Kyle walked into the Fun Room and looked around. When he saw the machine hooked up to a television, he went over for a closer inspection. Do not touch, huh? Well, he wouldn't touch it, then. He'd hate to lose points over something small as a curiosity. He glanced at the microphone. Would they be singing? So many questions!

Walking into the fun room after the younger slytherin, Skylar glanced around. It seemed normal, except for .... what was that?? A microphone? Were they going to be practicing karaoke? That was what it was called, right? When one sang along to lyrics written by another?

Except, the fourth year wasn't so sure about this because while she was skilled with many things, one thing that made her self-conscious was her singing voice. Perhaps she could help out in some other way? Though she would have to wait and see if that was really their activity first.

Singing?

Um. No.

Kane did NOT do singing.

He knew what that was. He wasn't really THAT well versed in No-Maj things, but he'd been in to dumpster diving for electronics as a kid, and he'd found more than a few of those before. Most likely thrown out by spouses trying to give their significant other a hint...

He'd never actually USED one though. Not that he intended to start today.

Shay reached the Fun Room and found that only a few students had arrived before her. She entered the room and took a moment to look around. There was something new that Shay noticed immediately. What was that? Some kind of karaoke machine maybe?

Well this was going to be interesting. Shay found a seat and sat down. Then she re-unpacked her supplies and waited for the rest of the class to appear. She couldn't wait to find out what this was all about.

Wait, was that a microphone? Upon closer inspection, Kitty realized that yes, the thing hooked up to the machine was a microphone.

"Are we singing?" she asked to no one in particular, suddenly feeling more nervous than she'd expect to feel in a Muggle Studies class. She loved music, especially Muggle music, but she'd never sung in front of an audience before. The closest she'd ever come to that was singing quietly under her breath when walking down the corridors of Hogwarts.

I can do this, she told herself, taking a deep breath as the others filed into the fun room.

So Dora has remained quiet after Derf had fallen out of his desk. While she worried about the boy's well being, she worried about her best friend being embarrassed more so. She never would harm a fly... unless they were hurting Dora and Al, or Robin. It was pretty factual stuff indeed. Sam only acted out (typically) when Dora was involved. Heh.

So it had been an accident. One she hadn't been able to convey to her bestie or the class that she was sorry for.

So now she stood inside the "Fun" room with her arm hooked in Sam's, a worried look on her face. "You're okay right? Want me to fight someone or set something on fire? " she asked in a VERY low tone that ONLY her bestie could hear.

And where was Liv? Dora hadn't had a moment to properly speak to her either. Sighs. This term was turning out to be stupid.

Entering the Fun Room with Emmeline in tow, Derf knew EXACTLY what that machine was and what it was used for. The 'DO NOT TOUCH' sign was hardler a hindrance in his mind either. There had been loads of lessons where that had been said and he had touched things regardless without being punished. Only right NOW his hand was occupied because he was holding on to Emmeline's. He thought himself a a decent singer....he DID sing to his little sister all the time while home and stuff. Mum or dad would do the story and then he would take over and do the lullaby singing. AND he sung to Scamander every night...and now Picketta too. So he had a fair amount of practice...but just not on these ANCIENT muggle songs.

"PROFESS-SOR!" Derf called, raising his hand - the one still holding on to Emmeline's so technically BOTH of their hands were raised. "What exactly IS-S-S music though?" No really, hold on here he was going somewhere with this. Sort of. "Like...people S-SAY mus-s-sic to my ears-s but that is ALWAYS-S like...S-SUPER different things-s. I don't think my dad would call s-s-some of what we were lis-s-stening to before MUS-SIC. And and aaaaaaaaand...I like the s-songs birds-s sing. THAT'S-S my favorite kind of mus-sic."

WAS IT MUSIC THOUGH?!

And why was he having a sort of...existential crisis over music in a Muggle Studies class. Not even BRITISH music. At least this crisis wasn't AS bad as his one over phoenixes in Care of Magical Creatures though.

Color him curious! His times in the Fun Room usually consists on banging away on the video arcade cabinets, so he wasnt quite sure what they were doing here given the topic of discussion from class....

............. waitaminute. Is this a KARAOKE machine?

He laughed. And laughed. And laughed.

Oh if his father could see this now. He'd hex it to the next dimension. Karaoke machines are a TRAVESTY in the Salander household. Tenacius on the other hand couldnt wait to get it started, as its the one Muggle device he never had. Heck he'd be ALL OVER IT if not for that Do Not Touch note "Do we get to pick songs out Professor?" bounce bounce bounce. Are all the songs just on the monitor? Where the song book? Shouldnt there be a song book? There should be a song book!

As she entered the fun room with Derf, the first year's eyes went wide. Like wider and bigger than her cruppy's eyes could get, even. Because she had never seen all this Muggle stuff before; they seemed to really like rectangles or square things with screens.

Then she noticed the weird machine with a microphone attached to it; it was also hooked up to a metal, square screen thing. Well, it wasn't that hard to figure out that somehow the microphone and the screen went together, and since this lesson was about music -- were they going to sing? But how would a screen thing help with that?

She had just turned to Derf to see if he wanted to go touch the weird machine, because things with signs saying "do not touch" were often really cool to touch, when he raised both of their hands and attracted the professor's attention. Oh well, maybe they could sneak over and touch it later.

Plus, Derf had a really good question. Emmeline stared at her friend in amazement because he was brilliant. "I think the bird's songs should count as music too." Not that she could answer the Hufflepuff's real question, or had any evidence to back her opinion up. "It's not fair to say that only people can make music. What about phoenix song?" Normal birds sang pretty songs too, but it was obvious that phoenix song should count as music to the first year -- not that she understood why it should count. She paused, getting kind of confused herself now: "But what about crups' barking? Does THAT count as music?"

Yep, definitely confused now. Because why should the sounds a phoenix made count as music, but not her cruppy's sounds? That didn't seem fair. She looked at Professor Stewart hopefully; she could answer their questions, right?

Slowly following the rest of the class, Sophie made her way into the fun room. A twinge of excitement pulsed through her body, sending a rush of adrenaline to her mind. She was excited to see what would come next, but also a little nervous about her new goal. During the previous discussion, she had resolved to participate more during the activity and the activity was, as it seemed, here right now. The discussion had been enjoyable to listen to, even though she hadn't made any comments, but she knew it would have been even better had she been more actively involved.

Sophie's eyes roamed the room as she settled into a chair, taking in everything around her. One object, in particular, left her rather worried. A microphone shaped item rested gently near the front. A queasy feeling started to rise in her throat as she stared at it. "Oh no," she muttered under her breath. "Please tell me that we aren't going to be singing today!"

The very thought of singing in front of all these strangers left Sophie tense and afraid. "It isn't too late to run," she reasoned out loud. "I could always sneak out and nobody would even know I was ever here!" Despite the overwhelming urge to leave, she wanted to stay just to hear how well the others would be singing. If they were worse than her (which was most definitely nearly impossible!), maybe she would stay and give it a shot.

Melbourne looked around as she walked into the fun room. Her eyes were flicking across the things – the computers, ipods…the consoles and the television screen with a machine hooked to it. Hearing Tenacius’ question about picking out songs it dawned on her.

Karaoke…singing. She’d have to remember lyrics and follow along…gulping she made her way into the room and sat down on one of the chairs with space for anyone near her. Her little notepad was on her lap ready for sketches or well anything really. Maybe she just was too nervous to actually get up and SING.

Etta entered the fun room, curiously observing all the things. Wow.. this was interesting but also frightened her a little. People mentioned singing and well.. she couldn't sing at all. And having to sing in front of people was even worse. There. There was a microphone and what people referred to as a karaoke machine, which she'd heard about a few times. Oh, goodness. Or were these things here for research purposes? She'd just have to wait and watch.

She took an empty seat nearby and leaned back comfortably against the back, watching people excitedly react to everything.. especially Ace. He really seemed to be jumping for joy. She pulled out her parchment and quill, ready to take down notes and observations for when the professor joined them. Until then, she kept looking around, wondering what the other little pieces of machinery were. Computers, right?

Gaaaaaasssssppppppp.

SINGING?! YESSSSSSSSSSS!

"I LOOOOOOVE SINGING!" Abey declared OH SO LOUDLY, moments after following his friends into the fun room, spotting the contraption at the front of the room and, listening to what the others were all talking about. SINGING. He'd done loads of it in his old drama club and these days he had a tendency to sing along with the wireless whenever he heard it playing, and it was one of those things he could do whilst putting on an ACT which meant he could ACT like he wasn't SHY and it was perfect. Why couldn't the task in EVERY class be about singing or dancing or acting or ANYTHING that wasn't to do with writing. Or thinking.

Eventually Jessa came to a stop in the game room. She'd been in here before, and had played video games with Henry in here at another time too. Today, it seemed there was one in particular that would be the focus of the lesson.

Jessa knew what it was. Her friend from back at her old muggle Primary School had one and they always used it when they had sleepovers. She liked those, they'd always been fun and sometimes her Dads would join too making a competition out of it.

The young girl came to a stop by Abey, practically FEELING the energy radiating off him. No questions needed, he was obviously excited about whatever would come next.

She supposed she was a little excited too. It would be the perfect way to unwind after that wall of information she'd just had shoved at her brain.

Striding into the fun room, Rooney was GREETED WITH THE MOST MAGICAL OF THINGS IN A CLASS WITHOUT MAGIC. He audibly gasped at the sight of the microphone, setting his things aside and just STARING at it. "Wow wow wow wow wow wow wow" Was he going to get to perform for his classmates? In a CLASS? With actual permission instead of just serenading everyone whenever he felt like it? Oh golly, this was turning into the best day ever. He had had one of those bad nights of sleep once again, so this was just giving him a new lease of life.

MUSIC YO.

Olivia was promised a couch. So, here she was.

Wishing (not for the first time) that she was better at Transfiguration magic so that she could just banish her school bag back to her dorm, the blonde found an empty space on one of the couches and threw herself down on it. CUSHIONS. Ah, her back. Yes, thank you... that was nice.

Oh, right... there was going to be more than this couch... Hm. Sitting up to have a proper look around at the room (tunnel-vision Gryffindor), Olivia FINALLY noticed the microphone set up. Hmmmmmm, a MICROPHONE, eh? Well, obviously that meant there would be singing involved.

Without a thought, her gaze shifted to Rooney. Liv fully expected a full performance of all his favorite show tunes. As for her... Well, give her Disney or give her death, to be quite honest. Also, she'd gotten into the "FUN"room a bit later than her seating mates (Dora and Sam) from the other room, but waved at them now. She would probably rejoin them later, but for now, she was comfortable.

Kay ensured that all the students had left the room before she followed to the Fun Room. By now, the kiddos were sure to notice the karaoke machine. She was excited about today’s activity, even if she wasn’t a fan of karaoke herself. And she had made up her mind, she was not about to be a spoil sport today. She was definitely joining in at some point. But shhh. This was going to be a secret until she was ready to give it a go.

SPOILER!!: Little Newt! *__*

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Entering the Fun Room with Emmeline in tow, Derf knew EXACTLY what that machine was and what it was used for. The 'DO NOT TOUCH' sign was hardler a hindrance in his mind either. There had been loads of lessons where that had been said and he had touched things regardless without being punished. Only right NOW his hand was occupied because he was holding on to Emmeline's. He thought himself a a decent singer....he DID sing to his little sister all the time while home and stuff. Mum or dad would do the story and then he would take over and do the lullaby singing. AND he sung to Scamander every night...and now Picketta too. So he had a fair amount of practice...but just not on these ANCIENT muggle songs.

"PROFESS-SOR!" Derf called, raising his hand - the one still holding on to Emmeline's so technically BOTH of their hands were raised. "What exactly IS-S-S music though?" No really, hold on here he was going somewhere with this. Sort of. "Like...people S-SAY mus-s-sic to my ears-s but that is ALWAYS-S like...S-SUPER different things-s. I don't think my dad would call s-s-some of what we were lis-s-stening to before MUS-SIC. And and aaaaaaaaand...I like the s-songs birds-s sing. THAT'S-S my favorite kind of mus-sic."

WAS IT MUSIC THOUGH?!

And why was he having a sort of...existential crisis over music in a Muggle Studies class. Not even BRITISH music. At least this crisis wasn't AS bad as his one over phoenixes in Care of Magical Creatures though.

Ah, yes. She had arrived just in time to hear Derf’s question and to see the two hands in the air though he was the only one with a question. “Music can be defined as the sounds of vocals or instruments- or combining both- to form harmony. Music is often classified as something pleasing to one’s sense of hearing and this would explain why the expression ‘Music to my ears’ is often used. It is used when someone hears something they like.’’ Then she was grinning. “I’d say that’s music since it involves a bird’s vocals.’’ Cue a wink at the Hufflepuff. “Oh, yes. It’s understandable if your dad thinks that since we all develop our own taste in music genre. What he thinks is great music, I may not necessarily think is and vice versa.’’

SPOILER!!: Cutie Emmeline! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by NifflerFan

As she entered the fun room with Derf, the first year's eyes went wide. Like wider and bigger than her cruppy's eyes could get, even. Because she had never seen all this Muggle stuff before; they seemed to really like rectangles or square things with screens.

Then she noticed the weird machine with a microphone attached to it; it was also hooked up to a metal, square screen thing. Well, it wasn't that hard to figure out that somehow the microphone and the screen went together, and since this lesson was about music -- were they going to sing? But how would a screen thing help with that?

She had just turned to Derf to see if he wanted to go touch the weird machine, because things with signs saying "do not touch" were often really cool to touch, when he raised both of their hands and attracted the professor's attention. Oh well, maybe they could sneak over and touch it later.

Plus, Derf had a really good question. Emmeline stared at her friend in amazement because he was brilliant. "I think the bird's songs should count as music too." Not that she could answer the Hufflepuff's real question, or had any evidence to back her opinion up. "It's not fair to say that only people can make music. What about phoenix song?" Normal birds sang pretty songs too, but it was obvious that phoenix song should count as music to the first year -- not that she understood why it should count. She paused, getting kind of confused herself now: "But what about crups' barking? Does THAT count as music?"

Yep, definitely confused now. Because why should the sounds a phoenix made count as music, but not her cruppy's sounds? That didn't seem fair. She looked at Professor Stewart hopefully; she could answer their questions, right?

“Excellent point, Ms Sparkes. The phoenix song is beautiful and it certainly sounds like music to everyone.’’ Or almost everyone though Kay had never heard of anyone who heard phoenix songs dislike them. “I wouldn’t count a crup’s barking as music. Bird vocalization is different from a crup’s. A bird can choose to sing or initiate a regular call where as the crup simply barks. Figuratively speaking, however, the barking may sound like music to some persons' ears since they may enjoy it.''

SPOILER!!: Sophie! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by DancingQueen

Slowly following the rest of the class, Sophie made her way into the fun room. A twinge of excitement pulsed through her body, sending a rush of adrenaline to her mind. She was excited to see what would come next, but also a little nervous about her new goal. During the previous discussion, she had resolved to participate more during the activity and the activity was, as it seemed, here right now. The discussion had been enjoyable to listen to, even though she hadn't made any comments, but she knew it would have been even better had she been more actively involved.

Sophie's eyes roamed the room as she settled into a chair, taking in everything around her. One object, in particular, left her rather worried. A microphone shaped item rested gently near the front. A queasy feeling started to rise in her throat as she stared at it. "Oh no," she muttered under her breath. "Please tell me that we aren't going to be singing today!"

The very thought of singing in front of all these strangers left Sophie tense and afraid. "It isn't too late to run," she reasoned out loud. "I could always sneak out and nobody would even know I was ever here!" Despite the overwhelming urge to leave, she wanted to stay just to hear how well the others would be singing. If they were worse than her (which was most definitely nearly impossible!), maybe she would stay and give it a shot.

What’s this? A nervous first year? Kay smiled reassuringly. “I assure you no one will judge you about anything. Take some deep breaths to steady yourself. You can give this a try even if it’s just a few lines.’’

* * * * * * *

“Alright, everyone. Now that we’re all here, I’d like to direct your attention to this little machine.’’ Kay now stood beside it, removing the sticky note. “This is a Karaoke machine that I’ve hooked up to the television. For those of you who have never taken part in one of these fun sessions, karaoke is an activity where you simply sing songs! You don’t have to be a professional singer nor even have to sing your favourites. Just pick your song and go ahead. The lyrics are provided and will be projected on the television.’’ That should answer Tenny’s question and the other kiddos’ about if they were singing. “All songs are of Muggle composition and they range from the 1900s to present across all genres.’’ See? They had a variety of options to choose from. “Who wants to go first?’’ Kay asked with a grin. “Don’t be shy. Just remember, we’re here to have a fun and relaxing activity!’’ This should be especially for you, OWL and NEWT takers. Blue eyes moved to Abey and Rooney who were obviously excited. Perhaps one of them would like to start them off?

OOC: For the activity, you guys just go ahead to have your charries' pick a song. You have my permission to say that Kay has helped them getting the lyrics up on the screen/ getting started if you like. The activity will come to a close on Saturday 27th May at 13:30 HRS or 1: 30 PM! You can post as much as you like. Charries are free to sing an entire song, two songs or just one verse. Have fun
PS: Sorry for posting half an hour earlier. My shift at work changed and I need to leave soon but catch up is still allowed

They had to sing? Olivia turned pale. Okay. Where was someone TALL that she could hide behind? Henry Whitebrook where are you? She thought, glancing around. She did not want to sing in front of her peers. No, no, no, no, no. She would just stay back here near the back of the crowd. If she were the only one in the room, she would be fine with singing but with her classmates..... Errr....

Ace looked super excited for it all. So did Abey. So did Rooney. Lot of excitement from those guys.

She retreated to the back with Etta. "Oh Merlin..." she whispered. She wasn't going first. Nope. Where was the cloak of invisibility when you needed it and how did you get one? Olivia needed to know the answer to that question.

She just definitely wasn't going to go first. Though her fear of performing in public could be just like her old fear of flying. Healer Reed did say she would need to face her fears and practice. Hmm.. Maybe she would sing.

Maybe.

Nope. No thank you.

Her seat at the back of the room gave Felicity a very comfortable view of anyone who was planning to get up and have a go on the no-maj machine thing. A... What had Professor called it? Carrykey? The thought of performing in front of the rest of her peers had firmly drained the colour from her face.

She sung, exclusively, in the shower.

Kyle squirmed in his seat. Should he go up? What was he going to sing? He finally went up and, with the Professor's help, picked out a song that was loaded on the machine. He loved to sing! But could he do it in front of the professor? He didn't know. He had sung in choir at the base before, but this was different.

The music started as Save The Best For Last came up on the screen. For the first verse and chorus, he just listened, frozen in his spot. But as he had listened to the music, it felt like it was flowing through him, and with the second verse he watched the screen and started singing. His immature voice of course did not match the original singer's, but her voice couldn't be heard, and he was able to hit all the correct notes. It was a little strained as he couldn't quite relax at first, but as he sang he started to overcome that little by little, finishing the song with a more relaxed tone. When he was done, he bowed as he was taught to do and smiled brightly, then went to sit on the couch. Whew.

Noelle entered the room and took a look around. Then her eyes landed on the machine. She knew exactly what that thing was.

A karaoke machine.

The only reason Noelle knew what that was because when she was growing up before and during the summers, her family got together every sunday. They played instruments and sang.... on a karaoke machine. Her dad was muggle and most of his family was muggle. So the whole street would get together, dance, and have fun.

Noelle would sing when it was just her family. But here? Infront of everyone. Ha. She might... but she surely wasn't going to be the first.

Taking a seat by Olivia (Watson), Noelle took a look around. "Noone's going up yet."

Sophie stared at the floor, her hands trembling violently where they lay clasped in her lap. All around her, she could hear the hushed whispers of the other students. Despite the reassuring words from the kind professor, she could imagine their words as harsh judgement and hurtful criticism. Her breathing quickened and she intently listened to the music to help assuage her terror.

The song ended and another one began. As the first notes sounded, Sophie recognized it. "This is my song!" she shouted, leaping up from her seat. And sure enough, it was her song.

Taking courage from the music, Sophie squared her shoulders and stepped up to the front of the room. Without even needing to read the lyrics that were sliding across the screen, she gasped the microphone and began to sing along. "And when you get the chance, you are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen!" A big grin split across her face as she finished, "Diggin' the dancing queen!"

When the music stopped, she turned to head back to her seat. A burst of mortification filled her as her eyes flitted across the classroom and she realized what she had just done. "Oh my gosh, did I seriously do that?!" Her face burned bright red and she hurried to the back of the room, feeling like all eyes were on her and on her alone.

TV and microphone was what Cassie had noticed when she had made her way to the fun room with the rest of the class. And given the topic of the lesson, it wasn’t a leap to think it had to do with what they were going to be doing in the activity portion of the lesson. And when Professor Stewart had finally followed them and regained their attention it was confirmed. Karaoke. The Ravenclaw had heard the term, had even some loose idea on what it had to do with, but had never had anything to do with it. Something that was clear was going to change today.

They were going to sing. On their own. In front of the whole rest of the class. Yeah…calm and relaxing wasn’t exactly what she’d call it. Especially when no one seemed to be quick to be the first to give it a try. It took a first year Slytherin to break the ice. And then a firstie Gryffindor girl, the latter seemingly quite embarrassed when she was done.

Dare she try it?

As he listened to Professor Stewart, Derf couldn't help but feel just a tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiny bit dissatisfied with her answer and even ventured a glance towards Jessa who he was SURE was probably internally flailing at the lack of concreteness to the definitions being given. What it SEEMED like to him was really ANYTHING could be considered music as long as it was pleasing to the ears. Someone's ears. Which was really a rather Hufflepuff sort of thing, wasn't it? Music was a VERY Hufflepuff thing. He decided. Yes.

But THEN the Muggle Studies professor went on to answer Emmeline and his brow furrowed and knotted. Crups didn't JUST simply bark. They howled too. And bird vocalizations were for all the same reasons crups did too, you know? Well not ALL the same reasons really since they were all at different levels on the food chain and had different things they needed to adapt to in nature and such, BUT STILL. ALSO ALSO! It was basically a FACT or something that canines definitely had taste in music and some sense of what constitutes good music! ALSO ALSO ALSO! There was the neat fact of whenever they HOWL they are NEVER on the same pitch as anyone else and and and....

....by now he had let go of Emmeline's hand and he was so distracted by his own thoughts about this subjective and exclusive thoughts regarding creature vocalizations and whether or not certain animal cries counted as music and singing and whatever....that he NEARLY missed them needing to move on to the activity.

But you know what he DIDN'T miss? ABEY LOOKING EXCITED! Which was why he quickly sidestepped over to his best mate and nudged him with hiw elbow. "Duet!"

Not up for negotiation. Nope. Not that he thought Abey would protest anyway.

Switching things up and taking Abey's hand, he led them up to the machine and after getting some initial help with the whole set up was handing a mic to Abey and taking one for himself. He...SORT OF knew this song...only no not really at all. Waiting until the initial musical introduction was over he took a DRAMATIC pose standing next to his Gryffindor looking wistfully ahead and sort of upward with his free hand raise to the ceiling.

"We're s-sooooooooooooooooarin', flyyyyyyyyyyyyyying....there's not a s-s-star in heeeeeeeEEEEEEEaven that we can't reeeeeeEEEEEEEach...."