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SlytherinSistah · 07-15-2009, 11:58 PM

The Professor opened the trapdoor to the classroom and took a seat behind the large teak desk, waiting for the students to arrive. In front of his desk, sat a large black cauldron filled with some sort of liquid.

"Come on in, students. Oh, and uh... mind the cauldron there. Be careful that you don't trip. Wouldn't want that knocking onto it's side." He said, welcomingly.

Ooc: class begins tomorrow, but you're welcome to rp your charries in for now.

Maxilocks · 08-05-2009, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzeh

"It is different from Sciomancy, but very closely related and sometimes, the terms are used interchangeably. But, this is a confusing term to begin with. Necromancy is also the term used for a form of dark magic in which a dark witch or wizard may corrupt the dead. Would anyone care to elaborate more on either of the practices?"

Fyo raised his hand. "From what I understand, sir, Necromancy is the summoning of spirits for a cause, while Sciomancy also involves the observation of ghosts and, sometimes, divination by shadows or 'astral reflections.'"

He paused, before continuing. "Also, Sciomancy is still believed to be a "better" form of divination, while Necromancy is now mostly associated with the dark arts. But like you said, sir, it can be good and bad, both. For instance, there are African traditions where its "darker" side is practiced, and it is used to send spirits, called Egungun or Orishas, to attack or revenge on a person or people. But there are also Seers who practice it to achieve enlightenment, or even acquire precious knowledge that has been lost. For them, it can be like climbing a spiritually enlightening ladder - the spirits are like its steps, because they help them on the way."

SlytherinSistah · 08-06-2009, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herminny

Herminny had a good idea in the answer to this question was a lot more direct and raised her hand and answered saying, "Necromancy is a form of magic in which the practitioner seeks to summon "operative spirits" or "spirits of divination", for multiple reasons, from spiritual protection to wisdom. As for sciomancy, that is divination of communicating with the dead to predict the future.".

"Very good." He nodded. "Do note that Sciomancy could be a form of Necromancy, as often times, the ones who've passed on will be asked for information about possible outcomes and situations. There is also more than one school of thought on the use of corporeal remains vs. spirits in practicing Necromancy. One point to Gryffindor."

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanialRadFAN01

Chris raised his hand in the air and spoke. "Professor the Divination branch of Necromancy is one that involves the Divinator speaking to the dead about the future. And in the magic sense, Necromancy is the use of magic to use spirits." He wondered for a moment, and then disided to asked the question he had tought about. "Professor, are inferi a form of Necromancy? I mean they are bodies kind of re-animated right?"

"Not exactly, Mr. Potter. While Necromancy, as a divinatory practice could be employed on Inferi; that is, in theory and if you could manage to subdue one long enough to study it, The inferi themselves are not a form of Necromancy as a form of divination. They are re-animated, as you say, but not truly living. Inferi could be called an attempt at the dark art of Necromancy, but it is, at best, botched." He explained, highlighting the words on the blackboard.
"I think we should stress that there is a lot of confusion amongst the dark form and the divinatory form. The answer to this lies in the etmology of the term 'Necromancy', which has often been interchangably used with the term 'Nigromancy'. If you've read your History books, or done any extra reading, tell me about when Johannes Hartlieb categorized Necromancy and Nigromancy as one and the same and explain why?".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterloo

6 points for making a comment about poo? Huh? Clifford shrugged, he wasn't going to complain about that! "Sir, dead bodies and dark magic.. makes me think of those inferi dudes." The Head Boy said, hand raised.

"Me too, Clifford. Me too. Luckily, we will only be touching on the subject of Inferi, to illustrate how different they really are from this form of divination."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celandine

Cela raised her hand. "True necromancy is impossible though, isn't it sir? Bringing the dead back to life? I mean, inferi are a semblance of life and so are ghosts, enchanted portraits and also anyone brought back with the resurrection stone, but it is not true life. We have not yet found a way to achieve that and it goes against the fundamental laws of magic."
Cela thought for a moment more, listening to Herminny and Chris, "Divinatory Necromancy isn't the same thing at all is it? It's more communicating with the dead in the hopes that they have some insight they might share. So why are the terms the same? You are right about it being a little confusing. Sciomancy makes more sense since its about communicating with the dead rather than bringing them back exactly... Sciomancy is done through channelers right? Mediums? And would using a Ouija board be considered a form of sciomancy? I wonder if the confusion comes from language shifts?"
Hmmmm.
"Oooh, sir are we going to have a séance ourselves? Can I ask the Bloody Baron to tell my fortune?"

"Excellent point, Miss Toussaint. Take 2 points for Ravenclaw, and one for yourself. The use of a Ouija board tends to fall under a form of Dactylomancy. Even though we are asking the spirits for their help, we are employing an instrument to translate that help. Sciomancy is traditionally done by the use of mediums and I wouldn't attempt it with the bloody baron without one." 'Or even with one'. He warned. His tone escalating cautionary. He was truly afraid she might actually try this in the dorms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Whoa. This was some deep stuff. Anna flipped through her textbook a little, reading a few additional notes about the practice before attempting any elaboration. She finally raised her hand, thinking of something she felt was worth bringing up. "Professor, it says here that some forms of Necromancy involve the calling of spirits in order to take possession of another. That'd be an example of the dark aspect of the practice," she said. "It also says that other times the spirits are called to simply tell the future, which could be an example of the good that can come from it."

"That is another way of doing it, yes, Miss Greingoth. It would be another of the spirit methods, even though they are using a physical body. You might look at the way the spirits in the vaudou, or voodoo religion take hold of their hosts as a method for conducting Necromancy, but most followers of the belief would probably disagree as it is not the living person who makes the descion about who is possessed, but the spirits'." He nodded. "A spirits advice is still sought and given, nonetheless. Take a point for yourself and your house for highlighting that."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs. Weasley

Abby raises her hand. "In the Muggle world, people associate Necromancy with the Voodoo Religion and consider it black magic. Necromancy began as a form of magic in which the practioner summons "operative spirits" or "spirits of divination" for multiply meanings from spiritual protection to wisdom. Necromancy would later be associated with the summoning of demons. In Dark Magic does Necromancy have something to do with the creation of Inferi?"

"Indeed it does!" He said eagerly and proud of the student for her research. "But, of course, as one student has mentioned, no one has ever successfully performed the black art of Necromancy. Take a point for yourself and two more for Hufflepuff. You should bear in mind that because of the limited understanding of the Muggles on the subject of magic, Voodoo itself is not to be considered a form of black magic. It is a relegion, not magic at all. And many muggles confuse that. Good answer."

Quote:

Originally Posted by SenoritaMaxie

Fyo raised his hand. "From what I understand, sir, Necromancy is the summoning of spirits for a cause, while Sciomancy also involves the observation of ghosts and, sometimes, divination by shadows or 'astral reflections.'"

He paused, before continuing. "Also, Sciomancy is still believed to be a "better" form of divination, while Necromancy is now mostly associated with the dark arts. But like you said, sir, it can be good and bad, both. For instance, there are African traditions where its "darker" side is practiced, and it is used to send spirits, called Egungun or Orishas, to attack or revenge on a person or people. But there are also Seers who practice it to achieve enlightenment, or even acquire precious knowledge that has been lost. For them, it can be like climbing a spiritually enlightening ladder - the spirits are like its steps, because they help them on the way."

"You are very correct in the first part of your answer, however the last part of your answer does not distinguish between Necromancy and Nigromancy, which became interchangably used after Johannes Hartlieb published a book covering the topic of dark magic, but are not the same thing. Very good, Mr. Baloch. Two points to Gryffindor and one for yourself." He really worded that beautifully.

"Alright class, it's time to gather around the cauldron. Bring a parchment and quill to take notes and feel free to summon or conjure a pillow or blanket to sit on, the floor is still rather cold." He said, instructing and creating space around the liquid filled big black cauldron.

Daffy.Potter · 08-06-2009, 04:32 AM

Slightly dazed, Livvy watched and listened as the Professor asked questions and other students answered. She should probably participate more too, help her house earn more points. Although the rest of the houses were eating their dust... they would catch up to them when Finals came.

Livvy stood up, grabbing a piece of parchment and her quill as she walked towards the cauldron and sat close to it, gazing into the cauldron and the liquid it contained. Pfft. She didn't need no blanket or pillow. She was tough.

Raquelin. · 08-06-2009, 04:40 AM

Eleanor didn't like divination, for many different reasons, but the fact was, she wasn't that bad at it.
She had probably gotten that from her mother. Meh.
The slytherin had spent the first half an hour of the class day dreaming and tapping her quill on the table, and she only woke up when professor Kapoor asked them to sit on the floor around the cauldron.

Ellie took a deep breath ,before the stood up from her comfortable chair, and grabbed a piece of parchment and the quill that she had been tapping on the table just moments ago.
snort. blankets.. who needs that ?
The brunette sat on the floor next to a girl she had never seen before and patiently waited for professor Kapoor’s next words as her hazel eyes observed the cauldron in front of her.

Oh shoooot ! The floor was cold !

Maxilocks · 08-06-2009, 06:05 AM

Quote:

"You are very correct in the first part of your answer, however the last part of your answer does not distinguish between Necromancy and Nigromancy, which became interchangably used after Johannes Hartlieb published a book covering the topic of dark magic, but are not the same thing. Very good, Mr. Baloch. Two points to Gryffindor and one for yourself." He really worded that beautifully.

Nigromancy? Now that was something new! Fyo jotted it down with a nod, his self-inking quill bristling against the parchment, until -

Quote:

"Alright class, it's time to gather around the cauldron. Bring a parchment and quill to take notes and feel free to summon or conjure a pillow or blanket to sit on, the floor is still rather cold." He said, instructing and creating space around the liquid filled big black cauldron.

YAY! Fyo stopped scribbling, gathering a roll of parchment - alongside his quill - before approaching the Cauldron of DOOM! [Only, he hoped it wasn't that. The Cauldron of DOOM!, you know.]

Eep, cold floor! No wonder Professor Kapoor had warned them beforehand. A pillow would be good - a blanket too much - but Fyo decided he was fine without either. Maybe if he had not managed to adjust in a few more minutes, he would conjure a neat, little pillow but, for now, he was contended with things being exactly as they were.

SlytherinSistah · 08-07-2009, 05:59 AM

"While we're all taking our seats, what are some of the ways muggles could employ to conjure a spirit or gain his or her attention when trying to perform Necromancy?" He asked the class and taking a spot himself, his back to the windows behind his desk as he faced the cauldron.

Rosa Chispa Princessa · 08-07-2009, 06:35 AM

Herminny took a seat on the floor as the professor asked and as she heard the next question her shot up in the air and she answered saying, "They would surround himself with morbid aspects of death, which often included wearing the deceased's clothing, consumption of unsalted, unleavened black bread and unfermented grape juice, which symbolized decay and lifelessness. Necromancers even went as far as taking part in the mutilation and consumption of corpses.All this leading up to the summoning of the spirits using a high pitched squeaking and low droning in the process".

Maxilocks · 08-07-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herminny

Herminny took a seat on the floor as the professor asked and as she heard the next question her shot up in the air and she answered saying, "They would surround himself with morbid aspects of death, which often included wearing the deceased's clothing, consumption of unsalted, unleavened black bread and unfermented grape juice, which symbolized decay and lifelessness. Necromancers even went as far as taking part in the mutilation and consumption of corpses.All this leading up to the summoning of the spirits using a high pitched squeaking and low droning in the process".

Wow, morbid. Fyo wasn't sure this was the type of thing that ought to be discussed in class, so he raised his hand to put his two cents in while he waited for Professor Kapoor's response to Herminny.

"Professor, I've read that there are special rituals that involve magical circles, bells and incantations, and that some muggle Necromancers summon spirits with the help of a fire that's lit in the nocturnal hours. They also use sacrificial animals." Not good.

Daffy.Potter · 08-07-2009, 06:38 PM

Livvy stared at the Gryffindor as she answered Professor Kapoor's question. Oh... how... how delightful. Consumption of corpses? Livvy could feel her breakfast churning around in her stomach, right about now.

At what another Gryffindor said, Livvy raised her hand also. "Ooh! To add on what... erm... he said," she said, pointing at the boy next to her, even though pointing wasn't nice. She'll say sorry after class. "I heard that in some cases, back in ancient times, Muggles will sacrifice people too. I also heard that in the Muggle world that they had invented some sort of a Ouija board, I dunno if you've heard it before, sir. But it's also another way to connect to the dead, supposedly.

"The Ouija board has other names too. 'Spirit Board' and 'Talking Board' which obviously gives away the purpose of the board. Talking to spirits. And how it's supposed to work is that the flat board has a whole bunch of numbers, letters, and symbols which is supposed to somehow communicate with spirits. And how we know if a 'spirit' is returning a message... there's a movable indicator, called a planchette, and it moves around the board to spell out the message that the spirit is returning.

"I believe it's quite a popular form of Necromancy in the modern Muggle world. Some Muggles back in the neighborhood I live in had bought one, but I was too chicken to try it out. Do you think it actually works, sir?"

Whoo. What a mouthful to say. But she actually found it an interesting topic, as morbid and utterly disgusting some of the methods were.

Lezleighd · 08-07-2009, 07:07 PM

Satine was a little big uncomfortable about this subject but she had read up on it a little bit..."Professor, I think I read somewhere that Necromancers believe that they must have a balancing power in order to conjure up the dead...they think you have to use Black and White Magic Energy for the balancing. Many don't believe in using magic or spells, they just believe that having an open mind and heart will conjure the spirits you wish to contact." she shivered at the end of her statement....this was an eerie conversation.

Anna Banana · 08-09-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlytherinSistah

"Alright class, it's time to gather around the cauldron. Bring a parchment and quill to take notes and feel free to summon or conjure a pillow or blanket to sit on, the floor is still rather cold." He said, instructing and creating space around the liquid filled big black cauldron.

"While we're all taking our seats, what are some of the ways muggles could employ to conjure a spirit or gain his or her attention when trying to perform Necromancy?" He asked the class and taking a spot himself, his back to the windows behind his desk as he faced the cauldron.

As soon as she'd grabbed a quill and a piece of parchment, Anna left her seat and gathered around the cauldron the professor had directed them to. With a quick swish and flick of her wand, a fluffy pillow appeared on the floor, and she made herself comfortable on it while waiting on the lesson to progress.

She thought about the question that'd been asked, then simply sat quietly and listened as her classmates shared a reply. To be quite honest, she really had no idea about any of the ways muggles conjured spirits or gained their attention. She could at least make a wild guess, though. With her hand raised, she suggested, "Muggles can hold special meetings called séances. This is when a group of people try to receive messages from spirits. I'm honestly not quite sure how they do that, though."

SlytherinSistah · 08-10-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herminny

Herminny took a seat on the floor as the professor asked and as she heard the next question her shot up in the air and she answered saying, "They would surround himself with morbid aspects of death, which often included wearing the deceased's clothing, consumption of unsalted, unleavened black bread and unfermented grape juice, which symbolized decay and lifelessness. Necromancers even went as far as taking part in the mutilation and consumption of corpses.All this leading up to the summoning of the spirits using a high pitched squeaking and low droning in the process".

Whoa! How in Merlins name did the student know all of that?!! Well, you learn something new everyday, the professor supposed. It hardly suprised him to think of Muggles going that far. "Very good. Very good. A little morbid, though that should come as no surprise, really. Muggles will often go to extreme lengths in an attempt to possess anything they find magical. Take a point to your house for your answer, Miss Telerino."

Quote:

Originally Posted by SenoritaMaxie

Wow, morbid. Fyo wasn't sure this was the type of thing that ought to be discussed in class, so he raised his hand to put his two cents in while he waited for Professor Kapoor's response to Herminny.

"Professor, I've read that there are special rituals that involve magical circles, bells and incantations, and that some muggle Necromancers summon spirits with the help of a fire that's lit in the nocturnal hours. They also use sacrificial animals." Not good.

The professor nodded. "If you've ever felt curious about looking into a Muggle periodical, you'll find that the practices you described and others very much like it are often at the root of some crime or another. We could expect that. As sometimes the quest for power leads people to the quest for magic and what they believe is true of it. Very good. Another point to Gryffindor."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daffy.Potter

Livvy stared at the Gryffindor as she answered Professor Kapoor's question. Oh... how... how delightful. Consumption of corpses? Livvy could feel her breakfast churning around in her stomach, right about now.

At what another Gryffindor said, Livvy raised her hand also. "Ooh! To add on what... erm... he said," she said, pointing at the boy next to her, even though pointing wasn't nice. She'll say sorry after class. "I heard that in some cases, back in ancient times, Muggles will sacrifice people too. I also heard that in the Muggle world that they had invented some sort of a Ouija board, I dunno if you've heard it before, sir. But it's also another way to connect to the dead, supposedly.

"The Ouija board has other names too. 'Spirit Board' and 'Talking Board' which obviously gives away the purpose of the board. Talking to spirits. And how it's supposed to work is that the flat board has a whole bunch of numbers, letters, and symbols which is supposed to somehow communicate with spirits. And how we know if a 'spirit' is returning a message... there's a movable indicator, called a planchette, and it moves around the board to spell out the message that the spirit is returning.

"I believe it's quite a popular form of Necromancy in the modern Muggle world. Some Muggles back in the neighborhood I live in had bought one, but I was too chicken to try it out. Do you think it actually works, sir?"

Whoo. What a mouthful to say. But she actually found it an interesting topic, as morbid and utterly disgusting some of the methods were.

"If you have a poltergeist, perhaps. But, it's a bit silly for Wizards and Witches to resort to such methods when we can more directly interact with ghosts whereas Muggles do not seem to possess that ability. One point for Ravenclaw." He wondered if she'd had any regrets about not trying it out for herself and how she felt about having houseghosts wandering around the castle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lezleighd

Satine was a little big uncomfortable about this subject but she had read up on it a little bit..."Professor, I think I read somewhere that Necromancers believe that they must have a balancing power in order to conjure up the dead...they think you have to use Black and White Magic Energy for the balancing. Many don't believe in using magic or spells, they just believe that having an open mind and heart will conjure the spirits you wish to contact." she shivered at the end of her statement....this was an eerie conversation.

"Exactly and one more point to Ravenclaw." He said, before turning to the class at large.
"Today we'll be focusing on a less frilly, for lack of a better term, method of communicating."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

As soon as she'd grabbed a quill and a piece of parchment, Anna left her seat and gathered around the cauldron the professor had directed them to. With a quick swish and flick of her wand, a fluffy pillow appeared on the floor, and she made herself comfortable on it while waiting on the lesson to progress.

She thought about the question that'd been asked, then simply sat quietly and listened as her classmates shared a reply. To be quite honest, she really had no idea about any of the ways muggles conjured spirits or gained their attention. She could at least make a wild guess, though. With her hand raised, she suggested, "Muggles can hold special meetings called séances. This is when a group of people try to receive messages from spirits. I'm honestly not quite sure how they do that, though."

"No worries, Anna. You won't have to learn for this class, but take one point for mentioning the practice of séances. We're simply going to call on the spirits directly." He said inching over to the cauldron.

"Oh, Myrtle? Are you up for company?" He asked into the cauldron and waiting for a reply.

PadfootAndTheWolf · 08-11-2009, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlytherinSistah

"Oh, Myrtle? Are you up for company?" He asked into the cauldron and waiting for a reply.

Chris's head shot up as he heard the Professor call for a Mrytle to come out of the cauldren. Was he talking about Moaning Mrytle?

Maxilocks · 08-12-2009, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzeh

The professor nodded. "If you've ever felt curious about looking into a Muggle periodical, you'll find that the practices you described and others very much like it are often at the root of some crime or another. We could expect that. As sometimes the quest for power leads people to the quest for magic and what they believe is true of it. Very good. Another point to Gryffindor."

Fyo raised his hand. "Professor, you say that the quest for power leads people to that of magic. I wanted to ask - can muggles possibly learn magic, when they begin to hunt it, sir? I mean, we know there are some true muggle Seers, but could someone, who does not know of the magical world, learn to become a witch or wizard?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzeh again ^^

"Oh, Myrtle? Are you up for company?" He asked into the cauldron and waiting for a reply.

Myrtle? Myrtle as in Moaning Myrtle, that not-so-nice ghostie? Fyo's eyes widened slightly as he remembered the "lady" ghost - plus, no wonder about it, the flooding - and he had to shake his head to remind himself that this was the Divination classroom, not some.... Well, lake.

**Moaning Myrtle** · 08-12-2009, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlytherinSistah

"Oh, Myrtle? Are you up for company?" He asked into the cauldron and waiting for a reply.

Myrtle sniffled some and slowly peeeeeeeered out of the cauldron, her eyes blinking owlishly.

"Only if its gooooood company." She sniffled again, "And thats doubtful."

Daffy.Potter · 08-13-2009, 04:13 AM

Heeeehhhhhh???? What about Myrtle? She looked at the Professor curiously, wondering what was up. Whoa whoa whoa waiiit. Did he mean... Moaning Myrtle? The Moaning Mytrle? What did she have to do with Necromancy? Oh... just about everything.

Buuut.. why in Merlin's beard was Professor Kapoor talking to a cauldron? Oh... she knew that too. Why was Livvy asking questions with obvious answers?

And WHOA. Did Moaning Myrtle just pop her head out from in the cauldron. Necromancy... it gave the chills.

PadfootAndTheWolf · 08-13-2009, 04:15 AM

Chris was looking into the Cauldren and then back to Professor Kappor. Did he think that talking to a cauldren would get them anywhere? Chris bit his bottom lip as he waited for something to happen.

And then it happened. Or she happened.

Moaning Myrtle appeared out of the cauldren. Wow something interseting was going to happen with her here.

Maxilocks · 08-13-2009, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moaning_Myrtle

Myrtle sniffled some and slowly peeeeeeeered out of the cauldron, her eyes blinking owlishly.

"Only if its gooooood company." She sniffled again, "And thats doubtful."

Inter.... esting.

As Myrtle "peeeeeeeered" out of the cauldron in response to Professor Kapoor's call, Fyo sat up straighter, clearly wondering what was going to happen now. The third year had met the ghost only once or twice, before.

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