Hanna, whose body was now used to the feeding regime at Hogwarts, entered into Ancient Runes. For a subject like this, she would have preferred to have a Chocolate Frog or a handful of Bertie Botts, to give her brain some sugar, but that hadn't been her routine for months now. It had taken a while for her body to get used to not having any quick fuel for such a thinking subject.

She entered, looked towards Professor Sabra and gave her a small nod of greeting, not saying a word, and went to stand by her desk. She looked at the board, saw that they were invited to sit, and was... terribly confused. Instead of sitting, and breaking the Head man's rules, she decided to stand. BUT, she did take out her parchment and quill.

Derf hadn't entirely felt like himself for a while now, though he had gotten pretty good at going through the routine of the day and just getting through things. He was just ready for summer and ready for the reset that it could provide. His limbs worked on pure muscle reflex with the morning S.O.R.Es and quidditch practices were beginning to be less and less of an outlet. Still, overall Hogwarts wasn't THAT bad. Strict and rigid, sure....but it wasn't unbearable.

Save for seeing the face of that thing masquerading around as a Care of Magical Creatures professor.

The sixth year dutifully entered the classroom and made his way over towards an empty seat and draped his bag CAREFULLY over the back of it due to its slightly fragile contents. Charms were in place, of course, but one could never be too careful. Kneeling behind his chair and desk, he clicked his teeth subtly and then pulled his parchment and quill out as had been instructed. Shutting and latching it shut again, he straightened his posture and...er...decided to take his seat between his hands, draping the fingers over the back of it while he remained standing just as Hanna had also done.

No offense meant, professor. Just adhering to those hourly proclamations. Hard to miss or forget, you know?

Yep. Nope. Bel wasn't about to sit down either. Did professor Sabra know just how many points had been lost, detentions given, and push ups demanded for a little thing like sitting down? She kept her mouth shut too, lost in thought. She stood at the seat next to Derfael, and managed to give him a little smile before getting her things out and quietly putting them on the desk ready. Still no sitting though.

Sit? Didn't have to ask Archer twice! The Hufflepuff plopped herself cheerfully into a seat beside Derf, who got a weird look as he made a clicking noise into his bag. In fact, the prefect had been acting odd for a while now. Was he okay? Though, she didn't, since while they had been asked to sit, they hadn't been given permission to speak and she wasn't about to risk punishment from a non-interloper (no offense, Professor Sabra). No, for a while now, she'd been saving all her rebelliousness for the dictator and his cronies, of which Professor Sabra didn't seem to be one.

The really odd thing that had happened as the term had continued on, the insane rules only getting harder to follow and more frustrating to deal with, was that Stasya’s attraction to Runes had only strengthened. She still missed having the headmistress as her instructor, but at least there wasn’t one of the particularly cruel professors in the position. In fact, she was fairly certain Professor Sabra didn’t particularly like the rules any more than they did, not that she was inclined to ask. She hadn’t developed that trust yet. Not like the trust she had in Professor Marchand, or the now former DADA professor and, sort of, the deposed headmistress. Trust was honestly difficult for her at the moment. There was an innate feeling of tension around the castle nearly all the time, a feeling like something bad would happen if they even breathed wrong, so most of her thoughts stayed inside her head.

She did head over to a seat behind Bel, diagonally from Derf, as she’d entered the classroom. Barely noting the danger of the instructions on the board as she took up a standing position behind her chosen seat. Decidedly not questioning the clicking noise Derf had made towards his bag, as she could guess what was inside. It only doubled her dislike of certain professors, and her fear of what state her pets would be in when she was able to reclaim them for the trip home for the summer.

*snnniff*

Jackson begrudgingly entered the classroom. Nothing against the professor, but he was

*cough! cough... coughcoughcough*

feeling under the weather. His head was heavy, his eyelids were drooping, and he had eaten a whole half bowl of soup this morning. He was feeling worn down these days, what with OWLs approaching ever faster, patrols, and the dreary every day as well. He was still here though. He was trying. He gave a smile to Professor Sabra, which took a good amount of effort, before reading the board. Oh thank Merlin, he could sit down! He did so, and began pulling out his supplies... and a few tissues just in case.

As he entered the classroom for the Ancient Runes lesson, Gunnar gave the professor a quick and silent nod in greeting before turning to find his seat. He stood next to his chosen desk and then his eyes fell on the instructions written on the board. Ugh. Were they supposed to sit and not follow the rules set by the Headmaster saying that they had to stand until instructed otherwise? Or....was the instruction on the board enough? He hated when rules were not clear cut and uniform. This was probably why so many people had trouble following the rules here.

A quick look around told him that most people decided to remain standing so he would too until Professor Sabra verbally told them at the start of class. He did reach into his bag to pull out his quill and parchment and laid them out on his desk. Otherwise, he'd just stand here silently until class began.

Yeaaaaaah, listen Zoryn was all for breaking rules, but even she was skeptical after reading the instructions. Instead of sitting, the Gryffindor looked around the room with suspicion and went to sit in a seat near Bel.

Was this supposed to be a test or something? 'Cause Zoryn wasn't falling for it. For the record. And all of this 'keeping on their toes' thing was starting to get real repetitive. She didn't have the time, nor the attention span to dedicate to this stupidity.

Yawn.

Max wished this lesson had been scheduled for after lunchtime too because he was HUNGRY and that meant he was CRANKY. Shoulders slumped, he stepped into the classroom, his eyes automatically finding certain people which only made all the crankiness WORSE.

Ughhhhhhhhhh.

Huffing under his breath, he found himself a spot right at the back of the room and despite the instructions, stood behind his desk. Was it too late to quickly sneak a Puking Pastille?

Well, this was....something.

Cam ran his hand through his hair, more than a little confused at what he saw as he stepped into the classroom. Of course, this being HOGWARTS, it was definitely not the weirdest thing he'd seen over the past years (lol, not even close) so he should probably be used to it by now. And honestly, students standing next to their desks instead of sitting probably wasn't even that unusual. Not under this administration anyway. Maybe he'd missed an order to do jumping jacks or-

Oh.

The moment his eyes fell on the note on the blackboard he understood. Right then. Seeing as Bel was standing near Derf, Cam walked all the way back to where Max had just headed to stand behind the chair belonging to the desk next to his Prefect's. Raising his eyebrows at his friend next to him for a moment, clearly displeased with having to remain standing for no apparent reason, Cam then turned his head again to look around the room.

Sylvie walked into the classroom mid-yawn. Last night had been another sleepless one, and the mint haired seventeen year old was very very very tired. Too many thoughts in her head, too many loud noises far too early in the morning, just... too much. You know? Way way too much.

She surveyed the classroom quickly, spotting Bel and Derfael with- oh. Zoryn. Sigh. Turning her eyes towards other areas of the classroom, she made a beeline for Maxton and Cameron, two people who - as far as she was aware - had nothing against her. As she walked her gaze did another sweep, but the person she was looking for was nowhere in sight. Perhaps he'd join them soon. Hopefully. Maybe. He knew Ancient Runes was her favourite class.

Yes under ordinary circumstances, the lessons dictated that students remained standing but honestly, Katrina Sabra was exhausted from these rules. And while she did care about her job, she also cared about these students. And she wanted to give them a break, but apparently they weren't so eager to take the break. She offered polite nods to each of them as they stood politely by their desks. Respecting the rules of the metal handed man, but not respecting her rules, which she laid out for them on the blackboard carefully. Sure by some regards both herself and the head man were of equal tenor status, herself being hired only a few months before him. And sure he technically had higher standing than herself, but did that mean they could just ignore her rules?





Apparently not everyone was eager to follow the head honcho's rules though. "Miss Calrissian and Prefect Thomas. Thank you for following and respecting the instructions. Three points for each of you." She nodded at the two, hopping down off her desk and standing in front of it. Although a look at the Ravenclaw Prefect and she had the distinct feeling that he was mostly following instructions because he was under the weather and weak. Perhaps she should introduce him to one of her best study companions later: The Pepperup Potion. Later though, because she had a lesson to attend to and she just hoped he'd function well enough to stay focused for this.

"And three points from those of you still standing," Katrina said simply enough. "While ordinarily you should stand upon arrival to class, I believe it was to respect the professor, but it is also to respect the professor if he or she says you may sit. So please, if you may, be seated." Do they have to deviate from the lesson plan for a lesson on respect? Merlin, she hoped not because honestly, it was dreadfully boring.

"Today will be discussing a topic that speaks close to home for me," In that she'd spent the last two decades in Egypt. "It's probably one of the earliest forms of writing, beginning in somewhere as early as 3000 BC which makes it nearly 6000 years old. That is the topic of hieroglyphics, which if we're lucky, we'll get to translate some words or names into picture form, but for now, I just want you to tell me what you know about hieroglyphics. Anything at all."



ooc: lesson has begun!! And will continue in about 24 hours, but we'll start with a simple question of what do you know about hieroglyphics? Go simple or complicated, whatever your heart / character desires =D

……… Zoryn just about HAD IT with all of these stupid rules and the conflicting messages. There were only three things that ticked her off just as much as they did at the moment and those three things were 1) Fletcher’s rotten, egg head 2) Rafferty’s flavorless personality and 3) Anna Meriwether. All three things which she hated with a burning passion. So these stupid rules were REALLY getting on her last nerve if they were #4.

The Gryffindor rolled her eyes when she was sure Professor S wasn’t looking in her direction before slowly taking a seat. “This is dumb,” she muttered to know one in particular.

As for hieroglyphics, “Some would say they’re archaic. Kind of like all these new rules.”

Max had perked up a bit and shot grins to both Cam and Sylvie when they'd opted a seat near him.... the minute Professor Sabre opened her mouth though......? The frown was back and it was even more prominent than before.

At this point, the loss of points was minor and really he couldn't give two hoots. He'd grown wearisome with the inconsistencies with all these stupid rules though and the Slytherin plopped down into his seat and glowered coldly at the professor. He'd had enough already and the puking pastille at the bottom of his rucksack was calling his name.

He knew a ton about hieroglyphics. Nothing he was in the mood for sharing now though. Nope. Max folded his arms across his chest and the great sulk continued.

Gunnar could honestly not care less about the point loss. Everyone was losing points for not following rules all term, so it really was inconsequential at this point. And now they were going to lose points for actually following rules, because the Headmaster had told everyone that they had to stand at the beginning of the lesson, not at the discretion of the professor in question. The contradiction between Fletcher and Scrimgeour wanting or not wanting greetings was all too fresh in his mind. Why was this different?

But he wasn't about to argue that point. What good would it do? It would likely earn him more points taken or detention because adults typically thought they were right. And he had seen that same type of argument between student and teacher before when rules were contradicted for the sake of the professor. It just wasn't worth it.

Refraining from rolling his eyes as he really wanted to do - he wouldn't purposely be disrespectful - he slipped into his seat and bent over his parchment. Yes, he knew what hieroglyphics were, or at least some basics of them, but honestly he didn't feel like contributing right now. He'd just take some notes for the time being.

More and more each day, Derf was resigning to the fact that there was no right way to do anything at Hogwarts. Follow one set of rules, get punished for doing so. Follow another, still get punished.

So when points were deducted for following the hourly reminders, the Hufflepuff didn't even flinch and merely sighed under his breath at those who were rewarded. He didn't exactly miss the way things used to be, but he certainly was not content with the way things were now either. Though all this seemed so inconsequential to what he had witnessed and to what Aster had gone through. Conflicting messages and inconsistencies he could deal with, frustrating as it was. Not being allowed to wear necklaces and stuff had never bothered him before seeing as he wore none, though he understood why it upset other, wasn't anything to be too irate about either. PDA rules were actually a bit of a relief, though he missed the freedom to hug his important people.

The woman's reprimanded went in one ear and out the other as Derf took his seat now and tried to settle into it. Expressionless, for the most part, he stared ahead at his blank piece of parchment and took little comfort in having his friends flanking him.

As to the topic at hand, well, he knew some about this. Impossible not to know something as a sixth year, really. And in a way, bowtruckles wrote in their own form of hieroglyphics...which made his heart sink a bit more. "The word itself is a combination of Greek words that mean 'holy writings'," he began when it was his turn to speak. "Each symbol, like the Elder Futhark, usually stands for a sound." But sometimes it was more about the object they represented.

Wait, so now people lost points for following the rules? Nettie closed her eyes so they didn't roll out of her head. It was impossible to keep up with all these rule changes, and it made her head hurt. Literally the only way you DIDN'T get in trouble these days seemed to be to just skip class so you didn't accidentally SIT when you were supposed to STAND, or vice versa, go do the SORE runs, and never speak again. It was exhausting.

She tried to focus on the class at hand, since SHE hadn't lost any points, and raised her hand. "Hieroglyphics were the main form of record keeping in Ancient Egypt, especially before papyrus was invented" she piped up. Probably other places too, but Egypt was by far the most popular, right?

She could have cried.

She actually could have cried.

If Head Honcho had done a surprise inspection, seen them all sitting, firstly Professor Sabra probably would have been fired, and secondly all of the students would have had points docked, extra laps or pushups, and probably detention.

As was the case of Astronomy. That one lesson when they all had hot drinks. Professor Kennedy had said it was okay, but it really wasn't.

It was exhausting. The Professors were not on the same page, and it was only having an affect on the students. Hanna had no idea what to do, whose rules to follow. To get three measly points for following rules that broke the rules set by HeadMan, or to get way more points docked, and detention, and extra labour for following Sabra's rules?

Controlling herself as much as possible, to NOT cry in frustration, anger, and a feeling of hopelessness at Professor Sabra, Hanna sat down. She remained silent. If she'd have opened her mouth to give an answer, she definitely would have sobbed. She was exhausted in every way possible.

Hieroglyphics? No matter how much she wanted to provide a response to the question asked, Stasya knew that most of what she knew about hieroglyphics was what Professor Sabra had already mentioned. They weren’t runes. They weren’t what she remembered from things her grandparents had showed her before, her uncle too. Runes, she understood. Sort of. She was figuring them out anyway, even if it was still secretly just because she respected the former headmistress and wanted to work at it.

Plus, she was afraid that if she raised her hand to say anything, it would just be a defense of herself, Derf, Bel and the others for following the headmaster’s rules. It was frustrating to know that the two times she’d lost points was because she’d misunderstood whose rules to follow. First it was because she’d gotten caught up in the miscommunication between the headmaster and Professor Fletcher about what was respectful, and people had literally gotten fired for not following the headmaster’s rules so really, she’d been trying to protect Professor Sabra too. It was just as likely for the headmaster or one of his minions to check on them now as it was for them to stay away, and she still wasn’t entirely convinced that they had ways to spy on their every move no matter what.

Either way, she was staying quiet. She’d just have to figure out how to make up the points another way.

.........................of course.

All he did was wrinkle his nose into a frown, however. Because at this point the inconsistencies and confusion was just part of Hogwarts life. With a small sigh he sat down and - after making sure the professor wasn't looking - rolled his eyes at Max and Sylvie. At this point he didn't even care too much about losing points because, frankly, EVERYONE was losing points so it evened out in a way.

After setting out his books, parchment and writing utensils Cameron raised his hand. "They were able to translate the Egyptian hieroglyphs with the help of the Rosetta Stone." He'd SEEN that even which had been quite interesting in itself.

The points loss went right over Sylvie's head, honestly so used to it at this point that it didn't affect her. Stand? Minus points. Sit? Minus points. Eat? Minus points? Breathe? Live? Exist? Minus points. Graffitiing the contraband list, though, had been a nice round dose of zero points. HEHE.

Smiling at Max and returning Cam's eye roll, she sat and began slouching in her chair before Sabra mentioned the topic of today's lesson. HIEROGLYPHS. Sylvie sat up VERY quickly, suddenly the best and most attentive student anyone's ever seen.

"They're pictographs! Sort of.." Sylvie, as a longtime art club member, knew things like this. She LOVED things like this. "Egyptians would use 'em to write. Uhh.. record keep, yeah," she added, nodding to the Ravenclaw girl. Whatever she said. Sylvie had full faith in the Ravenclaw house.

Jackson appreciated being recognized for following the rules, but he was so out of it that he had barely registered what the professor had said. He heard the mixed reactions as points were given and taken, as had become so frequent this year. And others may not care, but Jackson still wanted to win the House Cup. He still had his house pride. Go Claws. At the professor's question, Jackson raised his hand slowly. He knew a little bit about hieroglyphics at least...

"Hieroglyphics are the epitome of the phrase 'a picture is worth a thousand words' I think. The Egyptians called them the words of god, although I can't remember the specific god they referred to... " He tried to remember for a second, but he immediately felt dizzy. "Anyway, they used these like, engraved pictures to tell their history and stuff." *Sssssniff* Sorry Professor. Jackson tried to clear his nose as subtly as possible while others answered.

Patrick had been thrilled to see the sit down upon entering. It was as if the professors were now taking up a rebellion against the headmaster and it warmed his slightly rebellious soul. Taking his seat and getting ready to learn he waited. Silently no less.

Watching Professor Sabre eyed the room and accolade those who were seated he smiled good on her. He listened intently to what they were doing today. Raising his hand he was ready to answer the question,[b] “like the others have said they were writings. Some say they told the history of a person or place... like the pyramids.”[/] the Egyptian history always fascinated Patrick and he was always fairly certain that it would come in handy one day he could only hope it was today.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

Yes under ordinary circumstances, the lessons dictated that students remained standing but honestly, Katrina Sabra was exhausted from these rules. And while she did care about her job, she also cared about these students. And she wanted to give them a break, but apparently they weren't so eager to take the break. She offered polite nods to each of them as they stood politely by their desks. Respecting the rules of the metal handed man, but not respecting her rules, which she laid out for them on the blackboard carefully. Sure by some regards both herself and the head man were of equal tenor status, herself being hired only a few months before him. And sure he technically had higher standing than herself, but did that mean they could just ignore her rules?

Text Cut: you two who listened!

Apparently not everyone was eager to follow the head honcho's rules though. "Miss Calrissian and Prefect Thomas. Thank you for following and respecting the instructions. Three points for each of you." She nodded at the two, hopping down off her desk and standing in front of it. Although a look at the Ravenclaw Prefect and she had the distinct feeling that he was mostly following instructions because he was under the weather and weak. Perhaps she should introduce him to one of her best study companions later: The Pepperup Potion. Later though, because she had a lesson to attend to and she just hoped he'd function well enough to stay focused for this.

"And three points from those of you still standing," Katrina said simply enough. "While ordinarily you should stand upon arrival to class, I believe it was to respect the professor, but it is also to respect the professor if he or she says you may sit. So please, if you may, be seated." Do they have to deviate from the lesson plan for a lesson on respect? Merlin, she hoped not because honestly, it was dreadfully boring.

"Today will be discussing a topic that speaks close to home for me," In that she'd spent the last two decades in Egypt. "It's probably one of the earliest forms of writing, beginning in somewhere as early as 3000 BC which makes it nearly 6000 years old. That is the topic of hieroglyphics, which if we're lucky, we'll get to translate some words or names into picture form, but for now, I just want you to tell me what you know about hieroglyphics. Anything at all."

ooc: lesson has begun!! And will continue in about 24 hours, but we'll start with a simple question of what do you know about hieroglyphics? Go simple or complicated, whatever your heart / character desires =D

Bel hadn't realised that Sabra was one of those ministry professors, apparently she was though? What with the random unfair points taking and all that. Greaaaat. Plus following her logic was basically beyond Bel at this point too, it didn't make an ounce of sense. And definitely not a way to make her care about a class that was already tough and offputting enough. At least Hawthorne had managed to make her want to try hard just out of sheer respect. She shot a little look in Derfael's direction before sitting down where her things had already been set out, and listening as the lesson itself began.

What did she know about hieroglyphics? They weren't magic like runes were they? She had learned a little bit about them before, so Bel put her hand up. "A hieroglyph can be read as a logograph or as rebus, so sometimes the word is what the picture looks like, and sometimes it means what the picture sounds like, and sometimes it can be mixed together as both." But howwww you were supposed to know which way to read a hieroglyph when it could be read in more than one way was beyond her though aaaand probably she'd never actually need to know so that was a-ok to her.