SnitchSeeker.com - View Single Post - Transfiguration Lesson 1: An Unusually Stony October Day

VRSCIKA · 05-17-2018, 09:16 PM

SPOILER!!: Question 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by NifflerFan

Once most of the class was seated and the bell had sounded throughout the castle, Celestia used her wand to shut the door as usual. However, she was careful to close the door quietly -- which was not usual for her, as she liked to start lessons off with literal bangs. The reason for this improved noise level was simple: Celestia was not expending her normal amount of effort on the simple spell, because she positively dreaded how this lesson must begin. She couldn’t see a good way to avoid the discussion if the rest of the lesson was to proceed smoothly, so she heaved a quiet sigh and turned around to face the class. If she was being perfectly honest with herself, this clarification needed to be made based on some of the analyses she’d read in the students’ essays that she’d been marking before the start of class. It was obvious that this fairly basic concept was still murky for some students; that was to be expected from first years, of course, but perhaps she had never explained this concept well enough for some of the older students… Celestia sighed again and shifted the pile of parchment on her desk until an unmarked essay was on the top of the pile -- in case one of the students decided to come up to her desk for whatever reason.

”Good morning, class, Celestia began with an attempt at her usual warm smile. ”Before we get into the meat of today’s lecture, I would like to quickly discuss a simple but fundamental distinction in your study of magic. Who can tell me one of the differences between a charm and a Transfiguration spell? Is there any overlap? For our older students, what has been the most useful spell you have learned in your Transfiguration classes to date?”

Yes, Celestia knew that these questions were desperately dull. This discussion was primarily the result of teaching students in all years at the same time, but that aspect of life was as unavoidable as the coming discussion. It was still the beginning of the year, and her younger students needed to understand this distinction for the lesson to move forward without protests. She was hoping for some insight from her older students to liven the beginning of the day up, if she was being honest.

Okay, if you didn't know the answer to that question...maybe you shouldn't even be in this class. Yes she wasn't a first year, but she knew the difference within the first week of school. Thankfully baby snake was quick to reply, she did think well of her after all. The child did not disapoint her judgement.

SPOILER!!: Mini Activity

[QUOTE=NifflerFan;12328645]
Thank Merlin for her older students. Celestia sipped a cup of tea that was conveniently placed near the edge of her desk as she listened to the class’s answers. Many of the students had given a good explanation of the key difference between a charm and a Transfiguration spell, which she hoped the younger ones (and those who were a bit confused) found useful. She didn’t feel much need to rehash what the students had already said out of the context of today’s lesson. She would simply get straight to the reason that she’d brought this matter up in the first place.

”The spell that we’ll be covering today is often referred to as the Hardening Charm. However, this is one of those spells that, like the Water Making Spell, can be classified as both a charm and a Transfiguration spell in different contexts. Miss Macindoe described how the Water Making Spell can be classified as both types of magic already. Although a feeble version of the Hardening Charm can be used to simply add roughness to the texture of an object -- that is to say, to add a certain property to an object as charms do -- there can be a bit more to this spell than that. This particular spell is meant to be used to turn an object completely into stone. Rather than simply altering an object’s characteristics as charms do, this spell therefore alters what an object actually is on a molecular level. Since it changes the essential nature of an object, it should be classified as a Transfiguration spell when used to turn an object into stone, despite the fact that it is most commonly referred to by wizards on the street only as a charm by name. Any wizard with a working wand and a brain can use this spell as a charm if they have learned it before, but it takes far more concentration and will power to use it for its intended purpose -- to turn objects to stone.” Celestia paused here to make sure that she was being clear. She felt that it was important that students understood the slight overlap here and the relevance of this spell to her class. Memories of her own Transfiguration classes at Hogwarts and at university where these spells with sometimes murky classifications had flashed through her head as she was planning this lesson. She felt that this entire discussion would be helpful for the younger students, and would hopefully quel any objections from the older students to studying a spell called the Hardening Charm in Transfiguration class.

Now they could move past the theory, yes? ”So today, we will be emulating many ancient creatures of legend and fact to turn objects to stone. Now, I want you to begin by practicing the wand movement and the incantation. Remember that intention, will, and focus are absolutely essential to a successful Transformation spell, and these can be improved by visualizing the changes and the desired result in your minds before and during your casting of the spell. Watch me, please.” Celestia gave the first and second years significant looks as she doled out this reminder. A lack of will or proper visualization was one of the main causes of failed Transformation spells -- and, indeed, was often the reason that this spell failed to turn its target to stone completely and simply hardened the object’s surface instead.

Without further ado, Celestia moved over to the table pushed against the wall and selected one of the smallest pumpkins. She carried this to her desk and placed it in the center, where all of the students could hopefully see it. ”There will be a bit more to your task for the day than this, but to give you an idea… Yes, this will work. Duro!”, she exclaimed as she traced an almost-complete letter “D” with her wand, aiming for the pumpkin (of course). There was no impressive burst of light or sound from the end of her wand, and the change was immediate. One moment a bright orange pumpkin sat plainly on her desk, and the next it had become a grey, stone pumpkin. Celestia barely spared it a further glance before she turned to the blackboard and tapped it with her wand. The incantation and and a picture of the wand movement appeared on the board and she turned back to face the class. ”Let’s get started, please! Take a few minutes to practice the wand movement and incantation. If you feel comfortable enough after that, you may proceed to attempt to turn your quill or another small object into stone using this spell. N.E.W.T. students should attempt this nonverbally, of course.”

SPOILER!!: The Board

(1)And yet again...she wasn't impressed by lessons. She'd already learned this spell. Still, while she wouldn't practice she would turn things to stone...why not? She pulled a small eraser out of her satchel and set it on the desk, mucking about with the placement of it. After growing board of it, she attempted a nonverbal cast...it was worth a try.

(2) At first attempt nonverbal didn't pan out, and it annoyed her slightly. She had the motion, she had everything...except maybe intent. She really honestly wanted to turn something living to stone if she were being frank. But then her name was Eria not frank so she kept those thoughts to herself. Deep breath and a stretch...god the ink from that Hufflepuff child stunk to her. Having a sensitive nose in this place was awful, that ink was heady and strong. One more try.

(3)Okay, being serious this time. She almost felt like hurling from her irritated sinuses, but she choked it down and GLARED at her eraser. She wasn't giving up and doing this spell verbally. With intense concentration and will and a severe attitude problem, she kept staring down her eraser and willing her spell in the proper motion until the bloody thing finally turned to stone. There! Take that you insignificant inanimate object......and she felt sick. Okay, while everyone else was fumbling with their wands and words, she was laying her head one her little stoney achievement. Migraines were so much fun...

SPOILER!!: Question 2 and unfortunate hairy situtations

Quote:

Originally Posted by NifflerFan

The overall progress of the class seemed to be going quite well. Celestia wandered through the rows of students’ desks, silently observing their work, when she saw what was happening at Mr. Ashburry-Hawthorne’s desk. What in the name of Merlin…? As Celestia hurried over to his desk, she noted the ink absolutely everywhere and the way a grey-ish bit of parchment seemed to be sucking the boy’s inkwell in. He’d obviously completed the “D” with his wand. Sighing heavily, Celestia Vanished the whole mess with a silent wave of her wand before turning to the two students affected by the mess.
”It’s quite alright, Mr. Ashburry-Hawthorne. Mind your wand movements, please. Are you alright, Miss Dalgaard-Volkova?”, she asked warily. The Gryffindor prefect had had her desk splattered with plenty of ink before Celestia had Vanished it, after all…

As soon as that situation was handled, Celestia’s attention was caught by Mr. Jones apologizing to her for some reason. Her brow furrowing in confusion, Celestia stopped by his desk to ask him: ”Whatever for, Mr. Jones?” She paused, watching some of his next attempts at the spell. ”For not being able to cast the spell yet? My dear boy, this is not an easy spell to learn. I would be shocked if anyone in your year HAD managed it this quickly. That being said, you seem to have the mechanics of the spell down. Take a deep breath and try again, yes?” Meanwhile, Celestia would get out of the young Ravenclaw’s way and continue to watch his progress from afar. Most first years were nervous enough about mastering new spells in her class without a professor hovering over them.

Miss Walsh received a warm smile as Celestia passed by, but she offered no commentary. There was no need -- for a second year to turn any object into stone was rather impressive. As she came upon Mr. Katharos’s desk, Celestia gave him an encouraging smile and after observing his attempt, told him, ”Remember to visualize the entire object turning to stone as you move your wand. I’m positive that you’re almost there!” A third year successfully casting this spell so quickly would be almost as impressive as a second year casting it only a few minutes in. Celestia hadn’t expected any of the younger students to get so close, and she was immensely pleased with both students’ progress.

Celestia had barely finished speaking to Mr. Katharos when she heard a wand fall onto the ~~floor~~ what turned out to be a student’s desk. Hurrying over -- in case the wand had fallen for an unfortunate reason -- Celestia stopped at Miss Kevelle’s desk. Her eyes traveled from the fallen wand to the girl’s shocked expression to the two halves of a quill turned to stone. The professor felt her own features morph into shock as well -- a first year had cast this spell within a few short minutes! The nonverbal first casting had flown completely past the professor's notice. Celestia prodded one of the half-quill-shaped stones just to be certain, but it certainly looked and felt right to her. A broad smile stretched across her face as she turned back to the young Ravenclaw. ”Excellent, Miss Kevelle! Very well done indeed! Why don’t you select one of the pumpkins or other dense items when it’s time for our main practical?” Her intention had been to start the first years all off with small items and/or light items like balloons, but clearly Miss Kevelle was beyond that.

Still beaming, her attention was next caught by the sounds of someone casting Reverto. Celestia turned her head warily in the direction of the person’s voice, but soon discovered that it was not an older student correcting a mistake. Rather, it was Miss Diggory teaching the spell to Mr. Yoon. Celestia made her way over to the pair of them and gave them both another warm smile, ”Three points to Slytherin for helping a younger student without being asked, Miss Diggory. And very well done with that spell, Mr. Yoon!”, she told them both cheerfully. Celestia normally simply expected student leaders to help their younger classmates without being asked, but she thought that now was a good time to set that precedent for this year’s new student leaders. She did secretly wish that the points could’ve gone to a Gryffindor, but Miss Diggory had earned them all the same. She was quite proud of both students in this situation!

Her attention was next caught by the Head Girl’s raised hand. Celestia made her way over to Miss Fairfield and called on her promptly. The Slytherin’s question soon had Celestia furrowing her brows a bit. ”I’m not sure what you mean by supplementing it, Miss Fairfield. I suppose it depends on what materials you’ve cast Incarcifors on, doesn’t it? A stone sort of prison would be more effective than one made of less substantial materials, but you’d need to cast the Hardening Spell on whatever you’ve conjured up for your prison after the fact. Does that make sense?”, she inquired. Celestia certainly hoped that that was what Miss Fairfield was getting at.

As she looked around the classroom for her next ~~victim~~ student in need of assistance, Celestia’s eyes roved over several students who seemed to be hard at work: Miss Paton, Miss Macindoe, Miss Greyvson, Miss McCarthy, Miss Prichard, Miss Primeaux, Miss Gladin, Mr. Carter, Miss Atwater and Miss Beckett were all hard at work and having varying levels of success.

Miss Kettleburn had unknowingly gotten started on part of the main activity already! That was fine with Celestia, as she liked to see students eager to challenge themselves. The professor approached Miss Kettleburn’s desk and told her with a smile, ”Three points to Ravenclaw for working ahead, Miss Kettleburn! I only ask that you take a break for our next class discussion. I think you’ll find that your pumpkin could use a little something extra before you Transform it to stone.” On that note, Celestia made her way back to the front of the room.

As she went, she noticed that Miss Cambridge was staring intently at a vial of something on her desk. However, the prefect’s vial was surrounded by stone objects -- including one much heavier than any of the objects she’d be asked to practice on later in the period -- and they were about to move on anyway. On balance, Celestia decided to leave the Ravenclaw to whatever she was working on for now as long as it didn’t distract her classmates.

Celestia called the practice to a halt after around 10 minutes by blowing on a shrill whistle that was sure to get the students’ attention ~~or bust their eardrums~~. It seemed like most of the class had mastered the mechanics of the spell and she was personally quite ready to move on. Many students underestimated this spell’s complexity, but she hoped that taking valuable class time to learn the basics would prevent most disastrous mistakes.
Before they could move on to the activity she had planned, however, she had another question for the students to consider. This was a rather more important matter than the questions at the beginning of the class had addressed, so the professor stared around the room to ensure that she had captured all of the students’ attention.
She had just opened her mouth to speak when she noticed that one of her students had managed to sleep through her whistle!*** As a tight frown spread across her face like wildfire, Celestia stormed over to the student’s desk and promptly turned his/her hair a nasty, putrid shade of green with a nonverbal spell. There was no sense in teaching the students that one. She then turned to the student sitting nearest to the sleeper, Miss Maddie Kemp, and favored her with a small smile and a “Would you kindly wake him/her up, Miss Kemp?” before making her way back to the front of the room.

Celestia waited about a minute longer for the rest of the class to settle down before sighing and calling for order (without a piercing whistle this time). ”Now that [name] has rejoined the land of the living, let’s move on. I would like for you all to please give this matter serious consideration before answering. Would you all kindly give me a different scenario in which this spell could be used offensively or defensively? I’m sure you’ve learned enough from Professor Hirsch to be able to answer this question easily, and I think that given the events of last term, it’s time that we teach you all to become a bit more creative with your spell-casting.” Celestia explained all of this in a tone of voice that did not allow for any arguments. She didn’t want any snide remarks about this class not being Defense Against the Dark Arts, nor did she want to impinge on Professor Hirsch’s territory. However, she thought it was high time that their students began using spells across disciplines. Spells from different classes could be used in all sorts of different contexts outside of school, and Celestia was determined to teach her students that lesson if nothing else.

OOC: ***Feel free to claim the sleeping student or the student sitting next to him/her. I’ll edit this post with names if people claim them. If no one feels like claiming them, they can be NPCs

.
For question 2, the students just need to figure out one way that Duro could be used either defensively or offensively. We’ll be moving on to the main activity in 24 hours so at 12 AM CDT on May 18.

SPOILER!!: Usual OOC Reminders

Eria lay still with her head against the cool stone object and the desk as she waited for the next question. That whistle was awfully sharp and she didn't even want to pick her head up to look, she'd listen and then answer. But...she'd noticed that the professor sounded closer than she had before? Sleeping?...enormous piles of Jarvey guano...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

MERLIN, this professor liked to talk! Maddie just stared at the woman, trying to keep up with what she was saying. She'd heard of Duro before, but when the professor dropped the word 'molecular', Maddie started having to squint to keep her concentration up to par. She got the gist of it, though. Turning an object into stone changed the molecular makeup of the object, and that's what made it a Transfiguration spell.

So now they were going to practice it, which had Maddie promptly on her feet with her wand drawn. She liked getting up and moving around. Too much sitting in one place always got to her to fidgeting. "Duro! Duro!" she said, trying to remember all the things the professor had said about focus and concentration. "DURO!" Tracing the letter D in the air wasn't all that difficult either, but Maddie gave it a go a few times anyway just to make sure she was comfortable with things.

...and then the most super cool form of Transfiguration happened! The professor just KABOOM!...turned somebody's hair into a mix of boogies and vomit colors. Ewww... Then to add flames to the fire, the professor asked Maddie to wake them up. As in...possibly touch that head of hair?! Nooooo thanks! But she'd wake them up, nevertheless. She couldn't even tell who they were all thanks to the new hairstyle.

"HEYYYYYY, YOU!" she called out, in her trademark tone. "You've got a NEWWWWW HAIR-DO!!!" She poked the back of the person ever-so-slightly, so as to hopefully wake them up.

And then...it happened. She couldn't help the angry hiss that escaped her mouth as she felt a toddler hand on her back. One irritating little finger... "DON'T POKE ME KID." The deep octaved bellow followed the hiss. She HATED being touched and she was already grumpy from the migraine. Her soured expression shot over at the smaller student with flashing eyes.

Only...as she flipped her head up her hair followed. WHAT IN THE NAME OF VOLDEMORT HAPPENED TO HER HAIR!? No. No way. It wasn't the kid. Did the professor seriously just do that to her!? What was she, a third year!?

Her eyes shot right up at the professor, cold and deeply unappreciative as she considered the question. "Well you could change an attacker's HAIR to stone, so that it weighs their head down and potentially crushes them. It would be a grand distraction." Yes, the hair bit was in fact spiteful. Acknowledging what had been done to her, oh yes, she realised it.

05-17-2018, 09:16 PM	#100 (permalink)
VRSCIKA DMAC & DMC Billywig Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 3,402 x1	Catch up and green hair ;) Dragon Geisha/Toni-Toni Chopper/Master of Chocobos Alpha Goddess/ Darth Devious /Davvy's twinneh SPOILER!!: Question 1 Quote: Originally Posted by NifflerFan Once most of the class was seated and the bell had sounded throughout the castle, Celestia used her wand to shut the door as usual. However, she was careful to close the door quietly -- which was not usual for her, as she liked to start lessons off with literal bangs. The reason for this improved noise level was simple: Celestia was not expending her normal amount of effort on the simple spell, because she positively dreaded how this lesson must begin. She couldn’t see a good way to avoid the discussion if the rest of the lesson was to proceed smoothly, so she heaved a quiet sigh and turned around to face the class. If she was being perfectly honest with herself, this clarification needed to be made based on some of the analyses she’d read in the students’ essays that she’d been marking before the start of class. It was obvious that this fairly basic concept was still murky for some students; that was to be expected from first years, of course, but perhaps she had never explained this concept well enough for some of the older students… Celestia sighed again and shifted the pile of parchment on her desk until an unmarked essay was on the top of the pile -- in case one of the students decided to come up to her desk for whatever reason. ”Good morning, class, Celestia began with an attempt at her usual warm smile. ”Before we get into the meat of today’s lecture, I would like to quickly discuss a simple but fundamental distinction in your study of magic. Who can tell me one of the differences between a charm and a Transfiguration spell? Is there any overlap? For our older students, what has been the most useful spell you have learned in your Transfiguration classes to date?” Yes, Celestia knew that these questions were desperately dull. This discussion was primarily the result of teaching students in all years at the same time, but that aspect of life was as unavoidable as the coming discussion. It was still the beginning of the year, and her younger students needed to understand this distinction for the lesson to move forward without protests. She was hoping for some insight from her older students to liven the beginning of the day up, if she was being honest. Okay, if you didn't know the answer to that question...maybe you shouldn't even be in this class. Yes she wasn't a first year, but she knew the difference within the first week of school. Thankfully baby snake was quick to reply, she did think well of her after all. The child did not disapoint her judgement. SPOILER!!: Mini Activity [QUOTE=NifflerFan;12328645] Thank Merlin for her older students. Celestia sipped a cup of tea that was conveniently placed near the edge of her desk as she listened to the class’s answers. Many of the students had given a good explanation of the key difference between a charm and a Transfiguration spell, which she hoped the younger ones (and those who were a bit confused) found useful. She didn’t feel much need to rehash what the students had already said out of the context of today’s lesson. She would simply get straight to the reason that she’d brought this matter up in the first place. ”The spell that we’ll be covering today is often referred to as the Hardening Charm. However, this is one of those spells that, like the Water Making Spell, can be classified as both a charm and a Transfiguration spell in different contexts. Miss Macindoe described how the Water Making Spell can be classified as both types of magic already. Although a feeble version of the Hardening Charm can be used to simply add roughness to the texture of an object -- that is to say, to add a certain property to an object as charms do -- there can be a bit more to this spell than that. This particular spell is meant to be used to turn an object completely into stone. Rather than simply altering an object’s characteristics as charms do, this spell therefore alters what an object actually is on a molecular level. Since it changes the essential nature of an object, it should be classified as a Transfiguration spell when used to turn an object into stone, despite the fact that it is most commonly referred to by wizards on the street only as a charm by name. Any wizard with a working wand and a brain can use this spell as a charm if they have learned it before, but it takes far more concentration and will power to use it for its intended purpose -- to turn objects to stone.” Celestia paused here to make sure that she was being clear. She felt that it was important that students understood the slight overlap here and the relevance of this spell to her class. Memories of her own Transfiguration classes at Hogwarts and at university where these spells with sometimes murky classifications had flashed through her head as she was planning this lesson. She felt that this entire discussion would be helpful for the younger students, and would hopefully quel any objections from the older students to studying a spell called the Hardening Charm in Transfiguration class. Now they could move past the theory, yes? ”So today, we will be emulating many ancient creatures of legend and fact to turn objects to stone. Now, I want you to begin by practicing the wand movement and the incantation. Remember that intention, will, and focus are absolutely essential to a successful Transformation spell, and these can be improved by visualizing the changes and the desired result in your minds before and during your casting of the spell. Watch me, please.” Celestia gave the first and second years significant looks as she doled out this reminder. A lack of will or proper visualization was one of the main causes of failed Transformation spells -- and, indeed, was often the reason that this spell failed to turn its target to stone completely and simply hardened the object’s surface instead. Without further ado, Celestia moved over to the table pushed against the wall and selected one of the smallest pumpkins. She carried this to her desk and placed it in the center, where all of the students could hopefully see it. *”There will be a bit more to your task for the day than this, but to give you an idea… Yes, this will work. Duro!”, she exclaimed as she traced an almost-complete letter “D” with her wand, aiming for the pumpkin (of course). There was no impressive burst of light or sound from the end of her wand, and the change was immediate. One moment a bright orange pumpkin sat plainly on her desk, and the next it had become a grey, stone pumpkin. Celestia barely spared it a further glance before she turned to the blackboard and tapped it with her wand. The incantation and and a picture of the wand movement appeared on the board and she turned back to face the class. ”Let’s get started, please! Take a few minutes to practice the wand movement and incantation. If you feel comfortable enough after that, you may proceed to attempt to turn your quill or another small object into stone using this spell. N.E.W.T. students should attempt this nonverbally, of course.” SPOILER!!: The Board* Incantation: Duro Pronounced: DOO-roh Wand movement: an almost (but not quite) completed letter “D”. Do not close the “D” at the bottom! Wand Movement Picture (1)And yet again...she wasn't impressed by lessons. She'd already learned this spell. Still, while she wouldn't practice she would turn things to stone...why not? She pulled a small eraser out of her satchel and set it on the desk, mucking about with the placement of it. After growing board of it, she attempted a nonverbal cast...it was worth a try. (2) At first attempt nonverbal didn't pan out, and it annoyed her slightly. She had the motion, she had everything...except maybe intent. She really honestly wanted to turn something living to stone if she were being frank. But then her name was Eria not frank so she kept those thoughts to herself. Deep breath and a stretch...god the ink from that Hufflepuff child stunk to her. Having a sensitive nose in this place was awful, that ink was heady and strong. One more try. (3)Okay, being serious this time. She almost felt like hurling from her irritated sinuses, but she choked it down and GLARED at her eraser. She wasn't giving up and doing this spell verbally. With intense concentration and will and a severe attitude problem, she kept staring down her eraser and willing her spell in the proper motion until the bloody thing finally turned to stone. There! Take that you insignificant inanimate object......and she felt sick. Okay, while everyone else was fumbling with their wands and words, she was laying her head one her little stoney achievement. Migraines were so much fun... SPOILER!!: Question 2 and unfortunate hairy situtations Quote: Originally Posted by NifflerFan The overall progress of the class seemed to be going quite well. Celestia wandered through the rows of students’ desks, silently observing their work, when she saw what was happening at Mr. Ashburry-Hawthorne’s desk. What in the name of Merlin…? As Celestia hurried over to his desk, she noted the ink absolutely everywhere and the way a grey-ish bit of parchment seemed to be sucking the boy’s inkwell in. He’d obviously completed the “D” with his wand. Sighing heavily, Celestia Vanished the whole mess with a silent wave of her wand before turning to the two students affected by the mess. ”It’s quite alright, Mr. Ashburry-Hawthorne. Mind your wand movements, please. Are you alright, Miss Dalgaard-Volkova?”, she asked warily. The Gryffindor prefect had had her desk splattered with plenty of ink before Celestia had Vanished it, after all… As soon as that situation was handled, Celestia’s attention was caught by Mr. Jones apologizing to her for some reason. Her brow furrowing in confusion, Celestia stopped by his desk to ask him: ”Whatever for, Mr. Jones?” She paused, watching some of his next attempts at the spell. ”For not being able to cast the spell yet? My dear boy, this is not an easy spell to learn. I would be shocked if anyone in your year HAD managed it this quickly. That being said, you seem to have the mechanics of the spell down. Take a deep breath and try again, yes?” Meanwhile, Celestia would get out of the young Ravenclaw’s way and continue to watch his progress from afar. Most first years were nervous enough about mastering new spells in her class without a professor hovering over them. Miss Walsh received a warm smile as Celestia passed by, but she offered no commentary. There was no need -- for a second year to turn any object into stone was rather impressive. As she came upon Mr. Katharos’s desk, Celestia gave him an encouraging smile and after observing his attempt, told him, ”Remember to visualize the entire object turning to stone as you move your wand. I’m positive that you’re almost there!” A third year successfully casting this spell so quickly would be almost as impressive as a second year casting it only a few minutes in. Celestia hadn’t expected any of the younger students to get so close, and she was immensely pleased with both students’ progress. Celestia had barely finished speaking to Mr. Katharos when she heard a wand fall onto the ~~floor~~ what turned out to be a student’s desk. Hurrying over -- in case the wand had fallen for an unfortunate reason -- Celestia stopped at Miss Kevelle’s desk. Her eyes traveled from the fallen wand to the girl’s shocked expression to the two halves of a quill turned to stone. The professor felt her own features morph into shock as well -- a first year had cast this spell within a few short minutes! The nonverbal first casting had flown completely past the professor's notice. Celestia prodded one of the half-quill-shaped stones just to be certain, but it certainly looked and felt right to her. A broad smile stretched across her face as she turned back to the young Ravenclaw. ”Excellent, Miss Kevelle! Very well done indeed! Why don’t you select one of the pumpkins or other dense items when it’s time for our main practical?” Her intention had been to start the first years all off with small items and/or light items like balloons, but clearly Miss Kevelle was beyond that. Still beaming, her attention was next caught by the sounds of someone casting Reverto. Celestia turned her head warily in the direction of the person’s voice, but soon discovered that it was not an older student correcting a mistake. Rather, it was Miss Diggory teaching the spell to Mr. Yoon. Celestia made her way over to the pair of them and gave them both another warm smile, ”Three points to Slytherin for helping a younger student without being asked, Miss Diggory. And very well done with that spell, Mr. Yoon!”, she told them both cheerfully. Celestia normally simply expected student leaders to help their younger classmates without being asked, but she thought that now was a good time to set that precedent for this year’s new student leaders. She did secretly wish that the points could’ve gone to a Gryffindor, but Miss Diggory had earned them all the same. She was quite proud of both students in this situation! Her attention was next caught by the Head Girl’s raised hand. Celestia made her way over to Miss Fairfield and called on her promptly. The Slytherin’s question soon had Celestia furrowing her brows a bit. ”I’m not sure what you mean by supplementing it, Miss Fairfield. I suppose it depends on what materials you’ve cast Incarcifors on, doesn’t it? A stone sort of prison would be more effective than one made of less substantial materials, but you’d need to cast the Hardening Spell on whatever you’ve conjured up for your prison after the fact. Does that make sense?”, she inquired. Celestia certainly hoped that that was what Miss Fairfield was getting at. As she looked around the classroom for her next ~~victim~~ student in need of assistance, Celestia’s eyes roved over several students who seemed to be hard at work: Miss Paton, Miss Macindoe, Miss Greyvson, Miss McCarthy, Miss Prichard, Miss Primeaux, Miss Gladin, Mr. Carter, Miss Atwater and Miss Beckett were all hard at work and having varying levels of success. Miss Kettleburn had unknowingly gotten started on part of the main activity already! That was fine with Celestia, as she liked to see students eager to challenge themselves. The professor approached Miss Kettleburn’s desk and told her with a smile, ”Three points to Ravenclaw for working ahead, Miss Kettleburn! I only ask that you take a break for our next class discussion. I think you’ll find that your pumpkin could use a little something extra before you Transform it to stone.” On that note, Celestia made her way back to the front of the room. As she went, she noticed that Miss Cambridge was staring intently at a vial of something on her desk. However, the prefect’s vial was surrounded by stone objects -- including one much heavier than any of the objects she’d be asked to practice on later in the period -- and they were about to move on anyway. On balance, Celestia decided to leave the Ravenclaw to whatever she was working on for now as long as it didn’t distract her classmates. Celestia called the practice to a halt after around 10 minutes by blowing on a shrill whistle that was sure to get the students’ attention ~~or bust their eardrums~~. It seemed like most of the class had mastered the mechanics of the spell and she was personally quite ready to move on. Many students underestimated this spell’s complexity, but she hoped that taking valuable class time to learn the basics would prevent most disastrous mistakes. Before they could move on to the activity she had planned, however, she had another question for the students to consider. This was a rather more important matter than the questions at the beginning of the class had addressed, so the professor stared around the room to ensure that she had captured all of the students’ attention. She had just opened her mouth to speak when she noticed that one of her students had managed to sleep through her whistle!* As a tight frown spread across her face like wildfire, Celestia stormed over to the student’s desk and promptly turned his/her hair a nasty, putrid shade of green with a nonverbal spell. There was no sense in teaching the students that one. She then turned to the student sitting nearest to the sleeper, Miss Maddie Kemp, and favored her with a small smile and a “Would you kindly wake him/her up, Miss Kemp?” before making her way back to the front of the room. Celestia waited about a minute longer for the rest of the class to settle down before sighing and calling for order (without a piercing whistle this time). ”Now that [name] has rejoined the land of the living, let’s move on. I would like for you all to please give this matter serious consideration before answering. Would you all kindly give me a different scenario in which this spell could be used offensively or defensively? I’m sure you’ve learned enough from Professor Hirsch to be able to answer this question easily, and I think that given the events of last term, it’s time that we teach you all to become a bit more creative with your spell-casting.” Celestia explained all of this in a tone of voice that did not allow for any arguments. She didn’t want any snide remarks about this class not being Defense Against the Dark Arts, nor did she want to impinge on Professor Hirsch’s territory. However, she thought it was high time that their students began using spells across disciplines. Spells from different classes could be used in all sorts of different contexts outside of school, and Celestia was determined to teach her students that lesson if nothing else. OOC: Feel free to claim the sleeping student or the student sitting next to him/her. I’ll edit this post with names if people claim them. If no one feels like claiming them, they can be NPCs . For question 2, the students just need to figure out one way that Duro could be used either defensively or offensively. We’ll be moving on to the main activity in 24 hours* so at 12 AM CDT on May 18. SPOILER!!: Usual OOC Reminders Anyone can jump in with an answer here even if you haven't posted in the lesson yet; just pretend that your student has been here the whole time. Also, anyone can catch up on the mini activity at any point during the rest of the lesson. If you have any questions, concerns, etc. at any time, feel free to contact me . Eria lay still with her head against the cool stone object and the desk as she waited for the next question. That whistle was awfully sharp and she didn't even want to pick her head up to look, she'd listen and then answer. But...she'd noticed that the professor sounded closer than she had before? Sleeping?...enormous piles of Jarvey guano... Quote: Originally Posted by Anna Banana MERLIN, this professor liked to talk! Maddie just stared at the woman, trying to keep up with what she was saying. She'd heard of Duro before, but when the professor dropped the word 'molecular', Maddie started having to squint to keep her concentration up to par. She got the gist of it, though. Turning an object into stone changed the molecular makeup of the object, and that's what made it a Transfiguration spell. So now they were going to practice it, which had Maddie promptly on her feet with her wand drawn. She liked getting up and moving around. Too much sitting in one place always got to her to fidgeting. "Duro! Duro!" she said, trying to remember all the things the professor had said about focus and concentration. "DURO!" Tracing the letter D in the air wasn't all that difficult either, but Maddie gave it a go a few times anyway just to make sure she was comfortable with things. ...and then the most super cool form of Transfiguration happened! The professor just KABOOM!...turned somebody's hair into a mix of boogies and vomit colors. Ewww... Then to add flames to the fire, the professor asked Maddie to wake them up. As in...possibly touch that head of hair?! Nooooo thanks! But she'd wake them up, nevertheless. She couldn't even tell who they were all thanks to the new hairstyle. "HEYYYYYY, YOU!" she called out, in her trademark tone. "You've got a NEWWWWW HAIR-DO!!!" She poked the back of the person ever-so-slightly, so as to hopefully wake them up. And then...it happened. She couldn't help the angry hiss that escaped her mouth as she felt a toddler hand on her back. One irritating little finger... "DON'T POKE ME KID." The deep octaved bellow followed the hiss. She HATED being touched and she was already grumpy from the migraine. Her soured expression shot over at the smaller student with flashing eyes. Only...as she flipped her head up her hair followed. WHAT IN THE NAME OF VOLDEMORT HAPPENED TO HER HAIR!? No. No way. It wasn't the kid. Did the professor seriously just do that to her!? What was she, a third year!? Her eyes shot right up at the professor, cold and deeply unappreciative as she considered the question. "Well you could change an attacker's HAIR to stone, so that it weighs their head down and potentially crushes them. It would be a grand distraction." Yes, the hair bit was in fact spiteful. Acknowledging what had been done to her, oh yes, she realised it.