Transfiguration / Lesson 1: Years 6 and 7

[Devin Brady]

The usual classroom looked normal, just like it did for every other students. The only difference was the blank board, and the bare front. The only thing that stood before the board now was the younger middle aged professor. His face clean shaven, his clothes still keeping neat, but now was where the fun began. Now he would get the chance to inspire the students, a chance to bring Transfiguration to life. Usually Devin would have been happy to go by the book, but today he had to grasp his students, and that wasn't by the books.

No the ex-auror had plans for this class, they would learn more than just how transfigure themselves, and that was the basis for this first class. Come in with a bang was the plan, and thats what he did.

Now standing before an empty class room the professor waited. Devins Brady, his first time teaching prepared, with a true clue of how things would go with a quick glance at his watched he smiled. Any second now and the place would begin to fill.

[Krissy Fleming]

Classes. One thing Krissy wasn't looking forward to. She was not too keen on the whole idea of going to them again. Didn't really feel ready to face all the people all over again, and wasn't too sure about being stuck in a classroom for a large period of time. However she was not about to go and skip all her classes non stop. Not to mention this class was being taught by a professor she actually respected, which was an interesting difference. Normally the only professor she liked and respected was professor Raynor. But Devin Brady had managed to get his name into her good books.

"Mornin' Professor" Krissy said to him with a big grin as she entered into the classroom. "How you doing?" Krissy smiled at the professor. She was sure he would be a much better professor then the last one, after all, he barely even taught them anything. Krissy sat at one of the desks up the front of the room, just in front of where Professor Brady was situated. She would like to get to talk to him before the lesson. She wondered how he was going after the deva invasion, afterall, he had had more trouble then any of the professor's during the take over, except perhaps professor Raynor.

[Drew Thornton]

Drew on the other hand, held very little respect for the man at the front of the room and came in with a mere nod of acknowledgement towards the so-called professor. Among other things, Brady had called out Celina's brother during the take-over, something that Drew was sure few people had actually made a connection to, but something that the Ravenclaw was confident had contributed to the problems that had followed. Any problems that Brady had encountered from the Deva, the man had brought on himself in Drew's opinion.

He took his seat quietly and took out his books, not even bothering with his glasses for this class. Drew didn't feel the need to be there, other than the Academy wouldn't look too favorably on a candidate who had skipped Transfiguration for a whole year. Transfiguaration had always been one of his best subjects and he had been working two years ahead of his class since he had started Hogwarts, stealing his older sister's notes because her lessons were always much more interesting to him. Whatever this man had in store for this lesson, Drew was pretty confident he could handle it.

[cronon]

Alexander was just as enthusiastic as always when it came to classes and being at them. Though, this time, it was different. Alexander felt a part of himself that actually wanted to be there, learning magic, as if it would actually help him or effect his life in ways that it wouldn't have before the Deva had come into the picture. Why now was he feeling this overwhelming want to be more informed and be more inclined to knowing magic? It's just a phase... he tried to convince himself, afraid that it would mess up the future he, for so long, had planned for himself. He wanted to be an attorney, a muggle lawyer in a court room with his father by his side. Partners in defeating the bad guys on the legal aspect of it all. Not the one shooting at the bad guys. Alexander would leave that one to the guys who had the guts to do something that foolish courageous.

Entering the room, Alexander could already feel the strong surge of energy and magic that he had at many times before felt, but all the times before had suppressed. It wasn't for him. But as he caught glimpse of the Head Girl in the front row, situated in front of Professor Brady, a warm sensation in his chest was enough reminder of why he felt that he needed to do something more. Between all of his friends, and what had happened to Felicity....Alexander couldn't keep the wizard side of him at bay like he had once prided himself on doing. He was a wizard, and as soon as he could accept that fact, the faster he would be to helping his friends....unfortunately, Alexander was no where near ready to accept that, instead he worked around it.

Now the dilemma, was taking a seat. Usually, he would have sat himself in the back, observing, and never speaking. However, Krissy was in the front, the Ravenclaw Prefect was there also; Alexander laughed at the thought of sitting next to the boy. Not unless he wanted to get into some kind of unwanted competition with him, one in which Alexander knew he'd probably lose. No thanks. He looked back toward where Krissy sat, and decided that he should sit himself near her. If anything, he may be able to ask for a meeting with Professor Brady. Being an former auror, Alexander figured he knew more about the way the ministry's court systems worked in more detail. One never knew.

Walking, and finding himself near Krissy, he gently put his hand on her shoulder. "Mind if I sit with you?" he asked, hoping that he wasn't interrupting anything private. "Good day, Professor," Alexander said with a curt smile and a nod. Yes, this was in to be some interesting class.

[Charlie Jones]

Charlie had little interest in the Tranfiguration class, and since the time of the takeover, it had minimized even more so. Her perspective was that it wasn't going to teach her how to get things done, or how to protect yourself when you have to go on the offensive. If Brady was going for teaching her class a valuable lesson or two, it should have a DADA-like regime. At that point in time, Charlie would have liked to chuck out each subject they had, and keep in place DADA and Charms. However, with the former in question and the latter not even in her NEWT class schedule, she virtually had not much left to look forward to.

Casually, she gave the professor a lazy salute and went over by Drew and slumped down in her seat. "Gonna get a nap in," she told him, assuming that the class was going to be taught in theory and assuming that Drew'd give her a nudge if she was close to trouble.

[Drew Thornton]

Drew had seen the Huffle boy walk in and had considered going over to ask if those books had worked out for him, but decided against it. Not only was the guy talking to Brady, but someone Drew actually got along with had entered the room.

"I'll wake you if anything interesting happens," he snorted back, planning on letting the Slytherin sleep through the whole dang hour if he could. No, he wasn't about to let one of his best friends get busted (though she'd probably sell him out faster than Celina had done to Felicity), but he really didn't believe anything important would be covered.

[Krissy Fleming]

Krissy jumped slightly at the touch of Alexander on her shoulder, she just hadn't been expecting anyone to really come up to her, plus she hadn't been paying much attention to the people who were entering the classroom, but rather watching a moth next to the window with mild interest. Krissy turned and smiled up at him "Sure you know your always allowed to sit near me" Krissy said to him happily. His presence in the class was something that would make the whole thought of classes just that much more bearable.

It was just now that Krissy glanced around the classroom and realised she was the only seventh year there so far. Such was generally the way. Krissy gave Alexander a smile "How are you?" she asked calmly. She hoped Mike wouldn't come into this class and make a fuss. She clearly remembered a situation Mike a couple years back where he got into a fight with Dean in transfiguration. The professor they had at the time had almost encouraged it. Plus she had gotten herself in the middle and got hit. She was rather dumb like that. Krissy smiled slightly at the memory. Mike seemed to cause trouble a bit.

[Devin Brady]

Devin smiled and greeted each student as they entered the room, finally when they all arrived he let a bit of a frown reach his lips. "Everyone stand," he said in a low voice, but enough for each student to here him. Once they all stood he let his wand do a quick set of motions and the desks were gone. "Now I know that many people put the subject of Transfigurations off as a subject that is worthless when it comes to defending themselves. And they think why learn this subject its not like it will protect me, but that view is very misconstrued. From what I have heard, your last Professor was a decent enough teacher, but my methods will be different."

He waved his wand once more and a piece of chalk wrote out two things...

Advance Transfiguration

Transfiguration in Combat

"As you can see I very clearly intend to do more than just teaching the basics of the curriculum. Instead I have decided for you older students that I am also going to teach you how to use them when in the dire situations that come with war." He paused and looked at the young faces in front of him, and a small smile met his lips. Speaking once more his tone lightened, "Now the only true way to learn is to enjoy it. And that is why I have decided to start off with the more exciting of the two. Today we will learn how to items to take small objects and transfigure them into an object large enough to shield ones self, or others. Any questions?"

[Drew Thornton]

Drew stood when he was asked, poking Charlie to do the same, but when the professor made the desks and chairs disappear, Drew bent down to pick up his things that were now on the floor so he could put them back into his bag. At least when raynor had deskless classes she didn't set you up to look like an idiot for being prepared for notetaking and lectures.

So far, Drew wasn't enthusiastic, hearing what sounded like the set up for a lesson on engorgement charms. What was next, Leviosa practice so they could send things to attack their enemies? His bag backed once more, he leaned against the wall, waiting for whatever Brady had in store.

[Charlie Jones]

"Huh? Oh crap," Charlie noticed everyone popping up before she could think to. Just as she was getting off her sitting position, the desks and chairs disappeared as she well near lost her balance. Keeping in line with trying not to screw things up so quickly, she caught herself in time from an embarassing fall and took her things along with Drew. She had little desire to listen to what he said until he mentioned war. Protection. Competence of the subject. Her ears perked up and as did her eyes. Like that, she scrutinized the professor and got ready for what he would have up his sleeves. "This oughta be interesting," she murmured to Drew.

[seanna]

It was a good thing that Seanna came in the classroom just before the Professor said "Everyone stand" So it didn't exactly look like the had came to the class late, but just decided to stand near the doorway. Seanna lent against the wall and breathed in a few deep breaths, as she tried to get her bearings. Why were they standing for and not sitting? Eyes finding the black board she found the Professor's writing of Advanced Transfiguration and Transfiguration In Combat. What? were they going to attack each other? Or turn each other into something? Seanna could feel herself all ready panicking, though, that one emotion was easily roused these days and close to the surface.

Then she heard the Professor's last words. Turn an object into a larger object to protect one's self? That didn't seem too bad now, and her panic slowly dissolved for the mean time. Eyes leaving the blackboard, she took a quick sweep of the classroom and noticed that Krissy was in the classroom as well. Wait- did that mean they were combining the sixth and seventh years for this class? It certainly did look like it, but she was glad Krissy was in the class, however. It meant that she had someone to talk to in class. Well two, when she found Alexander's frame next to Krissy.

At least with the seventh years in the classroom, it was bound to be an interesting class.

[Krissy Fleming]

Krissy had stood with the rest of the class as the man had commanded, however her bag, like many other peoples stuff landed on the floor with a thud when the tables disappeared. Krissy winced, hoping nothing had broken, especially her ink bottles because if the ink happened to get on a loose wet start firework which could be floating in her bag there could be trouble. Luckily nothing happened to explode and Krissy bent down to pick up her bag, opening it tentatively to check nothing had smashed. Last thing she wanted was ink everywhere.

Krissy stood back up to find Seanna by her side. "Hey" Krissy said quietly to Seanna with a smile. Well Class had started and Krissy glanced around, realising that she was once again the only seventh year in a lesson. She really quite missed having Ari around. This lesson would have been great if she were there to join Seanna and Alexander, although Krissy knew she would have fun with those two anyway. Not to mention the only other two people in the lesson were Drew and Charlie and they were both rather cool too. However Krissy didn't really know if she liked the whole idea of learning stuff for war situations, they had just been in a war type situation and she wasn't exactly too keen to re-live that weather pretend or not. She really didn't feel ready for these lessons and she was beginning to wonder if there was possibly a way out of it. Did she have any sniving snackboxes in her bag? Krissy frowned, pretty sure she wouldn't have any, after all, she normally didn't mind lessons.

[sticks]

Bronwyn was running again, running so she wouldn't be completely late for this particular class. She had always done well in Transfiguration and enjoyed it tremendously. Ron had always found that changing things into other things complex, challenging and most enjoyable. So she ran towards the class, hoping she wasn't too late. She entered the class to see many were already there and today's lesson was already depicted on the board. Transfiguration in Combat, Bron read as she walked to the third row of desks, should be very interesting.

She glanced around the class, smiling broadly at everyone, and listened to the end of the professor’s speech. She took a seat and smiled broadly at the professor. Ron had heard many talking about this particular professor and some were sceptical about him, others intrigued. She, on the other hand, was more concerned about whether or not he could teach. Time would tell and for the moment Ron was happy giving Prof Brady the benefit of the doubt.

Ron set her ink blotched ruck sack on the floor next to her but didn’t take anything out of it. The professor had made it very clear that their lesson was going to be practical and not theoretical. Wicked! Bron thought. Bron thought for a quick moment when they were asked if they had any questions. She did, in fact, and raised her hand. ‘Prof, I was just thinking that … an object is still an object, regardless of it’s size. So what use will enlarging them be is they do get blasted out of the way?’

[Drew Thornton]

Drew looked over his shoulder at the Gryffindor girl. "Bigger objects take more power to deal with," he answered automatically, realizing too late that he probably should have let Brady answer it given that it was his class. Drew did notice the cheeky use of "Prof" instead of the full title though. This girl had spunk.

Since he had already started with the answer he figured he might as well be hanged for a dragon as an egg. "It's why we start with feathers in Charms and move up from there. On top of that, you could enlarge, say a small but durable object and it will give you more protection than an already large, weaker thing. An enlarged knut is going to do much better at protecting you than say, a shrub. If you're out in the open fighting, you have to use what you can."

[cronon]

Alexander hadn't yet sat when Professor Brady started to speak about standing. He couldn't have said that before Alexander had asked Krissy to sit near her? Sighing a bit annoyed, Alexander slung his bag on his shoulder once more and watched as the chairs and desks disappeared. Students almost lost their balance as the chairs disappeared from under them, and Alexander wondered if this man's tactics were the best. He only continued to wonder more as he listened to what the class was going to be filled with. War defensive tactics? Alexander wasn't to fond of that idea, and even though he worked well with a wand...it wasn't as if he wanted to prepare for a war he didn't want to be on the actually battle field of.

Krissy walked by him a bit and he followed, finding his way over to where Seanna stood in the background. A warm smile spread across the Huffle's face as he noticed her and he stood next to Krissy as she spoke to Seanna. "Seanna," Alexander said, nodding his head in acknowledgment and realizing some people's body language at the idea of not knowing what next to expect. He almost wanted to take his leather notebook out and start writing. Brady seemed to be enjoying himself, as what looked like a smirk crossed his face. Did he enjoy making people uncomfortable? Or was he really just trying to help them? Alexander always hated these damn classes...wizard magic any ways.

It wasn't until Brady finished his speech about protecting others where Alexander's ears perked up a bit. He didn't want to admit or accept it much yet, but he was interested in protecting those he cared about. Alexander looked toward the front of the room, and when another spoke up Alexander turned his head to see a girl he wondered if he had seen her somewhere before. It was then that Drew spoke up and answered. Somehow, it didn't surprise Alexander in the least. He had, after all, been looking at Defensive Spell books in the library. Alexander knew that Drew liked to be on the battle field. That was a note for the notebook later.