Hmm. Branches of magic that would link to dark magic. Her class mates were giving some interesting answers, but Hattie liked being unique. She did like being unique. So she thought of her answer. She did look up though as she heard Blaise and Bentley talking. They wanted to restrain a whole family? Had they not heard of not tarring everyone with the same brush. The Toussaints weren't that bad. She liked them. But back to the subject, because that was what was important.

And she had an answer now. So she put her hand up, and smiled, before speaking. "Professor. I think Alchemy could be used as dark magic? I mean Voldermort wanted to use that special stone to make him live for ages. He was a dark wizard, so he would have probably used it in a bad way"

Creatures were her thing. She worked with them all the time and knew as much as she could about each and everyone so it really wasn't much of a surprise that she had given that in part of her answer. To hear that Professor Hirsch was glad that she did made her smile just a little bit more.

As for control. Well that she should've known. Now that the answer had been given it was completely obvious, so much so that she couldn't believe that she hadn't thought of it. Oh well, it wasn't a huge deal. Good for those that did get really close to the right answer. Smart ones those three.

She heard Blaise and Bentley and couldn't help but almost laugh. Almost. She didn't. Those two never seemed to amaze her anymore with anything they came up with. Which was why she said nothing, that and the fact that the professor was already handling it and turned her attention back onto working with her clay. Her hands were forming a tail as well as what were a large set of wings now before starting on shaping a neck and the creatures head. All detail would be added in a few minutes once she had the shape down.

A lot was being said as she worked with the clay. A real lot. She was dreading having to write it all down later but she would. With clay covered hands she raised one to give her answer, "I don't think this is the answer you're looking for Professor but I think just about every branch of magic could be associated with the Dark Arts. It all depends on how it's looked at and how it's used." Hady lowered her hand and went right back to working on what was now very much a Hippogriff.

Nononono-- ugh. The dang thing hit the professor instead. Genny slouched in her seat, crossed her arms in a typical bratty move then nodded. "Yeah, sorry." Bleh.

Anyway.

Genny raised her hand lazily, still slouched and in a bad mood. "Runes can be used to perform dark magic." Simply put.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

"We were discussing restraining orders, Sir, because we keep having run ins with Toussaints and Toussaint relatives and quite frankly it usually ends in our poor health. Bentley doesn't figure we can restrain the whole family but we'll take whatever we can get." He paused to glance around the room, y'know, to make sure they were following along with his explanation since he WAS sharing with the class. "That and the fact we figure Angelo must be evil--it's all about association and it's nothing personal but you know how it is. It's actually good you're standing here. It's increased our margin of survival."

Genny doubled over in laughter. She legit had her head falling between her shoulders as her arms grabbed her sides and she laaaaaughed at Blaise calling Toussaints evil. He just indirectly peed on all the Toussaint family and in turn on KATY. Genny didn't even care that her mom wouldn't appreciate this.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Ohhhhh she could give the boy a kiss right here and there. Look how upset Katy just got!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

Ooh, yes, she WAS in fact brilliant, thank you, Zeke.

Apparently also Professor Hirsch thought so. Or at least he commended her answer. Clever, huh? She wasn't THAT stupid. Maggie smiled back all sophisticated-like at the professor and then sent a smile at Angelo too because you know, he had ASKED the question and all that. Now, about that piece of clay. By now it kind of looked like a dog. Or something. Like. It had four legs. And a head. Uhm. Maybe she should improvise? But no, she wanted a unicorn.

When that Gryffindor started complaining about Toussaints being dangerous or whatever, Maggie just rolled her eyes. "Maybe that's just natural selection....." She said, mostly addressing Zeke next to her but also not really bothering to lower her voice. Nor did she lift her gaze from the clay in her hands. Honestly, those two brothers weren't even worth a look in their direction.

"Alchemy maybe?" Once again she didn't raise her hand because she was very busy with that clay you know. That was a good enough excuse, right? Maggie certainly thought so. Somehow she'd managed to make her 'animal' look more and more like a pig. How did she go from dog to pig anyway? UGH.

He was still clay molding, and was still not engaging in discussion. People were opinionated enough to carry conversation without him, and that aside his immediate thoughts had already been voiced, he knew he was correct and therefore didn't see the need to share any other pearls of wisdom. Like, other people could open text books right?

Smirking, Zeke exchanged a look with Maggie, nodding at her comment. Some people were naive, others were just dense. The world was not straight forward, and he knew darkness wasn't either. Blah blah blah, evil schmeevil.

"Nice," he mused in a hushed tone at Maggie's idea.

Still... the clay thing was becoming... annoying. Casting his gaze down at the lump in his hand he scrunched his nose at its warped shape. Sadly, he would need two hands for this task. Two. Removing his hand from his girlfriends knee - something he would rather not have done - Zeke pounded a fist into his clay in an effort to flatten it. Now what? Ugh.

Call it procrastination from his clay dilemma, Zeke partially raised a hand... and yes, he was going to share a thought. "There are things that people do that are forms of dark magic, actions or practices, like consuming unicorn blood."

Control control you must learn controllllllll……

Never has wiser words been more appropriate for the Gryffindor Ace. Yes it was first uttered by a rubber muppet that became the more revered character in pop culture history, but Master Yoda wasn’t the last person he has heard this from. If anything, the Curly Top heard it from well-nigh EVERYBODY, but this is his Dad's default answer whenever he'd ask if he can join the dueling club year after year.

Clearly it’s a lesson Tenacius has yet to remember much less master. Look he just missed it again. And he wonders why he's still benched during Dueling Club.

But of course, the Bellaire boys are at it again. The leonine lad couldn’t help snicker a bit. They pretty much spray painted in neon colors the thought that crossed his mind when Mr Toussaint was speaking earlier. And has placed even more emphasis on the RELEVANCE of his question. He was now even more keen on the visitor Instructor's response. Because the Gryffindor Ace couldn’t think of how someone can master anything without applying it onto something, and with the Dark Arts, its almost always a living thing. That was its primary purpose.

Oh and as to Hirsch's other question? Colt already said what he was thinking-- mundane objects twisted to serve a more nefarious purpose.

Feeling someone near her she looked up and saw Professor Hirsch looking at her. That was when her eyes went to her desk and she noticed the clay. Whoops "Sorry" She noticed the questioning look and gave her own apologetic as she quickly cleaned up the clay. He was very aware and seemed to always understand. Nat had come to kind of trust him more then the rest, but she was still just having a day.


Rolling the clay she really did try to get it together and start listening. With her anxious feel and her all out horribleness in the classroom Nat really had no clue what else was considered dark. Her mother really only came to mind and honestly she wasn't even a dark wizard. She had magic and a wand, but really she was more of an evil muggle want a be.

Thinking of her mother made her think of an answer and she slowly raised her hand and spoke with a nervous quiet, "I have to agree with Hady, I think anything could really be used as dark magic. It all depends on the person and what their intents are. If someone is looking to harm, hurt, or use magic for their advantage in gaining power or control then it is very likely that the most simple form of magic could be considered dark if that's what they were using it for. Oblivating is used to help keep muggles from remembering when they see wizards. A spell used to protect them and us, but if a wizard were to do it to gain control over the muggle it is now dark and used for evil." She had watched her mother do this a few times.

"Oh no Professor, you don't have to worry about me becoming a dark witch." Kitty shook her head earnestly. "I hate the idea of hurting people or anything like that. And I see what you mean about tickling someone to death. UGH - that's gross! That's disturbing." She shuddered, visibly disturbed. Why did he have to mention tickling someone to death? Now she had this terrible picture in her head that could take days to banish. Hopefully she could forget it when they were eating or she wouldn't be able to eat much at all today. Gross!

But it was on to the next question and hopefully this could distract her from that image. A form of magic related to spell casting that could be associated with the dark arts...Hmmm.... Well it didn't long for an answer to come to her. Plus, everyone else was saying it too. "I think potions. Potions can be used for all sorts of dark purposes. We experienced this first hand when Miffy poisoned Professor Art's antidotes two years ago." Ugh! A disturbing memory to combat a disturbing picture.

Text Cut: Katy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

Katy was super amused at Genny's inability to retaliate, although it was frustrating that the professor hadn't taken a million points from her for throwing clay. Anyone who wasn't related to a former headmaster would have totally lost a million points for that. She winked broadly at Genny before rolling her pancake into a snail shell shape and listening to the answers provided to Angelo's question.

And then the Bellaire boys happened. Katy shot to her feet, blue eyes hard and glittering at boys she'd THOUGHT were her friends. Friends, but they were saying extremely nasty things about her. About her family. And family... well, Bellaire boys, family was everything. "Stupid. Like restraining orders can stop us if we didn't want to be stopped. And if you can catch things like evil just by association, then everyone in this room is a blooming idiot for breathing the same air as you."

She frowned and turned to the professor. "I apologize for interrupting, sir, but honor, you know? Honor." She sat down and then immediately stood again. "Also, I agree with Liv about Potions, and I think love potions should be classed as Dark Potions. They subvert the will, just like Imperius."

Before he could get a word in, this happened.

And Hirsch had to fight hard to keep a level of professionalism. It was the sass, you know? He was a sucker for the sass, a fact that some of his students probably knew all too well.

But back to the fiery young Slytherin. "That was probably not the nicest example to give, Miss Toussaint, especially to the two boys," For outright calling them idiots. Which, the man had hoped was only being used as an example. "But yes, that's fine."

Text Cut: Blaise and Bentley

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

The idea to ask Grand Auntie Sophia about the restraining order was inspired--Tyler too because he was an Auror and could actually enforce it when the time came around. Blaise was nodding along thoughtfully to everything Bentley was saying when he suddenly felt the looming presence of the Professor hanging just over them.

Something to share with the class? Well. He wasn't PLANNING to but the Professor asked, yeah? And...it'd definitely be rude to decline. The Gryffindor nodded, pushing away from the desk to stand.

"We were discussing restraining orders, Sir, because we keep having run ins with Toussaints and Toussaint relatives and quite frankly it usually ends in our poor health. Bentley doesn't figure we can restrain the whole family but we'll take whatever we can get." He paused to glance around the room, y'know, to make sure they were following along with his explanation since he WAS sharing with the class. "That and the fact we figure Angelo must be evil--it's all about association and it's nothing personal but you know how it is. It's actually good you're standing here. It's increased our margin of survival." His especially.

Eyes to his cousin. He might have had things to share too.

A little later on as the Professor went back to the lesson, Blaise couldn't help but draw the link between this and WHY people should just NOT cast spells. Merlin's beard, it just seemed like something to always go wrong.

Still standing as he was, the boy felt he could offer up some form of answer. "Herbology. It's got all these plants that'll happily devour you and are poisonous and can be used to the advantage of a dark wizard."

He could probably sit down now. Yeah.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davvy_Wavvy

Bentley was about to add more to the conversation when the Professor made his appearance in their bubble. All the sighs.

Share? No they had nothing to share-----

Apparently they did. Bentley sighed heavily when his cousin stood and started talking. Boy he wished he wouldn't talk. Sometimes Blaise made sense but majority of the time he just didn't.

The sad part was that Bentley was forced to stand in solidarity with his cousin (figuratively). Reluctantly he pushed his table back...standing wasn't going to happen though.

"What my dear cousin meant to say is Professor, we noticed that Angelo basically just admitted to dabbling in the 'dark arts'. The thing is that family is pretty shaky if you know what I mean." He gave a pointed look at the professor and tugged on his cousin's sleeve. "Sit down Blaise."

"Occlumency and Legilimency or umm mind reading I guess..which is a form of Divination? I'm not sure." He shrugged.

Hirsch expected a lot of things but this wasn't one of them. For one, the boy had taken his word a little too literally than intended and for another, he, along with his cousin, were making an outright accusation in front of everyone. If there was one word to describe this, it would be embarrassing. Though, awkward did some a close second place.

And so, there were a few moments of silence before the man spoke. "That was a rhetorical question, Mr Bellaire."

His eyes flicked between the two of them, a small frown in place. The man gladly kept out of his student's lives unless safety was the concern but it wasn't. Not here. "That is a bold statement to make, boys. I assure you Mr Toussaint is not here to harm anyone but to give a more Auror-based insight onto the topic of today's class. Besides, I, for one, wouldn't let that happen."

Pause.

"I suggest the two of you apologise to Mr Toussaint right now. In front of everybody." Because if they could make a public accusation, then they could make a public apology as well. And to this professor, this would count more than any loss of points or number of detentions would.


OOC: You're all doing exceptionally! Keep answering the question: (what other branches of magic, besides spellwork, could be linked to the Dark Arts) and we'll move on shortly ^^

Chloe had been here the whooooole time. Yep, yep. Because naturally it was a Hirsch related event and she went to all of those. She was too struck by his wonderful features to say anything in class but that wasn't anything new. He made her feel weird and quiet. Merlin, he was so hot.

But she was taking rigorous notes. They needed to be thorough because she wanted to eat up everything, literally everything, he said. When Angelo spoke she cared a little less. She jotted down what he said but it wasn't exactly life or death material. Just Defense Against the Darks Arts. That hardly constituted as life or death.

And then the Bellaire boys happened as they were want to do. Chloe could have murdered them until Hirsch got all Mr. Authoritative-Manly-Man with them. Swoon.

Also Toussaints were not evil. That was ludicrous. They were just intense. Really, really intense.

Angelo: intensely hot
Dima: intensly awkward
Bastien: intensly stupid/physical
Char: intensly wonderful and, like, so so loving
Callum: intensly SMOL
Katy: intensly clever

Those were the only Toussaints that she knew and none of them seemed evil. To her, at least.

You would NEVER believe the amount of control it took--oh look at that Professor, putting the knowledge from the lesson to good use--to not burst into wild laughing as Katy stood up and said her piece. Forget the fact she'd called them stupid, she'd JUST admitted her family had means and were capable of intent. Point blank end of the day, she'd just confirmed her family was evil and the most amused of dimpled smiles spread across his face.

The smile dimmed a little as the Professor went on to inform them that it'd only been a rhetorical statement. Huh. Fancy that. He could feel his cousin tugging him to sit down but Hirsch was insisting on an apology.

Really? Didn't Katy have to apologize? No? Just them? Well if the man insisted.

Blaise gave a solemn nod, training his features into a more apologetic one. "You are absolutely right Professor Hirsch. I don't know what came over us." The boy had thought to insist that it both made NO SENSE to apologize when you didn't mean it (as he didn't) and that for the sake of equality, they deserved one too, but Merlin this might be a little more fun. The boy turned to face Angelo up front. "Deepest apologies Mr. YATI, we're such terrible teenagers. We lack discipline. Our Professor tries his hardest with us but darn those teenage moods." For his part, his expression was perfectly solemn, his amusement tucked away behind a look of tempered remorse.

The boy turned next to Katy. "You have a lovely family, Katherine. I know they mean the world to you and that they can't be stopped, so to you I apologize as well--And to the class, for being so disruptive."

There was an amused glint in his eyes as he turned to face his cousin. "I'm SO sorry for dragging you into this. Ugh. My dear, sweet cousin." Forcefully, he pulled Bentley into a hug, not giving him the chance to refuse to make an apology as he KNEW he would. "It's not his fault Professor. I just can't seem to stop getting him in trouble." He patted his cousin's head a few times. "I've learned my lesson Professor--dramatics aside. Don't blame him, he was just trying to cover for me when I took proper leave of my senses. Won't happen again." And a solemn nod. Still not letting go of his cousin. Look of innocence. Truly sorry.

Clearly he'd been reading too many of his quill's entries.

Hadley was busy working on her clay shark, and thus was happy to let the others answer for now. The shark's tail was being particularly troublesom and was making the whole thing look like a demented mermaid or something. With a sigh she tore the tail off the shark and pounded it into a shapeless lump before reattaching it. She needed a fresh start on the tail.

"Any branch, really, could be used for the dark arts. All of them." She was still more focused on the clay as she answered. Hads scratched her forehead, smearing a bit of clay there and began her second attempt to mold a shark's tail.

Hirsch had thought, deep down, that the boy couldn't sink any lower. It was a simple apology which, in his opinion, was pretty fair. But he was proved wrong, somehow. Sure, he did apologise, but it was done dripping with more sarcasm than half of his house combined and that was saying something.

It was because of this that the man ended up being far from amused with the Gryffindor's answer. In fact, he looked at him with an expression that clearly stated how unimpressed and, frankly, disappointed he was in the boy standing in front of him.

"Come and see me after class," he said in a dangerous, albeit a very quiet, voice, "And you can sit down again."

For now, he could walk away and listen to the answers that the students were coming up with. A much better topic, Defence was.

They really didn't know when to quit, did they? Rooney rolled his eyes and made a scoffing noise. "Sir, they just insulted an entire family in public and nothing came of it? It's libel. Defamation of character! How have you-- Ugh, it's your choice, but...I'm offended on their behalf." And he was so glad that Miss Katy Toussaint had gone all in on those Bellaire boys and made her point. "I can't learn around that, Professor." He couldn't even focus on the angel at the front of the room and he just wanted to follow Blaise around and snap his little quill goodbye.

Hmpf.

Maybe he would stage a walkout.

He thought he'd done a pretty good job of apologizing. It was more than he'd originally have given and far more than he was feeling but one look at the Professor had him loosening his hold on his cousin and lowering his arms.

Right then, so maybe not an appreciated apology afterall. In his defense, it was the best he could have given considering the circumstances.

All he could do was nod slowly as the Professor requested to speak with him after class. It wasn't like he was going to protest. Why would he? It was just lucky enough that was all that happened and he hadn't gotten his cousin in anymore trouble in the process given how serious the man sounded in the moment. Blaise got set to sit............................................... ................................................wh en Rooney Bronwyn happened.

"For the love of Circe." WHO was EVEN talking to HIM??? "Do you ever mind your own business? Merlin's sodding beard, you're always sticking your nose in other people's business unnecessarily. Ever thought of focusing on your own problems and not trying to make yourself relevant where you most certainly are not??? When did he say the Bronwyns were evil? WHAT did a restraining order have to do with him.

"If you can't learn then leave." He wouldn't be missed. Oh Rooney can't learn. Guess they'd all have to run around serving him hand and foot til his minuscule brain could manage to keep up. "Stop being so obsessed with me. It's creepy. Always following up on what I say. I don't see you. I don't hear you. It's only right you do the same." No one else felt they couldn't learn. What made his brain so special? A couple missing neurons?

Blaise fell into his seat with a huff, arms folded, eyes facing forward. Honestly. WHO was talking to HIM? WHO?

As soon as Blaise was finished, Rooney shrugged. "Clearly heard me just then. Maybe the house elves gave you an earwax extraction. Pity that they took some brain cells with it." Not that there had been many to take already. Poor baby Blaise, born with little brain cells, no common sense and ugly to boot. This Ravenclaw felt sorry for him in that sense, but right now...he was going to give him a swift kick in the groin and not apologise for it.

Not even if he was told to.

Roo moved to slowly pack his things, leaving the little clay person on his desk. "But yes, I think I'll leave. I'm sorry Professor Hirsch, and Sir Angelo, but I could use my time effectively elsewhere. Great lesson, Hirsch. Great face, Angelo."

He wouldn't dignify that with a response; firstly, because if the so called Ravenclaw couldn't understand he was using figurative language then he was a lost cause and a waste of breath and secondly because he would deprive him of this. Yes, a very deliberate act. If it was a reaction he wanted in that regard, one wouldn't be coming. Not from him.

Interesting enough though, the boy was out of his seat and collecting his things. This was a welcomed surprised.

The Gryffindor began a slow sort of clap. "Good job, mate. Really selfless. Thanks for finally thinking about someone outside of yourself." Leaving was for the best, for everyone's best. They didn't need Rooney to stay and he hoped to Merlin the Professor wouldn't try stopping him.

Just let him leave, okay? Please? Yes.

This was just getting worse and worse, wasn't it? The man had always figured he'd get grey hairs during a ripe old age - naivety? Maybe - but this lesson was doing a good job of putting him closer towards that stage in his life.

"Enough!" Deep breaths. "Enough."

There was a pause in which the man looked between the two boys, bubbling up with more anger than he would've liked. Frankly, he hated it. None of this needed to have happened and now, it had turned into your average soap opera event. "Mr Bronwyn, who says that nothing will come out of it? Anything I decide to say to Mr Bellaire, any consequences I decide to give, will be done in private." A small frown sat on his face at the sight of the Ravenclaw packing up but ploughed on, "If you don't want to stay, Rooney, I'm not going to force you but we do have a good lesson planned." If he may say so himself.

"Mr Bellaire," he said, turning his head towards the Gryffindor, "Do not make things worse for yourself."

He took another moment to look between the two of them before speaking in the same would-be calm voice that he was trying to maintain, "I'm not wasting any more lesson time, not when people, I hope, have come here to learn about defence, not the feuds of Hogwarts students. This is the last I want to hear about this discussion."

Turning to the rest of the class, he paused for a moment before saying, "Does anyone else have any other suggestions before we move on?"

Oh, look.

Blaise and Rooney were at it again.

Merlin's foot, she'd never understand boys. NEVER. Ever.

... but also, Rooney was threatening to leave and whatever Blaise might've vocalized, he did NOT speak for the rest of the class. Most certainly not for her. So, thank you Bellaire, but please. And personally, Olivia would've been very upset if her best friend left the classroom... Especially after this type of confrontation. Others didn't know the Ravenclaw like she did. This would all hit him super hard...

Please don't leave. Please don't leave. Please don't leave.

Tension. ....
Noelle quietly sat, working on her little masterpiece. Her eyes travelled around the room at the little episode that was happening in the middle of class. The fox was becoming deformed because of her attention being focused on what was happening rather than the fox. Wow. Pent up feelings. Apologies. People leaving class.
Tension...

Noelle looked back down at her fox and realized how messed up it had gotten. She molded it again, before writing down her next answer. Professor Hirsch had given her a close on her last answer. Let's see if she could do better.

"I know potions can be another field. What about legilimency?" She had read about that somewhere. Basically mind readers. But they did so much more.

Bentley thought that Blaise started off very well. He was contented to let his cousin do the apologizing since he was the one that started all this anyways. He nodded in agreement for the first few seconds, until he realized that things were going horribly wrong. The fourth year went numb...then deaf. This wasn't happening....

He was vauguely aware of being hugged. His response was not to respond because this...was...not...helping Blaise Bellaire.

Oh the professor wanted to see him after class? Just him right? Not Bentley..Bentley was a good boy...Bentley was trying to be a good boy. He could see his trust fund disappearing...now he'd have to work for a living..he could see his camera disappearing..he could see all his privileges vanishing before his eyes....his entire life was over.

......

No no Rooney, shut your mouth. You're not making this any better. Bentley slunk back into his seat and covered his eyes. Way to make it worst. He rolled his eyes as the RavenClaw prefect started talking.

And then Blaise dropped zinger after zinger and the Gryffindor knew it was over. He threw a look at Justin, Reuben and Phillip. It was going to be just them for a few days because Blaise was sure to have detention after this.

"Good going Blaise." He muttered to his cousin.

This Ravenclaw Prefect was out. Rooney finished bagging up his belongings and moved swiftly for the door, making sure to clip Blaise over the head with his satchel as he swung it over his shoulder mid-walk. The kid was lucky that Roo hadn't pulled his wand on him and made a complete fool of him like he had before. And even luckier that Rooney was the one walking out to save himself from listening to that nitwit go on and on and be blatantly disrespectful. School had been a million times easier when Blaine Bellaire had buggered off home and everyone here knew it. Shame that no one would voice it.

But it was okay, because Blaise was clearly the spokesperson for the entire class. Bravo, idiot, bravo. Slow claps... how unoriginal. He rolled his eyes as he finally passed the Gryffindor, speaking something about requesting a meeting that evening with Professor Hirsch and left the room.

Nah, man.

He didn't get enough pocket money to deal with those people.

Any OTHER suggestions? Well...after the whole drama that was taking place, it sounded like Hirsch was just bating someone to set him of. Glancing at the clay that sat untouched at his desk Tak stole another look at the professor. If the man wanted them to talk....then he couldn't get in trouble for voicing his opinions right? Even if what he had to say wasn't really helpful? Plus, if he got kicked out he wouldn't really mind it. "How do you know that....that guy...the auror. Isn't here to harm anyone?"

The third year rested his chin on his head. He knew the guys name was Tous...something but he couldn't exactly care enough to remember. Auror guy. "Isn't controlling people part of dark magic? What if he's being controlled? Maybe Rooney too since he seems to be in love with him." Just an observation. "Not Blaise because his mouth is always that big." Another very noticeable observation.

No worries Professor, that was the last of what he had to say on this matter. Enough was enough and the fact Rooney was still leaving was all the victory he needed. There was a limited chance he would enjoy the rest of the lesson but he at least now had a greater chance of that.

Blaise ignore his cousin's muttering and being the sport he was, he ignored the way Rooney bumped into him harshly as he made his way from the room. He was done. Promise. Ready to get back to the lesson and actually learn now without certain people offering opinions others could care less about.

This time when he faced forward, he stayed facing forward.

The class could continue. Yup.

In the spirit of moving on, the boy even allowed himself to be amused by Tak's statement. Yes, he did always have a big mouth but unfortunately, Rooney wasn't under a spell; he was always that annoying.

Even if NO ONE else in the class was outraged at the unfair and rude things said about her family, Katy was gratified by the professor's response. And by Rooney's. He got lots of starry eyed grins and maybe some blown kisses for his trouble. It was a shame that he was leaving, 'cause Katy was going to have to follow up and thank him in person.

"At least someone is a gentleman," she returned to rolling up her clay, squishing her snail shell into a turtle shell, complete with a little head and happy little footsies.

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate your intervention." She held up her clay turtle for his inspection. Katy Toussaint was a child used to praise for her every little task, and no one had told her how clever she was for her artwork yet.