Ancient Runes Lesson 2
 

Natalie arrived to the next Ancient Runes Class. She was surprised to see she was the first student there, when usually she was one of the last. She smiled at the professor, and took a seat at the front of the room for the first time.

Cassandra walked into the runes class. She kept her gaze to the floor as she walked by the Professor's desk to the back of the class, and sat in the first available seat.

Touy walked into class hoping it was safe here. With all that was going on in the dorm and with the portrait being moved she was nervous.

Phoebe walked into the classroom on time. She enodded at the professor but doubted she realised as he was buried behind a book. Taking a seat in the middle she took of her bag and got her books out ready.

Phoebe looked as another hufflepuff sat dwon next to her. It was Alicia. "Oh Hi alicia" She said smiling giving her a freindly hug. "How are you?" She asked also getting out her quill and a few pages of parchement. "Are you exited about the party?" She asked.

Phoebe smiled as she said she was looking forwrd to the party. "I don't know what we will be larning? I'm sure it will be interseting though" She said thinking.

ooc: You need to clear your mailbox :P

Kay slipped quietly into the class and took a seat at the back of the room. She took out her notes and prepared for the class.

Josey walked into the Ancient Runes classroom and sat down in the middle of the room. She pulled out her book and leaned back in her chair to look at the other students until the class started.

Kassie walked in and said"hi professor." as she sat down

Touy raised her hand and said "Professor are strings of runes used to cast a spell? Like protection over a site or maybe a entrance. Maybe even to repel someone?"

Josey bit her lip as she thought about the question. She raised her hand. "Um, are runic strings used to cast spells so that if the person who casted the spell dies, the spell will still function?" she said.

Kay raised her hand tentivley. "Could runic strings be found in ancient inscriptions of spells carved into rock before books were used?"

Cassandra very shyly raised her hand. "Was it a form of communication, like writing, maybe found on cave walls?"

"can't runic strings be found over a doorway in houses that are trying to keep something away?" kassie asked raising her hand

Patrick thought that it had something to do with spells but since a couple of people had already said so he decided to keep his mouth shut.

Jordan thought a moment before taking a stab at it. "Are they maybe used as barriers to hide magical places?" After she said this, she sunk down into her chair. She was sure she was wrong but at least the took a chance.

Emma looked around for her fellow Slytherins. She was ready for class and antisipating the start of it.

srimathi looked around the class.she went in the last desk hoping to meet one of her friends

"That's the general idea of runic spells, yes. Three points. How long the spell lasts tends to depend upon what was used to make the runes, or what the runes were inscribed on--for example, runes carved into a large stone will generally last longer than runes engraved on wood. If the artifact is somehow destroyed or damaged, the spell will be broken, so many runecasters add on additional spells that will protect the runic string from damage."

"Correct, three points."

"That's a possibility as well, though that would refer to unspelled runes. Spelled runes are not commonly used as a writing system, as the runes tend to have conflicting effects and create a spell in themselves that the wizard or witch was not intending."

Professor Opteryx nodded with a smile. "That's correct, five points to the three of you. A common use of ancient runes is in creating protection spells over doorways and gateways, usually to ward off or deter Muggles from entering magical areas. Can anyone name an example of such a gateway?"

kassie thought about it for a moment then said. "This School?"

Josey raised her hand. "The entrance onto Platform 9 3/4, maybe?" she guessed.

Natalie thought for a second. All the other answers were very good, and she couldn't think of anything else to add to them. Biting her lip, she started to raise her hand, but lowered it quickly when she didn't think her answer would be good enough.

Moira raised her hand a bit nervously as she answered. “St. Mungos would have a protection spell on it I believe and maybe The Leaky Cauldron? I think that it has an entrance in the Muggle world. Those are two of the buildings that should have Runes inscribed into there walls or even in the foundations themselves. If either one of them were discovered then the Ministry would have a lot of work to do to cover it up. She said the last with a little twinkle in her eye trying not to giggle.

Professor Opteryx exhaled lightly--the students had started off with one of the most complicated examples. "Excellent example, ten points. The spells and enchantments sealing and guarding Hogwarts definately include the use of ancient runes, however, it doesn't rely on the runes alone. Nobody has actually managed to take apart the enchantments around and in Hogwarts Castle and find out exactly what kinds of spells or runes were used, or has even been able to see what kind of runic sequence was used, but it's clear that the final system of spells were meant to work together, and to last for something close to eternity. As far as I know, the Founders have done a very good job of it, because I've never come across any documentation that said the enchantments of Hogwarts had to be repaired."

"Very few wizards or witches would choose to activate a runic spell in order to seal off a relatively small area such as one's yard or house. The research and effort involved in creating a runic barrier or gateway is probably not worth the while, and it would be much simplier to cast a few charms instead on a regular basis. As for Quidditch pitches, it depends on the type of pitch. If the Quidditch pitch is expected to sit in a certain area for a long time, such as the pitch at this school, it's most likely that some kind of runic spell was used to keep it operational. However, for the Quidditch World Cup, the pitch's location is temporary and it will be taken down after the last of the matches have been held. In that case, runes would not be used, due to the difficulty of deactivating the runes when the stadium is being dismantled. Ten points for bringing up those two examples."

Professor Opteryx nodded. "Another good example--ten points. The entrance to Platform 9 3/4 depends on a runic string engraved into an archway, which makes the entrance appear and feel like a solid wall to both Muggles and wizards alike unless there is a train ready for boarding on the other side. Some of you might remember an incident about four years ago when a Muggle construction crew accidentally uncovered the entrance whilst drilling around the area. They had broken the runic string by destroying the rocks it had been engraved on, and it caused a bit of a fuss as it happened a day or two before the start of term." Professor Opteryx had been part of the repair team of wizards in charge of restoring the damaged archway, so he remembered the incidence well.

"Quite right. The entrance to St. Mungos is guarded similarly to Platform 9 3/4, with the addition of a few spells to control traffic in and out of the gateway. The display models are seperate from the runic gateway and serve to open and close the gateway, which is why you have to address them before you're allowed to enter St. Mungos. The Leaky Cauldron's is more simplistic in that it acts more as a Muggle Repelling Charm--the gateway is always passible, but it will repel Muggle notice or approach completely. Ten points to you as well."

Opteryx noticed the hesitant student. "Yes, did you have an idea? Go on, none of us will bite," he joked lightly.

Kassie raised her hand again "Proffesor what about the Ministry of Magic?"

Touy raised her hand "Professor would pyramids be guarded by runes. How about stone henge? Touy was usally shy in classes but the professor seem really to care what everyone had to say.

Kassie screamed in fright and pulled on the door. "Why cant i open it?" she asked

Phoebe raised her hand askimg the proffesor, "This is going back to what we were talking about, but is stone used more beacuse wood can disintegrate or brake much easier?" She asked. While she was waiting for a reply the classroom turned to chaos instantley. Rain bucketed down while tornadoes hurled causing desks to snap and papers to fly everywnere. People were running around screaming. Phoebe fell to the ground and moved just in time as a desk crashed cms where she had just been

Then as soon as it had started it all stopped. Phoebe breathed a sigh of relief looking round to see if anyone was hurt.

Professor Opteryx had been about to answer his students when what appeared to be a small storm whipped through his classroom. He ducked instinctively under his desk as something sailed past his head to collide with the blackboard behind him.

When the proverbal dust had settled, he stood up again, dusting himself off. "Everyone alright?"



Opteryx strode to the door and fiddled with the knob, which stubbornly refused to turn. He proceeded to pull out his wand and cast Alohamora, to no effect. "...Hmmm...intriguing...intriguing..."

After poking at the door a few more times with his wand, he waved any anxious students away from the path of the door and took several steps back, aiming at the door with his wand like a gun. "Stand back, I'm going to try something..."

There was a loud blast like a cannon, but the door did not budge. Professor Opteryx blinked, scratched his head, and went to open a window before returning to his desk. With a few more waves of his wand he set the desks back to their original locations, and cleared his throat.

"Alright, it seems that we're temporarily stuck in here until I'm able to send out a message for the staff to look into this matter," he said calmly. "So, while we're waiting, let's do a bit of brainstorming. If one were to use a runic string to unlock or break down a doorway, what runes might we use? First of all, what runes might be useful in creating that effect?"

"Very powerful ones." said Kassie

"I meant more as in what runic characters to use," Professor Opteryx said patiently, though he grinned slightly at the answer. "But you have a point," he continued, "we may need to use runes that hold a strong power...what kind of power are we looking for? What rune or runes represent power?"

"A rune useful for breaking down or unlocking a door? A runic string? What?" Natalie blurted, totally confused. She hadn't realized she had voiced her thoughts until after she said them. Blushing, she covered her mouth and looked around the room to see if anyone had heard her.

Touy was scared but everyone seem ok. They were stuck in the class room so back to work. Looking in her book Touy was trying to pick the runes with power. Shyly she raise her hand and said Professor how about,uruz which is streagth, thyrisaz which is chaos, ansuz which would be for communication, Hagalaz which is disruption, ihwaz which means defence,Algiz which is protection, sowilo which is energy or streagth, Tiwaz the warrior rune, and Dagaz which is the rune of transformation. Touy was still scared but talking about strong runes especially Tiwaz which was her favorite rune helped.

Touy raised her hand and said Algiz for safe refuse and Dagaz because of breakthrough. Hopeing this was right Touy felt they might be able to by pass
MO mess.

"If we tried to brake down a door, I suppose Uruz could be helpful," answered Lia hesitantly, her arm in the air.

Prancie raised her hand,

"I should think Ihwaz, Uruz, and Dagaz..."

"if we use Ansuz it may help us figure out what runes or spells were used on the door or who did it." kassie said

"Maybe Uruz because of strength?" Natalie suggested quietly. "Or Hagalaz might be useful for breaking down a door..." Natalie sunk lower in her seat, thinking to herself.

Phoebe raised her hand. "I think that when you use a Rune you need to fine the right character wuth the same meaning deep down, not just skim the surface. I think that Dagaz would be appropriate as dawn or daylight can mean starting new or light. Breaking through is also relevant as we are not only literaly breakin through a door, but also breaking down a barrier that is stopping us." Phoebe finished having thought about this hard.

A tiny owl not much bigger than a softball came zooming into the classroom from the window, hooting softly as it landed on Professor Opteryx's desk. Opteryx scribbled down a quick note, tore off the scrap of parchment and handed it to the owl. "Take this to the Headmistress, quick as you can, Poirot," he murmured to the owl, who hooted and took off in a flurry of feathers out the same window.



"So, Algiz in order to create a protection for us from...whatever might happen when we try to open up the pathway with Dagaz. Sounds reasonable enough..."







"Hagalaz is a possibility--disruption of the locking spell in place, for example...If we're going to apply Uruz, the question becomes this: what exactly will the strength be applied to? Will it strengthen the door, or will it strengthen the spell that will open or break the door? Anyone have any guesses?"



"Another interesting idea...if we know more about the spell that's locking the door, we might be able to figure out the counterspell for it."



Professor Opteryx nodded. "Very good point, Pheobe. Five points to Hufflepuff. And yes, in this case, we definately are seeking to open up a path--perhaps not a new one, but a breakthrough is required."



Professor Opteryx raised an eyebrow. So such an incident had happened before? He made a mental note to check this bit of information with some other Professors afterwards.

"Sowilo also entails light--so while it's a good choice if we take it in context of meaning disclosure and energy, it may just give out a lot of light, alike a lumos spell.

"Are there any more suggestions before we move on?"

"What if we mixed multiple runes?" kassie asked

Tasha sat in her desk trying to take notes, but not abled to keep her mind off the fact that she was locked in this class. Trying to keep her panic under control, she asked, " Professor, do you think you can break the spell on the door? With Runic power I mean." Tasha sat back trying to concentrate on the lesson at hand, but the locked door seemed to consume her every thought.

She even thought at one point that her Divination professor and this one as well were plotting against the students.
Tasha shook her head wildly as if to shake the thought right out of her head, but the panic of the locked door was steadily welling up inside her again.

Jordan sat quietly at her desk. She was starting to wonder if they were going to be able to get out of the room and since the professor seemed very determined to keep them busy, she was convinced that he really didn't have any idea of how to get them out.

As she kept thinking about what all was going on she suddenly blurted out "Sir, if Hogwarts supposedly has protections on it, what exactly happened and why are we unable to leave this room? Shouldn't you be able to get us out of here and..." Realizing that she was saying all this out loud, Jordan, her face red with embarrassment, quickly shut her mouth, looked down at her desk and sunk deeply into her chair.

"Sir I have a question would the person that cast this spell have to be here to place the Runes or could they have done that before hand? Would they have to be inside this room to activate the spell and if so wouldn't it be one of us that did it?" Moira knew that she was asking for trouble as she glanced around the room at her class mates and hoped that no one here was responsible for this mild bit of chaos.

She knew only that she was not the person who closed and locked the door but was it an inside job and if so was the culprit still among them?

Cassandra sat quietly in her seat. She had very quietly pointed her wand towards her herself and whispered "Impervious" as not to get too wet. Her clothing and hair was a little damp, but not as the other students. This door was locked as well, but she still thought it was part of a test, and she wasn't about to fail it.

She raised her hand and her eyes locked onto the Professor's. She shily looked down to her desk, pencil in hand and charting everything she said, began: "Professor? Why not string all of them together? I'd start the string with Ansuz and Uruz, to aid in figuring out the solution to the problem, Hagalaz to disrupt or interfear with the locking spell, Thurisaz and Ihwaz to enhance our magic powers, Algiz to protect ourselves, Tiwaz to strengthen our courage (and compassion, if it is a student playing a prank) and finally Sowilo and Dagaz to fill us with energy and breakthrough the door." Cassandra paused for a moment, then looked up and added "I know, it wasn't in your suggested runes, but I though we should also add Gebo, for talent, skill and ability, after Ihwaz."

Phoebe thought,Rasising her hand she said. "I guess all of the runes could be used in one way or another, it just depends on the person. Which way thhey think or what mood they are feeling can possibly change their decision". P{hoebe finished just as ther was a knock at the door. Phoebe nodded as a gryffindor said that there was a knock.

"Welllll," Professor Opteryx started, dragging out the word as he spoke. "What I deduce has happened is that someone or something has placed a complex locking charm on the door. While the castle itself is guarded against many things, the protections do not include...preventing doors from being randomly locked. Protection doesn't equate to invernerability, after all."



Professor Opteryx strode to the door. "Headmistress? Is that you? Er--have you been able to figure out the locking charm?"

Cassandra's eyes widened. The Headmistress? She's at the door? Her mind was racing now. This meant that she really was locked in the classroom, this wasn't a test afterall. Cassandra began to breathe faster and faster, panicking silently. Her face was flushing and it was getting harder to breathe. She sat perfectly still, looking at her professor who was still at the door, hoping he would unlock the door soon.

Touy watched the Slytherin girl who looked like she might fall out of her chair. The girl was beathing fast, turning red, and stareing at the proffessor though Touy didn't think the girl could actully see. Knowing the professer was buzy Touy thought maybe she could help, but would the Slytherin girl let her? Touy turned to the girl and said " Hi I'm Touy do you like this rune classes? " Hoping to disstacted the Slytherin girl.

Josey bit her lip. They were really locked in after all. She frowned and concentrated on trying to figure out who would lock a group of students into a classroom and why anyone would do such a thing.

Cassandra didn't hear nor did she see anything going on in the classroom. All she could think of was the walls turning in on her, crouding around her, tightening around her throat. Her breathing was becoming weaker but faster. Her eyes began to roll in the back of her head...

Touy jumped out of her seat and pulled the girl to the floor. Professor I think she may be have a seizer. Touy yelled Gently Touy held the girl's hand and rubbed it.

The sound of the door bursting open was enough to bring Cassandra's eyes back to their normal position.

Cassandra grabbed the Ravenclaw's hand tightly and gave her a look. "Professor, I'm alright." She spouted cautiously. She was far from alright, but she didn't want the professor, THIS professor, to know how weak she was under pressure. She gave the Ravenclaw one last look and released her hand.

Phoebe jumped as the door blew open and the Headmistress appeared. Phoebe too saw the Slytherin girls fit. "Are you alright?" She whispred so only she could hear.

Josey sighed in relief. The door was gone, so the class was no longer locked in. She grinned weakly and was glad that she hadn't been sitting near the door.

"Yay the door is open!!!!" Kassie cheered

Moira looked at the door as it opened grateful that that they would be able to leave at the end of the class. She reached inside her pocket and rubbed the stone that she carried there always. She had that stone with her since the day that she had found it. It brought her comfort to know that is was there when she felt a need for it.

At the end of this class she was prepaired to hand it over to the teacher in the hopes that he would be able to translate the inscription, or at least point her in the right direction.

Moira galnced at the Professor and waited for his reaction, to all that had past in his classroom only moments before.

Touy eyed the Slytherin girl she seem fine. Or at least she wanted to appear fine. The girl had given Touy a look that said please stop. Returning to her chair Touy servade the reckage. I'm not sure which was worse the storm in the room or the blasting of the door. It would have been intresting to try some of the idea the class had come up with, oh well maybe next time. It seem now days that there would be a next time.

Jordan about jumped out of her seat when the explosion occurred. She grabbed her wand and pointed it towards the door. After a moment she realized what had happened and she sat back down, wand still in hand. She didn't know what was going on this year, but far too many strange things had been happening.

"Actually Professor... Apart from the Divination Classroom, the Duelling Arena had been locked as well."

Cassandra said realizing she wasn't being tested at all, all three instances the doors had been locked. She began breathing heavy again, but not as before. She closed her eyes and started thinking I'm ok, I'm ok, I'm ok
and her breathing slowly turned back to normal. She opened her eyes.

Cassandra looked at the Ravenclaw still looking at her and then looked down to her desk. Without looking at her, and with a very serious voice she whispered "Thank you for looking out for me, I'm alright." She began scribling on the parchment before her and added "Now stop attracting attention towards me."

Cassandra felt very bad. Here the girl was trying to help, she should have introduced herself, thanked her properly... but she didn't want the professor and the other students to think she was weak. She was a Slytherin, and a Trelawney. She'll see the Ravenclaw in the hallway or in the great hall and will thank her again then.

Cassandra was taken by surprize by the parchment plane that landed on her desk. She opened it and started fuming. She turned to Tasha and nodded at her, but her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment. She then took her wand, pointed to the note and whispered "Diffindo Sepra." The note was cut into tiny pieces.

"No, everything's now in order," Professor Opteryx replied before turning to the class. "Class dismissed--I'll post the homework on the board later on. Good effort in class, everyone."

He then turned back to Rae and lowered his voice a little, so as not to startle the students more. "Has odd incidences like this happened all over the castle lately? Someone vandalized my office door earlier, and quite a few of the other Professors as well. You don't suppose the incidences are all linked somehow?"

Phoebe picked up her books and surveyed the classroom quickly. She raised her hand and said, "Yes, headmistresss. Divination class is locked in still" She hoped she didn't sound rub=de, Phoebe just thought it was best the proffesor know. "Thankyou very much Proffesor" She said as she walked out the door making a mental note to come back and check the homework after dinner.

Mickey runs into the class room shooting lighting bolts at the bats.

"BATS! BATS!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Cassandra got up but her head was still spinning from earlier. She steadied herself on her desk, took her book and shily walked out of the room without looking at anyone.

Kassie sat at the desk she was at for a few more minutes. Then she went rigid, her mind went blank, and she said, "It will happen again." only the voice was different then hers. She snapped back to her regular self and stood up. She was rather dizzy and stumbled through the door.

I guess I was wrong thought Touy this isn't any safer than any other place in the castle. Touy rose to leave and saw that Kassie was saying something and she looked weird. " What did you say?" Touy wonder what was going to happen next.

Natalie sat quietly at her desk for a few seconds. Then she got up and put everything in her bag. She swung the bag onto her shoulder and followed the rest of the class out of the classroom.

"I didn't say anything." Kassie said looking at Touy. Then she thought to herself 'this can't be happening again'

"Oh sorry" blushed Touy now on top this mess I'm hearing thing. She almost ran out of the classroom this is creepy.

Kassie looked down at her feet. She tried to keep her seer ability unknown but she thought it just happened again. She hoped she hadnt scared Touy. Then when Touy ran out of the classroom she knew she had.