Arithmancy Lesson Two: Pinnacles & Challenges
 

Gone were the breezy Fall days that Professor Hadley enjoyed the freshness of, as the windows in the Arithmancy classroom were closed tightly to seal off the cold Winter air. This, however, had the downside of making the room feel slightly stuffy, but it was either that or have the kids freezing during the whole time they were in her lesson.

Desks were spaced apart today, in Fina's effort to maybe allow the students some breathing air. Standing by the doorway today, she smiled as the students began slowly filtering it. "Good afternoon. Please take your seats and take out your textbooks, quill and parchment," Hadley would say to ever few group of students, smiling politely as she did so.


ooc: Lesson will officially begin in a ~14 hours. Remember that even if I'm not here, Hadley still is, so don't do anything you wouldn't want her to see.
ooc: Sorry about the delay. Some things came up like me doing RL Herbology ;P But lesson has started now, so while you're welcome to join in, please DO NOT post your late arrival, but pretend like you've been there the whole time! <3
Notice: Jess has work this afternoon until like 10:30 tonight =(. So she will continue Saturday morning at approximately 8/9am EST. Thank you for your patience <3.

Lesson Progression
→ What are your aspirations?
→ What are Pinnacles?
→ Pinnacles

→ Calculate your Life Path Numbers (if you don't have it handy/haven't calculated it yet)
→ Any questions about Pinnacles?

→ Onto the next number... which is?
→ More on the Challenge Number!
→ Challenge Number Calculations: One, Two, Three, Four - Now your turn!

Text Cut: Table with Duration of Your Pinnacle Cycles & Challenge Numbers Based Upon Your Life Path

__________________ Your 1st ____ Your 2nd ____ Your 3rd ____ Your 4th
__________________Pinnacle ____ Pinnacle ______ Pinnacle ______ Pinnacle
___________________Cycle ______ Cycle ________ Cycle ______ Cycle
_________________runs from: ____ runs from: ____ runs from: ____ runs from:
Your Life Path is 1: age 0 - 35 ___ age 35 - 44 ___ age 44 - 53 ___ age 53 >
Your Life Path is 2: age 0 - 34 ___ age 34 - 43 ___ age 43 - 52 ___ age 52 >
Your Life Path is 3: age 0 - 33 ___ age 33 - 42 ___ age 42 - 51 ___ age 51 >
Your Life Path is 4: age 0 - 32 ___ age 32 - 41 ___ age 41 - 50 ___ age 50 >
Your Life Path is 5: age 0 - 31 ___ age 31 - 40 ___ age 40 - 49 ___ age 49 >
Your Life Path is 6: age 0 - 30 ___ age 30 - 39 ___ age 39 - 48 ___ age 48 >
Your Life Path is 7: age 0 - 29 ___ age 29 - 38 ___ age 38 - 47 ___ age 47 >
Your Life Path is 8: age 0 - 28 ___ age 28 - 37 ___ age 37 - 46 ___ age 46 >
Your Life Path is 9: age 0 - 27 ___ age 27 - 36 ___ age 36 - 45 ___ age 45 >
Your Life Path is 11: age 0 - 34 ___ age 34 - 43 ___ age 43 - 52 ___ age 52 >
Your Life Path is 12: age 0 - 32 ___ age 32 - 41 ___ age 41 - 50 ___ age 50 >

Kurumi couldn't run towards the Arithmancy classroom any faster, even if she was on a broom. Which, well, really wasn't saying all that much considering she was still a rather timid flyer. Her stomach tied in knots at the thought. She really needeed lots of pretty and pefect numbers to take her mind off things. Numbers, nice and sturdy. Yep.

Kurumi hurried her way towards the front, set her things down, and practically beamed when she looked up at Professor Hadley. "Good day, Professor," she smiled as she took a seat and began setting her things out neatly on her desk.

Today was a nice day in her opinion. She felt good, the weather was good regardless that it was freezing...causing her to wear an extra sweater...but it was all good! Why? Well, she didn't know why. Perhaps it was this class. Perhaps because she had a nice sleep the night before. Or, perhaps this was probably just a five minute happy mood and it'll be over then.

Huh. "Good day, Professor Hadley." she greeted before moving over to a desk near the back and proceeded to take out her notebook, quill, and ink. Happy mood was over.

Arithmancy! And he was still struggling with the poem!

Either way, Treyen walked inside and actually placed a little box on top of Hadley's desk. Maybe it wasn't too little, its size was that of an apple. It was Christmas in January, for Hadley. Inside, she'll find little chocolates, mint chocolates. She WILL like them, he knew. Because he liked them too.

And with a wink, and a smile, he proceeded to take a seat.

A seat next to Kurumi, of course, and he also had a smile for the Gryffindor girl, but no gift, sorry.

As Raven entering the room, "Good Afternoon Professor" he greet the professor, before walking again toward the middle of the middle of the room.

Eino entered the Arithmancy classroom yawning, with his hair uncombed, and his shirt inside out. It had been a rough time; he had barely slept. He had spent a great deal of his night completing his Astronomy and History of Magic homework assignments. He dragged himself to a seat and set up his desk with quill, parchment, bottle of ink, and textbook. He did all of this very slowly with the least of efforts, and with his eyes half closed. When he was finally done his desk looked... not as neatly as usual but it would do. He rubbed his eyes, yawned once, slapped himself twice, and blinked several times. That would do... maybe. Yawn.

Kurumi's smile only brightened when she saw Treyen enter the classroom. She shifted her body position a little, first becoming a little stiff in her shoulders before relaxing a little as he sat down next to her and...wait for it...THERE IT WAS!

"H-Hello Treyen!" she chirped.

Kurumi felt her cheeks burn a bit and she resisted the urge to bring out her sunglasses.

"You trying to raise your grade in Arithmancy?" she teased as she pointed her quill towards the gift he had left on Professor Hadley's desk. Copying off her parchment would only get him so far.

Ellie walked into Arithmancy. That homework wasn't due yet....right? Hopefully?

Or, whatever. You know, she'll just...whatever.

"Hey Hadley," she said, passing her. She couldn't heed her orders, though. Not all of them, at least, because once again, Ellie failed to bring her textbook. And, once again, she'd done so on purpose. It was just sooo much easier to look off of someone else.

The redhead walked past Treyen, flashing him as smile, before taking a seat in the middle. Sorry, Hadley, you're loved, but you're subject isn't.

Having come all the way down from the Ravenclaw Tower, Roderigo was slightly winded as he landed on the second floor and walked into the Arithmancy classroom. He felt a slight temperature change as he went from the drafty corridor to the slightly stuffy classroom. He put on a smile as he walked passed Professor Hadley.
"Good afternoon, Professor," he greeted as he walked by. However, he grimaced slightly, due to the unfavorable room temperature, and he moved toward a desk in back half of the room, but in the center. As he made his way towards his desk, his amber eyes flitted around the room. He recognized a couple of people, but made no effort to greet them; he wasn't feeling to well. After sitting down, he placed his heavy bag upon the desk and unfastened his cloak. He laid it back against his chair- it was going to be warm enough with just his robes on. Reaching forward, the Spaniard pulled out his enormous Arithmancy textbook, as well as a couple rolls of parchment, his quill, and a bottle of ink. He placed them all neatly on his desk, and leaned back comfortably as he waited for more students to arrive.

see, Jess, Katherine actually knows HOW Gilderoy passed his OWLs XD
 

He expected the greeting, of course. Did she always look that happy in Arithmancy? Clearly, she had to be the happiest one in here, since she was the best at it, no?

He did NOT expect her question! That's why his eyes widened a little at it, and he looked at her in complete shock. "What?" he whispered, while perhaps Kurumi was joking, some people may think that was the case, and...he really didn't care, "No, just a late Christmas gift," he said, smiling at Kurumi again, but glancing her sideways.

If it helped with his grade, well, that was a plus he hadn't been expecting either. "All I need is you." He finally said, pretending to take out his textbook and parchment after that.



And...he completely smiled back. Treyen also followed her with his eyes, and even turned on his chair as if to find out where she'll be sitting, before winking at her.

The prettiest, she is. Without a doubt.

He should probably turn back to face Hadley, right? Or at least, Kurumi.

Ah, the second Arithmancy lesson... Many other students told her it was a great class, however, she didn't quite understand it. And by quite, I mean not at all.

'Good day, Professor', Gwen greeted as she walked in, hoping she would understanding this lesson.

Oooh, Arithmancy!

It was a bit... messed up in Helena's mind, this subject, but she loved it. Just... too many numbers. And she was STILL working on that last homework. That one had given her a lot of headaches. But she'll do it.

"Hello, professor," Helena said in an unusually happy way, grinning. She felt happy, for some reason. Or no reason at all.

The girl made her way to the desks, and sat somewhere in the front row.

Arithmancy. Ugh. Viola didn't like the subject at all. She wished she could just drop it but that was next to impossible.

Anyway, she put on a cheerful front as she entered the classrom, hoping that she would understand something this lesson. If she didn't, well..that's too bad. She greeted the professor with a "Good Morning." before taking a seat near the front of the class.

Chloe entered the arithmancy classroom ready for an awesome challenge. She passed the professor and greeted her, a"Good morning professor Hadley, I am looking foward to a fun challenging lesson". Chloe then proceeded to take a seat.

Unlike her first Arithmancy class, before which she had been nervous and worried, this time Ariadne entered the classroom with a cheerful smile plastered on her face. Last time, she realized that Arithmancy was, in fact, easy if you paid attention. Sure, it also helped that Professor Hadley was not intimidating. The youn Gryffindor greeted politely upon entering the classroom :'Good day, Professor Hadley.' and went on to find a seat towards the middle of the classroom, as per usual.

Ariella entered the Arithmancy classroom happily, her bag slung over her shoulder. "Good day, Professor Hadley!" she said cheerfully. She took a seat at an empty desk and got out her textbook, quill/ink, and several pieces of parchment.

Macy slid inside the classroom, her shoes squeaking on the floor. I'mnotlate.I'mnotlate.I'mnotlate. She gathered herself, standing up out of her ninja-pose and gave the Professor a smile.

"Afternoon, Professor Hadley," she said, before skipping off to her seat. Ahhh, arithmancy. All the beauty of math and divination combined into one. Macy set her books out on her desk, carefully arranging her quill and parchment on top of them. There. She was ready.

Freya peeked into the Arithmancy classroom and saw the class haven't started yet. She sighed in relief she thought she's late. She entered the classroom with her bag clinging on her shoulder. Arithmancy was in fact one of her worst subject. She never did well juggling numbers. "Good day, Professor." she greeted her Professor before she went to sit.

Sarah walked silently into the Arithmancy classroom. Only few here, ok, you're not late Sarah.. she thought to herself. Turning out late for a class seemed like nightmare to her. She moved towards the teacher and greeted with respect, "Good afternoon, Professor Hadley" she said with an audible voice. She smiled at the few students present and sat down on the table near the professor.

Oakey came into the classroom with a smile. He was intrigued by Arithmancy, not so much scared of it anymore. In the last class he had no idea numbers could be so interesting. Good day Professor Hadley. Oakey said to her. He found a seat in he middle closest to he window. He knew it was colder sitting near the window but He liked how winter looked at Hogwarts and wanted a nice view of it.

Jamie Keaton wandered into Arithmancy quite lazily. The last lesson wasn't too hard, but he knew for a fact that things would change this lesson. The third year was only good with learning the basics on every subject at this school. He was no super learner, nope. "Hi, Professor Hadley." He mumbled, but got a bit more cheerful when he saw Macy. Glad that there weren't too many students here yet, Jamie quickly grabbed the desk next to Macy and grinned at her.

"Huullooooo, Macy." He beamed, then turned to get out his textbook, quill and notebook. His notebook was more full of doodles as opposed to actual notes. Whoopps... The Slytherin tapped his fingers on the top of his notebook, trying to stay patient.

Nika skipped into the classroom cheerfully. Even though she really despised Arithmancy Hadley was one of the nicer professors so Nika has to at least give it a shot. She walked up to Hadley and chirped a cheerful, "Hello Professor!" and looked around the classroom before continuing. "Did you have a good Christmas holiday?"

Macy looked up as somebody sat down next to her. OOH PERSON!

"Huullooooo, Jamie," she answered with a grin. Bwahaha. Class was going to be fun then. The girl looked over her shoulder to check if class had started yet. No. It hadn't. Okay good. "So wassup?" she asked quietly. Y'know, wouldn't want to disturb the class or anything...

PFFFT. Her? Disturbing the class? Riiight. *eyeroll* ;)

Carr walked into the classroom carrying the enormous volume assigned for the subject and practically waddles over to a desk, dropping the book onto it and climbing into the seat. She removed her hat respectfully and set it on her backpack on the floor beneath her seat so it wouldn't be stepped on.

Presley slipped into the Arithmancy room, and sat in the very back. Hadley scared the freak out of her, and had since that first week. She tried to be unnoticeable as she pulled her books quil and parchment from her bag, and stacked them all neatly on her desk. Presley wasn't really all there. She felt unfocused and far away. Hopefully that wouldn't distract her from learning during this lesson...

Rachel walked in, quietly, she sat down at the back of the room near Presley, and got out her books from her bag. She hoped that she would find out something interresting this lesson.

Noting Kurumi and Evelyn were the first to arrive, Fina figured that it meant Evelyn wasn't mad at her anymore after she caught the sixth year in her fiasco at the start of the year.

Smiling at the girls as they took their seats, she replied back with a "Good morning" to each, before glancing at the gift box on her desk from the Hufflepuff Prefect. "Whatever that is for, thank you, Prefect Lockhart. But you should know that bribery will not get Hufflepuff closer to the house cup." Naw, I think they'd need a bit more than just bribery for that.

Winking back, she turned back toward the door to continue greeting the students as they came in.



Was it just her or did the turnout of kids these days seem to be smaller than usual. Oh nevermind, students attending lessons always seemed to dwindle as the year progressed. It was like, they couldn't be bothered attending so just one of the group of friends went and they'd share notes later.

"Right then, I guess we should just start now," Fina said, as she gave a quick wand flick and the door closed. "This lesson will be divided into a couple of parts, but hopefully shouldn't be too lengthy, though it all depends on interest, I suppose." Yup. If they looked they were about to fall into a deep slumber, then she'd have to end quicker than normal.

"To start, let's rattle off some of our own aspirations in life. What are some of your hopes and dreams? What do you hope to accomplish with your life?" Not that there was a number with a direct link that would tell them what they want...

Fallon smiled at the professor. She was happy with such an easy question to start the class. "Well, I am hoping to attend an art college after I get out of Hogwarts and one day become a professional photographer." Her parents weren't too happy with her choice, but Fallon was and that's what mattered.

As usual, Evelyn leaned back in her seat and tapped her quill on the top of her desk, staring at everyone until the class started. Yet the question that was asked thankfully wasn't going to make her try and remember something she read from their arithmancy book. "I'm hoping to live a nice, and hopefully accomplished, life without getting my wand snapped in half and having to live the rest of my days as a muggle." she muttered, staring at her quill and...lowering her hand after that. Yea, that was a pretty good life in her opinion.

Simon looked at the Professor and smiled. "I want to become a King of somewhere." Simon smiled, he would have to wish for a miracle for it to happen but maybe it would happen. "I would just love to wear the crown." Okay so he wore one being a Prince but it wasn't as heavy as the one the king war and the king got everything they wanted.

That was a very complicated question. Eino had many hopes and dreams, most of his dream he would be having very soon if he didn't manage to stay awake. He really didn't know what to answer. There were many things he wanted to do, were all of those aspirations? "Uh..." He raised his hand slowly and hesitantly. "I suppose I would like to tame a dragon, someday." He really did, but he didn't know how he would do that. It would come to him. There were just too many things on his mind. What about finding the biggest pogrebin ever? He would like that! Still, nothing topped being able to tame a dragon. Maybe he should have said he wanted to be a dragonologist? Too late now.

From where she sat toward the front of class, Katie twirled her quill between both hands, careful not to ink herself or drop it as she listened on, glancing up at Professor Hadley for a moment while she spoke, and then turned dark eyes back down to her quill. What were some of her hopes and dreams? Besides making it out of school alive at the end of term?

Katie could have squirmed in her seat, glancing briefly around the room at her fellow classmates as some of them raised their hands and shared their thoughts. Usually, or.. no. Never, did she talk about herself, her inner hopes and such in front of anyone more than family or close friends. But not many hands were going up, and this was Hadley's class. That meant something, right? Katie felt like she owed the woman a lot for her guidance and patience. Slowly, but surely, Katie's hand raised. "I'm going to become one of the best figure skaters in the world, and I'm going to make it to the olympics." It wasn't just a dream, it was going to happen. Katie was going for the gold, too. Always determined, she would do whatever it took to get there.

And she was very aware how her answer didn't quite fit in with the others, most wizard-based or still childlike. Katie, however, did not care. With her hand lowered, the seventh year straightened up more in her seat and moved her parchment from on top of her textbook.

Savannah had NO idea.

All she want to do now is have a good life.

Savvy tried to think hard on her hopes, but nothing hoped in to her mind. "I guess I just want to have a BEAUTIFUL life." Savannah answered slowly.

"Ohh, nuffin much." He replied to Macy with a whisper, aware that class was about to start. Hearing the Professor begin, Jamie turned quickly away to face the front.

Ooooh, aspirations. Jamie had tons but didn't really have the time or brains to think/name them all. So, he just raised his hand into the air and said the one that he had been trying the hardest for lately. "I want to learn how to ride a broomstick, and then make the Quidditch team." Then become captain. And obviously, living a happy and healthy life was his next aspiration. But what kind of wizard couldn't ride a broom? It was priority.

It was like not knowing how to swim. It was a necessary requirement in life. Yup. The third year coughed shortly. He always got a bit awkward whenever his flying skills were mentioned. They really were quite shocking.

Hm. Good question. Samira raised her hand. "I definitely want to graduate, get married and have kids. I want to have a good job...maybe a Healer."

William raised his hand. " I want to excel in all the sports my dad did before he retired" Wiliam told the professo. " My dad, Joe jon Montcenaggio aka J.J. Starr retired at the top of his career and works for the Ministry now" Wiliam explained to the professor.

"I want to be a famous actor!" Presley grinned, caught up for a second in her dream. She saw herself walking onto the stage after a show, for curtain call, and everyone in the audience rising and cheering. Then afterward, people would try to sneak backstage, just to say hello to her. Presley pulled herself back to the present.

Hopes and Dreams, Oakey had lots of these, but nothing topped his #1 Goal in life...I hope to surpass my Foster Father in Quidditch and play in the Quidditch World Cup as he could not! Anyone could tell that Oakey meant what he said, he had the look and voice of someone seriously determined. Becoming a better Quidditch player than Harvey was a tough goal for Oakey, he felt that even with Harvey crippled now, Oakey would still have a long ways to go.

Carr blurted out the answer to the question without thinking twice about how it would sound. "I want to be a pop star in the United States."

Sierra smirked to herself. A miracle wouldn't even get the Puffers any closer to the house cup. Of course she didn't say that aloud. Losing a point or two just to insult a Puffer was so not worth it in the longrun.

What did she aspire to do in life, though? Was it bad that she hadn't really thought past Hogwarts yet? She was only twelve, not twenty-three! She raised her hand anyway. "I haven't really decided what I want to do when I get older, but Treyen Lockhart and I have been working on this potion since early last year," she said. She didn't specify which potion, though, or give any details. "That's something I'd like to do--complete it."

OHH. They were starting. Good.

Hmm. Aspirations? Well... "I'd like to work at an ice-cream shop. And to go to a muggle amusement park," Macy said with a nod. Really, was that so much to ask? She didn't beg alot of life, only to let her live and be happy. Hmm. She should put that on a greeting card or something. And make MILLIONS.... However, making and designing greeting cards would not fall under the category of aspirations. So no. ;)

Nika wasn't sure what her aspirations were. She is only a second year and she doesn't really know too many wizardy jobs yet. So maybe a short term goal? "I want to become a prefect!" She said with a huge smile. Okay was that too short term?

Finally a class with an easy question. Well somewhat easy Caroline had pretty much known that what she wanted to do since she was around five years old. Raising her hand "I know that I want to be a healer." She thought more. "Travel the world some. maybe get married one day and be a mum." That last past was probably a long way off.

Dear Merlin, don't make Arithmancy lengthly. Ugh. As if it didn't feel like it was hours long as it was...Ugh.

Accomplish? Ellie wanted to accomplish a lot, really. Like... her goal of never having to brew a Potion. Or drink one again. Or never reading icky books. Or eating...

GASP.

Treyen. Ellie's eyes went to the boy as she tried to send a telepathic message. They needed to eat gelato. That was a goal. Hope. Dream. All of that.

Anyway, she hoped Jacob would finally get carted off to St. Mungos. She also hoped Conan would believe in magic. Like really hoped. Because it was awful that he didn't. And she hoped that Spike would let Matilda free. Maybe she could live in the Forbidden Forest with the Acromantulas. Which, Ellie hoped never to see.

Hadley never said they had to say these out loud.

Ariella knew exactly what one of her aspirations were.....she spent plenty of time daydreaming about them. "I want to be a bestselling author." She smiled. "And Quidditch captain." Well, Quidditch captain wasn't really a big goal, but it's something, right?

Kurumi's hair had turned a dark shade of pink at Treyen's comment, along with her cheeks burning and forcing her to look away for a moment. She probably would have melted in her seat if she had looked into his piercing eyes or his dazzling smile at that moment.

Thankfull, Professor Hadley began class and gave her something else to think about although it was hard to ignore Treyen seeing as he was sitting right next to her. Her heart pounded in her chest and she tried to breathe in deeply and slowly to prevent her hair from turning any brighter.

Kurumi leaned back in her seat as she thought about Professor Hadley’s question. Hadn’t she just been discussing such things with Connor, Treyen, and Selina recently? Well, on separate occasions. She was still very unsure of what she wanted to do with her life, so she divided things in her head between short term and long term.

While still at Hogwarts, she would love to be able to fly on a broom without the fear of falling off – or just a general fear of brooms. She had broken out in hives the other night thinking about the upcoming match after all. Also, she would love to be a Prefect and perhaps even Head Girl one day. She, however, didn’t choose to voice these thoughts a loud.

Instead, she focused on her long term goals and aspirations as things to share. “My mother’s side of the family has owned a kendo dojo, a school, for centuries and I would be honored to help uphold its traditions and take it over,” especially since her brothers seemed less inclined to do so. “However, I too would like to work with dragons and perhaps become a dragonologist and perhaps working in the Minitry of Magic in the Magical Creatures Department,” she nodded towards Eino. She didn’t know that he had an interest in the creatures. She thought that he always had rocks in his brain. “I do love baking,” which was stating the obvious. “And I wouldn’t mind perhaps having my own shop in Diagon Alley or perhaps even at the Leaky Cauldron.” Really though, working with dragons and magical creatures was the most appealing of the options she had mentioned.

Well I know that I want to become an auror and then hopefully after a few years find Mr. Wright and settle down in a stable job at the ministry that allows me to be there for my family unlike my parents who are still away as aurors.", Chloe responded with a hand raised in the air.

Aspirations? Hmm...

The Slytherin lad shrugged and replied "Always wanted to learn to play the drums, ever since I listened to my first rock album. So, I guess my aspiration would be to learn how to play the drums and be part of a band. Eh simple dreams really. 'Course being the next Harry Potter wouldnt be such a bad consolation either heh.

Aspirations in life? Hmm.

Well, besides wanting to rule the muggle and wizarding world, "I'd love to get a great job, and after that marry" Prince Charming "someone special." As for the children part... eh, she had plenty of time to think about that.

But still, Helena wondered how could this question relate to the lesson. Probably more complicated things with numbers... obviously.

She really shouldn't have expected the students to open up about their personal aspirations, but she did expect some thought.

Art college? Did these kids forget they were magical or something? That ... seemed so mundane. Not that she didn't appreciate artwork because she totally did and was even a painter herself when time allowed it. "Interesting. Don't forget you could even integrate moving photographs into your work, as well." Mmhm. Because she was a witch and all.

"That's a reasonable goal." You know, not having to live your life without magic would be good, lest one HAS to succumb to muggle professions. "Any ideas of what you hope to accomplish?" Probably not. Evelyn seemed rather relaxed already.

The brunette stared at the Hufflepuff boy for a moment to see if he was serious. He was; she was sure of it. Oh for the love of Merlin, if Simon Simpson became King of someplace, she'd make sure to run! "That's ... interesting." And unrealistic, but who was she to judge or shatter a kid's dreams?

Now Fina did smile a bit. Not because she thought Eino's aspiration was unrealistic, but quite the contrary. It was an actual, believable, doable goal. Even if she didn't do creatures, she knew others did, like Maya for one. "I just hope you've got strong hands. And are good with creatures." But if not, she was sure she could connect the boy with a few people who could maybe help.

Olympics? Figure skating? Josephina hadn't really pinpointed Katie out to be one of those to jump into a mundane field like that, but she did know the girl was determined and whatnot. "That's intense. Good luck with that." Yea, she didn't really do sports, but she did know they weren't easy, mundane or not.

"It is hard sometimes, to think of these things. Specifically, that is," Fina nodded. "And even, sometimes, we might have something perfectly planned out and then ... something intercepts and changes everything." So clearly planning wasn't always the best option.

Another one who couldn't ride a broomstick?! Smiles and waves of sympathy for YOU! "Flying is hard," for her it wasn't so much the concept of flying though that scared her, but height. "But well, making the Quidditch team isn't everything, you know?" She should know. And she made something of herself without ever playing quidditch, despite the fact that it was something she wanted to pick up now, if nothing more than to see what all the hype was about.

Such variety in careers; Fina was amused though to see that Rebecca was the first to mention the Ministry. Though it wasn't her ideal career choice either, so she didn't blame the kids. There was too much corruption in the political world. "Back up aspirations! I like it!" Fina grinned at the young badger. Just in case one thing didn't work out, there was always plan B.

"All very good aspirations in mind too," Hadley nodded, deciding not to comment though on the Healer idea. Nice, stable field, her mother would say.

Another sports fiend. Actually, Josephina was surprised slightly there there weren't more. "Not bad. Excel and surpass your parents." Good goals.

Another drama person? Perhaps they should start a drama club with all the students interested in that. Actually, sometimes it felt like the whole of Hogwarts was a drama club and they didn't need an actual club. Teenage dramatics. Hehe. But again with the mundane.

Another perspective Ministry Employee? Good for her! "Not a bad aspiration." Considering she was so young, with plenty of time to change her mind and develop her strengths... and weaknesses.

Another who wanted to surpass their caretaker; of course quidditch was involved too. "Nothing like the goal of surpassing those who care for us," Fina nodded.

Another famous-ish person? "Good luck," she said simply and was about to continue onward with the lesson as it seemed most who wanted to speak had done so, when another few spoke up.


Fina wasn't sure what she'd been expecting the girl to say, but the fact that Sierra seemed so utterly ... mature in how she spoke, surprised her. Not to mention her interaction with Treyen too. "Well I'm sure if you needed assistance, Professor Lafay would be able to help you there." Scary, but nice witch the Potions Mistress was.

"Perhaps interning at Floreans is in your foreseeable future then," Josephina nodded at the she-snake. A muggle amusement park though? Interesting, but ... there were rides that were high up.

"Not a bad thing to aspire to be," Unless of course you became stuck up or big-headed from it. But well, at the same time, Fina was sure having a small ego was a necessary component to the job.

Another potential healer? Her mother would be proud. "Healer is a nice field for being a mother too." Meh. That's what her mother kept telling her anyway, despite the fact that she wasn't anywhere close to being ready to be a mother.

It looked like Ellie had wanted to say something, but then she didn't. And so Hadley waited, but nothing. Hmm.... strange. Shrugging it off, she looked instead at the next student to speak up.

Aspiring writer? Well that was interesting. "Perhaps you should use quidditch to help you toward your goal of writing." Hadley nodded at the young Gryffindor.

"Right then. As you've heard, aspirations and dreams can vary in both importance, as well as short term versus long term. Some are also maybe more realistic than others as well." Hadley said looking around the room at each of their shining faces. Most of them were shining, maybe. "Two of the numbers we will be discussing today are indicators in which relate to you path to your great accomplishment. They speak of both the journey ahead and also what barriers you may face to get there. These numbers are, you may have guessed, the pinnacles and the challenges."

"We will discuss the pinnacles first. What are the pinnacles?" She looked around the room at the students again. "How many are there? Basically, tell me what you know about them ... with the exception of, I don't want to know how to find them just yet anyway." She paused.

Hah. Yeah, Hadley, they aaaaall guessed pinnacles and challenges. You could think that if you wanted.

Pinnacles. SNORT.

Sounded soooo close to pineapples. Which were gooood. And good job, Hadley, you've made Ellie hungry now. But, it was okay. It was a good thing Arithmancy was on the second floor. It was so close to the Great Hall.

Which was where Ellie'll be going after this, hopefully not lengthly, lesson. Yup.

Kurumi's hand shot up. "A pinnacle, but definition alone, is highest point of level. In life, this could mean a point were we are at our best or perhaps a point at which we have achieved one of our goals and are feeling like we literally are on top of the world." She swallowed and put a little more thought into her answer. "In Arithmancy, pinnacles are a set of numbers that will lead you towards your greatest accomplishment, a means to reveal your potential for achievement and success. They also show us what is possible for us to achieve in a given period of our life..." She trailed off a bit. What if her numbers told her that working with dragons was beyond what she was capable of?!

Eino looked at his hands. Yes, they were very strong, and shaking, for some odd reason. Well, he had had a problem here and there with a creature or two but generally speaking, he was excellent with creatures. You know, other than having accidentally killed every single pet he had ever owned. At least Professor Hadley seemed to believe in him. Not that others usually thought he was lying, but they always laughed and said it was impossible. She was supportive.

At first Eino heard pineapples, and got hungry, but he could remember having studied pinnacles in the past. He raised his hand. "They are based on nine year cycles and there are four of them, aren't there, Professor?" Every nine years completed a cycle and each cycle had a number of pinnacles, but Eino wasn't sure exactly how many. These would be the peak, or the best moments, of those nine year cycles? "I think they may also be linked to the four seasons. The first being Spring, the second Summer, the third Fall, and the last Winter."

Pinnacles... Helena heard about those...

Oh! "There are four long-term cycles," she said quickly, with her hand raised. "Each represents a particular... part of your life, I think." She also remembered reading about how to calculate those pinnacles, and it was really REALLY complicated.

So... she wasn't quite looking forward to that.

Samira thought about this for a moment, then raised her hand. "A pinnacle is the highest possible point of something. It could be your highest point of success, or money...things like that." As for how many there were, Samira didn't know.

A pinnacle? Sounds like some sort of flower. A pinnacle... What could that possibly mean!? She had heard it before though, but not related to Arithmancy. But where did she hear it before... "Something pointy?" It had to do with height or a point or something... Maybe she should've just stuck with the flower guess....

Roderigo was slightly exhausted from the day before, and therefore was not in the mood to answer about his aspirations, though he did have some. However, Professor Hadley progressed with the class, and as she asked them about pinnacles, the Spaniard furrowed his dark brows as he tried to remember what his Arithmancy book had said. After a few moments, his hand shot into the air.
"Professor, by English definition alone, the pinnacle is the highest point; the greatest achievement, if you will. The pinnacles are what indicate the potential towards our greatest accomplishments in our future." He smiled broadly; he was proud of himself for actually reading a classroom book beforehand and for remembering what he had actually read. Pleased with his answer, he lowered his hand as other students raised their own. But then he remembered more, and his hand shot up into the air again.
"Sorry, Professor, but also, there are four pinnacle numbers, and they each foretell a specific period of our lives." He looked down and lowered his hand.

William smiled. " Thank you for the nice comment" William told the professor.

What did she hope to accomplish?

"I don't know." she shrugged, pausing in the quill tapping for a moment to think about it before continuing on. Eh, she hadn't really thought about that. Not dying would be an accomplishment, right?

Yea, she'd go with that.

Pinnacles...hmm she remembered somewhat about those. A few other answers being said were enough to have her figure out a decent yet different answer. Maybe not decent? "There are four of them, and they're pretty much like guidelines for you, aren't they?" They seemed like it to her. "Telling you what effort and attitude you need to give during a certain part of your life that will lead you to your greatest accomplishments apparently."

The Slytherin didn't like guidelines. Not on her life that is.

Nessie had been quiet the whole lesson and decided that she should be more active, so she looked in her book then she put up her hand waited her turn then said. "Um Proffessor.. Isn't the Pinnacles a set of numbers which lead you to your greatest achievement. . They tell about the journey ahead and show what can be done at a certain period of time in life. I think there are twelve pinnacles?" said Ness hoping whatever she just said was right.

Ryden's first ever Arithmancy lesson, and already the brunette found that she did not like this subject. One, it was too personal. Why should she share her aspirations with a bunch of insane Hogwarts kids? One day they'd read about her in some sort of high end magic magazine, proclaiming her to be more successful than Guido Di Marco and the MOST successful woman - witch - in the entire world.

Yep yep. And two, it seemed a bit silly. Pinnacles? Challenges? Sounded like a load of Abraxan droppings. Or something a little less smelly. At any rate, Ryden kept her mouth shut and ever so discreetly read her textbook to see if there was something in there that she could contribute to the lesson. One thing's for sure, though - this was NOTHING like muggle maths.

Unfortunately.

Catching up. ^_______^
 

The pinnacles? ... wow. They'd not been studied in class for YEARS.

Rasing her hand again, Iris offered her answer. "The pinnacles are "predictive indicators"... They tell us what we can achieve at a certain point of our lives, and what we're capable of achieving."To explain it with as little detail as possible. Nodding, Iris sighed as she tried to remember how many there were. "And ... there's four of them. Four pinnacles... with... nine... year cycles. I think."

'Pinacles are...a set of numbers. Each letter of the alphabet is assigned a numerical value between 1 and 9. And, eh...the numbers can indicate the pinnacle of success or the depths of failure', Gwen said. Was that even logical?, the girl asked herself. Probably not...

"There are a total of 9 pinacles and picacle helps you to figuree out what one can achieve in a certain part of ones life.", Chloe responded with her hand raised high.

Salina was sure that she was going to be a healer someday, or maybe a curse breaker. Nevermind. Pinnacle. What's a pinnacle? OOH!

"A pinnacle is the highest point of something. In Arithmancy, I believe we have four main stages of our lives?" asked Salina, crossing her fingers.

Catching up!:P
 

SPOILER!!: Answering the first question

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising (Post 10406171) "To start, let's rattle off some of our own aspirations in life. What are some of your hopes and dreams? What do you hope to accomplish with your life?" Not that there was a number with a direct link that would tell them what they want...

Sophie sat dumbfounded for several minutes as she tried to put words to what she aspired with her life. Still unsure the lioness prefect replied "I would like to lead a meaningful life with a husband and children. I would like to work as a magical crature healer like my mother or own/ be a shopkeeper of a shop in Diagon Alley preferably the Magical Menagerine since i love creatures of shapes and sizes." Taking down her hand the brunette wanted to add that in the short term her goal was to graduate with top grades.

Professor Hadley moved on with the lesson and Sophie's hand shot up with many other's to answer the question. "There are four pinnacles and they are a predictive indicator to help lead you to accomplish what you want in life. In 4 persiods throughtout ones life the pinnacles can help you guide you to what you can achive when you are a child, a young adult, an adult and a senior citizen to give a few examples." taking down her hand feeling pretty good about her answer Sophie waited to hear if she was on the spot or totally out on high water.

Ariella's hand shot up into the air. "A pinnacle is an kind of indicator. It's a number that will help lead you to your greatest accomplishment. Each person has four pinnacles, and each pinnacle represents a certain point in our life." Was that right? Yes, she thought so.

Being hopeless at Maths was not a problem after she had read the textbook in one night and therefore knew the answer to the question. Raising her hand, Ariadne replied: 'We each have four pinnacle numbers, which are indicators of the path we need to take in order to achieve success.'

It didn't fail to escape Fina's gaze that two girls were being rather quiet - Ravenclaws at that. Either they didn't know about Pinnacles or they were just being their bookish selves and taking it all in, rather than sharing what they already know.

Pointy? "Not quite ... pointy... well unless of course perhaps you're referring to the fact that pinnacles, to some degree, point to your potential for achievement and success..." She said, flipping the girl's words around slightly. She was sure that wasn't what the second year was referring to, but you know, being supportive of her students was always good.

"Sort of," Fina said. "There are only four pinnacle numbers, but each of those pinnacle numbers can be valued at a number one through nine, plus three for each of the master numbers, which reveal certain things about you. These number calculations are based around your life path number. And your birthday."

"You're welcome," Fina replied to the young gryffindor lad.




Quite a few students elected to know a bit about pinnacles, which surprised Josephina, but also pleased her. It was a bit more challenging concept to understand compared with the basic core numbers, but at least a lot of maths wasn't involved. Not really, anyway.

"Yes, yes, very good!" Fina exclaimed. "Each of your four pinnacles refer to a period in your life. The transition from one pinnacle period to the next is very strong felt, perhaps maybe two years before the actual Pinnacle period changes. Life-altering changes, whether it refer to your job, marriage, kids, will usually occur during the transitional period between pinnacles. Pinnacles are therefore, considered to be long-term. And though you'll all enter the second pinnacle of your life at different times depending on your life path number, I can safely say that ALL of you are in your first pinnacle cycle right now." Because well, none of them were 27 and all or they wouldn't still be Hogwarts students.

"Right then. Can I get one volunteer from each house?" She paused again before adding, "Preferably a sixth or seventh year, but if a younger student feels confident in their knowledge of Pinnacles...You may volunteer too."

Making the team wasn't everything?! It was if you wanted to be cool in this school! Jamie was quiet when the Professor responded to him. He might just start getting lippy.

The pinnacles?

Right... right... he knew what they were, he thought. "There are four of them. And they represent numbers that lead you to your greatest accomplishment." Accomplishments that would happen in the future, that is. Something about a person's life cycle, too. Bleh, Jamie didn't know every detail about it.

Ahh, moving on... When the professor said 'volunteer', Jamie prepared himself to raise his hand. But it was about the pinnacles and he didn't trust himself with his limited knowledge. OH, she wanted older kids anyway. Charming... the third year kept his head low.

Ariadne had the daring characteristic to her House, so she wouldn't have minded at all to volunteer, so her face fell a bit when Professor Hadley specified she needed older students. Sixth or seventh years. Way older than herself. However, it would probably be something very difficult, so better just watch and listen. There will be plenty of occasions to get involved.

Ooooooooh they were going to figure out life numbers today! Numbers just keep getting cooler and cooler with each class. Oakey wanted to volunteer but this lesson seemed like it was meant for him just to learn, if there was a part he felt confident in participating in. He won't hesitate to do so.

A volunteer... from each house?

Well, Helena surely wasn't a sixth or a seventh year, and she wanted to volunteer for Slytherin... but still, she had no idea what professor Hadley had in mind, so she didn't say anything.

She just didn't want to be a shame for her house.

Iris smiled as she got the answer right. There was obviously no way she could have gotten it wrong. Then, as Professor Hadley asked for volunteers, she glanced around the classroom. Older students, did she say? Perfect. Raising her hand, Iris grinned. "Professor Hadley? I'll volunteer."

Simon looked at the Professor he wasn't going to raise his hand, he was still sure pinnicles where something to do with what Pirates wore but he wasn't going to argue with the Professor.

Preferably a sixth or seventh year...Hmph, Gwen told herself. Now this would be a good time to use a Ageing Potion.

Whatever, maybe it's to the best...I don't want to screw something up.

Presley wanted to volunteer and get involved with the lesson, but she was not confident in her knowledge of pinnacles. C'mon, she hadn't even known what they were! She half-raised her hand, but immidiately pulled it back down. Nope. Not this time.

Whaaaaat? That's not what the gift was for! Geez, Hadley, thanks for announcing it, though.

She still winked. Ha.

He'll have to talk to her once the class is over to...well, taking care of this misunderstanding, because class was already starting.

Well, ever since Hadley had advised to focus on the present, he'd done that. So, clearly, he didn't even had as a goal to catch the next Snitch if he got to be Seeker at the next game.

He turned his head around to a much familiar voice as soon as he heard his name being called out in an answer. He half smiled, they needed to meet again, him and Sierra, and he made a mental note to catch her soon after this lesson and talk to her about it, because he'd written notes about that potion over the summer, and they haven't been able to talk at all. And now it was January. Sigh.

AHA!

First, he was awful with numbers, right? Second, if he volunteered, then that could earn him points, which will help with the House Cup much more than bribery could, not that he was doing that, by the way. Thirdly, he was a fifth year, not a sixth or seventh. So, yes, no.

His eyes were on the parchment in front of him. And unless Hadley called specifically for Treyen, he wouldn't raise his hand.

Arya totally should step up for the Hufflepuffs.

Yay, she was right! Samira was practiacally itching to jump out of her seat and volunteer, but she was only a second year, and she wasn't sure she knew that much about pinnacles, and she didn't want to look like an idiot. Therefore, she let the older, smarter ones do their job.

Lissy can do this. I think xD
 

Sierra looked up and regarded Professor Hadley with a very tint hint of a smile. "I'm sure she would," she agreed. Then she looked down and went right back to taking notes.

"I'll volunteer, Pro--...," Sierra started to say, but then she lowered her hand and shot a glare toward the Sytherin who'd already spoken up. It wasn't that Sierra wanted to volunteer that badly. She most certainly didn't. This was Arithmancy, and if she could get away with sitting in the back of the room and sleeping all hour, she would. She needed the extra credit (if there was any involved) to go toward her very pitiful Arithmancy marks, though. "Nevermind," she mumbled.

She was in a bad mood now, and seeing Treyen Lockhart and his Ellie-loving self pass her a half-smile didn't help matters. She glared at him then looked back down to her notes.

Scribbling furiously with his Falcon-feather quill, Roderigo looked up as Professor Hadley requested a volunteer from each house that was either a sixth or seventh year. He looked around, and saw that none of the Ravenclaws had raised their hands yet. He wondered if the Professor was going to help the volunteers discover one of their pinnacles. If that was so, it would be quite embarrassing if he were to have an unfortunate pinnacle. The Spaniard hesitated for a moment, thinking hard. A deep sigh rolled out from his chest and he looked around one more time. Slowly, he placed his quill carefully on the side of his parchment and raised his hand.
"I'll volunteer for Ravenclaw, Professor." He gave a small smile to the Professor.

William is waiting for the students and the professor talk about the Pinnacles.

Kurumi was about to shoot her hand high up in the air to volunteer, until Professor Hadley specified that she wanted an older student. Kurumi supposed that this subject really did apply to them much more clearly than it did to herself. Being a third year, there probably were not as many life changes coming on as compared to a seventh year who had graduation looming on the horizon.

Kurumi's heart sank for a moment as that thought sunk in. She needed to distract herself with something before her hair started changing colors.

Kurumi look to her left and looked at Treyen, her cheeks flushed a bit. Yep, all sad thoughts had vanished.

After calming down a bit, Kurumi turned her attention back to the front and waited for either Simon or Legend to be used as guinea pigs.

Oh. He was completely and unequivocally WRONG. He thought that they were past the stage of her being mad at him, but it turns out...they weren't.

Treyen had absolutely no choice but to sink in his seat after such a horrible glaring scene. He was getting that bat in his head if he went near the Stands, he knew it. Sigh.

OH!

AWESOME!

The sinking in the chair didn't even last two seconds, since Katie announced that she'll be representing their House. Perfect. He didn't have to get up or anything, which is why he was a happy Badger again. Or...happy worried Badger, because he had a Sierra Greingoth to watch out for.



Kurumi made him feel even better, and he didn't know why. It was almost as if the girl had cast a shield that will keep Sierra's glares away from him. Yet all he wanted to do was look behind him, to Ellie, instead of being a good student and looking at the front.