Originally Posted by MeredithRodneyMcKay

Chewing her bottom lip, Isabelle eyed the students as they worked. They certainly seemed to be enjoying it *snort*. Maybe she should move onto something else they can do? Sighing, she moved over towards the blackboard and cleared off all the writing that was already on it. Scribbling with the chalk, instead this time of using magic for it, she wrote out another set of instructions.

Turning her attention back to the class, she cleared her throat to get their attention. "Those of you that wish to continue practising, please do so. The rest of you - I want to know whether your compasses work, and if you concentrated enough on the spell to get an accurate compass." Grin. Oh yes, it wasn't just an appearance thing. If their needle was wrong, or their letters in the wrong places, this wouldn't be successful for them. "So this is a little task to complete before I finish the lesson."

"I am going to set up a walled grid at the back of the room to make this fair - don't want you all to just copy what the person next to you is doing. Each compartment will have enough space for you and your desk and chair." Isabelle stopped and looked at the kids to make sure they were paying attention, or if she wasn't making sense and they had questions. "Don't be alarmed when the walls go up. You will be able to move out of them, but you WON'T be able to see anyone around you. If you wish to do this task, please write down ALL the instructions I have placed on this board, soon you won't be able to see them."

Checking that they had all made note, as she asked, Isabelle went about setting up the classroom. With a flick of her wand several walls shot up, concealing a few of the desks at the back of the room, but leaving some near the front open. "Please make your way to the front if you wish to continue practise, and to the one of the cubicles if you want to do this task."

OOC: The classroom now looks a bit like this, for anyone that wants to know.


She gave them all enough time to move around as they chose, clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth as she waited.

"Right then, those of you that are doing this task please find North and turn your desk to face that EXACT direction. If your compass is correctly transfigured the red arrow should point to magnetic North. Then please take out a separate piece of parchment, and WITHOUT drawing the compass lines on it, please follow the directions I gave you before to create the image I'm looking for." She knew what it was, but she wanted to see if they could read their new compass, and get the lines going in the right directions. "Use your compass to get your bearings on the paper. Once you have finished, just give me a shout and I will get rid of your cubicle walls. You can start, please."

OOC: If you don't want to do this, and just keep practising instead, that's fine. Everyone else - I will take a hand drawn diagram, or one done using a graphics program. I'll post what the image should look like later when people have completed theirs. And if you have ANY QUESTIONS, don't hesitate to ask me or Isabelle!

Oh, and please try not to copy any pictures anyone else posts first. *snuggles you all*

Originally Posted by MeredithRodneyMcKay

"Oh course it is, dear. If you'd prefer to just keep practising you can." Isabelle smiled at the young girl who had spoken. She didn't expect them all to do it, if they didn't want to. "But if you need something explaining just ask me."


Her compass? "Oh yes, of course Evelyn. One moment." Walking to her desk, Issy picked up the compass she had transfigured and went back to the Slytherin. "Here you go. I just used a basic one for the example, but you can make the casing and face more intricate if you concentrate enough," she smiled.


O________o Whut?

Isabelle flinched slightly as the boy stretched up and put the watch to her ear. Ticking, yesss. It was meant to do that. Unless it was broken of course and --- He wanted her to make it stop? Riiiight. What a sweet kid. Even if he was uncomfortably close to her ear. "Stop it talking? Urr, okay, yes, I can do that for you, if you feel it would help," she stuttered, still unsure if he was being serious or taking the Michael. Of course she could have just taken out the battery, but figured that maybe he might be offended by that. So instead Isabelle tapped it with her wand and raised her eyebrows in a questioning manner. "Better?" Well it was silent anyway.


Ahh her first student who was going to try the task. Inwardly, and outwardly actually, Isabelle was smiling as she watch the boy move seats. She was of course going to be walking around the room to see how they were getting on. She didn't really like to sit down for long, and the kids that were practising seemed to be alright on their own for now.

Walking behind Riley's desk as he drew, she nodded to herself. He had done well with his directions. Obviously a working, and readable compass. "Well done, Riley," she smiled, flicking her wrist and removing his walls. Collecting his drawing, she gave him a pat on the shoulder. "You can continue to try and get different styles for your compass if you wish."


"It would seem that you are, Simon. Well done, it looks good." Yes, another one that was correct. So not only could they transfigure properly, they could also follow instructions well. Brilliant. A flick and his walls were removed as well. "As I said to Riley, you may keep practising to try and get more intricate designs. It will help with your concentration for spells in general." Picking up his drawing, too, she moved on...


"I don't appreciate scheming in my lessons, girls. Or idle chatter for that matter." Isabelle walked up behind the girl that had just spoken, and the one she was talking to. She crossed her arms and gave them a warning look. "If you want to talk about non-class related things, please wait until you are in your free time. I will take points the next time I hear it - and I don't want to be forced to do that." No she didn't. Because generally she was very nice.


"Are you alright there, Ellie?" Isabelle had made her way around to the desk occupied by the young Ravenclaw. The Ravenclaw that appeared to be getting a bit agitated. Maybe it had something to do with the half watch, half compass in front of her? "Anything I can help with?"


Isabelle scooted in the direction of another voice. They were done, now to see if they had got it right. Well now, weren't they doing good. "I would say you do, Luin. It looks lovely." Removing the walls, she took their parchment as well. "Try and see if you can get any different designs for your compass now. Work on that concentration, eh?" Smiling at her, Issy moved off to the next person.


Oh, cute little Hugo. "Lopsided is fine, dear. I can see what it is. And you did it correctly, that's the main thing." Patting him on the back, Issy vanished his walls and took the paper. "Continue practising for now, the lesson will be finishing soon."


Lexi Denver's desk was next to Hugo's, and Isabelle stopped behind the girls chair to see how she was getting on. Very well it seemed. The sticking out tongue appeared to be helping, huh? heh. "That looks very good, Lexi. Very pink too. I like it." And it was right, which was most important. Taking the paper, she vanished the walls and nodded at the compass. "You can keep practising again, try and make it more detailed or something. Work on your concentration. I'll be finishing up soon."



Ooooh a stander. And it was the boy who had seemed distracted earlier. Isabelle gave him a small smile as she looked at him over the top of his cubicle. "You can stay where you are for now, no need to stand, dear." She walked over and stood behind his chair. It certainly looked good. Putting her hand on his back she guided him back down into his seat and removed his walls. Taking the paper from him, she grinned - maybe hoping her smile might lift his mood. "Keep practising until the end of class, eh? Try different things - designs and such."



"Getting the compass right is a good start though," Issy smiled, walking over to the girl who required her attention. Looking down at the object on her desk, she tilted her head to the side. "What you need to do is clear your mind completely. Then focus on what you want the compass to look like. EXACTLY what you want it to look like. Concentration, and getting the image in your minds eye, is crucial to any transfiguration spell. Try again." Tapping the compass, Isabelle turned it back into the watch the girl was given. Smiling encouragingly, she gave her a nod before moving off to see if anyone else wanted her.

----------------------------------------

Making her way back to the front, Isabelle turned to face the class and leant against her own desk. "I'll be closing the lesson soon, but for now I'll give you all some more time to practise, or try your hand at the task I set if you wish. If you want any help, just ask me."



OOC: It's my bedtime soon, but I'll leave the lesson open until tomorrow afternoon GMT. You can try the task if you want, practise only, or even both - I don't mind. I'll post the drawing I did tomorrow as well, but you've all done well with that. Don't chat too much please, I won't be here, but Magnus will be. Thanks.

Originally Posted by MeredithRodneyMcKay

Ahhh yes, the strap. That could happen with those sort of watches. Pocket watches were much easier to transfigure with this spell, but giving them all one of those would have been too easy - wouldn't it? *evil cackle*

"Perhaps if you imagine the strap incorporated into the design of the compass? A leather casing maybe?" It was an idea, and it might help the girl. "Don't give up though, you'll get it how you want eventually," Isabelle smiled at her and nodded in encouragement.


Isabelle had made her way around the whole class by now, and was on her second trip to see how the next lot of taskers were getting on. Walking past Sabel's desk it dawned on her that he was still drawing, after she had taken his finished task one away. Squinting down at the paper, she grinned. "Those are lovely, Sabel. Good designs all with the points of a well transfigured compass. I like it." Patting him on the shoulder, she moved on.


When Jake called her over, Isabelle took a deep breath. She could tell from the look on his face that he wasn't sure about what he'd done, so she readied herself to see what it was on the page. Huh. Yeah. Not what she was after. "I notice you haven't moved your desk, Jake," she observed, leaning over the back of his chair to get a look at his compass and drawing. "The reason I asked you to do that was so you could get an accurate idea of the right directions."

His second attempt was...better. "That one," Issy said, pointing to the oddly bent star, "is more what I was looking for. Although you don't have to draw the line directly to the W of west, just in the direction. So the left side of the paper."

She was about to speak again, to tell him he did a good job - at the second attempt anyway - when he began coughing hard. Standing back a little to give him some room, Isabelle rested her hand on his back as he apologised. "Jake, please go and see Healer Moretti when class is finished. You are ill - go get cured." She gave him a pointed look, before collecting his papers and moving on.



"Not late at all, Alice," Issy smiled, turning to see the face of the young Hufflepuff, and the paper she was handing her. It was correct, and very well drawn. "Thank you, it's perfect."


Explode?

.....

Well - at least it only melted this time. Isabelle was immensely thankful for that. She didn't fancy having to clear up a damaged classroom and ferry students off to the hospital wing. Not in her first lesson anyway. There was still time for that later. Although hopefully it wouldn't happen. She'd have to keep an eye on this one. Fo 'sho.

"Right, well - if you're sure," Issy smiled. "Just hand in your parchment at the end if you choose to do the task."


This required another O___________o.

Isabelle was glad he was now satisfied, and could get going with practise, but she was NOT expecting a hug for it. Putting her arms up as he grabbed her around the waist, she patted him on the head gently and chuckled. "Urrr, you're welcome, Eino." Yeah, what could you say to that? Nothing more, so she left him to practise.


Isabelle had been watching the Hufflepuff from the other side of the room. She appeared to be struggling with the incantation. Feeling the urge to assist, Issy went to walk towards her when she realised that the girl had got it right. Beaming, she stopped as Mia went off and did the task.

Moving around the corner of the cubicle, she peered over her shoulder as the drawing came together. When finished, Isabelle nodded and vanished the walls. "Well done, Mia." Good job.


"Exactly what I was looking for, Mister Salander. Well done." Isabelle stepped up behind the chair of the Slytherin and looked over his shoulder. Flicking her wand, his walls disappeared and she took the paper off his desk. "You can carry on practising until the end of the lesson."


Arriving at the desk of a young Slytherin, who had called her over, Isabelle looked down at the two pieces of parchment on the desk. "Hmm, yes. I think the first time you might have got the instructions around the wrong way at some point. But your second version is much better, good going, Miss Greingoth." Taking the correct version, Issy vanished the walls and gave the girl a warm smile.

Next person was...?


....Another Slytherin.

"Very good indeed, Miss Malfoy." Issy nodded her head as she studied the girl's work. Picking it up, she folded it with the others in her hand and smiled. "You can carry on practising for a few more minutes if you wish."


Isabelle nodded at Riley. She was glad to see the enthusiasm he had. "More colour perhaps?" she smiled. Could be doing with dreary and boring, could we?


OOC: I read it wrong, sorry. But yes take it as that.

"Good." Although Issy noted the tone the girl used on certain words. Perhaps she would keep an eye on them anyway - people that protested so emphatically usually were going to do something.


Walking over to the next person that called, Isabelle looked down at the drawing the girl had done. "I would say you are, well done," she smiled, nodding as she scanned the picture. Taking it into the pile, she vanished the walls and moved on.


Huh, a little off straight on the page, but when Isabelle turned the paper around so north was at the top, all was well. "Well done, Selina. A very pretty drawing, too." She was impressed.


Ahhh another one was finished. These kids certainly had made some compasses that worked. So far they all pointed to North, considering all their desks were round the right way - except Jake, obviously.

"Very impressive, Patroclus. Thank you." Giving the Prefect a smile, Isabelle took the paper from him and removed his walls.


Walking up to the desk of a young Gryffindor, Isabelle listened to the question she had. East and West? Peering at the compass she had made, it dawned on the 40 year old that the girl hadn't filled in the directions. "Ahh well, East is on the right side, and West is on the left. With North and South, top and bottom," she smiled.


She was done? Looking down at the paper, Issy had to agree. Nicely drawn to boot. "It would appear you are, Lucy. Thank you very much." Taking the parchment, Issy removed the walls once more and smiled at the Gryffindor.


Moving onto the next desk, Issy peered down at the parchment of the girl working at it. She had done well. In purple too, nice colour. Smiling, she picked it up when she saw the girl had finished. "Nice job, Fee."

--------------------------------------------------------------

"Right, I must say you all did extremely well with the task I set you. Your compasses found magnetic North perfectly - although maybe not always the first time," Issy gave a small smile in the direction of Jake. "The image I was looking for was a bottom heavy star, such as this..." Waving her wand a piece of parchment flew into her hand, and Issy held it up for the rest of them to see.



"...Which you all came up with for me. So thank you. I have collected them all and they shall adorn my office wall for now." Issy had a glint in her eye when she said that. With no kids of her own, why not put up pictures from other peoples? Heh. "If you could all finish up what you are doing, class is now over, so you can leave when you've cleared away. Please take the watches, or compasses - whichever form they currently take - as you will need them for homework. I will post that up the on board within the next few hours." With smile, Issy spread out her arms and nodded at the kids. "Class dismissed."




OOC: I will leave the thread open until tomorrow, and homework will be posted soon. Finish up your practise, then you can have your charrie leave. Thanks guys!