| Abraxan
Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Under Blueprints
Posts: 25,495
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Mackenzie Alistaire Mordaunt
Slytherin Fifth Year
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Yoji Christopher Reed
Ravenclaw First Year  x12  x12
|  Main Activity :: Post 1 Jedi Master•General Iroh•Java Junkie• King ♛ Stefan •Mycroft Holmes•Dragon Lord•Druid Boy
SPOILER!!: Professor! Quote:
Originally Posted by Tazenhani  Merlin, the mood in this place was explosive. Between all the happy and the sad, Sabel was beginning to wonder if such a paradox would be created that the whole classroom would just erupt. His eyes slid over his shoulder to the labrynth again, wondering if his choice of final activity really was a good idea. He had forgotten how emotionally charged teenagers could be. But then, maybe it would be good for them.
Fingers crossed Dakest, fingers crossed. Text Cut: Individual responses - replies within This was one of those times when he wasn't sure how the kid was going to react. At first, he thought Greyvson might be one of those students to throw her wand against the floor and walk out. She looked...frustrated. Beyond frustrated. Thinking way too much.
He was making his way over to her, when things started changing. Her mood, her countenance, everything. She was finding a memory. Sabel paused to watch, more impressed by the moment. When her dragon patronus showed itself briefly, his concerns were gone, replaced by a proud smile.
"Very good Miss Greyvson. Keep with that memory, work with it. It'll become easier." Progress, the young Ravenclaw was making really good progress. And not giving up. Nothing and then little wisps of smoke were enough to keep her going, to keep her determined. He nodded unneeded encouragement as he passed by. "Excellent work Miss Guidry. Very well done." He was relieved to say, that Fuller-Thompson seemed to be doing a bit better. That, or he was good at using masks. But Brown seemed to be doing a good job of encouragement, and what was better than a student-friend who understood you, to help you with such a thing?
He clapped the boy on the shoulder once more before moving off with a nod and a smile. It wasn't long after his departure however, that he noticed Fuller-Thompson was suddenly at one end of the room and Brown was .....
"Uhm...yeah. Of course. Do what you...need to do." Suspicion, he had it, but now was not the time or the place. His eyes drifted from the retreating Brown to the dejected Fuller-Thompson and he let out a breath. Break time soon. Very soon. There were a lot of closed-eyed thinkers. But Xanthopoulos didn't have any veins buldging on her head or sweat beading on her brow, so he slipped by her quietly, not wanting to disturb whatever thoughts she was focussing on. As long as they were good thoughts. Gooood thoughts, Miss Xanthopoulos. Gooood thoughts. So humming did help? Well fancy that! "Maybe I'll try it one day." You know, if he was having a particularly bad day and hard time casting his patronus. Maybe. Humming, who knew.
Sabel gave the fourth year an encouraging smile. "Keep up the good work. And don't worry about the others."
As he walked away, he was amused to hear her practicing the spell. The different forms of the incantation reminded him much of when he had been a fourth year, trying to wrap his tongue around all the Latin words. The 'stepping on my toe' was his particular favorite out of her attempts. Sabel could see the boy's confidence draining from a mile away. A question rising after the second try. "Lecium, keep trying. If you've got a memory you think will work, keep trying. The charm won't necessarily come on your first few tries." HA! Someone had been minding his words carefully. Good. Very good.
He returned the cheeky grin and nodded. "Dully noted, Miss Gusey." He stayed where he was for the moment, watching her wand movement and the concentration on her face, which turned into a prideful-joy at success.
Granted, he was grinning pretty broadly too. "You did! Fantastic work. Must be some memory." She got an eyebrow wiggle for that, a 'sure-you-don't-want-to-tell-but-I-know-you're-not-going-to' eyebrow wiggle, before he moved off. McGee looked like she was doing okay. Thinking a lot, but okay. That was, until she tried the spell.
Merlin these kids. Did they think they were going to get it first go? But then, granted, he could understand the disappointment at finding a happy memory, only to discover it wasn't working.
With a sigh, Sabel made his way over to the seventh year and gave her shoulder a nudge. "It's an uphill battle Miss McGee. Don't get discouraged. You'll get it. You all will."
Why was he so confident? Because he had to be. Because this was important to them. Because this, could one day save their lives. SPOILER!!: Norah
***
Norah didn't move from the position she was stuck in after casting the spell. Well, more like attempting to cast the spell but y'know what that wasn't the point. The point was that she was stuck with her arm sticking out and her eyes on the floor because even if she wasn't actually stuck she didn't really want to move again because that'd mean another try. Normally she'd be all for more tries, because when did she ever get a spell in one try? But today was different for some reason that didn't make a whole lot of sense but it was different and she could FEEL all the differentness.
She shut her eyes tight, wishing she could open them again and suddenly be invisible, except when she opened her eyes it was very obvious that she wasn't. Could she do ANYTHING today? With an absolutely positively ginormous sigh, she repositioned herself to try again. Norah knew she couldn't do it. She'd known this whole entire time. She was never ever going to have an animal friend like Sophie. With another deep breath she tried to bring her mind back to the day with Marcel and Sebby, feeling the baby skin against her own and breathing in the smell of outside and seeing Sebby's big blue eyes all impressed. But this time the old memory thoughts were fighting the ones in the present, like they were sword fighting in her brain or something. Normally that'd be cool to imagine but it wasn't the point anymore. The thoughts of youcan'tdoityoucan'tdoit were BEATING the memory, which meant the memory wasn't good enough but it was her bestest one and it wasn't good enough. C'mon c'mon c'mon, Sebby and Marcel and pretending and outside. C'MON. "Expecto Patronum." Her circular wand movement came out shaky. Nothing happened, but Norah thought it was a bigger sort of nothing than last time. She slid down and sat cross-legged on the floor, pulling her bag towards her to take out a bottle of sparkly ink and laying her wand on the floor. She dipped her index finger into the ink and smiled softly as she drew swirlies and flowers on her arms. See? Sparkles could do anything.[/color]
Text Cut: Individual responses - replies within He was glad she asked, because it was a point of clarification he had not thought to make. And it seemed to help the girl. He watched as she sat down and really got to thinking. There was a distinct moment when the memory of choice came to her, a change in her entire countenance. He had a feeling, that one would stick.
Even if there was no charm from the tip of her wand, there was the potential. There was the memory, and that, was the hardest part. "You've got the memory. Now, all you need is belief in yourself."
Did he mention that was important? Cause, it was.
Not sparklies like she had deviated too. Really? But she had been doing so well. Then again, he couldn't say much. He had told them to take breaks if they needed it. And perhaps it was time for a change of pace. Good. Someone who knew their boundaries.
Sabel nodded to Ashcroft and moved to let her have her breather. Another thinker, but another non-distressed thinker. Good, very good. Miss Wright got a faithful smile as he passed. She could do this. They all could! He thought he heard something, a mutter of some sort from over his shoulder. He paused to look back at Fullmer, a frown quirking on his brow. It was hard to tell, the kid was back practicing the spell, albeit a bit quieter this time. But at least he was trying again.
Unsure of what he had heard, Sabel moved off. Was it something to do with last names again? Maybe he should just start going by first names. But then habits. Sabel had to laugh at Carrington's excitement, not because it was funny but because her joy and pride at seeing her patronus starting to take form was contagious. "I did indeed. Very well done, Miss Carrington." Sabel was starting to suspect that for some students, the practicing of the technicalities of the spell were more of a diversion and tool of procrastination, than a needed feat. The wand movement and the spell were rather simple, but it was the memory where their faces changed. Usually not for the best.
It was surprising to him how many students were having a hard time finding a happy memory. Or maybe it was simply they thought they needed something uber happy, and nothing they had would do. They were, still young after all. Still had a lot to learn and experience. Hopefully good.
Passing by, he gave the young girl a smile. "Relax. You might scare those good memories away." Despite her facing the wall, Miss Burton's success wasn't lost on him. It was impressive, highly so. And he couldn't really say he was surprised. Pleased, but not surprised. From the get-go, she had been one of the students who had seemed to instinctively deviate towards a strong memory. And he hadn't noticed her having the questioning, second-guessing brow twitches either.
Moving past her, he grinned. "Beautiful work Miss Burton." Rider was another one of those students he was keeping an eye on. Especially the way the kid eyed Fuller-Thompson with...longing? At least he was willing to give the charm a go, without completely discarding it.
Not to say that it seemed to do any wonders for him. Despite his admirable progress, Rider seemed more inclined to give up to whatever was eating him, than hold onto the memory he had found. Curious and concerning. More concerning when the kid clearly demonstrated that he would have nothing else to do with this lesson.
Sabel let out a breath, and on his way past paused, not looking at the kid but speaking to him pointedly nonetheless. "You did good. That was a very strong non-coporeal patronus. Don't feel you have to do anymore if you can't." Again, he didn't so much care about the success of the lesson as making sure the kids at least had working knowledge of the charm. "Why don't we have a chat later?"
Because something was bothering him, and while he wouldn't push Rider to divulge, he did want the boy to know that there were people he could talk to. Sabel didn't miss Zeke's grin, and he couldn't help but roll his eyes. Kids these days.
Admittedly, he was a bit surprised that the patronus wasn't an instant thing on Browne's casting. The boy understood the spell, understood what memories were required and had appeared to have chosen a good one right off the bat. Perhaps it was the distraction of chocolate. He was going to go with that, because chocolate frogs were apparently a thing.
There was relief though, when the young boy did get something. Goodness knew he didn't need a Browne joining a Fuller-Thompson and Rider. And the other Brown, where was she? Benny was proving to be one of those quiet, thoughtful types. And Sabel didn't mind. Less drama for the classroom was much appreciated.
He nodded at the kid's prononuciation and wand form. Both looked to be really good. Now, all he needed was a memory. Did he have one, he wondered? If any kid in the room needed a happy memory, or a reason to be happy, they should have watched Hanover. The girl was pratically the definition of happy. A bubbling, bright ball of happy. It made him grin.
Admist all the negative emotions that were floating about, it was a breath of fresh air to see a student finding so much freedom and happiness in their patronus. This was what it was about. This was how patronuses worked.
Except, the thought tickled against the back of his mind, how would she do against something dark? The thought troubled him and he shoved it away for congratulations. "Excellent work Miss Hanover. Very nicely done!" Mordaunt's reference had him laughing. The kid reminded him of himself back in his younger days, except for him, it was Lord of the Rings. But Star Wars, that was definitely a thing. He arched an eyebrow, trying to be all serious-business. "Good, because one day, you might be someone's only hope."
It was a joke, but the truth behind it nagged at that unnerving thought. This time, it was easily dispelled by the successful cast of yet another coporeal patronus. "Fantastic!" His own otter patronus darted over and scampered about through the bears legs, zigzagging this way and that. "Hold tight to that memory, Mr. Mordaunt. It's a powerful one." As he passed by Valentine, Sabel noted the creases in her brow and the general troubled nature of her eyes. Either she was thinking or she was....thinking. Best to let one .... well ... think.
"Let me know if you have any questions." In case she was thinking of a question he might have an answer to. It was easy to get the hint to move on. The lack of eye contact, the lack of speaking. Best to just, move on here too. Whatever thoughts the little snake was having, they were important to her and didn't require his interference.
He did check back after a few minutes though, pleasantly surprised to see a wisp of smoke from her wand. So, she had found a good memory. He gave her a thumbs up, because that was less disturbing than speaking, right? Right. Despite the gum incident, Sabel was starting to like Toussaint. Practical, down to business, no muss no fuss. And he didn't have any of that conflicted-brow-syndrome that was going on.
Pausing to admire the sea lion patronus, Sabel made a mental note of Toussiant's progress. His smile widened at the request, and he nodded. "By all means. I encourage it." He wasn't normally a jumpy fellow, but Whitlock's jump had him jumping too. Alright then, be careful around thoughtful students here. Merlin, did they not pay attention to their surroundings. Auror habits, he reminded himself.
Thankfully, the kids shock didn't make him deaf. Sabel nodded. "Like those. They don't have to be specific, they can be of a person or a group of people, with many memories comprising that single idea."
Did that make sense? He hoped so.
As for the face? Sabel laughed, shaking his head. "I don't think so either. Good try though."
With that he moved off, leaving the boy to his own devices for a time. There was progress, and then there was backwards progress and then there was a bit more progress. Two steps forward, one step back type deal. Sabel let out a breath and waved his finger in a circle motion. "That last one, the last memory you used was stronger. Try to expand upon it. Don't worry about anything else but it."
Easier said than done, but for now, where it was safe, that was all they had to do. It was like watching someone doodle. Except with their wand in air, rather than on paper. Perhaps the kid was really lost in his thoughts, but the almost blank stare at his wand hinted otherwise.
Sabel wanted to push up the corners of his own mouth with his two fingers to try and encourage the kid to smile, or laugh or something, but good thoughts and memories couldn't be forced. And really, he didn't know what was going on in that brain. Hopefully, there was some memory diving of some sort. He caught the laughter of Morduant, but wasn't sure what was so funny. A good memory maybe? It would be helpful, and it seemed to be helpful, whatever it was.
Sabel tried to ignore the nagging sensation he was getting at the back of his mind watching the kid. Something just seemed...off. But he couldn't really put his finger on it, and Merlin if teenagers weren't full of weird and 'offness' to begin with.
So as he passed by, he gave the boy a nod and a smile. "Good work."
Though the whispering and the comment got an arched eyebrow. This one, he made a note to watch out for this one, for completely different reasons that some of the other students. While he wanted the students to try and focus on their own memories, their own patronuses, he couldn't well ask them not to help each other. Or try to be encouraging. Especially not when some of them looked so down. Especially when it came to the Banner boy.
So, once his offer was acknowledge, he gave Miss Banner a small smile and then the both of them a wide breadth of the privacy issue. He was relieved that the young girl hadn't pressed the D'Isigny issue. That, would be his happy thought for the day. "So, one memory is usually the most helpful, but it can be generalized or grouped." A summary of his answer, albiet possibly more confusing. Hopefully it made sense to the young girl.
Sabel stepped back and watched as she tried for her patronus. His grin grew at the sight of the mist that then, on the second try, turned wall. "Very good! That's a great start. Seems like you've got a good memory in mind." Sabel did his best not to sigh. They were still on the chocolate issue, weren't they? Merlin's beard...
"I have no doubt you do, Miss Valentine, but my rule is there for a reason. So, you'll just have to mind your energy, or make sure you have a good, healthy meal before class." Breakfast. That big, important meal of the day. Remember?
As for happy thoughts, he nodded slowly. "It will enhance your thoughts, yes, but not because of the memory you have. Because of the chocolate. You should learn how to do it without the chocolate, because you're not always going to have time to grab a piece of chocolate to get that bit of extra happiness." Although, then again, maybe there was the possibility that was how some wizards got their patronsues. He wasn't going to suggest the idea. It would result in no small amount of trouble. The answer was simple. Not in his class.
Admittedly, he rather hoped she would get a patronus something on her first try. Then maybe she wouldn't be so inclined to depend on the chocolate. Sadly, it wasn't to be. Still, he gave her a smile. "Keep at it. You'll get something." Maybe...stop thinking about frogs? He was relieved to see yet another eager face among the students. One that appeared to approach the task with excitment, rather than fear. Hopefully, he wouldn't see her face fall into darker thoughts as she delved into her memories.
Not like some of the other students.... That was the least convincing thank you he had ever recieved. And only for the reason that what he had said, really didn't seem to help. Sabel let out a sigh, trying to think of something else to say but then closed his mouth. Clearly, she needed some time alone.
And if anything was important while casting a patronus, or at least figuring it out, it was time to think. So he stepped back and moved off a ways. He checked over his shoulder a few times, to make sure she hadn't curled into the fetal position, and on his third check he stopped. A smile over took him.
Well would you look at that? As much as he wanted to say something, he let it be. She would notice, eventually. And if she didn't, either he or someone else would tell her. For now, she needed to stay in that memory. This one didn't freak out at the hand-on shoulder. Good. That made him feel a bit better. And the acceptance? Brilliant.
"Good. And you will get it." So nothing to worry about there. Alright, definitely time for a change of pace. The class was getting, moodier than moody.
Moving back to the front, Sabel raised his voice to get everyone's attention. "Awesome work so far, everyone. I know it might not feel like much progress, but everyone of you should be proud of what you've accomplished today." Including those that had not really accomplished anything and had given up.
Everyone had at least tried and to him, at the moment, that was all that mattered.
"We're going to do something a bit different now." He guestered back at the labrynth. "This is a maze, a course that you are free to run through. The objective is to make it out to the other side. Along the way you'll encounter three challenges." Start with the less scary first, yes? "At some point in the maze, you'll come across a completely dark passage. The goal is to get through to the other side. The other two are a dementor-APPEARING figure and a Leithfold-APPEARING figure. Mind you neither are real and they can NOT harm you." So no one freak-out, okay? "It will be nothing like encountering the real thing," Merlin forbid, "but I would like you to try and see if you can use your patronus against them."
Because he had a feeling some students might find their patronus in the grip of an encounter, rather than sitting around trying to think happy.
"For both tasks, try your patronus. It doesn't matter how much of a patronus you get. If you manage even a wisp, the illusions will leave and the dark corridor will become bright. If you can't, don't worry. Use another spell for the tasks. A shield, a light charm, stupify, whatever you would like." He looked around, gauging the reactions. "I know normally these spells wouldn't work, especially against a dementor or lethifold, but we're not interested in that right now. For now, I just want you to problem solve and see what you can do."
Stepping to the side, Sabel glanced at the labrynth. "Feel free to help each other out. And if you get scared or lost, just holler. I'll hear you and come get you."
Tucking his hands in his pockets, Sabel let out a breath. "For those of you that would prefer to stay here and practice your charm, you are more than welcome. This is your time. Ask me questions if you have any."
And that was it. It would be interesting to see who went into the labrynth, and who didn't. ---------------
OOC: Main activity time!!!
So pretty simple. You can do either task: practice the patronus or go through the labrynth. Minimum of 3 posts please.
Also keep in mind the dementors and leithfolds, as Sabel said, are NOT real. They may look similar and act similar, but they are muted versions of the real thing. They are just representations, and Sabel doesn't want to scar any students for life XD
Feel free to RP together or separately. And you can add little challenges of your own too, if you like. There are trees, so you can assume there's going to be some bush, some water, maybe a few rocks to climb over here and there.
Most importantly, have fun! VM/PM me if you have any questions. Class will close sometime in the early morning of the 21st (GMT time). So approximately 39 hours from now.[/QUOTE]
Ethan BEAMED. That line…that all too familiar line of Princess Leia to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Ethan let out a series of whistles, copying the famous pop culture icon, R2-D2. Hehehehehe! If he is to go as far as the movie though, he could easily adapt the plot to real life. What if he just might be someone’s last hope, yeah? What if…what if something happens to his family, and he’s the only able wizard to save them all? Ethan knew that was highly unlikely, given the reputation of his family, but, he knows within that he should slack at things like…developing his magic.
---
The moment his patronus came out of his wand, and took the form of a polar bear, Ethan could not help but smile at the sight. “I…shall professor.” He need not say more. He knew that his memory IS a powerful one. That memory literally gave back life to him, did he know? The Slytherin watched as Professor Dakest’s otter patronus interacted with his. How cool is that? Ethan willed his patronus to catch the other patronus zigzagging between its legs, and his polar bear ended up tumbling down…and shaking its head. “Is it…possible to control my patronus’ movement, professor?” he said as he blinked and lost his concentration, and the form of the polar bear cub dissipated into nothing. Finally getting the hang of things, Ethan went back to step one, and conjured his patronus once more. “Expecto Patronum!” his patronus reappeared, this time, it egg-rolled out of his wand. Well, would you look at that? Even his patronus is a comical one!
__________________  "It didn't go quite as planned." | The Underground Studio Translation: I may have caused irreversible damage on a monumental scale. |