It was like a nerve had been struck. Like a violin had suddenly been played out of tune. Like a hippogriff had charged right into him. That was what the sound of Ms. Livingston could be likened to in the middle of all this silence.

“5 points from Hufflepuff and you will give me 25 push ups as well. It’s appalling that at this point, when we’re nearly through the lesson, you still haven’t learned that you shouldn't be talking unless a question has been given and you’re answering it.” Circe, why weren’t they learning? Was it really so hard?

His gaze fell next to Ms. Calavarez who had refused the water. She was essentially throwing away her salavation. “Just one peep out of you, and you’ll join her.” No leniency with the hiccups. Just one more, and she would wish she’d drank the water.

He rubbed his face as yet another went at it. How did they not understand that now, even more than before, in the silence that followed the meditation, their voices would carry? “That will be 5 from you as well and I’d suggest you begin those 25 push ups quickly so you can get back to the reading.”

No talking meant no talking. If they didn’t already know that, the students who’d been punished for the same should have been warning enough. Hardly any time left in the lesson and students still had’t gotten it.


But he would remain calm.

In the spirit of remaining calm, Calvin turned his attention to one of the least aggravating Hufflepuffs present—by default. It wasn’t a hard title with the way the others were.

“A good question, Ms. Macindoe. In a case like this, it would be considered a failed reading. In instances like these, the fire is put out, there is a wait period of 24 hrs then another fire is lit and another session begins.” He explained, wondering if this was the position she now found herself in. “Will you be needing another fire tomorrow?”

Merlin’s soggy beard. When it wasn’t one thing it was another. He was at his wit’s end. He accio-ed the boy’s bag from his shoulder, a scowl set deep in his expression. You will not be going anywhere, Mr. Prichard. In fact, you will remain behind after the lesson has ended, and that will be another 10 points for your blatant lack of respect. I suggest you complete the activity with your classmates.”


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He looked to the class once more, almost relieved they were winding down to the final lap. Once you have determined the shape your salt has taken, I would like you to record and interpret it. First, you will draw the symbol as you see it.” Not optional. “Then you will state the symbols meaning. Finally, you will discuss it’s applicability to whatever question you may have had.”

Simple enough, but in light of the most recent rule breakers, he felt the absolute need to state the next bit. “Please note this exercise does not require any form of talking. Should you have a question, feel free to ask, but otherwise, I expect the same silence that fell while we meditated. Focus on your readings, on uncovering the answers.” On not irritating him further.

“When you are done, you will have up your parchment to me then return to your seat—unless you were instructed to stand—and wait to be dismissed.”

OOC: This is the final activity. Once your character has made out the image the salt has created, have them return to their seat (if they should be sitting) and work through their interpretation. You can do an actual graphic if you’d like, otherwise just have your character describe the image they see then go through the exercise as Fletcher described. I’ll be posting to wrap up the lesson on Monday, Sept. 17 @ 5 am EST.