...

What in the name of Hades was this woman going on about? See, this was why Sierra hated Divination. Most of the time, she didn't even understand what was being asked in the first place to even try and come up with an answer. She gave Kurumi Hollingberry a little look as she listened to the Gryffindor girl spout out what was, of course, a perfect sounding answer. Blahhh.

"...but would the shapes made in the oil and water shift from time to time?" she asked, her hand in the air. Divination with oil and water sounded confusing. She could just picture herself seeing a cup one second and then a table the next. "It seems like it'd be more difficult to get a true reading with the oil and water."

If there was any such thing as a true reading, and she seriously doubted there was.

Some of the symbols should be comparable, Eino thought. Symbols like prosperity, life, death, love, and so on should be present in both types of divination and even though they wouldn't be similar in form. Eino raised his hand "I ought to think they should be comparable, but by no means the same. There are similar symbols throughout divination in general, we never have a clear vision of what it foretells about the future, but something like clues and hints. I do believe they should be present in both." But it would be nice if the oil in the water just formed a sentencing literally telling the future. That would be very nice of the oil and water, to work harmoniously, and much easier for the reader.

I would like to have lots of friends... Thought Beth sadly. "Alright." She smiled. "So what's your favourite subject so far?"

" My favoorite classes are History of Magic and Mugglee Studies" William told Beth. "Divination is a close second' Wiliam smiled. Your favorite classes?" William asked Beth. " Where is our professor?" William asked Beth." I would love you to meet my cousin Victoria Trigwell, she is in your house" William explained to Beth."

"Really? Interesting choice... My parents are... were muggles." She sighed. "Really? I don't think I met her yet, but I'm looking forward to! I don't really know anyone here apart from you. And I think our Professor is just talking to someone... Not sure." She shrugged.

" I am half -blood" William told Beth. " Good, I will introduce you two" William said to Beth. " Well, we will just wait for the professor and the continuation or new assignment" William explained to Beth.

Renée had been listening to everyone as they’d replied to her question regarding symbolism and if they thought the translations that were used for tasseomancy could be applied to elaeomancy as well, but in the same respect, she’d been listening to other conversations as well. Namely, on, as it seemed everyone else was focusing simply on the lesson, either because they were interested or because they were confused. Either way, she chose to address that situation before she moved the discussion along. “William, Beth, two points off from each of you for chatting during the discussion. I understand you might think it’s going slow, but that’s no reason to discuss things that aren’t related to the subject at hand,” she said gently, still not wanting to discourage either of them but needing to get them back on track officially. The fact she knew they’d actually acknowledged the lesson going on a few times was the only reason she wasn’t taking more points off.

Oddly enough, Simon’s entirely random answer got Renée herself back on track as to getting the class discussion moving again, and she grinned at the Hufflepuff. He even looked a bit shocked at what had come out of his mouth. Somewhere in there was an answer that actually was on the right track, and gave her hope that he might actually be managing to learn something. “Yes, Simon, tasseomancy uses cups. Although I’m not entirely sure of the rest of your argument, at least that is true,” she replied. Tea leaf reading did need teacups. Elaeomancy, though, used bowls, and neither one of the methods of divination used the vessel in interpreting the symbols given. It was a good segue into finishing up the discussion, though.



Turning her gaze to encompass everyone in the classroom, Renée mentally noted those who had offered their opinions regarding the question she had posed, and then gave them all a smile. “It seems most of you agree that the basic symbolism would at least be similar between tasseomancy and elaeomancy,” she began, summoning a stack of lists from somewhere underneath her own table behind her, “So we’ll work with that for the time being. Those of you who said the actual symbols that appear are more fluid and vague also have a good point. Sharp-edged symbols probably would be less likely to be visible in an elaeomantic reading, and interpretations in fact will have to be made quicker than usual, as I think you’re trying to say, Sierra.” She turned to Penny for a moment as well. “Interpretations in divination almost always are subjective, but yes, symbols in tea leaves may very well be clearer. That doesn’t change your individual interpretation of their meanings though.”

But they really needed to keep the lesson moving, so she paced a little ways away from her table as she analyzed the best way to do so. Samira’s question seemed to be a good way of doing so, so she sent the Slytherin a nod. “Tasseomancy uses a bit more ritual, but every method of Divination involves a process of some kind. Divination, at least the forms we’re discussing now, is brought about more by focusing and intent,” she responded with a smile. It was entirely different from the more unpredictable and ephemeral forms, although the focus always remained in order to keep control, and she glanced at Selina for a brief second before continuing to speak. “I think we’re at a good point to try elaeomancy out for ourselves, but try to keep things as neat as possible,” she said, eyeing certain people in the classroom. “Remember, it’s okay if you feel like you don’t see anything, this is just to try it out. Practice helps us understand the methods more.”

Flicking her wand again, she drew back the drapes covering one of the shelves, revealing a lot of small bowls that she’d charmed to be unbreakable, along with small pitchers of olive oil that she’d done the same to. “There should be enough supplies for you to work alone or in groups, at your choice. I assume most of you are familiar with the charm to summon water, to fill the bowls once they’re at your tables. and I recommend not puoring the entire pitcher of oil into your bowl afterward. If anyone needs help with water, either come to me or look to the older students. I recommend not pouring the entire pitcher of oil into your bowl afterward, as it's easier to find symbols if a smaller amount is used. We’ll try to see if we can make any interpretations for a while, and then I’ll set the homework,” she continued. “Lists of symbols and their possible meanings are up here, and have fun.” She took a seat again at her table after she’d finished speaking, but continued watching, wand at the ready, to make sure everyone managed to gather everything without too much trouble. She didn’t want any impromptu oil wrestling or anything of the sort.

ooc: Practical time. ^.^ RP your character retrieving the supplies, then attempting a reading. Creativity is welcome, but try to not make things TOO crazy. (And don't feel bad if you feel like your character might not see anything other than just oil floating on water, either) I'll keep an eye on everyone, and reply if necessary.

Eino nodded in response as the Professor elaborated on the students' answers and managed to record most of what she had said. After she revealed the lists of the symbols meanings, the bowls, the oil pitchers, and had instructed them to attempt to interpret the oil, Eino set out to gather all the materials provided. He first walked to the front table and took a list, then headed towards the shelves to take a bowl and a pitcher for himself. Once he had returned to his table he set them on his table neatly, making sure the list was at a safe distance from the bowl and pitcher, to prevent it from getting wet. He glanced at the list for a minute or two before proceeding with the task, just to become acquainted with the possibilities since it was a lengthy list. Then he pulled out his wand and filled his bowl with sufficient water. However, before he poured the oil into the bowl he had a question. "Professor," he began with his hand raised, "is it possible to get multiple symbols?" Maybe the oil could separate and create two different symbols or maybe only one would be the actual symbol and the rest meaningless circles. He really wanted to make sure before he could proceed.

William went to get his bowl and pitche of oil He is at his table now."Aquamenti" William summoned the water through the charm. The water is in his bowl now. He carefull put in only a few drops of olive oil in his bowl. William waited and no aymbols at this time. Wiliam pored just a litttle mor oil in thee water and w3alla, no, nothing, o symbols at all. One last chance, he poured just enough olive oil in the atewr and a symbol started to appear in his bowl William raised his hand. " Professor, I see a ball and a mask" Now since my father had beeeni ns ports all his life, I believe I will follow his footsteps and become a great player just like my father" William told the professor. " Now since, I see a mask, I just wonder if sometimes I maksk my real feelings to other" William said to the professor. " I am confused about this symbol because I have a lot of confidence a lot of freinds and even a girlfrind at my age" William sighed. " I just wonder if all my true feelings have not come out because I am still young" William explained to the professor.With the ball symbol, I can possibly make some good money and eventually buy a Yilla like my paretns" William smiled at the teacher. " Is this right?' Wiliam asked the professor.

After being so quiet for so long Nika was starting to get a bit bored. She loved divination and all but all of the answering questions stuff just took so long. Her favorite part was the practical bit. That's the fun part. YAY! Time for fun part!!!

Nika ran up to the shelf enthusiastically and grabbed a bowl of one of the top shelves. It wasn't such a good choice to take one of the bowls from up there because oops. Hehe. It dropped. Bad, clumsy Nika. She closed her eyes expecting to hear it shatter, but it didn't. She looked down and grinned when she saw it was still in one piece. "Unbreakable charm? Good thinking professor!" She said rather loudly.

She looked over at the shelf and grabbed a small pitcher of oil and made sure that she grabbed this one from a lower shelf. No more dropping supplies for Nika. She took it to her seat and stared at the bowl for a good few seconds before realizing she need to cast the spell for water. BUT WAIT. "Professor do the five C's of potion making apply to divination too? I mean do we have to clean our bowls and stuff before we use them?" Because Lafay was always so picky about that.

Listening to Profesor Bishop respond to their answers, and frowning when Gryffindor lost points for chatting, Kurumi jotted down a few things to her notes before getting up from her seat and heading towards the front of the room to gather her supplies. Picking up the list, Kurumi looked it over and found it to be essentially the same list that they had been provided last term. At least there was something familiar to work with then. Kurumi then grabbed a white bowl and blew on it to remove the bits of dust that had settled in the bottom of it. She then grabbed her pitcher of oil and returned to her table and took a seat.

After arranging everything on her table, Kurumi set her list in a spot where she could see it clearly and then took out her wand and pointed it towards her bowl. "Aguamenti," she whispered as a small gentle stream poured from her wand into the bowl. She was distracted for a moment when she heard Eino ask a question of Professor Bishop and some of the water ended up pouring over the top of the bowl and onto the table.

Squeaking loudly, Kurumi grabbed her list and parchment notes from the table and held them high over her head as the water ran across the table and began dripping onto her skirt.

Oops.

Kurumi reached into her pocket and pulled out her canary yellow handkerchief with rabbits on it and dabbed the table to remove the excess water.

Kyle nodded as Professor Bishop said to start practicing Elaeomancy. She quickly pulled her wand out, pointing it at the bowl infront of her, "Aguamenti" she spoke the spell at just the right level of strength as it didn't over fill the bowl and pour down the sides as it had that time she had tried to fill her water bottle. That was funny.

She smiled as the water filled just to the right amount that she needed, and carefully she took the pitcher of oil and let a small amount fill into the bowl with the water. The oil immediately stayed atop the water, resting there. It was beautiful, shiny, and radiated the colors of a rainbow as oil seemed to always do. All in all she put nearly four drops of oil all together into the bowl of water.

Looking into the bowl she could see quite a few possible blob-ish oil droplets forming into shapes or what looked like shapes. She might have been worse at this if she didn't try but she tried and it always frustrated her how things didn't work for her.

Looking down she saw a boat, right a boat maybe because she was still embarrassed from when she'd tripped on the gang plank? Looking at the description she chuckled, a visit from a friend. Right, she was at school with friends nice going oil blobs. She thought with a laugh.

A horse head? Really, so a lover - that was a little far fetched, but she hoped it was true...sort of, depending on who it was. And a Harp? Really, two things that meant love - she felt the inate urge to destroy the evidence before anyone looked but it could look different to them. It was probably that she saw it because of what Hannah said and she was still embarrassed and now hyperventilating because of that - breathe girl breathe.

Oh bloody hell? Really? A Heart, and a Ladder - the heart was mixing into what seemed like a ladder - so falling love or falling for someone...oh right she'd fallen the other day and Simon had caught her and that could and probably was what that was about.

Ariana, having been mentally punishing herself thinking about how she had gotten the wrong answer, got up and began to get herself ready. She'd never heard of- eleaomancy, or whatever it was called, before. She kept taking notes, but as soon as she had gotten everything down, she got up and grabbed a bowl, some oil, and a list. Once she sat back down, Ariana cast "Aguamenti!" and waited for water to fill up her bowl.

A few seconds later, she stopped the flow of water and picked up the olive oil. Pouring a little bit onto the surface of the water, she waited as it swirled around a bit, eventually forming two shaky, but definitely straight, lines in the middle, the rest blobbing around the edges. Ariana looked closer, and noted that one of the lines ended in... a point, almost, and had a little hole on the other end- like a needle! So, a straight line and a needle.

She looked at the list as the oil continued to swirl around, blobbing in and out of the two shapes that appeared to be what she was meant to see. Lines.... so they were straight? That meant progress, that was a good thing! And the needle... Ariana guessed, or rather hoped, that paired with a line it would mean recognition or admiration, since she couldn't sew or weave!

So that was good, that meant she would be recognized and admired for her progress? Hmm, nothing wrong with that! Beaming, Ariana looked around for what others were Seeing.

Having wiped up all the excess water and setting the damp handkerchief to the side, Kurumi peered into her bowl of water and they looked at her oil jug before picking it up and pouring a few drops into the clear liquid. She waited...and waited...and waited for SOMETHING to happen...but nothing out of the ordinary seemed to be happening. Was there anything on the list about dots?

After looking over her notes, and frowning at the lack of any dots being mentioned, Kurumi supposed that she needed to look at it from a different angle in order to figure out what they were. Perhaps they were apples? She supposed that if you squinted at them hard and long enough they could be considered such...

So...apples represented...computer, knowledge, achievement. Seeing as non-magical things didn't work at Hogwarts, that ruled out the whole computer aspect. Or maybe they were bells? Harmonics, creation, spiritual, unexpected news...that could mean just about anything...

Perhaps this is why she preferred Arithmancy to Divination. Numbers were always much easier to analyze than wonky blobs made from oil.

Peering even further into her bowl, two of the blobs blended together that she supposed looked like a butterfly. Maybe? She looked back at her notes for a moment. "Butterfly... transition, transformation, Butterfly Effect."

Olivia was glad they could work together on this. If she wasn't a seer, she was going to feel really stupid and bored just staring at blobs of oil in water. She turned to Luna. "Do you want to work together? It's always more fun that way," she added with a laugh.

Finally! The practical part in which Helena was just so terrible! But terrible or not, she couldn't wait to try.

She took her wand out of a pocket of her robes and pointed it to the bowl, and said "Aguamenti." Done. It was full of water. Then, she took the pitcher of oil and poured juuuust a little bit, as professor Bishop told them to do. Now the fun part.

Helena watched as the oil began to... look like something? Or maybe not? It kind of looked like... a tortoise. Uhh... The girl threw a quick look over the list of symbols, to find out that the tortoise meant criticism, usually beneficial, slow moving. Okaaay. But what if it was not a tortoise? Nah, that had to be it.

Salander flicked and swished the items towards his desk, momentarily wondering if he should scourgify the bowls first fora more accurate reading. Chuckling he simply filled the bowl with water then took the olive oil vessel. Hving that in his hand and watching the light flicker on the settling water had his thoughts drifting elsewhere again, to a certain Gryffincess and their lovely summer vacation.

Ahem, ahem.

He tilted the vessel and let the oil trickle into the water, where it began to form blobs almost immediately. Putting the vessel down he stared at the bowl, watching the blobs do their thang.

(dismissed some text as same the next)

Covered by clothes the presented stuff, Anasta replied, - Who does can imply character if it is not for everyone. Counselor Inside suggests someone who almost chokes to laughter, - but she seriously that noted. Use of high-quality silver bowl, it's easier to understand, as well as the choice oil as olive oil, with base in the meanings closely to life. The some spots themselves take the form of oil and, she suggested that are interpreted individually only to. What meants with oil meanins Professor that it remained a mystery remain riddle. Thanks for the opportunity to prophesy divination, - has shifted attention to Potion.

Charlie sat and took notes. She didn't think she would be a seer so she wrote as much as she could about the theory side of it. Then she saw some of her friends and went up to them.

"Is it okay if I work with you guys?" She asked hopefully. If she couldn't see anything she could at least have a laugh with her friends about it.

They were supposed to get a bowl? Was that right? Zara looked around and saw that it was what the others were doing, so she got herself a bowl also. Ohh and one of the small pitchers of oil, she almost forgot. Then returning back to her seat, she filled the bowl with water. How? She looked and saw people saying Aguamenti. Right! Like the one in potions. Zara smiled and took out her wand, glad to be using it even if she knew limited spells...like only three to four spells and charms. "Aguamenti!" She cast the spell on the bowl and it was filled with water. Well not much filled, half-filled. Oil is next right?

Right. So Zara got the pitcher of oil and poured some over the water and waited for something to happen. It was odd, it was like drops only, circles to be exact. Zara waited and waited. She watched as those dots became like eggs. 'Eggs are..good omen, creation, new beginnings, sacred geometry.' Cool. Maybe this new beginning at Hogwarts was some good omen to her life. Zara grinned.

She was about to write eggs on her parchment when she noticed that they were still changing. Zara stopped before she even dropped a single ink on her parchment. Now what? The circle was stretching...into a...line? She looked at her list if there was something about a line. 'Lines...if straight means progress; if wavy means uncertain path' She gulped. Okay, her line was definitely not straight. From a new beginning slash good omen to an uncertain path. If things couldn't get any worse than that. Zara sighed. She wasn't having such a good day.

Rosemary went to pick up a bowl and then filled it with water before pouring out some oil.

She then peered inside, seeing on it:

A parasol, an open lock and a harp with a dog beside it but a parrot sat atop it. "Professor? I'm not entirely sure what this is trying to tell me...." She asked.

Penny had listened intently to Professor Bishop... and now they were to get bowls and olive oil to try doing this Eliomancy thing...

Standing up from her desk, she felt a little stiff & sore from having sat for so long.... walking over to the shelves that had just been uncovered by the prof...

Penny looked at the bowls - they all looked quite similar, so decided to close her eyes with her hand outstretched, walked the length of the shelf.. stopping half way along she opened her eyes and took the bowl exactly where her hand was at.... and after selecting a small pitcher of oil made her way back to the table again...

Setting the bowl and oil on the table, she sat for a second to see what everyone else was doing....then cleared her throat...
"Ahem, Aquamenti", said Penny with her wand pointed at the bowl..
the she poured a little of the olive oil onto the water, watching how the oil interacted with the water..

"Oh such lovely colors it makes"

Then looking around again...this time hoping to see if she could team up with someone for the task...

Selina listened to Bishop as she continued her lesson and took note when the older woman looked over at her. It made Selina feel more comfortable in her classroom that she had both Bishop and Kurumi looking after her encase anything were to go wrong. It had happened too many times in this environment that the visions would take control of her. Divination seemed to be a catalyst for her visions no matter what she did. And yet she always came back. She always made a point to walk back through the door and into the arms of possible exposure. It was not like if people did not look at her glossy eyes and the slight shaking she did when she was visited by the future that they would not figure out. So why did she always come back?

As the lesson continued she looked to her left and saw the little Japanese girl who always sat beside her at the table off to retrieve her supplies. Selina stumbled out of her chair and went to go and grab them as well. Her eyes scanned the wall until she found a pitcher and a bowl that fit her needs. Then she returned to her table and sat. She just sat and looked at the bowl unsure if she should just press forward or not participate. But she needed to. Regardless of what happened she needed to do this.

So she drew her wand and said, "Aguamenti!" The bowl filled with water at once and then she laced her fingers around the either. For a moment she held it over the bowl without pouring a single drop. But then she looked at Bishop who she knew would be disappointed of she did not at least try... so she tipped the oil into the water.

It spun around and moved with a rhythm and Selina tried to disinsinuate what symbols were what. She leaned in closer to get a look and briefly made out something that looked like a scar. A heavy and deep scar. What it meant she was not sure. She titled her head to get a better look and then the whole room began to change into a yellow hugh. The room started to fade away and her eyes grossed over.

It was beginning.

Daichi listened to the instructions from where he was seated. He was a little bit skeptical about seeing "something" in a bowl of water and oil. It seemed odd to him. But , he had never tried it before since this is his first Divination lesson so he grabbed a bowl for his own and decided to work alone. No offence but he had the feeling he could concentrate better.

Placing the bowl in front of him, Daichi grabbed his phoenix feather wand and....wait... how does that spell work?! Slightly panicking, the first year looked from left to right hoping to see any of the other students saying the spell for water out loud. He saw a Gryffindor saying Aguamenti and he figured that would be it. He raised his wand and pointed it at the bowl. "Aguamenti!" nothing happend, not even a drop of water. "Aquamenti" again nothing. Was he suppose to move his wand a certain way? Like a swish and flick? Whatever it was it was sooooo difficult! He couldn't wait for Evan's training.. Where was he anyways!? Daichi looked around him, trying to find the seventh year but he wasn't in this class. He sighed deeply and turned his attention back to the bowl. If other students can do it who look like his age, Daichi can do it too! Yush! "Aguamenti!" Failure again. The first year Slytherin groaned out loud and raised his hand in the air. "Can someone help me with this" stupid "spell?"

After answering her unsure answer about something to do with...olive oil?...Evelyn leaned her head against her hand once again and stared into space. The 'space' being Josh of course. He was way more interesting than olive oil.

It wasn't until a first year called out for help on a spell did the Slytherin realize that they were doing something. Sucking in a deep breath, the she-snake sat up straight and glanced around, observing a few people who had started on the task. Hmm, get a bowl, fill it with water, than oil, and than...that's it? Meh, she could do that.

Getting up, she got herself a bowl and one of the small pitchers of oil. Yup, the whole thing. Slumping back down in her seat, she lazily cast the aguamenti charm at the bowl, letting it fill up a little more than halfway before pouring some oil into it. This was exciting stuff. And...

And now she was back to staring at Josh into space.