Evan didn't know why it was called Elder Futhark, he wasn't a professor after all, but he raised his hand nevertheless to answer to the other question.

"Each rune has a magical ability, so they are used for those powers mainly nowadays." Unless people were crazy enough to communicate by its alphabetic meaning...

Selina rose her hand once again. They had learned about this all last term when they had carved runes into their desks. She had missed her previous teacher. Sitting in her old desk from last year she traced the rune she had put in the desk. Why was the Ministry here, "Sir, the alphabet name is from the initial phoneme of the first six rune "names" or as we call them symbols. They are as follows: F, U, Th, A, R and K. And runes are also used for Divination sir."

Why has alphabet been called Elder Futhark? Whut? Knox gave his eyes a rub, willing himself to stay awake. "To look pretty?" He tried, thrusting his hand in the air at the second question. The alphabet wasn't particularly pretty in his opinion, but he supposed some people might think it was. "Perhaps it was used to decorate things?"

"Erm..." Theodore flipped through the pages of his massive textbook, his blue eyes quickly skimming. Being a viking was growing to be a bit irritating. The hat, which he had already set aside, was too heavy for him to manage and his long, warlock-like beard tickled his arms as he did his work. At one point, it nearly fell into his ink pot. "'Futhark' is analogous to the word, 'alphabet.' F, U, TH, A, R, and K also happen to be the first six letters... or symbols, or... somethings of the Elder Futhark." Closing the cover of his book, he looked up, raising his hand quickly before adding an additional answer. "Runes are generally used as an alphabet and for divination. They're loaded with powers, so some people use them for protection while others use them to achieve their goals."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristan Christiansen

"Oh. Apologies." He said transfiguring her clothes back.

"Good. Elder Futhark. Very Correct." He said, "Why has alphabet been called Elder Futhark? Anyone Know? Ja?" He asked. "And other than for writing, what has runes been using for?"

Eirian raised her hand. She remembered little scribbly things like these from some jewelry she had seen being sold. She wasn't sure if the vendor had been muggle or magical, but they had mentioned that the writing meant something. Really, she wasn't even sure it was this 'Elder Futhark,' but it was worth a shot. This wasn't like in potions, where she would be taken out back and executed for an incorrect answer.

"They were meant to conjure magic in a way, I think," she murmured. "They were... prayers or curses? Depending on the word written, they were meant to bring different things, such as good luck or growth. This is the type of magic that muggles usually think they can make work themselves." As if that was possible... Some muggles were gullible. Not everyone had magic, and they couldn't write or force their way into that group.

Peyton pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes in concentration.

Hmm...

She did not know the answer to the first question, but she did have a guess for the second one. So, she raised her hand answered, "Runes are used for divination," that's what her Nan had told her, "Or as represention of something or...as protection?" she had an idea, but wasn't sure how to explain it. "Like at my Gram's house there are runes at the gate...they either represent something or are for protection, so isn't that a way of using them?" she asked. Either protection or her Gram was using them as a pretty decoration for the gate.

Alex raised his hand. "Well, the Elder Futhark are named after the first couple of runes in the alphabet, and I heard you can use them for spells or something. Like, it enhances certain spells, right?" he guessed. He'd heard that somewhere, but had no idea if it was true or not.

As he waited for him to answer, he just rubbed his pretty beard. Hehe. He hadn't even bothered with the hat or anything--the only thing he cared about was THE BEARD!

Well, Kurumi had already mentioned part of her answer to his question earlier, but she supposed she could expand on it a bit further. "It is believed that the Elder Futhark are based on old italic alphabets, which are several now extinct alphabet systems used on the Italian Peninsula in ancient times. Many date this to the eighth century BC. The name actually comes from the first six letters of the alphabet f, u, th, a, r, and k. You could compare this to the word 'alphabet' which is derived from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet." Kurumi set her hand down on her desk for a moment before she thought about his other question. "I believe that the runic alphabet was also used for decorative purposes as well as divination purposes and protective charms."

When Kyle was 'transformed' the shy girl's whole entire face turned beat red. Damn - she looked like a slag. She quickly slid further down her chair making it so only her neck and head were visible over the desk.

Shy. Shy. Shy. Shy. Shy.

All her hard work of being un-shy was going out the drain right now.

Grumbling she reached into her bag pulled out a spare cloak and put it on, she looked bizarre and would be as hot as a person walking down the Serengeti planes in Africa but she didn't care.

Olivia rose her hand. "It's called elder because it is the original runic alphabet. Also, I think futhark is what the first few letters spell out, sort of like the way we call the alphabet our abcs sometimes. And they can be used for all kinds of magic, especially divination and really complex charms." She smiled. She liked this professor. He was very mild mannered and shy to the point of sweet.

Gavin did not know the answer to the first question. He took his quill and fervantly wrote some of the answers provided by the other students.

However, he ventured an answer to the other question: "To give direction?" he proposed, more as a question than an answer.

He knew he would love Runes. This professor was so cool, despite the accent.

Riley raised his hand again, this was probably the most he had done so in an Ancient Runes class before and it probably had sometime to do with the fact that he had gotten bored over the break and actually read his textbook--and the fact that the Professor had a strange, yet mesmerising accent.

"Professor, Runes were used in the old days by people to bless things such as their homes, careers and families, as well as throughout history sometime in Arithmancy and Divination." The Gryffindor stated, quite satisfied with his answer.

Sierra tried not to look at her green Viking costume as she sat in her desk and listened to the next part of the lesson. She could see it out of the corner of her eye, though, so she was still pretty annoyed as she raised her hand halfheartedly. "It's called the Elder Futhark, because it was discovered earlier than the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc and the Younger Futhark," she said. "Runes can be used to give us things we need in our future, like luck, protection, and happiness, depending on which runes you use."

''For that do I am so lucky to be near the same desk with this charming witch'', -she surprised for neighborhood.

"It's called Elder Futhark, particularly 'futhark', because of the first six letters of the alphabet: f - u - t - h - a - r - k. The Elder Futhark is the oldest version of the Runic alphabet."

Tayla paused to catch her breath then contined. "Aside from writing, the runes can be inscribed on artifacts like jewelery and amulets and they can also be used for Divination and magic."

''Elder Futhark has been called Elder Futhark for the begining of six runes-letters FUThARK; that used by live beins in common life og in telling for fortunes.
Younger Futhark followed the next one'', - Anasta longed to communicate with some students outside of classes and likes the classes but behind there was a waste of energy that distracts from the need to concentrate on understanding.

Presley felt sick. She didn't know a thing! The other kids were answering questions all over the place, and she couldn't even understand what the Professor was saying!
"Don't be stupid," she told herself. "He doesn't expect you to know. This is your first ancient runes class." Her quill was flying like crazy trying to take down all of the notes. This was good. She'd study her notes, and then she would learn. So she just bent over her parchement, and hoped the professor didn't see her, or ask her any questions.

Hannah Raise her hand Elder Futhark because the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc and Younger Futhark.They are use for Magical Rune Artifacts and or Divination.

Putting his hand up " Sir didnt they become Elder when the Norse lanuage began to change to what is call Younger Furthark as the vikings started to expand their influence,Runes enhance things like protection or luck

Oakey shot an excited glance over at Michael when he said Runes enhance protection and luck.This was true Oakey had just found the meaning for the rune dagaz which gave good fortune. This class suddenly became one of Oakey's top classes to pay attention in no matter what!

Wincing, the Slytherin lad started to scratch the back of his head, which typically happens whenever something is moving further beyond his limited comprehension. He didnt know why it was called Elder Fart. Futhark. Whatever.

"Uhm.... maybe cuz its really really really old?" he offered an answer nonetheless. Hey beats keeping quiet. "And uh, runes have been used to mark gravestones." he nodded firmly. That much he knew.

Kimalia thought back to her notes and she not wanting to be quiet throughout the lesson took a stab in the dark. With her hand raised she answered. "I believe they were named after the first six rune symbols: F, U, Th, A, R and K and well coupled with "Elder" symbolizes just how old the alphabet is.." She hoped this was the correct answer. "And other than writing, runes have been used for divination and magic."

Rune symbols? F,U, Th...? What were they talking about? Sarah didn't anything. Hm, nothing at all! She was feeling stupid, sitting in a class, watching people answer. She felt alien. She stared at the teacher, he was so tough! she thought. Then turned to the elder students. Oh, this is so awful!. She bent her head and started writing some lines, her own creations, hoping the teacher doesn't notice her.

Viola had a hard times trying to understand the professor's accent. Anyway, why Elder Futhark? Viola raised her hand and said, "The word Futhark or the runic alphabets got it's name after the first six runes; F-U-TH-A-R-K."

As for the second question, "They are also used as a form of Divination." she finished, hoping that she was right.

Penny hesitantly put her hand in the air.."Please sir, is it used for studying the ancient runic scripts of magic?"... hoping against hope, that maybe she might be a little right...