Daisy entered the History of Magic classroom, quickly taking in the different to usual arrangement of the desks. She noticed the visible absence of Professor O'Hara as well as the message that was written on the blackboard. Her eyes fell upon the "Hufflepuff bench" and she made her way to it and stood there.

Nooooooo!

Dorian used to like History of Magic. Kinda... Sometimes... But since O'Hara had taken over the job it just wasn't the same anymore. And from what he had heard, she wasn't even one of the Headmasters choice of henchmen, she was strict ...by herself.

The fourth year shivered as he entered the classroom though it had nothing to do with the cold. The first thing he noticed was that the professor in question wasn't here but the Ravenclaw wasn't stupid. She was probably somewhere in the shadows in the corner of the room, waiting for them to slip up and take away points..

He'd bet a Galleon that the first to mess up was a Hufflepuff.

Another thing that made him frown was the seating arrangements. If this arrangement was for educational purposes he was cool with it, but if the Headmaster had stated a new rule that House mates should be with House mates only then that was just wrong. So he hoped it was the first one and as he walked to the Ravenclaw one, Dorian stood behind it and waited.

History of Magic was the worst. It wasn't the rule and order of the class that bothered him so much, it was more how boring the subject was. And it wasn't like O'Hara tried to make it interesting with her strict demeanor... so yeah, maybe some of the excessive order was bothersome. It certainly didn't help his interest (or lack thereof) of the subject.

But it was a compulsory subject so here he was.

Gunnar was used to not speaking to anyone when he walked in, but he was immediately drawn to the change in seating arrangement. That was different. But in the next moment, he saw the instructions on the board and went over to stand next to the Slytherin bench. That much wouldn't be different.

Skylwr had walked inside to the classroom. She did a quick glance and the professor was not there. She frowned. Was this a test? She mentally shook her head and did not say anything. She blinked. Benches? Okay. Skyler went and stood behind the Slytherin bench.

Just to be clear: This whole holding a class, but the Professor isn't around yet gag was getting REALLY old. Every time Zoryn walked into one of those scenes, she had half a mind to walk right out. If there wasn't a Professor, what the heck was keeping them here in the first place?

Nothing.

Nothing except for the fact that History of Magic was her designated napping period. She wasn't about to throw that away, thanks.

So instead the Gryffindor walked into the room and followed instructions. SURPRISE. She does that some times.

Another day, another brain-mushing, awful boring lesson at Hogwarts.

Anna wasn't getting used to it; that'd never happen. What did happen was she was growing more impatient and unamused at everything and everyone. Did she mention how certain people seemed to also constantly do her head in now?

Merlin, she needed more free time to hang out with her friends and get her mind off things.

The fourth year seemed to be sighing a lot lately, but she did manage to hold it back this time when she walked into the classroom and noticed the arrangement and note on the board.

Without any words - and not even an eye-roll, which was a small victory on itself -, the Gryffindor made her way towards the correct place for her to stand. Crossing her arms over her chest and shifting her weight to her right leg, the girl stood there, waiting.

It was taking a lot of strength not to sigh repeatedly and impatiently tap her left foot on the ground as she did said waiting, but she was managing.

So far.

Arthuria was excited, this was their first History of Magic. She loved learning about magical and muggle history. When she entered the classroom it was to find the benches lined up in their houses. Although Arthuria was excited and wanted very much to greet Professor O'Hara she caught herself and hurried to the Hufflepuff bench, standing until she was told otherwise.

Over the past two years Juni had gotten quite fond of the other professor O. History of magic had always been one of her favorite subjects. Mostly due to former professor and the one before him. This professor O’hara was the complete opposite of both of them. She was surprised that she hadn’t been hired by the headmaster, she wasn’t but she was right in the middle of the action with him and the ones that was bought in with him.

The sixth year was at the point where she was starting to dislike the subject which was really sad. But she was just going to keep coming to class and make the best of it. Just like she did before the christmas break.

Noticing that the room was arranged in a different way. Quite interesting, grouping them by houses today. She didn’t acknowledge the professor (which was easy since she wasn't there), since they wasn’t supposed to only speak when spoken too. Heading over to the Ravenclaw bench where Dorian was already there. She found a bench as far from the front of the room as she could get.

Hanna still somewhat resented the fact that her cousin Rose wasn't still teaching History of Magic. She never had the pleasure of being taught by her, but it was oddly still something she missed. The thought of coming to Hogwarts and seeing Gaston and Rose every year, before she started, had excited her so much. It was still a great reassurance to see Gaston, though. He still had the family vibe that made her feel that she had at least a small familiarity in the increasingly cold castle. And not just because it was January.

She entered the History of Magic classroom, and paused slightly mid-step. The set up had changed. She looked up, saw the house flags, and spotted the writing on the board. Without any reaction, like a robot Headmaster Scrimgeour and his minions had probably preferred than a human, she went towards the Ravenclaw table and stood. It didn't even matter that Professor O'Hara wasn't there. She wasn't allowed to greet her anyway.

She didn’t know about anyone else, but she didn’t find Professor O’Hara to be particularly intimidating or unusually strict. Fletcher? Yes. Scrimgeour? Definitely. Noble? Always had been. Compared to them, the woman was just another member of staff, one that thankfully knew how to follow rules so she wouldn’t have to have anxiety about reporting. In past experience with the woman outside of lessons, O’Hara seemed like any other. The Head Girl remembered she’d been there during the hot chocolate incident with Mr. Kennedy. It was her that had made the Ravenclaw’s anxiety spike, not by a long shot.

Jessa walked into the room, looking about as it immediately hit her that no one was standing where they usually did. It got her immediately curious. Had there been a switch up? Finding the message with the instructions explained it all to her and she moved to stand by her housemates at their designated area.

The woman wasn’t there but she remained silently standing all the same. If she had a bit more Cambridge blood forcing itself in high doses through her veins, the girl may have asked why the Professor was allowed to not be present but she didn’t. Besides that, there was still time for the woman to be on time making it an unnecessary question. Jessa was simply used to Professors already being present and prepared as their lesson drew near.

Not for a second did she try to figure out what they’d be learning. It was all the same to her at this point.

Chloe hesitated in the doorway of the History of Magic classroom, big eyes looking for the professor. Not that she was scared of the woman, necessarily, but she knew that Professor O'Hara held the rules to be very important. It was always good to know where a person like that was lurking in a big old classroom.

No professor, but the seating was different. Chloe scurried out of the way and took up a spot by the bench near Juni and Jessa. Ravenclawesome girlfriends. Both got a tentative smile, but this all had gone on long enough that she wasn't going to speak or sit or doing anything too overt until given permission.

All these rules would be so much more fun if the class wasn't so boring.

One thing about History of Magic that Stasya felt was good was that it was predictable. Of course, Professor O’Hara’s teaching style wasn’t like the previous professors’ styles, but it also wasn’t quite as frightening as the lessons being overseen by the headmaster and his lackeys. It was sort of a bridge, both like Potions lessons and yet not. At least, there wasn’t as much of a threat over animal cruelty in History of Magic.

Plus, it was that much easier not to be tempted to greet the professor when she didn’t even appear to be in the room. She could just head to an open seat in what was apparently the Gryffindor section, seeing as she saw Zoryn and Anna there already, giving both girls a smile as she took up a standing position next to them, setting her bag down on the bench for the time being.

Also, feeling the sting of not being able to greet her other friends hurt too, so she’d sent another silent smile in the direction of Chloe, Jessa and Daisy.

Still recovering from the stupidly low mood he had been during the break - Zachary quietly made his way to class. He had wanted to skip it all together honestly, but staying in his dorm was the last thing he wanted to do - especially since that was all he had done during the Christmas break.

So hoping to drown himself in a mindless history lesson, Zachary found his row below the Slytherin flag and waited.

There was a relief when Derf walked into the room and saw they were to be seated according to house. As far as he knew there was no drama or awkwardness between himself and any of his housemates, so at least he had a comfort in the safety that that provided. Ish. It also meant that there was the nagging urge to look at other house benches and knowing precisely where those were and just who would be under the banners.

Really, this was a term of no-win situations.

There was also a discomfort in the professor not being present - disillusioned somewhere, he imagined - and how it had a completely counterproductive message to send to students. How did you show respect, for example, if the professor wasn't present? Was it all a trap to try and lull them into a false sense of security? See who would and wouldn't break rules with their taradiddle? Sweet Scamander, everyone was on edge already as it was.

So, upon taking a looooooooong and deep breath, Derf found a spot along the bench and waited while trying to settle the...something brewing in his stomach while offering small smiles to both Daisy and Arthuria.

Arthuria returned Def's smile and gave what she hoped wasn't an awkard smile to Daisy. They weren't suppose to talk and she wasn't sure she agreed with seperating everyone by house, it seemed to put an unesscary air of compeition between everyone. Her excitement for History of Magic seemed to be receeding as she waited with her classmates for their Professor to arrive wondering what Professor O'Hara would be like.

History of Magic wasn't the most exciting class ever, but Natalie was excited to attend it today considering it was taught by a NORMAL professor who probably wasn't out to ruin their lives.

It was interesting that they'd be seated by house today. Natalie didn't mind. She walked in, and without looking around she went straight to the green section and stood beside Zac. Since, you know, he was the last one to arrive before her. Then she just stood there and waited without making eye contact with anyone.

Rylee stepped into the classroom and easily slipped right into the new common routine. While a lot of the rules she didn't agree with some weren't worth getting into trouble over. Her uniform was neat and tidy as it was supposed to be and she was early as was normal for her.

Two things become clear the second she entered the room. Obviously they would be sitting with their housemates today. This was fine by her. Also the Professor wasn't anywhere to be seen. This wasn't unusual anymore and really didn't faze her in the least. Blue-gray eyes did sweep around the room just in case there was anything worth taking notice of. Constant vigilance and all that.

Heading right over to the row of desks designated for Gryffindors, Rylee found herself an empty one and stood behind it, hands clasped in front of her to help keep herself from fidgeting about.

Though you may not see her, Alice was in the classroom the entire time in plain view. In fact, she was sitting, cross legged, on the teacher's bench in the front of the classroom. Her arms were bent at her sides with her palms facing the ceiling in a meditating pose. Her breathing was slow and steady and her eyes alternated between opening and closing.


But now everyone was seated and meditation time was over. Inhaling sharply, the History of Magic professor allowed the Invisibility Cloak to slowly fall off her shoulders. It fell to her right side on the floor a few moments later.

"Namaste," she said, folding her hands on top of her crossed legs and eyeing the class pointedly. She allowed five seconds to tick past before uncrossing her legs and climbing off the bench. She picked her cloak off the floor and put it back on the bench before turning to face the class again. "At ease." It was good to see them all following the rules. Things went smoothly in her class because she never broke rules and always expected the students to act on their best behavior. That wasn't changing today.


With that, she jumped straight into the first question. "Today, we shall be reviewing what we know about our four grand houses. I would like you to tell me how and why the Hogwarts houses came to exist. Tell me something about their history. You may include information about the founders and the Sorting Hat, if you wish. Please answer in an orderly fashion so as not to crowd out your fellow student's answer."

After her little outburst in Divination, Nettie was keeping her mouth shut today - except for answering questions, of course. She still wasn't sure how she felt about how the whole thing had gone. All she wanted to do was keep making life difficult for the professors who were in cahoots with the Headmaster - but if it was just her trying to be a nuisance, she wouldn't get anywhere. She knew that. She still couldn't help herself, trying to think of other ways to push the button of Headmaster and Co. as they continued their reign of terror over the school.

She wasn't sure what side the History of Magic professor stood on - O'Hara was all about keeping up with the rules, but she wasn't on the same level of cruel as everyone else. Looking up at the Ravenclaw flag that hung above her, she raised her hand and waited for her turn to answer before rattling off an answer.

"Well, Salazar Slytherin was very adamant on wanting to take in only purebloods. That's obviously changed, but he was anti-muggleborn at the time of the founding," she answered. He sounded like an awful person honestly - but she was happy the house had evolved over time and was now full of some very pleasant people.

Skyler was about to say that one of his heirs was a half blood but quickly changed her mind after a bit. Shw tried ro think of something about the houses, mainly her own. Ahe raised her hand after the the answer was done.
"Salazar did not get along with the other founders so he left," she said.
She wanted to add an opinion about if she was him, she'd make her own school but decided against it.

Anna couldn't say she wasn't surprised to see the professor appear out of nowhere on her desk, but she did manage to keep her face straight because hardly anything about this school was that amusing to her anymore.

The woman's calmness and zen-like state also kind of annoyed her.

'At ease'? Was that her code for they now being able to sit down? Anna looked around, unsure whether to sit or keep standing. Urgh, what a fuss. She was so done with this ridiculousness.

So done that she chose to stay quiet this time because the annoyance was growing in her. She frowned slightly and kept her arms crossed over her chest while looking away.

Yeah, History of Magic was definitely not her thing. Never was, never would be. Sure, Godric Gryffindor was pretty cool and all, but Anna was honestly not interested.

Were there worse things than having to stand next to Anna Meriwether? Perhaps. Did that mean Zoryn was going to be cool about it? Absolutely not. In fact, the Gryffindor used her eyes to burn through the back of Anna's head. No worries though! There wasn't much inside it. (: (: (:

As for their Professor hiding under an invisibility cloak?

Boring.

Zoryn didn't even flinch. And for the question? She'd pass.

Was an interesting lesson too much to ask for around here? She was over it. Professional Quidditch Players didn't need history anyways. This was bogus.

There was no visible form of reaction to the woman’s appearance though the method did give the girl pause. A cloak rather than a simple disillusionment charm? One seemed a bit more legal in this new Hogwarts climate than the other did. Rather than become nervous about it prematurely—surely by now these professors had learned what was good for them—Jessa opted to ask.

She raised her hand, using the moment she was called upon to answer on a topic she felt she’d heard a million times to gain her own information. “Excuse me, Professor. Are invisibility cloaks among the permitted items at school? I can’t help notice you using one rather than a charm and would only like to know for my own purposes.” And sanity while she was at it. If it turned out they were, she could once again put hers to good use without fear of severe punishment but in all the time she knew the man, this didn’t seem like something he’d be okay with around the castle making it very important to ask.

So as not to have completely ignored the woman’s question and thus look like a nit picker, she added by the end, “Helga Hufflepuff took the rest.” The cynicism in her tone clear as day. They could interpret that as they liked. She’d given a fact that she knew. It counted.

Also, was “at ease” the new way of saying sit down? How were they ever to be at ease exactly?

Perhaps...she would remain standing until a less vague order was given. One she could actually follow. Right now, she couldn’t be at ease just because the woman told her to be. On an average day her anxiety was through the roof. None of these days in the castle had been average.

As the sixth year waited for the lesson to start she returned her smile to her best friend Chloe Kettleburn. Turning back to the front of the door she watched the door. When was the professor getting there. Out of the corner of her eye she seen the professor slowly appear.

What the…?

Was she there the whole time? Under an invisibility cloak. It took all she could do to not roll her eyes, or say something. She stood on her tiptoes, even though she was pretty tall she couldn’t peer over the others standing to see the cloak on the floor. Yep there it was. Now why did professors get to have banned items? If things that were banned was a distraction then professors didn’t need to be in possession of it either. Well there the older Ravenclaw did say something. So now she didn’t have to right? Taking the “at ease” as sit down she sat down.

Why?

Then the lesson continued and she found out that the would be about the founders of Hogwarts and the sorting hat. Okay so she listened to the other before she decided on a answer ”Rowena Ravenclaw came out with and designed the moving staircases”