but a set of harrowing events that continue to haunt the students of Hogwarts. Portals, alternate universes and (non-Erkling) human-eating monsters cropping up in and around the school... these have all been reminders of the importance of Defence Against the Dark Arts, and the necessity of being able to protect oneself. Professor Hirsch is a highly capable professor who continues to deliver practical and useful lessons in this, arguably the most crucial of subjects, and there are likely many at Hogwarts who owe a lot to their Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.
Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons are rarely, if ever, delivered in the traditional format requiring students to remain sat at their desks, thanks to all of the practical work involved. In one such lesson this term, Professor Hirsch's students arrived to find no clues as to what the lesson would be about, except for the tables at the far side of the room, their contents covered by a cloth. When Hirsch called the class to attention, he let the objects on the tables remain a mystery, citing 'constant vigilance' for his reasoning, before going on to ask his students what they found to be the most difficult or frustrating part of spell-casting. The answers he received were varied and covering a whole range of issues, but the focus of the class turned out to be the difficulties of using a spell that requires one's fullest concentration and commitment, and which doesn't allow for any other spells to be cast at the same time. This, of course, led Hirsch to the focus of the day: Fianto Duri. This spell, he explained, is used in conjunction with another spell to keep the latter "alive" and active, opening up an opportunity for further spells to be cast or for multitasking to be employed. After initially practicing Fianto Duri with the shield charm, Hirsch had a novel - if completely uncivilised - activity for his students to partake in: a food fight. Nothing quite like the threat of a mashed potato hat or a stunning gravy coat as motivation for working on sustaining a shield charm, right?
In another of Hirsch's lessons this term, upon arriving in the classroom students were met with a table full of music boxes, and a message inviting each student to take one. When the lesson commenced, Professor Hirsch revealed that the lesson would focus on Erklings, a Dark creature from the professor's own homeland of Germany, and one that has a particular proclivity for eating children. Delightful. After a short summary on the creature and the possible reasons for those very specific diets, the discussion moved on to how best to fight an Erkling. As Professor Hirsch explained, Erklings lure their young prey to them with their high-pitched cackling, and for that reason the spell he had chosen to teach everyone was the Silencing Charm. When used against an Erkling, the creatures would no longer be able to use their enticing laughter to draw in children, but the spell would also useful in duelling situations, especially against an opponent not quite proficient in non-verbal magic. The remainder of the lesson was spent first practicing the Silencing Charm on the music boxes, and then fighting off realistic dummy Erklings in a simulated classroom battle. While some preferred to sit out on the activity, quite unsurprisingly, the majority of the students in attendance spent the rest of the lesson fighting off the dummies, a task that proved thrilling, frightening, and downright exhilarating. Who wouldn't love to make an Erkling go boom, after all?
Along with his usual exciting, action-packed lessons, Professor Hirsch also provided his students with another year of the highly popular Duelling Club. A duelling tournament was, as always, held over the course of the term, with students paired up with each other to duel and ultimately strive for the top spot in one of the four categories, divided by age: Jinx (first to third years), Hex (for fourth and fifth years), Curse (sixth and seventh years), and Unforgivable (staff). At the end of the end of the tournament, in the Jinx category, Derfael Ashburry-Hawthorne of Hufflepuff took the first place position out of the first years, Kane Westwood, also a Hufflepuff, took the same accolade out of the second years, and Slytherin Skylar Diggory came out on top out of the third years. In the Hex category, Hufflepuff’s Katerina Delgado won out of the fourth years, and Charlotte Kettleburn, Gryffindor, took the first place position out of the fifth years. Meanwhile, Slytherin Head Girl Natalia Franks-Mundie won the top position in the Curse duel standings, and Professor Kaysha Stewart duelled her way to the top spot in the Unforgivable category.
This year, however, was not only marked by exciting lessons and a successful duelling tournament, but a set of harrowing events that continue to haunt the students of Hogwarts. Portals, alternate universes and (non-Erkling) human-eating monsters cropping up in and around the school... these have all been reminders of the importance of Defence Against the Dark Arts, and the necessity of being able to protect oneself. Professor Hirsch is a highly capable professor who continues to deliver practical and useful lessons in this, arguably the most crucial of subjects, and there are likely many at Hogwarts who owe a lot to their Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.
divination
Are you able to look into the beyond, to provide the world with life-changing prophecies? Is your Inner Eye open, or is it in dire need of an Inner Optometrist? Well, Divination is a subject for those who can See all, those who can See nothing, and everyone in between. In Divination class, Hogwarts' own Professor Laurel Vance teachings different methods of divining and scrying to those with a range of Seeing ability. Professor Vance does not discriminate in her instruction of Divination; as long as her students are willing to learn, she, too, is willing to teach.
The very first Divination lesson of the term was held, not up in the North Tower, but outside on the grounds, beside the Black Lake. Other than the lesson location itself, the only things of note that students found upon their arrival were multiple piles of stones. Once the lesson started, Professor Vance began to explore the topic of water divination (otherwise known as Hydromancy) with her class, starting with a discussion about the divination method and what factors might affect its accuracy, before moving onto the practical portion of the lesson. Wading out into the water, students dropped three stones into the water, first a round stone, followed by a triangular stone, and then finally a square one, leaving at least thirty seconds between each drop. The divining part came with interpreting the ripples and the shapes in the water left by the stones, which each of the students interpreted for themselves according to their own individual results. But, far from this class activity passing without incident, students were surprised with a visit from the Giant Squid, denizen of the lake, also known as Bartholomew Henry. Drawn to the surface by the ripples that the students were making with the divining stones, Bartholomew Henry had come to investigate, and to request that the disturbances cease. Indeed, once everyone was finished with their predictions, and after everyone had had their chance to exchange greetings with Bartholomew Henry, class was dismissed for the day.
Later on in the term, another Divination class was held away from its regular location in the Divination tower; this time taking place in the Room of Requirement. When her class arrived, Professor Vance asked for guesses as to what the topic of the day's lesson might be, giving the clues that the divination method in question is a widespread ancient practice, is usually done outside, requires a steady hand and is often performed by centaurs. The answer was Belomancy, a form of divination requiring the shooting of an arrow, at which point the arrow's flight and movement is interpreted and used to make predictions. After having the class familiarise themselves each with a quiver of arrows - a short exercise involving assigning 'yes', 'no', 'maybe' and other such answers to the arrows before asking themselves a question and then picking an arrow to answer their questions at random - it was on to the main activity. Curiously, rather than delve into the intricacies of Belomancy, Professor Vance instead had her class take part in a small archery competition, during which students vied to earn the most points by firing arrows at targets. Of course, the remainder of the lesson hardly passed without incident. First, a brief visit from "Santa" interrupted the proceedings as he handed out candy grams, but shortly afterwards came a little extra excitement. In the midst of the small-scale archery competition, one first year Slytherin, Carlton Lewis, accidentally sent an arrow completely off course and through the closed window, with Professor Vance somehow getting grazed in the process. Class was dismissed shortly afterwards, and the competition ended without a winning student or house declared; most likely Professor Vance was all to keen to get out of the crossfire of anymore flying arrows.
Having now occupied the post of Divination professor for two terms - already breaking the 'curse' that so many teaching posts at Hogwarts fall victim to - Professor Vance has established herself as a capable and knowledgeable teacher here at our school. To the delight of many, Professor Vance keeps Divination enjoyable, accessible, and entertaining, and has fit in with effortlessly with the staff and students here at our beloved Hogwarts.
The very first Divination lesson of the term was held, not up in the North Tower, but outside on the grounds, beside the Black Lake. Other than the lesson location itself, the only things of note that students found upon their arrival were multiple piles of stones. Once the lesson started, Professor Vance began to explore the topic of water divination (otherwise known as Hydromancy) with her class, starting with a discussion about the divination method and what factors might affect its accuracy, before moving onto the practical portion of the lesson. Wading out into the water, students dropped three stones into the water, first a round stone, followed by a triangular stone, and then finally a square one, leaving at least thirty seconds between each drop. The divining part came with interpreting the ripples and the shapes in the water left by the stones, which each of the students interpreted for themselves according to their own individual results. But, far from this class activity passing without incident, students were surprised with a visit from the Giant Squid, denizen of the lake, also known as Bartholomew Henry. Drawn to the surface by the ripples that the students were making with the divining stones, Bartholomew Henry had come to investigate, and to request that the disturbances cease. Indeed, once everyone was finished with their predictions, and after everyone had had their chance to exchange greetings with Bartholomew Henry, class was dismissed for the day.
Later on in the term, another Divination class was held away from its regular location in the Divination tower; this time taking place in the Room of Requirement. When her class arrived, Professor Vance asked for guesses as to what the topic of the day's lesson might be, giving the clues that the divination method in question is a widespread ancient practice, is usually done outside, requires a steady hand and is often performed by centaurs. The answer was Belomancy, a form of divination requiring the shooting of an arrow, at which point the arrow's flight and movement is interpreted and used to make predictions. After having the class familiarise themselves each with a quiver of arrows - a short exercise involving assigning 'yes', 'no', 'maybe' and other such answers to the arrows before asking themselves a question and then picking an arrow to answer their questions at random - it was on to the main activity. Curiously, rather than delve into the intricacies of Belomancy, Professor Vance instead had her class take part in a small archery competition, during which students vied to earn the most points by firing arrows at targets. Of course, the remainder of the lesson hardly passed without incident. First, a brief visit from "Santa" interrupted the proceedings as he handed out candy grams, but shortly afterwards came a little extra excitement. In the midst of the small-scale archery competition, one first year Slytherin, Carlton Lewis, accidentally sent an arrow completely off course and through the closed window, with Professor Vance somehow getting grazed in the process. Class was dismissed shortly afterwards, and the competition ended without a winning student or house declared; most likely Professor Vance was all to keen to get out of the crossfire of anymore flying arrows.
Having now occupied the post of Divination professor for two terms - already breaking the 'curse' that so many teaching posts at Hogwarts fall victim to - Professor Vance has established herself as a capable and knowledgeable teacher here at our school. To the delight of many, Professor Vance keeps Divination enjoyable, accessible, and entertaining, and has fit in with effortlessly with the staff and students here at our beloved Hogwarts.