With the capture of Verandi Farley and several high-ranking Trossach members, the British wizarding world has finally caught a break. The rate of rogue werewolf attacks have started dropping at a steady rate and, hopefully, things will stay that way. The Ministry is starting to loosen some restrictions, like not arresting werewolves standing on the street for loitering, however there’s still an obvious power imbalance between wizardfolk and werewolves.
The Cotswolds pack are continuing to advocate for the rights of werewolves and petitioning to change the legislation that has been set in motion by the current Minister for Magic, whilst the remaining Trossachs members are trying to stay out of the spotlight and keep a low profile… for now.
Whilst the British wizarding world seems to have calmed down, the same cannot be said for over in Northern Europe where a rebellion of magical creatures has risen. The state of things has gotten so bad that the European Ministry has enacted protocols to protect those under eighteen whilst their adult witches and wizards fight to keep control of their countries.
Students from Durmstrang have been sent to Hogwarts to keep them safe and those not old enough to attend school have been sent to live with relatives or designated British Ministry officials outside of Europe for the time being.
Will the low rates of werewolf attacks in Britain continue? How long will Durmstrang students stay at Hogwarts? Will the creatures usurp the wizardfolk in Northern Europe? Only time will tell.
SEPTEMBER 2019 It's been a very long, eventful summer in the wizarding world. A baby was stolen, several high ranking Trossach members were imprisoned, and werewolf attacks have drastically dropped as a result. What will happen now school has returned?
MAY 2019 An attempt to capture the beta of the Trossachs has been launched. Were the Aurors successful in their mission? Go read more here!
There was no rush as Sebastian made his way to the second floor. He had learned from experience that the older years weren't as prompt as his young and eager years, but not as late as the middle grades. It had been only a few years of working here to learn the way that the students ticked. He had eaten lunch with the rest of the staff, although he had spent most of the time nursing his third coffee and keeping quiet as everyone around him said their greetings. He was now reasonably doused with caffiene, however he had requested that another one be brought to his classroom by the house-elves. There was no way that he would be teaching the upper years without it.
The bell hadn't rung yet, so he unlocked the classroom with a flick of his wand and entered. They had covered conjuring spells before but weren't experienced or knowledgable enough to actually perform any. Now, they would be learning everything that had to do with them. He was confident in his student's abilities to pick up the concepts fairly quickly so that they could eventually practice at least one before the end of the lesson. He mulled over his lesson, his eyes darting towards the coffee that appeared on his desk via the House Elves. He gave a small smile and picked it up, mindful of how hot it could be. It was only a few seconds later that the bell rang and the teacher approached the board and scrunched up his nose as he figured out what he wanted to write up. He determined that the title of the topic, plus a few notes of reminders about things they'd covered in previous years.
He turned around as people began to walk in, greeting them with a nod. He responded to a few verbal greetings but otherwise waited for the classroom to fill up. "Good noon everyone! I'm sure you've already done all the introductory things with your teachers and I just happen to need to get right into classes. This year, as I'm sure that all of you have heard a million times, is going to be hard. We have a lot of content to cover, especially for those 7th years that are going to get their NEWTS this year. All of you have received an Exceeds Expectations or higher to get into this class, so I expect you all to pay attention and do your homework. I will not be sending letters home to those that do not complete their work, instead, I will recommend to your head of house that you change out of this subject." He paused for a few moments, letting that sink in.
"Now that I've got that over and done with, we will be jumping right into Conjuring Spells. Later in the year we will focus on human transfiguration but not until we can be certain that you are up to standards, we will be going a little easier. So we all know that Conjuring is the opposite of Vanishing, yes? Unlike Vanishing spells, there are consequences if you conjure incorrectly. Is anyone familiar with the Principle of Artificianimate Quasi-Dominance?"
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Apr 25, 2019 7:01:10 GMT
Grace was an early bird, she always had been, and arriving to class was no different. She hoped they were just doing theoretical work today, even just the thought of doing practical magic in front of a group of people churned her stomach. Half of the time in class, her wand didn't even work when she tried the spells, instead sparking or make weird loud 'popping!' noises, often leaving her red-faced (yes, more than usual) and embarrassed.
As Grace was the first to arrive, she took a seat towards the front of the room by herself, worrying her bottom lip as she waited for the rest of the people in Transfiguration to file in. When Professor Samuels started talking about NEWTs and how they had to get an Excxeeding Expectations to even take this class, Grace couldn't help but bite down on her lip further because she had gotten one, that was true, but only by the skin of her teeth. She'd messed up quite a few of the practical assessments in her OWLs, and had honestly been expecting a Poor instead.
'A little easier' was what Professor Samuels said when he started talking about learning Conjuring Spells and as a result, Grace was able to breathe out a little once more. Okay... okay... this was okay. Not the extremely difficult stuff yet. When he asked his question of if anybody was familiar with the 'Principle of Artificianimate Quasi-Dominance, Grace tentatively raised her hand. "It's... um... it's a magical law, right? I... things can go terrible bad if you conjure creatures out of thin air." She'd read it in her Transfiguration textbook over the holidays.
This class was always an interesting one; their animagus professor was definitely a knowledgeable man that Aiden could respect. Despite the commonly held misconception, the Valentino twins valued intelligence above most things, although even an intelligent muggle was as useful as a toad in their opinion. Helpful to catch flies, but not much else. Still, Aiden held the door to the classroom open as his blonde sister stepped inside and then he walked over to his seat.
It had been unofficially claimed by the Ravenclaw since he'd begun at Hogwarts six years ago. Aiden had been early to almost every class so it was never really an issue... except today. Aiden's jaw clenched as he found the Hufflepuff prefect, ray-o-sunshine sitting in his spot. He glanced over at Alana, who smirked maddeningly, and the young man glared back at his sister before he walked to Grace's side. Well it was not his seat but it was literally the next best thing. Next to.. her.
"Wow, Longbottom, looks like you're wearing your smarty pants this afternoon," Aiden said with the tiniest smirk as he pulled out his quill, ink and book. "Apart from anything else, it is a a decent deterrent to the less capable wizards to stop them from playing god," he added to the conversation. "Although Miranda Goshawk writes that 'for reasons unknown, snakes and birds are easier than any other to conjure from thin air'. I guess that's evident in our learning 'avis' in charms class." Aiden had read the quote from their text book, his finger following the words as he said them. Then he looked back up to the teacher.
Alana waited patiently at the classroom threshold for her brother to open the door. It may be 2018, but chivalry was a quality that always looked good on a man. The vampire traced her finger along Aiden's broadening shoulders as she walked past him and found someone had already taken up the favoured seat. She had no mind to hide the smirk as she looked back at her brother; through years of being so close only Alana could catch the slight external show of displeasure that waved across her brother's otherwise stone-cold exterior.
"Buon giorno, Professore Samuels," Alana returned his greeting amiably. Like most of her professors, Alana had a decent amount of time for the man; he was pleasant enough to deal with and seemed to have a wealth of knowledge despite his baby-face. "I don't know if it's that great a deterrent ... perhaps some people want a frog rabbit?" Alana quipped with a smug smile at her brother, looking past Grace as if she were completely transparent. "Have you ever tried to conjure an animate object, professor?"
Post by KAYLIE ROUSSEAU on Apr 27, 2019 15:42:28 GMT
And while you are sitting indoors waiting for the storm to pass I will be outside dancing in the rain
❧
Kaylie wasn't interested in this subject and was just seated somewhere with her eyes closed. She felt like napping and this class almost seemed perfect nap material. The blonde looked up when she heard the voice of her favorite blonde and her brother. Was he flirting with Longbottom? Oy vey.. that meant nothing good.
She had nothing to add to any conversation and just closed her eyes again. If the teacher asked anything she'd answer but until then she took her time to listen and wait things out.
Sam rounded the corner with Raouf just in time to see the Valentino twins walk in. They really were quite creepy. Especially the sister... Then again, that could just be because Sam had a soft spot for brooding boys. He followed the pair inside, the door swinging shut just as Alana took her seat. He was alarmed to find Grace between them. They were usually inseparable. Sam had a funny feeling about it, so turned to Raouf, winked, and took a seat next to Aiden.
Usually, he'd sit more central. He liked being able to watch the action, but this time he wanted to be up close, and the action seemed to be brewing right here. Sam took a moment to get comfortable, compose himself. Sam rapped the empty seat on his other side, beckoning Raouf. He opened his book, took out his stationary, then leaned over to Aiden, "You and Miss Valentino have a fight or something?"
Why did people talk to him? Aiden took a moment to put his quill down before he turned his cold gaze upon the snake that dared to be... familiar with him. He took another moment still to take in Sam's features; noting the two larger freckles and those that were slightly smaller. It was almost as if his DNA had tried to form a constellation right there on his rather strong jawline. A second later, Aiden narrowed his eyes as they glared into those dark ones on Sam - similar in colouring to his own sister, but far less soulless. "What business is it of yours, Caverly?" he finally asked. His voice was low enough to keep the teacher from hearing this little... exchange. "Keep your nose out of my business, snake, lest I remove it permanently."
With his warning delivered, Aiden turned back to the class at hand. His own jaw was tense; he did not like that Sam had come to sit next to him one bit. Was it his imagination or could he smell the dank dungeon stink clinging to the boy?
Post by SCARLETT BIANCHI on May 14, 2019 15:50:26 GMT
And while you are sitting indoors waiting for the storm to pass I will be outside dancing in the rain
❧
Scarlett was seated in the back of the classroom and wasn't sure why she was even following this class. Sure it was important in many ways but it was very boring as well. The brunette yawned and sat back, listening to students answering the professor and even spot some drama between two boys.
Drama was always fun. Scarlett looked around to see what others were doing wondering if this class could get more interesting anytime soon.
word count ● open ● notes
5'6 || the bitchy one || Teddy Lupin || Noah Edward Lupin
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on May 24, 2019 10:12:41 GMT
The sound of the chair scraping next to her made Grace look up, wondering if perhaps it was Faith or Vik but instead, she found herself staring up at Aiden Valentino and immediately, she was hyper-aware of everything. Of the way she was sitting, of how her desk was set up, of how she looked. Reaching up, Grace's fingers self-consciously started playing with the loose end of her braid, twisting the strands and when Sam sat down on Aiden's other side, she sent her friend a bit of a nervous smile.
Then Aiden spoke directly to her after she'd answered Professor Samuels question and confusion twisted up her face. "But I'm not wearing any pants," she replied dimly, before a minute later she turned an impressive shade of red as she spluttered to correct herself. "I mean - I am... I am wearing pants. Just not, um... trousers. A skirt. I'm definitely wearing - you know. Um." Grace's mouth clamped shut immediately, mortified that she'd started a tangent about her knickers of all things. Merlin on a cracker.
Sparing a glance at Sam who was getting a talking to by Aiden, Grace's lips pulled into a frown. She didn't want to get in the middle of any drama, and she knew Sam could handle himself but still, she didn't want to just sit there. "I... wow, this, um. Transfiguration is super duper interesting, isn't it?" she said, opting for the most innocent change of topic ever.
and i'm calling for my mother/as i pull the pillars down
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Post by NADEZHDA KAREVA on May 25, 2019 20:31:44 GMT
As in most of her classes, Nadya sat in the back, blue eyes cold as she watched the sixth-years snark at each other. She felt it had been better before this group had joined their N.E.W.T. class. Grace was nice and often around the greenhouses but more cheerful than Nadya had probably ever been in her life, the Valentino twins were so arrogant that she felt she'd dodged a bullet by them being in Ravenclaw instead of Slytherin, and was Kaylie sleeping? At least her eyes were closed. That was one person in this class who had the same sort of mood as Nadya did. She looked over at the window, hoping a stray ray of sunshine would find her seat by the end of the lesson. Then she'd have a nice, warm nap.
And this was why she felt she had more in common even with cats than humans. Never mind that she was a full half human.
She leaned back in her seat, looking at her roommate, who was sitting next to her in the back row. "Have you heard what they're on about today?" she asked Scarlett, gesturing loosely to the group in the front. "We can take bets on how many will actually get through their N.E.W.T.s." Privately, Nadya was a bit worried about hers, but this still did not make her want to stay in the classroom any longer than she needed to.
Post by SCARLETT BIANCHI on May 30, 2019 12:47:17 GMT
And while you are sitting indoors waiting for the storm to pass I will be outside dancing in the rain
❧
Scarlett eyed her roommate with a smile and made room for her. She loved Nadya and she needed a friend in this class of boredom and annoyance. She grinned a bit at her comment and looked around. Scar hummed and nodded at the professor.
"Conjuring spells, and Longbottom is right up there answering it all so just sit and listen." she whispered.
Cooper was sitting back in desk, as he watched the rest of his classmates to try and answer questions. And there was no lie that he wanted to answer questions. But he did not feel like answer questions. Although if the opportunity had arose, then he would consider answering an question. But he didn't desire to do it, and he listened to everyone talk.
Then let out a smirk at Aiden Valentino speaking to one of his housemates, even if it had annoyed him. But he would let him have his fun. But he wanted to enjoy himself there was no lie, and he let out a smirk. "I guess some people decided to do their studying." he said even if he didn't like people who hogged answers. Not unless he was instructed, the Slytherin wasn't going to ask. But he didn't mind having some fun with his classmates, even if it wasn't directed to anyone in particular.
Sam leaned back in his seat, observing Aiden with a smile. He was glad to see the boy wasn't untouchable, but this game might take longer than he had realised. All at once, the Slytherin saw a box he wanted to crack open. A bejewelled box of secrets with an intricate lock, the key stuck inside. It would take hard and gentle work to keep the box intact while he peaked inside. Was it possible? Sam held his hands up slightly, "You're right, not my business." His smiled shifted up a notch at the threat. So the box had claws. That was nice. "Suit yourself, raven, I can put something else near your business later... If you'd prefer." Sam let his eyes drag down and up, lingering on Aiden's eyes a moment before returning to his books and stationary as if he'd said nothing to his neighbour.
It was awful fun, flirting with the Valentino boy, but he decided not to push it too far. He didn't want Raouf to see one of his first friends at Hogwarts get beat up by Purebloods in the first few weeks of term. Sam had a habit of pushing boundaries, but usually he avoided breaking them. Usually... He liked to stretch them, until breaking them went almost unnoticed, He'd done it to himself all his life, and most of the time he was happier because of it. But now he turned his attention to the lesson, not wanting to fall behind just yet. Conjuring spells, conjuring spells. He smiled at Grace, "Super duper! But I'm definitely gonna have to do my homework this year. How about a study sess?" The question was for Grace and Raouf, but he stared at Aiden for a few seconds too.
Raouf followed behind his roommate Sam, a little curious as to what their Transfiguration classes would be like. The professor stood at the front with a friendly smile, however, Raouf wasn't so sure about the people that Sam chose to sit next to. The wink had thrown him off too but he decided to push that to the back of his mind. He gingerly sat down, giving a small smile to Grace before turning his attention to the teacher. He felt suitably warned as Professor Samuels told them how important their NEWTS were and gave a nod of his head. Grace was the first one to answer the question, but then even she began to talk to Aiden and Sam. He gave a muffled cough as he noticed the teacher's eyes on them but didn't say anything else. There were a few interesting contributions to the class, but he wasn't sure that this teacher would appreciate snark. He knew none of his previous professors would have allowed any kind of talking....and was there a girl sleeping?? Tags: @sam
Sebastian gave the Hufflepuff girl an encouraging smile as she attempted to answer his question. It was the right answer, but not perfect, "Five points to Hufflepuff, but that's not quite the answer I was looking for." He raised an eyebrow as Aiden began to speak, but didn't say anything. He wasn't sure if Grace and Aiden were friends, but he didn't appreciate the sarcasm in the comment. He almost told the boy to play nice but thought better of interrupting his answer. "Yes very good Aiden. Ten points for Ravenclaw. Charms and Transfiguration have some blurred lines between what is what, but that's fine for you all. Conjuring spells are...mostly Transfiguration. In any case, no wizard should attempt to play god, not even the most powerful of them. Arrogance can lead to disaster."
He gave Alana a funny look, "Because they might not get a frog rabbit, they might get a severed head instead. You would be better off just conjuring one correctly with a spell. The frog-rabbits are not true creatures; neither is anything that you conjure so I can't see any point in trying to get one." He was about to move on, but then she asked if he'd ever summoned an animate creature. "Of course I have, you don't pass your NEWTs and get your Transfiguration mastery without summoning a few pigs and mice in your time. That's what we'll be doing today."
His mood turned sour as he looked towards Kaylie, who he'd assumed would stop her little nap once class started. Instead, she still had her eyes closed to the world. The Ravenclaw Head of House cleared his throat, approaching her to tap her on the shoulder. "Kaylie? Perhaps you should have stayed in bed today. My classroom is no place for a nap — ten points from Slytherin. If you'd like to wake up and join the class, you may. Otherwise, you are dismissed." He'd already said at the start that Sebastian wouldn't tolerate things like this in his class. She was here to learn, or she wasn't here at all.
He strode back up the front of the class, catching Sam's suggestion of a study session and nodding his head in approval. "I'd like to see at least three people successfully perform a mouse conjuration by the end of the lesson. First, I will get you to perform the spider-conjuring spell from fourth year. Anyone who doesn't remember the spell or has any problems can see me up the front.Everyone else may begin, and once everyone has achieved the spider-conjuring spell, we will move onto mouse conjuring."