Advanced Arithmancy: Lesson 1

[Rebecca Davenport]

{This is a NEWT level course. The minimum OWL grade is an E}

The NEWT level group was always a small one, and a much more casual class than Becca usually taught. This year, she was expecting an even smaller class, expecting only a handful of students. Some of her favorite students had moved on, but with some luck, the new group would be a good one too.

She had set up a work table near the front and had laid out a fairly decent tea that could be enjoyed as they worked. The students for this class were nearly adults and no reason shouldn't be treated as such. With the doors and windows wide open, Becca sat at her desk sipping her own tea, grading an early batch of Magizoology work, and not really minding who was entering the room.

[Connor Manning]

How on earth Connor had passed his Arithmancy O.W.L., he couldn't be quite sure. Luck? Good guessing? His own smarts? He wasn't too positive, but considered the last choice a good option. Or perhaps the first. Both were quite possible, really. But never the less, Connor had passed the test and he was in the class. No doubt he was grateful for it, but as he entered the room to discover that he was the first student, he almost wanted to wait in the hallway for someone else to go inside with. He had already entered, and going out again would just look a bit stupid of him. So he sent a smile in the Professor's direction and sat down. Professor Davenport seemed busy, so he remained quiet as he took a look around the room to pass the time.

[Drew Thornton]

It was called senioritis back home, but Drew wasn't sure what it was called at Hogwarts. He also wasn't sure it was something that someone got as early as the first day of school. What ever it was, Drew had it and really was in no mood to go to classes anymore.

It wasn't like he hated the sixth years. Far from it. In fact, there was a pretty cute Gryffindor that at this point was his only motivation for going to his lessons. But in reality he wondered how a professor could teach both years at once. Would he just be going over the same stuff he did the previous year? Merlin, he hoped not.

At least Davenport fed her NEWT students, well, for this class she did. Drew had once asked her why she didn't feed them in her Creatures class and she had looked over her glasses at him, telling him she'd let him fight it out with the Hippogriff.

Seeing he wasn't the first person in the room he dumped his backpack on the floor near his usual chair, and offered a nod of greeting and a "dude" to the other boy in the room. The nicities done with, the Head Boy grabbed a cream cheese sandwich and started munching. It had been at least an hour since he had last eaten and after he got some food in him, he'd pe more congenial.

[cronon]

Another class, another threshold crossed as Alexander made his way into one of the last classes of the day. His schedule for being a seventh year was pretty sweet…but that was only because he had just barely passed enough to stay in school and on top of things. He’d never do anything in the magical world if he kept that kind of grades and attitudes up but at the same time, Alexander still never really minded it. He stayed in school for his mother’s sake, and for the fact that law school would be after. At that moment, he was looking at schools in Britain, America, and Africa….none of which sounded to appetizing but he did like their programs.

A smile on his face, he looked over at what Davenport had for them that day and as he sat down, nodding at the others whom were in the room he poured himself a glass of tea and sighed. Prefect really wasn’t as much fun without Krissy being around to hang out with…heck, nothing was. Alexander could hardly wait for the next break….he’d have to owl her again to see if they could hang out. That is…if she responded to the next owl.

[Drew Thornton]

Another entrance and Drew nodded at the Huffle in greeting, not bothering to speak. For one, his mouth was full of cream cheese, and for two, there really wasn't much to say to Alexander other than the standard "dude".

Still, Drew figured he should make an attempt. The guy was one of Felicity's friends after all. The Ravenclaw swallowed his mouthful and turned towards Alexander. "So... how was your summer?" he asked, glancing over at Connor as well, not wanting to exclude the Slytherin.

[cronon]

Alexander shrugged not really knowing what to say to the Raven. His summer was eventful, the end even more so, but it wasn't as if he'd tell the world of it. So, he really didn't know what to say. "It was eventful..." he shrugged and took a sip of his tea. "Like, one thing right after the other. Felt like summer never even happened. My dad wants me to join his firm...and stuff..." his words trailed off as he really didn't know how much Drew knew about him or his family. "My dad's a lawyer..." he clarified, feeling a bit awkward as if he were bragging or something when he didn't mean to.

"Umm...how was yours?" he asked.

[Rebecca Davenport]

The class looked fairly complete so Becca decided to get started. "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the NEWT level Arithmancy course," she began, serving herself a cup of tea and taking a seat at the table with the students. "You are in here because you have earned an E or higher on your OWL, so I'm assuming you know the basics. Just so that you are aware, I run this class a little differently than the others. You will working hard, I assure you, but we are a lot more casual here doing this class more in a seminar style than a lecture. So before we start, any questions?"

[Drew Thornton]

Drew finished the sandwich he was eating, shoving the rest of it into his mouth and swallowing it down hard. His Grandmother would have had a fit if she had seen him treat a tea sandwich in such a way.

But of course, it would have been much ruder to ask his question with a mouth full of cream cheese. And while his query would probably sound like he was trying to be smart-ass, he really wanted to know.

"We aren't covering Pythagoras again, are we?" he wondered, thinking he had heard enough of the guy and really didn't need to hear any more.

[Rebecca Davenport]

"Well, I suppose that depends on you, Mr. Thornton," Professor Davenport answered as she lifted her teacup for a sip, and while she addressed the seventh year Ravenclaw, she was speaking to the whole group. "Like I said, this is more of a seminar than a lecture. This year, you will be responsible for a research project, and while some of our classes will be spent where I give you information, many times it will be you giving it to the class."

She calmly took another sip and eyed the NEWT students. While she knew that most of them would never actually use this subject's particulars in their day to day lives, this was a standard for many NEWT classes she had sat through when she was a sixth and seventh year.

[Lucas Smith]

Arithmancy was Lucas' favourite class. He loved it because he was good at it. He was a pretty big geek when it came to school, so it only seemed fitting that a class like Arithmancy would be his favourite. It was challenging and that's what the Ravenclaw liked. With his pen and notebook ready, Lucas sat and waited for the lesson to begin.

[Drew Thornton]

Drew's response of a snort was not meant to be disrespectful and hopefully Davenport knew him well enough to realize that when it was snorted.

"Stricking Pythagoras off my list," Drew responded, swiping his tea sandwich through the air over his imaginary list. The question now was, what tot do? He doubted he could get away with anything as blase as number meanings, but on the other hand, if he did a thorough job on it, he could come out with an awesome project.

"Hey... maybe Fibonacci..." Drew mused, thinking out loud.

[cronon]

Alexander mused to himself for a bit, scratching his arm anxiously as he did so. Had she just said a research project? This was just not his year at all... "So, when you say research project..." Alexander said, hesitating slightly. "Do you mean on anything we choose? For instance, if I wanted to go more into depth on, perhaps, Bridget Wenlock, that could be my topic?" Alexander remembered learning about her and how she had discovered the magical properties of the number seven; a number that Alexander found quite interesting when learning in Arithmancy all those years.

[Rebecca Davenport]

"I think those would both be excellent topics," Becca answered, pleased that the boys were thinking of some interesting subjects. "Yes, Mr. Cronon. Anything you chose, an in-depth project on its significance to Arithmancy. The more thorough you are, the better your grade."

She would allow the class to mull it over a while as they continued their tea, possibly discussing ideas, and fine-tuning topics.


{class is officially over

+10 points to both Mr. Thornton and Mr. Cronon for participation}