"Is it truer to say that the Order bestows the award and being a member of the order may be fundamentally different to having recieved the award? Furthermore, if you look at it over history, you could even divide it into two seperate groups by the same name; the original Order of Merlin or indeed those that were awarded the Order of Merlin, First, Second or Third class. I think it became a status thing too, the ministry used it at one time as a reward for people who had given copious amounts of money to support the minister rather than for doing anything that truly ended up benefiting muggle/wizard relations, which was it's original purpose. So we could say I am referring more to the original Order of Merlin and you are referring to the more Contemporary Order of Merlin." Cela suggested, smiling enthusiastically.

"That's kind of interesting really, tracking how an organisation has changed over time and whether it has influenced or been influenced and for each of those, to what degree."

"Well, actually, if we don't get too offtrack, the idea is that the boy was representing one of the people who were part of the Order of Merlin, not the awarded person. Unless the awarded person is considered a member him or herself..." Diane said this while she flipped her textbook looking for answers, and found none which could relate to this subject for now. "In either case, where physical form is concerned..." Then she raised her head,

"Well, since we are done playing with you -" she asked the Hufflepuff boy, big smile on her face, "would you mind telling us your reasoning for your answer? Just to satify our curiosity."

"Though," she reasoned afterwards, tilting her head, "the thing they have in common may be, they all possess limbs and heads...?" ...Well, why not?

“Good guessing everyone, and excellent deductions.” Truebridge had taken note of the more thoughtful questions and noted who had joined in with the guessing and asking. Thank you Varius, Natka, Kiri and Herminny.” Ethan nodded politely at each of them, quite pleased with how well they had done.

Ethan listened to the discussion with interest, pleased to hear the two Slytherins holding their own.
“Do remember that the volunteers are categorising the questions as yes, no or irrelevant based on their own ideas and experiences. It is interesting to note that in some situations what may be considered by the majority as irrelevant now, might have been a factor of classification in the past.” He paused thoughtfully.
“In any case, it is certainly good practice to be debating such things and I do encourage it in my classroom. If there ever are any topics brought up that any of you wish to discuss, as long as you are discussing something history related, I do not mind at all.”

Oh no! Varius had done bad! But Cela was sticking up for his answer which made him feel slightly better. Oh! but then that Slytherin girl was asking for his reasoning. He didn't want to sound like an idiot now! "I said it because from the people I know who have it... well, they are all of wizard-kind... or humanoids. I don't know any Goblins or Elves or anything like that who have received the aware... but, I am willing to change my perspective on the question if you can tell me someone who has?"

"Oh and, the answer didn't stop you all guessing correctly, now did it," he stuck his tongue out playfully. Oh noes. Maybe that was rude? EEEK.

HAD HE ZONED OUT?

Fyo shook his head, clearing out little bits of shiny things and warm strings and fuzzy stuff. How could he have ZONED OUT? In History of Magic class, too. He was just glad there was to be another round. [There was to be another round, wasn't there?]

Keeping his silence for the moment, he listened to the other students discuss. Waiting. Waiting for the next round to commence.

Helena shook her head. Now they weren't even talking about the real question at all. She didn't say anything else, a bit annoyed with Varius's answer but threw an appreciative smile to Diane. They were right - it had nothing to do with appearance, and if Varius didn't know of any others whom had received it, he should have brushed up on his history of it before they started.

Diane titled her head. "Yes, I would guess somebody did answer correctly, through I rather say it may be that our friend over there has seer abilities, for that was some inspirational enlightenment," she joked amicably. "If it was me, I would find, and this is only a suggestion, the answer would be 'irrelevant'. The physical form shouldn't be an impediment or criteria to award or be members of such organization, to my knowledge. Or at least, not because of its physical form."

She sat back, humored for only reasons she knew. Ah, now the second period of our guessing game should begin. She was eager.

Varius smiled apologetically at them, "I'm sorry girls. I think we're just going to have to agree to disagree on this one." Drawing his attention away from the debate, he now faced Professor Truebridge, excitedly awaiting the start of the next round since he would get a chance at guessing.

"You are right about the Order of Merlin not being awarded to any non-Wizards." Ethan answered, considering it had been a question. "However, it is relevant to point out that this may not be a result of an inherent prejudice, rather consider that most non-wizards and part-humans have their own rights to be concerned with rather than Muggle rights, which is what the Order of Merlin was originally created in support of."

Ethan nodded again and once he was certain the four students had, for the time being, reached an end to their debate he cleared his throat to address the class.

"Those of you that volunteered earlier, if you still wish to come up for the next round you are most welcome to do so. If I need more volunteers I will let the rest of you know." While Ethan waited for the students to come up he addressed the class at large. "Do keep in mind that personal opinion does often come into play with games like this, so with your guesses, you may indeed find yourself having to disregard the answer to a question or two in order to find the best fit."

ooc: Hermione345, fire_faerie, hermionesclone, DanialRadFAN01, Anna Banana, Ameh, Lezleighd, She-Who-Is-Not-To-Be-Psycho! had volunteered, so when I ask for volunteers now, I mean for it to be these people. We will do two more rounds before wrapping up and preparing for... the fun part.

Also, I edited my response to the previous round into post #203

Oooh. That was... he was one of the previous volunteers. Raiden stood and moved to the front of the class. It was safe. There were no trick things or daydream things or love potions in sight. So... yeah, it was safe. Guessing games were fun and not... horror-inducing! Hooray for that.

Ohhh, it was her turn to volunteer now, wasn't it? It looked pretty cool getting up there and having everyone try and guess your secret organization, so Anna was actually rather excited to get up in front of the class and have her turn. As she walked forward, she repeated the rules of the game in her head...one guess or two questions per volunteer, right? Right. Or so she thought. Maybe the professor would go over the rules of the game once more before they got started with the next round. She moved to stand in the front near the professor, so when the time came, he could assign her an organization. This should be fun...

"Here you go, Raiden." Ethan passed a scrap of paper to the Slytherin boy.

"Anna." Truebridge passed her a scrap of paper too, her organisation listed on it.

"Remember, you get two questions OR a guess per volunteer. A correct guess isn't going to earn more points for your house than well thought out questions, its all teamwork. You may start asking Anna and Raiden when you are ready, and each of the other volunteers as they get their organisations assigned." Ethan adressed the class.

Rachel, who had preferred to sit quietly and observe the volunteers and her classmates, paid rapt attention to what was going on. It really looked like fun and she was glad that she had volunteered. Waiting patiently for people to guess that correct answers, she began to think of how she would answer questions when Professor Truebridge called up the rest of the volunteers, namely her.

Getting up from her seat, she proceeded towards the front of the classroom, eager to receive her organisation and begin. It really did look like fun!

Oooh, new round! Fyo watched some of the students get up to start the game, nodding to himself [and, umm, sort of trying not to think of generally SHINY! things.] Hopefully, he would be able to volunteer next time - it seemed such fun, y'know. There would be more rounds, right?

The young Gryffindor sat up straighter, pretty excited. Because, this time, he wanted to guess something - and guess it right - yup, yup.

"Anna, is the group you represent include muggle born witches and wizards?"

Satine was excited to participate...she weaved her way through all of the madness of answers and questions being yelled out and stood at the front of the class waiting for the Professor to pass her the organization. She really hoped she had a kind of difficult one to answer.....

Anna accepted the scrap of paper from Professor Truebridge, briefly glanced at it, then quickly put it away. She stood in front of her classmates, waiting for anyone who had a question or...later on, a guess. She reviewed the rules in her head as she waited...two questions or a guess per volunteer. That sounded simple enough.

"That's irrelevant, Abby" she simply said.

Cy's brown eyes focused on the Slytherin, because in less he absolutely had to, he didn't want to speak to the evil Head Girl. "Hey Raiden, is your organization exclusive, like, yah' have to be asked to join? And, does it have anything ta' do with Magical Creatures?"

There were his two questions, now hopefully either Varius or Abby could pick it up now.

Truebridge nodded at the Ravenclaw prefect and fished a scrap of parchment out of his pocket, passing it to her.

"Here you go Satine." Ethan passed the young girl a slip of parchment with an organisation on it.

"Remember, only 2 questions OR one guess per volunteer." Ethan reminded the class.

Soon after Herminny took her seat after the group she represented was figured out round 2 began and it seemed head girl Anna was erepresenting her house now. She turned to her and asked, "Is the group you represent run by the Ministry?".

Satine took her spot at the front of the class and unfolded her paper...O this one might be hard she thought as she read the organization on the paper.

Looking at the class, she said with her usual big beautiful smile, "Alright, I'm ready...shoot or give up the gun." she said as she shot at the class with her imaginary hand guns.

Smiling excitedly at the Professor, Rachel took the little note from him and quickly read it. Oh - Cool! Tucking the parchment into the pocket of her robes, she turned to face the rest of a class with a grin. This should be fun! Absentmindedly she flicked a hair out her face and waited patiently for the first question, already trying to think up answers.

Shumeeta's hand shot up and her question was for Anna. "Anna, does your organization contain underage wizards and witches?"

Turning to Herminny, Anna said, "No, it's not, Herminny."

"Irrelevant, Shumeeta," she said, shaking her head no at the sound of the girl's question.

"Okay then, so is the group you represent a school organization?", thinking the one she had was so it was atleast worth a try.