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Divination Lesson; scatomancy in the Room of Requirement
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When Analiese entered the Room of Requirement, she was startled. A meadow. How... interesting. She almost silently greeted the centaur. "Good morning, sir." The mist was certainly affecting her mood. She was very quiet, unlike her normal, out-going self. The young Claw noiselessly walked towards a stump. She took a seat and placed her book bag by her leg. She observed her surroundings, her face expressionless. The 12-year-old slightly raised her eyebrow at the grass swaying harmlessly, despite the lack of a breeze. How much better would get mood be if she went to Beauxbatons, like her mum had suggested? Much better. |
Chloe wasn't sure why they were still having lessons, but the Ravenclaw wasn't going to miss them. She wasn't fully into the lessons though, her heart just couldn't be. It was in a million pieces with everything that was going on and Tad not being there yet. She hadn't gotten to play quidditch for ages either and that was starting to fully stress her out. How would she ever make the U17 team without any practices? Trying to focus she found herself moving through the corridor and stopping in front of the Professor, 'Good day professor, I brought you something." She opened her bag and lifted some flowers. "I like to have a few small pots in my room, but thought you might like some of them." She thought he had to be struggling with all of this knowing he would rather be outside. Moving into the room she looked around and smiled a little. It was nice to see the outdoors even if it was just in a room. |
Missa was actually really worried about Professor Thereos. He looked really weary, did anyone else notice? She couldn't even take her eyes off the centaur as she approached the room of requirement, and further gave him a concerned look, "you okay there, professor?" she found herself asking - as she stepped in the class. And what an idea for a class this was. She was starting to think she would never see the outside again - but here they were. |
It was to no one surprise that the next Divination lesson would be taught somewhere indoors and the room of requirement seemed to be the perfect place. The mist seemed to be affecting everyone including centaurs as he looked different than normal. More ...wild if that was the word. He was not going to lose his composure during the class right? He could see O'Hara lose it but not him. He wanted to greet back but the only thing that came out of him was a sigh so instead he bowed his head politely before he walk inside the room. which had changed itself in to a large meadow and a brilliant blue sky. Dorian looked around for a moment as he walked toward the group of students already present. He looked at Chloe for a second longer with a slight frown on his face. He still remembered how upset she had been in the dueling arena regards to her friend being missing. He admired her for being present in lessons though. Without saying a word to anyone, he waited for class to begin while looking at the tall grass up ahead. |
Of course Archer had arrived with the Ravenclaws. Wasn't hard when you were now sharing a common room with them. Though, she had mostly focused on the Hufflepuffs and making sure they were comfortable and that none of their new housemates were giving them a hard time (not that she was expecting it of all of them, most knew how to act like decent people, some however.....). Anyway, the most noticeable thing about her now was how unlike herself she was acting. Gone was her usual good humor and comments, replaced by a stoney face thanks to her disbelief that there were absolutely, ZERO plans to evacuate and the headmaster had insisted on waiting on the ministry as if they were just going to come riding along on white horses like knights and save them all. "You too," was her returned reply as she made her way over and sat on one of the stumps in the indicated arc. She missed the feel of the real grass. The real outdoors. |
Let it be known that Nina was still rather uncomfortable with having a centaur as a Professor. Thereos was intelligent and his lessons had been insightful (despite the fact that the Slytherin found Divination to be a completely unsound, pseudo-science), but he was still a centaur. A creature with the hooves of an animal, it frightened her though she tried very hard to hide it. Because this was still a lesson after all and despite her constant feigned-disinterest during a class, she still planned on absorbing any useful information. But a few months ago, her outlook had changed. Kind of. Professor Thereos had saved her life. Nina wasn't a Hufflepuff and as such she would never willingly indebt herself to anyone. But after the incident in the boathouse, a part of her did feel indebted to the centaur. And as such, her mind was quite a conflicting place. One where she was appreciative and grateful for his service, while also being simultaneously uneasy and very much scared of him. Which meant that lessons were... interesting. She hesitated briefly before walking past her Professor to enter the Room of Requirement. She gave him a look, which hopefully conveyed that she was grateful (but most probably showcased how uneasy she felt) before quickly making her way into the-- Meadow? The room threw her off for a moment, and she physically twitched as a long blade of grass unexpectedly tickled her ankle. .... She chose a stump at the farthest end of the semicircle. |
Tina had been spending a lot of time in the Room of Requirement since the mist trapped everyone inside the castle, especially after the recent house merging. It was the only place she could get away from a certain unwanted guest in Ravenclaw Tower! She glanced into the room, but the meadow scenery did nothing to lift her spirits. She knew it was only an illusion; she was still just as trapped as ever. Nonetheless. her sour mood hadn't made her forget her manners. "Good day, Thereos," she greeted politely; she even managed a small encouraging smile. If staying cooped up here was hard for her, she knew it must be torture for a centaur. No creature was meant to stay stuck behind walls indefinitely! Tina made her way to the arc, sitting on the stump that gave her the widest berth from the others, but their teacher's ragged appearance stuck in her mind. It was obvious this environment was breaking his spirit, just like… She suddenly remembered where she'd seen that look before; it was a lot like the way her father figure looked after his final term in this place. She was genuinely concerned for Thereos. How much further would he deteriorate before he could leave this place? How many more had to break before Trent would get off his high horse and allow an evacuation? She absentmindedly fiddled with the hair tie on her wrist to calm her thoughts, and her eyes landed on its purple butterfly decoration… the mascot of her father figure's old house at Beauxbatons, the symbol she'd adopted when she came to Hogwarts to honor the sacrifices he made to this school. She hadn't been here to help him when he needed it, but maybe there was something she could do help Thereos (and others). She just didn't know how. |
His tail listless and eyes clouded over as he heard the approaching shoe scuttles on the stone floor, Thereos found himself thinking about the colony. Where had they evacuated to if not to the castle? Were they safe or had the mist caught up to them as well? And then there was that image of the grotesque and shameful two legged creature that had appeared before him in the boathouse. It haunted his dreams, but the centaur had too much pride to rely upon wizarding methods to quell his restlessness and the manner in which his chest knotted and seemingly protruded, like the natural disfigurings found in the great oaks across the grounds. Should he have listened to his kin? Should he have abandoned Hogwarts and joined them? Or would there be different imagery, sounds, that would be haunting his sleep... ...though he would then be able to lean on his centaur methods of coping where that the case. SPOILER!!: students, may Jupiter once again ascend in your favors Unaware of the storm brewing inside this youngling's heart, clouds thicker and more discolored than those outside the castle wall, perhaps, Thereos offered her a polite nod of the head just as the bell tower began to ring strong. It was time. "If you will all please settle in. You will be back on your feet soon enough," he assured them all as he moved away from the door and gave it a nudge with his rump. Still walking with a limp, the centaur slowly made his way over the threshold the faerie circle created and towards the center of grassy semicircle. "I thank you maintaining a desire to delve into the deep pools of divination in these times. Whether of genuine interest or simply the need to distract, I am pleased to provide." His eyes gazed out over the vast grassy meadow before him, taking note of where certain things were currently settled or moving about in the long grass of glimmering through the air. "I beseech each of you now to tell me what it is that you know of this art that is reliant on the participation of those living beings in nature? Those which, under the care and guidance of your Professor Cornish, have been unnaturally brought within these walls for their ...........," He paused, hesitating on his next words. "......well being?" OOC: Class has officially begun! Thank you for joining us. If you are jumping in late please assume that you have been here all along as it will be virtually impossible for your student to summon the door to the Room of Requirement to find class now that it has shut. |
Analiese wrapped her cloak around her tightly. Even though it was the middle of spring, she still felt cold. She looked at Thereos, her eyes lifeless, as they waited for everyone to arrive. Seriously, the young Claw's mood was so bad that as soon as Trent allowed an evacuation, she was almost certainly never coming back. Beauxbatons would have been much better. Now everyone had arrived, her eyes focused on the centaur, she awaited his instructions. She was not in the mood for question answering at the particular moment, but she, for some reason, decided to answer one. She stuttered as she answered the centaur's question. "W-well, sir, th-there's hippomancy, wh-which is d-divination u-using horses." |
The lesson had hardly begun when Nina felt her back stiffen. His question, despite being clouded in his vague tongue and foreign imagery was clear as day. He was asking about the creatures of Hogwarts. And it made Nina VERY, VERY skeptical. No. No, no no no no no no no NO! She REFUSED. She'd walk out of class!! (No, she would not). She would argue with their Professor!! (No, she would not). She would throw a tantrum!! (No, she would not). In all honesty, she would probably sit with her arms crossed wearing a DEEP frown. Just as she was in this exact moment. Only, if creatures DID show up to the lesson, she would probably run and hide behind someone. Calyx. Or Calloway. They'd both protect her, right? |
Defintely distraction on her part. The desperate need to get out of the castle- alive- was about to drive her up a figurative tree. Not to mention a certain Ravenclaw making it passive-aggressively obvious she wasn't happy about having to share a common room. Anyway... "There's plastromancy or divination by the cracks heat causes in a turtle's shell." Hopefully, one that had already passed by natural causes. 'Cause, you know, a turtle's shell was it's home. And also, turtle soup was a thing in some places. Ugh. |
Tina continued staring at the butterfly on her wrist, trying to block out everyone and everything around her. It was the only way she could function at this point. She looked up for the briefest of moments as Thereos spoke, out of courtesy for him more than anything else. She wasn't even sure why she was here anymore. Divination used to be her favorite subject, back when she thought it would eliminate the uncertainties of life, but now, she knew there was no method of divination in existence that would ease her fears about everything going on in the castle. She'd long since lost interest in this and every other class taught at Hogwarts, but distraction seemed equally unlikely. Nothing was going to completely take her mind off recent events; the best she could hope for was that the lesson would occupy her thoughts enough to stop them from spiraling into darker, more vulnerable emotions. Whatever the reason, she owed it to Thereos to at least try to pay attention. She considered his words carefully, trying to decipher the question hidden in there somewhere. Methods of divination that involved creatures… was that what he was asking? Judging by the answers she heard from her classmates, it seemed like a safe bet. She searched her memory for types of divination that she knew and what they used - a task made harder when her mind was elsewhere! Her eyes once again flicked to the butterfly on her wrist. and a lightbulb went on in her brain. Her hand went up. and she said, "Entomomancy- it's a method of divination using insects' appearance and behavior." |
SPOILER!!: students Seeing no further hands raised, Thereos allowed his disappointment to sit on his face. No one had even come close to itching the method they would be focusing on today. A true pity that students were seemingly not more well versed in divination rooted in the natural world then Hogwarts had such lush surroundings. This was the error of humanity, becoming reliant on their own devices and creations. "Your answers," disappointing as they were. "...have only begun to scratch the surface of the deep pool of possibilities found in the connection between the celestial Inner Eye and the natural world. The first half of term we focused on what the flora surrounding Hogwarts could reveal through its divine teachings." And they would have continued along this path had Hogwarts not forced his hooves. He found himself taking another irritable bite of the flowers gifted to him by Miss McCarthy before resuming, taking his time with chewing and grounding himself. Her kindness was unprecedented under these circumstances. "With all taking such close quarters with one another, four houses merging into two and many of the forest's residence too within these stone walls, we will spend what time we have left this term divulging into what lessons we may learn from the fauna of this world. To begin this journey, I ask you this...what connection can you make between creatures and yourselves? What do they do that you too do?" His tail gave a swift flick to scratch an itch on his rump and something small and sparkling fluttered away from his hindquarters as the grass surrounding their semicircle rustled once more. OOC: This is the last question before we begin the activities for the lesson, which will begin in approximately 24 hours from the time of this post. |
The disapproving look did nothing for her. Nina didn't so much as flinch. Professor Noble often gave her the same look, as did Professor Beryl. She knew what kind of reactions her silence would elicit in lessons, but it did very little to change anything at all. This Slytherin was particularly strong-willed. She did, however, return his disapproving look with one of her own when she had to sit there and watch him chomp on a flower. It was absolutely disgusting. Flowers were meant to be received as gifts from nice boys and admired. Not eaten. Ew. The frown on her face only deepened when Thereos addressed the entire class once more. The content of the lesson was unfortunately exactly what she had feared it would be, but it was his second question posed to the class that had caught her attention more than anything. Connection between creatures and themselves? Nina had half the mind to GROAN. There were no connections. Creatures were dirty. They ate their own droppings. They smelled. They made far too much noise. Some were ugly. Others were dangerous and scary. They didn't understand personal space. They followed you when you didn't want them too. They had no respect for her space. They were flighty and attacked. They were gross and slimey and gooey and hairy. They shed everywhere. Her list went on and on. No. There was nothing that she had in common with an animal. Perhaps the only commonality between creatures and humans was that Nina Castillo liked to avoid them at all costs, like she did with the likes of Eloise Fairfield. That was where the similarities ended though. Thanks. |
Gunnar was rather distracted sitting on his stump in the artificial outdoors of the Room of Requirement. Even though he knew it was false, it seemed so real, and he had been longing to be outside, to run alongside the lake instead of up the stairs and through the corridors, to fly on his broom through the air. He was just about to offer an answer to the question when he realized that class had moved on. Oops. Well, he hadn't really been paying attention to the answers anyway so he might have repeated something someone else already said, so maybe that was a good thing. The sixteen year old was suddenly drawn to Thereos as he snacked on some flowers, reminding him of something that merely added to the many distracted thoughts in his mind. Eh, that would have to wait. "We both have similar needs," he suddenly offered without raising his hand. "Food and water for sustenance, fresh air, shelter, care... physical exercise." That sounded really good right now, especially in this meadow. |
The scenery was so exquisite. The scenery was so beautiful. And the lecturing started. And no time to respond. Vivienne thought Gunnar was daydreaming. Similar needs, huh? And then Vivienne close her eyes and took in the aura of the meadow. |
Analiese perceived Thereos's answer as slightly disapproving of her stutter. So she tried her best to not to stutter (as much) as hard as she could, whilst answering the next question. "One of the m-main similarities between us and a-animals is the a-ability to express shared attitudes and practices and p-passing them to the next g-generation. We express our culture through r-religion, arts, and other social a-activities, which are passed from one g-generation to another, and a-animals express their c-culture through activities such as rain-dancing." She gave Thereos a slightly sympathetic smile as she finished her statement. Certainly a centaur wouldn't want to be cooped up inside? |
She was happy that he liked the flowers and grinned as he seemed to perk up a bit. It didn't even phase her when he ate them, because she was happy he was able to have something fresh that he enjoyed. She felt bad that he was stuck in the castle, she knew how much she hated being in there all this time so he had to be having problems. She figured after class she would tell him she had a few more pots if he wanted them. Class was beginning and she sat quietly through the first question. Divination wasn't one of her strong classes and some of the terms they were saying she didn't understand, what she did understand was Theroes would not feel it was okay to have the creatures in this castle and would most likely not think their wellbeing was being cared for here. She had read enough to know that was most likely how he felt. Instead of answering she kept writing the answers her fellow classmates spoke about. One the second question came she did raise her hand though by the time he got to her she felt that everything waws discussed, but she decided to try anyway. 'I think we could have a deeper connection with creatures, some we just bound with. They enjoy our company as much as we enjoy theirs. We share similarities in feelings, creatures get nervous, they sense danger, they can be sad and happy just like we do. Many creatures find a partner just as we do as we get older and get into relationships." That last sentence though did make the fifteen-year-old blush. |
SPOILER!!: students Seeing no more hands raised, Thereos moved on to more vital matters than lecture and innocent chit chat. "There are many connections to be made between yourselves and the fauna of this world. It is a fact that is sorely overlooked by witches and wizards a like who find themselves superior to it as it is easily conquered and captured with a wave of those magical sticks you all are so dependent upon." Was there a bitterness to his tone? Certainly. The captivity he felt in being cooped up inside like this was tearing his centaur's resolve apart and pushing his psyche to somewhat revert back to a more savage state. "Mr. McCarthy put it best, that we all share the same basic needs." And what goes in, must also come out. The timing of this lesson in perfect alignment for this passage that all must do. "Mr. McCarthy. Miss McCarthy. You two provided the best answers of the bunch as as a reward I bestow upon you the task of handing out the contents of that bag to your peers. Be sure to take one for yourselves as well." He then turned his attention towards the others while the pair went ahead with that. "Soon you will have in your possession a small parcel made from burlap and tied with twine containing specialized pellets that are an ancient centaurian remedy quite similar to what you humans would call a fiber supplement. Each has been made to fit the needs of a specific creature as indicated by the drawing on the bag. A possibility of demiguise, fairy, niffler, or unicorn. All of our companions present today have been evacuated from the grounds, as previously mentioned, and have sought unnatural refuge here in Hogwarts castle by the grace of your professor. Your task is to coax the creature on your label with this remedy to help calm and encourage the natural flow of their digestive tracks." He glanced once more over his shoulder and placed his fingers between his lips to whistle, the sound seeming to come out in chorus. The grass began to rustle and the distant twinkles grew closer. This was the usual time for these feedings, a deemed necessity to ensure that the stressed creatures maintained a sense of regularity. "Once you have your parcel you may begin. A reminder of no wands. Allow them to come to you. They are accustomed to this ritual by now and are expecting these natural treats." OOC: We have arrived at the mini activity! To reiterate, your character should receive a small parcel from either Bazinga or emjay's characters. This is just a bit of IC fun and because timezones are what they are you do not have to wait for them to post, but you should assume that one of their characters handed it to you. |
Did Chloe just relate human relationships to the ones of creatures? Because this particular fourth year did NOT like that connection whatsoever. It was entirely off-putting. She did not want that visual thank you very much. Nor did she want to participate in the next task. Not at all. What. So. Ever. It was as if Thereos WANTED her disapproval. Because the more and more he revealed about the lesson, the more Nina wanted to make her prompt exit. Something that, perhaps, would have been much easier had their lesson been held on the actual grounds. The Slytherin waited for one of the McCarthy siblings (she was hoping Gunnar would hand her the pellet), skeptically looking around the """meadow""" all the while. She didn't want to feed creatures. What if they got too close??? WHAT IF THEY HURT HER?????? |
Flittering this way and that in sharp but elegant zig zagging patterns, a few fairies darted closer to the collection of humans who had obviously come to give them offerings. Worship was the only reason to cease their morning hair fussing. Coming closer now, they could not help but lament how much grander it would be to have beings more beautiful here to admire them this morning. Did this one see her nappy dark hair? It was hideous! |
Slinking through the tall grass, the demiguise watched the humans with predictive apprehension. Large round eyes fixated themselves on each of them as his physical appearance faded in and out. His stomach had been particularly unsettled these past few days and had been sleeping in his little hideaway during these morning feedings. Invisible at the moment, his stomach gave a great rumble as he stood before the feet of one of the humans. |
Unaccustomed to so many, she was nestled away behind one of the larger shrubs scattered about the meadow with only her pearly white rump protruding. Though through the gaps in the shrubbery one could make out eight distinct legs rather than four, one set more golden and slender than her own. |
Scurrying and scampering their way through the grass, the small collection of nifflers were perhaps the only creatures present who were the least ruffled up by the class' present. They could smell the shiny buttons on their robes and bracelets and earrings and necklaces that were worn and their little greedy hands wanted to get their greedy little selves on them. Though one niffler seemed to be struggling a bit as it moved about. Hunkering down and scooting a bit before rolling on to its back and sticking it's legs up in the air only to release a small TOOT and puff of warm questionably smelling air at the feet of a student. It felt better a little better now. |
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