Olly was in his seat, and not doing weird things or talking cryptically like some of the others in the class. He just stared at them, unsure what was going on. That wasn't normal, was it? He was sure they weren't normally like that. But the professor didn't seem to think there was anything too unusual going on so he tried to focus on the class. But he kept an eye on them just in case.

Olly had certainly heard about the Wizards Council before. He had grown up in the wizarding world, after all, so how could he not? But he didn't know a whole lot about what they specifically did because to be honest he didn't care all that much? He was only thirteen and not all that interested in politics and it wasn't like the council mattered anymore. He knew about the Ministry of Magic, but the question wasn't about that. He flipped his book open and scanned the page because he felt like he should say something.

"It existed before the ministry. It was not as large and organized, so it was replaced by the ministry."

Class has now officially started and Niomi was ready to learn about some magical history! She has always loved learning about history. She likes to read book about the past and learn from them. Now, when Professor Finch spoke about the Wizard's Council, Niomi had to put some thought process about the subject. She remembers hearing and reading a little about it before. To refresh her mind and gain some memory about it, she turned to page 212. After reading the highlighting knowledge about the Wizard's Council, Niomi now remembered what it was and what she learned.

Now that Niomi remembered about the Wizard's Council, she spoke up, "The Wizard's Council was the longest government to serve the Wizarding world in the UK. The Wizard's Council transferred into the Ministry of Magic because it was time for a more highly developed, structured, organized, and complex government structure."

Fiyero blinked dumbly as Professor Finch called the class to order. Wizard's Council? What was that? Listening to some of his classmates' answers helped to jog his memory a bit. Oh, yeah! It was like a smaller version of the Ministry of Magic. He vaguely remembered his grandma telling him some story about one of her distant ancestors being reprimanded by the Wizard's Council for something dumb and nit-picky, but that was about all he knew about it.

He scratched his head, trying to recall something about the Wizard's Council that hadn't been said already, but he was drawing a blank. Then he suddenly remembered reading something about the council in a book about quidditch. He raised his hand. "I think I read somewhere that the Wizard's Council passed a law that you couldn't play quidditch within 50 miles of a town," he said. ;Then they changed it to 100 miles a few years later."

Hey, he may not know history, but he did know quidditch! He hoped his answer was alright. He really was trying!

Janelle snapped to attention, when the professor called the class to order. Annnnd the topic of the day was the Wizard's Council. Janelle reached down and pulled her book from her bookbag. Then she opened it to the assigned page and began to read. She had an idea about a fact she wanted to share, but needed more information. After she finished reading, Janelle thought for a moment then raised her hand.

"The Wizard's Council signed the International Statue of Wizarding Secrecy........which is funny because that's the thing that indirectly brought about their disbanding.". Or maybe it was directly, anyway as her classmates said, the Ministry of Magic was formed to replace the Wizard's Council. "The Ministry of Magic was better able to handle all of the complexities that went along with the Statute."

Okay... Marsha may not know a lot of the students that were acting weird... but she did know that they weren't acting... normal. And this was Hogwarts... so which Professor had fed them something that was laced with a potion or charmed them... or something? Eyeing them from her chair, Marsha wondered what this 'moonstone' was that they were talking about and then listened to Professor Finch. He could deal with them if needed.

"The last Chief Wizard of the Wizengamot from the Council's time became the first Minister of the new Ministry... I think his name was Gamp?" Gump... Gimp? Something like that. She really needed to put more effort into her history studies. Whoops. Sorry Professor. She did, however, write down notes about what everyone else was saying - since they seemed to know different points from her.

Viv thought about that for a moment. She knew Gamp sounded familiar!! "Does this mean Gamp was a descendant of Voldemort?? Just wondering...."

Norah wasn't exactly the queen of grammar (though she did like to think she was the queen of some other things), but those younger students really did seem to have lost their grip on normal speech. She wasn't entirely sure if they needed hugs or a trip to the hospital wing or maybe even both, but in any case the prefect wasn't satisfied with just sitting and watching as they completely lost their marbles. Clearly they needed HELP, right? Could she help? She didn't know a single thing about how to help, but hopefully the desire to help would be enough to do something at the very least. If only she had some chocolate with her. Chocolate fixed everything.

Before she could come up with a good enough rescue plan, Professor Finch had started the lesson. Norah was a little relieved as she flipped to the page in the textbook and read through the page on the Wizards Council. As soon as she finished, she started at the top all over again because she'd somehow forgotten everything she'd read just seconds before. Paying attention was awfully hard. As much as she'd thought she'd get better at it by now, she really hadn't. During her second time through, she chose a particularly interesting fact (well, as interesting a History could be, but don't tell Professor Finch she thought that), and raised her hand. "In 1631 the Council passed the code of Wand Use that has a Wand Ban in it which says that non-human magical creatures 'n stuff like house elves and goblins can't have wands. That one was kind of controversial because some goblins get upset that wizards get wands but they don't. I think that was one of the causes of that big goblin rebellion." She put her hand down and smiled at Professor Finch once more before picking up her quill. Class was always better when they got to use their textbooks for help, even if reading was a pain sometimes.

To be honest the behavior of some of his classmates had taken the attention of the leonine lad, finding it both odd, concerning and fascinating. It reminded him of when he came across Hadley too, but thought it only as a phase, a "girl thing" , something that are just too mysterious for boys to understand. But he can clearly see that it wasn’t just his Ravenclaw buddy that’s acting .... Intense. Several people in this class were doing the same thing.

But right there was a question? Something about the Wizarding Council. What did he know about them? Errr not much. Maybe he should read his books before going to class? Right. Read read read read read....

With the feet situation handled, Daxton spent the remainder of the time until class started just keeping a careful eye on the students all acting strangely, feeling his levels of irritation rise, though he was not entirely sure why. As a matter of fact, even he could tell that Finch was none too happy with all of the occupants in his classroom either, and in that moment Daxton may have warmed to the professor ever so slightly because of it. Ever so slightly. A degree, maybe, or a fraction of a degree. Maybe.

As the classroom was called to order, Daxton flipped open his notebook to a fresh new page and turned his attention to Finch. He was slightly more likely to be receptive in History of Magic, as it tended to involve no (or at least very little) practical application of magic, and focused almost entirely on theory. With the topic of the lesson revealed, Daxton wrote a header in his small - small enough that it would be difficult for anyone nearby to easily read his notes - but incredibly neat handwriting, and began writing some of what he knew, and some of his own thoughts, about the Wizards' Council. Once he had written all he cared to, he placed his pen down on the desk, then folded his arms on top of the desk, concealing his notebook, and continued looking as bored as ever, while actually all the while paying attention to those around him who were giving their own input.

SPOILER!!: Notebook

History of Magic

Wizards' Council
The Wizards' Council was a governing body for the British magical community, as far back as the medieval era, and is now obsolete. It immediately preceded the British Ministry of Magic, which was formed in the same year that the Council was disbanded (1707).

The Wizards' Council was similar to the Ministry of Magic in that both were/are institutions formed for law and order (both also affiliated with the Wizengamot), and to control the wider magical community in the country. However, the Ministry of Magic was formed to replace the Wizards' Council after the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy (1692) came into effect, meaning that the Council could not effectively hide the magical community from normal people without the entire system being dissolved, re-imagined, and re-built with such a purpose in mind.

This implies that the Wizards' Council, though the longest-serving magical governing body in the country's history, was actually totally useless when it came to concealing the wizarding world, which is now arguably the most essential ongoing aim of today's government. However, though the Council is considered to not have been structured or organised enough for the progressing community and ideals at the time, it can obviously be viewed as the early model of the Ministry of Magic, which likely would have been much different today had the Council not existed in the first place.

She didnt know much of the subject, but alot of her classmates were being crazy and it was quite a show. Raising her hand she said "I knew it started before the Ministry Professor" she should really start to pay attention to their History of magic.

Hoping other didnt think she was really dumb she slowly lowering her hand hoping that no one heard her answer.

It was hard to focus on... class... with the other students acting the way they were. Confundus charm or not... did they not need to be helped? Someone should lift it or something, you know? Jaemin hesitantly returned to his seat, still intensely aware of the wandering students. Just in case. If one of them touched him they were sooooooo gonna get it.

"They made the Statute of Secrecy, to keep Muggles from knowing about magic..." he murmured, peering up at Finch. It was still one of those things for him, that statute. He understood the point of it back then, but he wasn't so sure of the point of it now... "And they made a thing for werewolves, but nobody wanted to sign it because then everyone would know they were werewolves."

Cal sat quietly in his assigned seat. However, he had his knees drawn close to his chest, afraid that the weirdos on the floor and whatnot would take a chunk out of his legs.

He blinked blankly at the professor at the mention of a wizard council or something like that? Of course, he ain't got a clue what that is. Still, he oughta give it a go. Cal flipped his textbook to the page on it.

....nope. Still got nothing.

The fifth year shrugged at the professor's response to the weird girl asking for eggs and quickly made his way to this seat before the lesson began. Whatever was up with those students, he really hoped they would just not disrupt class anymore.

Ollie really couldn't remember a single thing about Wizard's council. It was a council of wizards...what else was there to know? They did wizardly things. Wasn't that all that mattered? (History never was Ollie's best subject.) Turning to the right page in his book, he skimmed throught the paragraphs and listened to student's answers...what to say, what to say. He really couldn't come up with much...

Raising his hand eventually, he said, "I think it's cool that a council for wizards exists?" He knew his answer wasn't really all that great...but it's existence really was kind of cool as far as he was concerned!

"So basically." Dot flipped through the pages on the Wizards' Council again and again just to make sure she'd picked up all the pertinent details. She flashed a smile at the professor, since History of Magic was one of the most bearable classes. "Basically, the Wizards' Council was an organization that put itself out of business by creating a system of laws it couldn't enforce. And now we have an unwieldy bureaucracy in its place."

Clearly Oliver's reading skills and listening skills weren't the best because he didn't even realize what he was talking about until he heard Dot's answer whoops. His eyes went wide and his hand shot into the air again. "I TAKE BACK WHAT I SAID." He was so sure his classmates were judging him and he wanted to die. "It wasn't cool! Not cool at all." And yes, yelling this out was completely necessary.

Sitting there taking her notes down, because you know it was her OWL year, she laid her quill down to actually listen to people and she couldn't help but snort and laugh at the same time "ahahahahahah" she slapped her hand over her mouth and tried to keep the giggling quiet.

Oliver..... he clearly didnt know what was going on in the class and Echo found this extremely funny. Hopefully she didnt receive some stares or glares from him.

Juno bit her lip trying not to laugh at the Slytherin boy, and Echo was not making that easy. But she kept her mouth closed. She was in class. She would behave.

What did she have to contribute to the answers? She thought about that for a moment before responding, "Didn't they sign the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy in 1692...and then in....I think it was 1707, they disbanded and created the Ministry of Magic?" She thought that was right but couldn't remember for certain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by littledhampir

Olly had certainly heard about the Wizards Council before. He had grown up in the wizarding world, after all, so how could he not? But he didn't know a whole lot about what they specifically did because to be honest he didn't care all that much? He was only thirteen and not all that interested in politics and it wasn't like the council mattered anymore. He knew about the Ministry of Magic, but the question wasn't about that. He flipped his book open and scanned the page because he felt like he should say something.

"It existed before the ministry. It was not as large and organized, so it was replaced by the ministry."

Ansley gave the students a few moments to read over the passage before expecting them to answer. He didn’t expect them to know everything about the Wizard’s Council, especially as it was no longer in existence, but he did expect to have a decent class discussion once they had ample time to read. Oliver was the first to offer an answer and Ansley turned his eyes towards him. “At its most basic, yes.” He did ask for a summary and he’d suppose that was sufficient.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixWizard

Now that Niomi remembered about the Wizard's Council, she spoke up, "The Wizard's Council was the longest government to serve the Wizarding world in the UK. The Wizard's Council transferred into the Ministry of Magic because it was time for a more highly developed, structured, organized, and complex government structure."

This answer was a little more informative and Ansley nodded as Niomi finished her reply to his question. “It was the longest-serving at one point, yes, and it was the predecessor to what we currently know as the Ministry of Magic. Good.” Still a basic summary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMadamMalfoy

He scratched his head, trying to recall something about the Wizard's Council that hadn't been said already, but he was drawing a blank. Then he suddenly remembered reading something about the council in a book about quidditch. He raised his hand. "I think I read somewhere that the Wizard's Council passed a law that you couldn't play quidditch within 50 miles of a town," he said. ;Then they changed it to 100 miles a few years later."

Read somewhere? Ansley raised an eyebrow. Did the boy not hear him tell the entire class to open up their books to page 212 and read for a few minutes about the Wizard’s Council? “I hope you read it in your textbook, let’s get that opened up. You need that for class today.” See, he was still patient even if the antics of some of the other students at the beginning of class were on his nerves. “But you are correct. They were responsible for enforcing quite a few laws, including that one which needed to be amended several years later. Why do you think it needed changed?”

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daydreamer11

"The Wizard's Council signed the International Statue of Wizarding Secrecy........which is funny because that's the thing that indirectly brought about their disbanding.". Or maybe it was directly, anyway as her classmates said, the Ministry of Magic was formed to replace the Wizard's Council. "The Ministry of Magic was better able to handle all of the complexities that went along with the Statute."

”That’s correct,” Ansley nodded at Janelle as she offered her answer. “They did sign the secrecy into effect, but it was more a direct reason rather than indirect. They didn’t exactly disband, but more like restructure themselves into a more effective organization.” And it was okay that she wasn’t exactly correct. He was more interested in establishing a dialogue so that they all did know what went on several hundred years ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormdancer

"The last Chief Wizard of the Wizengamot from the Council's time became the first Minister of the new Ministry... I think his name was Gamp?" Gump... Gimp? Something like that. She really needed to put more effort into her history studies. Whoops. Sorry Professor. She did, however, write down notes about what everyone else was saying - since they seemed to know different points from her.

”Gamp, yes,” Ansley nodded at Marsha next. “Ulick Gamp. He was the first Minister for Magic when it was officially created from the dissolution of the Wizard’s Council. As first Minister of the brand new Ministry, he had quite a precarious job put in front of him.” But he managed alright.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayla Taaffe

Viv thought about that for a moment. She knew Gamp sounded familiar!! "Does this mean Gamp was a descendant of Voldemort?? Just wondering...."

Hmm? Ansley looked at the girl with his brow furrowed for a moment. “I think you are thinking of the Gaunt family? And we are talking over two hundred years before the wizard who became known as Voldemort was born, so Ulick Gamp couldn’t be descended from him. Let’s stay focused.” A fact or thought about the council was more what he was looking for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sararara

Before she could come up with a good enough rescue plan, Professor Finch had started the lesson. Norah was a little relieved as she flipped to the page in the textbook and read through the page on the Wizards Council. As soon as she finished, she started at the top all over again because she'd somehow forgotten everything she'd read just seconds before. Paying attention was awfully hard. As much as she'd thought she'd get better at it by now, she really hadn't. During her second time through, she chose a particularly interesting fact (well, as interesting a History could be, but don't tell Professor Finch she thought that), and raised her hand. "In 1631 the Council passed the code of Wand Use that has a Wand Ban in it which says that non-human magical creatures 'n stuff like house elves and goblins can't have wands. That one was kind of controversial because some goblins get upset that wizards get wands but they don't. I think that was one of the causes of that big goblin rebellion." She put her hand down and smiled at Professor Finch once more before picking up her quill. Class was always better when they got to use their textbooks for help, even if reading was a pain sometimes.

”Very good.” A little bit of controversy would be something that they’d be getting at a little later in the lesson. Maybe. But this was a good answer for them to talk about or reference in a moment. “The Council, as well as other governing bodies, were and are responsible for creating the laws of the Wizarding community. Not everyone agrees with them, however, but that kind of decision needs to be weighed out for what is considered to be fair and best for everyone.” Or most.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelsheen

But right there was a question? Something about the Wizarding Council. What did he know about them? Errr not much. Maybe he should read his books before going to class? Right. Read read read read read....

Ansley glanced over. “Open up your book, Mr. Salander. Page 212.” As easy as he was making this and have the discussion be open book, he expected everyone to participate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixir

As the classroom was called to order, Daxton flipped open his notebook to a fresh new page and turned his attention to Finch. He was slightly more likely to be receptive in History of Magic, as it tended to involve no (or at least very little) practical application of magic, and focused almost entirely on theory. With the topic of the lesson revealed, Daxton wrote a header in his small - small enough that it would be difficult for anyone nearby to easily read his notes - but incredibly neat handwriting, and began writing some of what he knew, and some of his own thoughts, about the Wizards' Council. Once he had written all he cared to, he placed his pen down on the desk, then folded his arms on top of the desk, concealing his notebook, and continued looking as bored as ever, while actually all the while paying attention to those around him who were giving their own input.

SPOILER!!: Notebook

History of Magic

Wizards' Council
The Wizards' Council was a governing body for the British magical community, as far back as the medieval era, and is now obsolete. It immediately preceded the British Ministry of Magic, which was formed in the same year that the Council was disbanded (1707).

The Wizards' Council was similar to the Ministry of Magic in that both were/are institutions formed for law and order (both also affiliated with the Wizengamot), and to control the wider magical community in the country. However, the Ministry of Magic was formed to replace the Wizards' Council after the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy (1692) came into effect, meaning that the Council could not effectively hide the magical community from normal people without the entire system being dissolved, re-imagined, and re-built with such a purpose in mind.

This implies that the Wizards' Council, though the longest-serving magical governing body in the country's history, was actually totally useless when it came to concealing the wizarding world, which is now arguably the most essential ongoing aim of today's government. However, though the Council is considered to not have been structured or organised enough for the progressing community and ideals at the time, it can obviously be viewed as the early model of the Ministry of Magic, which likely would have been much different today had the Council not existed in the first place.

Ansley did not expect Daxton to contribute verbally to the discussion, though he would have appreciated a written one. Much of the reason for this exercise was for everyone to benefit from each other’s thoughts, opinions, and recitation of facts. But he did take note of the fact that the boy was writing. Notes, he would assume, though by the time he passed by his table, Daxton had covered up his notebook with his folded arms. He may have to give the boy an alternative assignment when it was time for the practical portion of the class, but he had already worked that out ahead of time. He gave the boy a nod as he moved on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grrr..Meow

She didnt know much of the subject, but alot of her classmates were being crazy and it was quite a show. Raising her hand she said "I knew it started before the Ministry Professor" she should really start to pay attention to their History of magic.

”It did,” Ansley nodded. “It was the precursor to the Ministry… anything else you can take away from your reading?” Two other students already offered this very basic information, certainly there was more that could be said?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ameh

"They made the Statute of Secrecy, to keep Muggles from knowing about magic..." he murmured, peering up at Finch. It was still one of those things for him, that statute. He understood the point of it back then, but he wasn't so sure of the point of it now... "And they made a thing for werewolves, but nobody wanted to sign it because then everyone would know they were werewolves."

Ansley turned to Jaemin next. “That’s right, they did create that law.” Another student had mentioned that already so he appreciated that expansion of his answer. “Yes, and that is true as well. Another controversial law that they attempted to put into action, but this one failed for that very reason. There was a lot of bias against werewolves at the time and they understandably didn’t want to be singled out.” In fact, there was still some bias today though he’d argue that it wasn’t as prevalent as it was several hundred years ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awarlesta Black

He blinked blankly at the professor at the mention of a wizard council or something like that? Of course, he ain't got a clue what that is. Still, he oughta give it a go. Cal flipped his textbook to the page on it.

Considering he gave the class the opportunity to read about the Wizard’s Council so they could contribute to the discussion, Ansley found blank stares to be unacceptable. “Take some notes,” he hinted. Moving on to the next raised hand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsgisselx3

Raising his hand eventually, he said, "I think it's cool that a council for wizards exists?" He knew his answer wasn't really all that great...but it's existence really was kind of cool as far as he was concerned!

Ansley raised an unimpressed eyebrow. “Is that right. And what exactly do you find cool about it?” That was all he could offer after reading the section? It was the kid’s OWL year, wasn’t it? He needed to do better than that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

"So basically." Dot flipped through the pages on the Wizards' Council again and again just to make sure she'd picked up all the pertinent details. She flashed a smile at the professor, since History of Magic was one of the most bearable classes. "Basically, the Wizards' Council was an organization that put itself out of business by creating a system of laws it couldn't enforce. And now we have an unwieldy bureaucracy in its place."

Ansley tilted his head, thinking over Dot’s answer for a moment. “I suppose, if you want to take a cynical stance on it. Though I wouldn’t say that they put themselves out of business, more that they found it necessary to evolve. And what would you suggest be more efficient?” He was genuinely interested in her thoughts. This was exactly the type of thought and debate that he wanted to soon establish for class. But he did expect an answer. Because criticism without suggestion was rather empty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsgisselx3

Clearly Oliver's reading skills and listening skills weren't the best because he didn't even realize what he was talking about until he heard Dot's answer whoops. His eyes went wide and his hand shot into the air again. "I TAKE BACK WHAT I SAID." He was so sure his classmates were judging him and he wanted to die. "It wasn't cool! Not cool at all." And yes, yelling this out was completely necessary.

Ansley pinched the bridge of his nose, giving himself a moment before responding. “That was unnecessary. More the volume than the sentiment. It’s actually interesting that a few words from Charlotte can cause you to change your mind…. which is something that we will be talking about in a few minutes. But I do expect a fifth year especially to know how to conduct himself in a classroom. Please use your inside voice.” Impassioned arguments could come later. As well as the headache he could feel coming on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suziella

What did she have to contribute to the answers? She thought about that for a moment before responding, "Didn't they sign the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy in 1692...and then in....I think it was 1707, they disbanded and created the Ministry of Magic?" She thought that was right but couldn't remember for certain.

”Yes, that’s right,” Ansley nodded, even though several students had already mentioned about the statute and the fact that the Ministry was formed right after. “You do have your dates correct, everyone should make note of that as well.” He was not a big stickler for precise dates, but he knew things like that would be on OWLs and NEWTs so it was best if they knew some of the most important ones.



“Alright, everyone, thank you for your contribution. Hopefully you all took notes on what your classmates said and what you found in the text.” Ansley was not going to summarize the collective answers as he found that would be quite redundant. Sometimes they needed to do some of the work themselves. “So, the Wizard’s Council was a basic governing body for the magical community. Once the secrecy statute was enacted, it was found to be necessary to have a more sophisticated form of government. That is not to say it is not without its flaws.” Any form of government could be said to be flawed, and could always be improved.

“Both the Wizard’s Council and the Ministry of Magic were responsible for proposing and enacting the laws of the wizarding community. Many of them controversial, most had people for or against them, depending on what the law proposed.” Some were completely defunct now. “Who can either name a law that one of these governing bodies were responsible for, or even mention a fact or opinion about it? Or if it is a particularly controversial one, maybe offer your stance on it and why you think the way you do. You can use your book again for this if you need to, but many of the laws are further into the chapter.” So they’d have to delve into it a bit harder, and many weren’t even written into their textbook. But he was sure there was enough in there for everyone to contribute.

Ohhhh, so they could give an opinion about a law? Any law? Jaemin looked around the class hesitantly, unsure if he should say what he was thinking. He'd already mentioned this law, as had someone else, but... in a year and a half of History of Magic class, he didn't think he'd ever actually put his opinion on it out there.

"I don't feel like the Statute of Secrecy is... really needed like it used to be. Not anymore." He bit his bottom lip, a bit self-conscious. "People used to kill other people for being different, but that doesn't happen anymore, right?"

Or at least... not nearly as much. And society kinda frowned on it when it happened... or at least he assumed.

It wasn't that Dot didn't expect to be challenged, but most professors didn't engage in higher thinking when someone had a controversial opinion. This professor did, and Dot appreciated being pushed a little. Was big government bad, or was she just parroting her father's opinions? "I don't think complex is inherently bad, sir. I think the laws that were enacted were important to protect our society, but I also think we have to be thoughtful when a law is created. If you can't enforce it, then you either show that your government has no bite to enforce any laws on the books or you become overly punitive because you have to treat every infraction like the worst kind of infraction."

Or that's what she thought. Was it stupid? Probably. Dot was no Ravenclaw. "I just think you have to leave the people you hire to do a job free to do it. Like, keep people safe and within the laws, but don't tie them down with red tape."

Anyway. Cough cough. Dot flipped open her book again. "What about the Wand Ban, in the Code of Wand Use, sir? It seems to me that defining who was allowed to carry a wand, we unintentionally..." She paused. "Or intentionally, perhaps. But by defining who could carry a wand, the Wizards' Council created a hierarchy of Being vs Beast. Intelligent, sentient beings against dumb animals. It's rude to arbitrarily decide who was worthy of being-ship."

Fiyero jumped slightly at the sound of Professor Finch's voice. He'd gotten so sidetracked by those people asking for eggs and other weird stuff that he forgot to open his book! Well, at least Professor Finch hadn't been mean about it. He thumbed through his book. Now which page was it again? 200-something... oh, yeah! 212!

He bit his lip, carefully considering Professor Finch's question about the Quidditch law change for a minute. Personally, he thought it was silly to change the law, but he assumed there must be a reason for it. He thought back to the Quidditch games he'd attended with his cousins... balls flying in all directions, people whizzing by on brooms. That was it! "Because Quidditch is unpredictable," he volunteered, "so there was still a chance muggles could see something they're not supposed to, even at that distance, so they had to move it even farther away from towns." He hoped that didn't sound like a dumb answer!

Fiyero skimmed through his book before answering the next question. He wanted to make an extra effort to give an intelligent answer this time, hopefully one what would please Professor Finch. He raised his hand. "The Wizard's Council passed the Werewolf Code of Conduct in..." What was that year again? His eyes fell to his book. "1637." He remembered one of his classmates bringing up that law earlier; he hoped no one would mind him expanding on it. "It was a bunch of rules for werewolves, like they were supposed to lock themselves up every month to keep from attacking people. It turned out to be pretty much pointless, though, since nobody would admit to being a werewolf by signing it."

He thought for a minute. "It sounds to me like that law was geared more toward persecuting werewolves than actually ensuring anyone's safety," he added. He hoped Professor Finch wouldn't be angry that he spoke his mind; he did say they could offer their opinion, right? "I mean, there wasn't a code of conduct for other dangerous creatures like giants or vampires, was there? Why should werewolves be singled out? It's not their fault they're the way they are."

Laws? That was pretty easy. Olly was obviously aware of a lot of laws, like don't kill people or steal from them and other things like that. But those probably weren't the kind of things that the professor was looking for. Probably something more complex and specifically relating to wizarding things. Like the statute of secrecy. He thought Jaemin did a good job bringing that up and voicing his opinion. Olly thought to come up with something good.

"There are some laws about the specific kinds of spells that can be used. Like the unforgivable curses, for example. They're illegal so if you use them you go to jail." He agreed with that law, definitely. Those curses hurt people so they definitely should not be used and needed to be regulated by the ministry.

Oliver's face turned a deeper shade of red when he heard the girl next to him laughing quite loudly at his mistake. Great. GREAT. And she was a really cute girl too. Why couldn't it have been...like...someone he already knew at least? Maybe then he'd be less embarrassed...though the odds of that happening were very low. Glancing at the girl, he offered her a very small, very shy, very embarrassed smile and nodded. "I know...rididculous." He knew better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjay

Ansley pinched the bridge of his nose, giving himself a moment before responding. “That was unnecessary. More the volume than the sentiment. It’s actually interesting that a few words from Charlotte can cause you to change your mind…. which is something that we will be talking about in a few minutes. But I do expect a fifth year especially to know how to conduct himself in a classroom. Please use your inside voice.” Impassioned arguments could come later. As well as the headache he could feel coming on.

...

“Alright, everyone, thank you for your contribution. Hopefully you all took notes on what your classmates said and what you found in the text.” Ansley was not going to summarize the collective answers as he found that would be quite redundant. Sometimes they needed to do some of the work themselves. “So, the Wizard’s Council was a basic governing body for the magical community. Once the secrecy statute was enacted, it was found to be necessary to have a more sophisticated form of government. That is not to say it is not without its flaws.” Any form of government could be said to be flawed, and could always be improved.

“Both the Wizard’s Council and the Ministry of Magic were responsible for proposing and enacting the laws of the wizarding community. Many of them controversial, most had people for or against them, depending on what the law proposed.” Some were completely defunct now. “Who can either name a law that one of these governing bodies were responsible for, or even mention a fact or opinion about it? Or if it is a particularly controversial one, maybe offer your stance on it and why you think the way you do. You can use your book again for this if you need to, but many of the laws are further into the chapter.” So they’d have to delve into it a bit harder, and many weren’t even written into their textbook. But he was sure there was enough in there for everyone to contribute.

And then there was Professor Finch, telling Oliver exactly what he had just told himself. He did indeed know better. And not only that, but he also pointed out how Ollie had 'changed' his mind based on Dot's answer. In reality, he just hadn't been listening before but whatever. Oliver simply mumbled a sorry under his breath and stared hard at his paper. There was no way he was going to let himself answer the next question. He was just gonna keep his mouth shut for a bit to make up for how loud he had been. Maybe by doing that, he would actually listen to everyone.

There were plenty of people in class. His participation wouldn't be missed.

Hearing him answer and seeing his face Echo tried her best not to keep laughing and she did. but trust her it was really really hard. Poor kid really. "no problem" she mouthed to him so she didn't have to speak out loud.

Turning her head away from the boy she had to answer this question a little better.

"Professor"

she said while Raising her hand

"one law is that you need a licence to apparate... I agree with this like 100 percent, ive heard and actually seen people do it incorrectly and it can be harmful and could shock a lot of people on the returning end, the Ministry should know if you can apparate properly."

there hopefully that was a better answer as she scribbled down everyone else's answers just incase they were really important.

Ooops slacker busted.

Cheesy grin for you Prof, page two-one-two gotcha.

Ok so onto Laws now right? Oh theres one that Tenacius found particularly annoying. His father found it annoying too but got away with it quickly due to a technicality. Times like these he wished he was a late bloomer too.

Hand up "Sir, theres the 'Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery' …." everybody in this room should be familiar with that eh? "I don’t like it. Because….its unreasonable." boom simple. He was pretty sure he could find fellow students who would agree with him right? Need he have to explain more? Fine here's more "I mean look, we go to school, we go home for vacation-- and we cant even apply what we learned outside of the school in real life situations until we're 17? I mean whut?? Makes no sense."