Not wishing to repeat the exact same textbook reply as everyone else Nicholai merely, sat back and observed his classmates, glad he already knew his pinnacles, but wondering if there would be a chance to truly analyse how they applied to the messes he had gotten in recently.

Wesolowski raised his brows in a bit of surprise over the students' accuracy, "You are all correct. Two points to each of you."

Chester was a bit surprised that the students seemed relatively well prepared for the class. From what he was told, their education from their previous professors was hopeless! He asked them, "Before I go on with the lesson, I'd like to know some information about you and your previous Arithmancy experience. Can each of you tell me your name, your year, and what your previous Arithmancy background is as a result of your education at Hogwarts prior to arriving at Cooper's School? I'd like to know what areas of Arithmancy you've covered and what you think of Professor Shacklebutt or whatever her name is. Obviously, she couldn't be as good as me, but don't be too hard on her!" Chester chuckled at the thought of anyone being as good with numbers as him. As if it was even possible!

Jason raised his hand hesitatly. "Sir, i'm Jason Potter Weasley, 4th year Gryffindor. I feel Professor Shackleton has given us a really good backgroud as far as learning what arithmancy is all about. She has taught us all we know at Hogwarts and done a good job. But I know you are a great teacher, professor, I can tell! You, sir, stand alone in your abiliites."

Jose looked at the proffesor "I haven't done much of this subject it isn't my sort of thing" he said honestly "and it she was a good teacher but ofcourse not as good as you" Jose looked at the proffesor "the only thing i'm good at in maths is Simultaneous Equations, I am Jose Moiser fourth year hufflepuff"

"Ray James Hufflepuff, Fourth year, Hufflepuff, well with professor Shackleton we covered basically The Pythagorean Number System and the meaning of this numbers... We also studied the energy of numbers and master numbers, the core numbers and their companions, Karma and Hidden passion and subconscious self Numbers and major cycles. I think professor Shackleton is a great teacher and she always made us work and I always understood her classes." Ray replied.

Okay - What was all this about? Like the rest of 'em, this teacher was just plain weird! And old. Very, very old.

Ah well, with a shrug, Clifford raised his hand anyway. "Clifford Carden, Slytherin fourth year, Sir." He said to the wrinkly dude. Areas of Arithmancy he'd studied already? Gee, he'd sort of forgotten that. "Uhm - there was somethin' about numbers.." Well duh. "And - And some Pytha..Python man." Well, it was something like that. "And life path numbers?"

Nico raised his hand, "Professor, My name is Nicholai Toussaint, Slytherin fifth year. I was at Durmstrang until this year; I have learned the Agrippan/ Pythagorean System, The master numbers, the core numbers, Karmic lessons, the arrows of pythagoras, a brief overview of the Chaldean method as well as covering the Pinnacles, Sir."

James waited for a chance to speak then raised his hand.
"James Skyle, Sir. Ravenclaw, Seventh Year. My elder brother, who has long since graduated, greatly urged me to pursue this course. While I am relatively new to the field of Arithmancy and have little knowledge of Professor Shacklebutt's works, I felt this would be an excellent guide to a future career outside of school and support the foundings of Lady Ravenclaw."
he finished with a slight incline of his head to the Professor.

Austin raised his hand, "Austin Eagleson. 4th year Ravenclaw student. Professor Shackleton covered topics including: The Core, The Core Companions, Major Cycles, Hidden Passion and Subconscious Self Numbers."

Humph. No points, even though he had answered the last question correctly, too. Shel kept back a frown, raising his hand as he did so.

"Sheldon Ambrose, Professor," he said politely. "Seventh year, Gryffindor. We have had Arithmancy with Professor Shackleton before you, and she was quite a good teacher. She also followed a Ministry approved textbook, which made our lessons in Arithmancy all the more knowledgeable and adequate."

He paused, before adding, "Previously, we've covered the Pythagorean number system, master numbers, the Core, the core Companions, major cycles, hidden passion and subconscious self numbers."

"Sir, the others have given you a background as to the areaes covered. This is my second year of OWL level work in the subject. While I have to work carefully, I received an Outstanding in the subject for last year. I found our former professor to be engaging as a teacher. She made the work tough but she clearly explained the material. Since I will be taking my OWLs at the end of school year, I am excited to have you and your knowledge as my teacher during this time. I hope to learn a lot from you." Remy had raised his and when call on gave his reply.

Ok, this was not good. Cale hadn't ever had Shackleton, being homeschooled his last four years of school. But, all the students were listening subjects that he had learned from his mum, so at least he was still on the same page. And he had used the same textbook that they had used last year in his studies. His mother, despite all her faults, had taught him well. And everyone else seemed to be in agreement that this professor was a good one. He had to answer--if he didn't, he could lose house points. He could work around this.

"Cale Newell, Sir. I'm a fifth year Gryffindor. The topics we covered included the Pythagorean number system, master numbers, the Core, the core Companions, major cycles, hidden passion and subconscious self numbers," he said, listing each subject. "The textbook Shackleton provided us students was very effective, so I believe we should all be on the same page this year."

Antwone raised his hand, highly interested in this professor above all the others. Unlike most of the other ministry officials, who concerned themselves primarily on etiquette and manliness, this particular took more notice to his actual subject and seemed to have an interest.

"My name's Antwone Thomas, I'm a fourth year and this would be my first time taking Arithmacy. In our first and second years we are only allowed to take up Arithmacy and I was absent for most of my third year and thought it best not to take the subject because I'd have to catch up on so much. So all of my education has come from these books," he said as he lifted the Arithmacy book he had in his hands. "I thought it was all about numbers know, like Muggle math. I didn't know it could be related to the way we have relationships with one another."

Antwone was thoroughly pleased with what the subject had to offer thus far, and he was even more impressed by the way the professor was running his class.

Barry raised his hand and said "Barry Weasly second year Ravenclaw. I learnt everything I know from reading really because last year I was ah busy with other matters."

After listening to the students' answers, Wesolowski replied, "Basically what I've gleaned is that the woman by the name of Shickletongue managed to teach you some topics, but that you all are in agreement that I am a much better professor. I would have to agree with you young men on that front! Surely, the woman likely read from the textbook and didn't teach you how to apply it to your own lives or to use the numbers to your advantage for that matter! I'm going to make sure I equip you with the right tools to manipulate any person you come across! Sounds enticing, right?"

Wesolowski's dentures were starting to get a bit wobbly, causing his teeth to occasionally whistle when speaking, "Now, each Pinnacle has its own time period for which the Pinnacle applies. The Pinnacle age of the First Pinnacle is found using the Life Path Number, so let's first discuss that. What is the Life Path number?" Wesolowski began adjusting his dentures as the students began giving their replied.

Fred had no clue of what he was going to say but he wanted to at least try something. Raising his hand :" Sir, your life path number is the sum total of your birth date. It represents who you are at birth and the native traits that you will carry with you throughout your entire life. The life path describes the nature of this journey through life."

Clifford tried hard not to fall asleep through the old dudes rambling. What was it with old people and talking nonsense? Bleh.

"Uhhm. I think the Life Path Number is like.. the number that tells you about your life?" Clifford said unsurely, trying to remember what he'd read in his textbook. "It tells you your talents and abilities that'll help you through life. And it'll tell you what you can depend upon to find sucess."

Remus first raised his hand then spoke, "The Life Path number is a representation of who you were when you were born and how those ingrained traits will take you through life. The date needs to be written out in the mm/dd/yyyy format, then added. Each number is added individually. Remember that the numbers needs to be between 1 and 9 except for the master numbers so if you end up with a sum greater than 9, you then add those digits together to reduce them. Do not reduce 11 or 22 as they are the master numbers and a valid result to have."

Apedemak raised his hand before answering the Professor's question. "Often pronounced as the most important number in an individual's numerology chart. The Life Path Number is derived from month, day, and year of ones birth and can be compared to the plot of a play since number offers a broad outline of the opportunities, challenges, and lessons that one will encounter during their lifetime."

Shel raised his hand, checking a frown for the umpteenth time that day.

"The Life Path number is an element of the core, sir," he began, as respectfully as he could. "Basically, its purpose is to help you show the road you will follow throughout your life. It also points out the skills, methodologies and talents that will aid you along this road, and the people you may depend on during your lifetime to achieve success. "

Then he added, a little reflectively, "Lots of people can share the same Life Path number, sir, but it's the combination of all your numbers combined that really explains how you must proceed down the road of your life."

What else did he know about this Life Path number? Shel racked his brains. Ah, yes! "You have to add the month, day, and year you were born using the addition method of reducing first, then adding together to find out this number, sir," he said, finally lowering his hand.

James raised his hand once again.
"Sir, the Life Path Number tells a person two things. One being what kind of life they are to live. The other being what talents and abilities they are to aquire in order to follow this life through."

Despite the fact that he was totally grossed out by the fact that the professor was adjusting his fake teeth in front of the room, Cale raised his hand, "The life path number tells you what you need to depend on to find success in the world. You add together the month, day, and year you were born, and then you use the method of reducing first, then adding together. It also tells you the talents and abilities you will rely on throughout your life."

Austin raised his hand, "The Life Path Number tells you your talents/abilities as well as the road that you will follow in life. It also tells you what you must depend upon to be succesful."

Even though the question had well and truly been answered Nico raised his hand.

"Professor, The Life Path Number is made up from the reduced number of your entire birth date. It shows the direction of your life, the challenges and experiences you can expect to meet along the way and where your natural talents lie regarding career; the 'cosmic gift' you are given in order to accomplish your destiny. It is also worth noting that you should reduce your day, month and year seperately before reducing it as a whole; or you risk missing the possible presence of a master number."

Jason raised his hand. "The Life Path Number is one part of the core, a very important part which tells you the road you will follow throughout your entire life as well as what your talents and abilities will be that will help you along the way down that road. This number also tells you what you can depend upon to find success in the world. Also, while other people may share the same number, it is the combination of all your numbers that will explain exactly how to proceed down this road of life."