So long as there isn't a wicked stepmother involved. on Transfiguration

Professor Skies

November 08, 2012 2:17 PM

Intermediate Class - Oh Apple Tree, Oh Apple Tree by Professor Skies

“Good morning class. Don't mind the tree, its use will become quite apparent,” Professor Skies greeted her intermediate class as they assembled. Her desk had been pushed to one side of the room and in the other corner was an apple tree. It was small, by apple tree standards, but still quite large in comparison with the room, and therefore definitely very noticeable and distracting.

“Today we are looking at switching spells. I appreciate that this may be something that you have covered before but they are a large branch of Transfiguration and thus come into the curriculum at many levels, and with different degrees of difficulty. First, we will begin by recapping a little about them and their uses. Can anyone tell me something that makes a switching spell more useful than other types of Transfiguration?” she asked. She had asked the class to read the chapter on switching over the break, and so hoped they would be full of ideas. She chose a few of the people who raised their hands, confirming or slightly recasting their answers as necessary. “Good, well done. And can anyone tell me the major downside?” she cast around until she got the answer she was looking for.

“Good. Initially it was believed that both objects had to be within the wizard of witch's field of vision. Therefore switches were generally used with things outside of one's reach. However, as people experimented more over time, they found that objects could be switched so long as the witch or wizard knew the location of what they wanted to switch. I draw upon this type of switch quite often with my materials for classes. If I am bringing extra books in, rather than lug all of them across the castle, I can simply bring the set for my first class,” she held up a first year transfiguration book, “And then switch them for my next class,” she demonstrated, the book in front of her disappearing and being replaced with an intermediate book, “So long as I know where they are and so long as I am not bound by any other problems. For example, if I realised I had left them all at home, I could try all I liked but I would not be able to switch them, as that would involve exchanging objects by spellwork over a magical ward, which it prevents in most cases. It is similar, in principle, to the summoning Charm. I can call things to me, across great distances, so long as I know where they are. I cannot, for example, cast 'accio penguin,' and expect one to appear,” she explained, actually casting the charm to prove her point and because it always caused a few people to turn around and look, just in case. “If I am at the zoo however, it is very handy for smuggling one into my handbag as a present for my daughters,” she smiled. Behind her, the chalk scribbled on the board; Disclaimer – your professor does not condone or encourage the stealing of zoo animals!

“The extent to which transfigurations are switches is hotly debated. For example, if I ask my first years to turn pebbles into buttons, they all have concepts of buttons, they probable all know where some buttons are. Most people would argue that they are changing the form of the object in front of them, and that this is distinct to switching it for a definite other object. However, once you get into how that process actually takes place, there is suddenly a lot of debate on the matter. This subject will form your essay assignment for the term. You will write five feet, to be submitted at your last class this year, on the following subject,” the chalk behind her scribbled up 'All transfigurations are switches; discuss.' “You may hand a draft to me half way through the term for corrections and guidance if you wish. Fifth years, you may hand yours in a fortnight early if you wish, so that you may receive the marked copy before sitting your CATS.” Other years were, she supposed, welcome to hand things in early if they really wanted to, it just wasn't going to them their marks any time sooner.

“Today, we are going to work on switching a non-living object for a living one, though not quite an animate one. You will receive a ball and I want you to try to switch it for an apple on the tree. As per usual, the closeness in resemblance of the objects has an effect. And, as with all switching spells, the distance over which you are casting does too. Therefore third years will have tennis balls, and – once I have finished speaking - I would like you to all come down to the front row. Fourth years, you will have Quaffles and be in the middle. Fifth years, you get beach balls and can probably guess where to work from,” she smiled.

“As you should know, you look to the target of your spell – or if is absent, visualise it and its location – but use the name of the object with which is being switched. For example, 'Suppono Quaffle',” she demonstrated. With a small 'puff' the topmost Quaffle on the box was replaced with an apple. If the students glanced towards the tree, they would see the sports ball hanging from its branches. She swapped them back. “The wand movement begins at the object with you, swoops down and round in a sideways figure of eight then back to the one in front of you, but not closing the last loop,” the chalk scribbled a helpful diagram on the board, along with the spell.

“The apples that you will hopefully end up with in front of you may look perfectly edible but I would prefer to collect them in at the end just to be on the safe side. Your homework for this lesson will be to look up Gamp's Law and the arguments for and against switched food being real and safe to eat. To make up for you not getting to take your apples away, and to tie in with our school event this year, whoever in each year turns in the best end of term essay will receive a toffee apple at the bonfire as a reward. The same goes for the person in each year who shows the best practical work – this could either be outright ability or progress from where we start, so don't be disheartened if you don't get it right away.”

Wish a swish of her wand she moved the tree front and centre and put the boxes of sports balls on the end of the appropriate rows.

“Call on me or each other for help, and off you go,” she instructed.

OOC – The usual rules apply. Feel free to fill in the blanks where Selina has asked the class questions.

Subthreads:

Oh Quaffle tree. by Nora Dobson, Aladren

How lovely are your...branches? by Cepheus Princeton, Crotalus

So long as there isn't a wicked stepmother involved. by Alicia Bauer, Aladren

More like 'Oh Ball Tree, Oh Ball Tree' by Fae Sinclair, Crotalus

Not really hungry right now. by Valerie Lennox, Crotalus with Addison Thornton, Teppenpaw

Apples are okay. by Maximilian Joshua McLachlan - Aladren with Eris Ackart, Teppenpaw, Josh McLachlan

0 Professor Skies Intermediate Class - Oh Apple Tree, Oh Apple Tree 26 Professor Skies 1 5

Nora Dobson, Aladren

November 12, 2012 10:41 PM

Oh Quaffle tree. by Nora Dobson, Aladren

When it came to Transfiguration, Nora expected to be the best in class, more so than in other subjects even. She was genetically inclined. Sure, she had other relatives in this class, but they weren't honestly as smart as her, or in Evan's case, he wasn't as smart in any conventional way. Of course, there were other smart people too, like Arthur Carey and Alice Adair, but she was pretty sure that next year, when they moved up to the advanced group,there would be no doubt that she'd be the best, and she was sure she was the best of the fourth years.

She took a seat in the middle of the room. One might expect Nora to sit right in front, but to her, this spot was better. It was a place where she could observe her classmates without looking like a slacker the way she would have if she sat in the back. People watching had to be one of Nora's favorite activities. Trying to guess why they behaved as they did. Trying to figure out who they were.

Of course, the fourth year would never do that while a professor was giving their lecture. It was important to know what the lesson was so one could perform it, so one could learn. Nora wanted that knowledge too. She craved it. She wanted to know as much as she could about as much as she could. Watching her classmates could wait for later, once she'd performed the spell. Nora didn't expect to have a hard time with it. She was absolutely certain she would have it mastered before class was over, whatever it was. She usually did.

The Aladren gave Professor Skies her full attention as was deserved of any professor. She had tremendous respect for the Transfiguration professor too, who had been her cousin Marshall's professor at Salem and ended up even being the Headmistress. Her credentials were far more impressive than say, Professor Olivers who had been an actress of all things. Plus, Professor Skies taught the theoretical side as well as the practical side of the subject. Sally's aunt, whom she'd liked well enough and found interesting as a person too, seemed to have focused primarily on the practical. Not that that was bad , it was just that Nora found the theory of Transfiguration fascinating too.

Professor Skies gave the lesson and announced that they would have a prize at the bonfire too. That in itself wasn't that big a deal to her, but she did like toffee apples and felt it was as good as hers. Nora was both skilled in essay writing and in transfiguration itself. This was her subject. Her family's subject.

She stayed where she was and received a Quaffle. The fourth year practiced the wand motion and the proper pronunciation a few times before turning her attention to towards the ball. "Summono Quaffle" . Nora glanced down to face an apple and grinned. She then gazed at the tree to find that her Quaffle was on a lower branch-and turned back into a giant, Quaffle sized apple. She looked down at her desk to, of course, find an apple sized Quaffle.

11 Nora Dobson, Aladren Oh Quaffle tree. 197 Nora Dobson, Aladren 0 5

Cepheus Princeton, Crotalus

November 16, 2012 11:46 AM

How lovely are your...branches? by Cepheus Princeton, Crotalus

Cepheus never knew what to expect when he walked into any of his classes any more. The professors here always had something interesting to teach them, some sort of practical lesson that Cepheus enjoyed much more than listening to boring lectures. He had gotten used to be in strange conditions and doing strenuous activities during class hours. With all this past experience, he was not at all surprised to see a tree standing dominantly in the front of the classroom.

Since joining the intermediate class, the third year had noticed he was growing more comfortable around his older classmates. They were smarter and helpful most of the time, and he liked many of them. He and Michael had started off on the right foot but had ended up on the wrong one, so he avoided him, greeting familiar faces like Nora, whom he had recently learnt knew about his betrothal to Megan, and his fellow third years. He liked knowing faces. His third year would have been his favourite so far if it hadn't been coloured by his unfortunate betrothal.

Cepheus sat down towards the centre of the classroom and put down his bag on the desk, not bothering to take anything out. Knowing his professor, they would either just need their wand and textbook, or they would have to move into groups sometime. It was slightly predictable, but again, he wasn't complaining. It was always better than a lesson being completely and utterly predictably boring.

They were going to do switching spells today and Cepheus, who was not as skilled in Transfiguration as he would have liked, wondered how difficult this spell would be and if he would embarrass himself completely if he got it wrong. Thank Merlin they weren't playing with live animals any more. Those made him feel a bit sick inside. He had imagined his crup in place of one of the animals once, and since they he couldn't imagine ever changing an animal into some inanimate object, even if the creature was completely unaware. Though he would never admit to his disgust for transfiguring animals, he was visibly much more enthusiastic to begin this lesson.

Cepheus couldn't quite get himself interested in the theoretical bit of transfiguring, but he would worry about that later. When Professor Skies dismissed them to begin, he got up and moved his things, as he had predicted, to the front desks and pulled out his wand from his pocket. The tree was going to look quite strange once the class was done with it. Poor tree didn't even know what it was getting into. Cepheus snickered to himself, but cooled his composure as the thirteen-year-old was apt to do, and said in a crisp tone, "Suppono Quaffle," imagining the tennis ball on his desk transferring itself.

Of course, as Cepheus claimed, Transfiguration had never been a strong subject in his family. That was the reason why only half of his tennis ball had made it over and why only half of an apple was on his desk. It wasn't even sliced in a perfect half, but looked like someone had broken it off with bare hands. It was in his blood to fail, and Cepheus sighed heavily, blaming his ancestors in his head. "I've still got two more tries, don't I?" he commented to his desk-mate. "They say third time's the charm." And he hoped it would be, quite literally.

0 Cepheus Princeton, Crotalus How lovely are your...branches? 0 Cepheus Princeton, Crotalus 0 5

Alicia Bauer, Aladren

November 21, 2012 8:11 PM

So long as there isn't a wicked stepmother involved. by Alicia Bauer, Aladren

Meeting people’s expectations for her thoughts wasn’t one of the things that Alicia really liked to do – she dedicated too much energy to behaving exactly as she should under a given set of conditions to want to think exactly the way she should, too, especially since she knew that the only proper things for her to think were those which would, so to speak, not so much ruin the game as smash up the whole board – but it took Professor Skies’ call to distract her attention from the inexplicable apple tree in the corner of the Transfiguration classroom. She was confused enough about the need for an actual tree, instead of just a bunch of apples, that she didn’t even mind that she had done what Professor Skies expected but did not want her to do in continuing to be surprised and intrigued by its presence as she found a seat at the front, as usual, and waited for the anomaly to be explained in a satisfactory manner.

Switching Spells being the topic of the day didn’t immediately explain the anomaly, but she raised her hand promptly when the first question was asked. She had only read about them and had never tried one, but she saw that as all the more reason to speak up, to establish that she was not ignorant of the subject, so to speak.

“One reason could be that you’re dealing with permanent and specific objects,” she said when she was called on. “The spell’s duration should be longer, since you’re not creating a new object purely from scratch, and it already is what you need, just moved from another place.”

As usual, the words that came out of her mouth didn’t quite match what she had expected, what she had planned, to say, they weren’t quite right or clear enough, in her opinion, and she was irritated with herself again when she did glance over her shoulder to see if Professor Skies had, by some freak of nature in the world of magic, managed to Summon a penguin, but she only flushed with anger when, once again, different assignments were given to different years and she got stuck not only with a simple assignment meant for those who just learned at the rate of the class or even slower, but one which actively made her front of the room seats less of a mark of excellence and more of something to make things even easier. So if it proved beyond her today, that would be even more pathetic, and if it did not, what was the success worth, anyway, since everything had been rigged to make it easier?

Oh, right. Absolutely nothing. An empty win. At least there was the possibility of an award. If she won, she’d have to split the spoils with her friends, but she would know she had won, anyway, at least in one category. As much as she would like to just win it all, she knew she would feel better about it in the end if she won the essay and Thad won the practical, even if she did suppose now that she would get to spend the rest of her time in Transfiguration wondering if Professor Skies only thought she did a really good job on the project to get toffee apples out of it.

Whether she did or not, though, was irrelevant. So long as Alicia got it right, and better than most of the fifth years could in the end. For now, though, there was…a tennis ball. Because the best that a third year could do was not the best that could be done.

“Well, I guess I know where my weekends are going for the first half of the term,” she remarked to her neighbor, to distract herself from that for a moment and establish a basis for conversation with her partner during the period. The paper was a good topic, she thought. "This sounds like a fun project, don't you think?"

16 Alicia Bauer, Aladren So long as there isn't a wicked stepmother involved. 210 Alicia Bauer, Aladren 0 5

Fae Sinclair, Crotalus

November 23, 2012 1:44 PM

More like 'Oh Ball Tree, Oh Ball Tree' by Fae Sinclair, Crotalus

Fae had been very low on herself for a very long time. Her life outside of Sonora had been complicated what with her siblings having been betrothed and then she, herself, getting betrothed. Fae had a hard time with change. She always had. Her parents and siblings often tried to protect her from the things that they knew would upset her. For a long time that had worked but they couldn’t protect her forever, especially from the things that were inevitable like love and marriage.

Her brother had married over the summer and Fae found herself liking Elle even though she didn’t seem to have much in common with her new sister-in-law. But Jaiden didn’t seem bothered by her or unhappy in any way, so Fae trusted the British woman to be a decent person with her brother. Over midterm, her sister married. It was harder for Fae to see Shelby as a married person than her brother. Shelby was only three and a half years older than her and if she was already married… Fae wouldn’t be that far behind. Obviously, it would ultimately happen whenever Arnold’s family felt best, but she knew it wouldn’t be too long after they graduated.

Although it had been difficult for her to see her sister married, Fae also could see how happy she was. It gave Fae hope that maybe her future with Arnold wouldn’t be so terrible. They were friends and ever since the costume party, they were dating. Officially a couple. Although, since they made it official, Fae didn’t think anything had changed too much. She just spent maybe more time with him than she might have otherwise. More so during meal times than anything else, but that was also partially because she didn’t want to be around Sara and Preston.

Still, even with the major changes that were happening in her life, Fae was actually really happy. Maybe it was because of the changes or the fact that Christmas had just come and gone and Fae had a lovely new wardrobe to show off. The skirts and dresses were hemmed shorter than what she was used to, but her mother said it was time to grow up and be comfortable with herself. So, she was showing more leg than what was the norm for her, but luckily her robes covered it during classes. But none of that really mattered because Fae was still happy.

The blonde walked into Transfiguration and noticed the tree immediately. That was strange, but not completely weird. Taking her usual seat, Fae took out her parchment for notes as well as her wand. She might not have been top student, but at least she tried her best. Transfiguration was one of her better classes and, so long as she did okay on her CATS exams, a class that she planned on continuing with.

Fae didn’t follow most of what the Professor was saying about the Switching spell. Fae felt like it was boarding charms, but what did she know? As long as she could get the spell down that was all she cared about. She could work out the theory later when it was necessary, but right now it was all about the practical.

Of course… now that she was looking at the beach ball, Fae really wished she could start with a tennis ball instead of the beach ball, but there was little she could do to change that. Taking a breath, Fae looked over the tree at the apples and then back at the beach ball. Much like the charts they had to do in the beginning of term, Fae imagined exactly how each object was similar to the other and pictured one becoming the other. Using the spell, Fae almost had it, she felt. The beach ball shrunk and became a lovely shade of red, it even seemed to thicken as though full of something. But it was still a ball and the apple on the tree was still an apple. Maybe larger and multicolored, but still an apple.

However, Fae still felt rather pleased with herself that she had managed that much on her first try and let out a giggle of glee that could probably be heard from her neighboring classmates.

0 Fae Sinclair, Crotalus More like 'Oh Ball Tree, Oh Ball Tree' 0 Fae Sinclair, Crotalus 0 5

Valerie Lennox, Crotalus

November 25, 2012 6:13 PM

Not really hungry right now. by Valerie Lennox, Crotalus

As was often the case, Valerie had not been feeling well lately. She had spent midterm sick with an ear infection and even now seemed to be taking Pepper Up Potion almost daily. It tended to be that way during the winter, but she was sure that right now, stress was contributing far more than the weather. She had gotten betrothed over midterm and instead of the relief that Valerie should have felt to be so at all, she was extremely anxious. Which was quite frankly, upsetting her stomach an awful lot too.

She didn't know Jasper. Didn't know him at all other than he was a Teppenpaw in her year, Michael's roommate and she was terrified of approaching him. The fourth year knew he was stuck with her, but Valerie didn't know how he felt about it. Was he angry or disappointed to be so? Surely he would have preferred someone who was well, healthy , even though as far as she knew she was capable of having children. It had obviously never been tested out, but nobody had ever told Valerie otherwise, and her...womanly cycles were perfectly normal, albeit disgusting and unpleasant to deal with.

Still, she didn't really expect Jasper to actually like her. She didn't feel she was good enough even though their families apparently thought otherwise. The Crotalus wondered why his had agreed to it. Probably for the connection and the fact that she could produce heirs. Valerie didn't really understand political alliances or anything, that was in the category of things that her parents didn't think she should stress herself out by worrying about. Which, admittedly, she was glad about right now. Just worrying about whether or not Jasper would be nice to her as well as her classes and her health was enough.

The fourth glanced nervously at her betrothed before focusing on Professor Skies. Okay, this didn't sound bad. No running around, nothing being fired at her, no having to act quickly. At least she could handle this lesson if nothing else. Valerie rather liked the new Transfiguration professor, not that she hadn't liked the old one. The lessons made sense and didn't require a lot of physical exertion on her part. She didn't even mind the theory work because of that fact. The Crotalus did better on things like that and she knew that if she needed help she could ask Ryan or Melanie. Her sister might have been younger, but she was very smart and more than eager to help the fourth year research something.

Valerie received a Quaffle. This was probably the only thing she'd ever do with one. She didn't even watch the games, both because she didn't go outdoors much and because she found them too violent and brutal. The Crotalus glanced at Jasper again. She was sort of glad he didn't play, both because she had a vested interest in his well being-as she hoped he did in hers-and because well, if he played and she didn't like the game, he might not like her because of that and Valerie wanted so badly for him to like her.

She looked briefly at the tree and its nice bright shiny red apples. The fourth year was encouraged to eat fruits and vegetables and other healthy things, even though her appetite wasn't too good right now. Valerie looked back down at the Quaffle and pictured one of the apples in its place. "Suppono Quaffle" . The ball had turned into an apple that. She glanced back at the tree to find that no apple had been replaced. Well, maybe, she couldn't really tell, as others were working on the same tree but she was pretty sure that the apple she'd been focusing on was still an apple and not a Quaffle.

Valerie was about to turn back to work when she caught the eye of the person next to her. She smiled and said. "Oh, hello there."

11 Valerie Lennox, Crotalus Not really hungry right now. 204 Valerie Lennox, Crotalus 0 5

Addison Thornton, Teppenpaw

November 26, 2012 12:35 AM

I'm always hungry... by Addison Thornton, Teppenpaw

Addison had been cramming everything and anything into her brain since the summer, but still she felt as if nothing was sticking. Still, the poor fifth year wasn’t found without a book and something to eat, as well. Right then, as she was walking to Transfiguration class, she had that textbook open (re-reading the chapter they’d been asked to read over break) with a breadstick in her other hand. I’m so letting Josephine down… she thought to herself as she sighed, shoving the last of the breadstick into her mouth. She wiped her hands on her sweatpants between her open robes, turned the page and before reaching the door for class, finished the chapter for the tenth time.

Oh Merlin’s beard, please let me remember this…! she thought as she closed the book. She pulled her robes together again in both annoyance at her weight and embarrassment that others could possibly see some of her rolls. She hated herself but she didn’t know what else to try… Unless she was able to see Josephine more often, she wasn’t sure she had the guts to go it alone! Josie was the only one who understood her for who she was and she was terrified of both failure and trying to ask anyone else for help! Josie was busy, Addi knew, especially with studying herself, her prefect duties and the like, but she really hoped to have some time together with her friend soon…

She walked into the room and went to her empty seat. Addi put her book on the desk and looked around the room in the hopes of finding Josephine and begging her to sit next to her. However, she either had a seat already or wasn’t there yet. Valerie sat down next to her and Addison smiled as best as she could. She was stressed, and when she was stressed, smiling wasn’t the first thing on her mind. Valerie looked to be looking for someone else as well, but neither of them looked to be. Oh wait… It looks like she’s found who she was looking for… Lucky her… Addi thought as her heart thudded louder than Professor Skies’ words.

Addi looked at the tree across the room when it had been mentioned, as Professor Skies talked about what they were going to be doing. Switching Spells? she thought, trying her hardest to remember what the chapter she had only just finished re-reading had said. Oh gods… I can’t remember a thing! she added to herself as her heart thudded louder and louder, stronger and stronger until it felt, to her, like she belonged in Edgar Allen Poe’s poem entitled ‘The Raven’.

The question was asked about what would make the switching spell more useful than other types of Transfiguration. Someone must have answered the question, but Addison couldn’t hear them through the beating of her heart. There must have been another question asked of them that she didn’t hear however, because hands around her raised up again to answer. Still Addi kept her hands down. She couldn’t answer Professor Skies. She wished she could, but her brain didn’t let her remember any of it! Oh Merlin’s Beard… I’m going to fail school… she thought as not only her heart thudded even louder inside her, but she bit her lip and started to sweat. The fifth years hands started shaking and she realized what was about to happen if she didn’t calm herself back down.

This is not the test, this is just class… I can do this… It’s just class… It’s only class… she repeated to herself over and over again. She clasped her hands together and bit hard down on her lip. She tried to listen to the teacher, but it was very hard. The Teppenpaw only hoped that her Crotalus classmate was actually listening, like she wanted to be. Unfortunately, her body had another idea and apparently it won out this time…

Behind the Professor, the chalk scribbled on the board; Disclaimer – your professor does not condone or encourage the stealing of zoo animals! Addi looked at it curiously, and tried hard to read the words. The letters moved around on the board, but finally she was able to focus enough to read the words. What is this class all about?!?

“This subject will form your essay assignment for the term. You will write five feet, to be submitted at your last class this year, on the following subject,” the chalk behind her scribbled up 'All transfigurations are switches; discuss.' “You may hand a draft to me half way through the term for corrections and guidance if you wish. Fifth years, you may hand yours in a fortnight early if you wish, so that you may receive the marked copy before sitting your CATS.”

“Oh Merlin’s Beard…” she said softly as her heart that she’d worked so hard to calm down went right back to its loud volume again at the mention of the CATs Exams. Her breathing quickened and she reached into her bag for her inhaler. She knew it wouldn’t help her anxiety or the panic attack that was coming, but hopefully it would do something…

She took one puff of her inhaler sitting right there, holding her breath as best as she could before letting out the air she’d held in. Addi closed her eyes and the red-head held tightly onto her inhaler as the dizzy spell passed by slowly.

“Fifth years, you get beach balls and can probably guess where to work from,”

The red-headed girl heard what her year would get, but didn’t understand what she was supposed to do with it, or where she was supposed to work from. Thudding sound in her heart getting even louder, she took the second puff of her inhaler and repeated again what she was supposed to do with it.

“As you should know, you look to the target of your spell – or if is absent, visualise it and its location – but use the name of the object with which is being switched. For example, 'Suppono Quaffle',”

Addi watched as the spell was spoken and the top Quaffle was replaced with an apple. Ooh… Food… I’m hungry… she thought, as she thought of food. Cheesecake, brownies, cake, chips… she thought, calming down at the thought of food.

“The wand movement begins at the object with you, swoops down and round in a sideways figure of eight then back to the one in front of you, but not closing the last loop,” the chalk scribbled a helpful diagram on the board, along with the spell. Quickly, Addison took those notes in the book, feeling shaky from her inhaler and wondered if anyone had noticed she’d taken her medicine. She hoped her sisters hadn’t seen it!

“The apples that you will hopefully end up with in front of you may look perfectly edible but I would prefer to collect them in at the end just to be on the safe side. Your homework for this lesson will be to look up Gamp's Law and the arguments for and against switched food being real and safe to eat. To make up for you not getting to take your apples away, and to tie in with our school event this year, whoever in each year turns in the best end of term essay will receive a toffee apple at the bonfire as a reward. The same goes for the person in each year who shows the best practical work – this could either be outright ability or progress from where we start, so don't be disheartened if you don't get it right away.”

Another essay? When am I going to be able to study if I’m writing essay after essay?! she thought as the tree was moved front and center and the class dismissed to work.

Addison followed the other kids in her year and got a beach ball from the line. After that, she walked back to her seat and set it down on the desk. Merlin’s beard… she thought as she hoped she could figure out what they needed to do!

Valerie said something next to her, but Addison was pretty sure that the Crotalus was saying something that the fourth years like Amira should be saying, but maybe Valerie had heard what fifth years were supposed to say? Thankfully, Valerie looked at her, smiled and spoke.

"Oh, hello there."

“Oh uhm… I was sorta hoping that…” Addison started, hating to have to ask what in the world she was supposed to be doing. She was smart, and old enough to know better. However, this time, she felt as if she had a reason not to have listened. It wasn’t like she was Brielle and just didn’t hear the instructions. She’d done her best to calm herself down after a mini-panic attack. “Well… I really didn’t hear the instructions, you see… uhm…” she started, feeling her heart thump inside her again louder and louder.

No… I will not have another one… I won’t… she chanted to herself.

She looked at Valerie, hoping she understood what the Teppenpaw was talking about. Addison Thornton knew that she looked pathetic, but she also knew that Valerie was a nice girl and hopefully wouldn’t chastise her for it…

0 Addison Thornton, Teppenpaw I'm always hungry... 0 Addison Thornton, Teppenpaw 0 5

Addison

November 27, 2012 1:53 AM

OOC: by Addison

I'm sorry I did not put this up before, I wasn't aware that I had to... But the mention of the Poe poem called 'The Raven' is not the correct poem. In fact, the Poe work that Addison was describing is indeed a short story, not a poem at all, and it is entitled 'The Tell Tale Heart'. The wrong reference is in this post to re-enforce the fact that Addison doesn't know much of anything at this point, and she's really stressing over it.

0 Addison OOC: 0 Addison 0 5

Maximilian Joshua McLachlan - Aladren

November 28, 2012 11:38 PM

Apples are okay. by Maximilian Joshua McLachlan - Aladren

Having classes start again had been a real relief to Josh who had stayed at Sonora over the winter break. His uncle had sent him a package of chocolate and potion supplies for Christmas. Back when Josh had first started school as a first-year at the New Zealand Academy, he had looked forward to these packages. He had gone home for the winter holidays his first year, though that had been the worst mistake ever. So he'd stayed at school for Christmas his second year and his uncle had sent a similar package to the one he had received over the break. Only then he had been ecstatic to receive them. Now he was wary and suspicious.

The chocolates were a little melted, having traveled over an entire ocean to get to him, but the supples were still good. He had to double-check every one of the ingredients and every single chocolate to make sure it wasn't cursed or something before using it. He had even tried one of the chocolates just to make sure. He didn't like sweets at all, but it was safe enough to give away. And so he had. He had owled it to Brianna as soon as school started, she being the closest thing he had to a friend here. Her and Henny, but he still considered Henny as too young to consider.

The break had been calm and enjoyable because he had a lot to keep himself busy. He had read and reread his textbooks, studied the spells they were supposed to be learning this term, had done lots of studying for his CATS, and had brewed potions in his dorm room, a regular habit of his. He was a genius when it came to potions, and he excelled in academics. He was one of the smartest in the class, and he was proud of that. He was brilliant at theoretical more than practical, but there wasn't a noticeable difference between his essays and his wandwork. He just enjoyed the theoretical work more. It was one of the few things he could work hard at and see the positive results without fear that his family name would interfere.

He walked into the classroom and sat down in the back as usual. It wasn't that he didn't want to learn, he just didn't want eyes in the back of his head. Being naturally quiet and observant, he got a clear view of everyone this way. It was the right decision because Professor Skies wanted the fifth years to sit in the back anyway. Though Josh had to work extra hard in Transfiguration because he wasn't naturally talented in it, the theories Skies was talking about intrigued him. It would be fun to research for this essay.

As soon as she finished talking, Josh went to get a beach ball. He had looked over this section of the textbook like he had been told, but hadn't tried his hand at it. He didn't want to try and switch something and mess up without any way to switch it back. It was safer to experiment with some spells in the classroom. Magic with spells was a little less predictable unlike potions in Josh's mind.

He sat down at his desk with his beach ball and took a moment to examine it thoroughly. It was a standard ball with a lighter weight and such. He didn't think knowing the weight of the ball would help him in switching it, but he included it in his thoughts anyway. He took his wand out of his robe pocket and tapped it on the beach ball for good measure, wondering how hard he would have to poke his wand into the beach ball to get it to pop.

It was a stupid thought and he quickly tossed it away as he cleared his mind to concentrate on switching it with the apple so far away. He chose one apple up very high on the tree, hoping no one else was planning to switch their object with it. He stared at it for so long that his gray eyes started to dry, and he blinked a couple times before trying out the incantation on his tongue. "Suppono," he said after putting his wand on the table. "Suppono beach ball." He looked down at the beach ball on his desk, back at the apple, and then closed his eyes. He could clearly see the apple appearing right on his desk and the beach ball hanging on one of the upper braches of the tree. A good imagination helped with his adequacy with spells.

Josh opened his eyes and picked up his wand, confidence clear in his posture and his voice when he waved his wand the way the professor had showed them and said, "Suppono beach ball." He always guarded his pride when it came to experimenting with spells, not wanting to fully expect something to happen that didn't, but he didn't need to worry. The beach ball hung awkwardly on the tree at the front and the apple was sitting on his desk right where the ball had been. He felt the pride swell in his chest, but the only emotion that made it to his facial expression was one of satisfaction. He didn't smile in public even when he was with Brianna, but he had to actively keep himself from smiling proudly after succeeding in something.

0 Maximilian Joshua McLachlan - Aladren Apples are okay. 0 Maximilian Joshua McLachlan - Aladren 0 5

Eris Ackart, Teppenpaw

December 06, 2012 12:11 AM

An apple a day by Eris Ackart, Teppenpaw

Things seemed to get a little weird over the holiday. Eris suddenly had all of these feelings she couldn’t quite sort out, friendly people were suddenly acting not so friendly, and she couldn’t seem to concentrate. On top of that, she’d been perpetually late and more scatterbrained than normal--not a great combination when you have end of term exams looming in the distance. She’d never been more happy with her position in school, Eris couldn’t imagine how stressed out she would be if she were staring down her CATS or RATS.

Slightly more disheveled than normal, Eris found her way to the transfiguration classroom at a reasonable time. She’d hardly noticed the apple tree as her mind was definitely elsewhere, and found a seat in the back next to the older boy she’d met at the holiday party. Maximilian, was it? No…Josh. Yes…that’s right.

“Hi Josh.” Eris said with a smile as Professor Skies began to give the lesson. Maybe it wasn’t the best strategy to sit in the back when you had a million other things on your mind, but sitting by an older student couldn’t hurt. Plus she’d wanted to talk to him anyway, but never seemed to get the chance. Even though they hardly knew each other, Eris felt this bond with him over being transfer students. Plus he seemed nice enough from what she’d seen at the party, as awkward as the initially meeting had been.

Memories of the party were chased from her mind as Skies explained about switching spells. Eris groaned internally as the words ‘five feet’ and ‘essay’ left the professor’s mouth. That meant she’d be spending a few evenings in the library, not exactly her favorite thing to do after dinner. A small sigh escaped Eris’ lips at the prospect of her essay, but she knew it was a necessary evil and that she’d have to get through it. She was definitely better with a wand than a quill.

Eris also wasn’t overly excited about third years having to sit in the first rows. Surely the universe was out to get her. Eris took advantage of the flurry of people gathering different sports balls and playing musical chairs by quickly snatching up a tennis ball and returning to her seat. Maybe Skies wouldn’t notice?

Normally she’d throw in some small talk by now, but Josh seemed really into his work. She tried to focus on her own, letting her gaze drift to the board for the spell and the wand movement. If she could make the switch from here, maybe she’d get one of those toffee apples at the bonfire. She examined her ball and couldn’t help but think of Abigal back home. Eris shook her head, trying to focus on the spell.

“Suppono…” She muttered, letting her dark eyes settle on an apple near the center of the tree as she practiced the spell. She heard Josh practicing it as well, and let her attention settle on him for a moment. He already had his wand out, and before Eris could say anything, the beach ball was gone, and had been replaced by an apple.
“That was brilliant! And on your first go as well. Well done.” The third year beamed, quite impressed with Josh’s work. If he could do it on his first shot with a giant beach ball, maybe she could be successful as well. Granted, he was two years older than she was, but Eris was confident with her wand. She could do this.
Eris removed her wand from her robes, and set the ball on her table. She imagined it hanging from the tree, and an apple sitting before her. Suppono was the word. She gave her wand a verbal free swish to get a feel for the motion. Maybe after this was out of the way, she could ask how his break was.

A deep breath. Intense concentration. A precise wand movement.

“Suppono tennis ball!” An apple fell from the tree as Eris’ tennis ball rolled off the table top and leisurely down the aisle towards the front of the room. She felt the heat of embarrassment rise in her cheeks as she watched it go, disappointed that she had failed, and slightly ashamed that she’d been bold enough to think she could do it from so far back.

“Oh bugger…” She muttered, brushing her hair back from her face and placing a hand on either cheek to cool them.

0 Eris Ackart, Teppenpaw An apple a day 0 Eris Ackart, Teppenpaw 0 5

Josh McLachlan

December 06, 2012 5:57 PM

Keeps the healer away? by Josh McLachlan

Josh was a little startled when somebody greeted him, but he didn't let it show. It was Eris, the transfer student he'd met at the holiday party. The one Brianna had been insanely jealous of but wouldn't admit it. Josh couldn't say he had being paying too much attention to her since the party with CATS coming up and all. Still, he found it funny that younger students felt comfortable approaching him.

He was very glad that she hadn't tried to make small talk with him. Josh didn't enjoy small talk while he was trying to work which usually sent the wrong message to his partners. With Eris, at least he was able to concentrate completely on his own spells. He could at least pretend he was alone with no one talking to him or disturbing him.

After successfully doing his spell, he was once again surprised by Eris's congratulations. His clear gray eyes showed his surprise this time, but it melted into quiet pleasure. He wasn't used to getting compliments or praise for his work from his peers and so didn't know what to say in response. Back at his old school, he'd had friends who encouraged his studies, his best friend Cecilia having been one of his best cheerleaders. She had been the only one who had really tried to understand him. Her people-skills had always been much better than her study habits. Thinking about her still set his heart thumping a little faster. A year of no contact, however, did help in his attempt to get over her or at least think of her a little less. To get his mind off of this subject, Josh watched Eris complete her spell through the corner of his eye.

It surprised him just a little that Eris hadn't moved up to the front with the other third years. Perhaps she was a lot better with her wand than the regular third year and so wanted a challenge. In that case, it would be very interesting to see her wandwork. Geniuses at wands always fascinated him because Josh, obviously, was not one, though he was good at his work.

However, that didn't seem to be the case as Eris's tennis ball merely rolled off the table. It wasn't the ball falling that amused Josh, but Eris's embarrassment. From here, he knew he could try to say some comforting words and mess that up, completely ignore her, or offer his help. Offering help was always the easiest for him because he was awful at comforting anyone. "Try imagining the switch in your mind first before casting the spell," he told her quietly, unsure if she would want his help at all.

0 Josh McLachlan Keeps the healer away? 0 Josh McLachlan 0 5

Eris Ackart

December 08, 2012 12:29 AM

So I have heard by Eris Ackart

Eris didn’t like failing at things, particularly things that she was otherwise good at. Luckily, Josh hadn’t laughed in her face. He spoke! Josh actually spoke! She was starting to think that her presence was annoying him a little, due to his silence. Then again, being a fifth year, she imagined he probably was feeling particularly serious about his studies. Or maybe he was always this way? She’d only talked to him that one time, and only briefly, so it was hard to tell. Either way, she appreciated the help. He’d managed without much trouble, so maybe she could do the same if she did as he suggested.

“Thanks, I’ll give that a go.” She said with a smile before aiming her wand at the tennis ball at the base of the apple tree.

“Accio tennis ball.” She said, with a flick of her wand. The ball rolled back up the aisle towards Eris’ table, and once in reached he, she bent down to pick it up and set it back on the desk. She hadn’t been staring, but she’d notice Josh had closed his eyes before he cast, and figured that might help with the visualizing the switch. She had a decent imagination, she hadn’t had a chance to sketch or paint in a while, but she definitely had an artistic side. That came in handy with some spells; being able to visualize things and seem them from different angles inside ones head. Why she hadn’t thought to take the time to see the spell before attempting it was beyond her.

The third year closed her eyes and imagined the tennis ball on her desk being replaced with an apple from the middle of the tree. The ball, in turn, would appear to be hanging from the branches, as natural as could be. She imagined them switching back and forth once more before opening her eyes and fixing her gaze and her wand on her target. She knew exactly where she wanted it to go, now all she had to do was say the word.

“Suppono tennis ball!” She tried once more, her voice unusually commanding as her wand waved through the air, completing the non-connected figure eight movement. It wobbled a little as it settled, but sitting atop her table was a bright red apple. Eris’ stomach flipped, and she looked towards the tree to find a tennis ball hanging towards the center of the tree—exactly where she’d imagined it would go.

“It worked! Merlin’s beard, it worked! Josh, you’re brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!” The third year was, perhaps a bit over excited at her accomplishment, and she fought back the urge to hug Josh. Instead she sat there, beaming, and wiggling slightly in her chair—almost as a victory dance. She wished she would have crossed paths with Josh sooner, the term was coming to an end, and soon they’d be in different classes. If he could help her in a class she was already good at, she wondered if the same could be said for other classes—particularly ones she was terrible at. Not that she wanted to claim him, of course. She still wasn’t sure of his relationship with Brianna, and didn’t want to step on any toes, but since Jorge wasn’t really an option as potions partner at this point, she couldn’t help but wonder…

“How are you with potions?”

0 Eris Ackart So I have heard 0 Eris Ackart 0 5

Josh McLachlan

December 09, 2012 6:51 PM

I wouldn't bet my life on it by Josh McLachlan

It didn't seem like Eris was completely helpless at spells when she summoned the tennis ball back to her, not that Josh thought she was. She closed her eyes and it seemed like she had, in fact, taken his advice, and when she cast the spell, it worked. It was impressive, to say the least, that a third-year had done the switching spell over a considerable distance. Only on her second try too.

Her reaction to her success, however, was surprising. Apparently Josh didn't know much about Eris or she was just good at constantly catching him off-guard. He didn't know why she was calling him brilliant, though Josh knew he was, but he was glad that at least someone had acknowledged it. He was quiet, trying to slip into the shadows since his reputation went down the drain his first year here, but he was human. Any sort of genuine praise for something he was proud of made him feel warm inside. Not that anyone else could see it, of course.

However, her next question made him sour. Potions? She didn't know he was excellent in that subject, did she? The thought that she could just be using him now for his skills crossed his mind and he reminded himself that with great skill comes everyone wanting a piece of it. He should have expected it. He didn't want to sound conceited, nor did he want her to get the idea that he would be the sort of guy who did all the work while she stood around. In fact, Josh really disliked working with other people on his potions; he was a perfectionist, so if Eris had asked him to partner with him during Potions, he would do all the work anyway for his own sake.

"I'm pretty good at it," he said, not bothering to mention that he was a subscriber to a prestigious potions journal, experimented with his own potions and had learned of different ways to enhance certain potions. He also didn't mention that he was better than good at it, he was brilliant. He wanted to be a Potions Master someday and own his own apothecary somewhere far away from his family, if that was even possible. Too much information could never be a good thing.

Meanwhile, he tried to figure out what Eris was getting at with her question. It definitely sounded like it was leading to, "Do you want to help me with that?" which otherwise meant, "Do you want to do all the work and get me a good grade in Potions?" He wasn't a stranger to people trying to mooch off of him or get extra points by working with him. It had happened more than once at the Academy before he had realized what was actually going on. Tutoring he was fine with, but he was easily frustrated by the stupidity of some people. Either way, Josh didn't think Eris knew what she was potentially getting herself into with whatever situation she was hoping for putting Josh, herself, and potions together.

0 Josh McLachlan I wouldn't bet my life on it 0 Josh McLachlan 0 5