Erm... was this a class? Or not a class? Davie couldn't really be sure, despite the notice from the common room board.... plus he was SUPER SUSPICIOUS of the hag and all her harried predictions...

Regardless, he did tiptoe near the cauldron, and he did sit down a carefully calculated distance away from the fire. Close enough not to freeze, but not close enough that he could be eaten first. Close enough to learn, but not so close that he wouldn't be able to run away if he needed to. Plus he had his classy blue and bronze Ravenclaw scarf on and gloves and everything, so he didn't need to get any closer to her smell than this.

Oh, and he had manners. "Hello again, Ms. Black," the second year delivered in a very calm, cool, and collected manner, as if to say HE WAS WATCHING YOUR EVERY MOVE but he wasn't rude about it.

What was happening? Why weren't they in a classroom? Especially when it was getting closer to winter, meaning it was chilly outside. At least Olly could see that there was a fire. Wasn't that a fire hazard? Nah, they were wizards so it was probably fine. Except, could this hag to magic? Olly had no idea? He had stayed away from the hag as much as possible so he really did not know what she was capable of. Didn't want to know either.

He saw that he was one of the first people to arrive. Which usually did not happen. But his curiosity had driven him out of the castle earlier than it would have usually. He stopped a few feet away and surveyed the scene. "Good morning," he said tentatively to the...woman. Hag. Whatever. Then he was happy to see that there was at least someone he knew. He took a seat by Davie. "Hey," he greeted the boy.

Moxley wouldn't let them attend a class where the Professor was likely to kill them and make them into stew. He wasn't afraid of a crumply old woman. Those were his only reasons for attending the lesson. The boy had always liked Divination and it's lack of magical requirement but now he wasn't sure what to think.

Blaise walked up to the fire, plopping down next to Olly and Davie keeping at such a distance that he wouldn't get himself burnt and watched the woman as she prepared...er....what was that...?

"Are we going to do a head count when everyone gets here?" He asked. It was important to make sure none of them were IN that stew. Had anyone seen Bentley? Merlin HE better not be in there!!!

"50 galleons says it isn't edible." He mumbled in relation to the stew. A comment mostly directed at his friends but he wasn't quiet about it. There was just something very off about this woman.

Scarlett was normally a very cheerful person, but today she was ANGRY. Furious, really. Furious that her first year of Divination was being taught by THIS WOMAN, who probably had no idea what tarot cards were or how to properly read a crystal ball. Scarlett probably knew more than her. Nope, she did not trust this woman at all. Not since the moment she'd met her on the train. Something was off, and she wasn't sure WHAT, but she knew one thing for sure.

She was NOT going to get any proper education in Divination this year and it was devastating. She'd been SO looking forward to seeing the room her dad had once taught in, reading the same textbooks he'd assigned homework from...and it was all ruined because of HER.

And why had she set up a tent and fire on the grounds? If she were a REAL professor she'd have set up shop in the classroom. This just looked like...well, she wasn't sure what it looked like. But she didn't like it. And she expected them to sit on GARBAGE? SERIOUSLY?

Oh this was just the worst. The WORST.

Not even saying hello, she plopped down next to a Ravenclaw boy (Davie) and crossed her arms moodily, not even saying anything to the hag. She was here out of the fear of losing points for Hufflepuff by skipping class, honestly. Nothing else.

Olivia didn't know what to make of the hag. Or the hag teaching Divination. There was a part of her that was at least a touch apprehensive about going down to where she supposedly lived on the grounds. The other staff knew they would be out there...right? No room for too many surprises? The other part nagged at her for being so judgemental about someone she hadn't spent any time up close with.

Whichever was wrong, the Ravenclaw planned to come down with Rachel. At least they seemed to be in roughly the same mind and could support each other as they made their way outside, across the grounds and to the hag's fire. A fire that had something mysterious cooking over it but at least it offered some reprieve from the chill that surrounded them both. "Um...good morning," she tentatively greeted trying to be polite.

Katherine had no interest whatsoever in divination. She also didn't believe in it at all. However, she wasn't the FIRST in the points race and she HAD TO. She had seen David head towards this direction too, so she wouldn't feel alone and would even have a partner to work with. Mhmm, she was attending this class.

And no, she wasn't afraid of the Professor at all. Yes, she looked a little bit... haggard, but that was only natural. After all, the woman probably had been out of work for a looooooooong time, because who needed divination, even? She probably lived on streets, poor woman! What did... divination people do for a living, too?

Eh, who cared? They shouldn't have picked telling lies as a profession.

Katherine, along with all the winter clothes and her belief about how useless this 'profession' was, arrived at the scene. "Hello, professor," she greeted the woman confidently, and eyed the people there. David, Blaise, Olivia, a girl she didn't know and - ew, that boy who was in love with her. Well, her seating choice was no-brainer: she plopped down behind David. No way would she even consider sitting next to that boy.

"Hi guys," she said, but her greeting was obviously only for the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor.

Were they going to interpret the steams or something?

Rachel didn't know if this was a Divination lesson or not. She had debated skiving coming here but her keen and inquisitive mind didn't want to miss anything should this turned out to be a lesson. In the end, she talked it over with Olivia and they both decided they would see what the old woman had in mind. She took the trek down from the Ravenclaw common room, bundled up to keep herself warm complete with a pair of pink gloves and her Ravenclaw scarf.

She kept close to Olivia. Rachel was still afraid of Ursula and there was no Professor Finch to be her knight in shining armour. "I wouldn't eat that at all,'' she whispered to her friend as they approached the gathering. She wrinkled her face in disgust at the garbage lying about but she did smile at David and Scarlett. Ms Black just got a quick 'Hello' before Rachel seized Olivia's hand to lead them over to a litter free patch of ground (which happened to be next to Katherine) so they could be seated. "Hello, Katherine.''

After his previous encounter with the Divination Professor, Rooney was extremely cautious when he headed down to this class. He made sure to seat himself away from where Professor Black was standing, coincidentally near to Blaise Bellaire. Any other day, Rooney would have avoided coming into contact with the Gryffindor, but was fine with it today. If anything happened, he had someone to offer. Tada.

He caught the comment from the second year and laughed. "Fifty galleons says you'll be cooking in it by the end of class." And then it definitely wouldn't be edible. No one wanted to eat someone who couldn't use a wand properly.

I wouldn't eat that at all

Olivia had to agree with Rachel there, nodding to silently show how she felt. She was already planning not to eat anything in case it had less than desirable effects. Probably safer that way. The rubbish piles reminded her of the condition of the Muggle Studies classroom, but she doubted the hag had the same positive reason for it as the headmistress had. Did she live like this?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden grasp of her hand by her friend. The first year followed Rachel easily enough, taking the seat beside her two dorm mates. "Hey..." she greeted Katherine as she settled on the cool ground, adjusting her house scarf more securely around her neck.

"Hey," Davie returned Olly's greeting. There was strength in numbers, and Davie was feeling better to see that he wasn't the only one who was suspicious of the hag. At least... that was the general idea he was getting as more and more of his friends ventured down to the hag's "house."

Blaise came next, and of course he got a friendly nod of greeting. The head-count idea wasn't bad... "'Course we are," he assured his friend confidently, but not TOO confidently. Didn't want the old hag to overhear. "We can uh, put the Head Girl in charge of that." If she even showed up...

Davie started looking around for someone older, closer to Tia's age, in case she didn't make it to class today. A smaller Hufflepuff girl sat near him and Davie suddenly felt alarmed. He didn't know her. What was she doing? Was she expecting him to protect her?! He couldn't do that! He was too busy trying to catch the figure out what the hag was up to without actually getting close to her again! "Um...um.. hi?" he tentatively greeted the girl. She looked mad already about something... maybe he shouldn't have said anything to her at all??!?

At least more and more of his housemates were trickling in now, including Katherine, who got a big, bright smile and a friendly, "Hiii!" from Davie; Rachel, who got a nod and smile too; and another one of Rachel's friends (Olivia something?) whom he recognized from History of Magic and other classes.

Then Rooney arrived and made a somewhat funny comment about Blaise's joke. Davie half-turned toward him. "I'll put 50 galleons on her attempting to make us eat it." All in the name of learning. Davie wouldn't put it past that wanna-be witch. Also, he didn't really have fifty galleons here at school, so....

Was it a class? Or something else? Jaemin tiptoed closer to where the fire was set up and a few students were gathering, looking curiously over the scarf that concealed half of his face. The small boy was bundled all up in his big warm peacoat, a soft green hat pulled down over his ears. He'd even put mittens on in anticipation of being outside... he watched the fire, drawn in by the warmth and his need to be in front of others to actually see what was happening but wary enough to stay back a bit. He didn't want anything bad to happen to him, not in his very first year!

The other students talked a lot about this lady. He'd picked up enough to have a healthy amount of fear now, when it came to her.

It was early. And cold. Too early and too cold. The curly top really wasnt in any mood to go run to anywhere.

Until he spotted smoke. Smoke out on the grounds! And when theres smoke....

.... He rushed forward towards the source of it, wondering what could possibly be burning. As he got nearer he started to realize the place was familiar-- wasnt this the way to that smelly Hag's tent? IS HER TENT ON FIRE??!?

.........Eh. wishful thinking.

The tent still stood as dilapidated as before, but it looked like the Hag was cooking something in those big cauldrons. Also it still smells... but he wasnt sure if its just the Hag's signature perfume or if its coming from the pots.

"Hi!" the boy greeted the old woman "Whatcha brewin today? Is that something from the elves again?" Of the elves. Of elves. He never did figure that part out.

What exactly was happening over here? Hady only knew something was happening by the small post written that morning on the snakes notice board. Not entirely sure whether this was meant to be a lesson or something else entirely the fifth year headed over anyhow having brought her bag along with her just in case.

The weather was a little chilly but at the same time Hady was finding it refreshing. The cool breeze was serving to keep her alert which was a good thing when she had to be in close proximity to the hag/lady. And no she hadn't at all forgotten what she had been told on the train.

Arriving at the fire near the tent Hady gave a small nod in greeting to all her younger mates. Was she the oldest here so far? Great just great. Crinkling her nose a little in wonder she found herself a spot to sit down. "Hello Ms. Black," the girl greeted quietly her hazel eyes once more traveling over each face there. Possibly taking note of everyone in attendance. No harm done in knowing who all was here.

This was definitely bizarre. Janelle wasn't quite sure what the deal was. Nothing against the hag lady, but she definitely creeped Janelle out. Her doomsday predictions didn't help either. She hoped that this was a class, but then again.....she didn't. If it wasn't a class, it could't be anything good going on here. If it was a Divination class............well, Janelle hadn't heard a positive prediction yet. She just did not feel good about this whole thing.

Nearing the fire, Janelle moved over to join a group of her classmates. They would definitely stick together, yeah? Not wanting to be rude, Janelle spoke to the scary woman. "Hello Ms. Black." Then she stuck her hand in her pocket. Keeping it close to the wand, just in case.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

Davie started looking around for someone older, closer to Tia's age, in case she didn't make it to class today. A smaller Hufflepuff girl sat near him and Davie suddenly felt alarmed. He didn't know her. What was she doing? Was she expecting him to protect her?! He couldn't do that! He was too busy trying to catch the figure out what the hag was up to without actually getting close to her again! "Um...um.. hi?" he tentatively greeted the girl. She looked mad already about something... maybe he shouldn't have said anything to her at all??!?

The longer it took for this "class" to start, the more Scarlett just stewed and stewed in annoyance over this whole situation. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she jumped when she heard someone speaking to her. She looked over and saw the Ravenclaw boy was talking to her. Oh. She hadn't meant to start a conversation by sitting nearby, as she was just looking for a spot that wasn't piled in garbage, but talking to someone was better than getting angry about this whole teaching situation.

"Hi," she said, putting a smile for the sake of appearances. She glanced back at the pot and then back at the Ravenclaw. "So, what do you think...do you think we have enough people to overtake her if she tries to cook us?" she asked him quietly with a small smile. Sure, she was still upset about the whole stupid Divination disaster but imagining that this woman could easily be taken over by a bunch of young kids was helping her feel a bit better.

Through the vine Cornelius heard about a gathering by Ursy's (Ursulla) place, and of course, anything concerning her got his attention. Ever since that little trick she played on him, he's reserved a small corner just for her. Isn't she special?

In the head, maybe.

Arriving, the Slytherin boy stopped next to the woman and brought something from under his robes and smelled the Bird's-Foot Trefoil flower and gently placed it next to Ursy--which smelled exaggeratedly more than a normal flower; all flowery--then smiled his sweetest smile. "Gooood daaaay."

Remember him, hm HMMM???

Stifling a cackle he learned from her, Cornelius proceeded to go find a place to sit. Hoped she liked overly sweet-smelling flowers.

This was the dumbest thing she had ever been forced to endure. And Chloe frequently had to speak to Phillip Romalotti so...

If something looked suspicious, sounded suspicious and acted suspicious the only conclusion was that it was suspicious. This teacher wasn't so much of a teacher as a strange and horribly smelly nuisance that she was forced to endure for the sake of a grade. But as soon as anything got overly weird and/or life threatening Chloe was out. She was the queen of hiding and would do it again without hesitation.

The blonde looked around and saw numerous people the hag could eat before her if worst came to worst. Oddly, she was comforted by their faces. Thank Merlin. She was safe.

Haddie grumbled loudly and plopped down angrily next to Rachel. She kept her eyes fixated on the Hag, wand firmly held in hand. "For a Ravenclaw, you're an idiot," she growled, quietly, at Rachel. There was no way she was going to let the Hag eat her best friend. And if her best friend had the brains to listen to her earlier when she told her not to go, that wouldn't be a concern right now. "If I get eaten, I'm going to haunt you so hard. Like blaring polka music at 3 AM hard."

First how do you catch your death. Because it sounds cool. Though the more Dante got to thinking about it. Yeah you could. Depends on what you are really catching could lead to actual death. Morbid but interesting to think about. Since this lady did look like death most of the time. No all the time.

Dante heard her say sit as close to the fire but he was not late but not the earliest one. so he took a spot as far away from the fire. But not far enough to be considered rude. Even though every time he talked to the Lady he was rude.

Oh well. She did say she liked to fatten up children at the gryffindor table that one time. At least Dante remembered her saying it.

Could be a sick joke or you never know.

Ellery was super weirded out by this hag-woman and the fact that this wasn't really a classroom. Plus, a fire???? Really??? When this woman had basically INSINUATED she was going to EAT Ellery and Dante?? So yeah, Ellery was very very nervous.

Ellery slipped into a seat next to Katherine because she needed the best friend protective vibes. "Hi, Katherine…hi, David." She leaned a little closer to both of them. "She-" (she looked pointedly at the hag) "said that the students need to eat to be plump or something. I think she wants to EAT us."

She gave twin finger wiggles to Olly. For moral support (and so that he could come over and sit with her maybe).

There was no way that Kitty was attending this class. Professor Black was evil. She had tried to EAT both Kitty and Rooney, they had just barely escaped with their lives.

But at the same time, Kitty wanted to know what was going to happen. She didn't think the Hag would try to eat any of the students during class, but she might tell one of the students to stay behind while everyone else went back up to the castle. Then she would have that poor student all alone, and this time she would be more careful to not let her or him escape. If she tried to do that Kitty would jump out and scream and warn everyone.

So for the first time since she had arrived at Hogwarts, Kitty was not wearing black. Instead she wore a dull gray robe that she really hated but that she thought might help her blend in with the surroundings. She creeped down to the Hag's tent, following the other students from a distance. Then instead of joining them she crouched behind a large gray rock and watched. Her prankster friend Haddie was there, as was her other friend Hady (the Slytherin who helped her in DADA) and even Rooney was there, much to her shock.

Kitty stayed where she was, hoping that she wouldn't be noticed. If Professor Black looked directly at her she would be spotted, but otherwise she was probably safe. She had brought her magic camera with her. If the Hag tried to hurt any of the students, Kitty would film her and show it to the headmistress.

So there a pretty big crowd of students starting to gather in a certain place on the grounds, and it had Ariadne curious. Very curious. So curious that she found herself strolling across the grounds in the cold to see what this was all about. As she got closer, she paused right in her tracks. NO WAY. No. Freaking. Way. So all of these students were just chilling with the HAG? Ariadne was only a first year and didn't know too much just yet, but she knew what a hag was and why she shouldn't just go hang out with one.

When she looked up again, she had walked right up to the area everyone was gathered in without even realizing it. It was the hag's fault!!!!! Ariadne did NOT want to stay, but she also didn't want to look like the one scaredy cat out of the whole entire bunch. DAVIE. Davie was nearby, so she'd just sit behind him and hide. "Davie?" she whispered. "What are you guys doing hanging out with the hag?" WHISPERS. It was all said in whispers.

Stir.. stir.. stir

The hag stood near the fire stirring the contents in the pot frantically as if she needed more time. Every so often she sniffed the air. It was becoming more and more overwhelming for her. The children were here she didn't need her eyes to know, she knew scent of the pot would draw them here. The fire was nice and cozy. She could easily trap them if she wanted.

Stirring and adding more spices she finally turned to the group. Looking around, yes many of them would do. Her hungry eyes stopped on the boy (Shanners) that had shot the spell at her. Her eyes weren't moving from him until another spoke to her. "You will see when the time is right dearie. The pot isn't done yet. Go sit, get comfortable." Her love potion helping her with her plan she knew she had to keep the students here.

"Your doom will come all of you. It is in the cards." She pulled them out of her rags to show the group. "You have seen these before haven't you?" She walked around eyeing them as she spoke. Stopping to sniff a child she dark eyes lifted to the squawking of her bird. She watched as it swooped down on something (Goblinfrog) that was behind the rock.

Moving closer to the rock she grabbed the girl hiding behind it. "You won't stay warm over there. You come and be right up front." Pulling the child towards the pot before letting her go at a rubbish bin just off to the side.

"GAA!!!" Kitty screamed as the Hag's bird swooped down on top of her. Before she knew it Professor Black had grabbed her in her awful grip and was pulling her towards the pot. "Let me go!" she screamed, terrified that the hag was about to toss her inside the pot. But then Professor Black tossed her to the side by a rubbish bin. Kitty relaxed just a little, but her heart raced pounded violently and she shook all over.