Laura looked at the Professor and smiled, duh this was an easy question. "You simple just talk about stuff from the past, because that is the History of it and the magic part is that all the people are wizard and wizard even if they were born of magic." Next question please, she hoped that the Professor would make it a little bit harder.

Sarah had been listening, yet still very much on the alert when the lesson started. The reading told her to trust her intuition and all. This guy had something fishy about him and Sarah could not put her finger on it.

Sarah raised her hand cautiously, "one can learn in many different ways, as each student is different. i prefer teh interactive classes though. Once we took a field trip to Atlantis, it was really cool. A real hands on experience" Sarah's voice had been stitled and she was speaking in fragments yet she was still feeling pretty nervous. She was too nervous to draw anymore attention to herself so she decided to leave teh matter of the Hogwarts express silent.

Wait.....why was Dylan eyeing her like that?! She hadn't said anything that wasn't true, after all. Nor had she flat out said she 'wasn't a fan' or whatever. So yes, he was getting confused looks back. The thought crossed her mind that he was one of those captains that his team should be sheeple. That's not she signed up for....

A realist? Okay, if that's what they called 'lazy and sarcastic' these days....

When class began, Daichi's eyes went to the front of the class to see the new Professor whom he had seen around the castle since last year...or was it the year before that? Mweh, he couldn't remember. He quickly scribbled his name on the name-tag.

There!

The first question and the Slytherin looked around when students gave their answers. His eyes landed on Sonea and he hoped that she would catch him silently gesturing to her that she should pay attention instead of looking around the classroom.

"Well, our previous Professor usually let us re-life some of the events that had happened in the past. Like some had already answered we saw Atlantis, the chamber of secrets and the bottom of the Great Lake with our own eyes. But i guess you can also learn it by reading about it, but thats boring" He was more of a practical guy than a theory one.

Theo suppressed a yawn when the new professor introduced himself and stuff. He kinda missed Scabior in a really weird way. He pulled out a piece of parchment and a pen to write with, and scribbled his name rather untidily over it.

Now, hmmm... both good questions.

Theo didn't have the answer so he hoped that the new professor would enlighten them.

Why DID they study history of magic? What was the point?

Okay, okay, he took a guess on the next question, only because it was apparently going nowhere. Was this some sort of dig at professor Scabior? Theo raised an eyebrow at the other students who were mentioning stuff. "We learned through practical things... this lesson always used to be kinda fun." He said with a nod. Yeah, his and Ella's rocket that they made WAS super fun.

So the professor wanted to know about how they study HOM. Kace had no idea. He listened to the other student's answers and they seemed pretty legit. But then had one answer he couldn't pass up.

"Professor i know we learn History of Magic by taking diligent notes."

Minerva sat and listened to everyone's answers and then gave a small smile when professor Vinteren acknowledge her answer. That was something she never really got in this class before. Sitting up a bit straighter she waited for his next questions. She was really liking him already.

When he asked how they learned, Minerva's mind went into the memories of this class, the maze, the chamber, the apple throwing activity from her first term, but what in those lessons could she really say. "Professor Scaibors taught in many different ways about many different topics. Many of his lessons were lecture based, but we did learn a few spells such as ones that helped fix the Hogwart express to learn about the times it had broke down and the reasons why it did. We also had a joint lesson with Care of Magical creatures to learn the history of the lake." taking a quick breath she continued, "I feel like some of these ways were valuable, but to learn the history of magic we need to know about the history not just certain topics at certain times. Maybe more of one lesson discuss one step and then the next go on to the next step, not jump from the chamber, the express with no real relationship as to why." That was something she always felt was odd about the lessons.

Sitting back she listened to the others and couldn't help but chuckle to herself at the slytherins answer. Good to know she wasn't the only one that had certain thoughts about Scabiors.

How do you learn about History of Magic? Well most of her classmates had covered what she would have said so she just nodded her head. Yup, practically and by taking notes and using the text book too. Scabior had actually done a really good job of accommodating each type of learner in his lessons. Hopefully Professor Vinteren would do the same? Ella was really interested to see what his lessons would entail.

Oh was he acknowledging him? See how much Ascanius Stark cared? Yeah, the correct answer to that was a good SOLID zero. Why couldn't they have gotten a female Professor to teach this? This was already wearing on his nerves and it hadn't even begun.

But when the funny looking guy finally DID start class, Ascanius tried to suppress a yawn. Dude, come on. They spoke ENGLISH here, not whatever this guy was butchering. He thought he had dodged the shotty accents after he left Durmstrang. Nope. They were back... oh goody.

Brushing that aside he restrained himself from answering his question as it's a history... of magic... and wrote down a name tag with his information on it.

Quote:

Ascanius Stark
Fourth Year
Slytherin

See? Again. Silly, silly questions. How did they learn history of magic? How about the normal way, guy? Like, SHOCKER, a book or something. NOt that Ascanius had ever really gone to this class back at Alma Aleron... or Durmstrang. Ahem. Whatever. He was silent.

Nigel was wondering why he was asking such vague questions. But he is think about how you study and the only thing he could think of is reading textbooks and visiting historical sites. Nigel raised his hand and gave the obvious answer.

"By Reading Textbooks"

The only other way was to travel through time and witness the events. But there are so many things that can go wrong with that.

Snicker.

She probably shouldn't have found it funny but that last question nearly had her in a giggling fit. How does one learn History of Magic? How haff you learned vhis subject in vhe past? Hahahahahahahaha!!!

...

.....

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Control Lex. She managed to keep her amusement to a snicker here and there. It was funny how he assumed she'd actually been learning in this class. Absolutely hilarious. He'd have had better luck asking how they'd been taught. Alexa Cambridge, learning in History of Magic? Good one dude. Hehehe, how did she learn this subject? She didn't. The stuff they did in class was epic--not counting those boring BoG people who nearly had her skipping the lessons--and she'd gotten those bits of information into her head but the outside reading and stuff kinda killed it for her.

She did NOT make a habit of reading. Oh but were they sharing things about past lessons? She could do that part. "I once 'learned' it while glued to a wall!" BEAM. It was good up until Peeves came and took her wand. "And I can tell you how I don't learn this subject." Tedious. Reading. "Sitting still to lose myself in a 'good history book' is not my thing but I suppose that's how some learn it."

How to study History of Magic? Did this professor not know how to teach his own subject? Ryan eyed Professor Vinteren with renewed interest. If he didn't know any better, he'd say the prof was trying to get the lesson out of the students. Clever.

He raised his hand and offered the following: "You can use Veritaserum to force the truth about the past from people. Unless they're willing to offer it up themselves. I mean, old people, of course. Because we all know history is always biased."

Annabeth raised her hand:
"I had never studied History of Magic before, Sir. I'm muggle born, first year here in Hogwarts." She grinned. "I had replied your first question based on what I had studied on History, muggle History. So I don't know how is supposed to be the best way of teaching History of Magic. I think if you have means of lead us travelling through time, it would be a nice way of teach us." She thoughtful replied.

Even though Sophie was not a big fan of History of Magic, she had to admit professor Scabior had done a good job in keeping them rather entertained in his lessons in the past years.

She put her hand up. "Well, the common way... or the expected way to learn any kind of History would be reading textbooks," The fifth years started, putting her hand down. "but in the last years we have had very practical lessons too, which were quite fun!" So she guessed learning History wasn't restricted to theory and all that boring stuff, even though it was what most people did.

Why were Mr. accent man's questions so simple?

Lexi always thought that HOM would be a difficult class. But so far it was easy. So how could they study HOM? Everyone seemed to be saying textbooks and things like that, but Lexi wanted to be out of the ordinary. So that was what she would be. Out of the ordinary and unique.

Raising her hand Lexi began to formulate an answer in her head. "Professor. Can't you talk to old people to find out all sorts of historical stuff. I'm guessing that old people know have experienced some of the things that we read about in textbooks. And if we question old people can't you find out way more than what we read in textbooks. There are different sides to stories right." Because Lexi knew that old people like Granny Thorne knew a lot and went through a lot of things that people read about in textbooks.

"Class, I vas not trying to ask vhat your previous professor had taught you, nor trying to gauge your feelings toward him," he gave a few students particular looks as he said that, "but I vas more trying to get at vhe gist of how historians study history. Because today, I vant you all to think like a historian."

Erik pointed his wand at the board and more notes popped up in tidy cursive. "History can be studied by reading about key events, witnessing historical events yourself, and researching historical events vhrough a combination of efforts." So far, it seemed the students had had a combination course in history, which was more than Erik had expected but which was good anyway.

"Today ve are going to discuss a sombre subject, but an important one I feel, as history is all around us and impacts us continuously." He adjusted his cuffs and continued. "How many of you know someone who has died?" Vinteren waited for a silent show of hands. "And how many of you personally know or know ov someone who has died at Hogwarts? Name someone of historical significance whom you think died at vhis school, and if you can tell us, how, vhen, and vhere they died."


ooc: one death per person please, and try not to repeat.

Jory scribbled some notes as Professor Vinteren spoke then raised his hand. "Albus Dumbledore, Sir,'' he said. "He died at the hands of Severus Snape 30 June 1997 on the Astronomy Tower.'' Dumbledore was certainly a historical figure. Headmaster of Hogwarts, defeated Grindelwald, discovered the twelve uses of dragon blood. And those were just a few of the things he had done.

Daichi grinned when the professor agreed with him that experiencing something was far better than reading about it in a boring book. This was exactly why he didn't like this year. You know, seventh year, studying, books, bleh.

At the subject of death, his grin faded and he sighed. He was afraid that the Professor was going to ask about personal things, like who has seen someone die and to be honest, Daichi did not want to answer those questions to anyone. But , this was luckily not the case and he relaxed in his seat a bit more before raising his hand.


"Cuthbert Binns was a Professor at Hogwarts who is said to have died in the staff room and his ghost just got up the next morning to start classes. I guess it was old age..." he lowered his hand before throwing it back up in the air. "Oh! Wasn't he a History of Magic Professor?" he added.

There were alot more *cooler* answers than that ghost professor because, battle of hogwarts anyone? So why he said that answer, he didn't know...

Nigel was pretty sure he wanted a longer answer. But Nigel was not in the mood and it was a correct answer. But this question was pretty easy. Nigel raised his hand and answered.

"Lord Voldemort died from his spell rebounding off Harry Potter and hitting him instead at the Battle of Hogwarts. I think it was in the Great Hall. But i am not sure"

Nigel read that in a very interesting textbook his uncle bought him. It was a little darker than most normal books. But that was what made it awesome.

The Professor wanted them to behave like historians...Hmph. How very interesting. Not very challenging, though...as he was simply asking about people who had died at the school...

...And he got that stuff from before. Kinda like with Ancient Runes, yea? One had to master Runes from historical study...because the runes themselves were so old and dated. Sure, they learned about them...but not on a mastery level.

The Slytherin made a mental note to speak with Professor Botros about it.

As for an answer to the present question..."Bellatrix LeStrange, Professor...I think that was the right pronounciation. She was the Dark Lord's right hand..." That's what he'd read, anyway.

Ascanius wasn't one for answering questions... in class... ever... well, if a guy was teaching, but this was a special case. They got to talk about death and stuff. Interesting parts. You know, not the whole this plant was discovered in this day and age. No stuff of importance. Of course, he had to admit his knowledge on magical history was pathetic. 'Cause magic was yeah....

Although he DID remember that one person that his girlfriend mentioned. It wasn't exactly history, but it was someone who HAD died at Hogwarts. And that was TECHNICALLY what Ascanius was going to say. It just wasn't a famous person or anything. Famous enough that Pen told him all about it though.

He rose his hand lazily, 'cause he wasn't going to put EFFORT into this, and said, "Professor, didn't a Professor here die not too long ago. Um, the Astronomy one. Uh, Marion Burbage. And she bit the dust via plant, right?" Ascanius hadn't been there then, but some of the people in here would remember that, no?

Penelope kept silent on the how to study history question since the others covered that pretty well and then some, even adding things that Scabior had done. She'd mentioned the train lesson in her first answer anyway, and she didn't feel like repeating herself or the others. So her hand stayed down then.

But then they were moving on to who had died... Okay... Yeah, she knew people who had died. But who at Hogwarts? A couple came to mind instantly. Were they historically important though if it had only happened a couple years ago? Eh, she was gonna answer anyway. Up went her hand. "A couple terms ago a few professors died from this possessed plant. The Ancient Runes and Astronomy professors. The plant ate them..." And that was all she was gonna say about that, so her hand went back down.

How does one learn history of magic? How haff…wait, she was thinking it in his accent. No! This was going to be confusing. She listened to some of the people answer his question. Groan. Some of those answers really didn’t help cause, obviously he was trying to ask about that one specific lesson. With the adorable kiddie teaching; which was rather a fun lesson. Raising her hand Mika finally spoke, “Well, generally we are assigned readings and…asked our opinions on things, discussions and the like really” she paused a moment.

“As Sophie said we have had some recent practical lessons that were really quite fun.” She smiled. “In the future though I would love to go on fieldtrips or to have…a, well…ghost – not a creepy ghost but say the Bloody Barron come in and teach use about the founding of Hogwarts and even about students of the past like everyone connected to the ‘Dumbledores Army thing” she nodded. Because that would be awesome. She blinked at the next question. "Well - um, Myrtle Professor, Moaning Myrtle she's a ghost here and died by seeing a basalic that was later killed by Harry Potter...um...and well, Tom Riddle? Or as most people call him Voldemort died here."

Deaths at Hogwarts. Well this was a cheery subject, huh? Ella frowned slightly and wracked her brain, trying not to repeat any of the previous answers.

"Nymphadora Tonks, Sir. She died during the battle of Hogwarts while dueling." Sad really. From what Ella had read about the woman, she seemed like a really interesting person.

Mo was glad the professor clarified, because it went entirely against his nature to speak about people when they weren't around. He'd enjoyed the last professor, even if he wasn't sure he'd learned much in the way of history. The classes were ENGAGING, and that was something.

But death. Oh, why? Mo gave a cautious look in West's direction to make sure his mate person-thing was okay. Did Mo know anyone who had died? Not really, which made him a rarity in this class apparently.

But stories about people who had died at Hogwarts were practically ghost stories, and he knew about those. Long dead, though, 'cause his mother was overprotective sometimes. He raised his hand, perhaps a bit eagerly. "Barty Crouch, Sr was a Ministry official who was murdered by his son on the grounds of Hogwarts, sir. I heard that his son turned his body into a bone and buried it in the garden, and I ALSO heard that they never found it because they sucked out his son's soul before he could tell where it was buried." Mo paused. "Oh, yeah. That was in May of 1995 during the Triwizard Tournament."