Evangeline wrinkled her nose when Shaw began sneezing. Aaah, she really didn't want to get ill, the old woman better not get too close. Hmpf. "Norse mythology, also known as Viking or Scandinavian mythology comprises the indigenous pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian peoples, including those who settled on Iceland, where most of the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled." She said, raising her hand on the air. "It's a collection of beliefs and stories shared by Northern Germanic tribes. It had no one set of doctrinal beliefs. The mythology was orally transmitted in the form of poetry and modern knowledge about it is mainly based on the Eddas and other medieval texts written down during and after Christianization, Professor." She was sure she had read more about it - but it was all forgotten. Eh.

Ellie raised her right hand, she actually remembered to read something about Norse mythology. “ Norse mythology can also be called Viking or Scandinavian mythology. It comprises the native pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian peoples,where most of the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled.This mythology is the best-preserved version of the older common Germanic paganism, which includes the closely related Anglo-Saxon mythology. Germanic mythology, in its turn, developed from an earlier Indo-European mythology." the brunette girl said then quickly added.
"Norse mythology is a collection of beliefs and stories shared by Northern Germanic tribes.I think the mythology was orally transmitted in the form of poetry and modern knowledge. Hum.. wasn't it based on the Eddas and other medieval texts written during and after Christianization?"
Hum, the brunette girl was almost sue that was correct.

Ok, she was confusing herself a little bit.
Where did all that came from?

Cassandra raised her hand, "Well, runes are inextricably bound to Norse mythology. One who aspires to be a user of runes needs a working knowledge of the mythology and writings of the runic era. In the beginning was Muspell, the realm of fire. Then came Midgard was surrounded by an enormous ocean. Next they built Åsgard, the home of the Gods. Yggdrasil, the World-Tree, the tree of fate, arises in the center of the Midgard. Its branches reach up over Asgard and finally the Gods built a rainbow bridge called Bifröst from Asgard (heaven) to Midgard (earth). The Norse deities are divided into two major groups, the Aesir and the Vanir. The Vanir are the 'Earth Gods' and are the Aesir, the 'Sky Gods.'

"The Havamàl is part of the Elder or "Poetic" Edda, which is one of the primary written sources for Norse mythology. It is where Odin tells of how he obtained the runes and runic power."

Wounded I hung on a wind-swept gallows
For nine long nights,
Pierced by a spear, pledged to Odin,
Offered, myself to myself
The wisest know not from whence spring
The roots of that ancient rood.

They gave me no bread,
They gave me no mead,
I looked down;
With a loud cry
I took up runes;
From that tree I fell.

Nine lays of power
I learned from the famous Bolthor, Bestla' s father:
He poured me a draught of precious mead,
Mixed with magic Odrerir.

Waxed and throve well;
Word from word gave words to me,
Deed from deed gave deeds to me.

Runes you will find, and readable staves,
Very strong staves,
Very stout staves,
Staves that Bolthor stained,
Made by mighty powers,
Graven by the prophetic God.

For the Gods by Odin, for the Elves by Dain,
By Dvalin, too, for the Dwarves,
By Asvid for the hateful Giants,
And some I carved myself:
Thund, before man was made, scratched them,
Who rose first, fell thereafter.

Know how to cut them,
know how to read them,
Know how to stain them,
know how to prove them,
Know how to evoke them,
know how to score them,
Know how to send them,
know how to send them.

Better not to ask than to over-pledge
As a gift that demands a gift.
Better not to send
Than to slay too many.

Excerpt from the W. H. Auden and P. B. Taylor translation of the Havamàl

Amelia sighed when she hadn't been acknowledged for her well thought out answer before. She then shut her eyes, wincing at Shaw's sneezing and was unsure if it was because of her dislike of kids or in her old age, she was just always sick with a cold. Sighing, she opened her eyes when she realized another question had been asked. Having missed the question, she heard Evie and Ellie talk about Norse Mythology, as she realized that must have been the topic. Oops!

About to raise her hand, the Slytherin Prefect answered first with a long winded spiel of some nonsense most likely... and poetry too? Suck up... she thought, glaring at the Prefect for a moment before turning back to the professor.

Amelia raised her hand finally and then answered, "Some aspects of Norse Mythology have been passed into Scandinavian folklore and have survived to modern day. Others have recently been reinvented or reconstructed as Germanic neopaganism. The mythology remains an inspiration in literature, including 'Eric Brighteyes' by H Rider Haggard and several works by Alan Garner. 'The Ballad of the White Horse' includes references to Norse gods although they are portrayed in a negative light. The ballad portrays Catholicism as the true religion and the Norse religion as pagan. Other writers who tangibly draw on the Nordic pantheon include L Sprague de Camp, David Lindsay, C S Lewis, Lord Dunsany, JRR Tolkien, Douglas Adams and Jo Rowling.

Norse Mythology also remains an inspiration to on stage productions and movies, as well."

"Best answer by far. Five points," Shaw answered trying her best to not sneeze again. She took a deep breath and let it pass this time.

"Okay class. For homework you will have five questions, each will be four points a piece. Turn them in to me as soon as you finish them so I can grade them properly." She hoped that giving simple instructions would allow the girls to follow them easily, but she wasn't sure about all of them. "Here are you questions and class is dismissed."

Amelia blinked as miss show off Slytherin Prefect earned five points for her poem. Honestly, it was probably just because the Ministry professors favored green... Glowering again at the Prefect, she turned back to the Professor in time to hear that class was over and she wrote the homework down for them, explaining her policies.

Copying it quickly down in her notebook, the Hufflepuff Captain closed her notebook and shoved it into her bag. Without another thought, she stood up and swung her bag over her shoulder and hurried out of the classroom. Complete waste of my time... De Luca was way better than this woman, she thought on her way out of the room.

Cassandra positively BEAMED at her professor before taking down the homework and smiling at Amelia Rose, as if to say 'Nyeh nyeh nyeh nyeh nyeh nyeh.' And walked out of the room.