Originally Posted by Roselyn

Sitting in the back of the class, Evelyn was leaning back in her seat, softly running the tip of the quill under her chin as she thought about what her speech would be on. From this side of the room, she could hear the others and what they were saying, and she was pretty much taking all the time she could to try and think up a good enough speech. Sighing anyways, the Slytherin set down the quill and moved to the other side of the room before taking another seat. It was only a moment or so after Mia stepped down from the podium did Evelyn scribble a few things down on a parchment, and slowly tore the piece she needed off, letting the ripping noise echo through the room. Aw she loved that sound.

Standing up to the podium, the Slytherin smiled sweetly and tapped the sides of the wooden stand with her fingers. "Runes. Most commonly a person's favorite rune would be the runes that bring peace, defense, joy…" Nodding towards Mia, Evelyn smirked before her gaze flickered back towards the Professor. "But today, I’m going to talk about my favorite rune, Thurisaz."

"Thurisaz is the rune of temptation, chaos, evil, destruction, and everything similarly in between. On the other hand, it is also a rune of defense and protection, which I believe most people overlook because of it's...destructive nature. The old English name for this rune is Thorn, but it has also been called names such as Thyth, Thurisar, Thuith, and for the Norse way, or the Vikings way in other words,…Thurs." Glancing down at her little tiny piece of parchment for only a moment, she almost scowled at it. Should have written her scribbled words neater. "As you can probably figure just by the names themselves, Thurisaz represents the letters TH in the alphabet. However, it is represented by the God Thor, in which the old English name Thorn had been derived. With representation in mind, the rune's color is symbolized as a bright red, most likely because it's apparent violent nature, and happens to also be a theme for this rune's symbols."

"Thurisaz is also represented, naturally, by the element of fire, as well as corresponding to both the ever sturdy Oak tree, and the planet Mars." The red planet. Surprise, surprise. "The Thurisaz rune can be used for the greater good or evil. As I mentioned before, it is a rune of both destruction and protection. While the rune is seen as a weapon, tearing things and creating chaos and disorder, it can also be seen as a shield, perhaps like a stormy night that makes it difficult for you to be found, or a thorny bush protecting you from dangers."

Pausing for a moment, she could start to feel the nerves of standing up and making a speech in a rather quiet room. She was almost done though! She didn’t need those now. "All in all, the Thurisaz rune is a rune of strength and power. The rune brings strength and power from within oneself to fight off the ‘evil’ they face or will face, without fear clouding their eyes and judgment. As this power is coming from within oneself, it also comes with great responsibility. Power as everyone knows, can corrupt a person’s nature and heart with greed. As one stands tall, fearing nothing in his or her path, it should only be used for the greater good and unselfish reason so one does not fall to this greed trap that affects so many. This is also probably why as people associate this rune as a bad omen rather than good, since it is so easy for a person to be manipulated by power.”

Not speaking from experience of course. "In reverse meaning, the rune means that evil, or whatever conflict or chaos that may be plaguing you personally, your life, or the life of others, will be defeated. That the threat and dangers are not difficult to overcome, and in fact, urges you to move forward down the road instead of stopping to caution. The rune, in reverse meaning, is lucky to some and symbolized as a sign of good apart from being a sign of danger."

"Conversely, the rune is everything one expects it to be. It is a warning, that danger and chaos lies ahead and one must keep their eyes open for this evil, whatever it may be because…it can be disguised as good. This is not the time to be walking forward without looking both ways, nor acting like the brave gallant knight. Whether or not that may help with ones confidence and strength within, no one is completely immune to being hurt in some way. This may come as being defenseless in a situation that calls for battle, overrun emotions of hatred that could cloud one's judgment, or even an act of betrayal from someone that you believed was close. More or less, you should be on your guard at all times."

Fiddling with the small piece of parchment on the podium, her gaze having fell down to it, the Slytherin suddenly looked up and took a deep breath. "Thurisaz is my favorite rune not because it can be so destructive..." Hehe, destruction. "But because of the good vs. evil battle that surrounds it. To me, it symbolizes a person. There is always a battle of good versus evil in the world and within us. It's in our nature. However, it's the choices we make that define who we are and our beliefs; whether we live in the light or dark. Just as the Thurisaz rune can be placed in the light or dark depending on the choices of use."

Smiling, and noticed that she pretty much folded her parchment into a tiny little square ball, the Slytherin nodded once before ending her speech. "Thank you for listening."

She could stay here right? And STAAAAREEE at the others?

Originally Posted by feltbeatslover22

Oh Runes Final.

Interesting. She didn't make last years she didn't think. But this years sounded fun. And seeing as she had the OWL already, she might as well try out in preparation for the NEWT next year as well right? And the Finals would just be the bit in the middle. Perfect. Right so what was it she was meant to do?

Once her theory side was complete, Trixie moved over to the practical. To write and prepare a speech on one of the three subjects presented before her. Well now this was going to be interesting. The Blonde didn't lack confidence, nothing in her was nervous aboout getting on the podium but well, it was what she was saying that counted anyway. Now onto writing the speech. Her quill worked furiously, as the Parchment filled up with writing.

She stood up when it was her turn and walked on up, stepping onto the podium and grinning out at her fellow students.

"Runes is a complicated subject, there's no doubt about that. It takes an awful lot of concerntration and a considerable amount of skill to finally get what they are all about, but maybe today I can elaborate more on their History, how they first came about, and maybe then the idea and concepts of Runes can be spread amongst us all."

"The idea of Runes can come from one of two different theorys, one being that of the Magical knd that we all know and love and the other a more literature kind, that perhaps we don't know so well. Some Runic symbols have been found amongst evidence in old Bronze Age cave paintings mainly in Sweden, where both the Alphabet, some of which can still be found in the Runic Alphabet of nowadays and others were paintings of what the Runes represented, linked in with the initial name. This ancient theory also branched off into the creation of other languages, where still Runes have a significant link to."

"It has been said that Runes have a link to the Latin and the Greek Language, which can be reflected by some of the words and names of these newer runes, however it has been found that Runes have a much closer connection to the Northern Italic origin, mainly by how the actual Rune letters are formed compared to similar Italic letters. This could further explain why some Runes can also be the same as those of the Roman Alphabet."

"The Runic alphabet then changed dramatically by the invention of the Elder Futhark in Northen Germany area which consisted of 24 runic symbols. This also developed into 2 more branches, the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc and the Younger Furthark which is what we still see in the days of today."

"Runes didn't really play an important part of history after the 17th century. Before this era, they could be found represented on a lot of every day items, everything from your average cup to your coffin. Their links with magic were unfortunately banished along with what the Muggles called the 'Witch Hunt' and regretfully, this also led to their demise in the 1600's. They were bought back however in the 1920's/30's due to a Muggle war going on and even after this tragic event, after the new age movement they regained their popularity amongst modern culture."

"Which is why we still see them in our educations today. Thank you very much for listening" the Slytherin bowed her head slightly as she went to sit down and watch the others, maybe cause she felt like being intimidating.

Teehee.