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Slytherin Fox · 05-31-2009, 04:22 PM

Antonio walked into the Muggle Studies classroom for the first time, excited to be back in front of the students again after the summer break. The break had been bittersweet, as there had been a tragic loss over the course of it, but there had also been a gain that he had never expected to have back again, since his wife Bethany was now reunited with him once again after having been rescued from death eaters. Just as he had given up all hope of seeing her again, and the miraculous thing was that she was pretty much unchanged.

Antonio thought about things that had happened last term. Apparently he and several other professors had actually regressed in their minds to being Hogwarts students age, and he and a couple other professors had actually attended a few classes as students. Incredible as that was to believe, he had a somewhat vague memory of binging at Hogwarts. He wondered if this term was going to be a better one, and he hoped it would be. The Mirror of Erised was gone now, and that was a big relief.

Antonio posted up a huge poster at the front of the classroom -

Then he addressed the class. "Good morning, everyone, and welcome back to Hogwarts. We're going to get started in just a few minutes, so please go ahead and take a seat. And just to explain, we are trying things a little differently this year. I am not going to be giving individual house points, however, I am going to be keeping track of those who do welll in the class and you will have the chance to earn stars, which can become house points at the end. House points have been out of control, and of course you will have the chance to earn maximum points on your homework. We really need to focus on learning rather than making a huge competition for points, and so that's what we are doing this term. Just so all of you know." He smiled. "But there will be various surprises and goodies handed out during this class, as well, so be ready."

ooc: Class will be lasting for a few days, so I will be appearing in and out at different times. Don't worry! This also gives people maximum opportunity to show up, and your homework will be posted at the end. Come in and enjoy!

Slytherin Fox · 05-31-2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antarctica!

What a strange name. Jitterbug! Kiri stared at the Muggles' movements, becoming more confused by the minute. At least she thought she understood now why this kind of music was called rock and roll. The name really was a perfect description, and the effect of the music wasn't lost on her classmates, either. Kiri caught several of them tapping their feet or shifting from side to side in their seats.

But they wouldn't have to dance this... jitterbug themselves, would they? Kiri glanced at the professor in alarm. The movements, unfortunately, looked simple enough that they would be able to emulate them. She'd never danced in her life, but had a sneaking suspicion that, if she were to try it, she'd discover she had two (or possibly more) left feet.

She raised her hand again: "Professor, how did the Muggles come up with this dance?"

"Well, the jitterbug is a variant of a form of dancing known as swing dance, and the origin is uncertain. We think it comes from the jittery movement that one makes while dancing, but no one really knows for sure," Antonio said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mugglemad

"Professor, what was the dance that elvis use to do?" she was so interested in the subject.

"Wow, that's a good question. I'm not really sure if the dance he did had a name. I think it was pretty unique to Elvis," Antonio answered truthfully.
"It was just something he did on stage, as part of his act."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Side...

Side...

Rock step!

Side...

Side...

Rock step!

Okay, well, that didn't seem too difficult to remember, now did it? Raising her hand, Anna asked, "Professor are we going to dance the Jitterbug today?" That'd be a fun little addition to the class, even though Anna knew they probably had many more things to learn today other than getting up and cutting a rug across the floor. "It also says in our textbook where 'sock-hops', gym dances, and home basement dance parties were popular. What's a sock hop?"

Antonio tried to answer as many questions as he could. "Well, the term sock hop initially meant removing one's shoes and dancing on the dance floor shoeless as athletic directors would demand that street shoes were removed to spare the gym floors, which were expensive to build/maintain and usually proud features of high schools at the time."

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingDong

YAY! Muuuusic. Despite him being a muggle-born, he'd never even seen that instrument or whatever it was that just projected music out of it. Sure there were ones in the muggle world that were exactly like it but this one was like, kewler... because it was bigger... and cooler. Yeah. He couldn't really explain it but the record player looooked old. He sometimes liked old stuff. While listening to the music, he tapped his fingers on the desk. Ahhhh music. Who didn't like music?

Music-haters of course, but people who hated music were absolutely and completely had no taste in ANYTHING. Yup. Mmhmm.

Now it was the Jitterbug. He'd heard of it before but never really did it himself, so he started nodding his head when Anna asked if they could learn how to do the Jitterbug today. But just in case, he started writing down the instructions... to practice later and all. Yuuuuup.

Remembering some other dance moves that were really, really old, he raised his hand up. "Professah, what other dance moves were popular in the 1950s? Could the Chicken Dance possibly be one of them?" OOOH. The Chicken Dance! But all he could remember was that it was Swiss-ish and... while still raising his hand up, "Did rock 'n roll affect other countries besides the United States?"

"Well, there were two other dances from the '50s known as the lindy hop and the stroll which were popular in those days. And rock and roll actually affected every country," Antonio said. "Or at least most of them. Look at the popularity of it in the world today."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fae

Brant laughed at the thought of him doing this "Jitterbug". Did the Professor really want him to dance. He hoped not. Watching the other students Brant thought "what the heck" he got up and tried to do this Jitterbug dance and as he was dancing he was counting,

step one,
step two.....

Jitterbugging over to the Professor, for he need to ask a question."Erm Professor did every muggle dance like this, it seems soo werid?"

"It seems so," Antonio said with a laugh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomasina Riddle

How cool would it be to have a sock hop for their muggle studies final!! Like the final they had last term. That final was awesome!! And Paris rocked it!!

She giggled at the jitterbug. That would be cool to do. "Sir didn't they do a dance called the Jackie Gleeson at sock hops too?" She asked with a raised hand.

"Hmmm. Jackie Gleason was a famous comedian from the '50's. Very well known, he was the star of a show called the Honeymooners and always featured dance numbers on the show. But I'm not sure if there was a dance called that or not," Antonio said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lezleighd

Satine watched as many others jumped up and gave it a try, so she decided what the heck and jumped up to do the jitterbug with some students nearby..."Professor, this is a blast...we should host a sock hop with poodle skirts and milk shakes and hamburgers like the book says." she said as she giggled and raised her hand.

"How many of you would like that?", Antonio asked.

fredsgirl81293 · 05-31-2009, 08:58 PM

A soft smile slid across her face when she heard he wasn't mad. "Good. I'm glad." she whispered back to him. He caught her offgaurd a bit when he dipped her, but it was fun. "The pleasure is all mine kind sir." she giggled and curtsied toward him. "Looks like we started a trend." Dem turned to the professor when he mentioned a sock hop. "Oh that would be soo much fun, sir!" The idea of a sock hop sounded like a blast. Demetria couldn't remember the last time she got to dress up and go to a big dance.

Mugglemad · 05-31-2009, 09:01 PM

"How did Buddy Holly die, professor?" she was getting curious now.

emjay · 05-31-2009, 09:02 PM

Mariel eyed the Muggle music making thing warily before the music began to play. So this is what Muggles listened to 100 years ago. Some of the songs were admittably not bad, while several others she just plain did not care for, but Mariel could see a few distinct characteristics that some of the songs shared with the Wizarding music of today. Weird. She guessed that music wasn't all that different between Muggles and the magical community and did her best to write down the names of the songs and artists along with description of the music in her notes.

And then someone brought up the idea of dancing. An idea that the third year did not care for. And what was even weirder was that Muggles apparently named their dancing after what sounded like an insect on too much caffeine. Her eyes widened slightly in horror as the professor proceeded with a demonstration. He was not making them do that in class, was he? Frowning slightly at the thought, her brow furrowed as she glanced up at several others using phrases she'd never heard of... Sock hops? Poodle skirts? What were those? Because she was pretty sure the odd mental images that came to view were wrong... they just had to be.

Lezleighd · 05-31-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slytherin Fox

"How many of you would like that?", Antonio asked.

Satine raised her hand again, "I think a sock hop with milk shakes and hamburgers and such would be a blast...I don't mind helping plan it!" she could already picture records hanging from the roof with bright colors everywhere and the girls wearing poodle skirts....o yes she thought that would be a blast.

Furrhead · 05-31-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredsgirl81293

A soft smile slid across her face when she heard he wasn't mad. "Good. I'm glad." she whispered back to him. He caught her offgaurd a bit when he dipped her, but it was fun. "The pleasure is all mine kind sir." she giggled and curtsied toward him. "Looks like we started a trend."

Dagobert grinned and looked around again as more students joined in.
'I can't blame them, this dance is contagious!' he said while tapping his feet.

Quote:

"How many of you would like that?", Antonio asked.

Dagobert liked the idea that another student had given. 'I'm all for that sir. It sounds like a lot of fun.'
He then turned back to Dem and tilted his head, 'What do you think Dem, sound interesting to you?'

Ash Love · 05-31-2009, 09:09 PM

"Sir, I wouldn't mind doing a sock hop" Ash said excitedly dancing along with the music

noodles · 05-31-2009, 09:13 PM

Ems started to relax a little as it seemed they did not have to dance. Phew! How humiliating would that have been?

She looked over at the kid with purple hair, frowning in a confused manner at her suggestion. Ems liked the sound of milkshakes and hamburgers – what spotty teenager wouldn't? - but what in Merlin's pants was a poodle skirt? She knew what a poodle was, yes -it was one of those dog's muggles insisted on giving silly poofy hairstyles. Did you have to bring your pet dog along wearing a skirt? That just sounded like animal cruelty to Ems.

Slytherin Fox · 05-31-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mugglemad

"How did Buddy Holly die, professor?" she was getting curious now.

"That's an excellent question," Antonio said. "On February 3, 1959, Buddy Holly and two other popular rockers of the time, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper along with the pilot, took off from Clear Lake, Iowa in a small private plane bound for Fargo, North Dakota. Tragically, they never made it there. After that, a musician named Don McLean wrote a song called "American Pie" which is kind of a memorial to that event."

Antonio saw some students looking confused. "No, no, a poodle skirt is simply a skirt which has a cloth poodle sewn on it. The skirt is usually pink, and the poodle is often black, gray, or white. Well, it can be any color, really. The material is usually felt or velvet or something."

Ameh · 05-31-2009, 09:16 PM

Raiden smiled as students started dancing along to the music and getting rather into it. Muggles Studies always... led to interesting things. Like the carnival last year. And now they were thinking about a sock-hop? What fun!

...if he had any socks to hop in.

Trying not to let the fact that all his socks were sodden and probably floating around the dungeon right now get him down, Raiden looked around the classroom and spotted Kiri! Yay Kiri! They could do Jitterbug dances together, right? Surely she liked to dance...

"Kiiiiri," he said softly, leaning towards the place where she was sitting. "Do you wanna try that Jitterbug thing with me?"

Mugglemad · 05-31-2009, 09:20 PM

"Wow!" She remembered that Madonna did a cover of that song," what year did the supremes release their first song?"

MarcyMoo · 05-31-2009, 09:25 PM

Lucy perked up even more at the thought of having a sock hop. "That's a wonderful idea sir!" She said. "It would be really fun. Kinda of like a costume party. Everyone dressed up the way people did in the 50's."

Antarctica · 05-31-2009, 09:25 PM

Kiri was busy looking up a few of the confusing terms people were using when someone behind her prodded her. Glancing towards the professor, she could see that he was busy answering questions from other students, so she turned around as surreptitiously as possible. It was Raiden. "Hi," she whispered. "What is it?"

He told her. She stared. Then stared some more. Dance? With Raiden?! "Umm I, I dunno..." she stammered. "D-dance?" Raiden had a confused look on his face now. She breathed in deeply. Her stomach was doing backflips again, but if he, with his "allergies", had managed to ask her, she could at least answer him properly. "Err, alright." Phew. That had been the hardest part. She stood up and pointed towards an empty corner of the classroom awkwardly. "I don't think I'll be very good at it, though," she said, a small, worried smile on her face.

Star-Lord · 05-31-2009, 09:26 PM

Muggle studies was fairly interesting to Jule. She grew up in the wizarding world, away from muggles except her mom.

PunkyKitten · 05-31-2009, 09:28 PM

Tiffany chuckled lightly. Who knew? She was actually enjoying Muggle Studies! She sat there taking notes and listening to the music. For the first time Tiffany felt extremely homesick. Her dad loved Rock and Roll, and would make her listen to it at least three times a day. She smiled as she remembered him dancing the Jitterbug. She used to think he was the most embarrasing dad in the world, but now she seemed to miss his silly dancing. Tiffany raised her hand, before asking politely "Sir, how do Muggles know about songs and dances from almost 100 years ago?" she asked thoughtfully. She was curious. This definitely wasn't something she would have learnt in Muggle School.

Tommehbell · 05-31-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slytherin Fox

"Hmmm. Jackie Gleason was a famous comedian from the '50's. Very well known, he was the star of a show called the Honeymooners and always featured dance numbers on the show. But I'm not sure if there was a dance called that or not," Antonio said.

"That's an excellent question," Antonio said. "On February 3, 1959, Buddy Holly and two other popular rockers of the time, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper along with the pilot, took off from Clear Lake, Iowa in a small private plane bound for Fargo, North Dakota. Tragically, they never made it there. After that, a musician named Don McLean wrote a song called "American Pie" which is kind of a memorial to that event."

Antonio saw some students looking confused. "No, no, a poodle skirt is simply a skirt which has a cloth poodle sewn on it. The skirt is usually pink, and the poodle is often black, gray, or white. Well, it can be any color, really. The material is usually felt or velvet or something."

She thought she had the name of the dance right, but maybe it was just in that muggle movie Hairspray that they did that.

She would love a reason to wear a poodle skirt. She wold wear a green one with a black poodle on it and those cute little white socks with her hair in a bun. She giggled thinking about dressing up like that. She was sure her great grandmother still had hers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mugglemad

"Wow!" She remembered that Madonna did a cover of that song," what year did the supremes release their first song?"

She looked at the girl that asked about the Supremes, she love that group. she raised her hand, "Sir can I answer that question please?" she asked almost bouncing in her chair.

Cassirin · 05-31-2009, 09:29 PM

So far, two of the songs had been about... well, jail. Copernicus raised his hand. "Professor, most songs that I've heard, both Muggle and Wizarding, have relationships as the topic. I guess that's sort of a common thread. But two of the songs you played for us are sort of glorifying imprisonment. Is that also a common Muggle musical theme?"

Mad Eye Touz · 05-31-2009, 09:30 PM

"I want a demonstration, Sir!! You show us how to do this poodle skirting, jitterbugging thing?? Anna is probably the best dancer here," Plymouth gave her a warm and ridiculous look, "so... show us? Sir? Cause, I'm totally game to hop around in my socks and stuff."

Muggles Studies was ridiculously fun. "Demonstration!!"

LadyNerd · 05-31-2009, 09:30 PM

HOLY MERLIN'S LEFT TOE!

A PINK poodle skirt, white socks, hair in a ponytail *grrrrrr*, white sweater? OMG! This would just be AWESOME! "Professor I would love a sock-hop," she spoke with excitement. Dancing, moving, wow!

Pigwidgeon Took · 05-31-2009, 09:36 PM

Jude had heard about those... those THINGS before!!! "A sock'op!?" Jude's eyes lit up. He had sort of learned how to swing dance at one point, maybe he could get some refreshers!? That would be SO.EPIC.

Instead, at the moment, he wiggled his wee little hips and moved his wee little feet and did the twist.

Ameh · 05-31-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antarctica!

Kiri was busy looking up a few of the confusing terms people were using when someone behind her prodded her. Glancing towards the professor, she could see that he was busy answering questions from other students, so she turned around as surreptitiously as possible. It was Raiden. "Hi," she whispered. "What is it?"

He told her. She stared. Then stared some more. Dance? With Raiden?! "Umm I, I dunno..." she stammered. "D-dance?" Raiden had a confused look on his face now. She breathed in deeply. Her stomach was doing backflips again, but if he, with his "allergies", had managed to ask her, she could at least answer him properly. "Err, alright." Phew. That had been the hardest part. She stood up and pointed towards an empty corner of the classroom awkwardly. "I don't think I'll be very good at it, though," she said, a small, worried smile on her face.

To the empty corner then would go then! Raiden grabbed the hand she'd used to point and pulled her toward the empty space, ducking to avoid someone jitterbugging about in a crazy fashion. When they'd reached the empty area, he stopped and looked at her, face rather red.

"Uhm I'm not... good at it either, I don't think," he admitted. "I'll try not to... hurt your foot again, though?"

He moved very tentatively, trying to remember to keep himself from stepping on Kiri's foot like he had in Diagon Alley.

Slytherin Fox · 05-31-2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomasina Riddle

She thought she had the name of the dance right, but maybe it was just in that muggle movie Hairspray that they did that.

She would love a reason to wear a poodle skirt. She wold wear a green one with a black poodle on it and those cute little white socks with her hair in a bun. She giggled thinking about dressing up like that. She was sure her great grandmother still had hers.

She looked at the girl that asked about the Supremes, she love that group. she raised her hand, "Sir can I answer that question please?" she asked almost bouncing in her chair.

"Of course, absolutely," Antonio told Paris.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

So far, two of the songs had been about... well, jail. Copernicus raised his hand. "Professor, most songs that I've heard, both Muggle and Wizarding, have relationships as the topic. I guess that's sort of a common thread. But two of the songs you played for us are sort of glorifying imprisonment. Is that also a common Muggle musical theme?"

"Interesting point," Antonio said. "I always thought that the main theme was about love, but you may have a point. I know that theme is found very heavily in country music as well, and country music is certainly one of the main roots of rock and roll." This was actually something Antonio had not noticed before.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Eye Touz

"I want a demonstration, Sir!! You show us how to do this poodle skirting, jitterbugging thing?? Anna is probably the best dancer here," Plymouth gave her a warm and ridiculous look, "so... show us? Sir? Cause, I'm totally game to hop around in my socks and stuff."

Muggles Studies was ridiculously fun. "Demonstration!!"

"Hmmm, a demonstration might be interesting," Antonio said. "Anna, would you like to show how the dance is done? And all the rest of you, you're welcome to dance along. After that, we'll just enjoy our hamburgers and milkshakes before we proceed with the rest of the class."

ooc: Have fun dancing, and I shall be back later on! Everyone, be sure and behave, I see all and know all! Heeheehee!

Anna Banana · 05-31-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Eye Touz

"I want a demonstration, Sir!! You show us how to do this poodle skirting, jitterbugging thing?? Anna is probably the best dancer here," Plymouth gave her a warm and ridiculous look, "so... show us? Sir? Cause, I'm totally game to hop around in my socks and stuff."

Muggles Studies was ridiculously fun. "Demonstration!!"

Upon hearning Plymouth call out for a demonstration, Anna bit her bottom lip to keep from giggling. She'd so called this one. She just knew Plymouth wouldn't be able to sit through this class without getting up and volunteering himself to cut a rug. "Yeah, a demonstrrr---," Anna started to say, thinking she was agreeing to Plymouth wanting to get up and strut his stuff around the room. "What?!?" she whsipered, turning around in her seat and giving him an [Oh my gosh, Plym, I can't get up and dance in front of this entire class' look. Blushing, Anna sank down into her seat. She'd hit him on the top of the head with a book later on for this one. A soft book...notebook, maybe...but a book nonetheless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slytherin Fox

"Hmmm, a demonstration might be interesting," Antonio said. "Anna, would you like to show how the dance is done? And all the rest of you, you're welcome to dance along. After that, we'll just enjoy our hamburgers and milkshakes before we proceed with the rest of the class."

No sooner than she sank down into her seat, the Professor was agreeing to Plym's little outburst. Okay, skip the notebook. This dude was as good as jinxed when class was over... "Oh, erm, I, erm...really, I...okay, sir," she said, clearing her throat a few times and standing from her seat. Jelly Legs...that was what she had right now. Yikes. "Erm, Plym, dear. I believe I need a partner if I'm to do the Jitterbug, yes?" she said, not really asking a question but rather pleading with him to get a move out of that seat and come demonstrate with her.

Lezleighd · 05-31-2009, 09:44 PM

Satine joined in with another student's chant to encourage the professor, "Demonstration, Demonstration!" clapping as she encouraged others to join in.

Lissy Longbottom · 05-31-2009, 09:48 PM

Jack had to bite his lip to keep himself from laughing. Poor Anna--but, on the plus side, he DID kind of want to see her dance. Even though she looked like she wanted to kill that Plymouth bloke right about now.

And then, Anna said she would need a partner. Oh Merlin, he really hoped she strike revenge on Plymouth right about now. Cale wouldn't be happy, obviously, but anyone but Jack! Besides, Plymouth deserved a taste of his own medicine. Hehe. This was TOO fun to watch as it played out.

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