Julie raised her hand and said "There is also the oracle where you can cast your runes with a simple spell, there are also tree symbolism and related gems" Julie adding on the comment of ancient runes

Professor Opteryx nodded at the remaining students eagerly answering his previous question and waited for them to settle before continuing. "There were a few different runic alphabets, collectively known as the Futhark. Since when were runes used in Europe, and what where they commonly used for?"



"Excellent observation, five points. We'll cover some of those things in later classes, so hold onto your hat."


ooc: I need to run a few errands and will leave this class open. Please keep chatting to a minimum and feel free to be a bit more creative with your answer. I find it hard to give out house points to several answers which are literally the same.

"were they first used around the 2nd or 3rd century? and they were more widespread around europe around the 4th century, they were used as a form of communication i think" said luna putting her hand in the air

g_g raised her hand. " the "Elder Futhark", the runic alphabet which is a composite of the runic symbols most commonly used in northern Europe. The names of the runes of the Elder Futhark are speculative recreations of what linguists call "proto-Germanic", which stems from "proto-Indo-European".First the rune name is given, then its phonetic value, its symbolic image, and finally the esoteric meaning used in divination. Rune users disagree on whether or not to place a different meaning on a rune that falls in an inverted or reversed position. Some runes look the same upside down and right side up. These cannot be "reversed". Nevertheless, any of the runes may appear as a "merkstave" (which literally means "dark stick" and implies a "dark" meaning), depending on how the runes are cast. Note that a "reversed" or "merkstave" meaning is not the opposite of its primary meaning, but usually has a more negative connotation." she said breathing deeply.

Ryan put his hand up "Ancient runes started in Europe in about AD200,They were used with Gemstones trees and things like that Ryan said confidently.

Many names have been given to Ancient Runes by Germanic Tribes that used them, they were mainly used for-luck,help,guidance, efficiency and more.

Julie raised her hand and answered "Runic alphabets first appeared among German tribes in central and eastern Europe during Roman times. Many of the Rune letters seem to have been borrowed from other alphabets, such as the Greek, the Etruscan, and the Early Roman alphabets. Some of the runes seem to be unique inventions. The earliest Runic inscriptions on stone are dated to the late 2nd century AD, although it is probable that Runic Alphabets had been in use for some centuries before." Then paused.

Julie continued answering the second part of the question the professor asked and said "The runes were a very practical alphabet and developed out of necessity. Most adults in Roman-age Europe possessed knives of some sort, and wood carving was often a highly prized skill. So creating an alphabet that could be easily carved with straight lines in wood (and later stone) was a natural development. Most Runic inscriptions simply identified the ownership or burial site of someone or something, and were as distinct as the Rune-Master creating them."

Nabiya held up her hand, "It was around AD200 that the runic alphabet emerged in Northern Europe. They are commonly used as a means of communication, as letters in an alphabet, in amulets or charms, as an oracle for divination and even for magic rituals"

g_g raised her hand once again "Most Runic texts are found on hard surfaces such as rock, wood, and metal, and this might explain its angular shape. Because of the resemblance to Mediterranean scripts, it is very likely that Futhark was adapted from either the Greek or Etruscan alphabet. Even though the earliest Runic inscriptions are from the 3rd century CE, its origin may lie much deeper in the pre-history of Northern Europe. " she added. she breathed deeply once more. "that's enough info g_g...." she thought. "you're wearing yourself out...." she thought to herself.

Stacey raised her hand again to speak, "Professor I believe that I have read somewhere that the Vikings had an over abundence of knowledge about ancient runes." She said quickly.

Ryan knew that surely with the brain boxes Gryfindor had they woulg possibly take over Ravenclaw on housepoints during this lesson!

Christy raised her hand and answered "It was about AD200, when the art of runic interpretation was wide-spread in Northern Europe and that the runic alphabet emerged. People used runes for writing messages, inscriptions and epitaphs; as amulets and charms; as an oracle for use in divination; and for rituals, magic and spells."

Romy raides her hand and said:"I think it starts in europe in the 1st century, because the witches and wizards need their own alphabeth to use it in every language, like the muggel doctors today used latin"

Raising her hand, Jessica said slowly, "I believe that it was around 200 AC that the Ancient Rune Alphabets were emerged - some say - in Egypt which was one of the most prosperous areas. Others argue it emerged in Northern Europe.

"They were used to warn and to send urgent messages. They were most useful to communicate in wars, without the knowledge of the enemy. They helped to leave behind important messages whilst a person was in a dangerous situation - For example if he had been taken by the enemy, he could leave behind a helpful message.

Also, they were used to convey messages about approaching ceremonies and likewise." She stopped, lowering her arm and looking expectantly at the Professor.

Eunice pulled out her parchment and began to take notes.

Ryan was looking around for Emma, he found her "Hi!" he said.

Jessica noted down what the others said. She could cross out the wrong theories later. She listened attentively to everyone and bit her lip when Ryan spoke. The Professor had told them all to keep chatting to a minimum, and she did not wish Gryffindor to loose points. Shruggin, she went back to her scribbling.

Gaby raises her hand. "Professor, I believe people used runes for writing messages, inscriptions and epitaphs; as amulets and charms; as an oracle for use in divination; and for rituals, magic and spells."

Jessica quickly noted down what Gaby had said, twirlinga stray strand of vivid red hair around her fingers. Who the heck is right? she thought. Quickly as she wanted to know the answer, she also admired the Professor's patience and how he gave students time enough to thoroughly think over before answering. Other Professor just weren't the same. She noted down some more points, waiting patiently for the Professor to speak.

pauline started taking notes and watched the other students answer the questions.

Alanna took detailed notes, wondering if this class could be any more confusing. Her hand started to hurt from writing so much, but she needed to record all the information. She checked a few of the students answers in her book.

Fancy stared at all of the students that were giving answers. Some of them were so indepth. Fancy had never taken Ancient Runes before, and she was anxious to learn about it. She scribbled down all the answers that the students were giving, hoping the professor would stop them so that Fancy could decide which parts of her notes to highlight.

As Jacob took down his notes, he looked around the classroom, quite interested.

This is going to be a very interesting class. Ancient Runes himself already sound like a cool subject.

Jara Malfoy glanced around the room absentmindedly, as she twirled her quil in her hand. She didn't even notice the blank piece of parchment now at her feet, but seconds ago on her desk.

She looked at her watch. When would class finish?

She as she stared into space, she knocked her ink bottle on her robes. She pushed her long, dark hair to the side, as she triede to wipe it off. Her books began falling on the ground. She crept onto the floor to pick it up, as she banged her head against the leg of her desk.

Uggh, she thought. Just great. She looked around the room to see if anyone noticed. Some did, but did not come to her aid. She sighed, as she began getting them up herself, only to face more problems.

Maureen started to take notes. She thought "hmmm interesting...."

"I see some of the Gryffindors are on a roll," Professor Opteryx remarked. "5 points to everyone who answered, and an extra 3 points to Julie and g_g for pointing out the origin of runes and 3 points to Jessica and Christy for stating some of their uses."

"The best known runic alphabets are the Elder Futhark, the Anglo-Saxxon Futhorc, and the Younger Futhark. Usage of the Elder Futhark goes back as far as 150 AD. Runes were eventually replaced with the Latin alphabet in 700 AD for central Europe and 1400 in Scandinavia and are now rarely used by Muggles.

An interesting bit of Muggle mythology surrounds the creation of the runic alphabet itself. Anyone know that story?"