Preston considered the girl's question and tapped his chin thoughtfully. She raised a good point.

"I can teach the spell to everyone, and then people can choose what to work on or discuss and then move on as they feel motivated to do so."

Turning, Professor Kingsley pressed his lips together thoughtfully.

"There has been a great deal of interest in that subject, Miss Flores, and so I think a general lecture on the subject would be best for a class. Yes.. I think we may tackle various human transfigurations in a future lesson, and then perhaps can follow up in a club meeting after that."

After a few thoughtful bobs of the head, he continued. "But, if you have specific questions, we can certainly discuss those either one-on-one today, or in my office."

Preston turned when another mentioned animagi. He was a bit concerned at the enthusiasm. Growing more serious, he turned to the boy. "Under no circumstances should such an attempt be made on your own. None. To do so would be dangerous, irresponsible, and potentially illegal."

He let the words hang in the air a moment. "I am more than willing to discuss theory with students of all ages. However, practical application is not appropriate for group settings as it is a rare skill that few will ever achieve, that requires supreme concentration when learning. If your interest is that great, please see me privately."

ooc: sorry guys; no group animagi lessons. PM me if you've got questions.

Alexandrie nodded in understanding, it made perfect sense to teach it to everyone, she would be able to use it in Dueling Club..sweet Alex thought smirking on the inside. Alex waited for the Professor to go on with the club meeting eagerly she loved transfiguration.

Having heard someone agreeing with her on the subject of animagi, Evelyn finally sat up and slouched forward, holding her head up by her hand with her elbow on the table while searching for the person agreeing with her.

Whoever it was, was probably rather good at persuasion. That last bit of monitoring them so they didn't have to fail elsewhere? Genius. And, there they were! Patroclus? Huh, she didn't see him enter the room. Well, actually, she didn't see anyone but Destiny and Marie and her attention was too focused on them to really look around.

Speaking of Destiny and Marie, maybe she should go sit by the Gryffindor so she didn't have to stand these two. Hmm, or maybe just a small wave to him and smile would make him come over here instead.

Of course, who wouldn't be interested in the subject of animagi?! But just a general lecture? Nooo!

Sighing, she nodded anyways, not really hearing the other bits of learning various human transfigurations since it would've only reminded her of Professor Pickle or whatever that woman's name was...

However, she did hear if she had any specific questions, she could go ask him. Eventually of course. She did have a few questions on the matter but it would perhaps seem too...too much for a third year?

Bleh. That Lufoy girl was here....

As Professor Kingsley mentioned "Miss Flores", Patroclus thought to himself, who else, with a laughing grin on his face. He was glad he had backed her up, as it was a great topic, suggested by great person.
However any dreams of learning the theories behind Animagi Transformation was squashed as the Professor, deemed the topic to serious for the club, which Patroclus could see was true, but he was still disheartened.

But when, was all that filled his head as he rested his chin on his fist, starring out the window.

Slipping into the club meeting as quietly as possible Alex tried to ignore the fact that he didn't know anyone in the room. And the fact that for once in his life he felt out of place and uncomfortable with that knowledge. There was nothing he could do about it now though.

Hesitantly perching himself on the edge of a chair Alex resolved to listen to whatever the Prof. was going to talk to them about. He could always use more information for Transfiguration and the club was as good a way as any to get it. That and he still needed a partner for his homework.

Ivory had been sort of dawdling near the doorway since she hadn't known if she was late and if there was anything wrong with that, but now that she'd heard the Professor explain the informality of the club she felt a sense of relief. No points taken off, thank Merlin.

Smiling at the Professor, she strode guilt fear to sit beside her best friend and Gold.

Giving them a big smile, she listened attentively to what the Professor was saying and realized she'd sat at the right side of room. Seeing as learning a new spell was something she would definitely not pass up.

Rae thought a minute, she wasn't sure how to say what she was thinking... "Professor, could we transfigure animals, into other animals?" That's possible right? Maybe she could Transfigure Amyntas from Care of Magical Creatures into something easier to look at. She knew it would always be a Clabbert, but it would be a bit easier on the eyes to look at something less.... ugly.

Raiden had slipped quietly into the room as the professor was speaking, and had this been last term he would have considered slipping right back out at the mention of human transfiguration. The fact that he'd been stuck with cat ears and a tail for most of the term was something that still irked him deeply; however it was mostly the fact that he'd been stuck with them, he'd realised over the summer. He'd been stuck and hadn't had a choice.

Not that he'd really had a choice with the whole 'poof you're now a dog' thing either, but at least that had had its benefits.

Actually... he had a question to ask about that. He'd... get around to it later. Right then, he simply listened to his classmates as they rumbled on, some suggesting ideas while others sat silent. He really hadn't thought of anything to suggest, so... hmmm.

The place kept filling up. AND a few people were interested in animagi. Gold listened to them all, a notebook propped in front of her though, for now, she knew there was no need to take notes.

There might be some later, though. Best to be prepared.

"I still have lots to tackle," she told Arya truthfully, as she toyed with the idea of trying a biscuit that looked like it might be lemon-flavoured. Or not. "I haven't done the Transfiguration homework yet." But then, Transfiguration was one of her strong subjects. Now. It hadn't exactly been, two or three years ago. But she had improved greatly since then.

She caught sight of Raiden, from the corner of one, bright green eye, and gave him a little wave. Then Ivory had arrived, and Gold returned the girl's smile with one of her own. "How are you?" She asked, though she fell silent after that, as Professor Kingsley started to speak. What did she want to do, here? Gold reflected on that, and decided she wanted to try something she hadn't tried, before. What, though, was the question.

"Professor?" She raised a hand. "I would like to practice NEWT material." Since she had to take NEWT's, next year. "I'm not sure what, though." She would, however, be more than glad to go along with something Professor Kingsley could suggest. Soo Gold fell silent, and waited for what he had to say. She had, after all, reached a point where she had learned most of what she could teach herself.

"I'd like to learn something new." Celandine offered with her hand up, "But I'm willing to help others too." She tipped her head to one side and ventured, "Professor, I was thinking about... transfiguration battles. A battle of wits and skill. There are a bunch of historical ones, Merlin was supposed to be an expert. Its human transfiguration after all."

Oh Animagi! Dianna thought. She absolutely loved Transfiguration and was hoping to learn more about it. She listened to the other students whilst taking another cookie to munch.

Preston smiled and gestured in the two students as he continued to speak, also gesturing to the cookies.

"It is certainly possible to do so, though I'm not set up at the moment to do so." He considered a moment before addressing the whole group. "Have you done animate-to-animate transfigurations before?"

Perhaps that was better suited to a full lesson, as well, though he could certainly do something here.. hmmm.

He nodded at the Prefect as he entered, still pondering the question of appropriate setting to learn animal transfigurations.

Preston turned to the two young women. "Yes, perhaps a NEWT group, sixth and seventh years. Though you're certainly welcome to learn the spell I was planning to show everyone, you're probably beyond that." He paused. "Yes, we can do that. Others are welcome to observe, of course."

He stroked his chin thoughtfully. His NEWT students were particularly advanced and while he was anxious to provide them with a challenge, he was also wary of giving younger students ideas that were beyond them and could get them into sticky situations.

His thoughts were interupted by Miss Toussaint's next question. "We you thinking we should learn about them, or that we should have one?"

Either way, probably a good idea for another meeting.


"Okay, I think I have a sense of what we'd like to be doing. Why don't we split up. People wanting to work on horolos or find someone to do homework with, over at the left end of the table. Those of you wanting to learn a new spell, on the right. NEWT students in the middle so that we can further discuss your new material."

With her head still on the table, Evelyn closed her eyes and just listened to everyone, paying close attention to the professor the most though. In case he said something important that is. And, he did. Sorta...

Taking a peak for a moment where she sat, she took note that she was already on the right side. Mwaha! Now she didn't have to move. Sooner or later though she might as well get up and sit in between Marie and Destiny. No more fighting today! Especially about lima beans or something.

So, what new spell were they learning? She missed that part. Either he was teaching one, or they were choosing and doing.

The cookies, they were GOOD. She had already ate two and was working on her third. It had nuts. Sure she was ruining her apetite, but she didn't really care at the moment. Her stomach wanted cookies and that's what it would get.

She listened to the conversations that were going on about what people wanted to learn. Being an animagi didn't really intrest the young 'puff, though she wouldn't mind hearing about. That is until the topic bored her. Right now all she really wanted to do was learn a new spell, particuarly conjuring and animating things. Those were fun.

When her best friend plopped down beside her, she gave her a small smile while she finished chewing her yummy cookie. "Hey Ivy, cookie?" She held up her own and took another bite. Mmm.

Out of the corner of her eye she spoted her Slytherin friend and gave him a big wave. She would have invited him to sit beside her, but she was already surrounded by friends. When the professor told them to split up in groups she first turned to Gold, remembering what the older girl had said before. "I can work with you on your homework. I already did it, but I could still use the practice." She offered, glancing at the group of people wanting to learn new spells she paused for a moment. "We can do it here or after the meeting is over. So we can learn some other stuff too." Cause that's what she really wanted to do, learn new fun stuff. Though she would gladly help a friend.

"Either." Celandine answered eagerly. It was clear she'd prefer to learn how to DO stuff, but that she'd settle for theory. Either way she was excited for stuff. For a challenge. For something new. She moved to the middle, barely containing her eagerness and possibly bouncing just a little on one foot.

O________O

He knew, CRATER knew that Destiny wanted that cookie. And now he was going to eat it. Eat it right in front of her face.

She gave him a glare, a glare so deadly that the cookie could have exploded right there in his hands. She held that glare until he asked if she wanted it back. "It was in your mouth! That is just gross, Crater." Yes, she will call the Gryffindor Crater for now on. Craters are talked about in Astronomy, and that class gave Destiny a headache..Carter gave her a headache too.

The boy was lucky he walked over to another seat, or she would have slapped the cookie out of his hand, too.

Huh? She heard her last name being called, and she slowly turned away from Crater to look at the Professor. She wasn't too happy about her name being called first, which probably meant she was in more trouble than Marie. It wouldn't have happened if Marie's boyfriend hadn't stole her cookie!

And why didn't he get in trouble too?

She nodded towards Professor Kingsley, to show she understood. The Lawsonator must have told all the Professor's about what he did to her and Marie. She could picture him telling them too, with that creepy smirk of his plastered on his face. That man..he was EVIL!

Destiny couldn't help but snort at the Professor's words. Oh how she WISHED she could split up. Split up from Marie that is.

Glancing at Evelyn to see what she was doing, a smirk appeared on her face as she noticed they were on the right side..the side for learning a new spell. Hopefully Marie was in the mood to learn!

'Cause Destiny wasn't moving.

Alex followed the instructions and went to the left end of the table, she needed to learn Holoros if she had time she would see if she had time to learn the other spell maybe. She wondered who would all go towards this end glancing around.

Carter excitedly turned his attention back to the Proffesor. Yes! They were going to learn a new spell! That sounded like a lot of fun. Carter loved learning new things and he loved transfiguration.

Carter fought the urge to laugh. Did she just call him Crater? He wondered what her bizarre reasoning for that was. Whatever. Destiny was weird. It was an accepted fact.

He finished his cookie and looked back over. "Do you want me to just find you another chocolate chip cookie?" he asked the pouting girl. There was no way there was just one on that whole platter.

Marie was just about to sit down at the other end of the table, you know, her allowed six feet away from Destiny when she heard her name being called.

What!?

Professor Kingsley was going to make them sit next to each other! Why did she have to sit so close to Destiny if she didn't want to? What was the point in having a six foot rope attaching them if they just had to stay right next to each other? This was so unfair. Professor Mean Lawson was definatly getting kicked the next time she seen him.

She reluctantly walked back and sat down in the seat next to Destiny and glared at the girl. Really? Now she was going to resort to calling Carter names! "Oh, very mature of you Destiny. Only you would resort to name calling." Why did that girl have to be so mean all the time?

Even after Destiny called him names Carter was still the mature one. He even offered to find her a chocolate chip cookie... you know since she didn't seem to be able to do it herself.

Noticing that Destiny wasn't moving when the professor told them to chose what side of the room they wanted to be on, Marie just sat there too. She was tempted to drag that so called friend of hers to the other side of the room, you know just to annoy the heck out of her, but she really did want to learn a new spell. And if it meant letting Destiny think she was getting her way then so be it. Let her think that.

She turned so she was facing Carter now. She would much rather look at him that that attachment she had on her other side.

Rae answered the professor's question about animal transfiguring, "Not really, sir." The listened to what he said about splitting up, before she got up, she looked over at Destiny, Evelyn, and those two other people that doused Destiny in water in the Flower Garden. Rae didn't want ANY part of that drama. She got out of her seat and moved to the right side of the room. She had gotten Horolos down pretty easily. Yes, this was the only subject she could do without difficulty.

Preston stood as the students milled about and took there places. A few in each; precisely what he'd anticipated. "Good good."

Moving to a place where everyone could see him, before drawing his wand. "Two simple conjuring spells to start, but having looked over the notes from past terms, they haven't been covered here, yet. Some of you may have learned them on your own, in which case, I'd like to ask you to help those who are learning it for the first time." Preston smiled, fully believing that you reinforced your own learning when you helped someone else.

"It's happened to nearly all of us. You suddenly need to write something down, and are without quill and ink. Or your only quill breaks in class. Or your ink shatters in your bag. These two spells prove terribly useful."

Standing in front of the table, he made a straight downward motion with his wand, as if he were drawing the letter l. "Calamus." Resting on the table, then, was a simple brown feather quill. Picking it up, Preston twirled it in his fingers. "A simple quill. No enchantments, since as we covered in class, you cannot conjure items with magical properties. But it will suffice for writing. The incantation, for those who are interested, comes from the part of the quill that serves as a reservoir for ink. Conjuring a feather that is not ready for use would be a different spell."

Setting it back on the table, Preston pointed his wand at an empty space next to it. Drawing a small circle, he spoke softly. "Encaustum." Appearing there, then, was a small container of black ink. "Again, no enchantments. Just plain black ink."

Holstering his wand, Professor Kingsley addressed the group. "Why might it not be the best idea to write something you want to keep for a long time with this ink? Or, for that matter, with conjured paper?"

He looked over to his NEWT students as if to say he would be with them in a moment.

Alex looked at the items, she raised her hand, "Conjured items don't last, the spell used will run out of power eventually. Not to mention parchment can't stand up to ink normally, it would cause a big mess and the ink would sink into the paper you used. That's why parchment paper and ink are normally enchanted so this wouldn't occur. Right Professor?" Alex was mostly guessing from what she heard and learned from books.

Carter watched as Professor Kingsley preformed the spell. Oh, question time. He raised his hand, then remembering he wasn't in class he lowered it, then he raised it again. Might as well still be respectful, right? "Is it because it could or will disappear?" he asked. He wasn't sure which. Every time he saw something conjured the person always caused it to disappear again.

"Conjured items don't stick around forever, sir," Raiden said quietly, eyes on the conjured quill and ink. "It would take an advanced wizard to make them stay around for an extended period of time."

Which was why it was amazing that the mug last term had stayed a mouse for so long. Apparently Kazimeriz had even been able to focus on such things in his sleep.

"Eventually, you'd have to either re-copy what you'd written down, or it'd vanish with the effects of your spell. If stuff stuck around forever, I'm pretty sure Scribbulus EverChanging Inks would go out of business."

Celandine nodded in agreement with Raiden.

"But professor, each of those spells seperately, rather than together, would be equally if not more useful. If you conjured a quill and used real and non conjured ink, even when the quill vanished you'd still have your notes. And with the ink you could take down things like to do lists, and if you are using a non-imaging parchment then when the ink disappears you can reuse the parchment.

Also, some parchment is charmed to change colours and keep a faint image of where ink once was though, and in that case even if the ink disappeared you could recover what was written with the help of the special parchment and the aparecium charm." Which was obviously charms rather than transfiguration, but Celandine thought it was worth pointing out. It was all spellwork after all.

Cela didn't add anything else, or anything that was a specific answer to the posed question since she got the impression it was mostly aimed for the younger students.

She just couldn't bear not chiming in and participating somehow.