En-Lighten Me (NEWTs Years 6 &7)

[viola]

Such a range of students she would be teaching. Annemarie looked over the rooster that she had for the older years and smiled warmly, as she placed her notes and attendance sheet on the podium that she expected to work from that was on the table located in front of the classroom but not blocking her usage of the chalk board. Already, she was feeling more relaxed at Hogwarts, and she was ready to meet the older leaders of the youth at the school.

It brought back memories of the older students that she had left behind at St. Cathrine's and a warm feeling within her heart filled her with such joy for the future. Though she missed her old position, and the life that she was about to commit herself to, the Great Almighty has shown her a different route for her life. Everyday she thanked Him, and hoped that with this new path set out in front of her, she did the best she could to help those who needed her at that time of mistrust and distress at the school.

Turning away from her notes, Annemarie picked up a piece of chalk and wrote on the board:

Professor Van Aller, Welcome to Muggle Studies

Looking over her own name and the welcome, she figured that the students were probably already tired of the welcome backs from professors but she also found that if she did not, then she wouldn't feel whole in what she was doing. So, there on the board was her welcome for them.

Annemarie found herself looking at the door, for her two rows of desks were still in tact so that no one could hide and all could participate, and the one desk for the late comer (if there was one) would sit right next to her. Though, she had heard only great things about the students, and knew that the desk would probably not be needed. On the table on either side of her podium, gadgets and such for her visual aids were placed to add focus on their studies of electricity and how muggles used such things and what they used the electricity for. She could already tell this was going to be a class not to forget, and as she waited there, her hair placed neatly behind her with a maroon tie, she waited patiently for her students to arrive.

[Now Open to ALL students in the Newts classes! Welcome to Muggle Studies!]

[Charlie Jones]

Charlie had to admit-- she missed the class. The last professor had been quite responsive to her enthusiasm for the class, so that had at least won her one favorable opinion from a professor. However, as he was gone and out, and there was another one who hadn't been as used to her than the last, she wasn't sure if the woman would be quite as responsive. Even now in this awkward slump that Charlie was in post-takeover (where she was favoring bettering her magic over anything else), she still had something of an interest in the subject.

Right into the classroom she spotted two things: the rows of desks and and the objects in front. Charlie eyed the layout curiously, but tried not to think that she even wanted to nap in her favorite class. Settling down in a desk, she gave one more look to the devices before giving a look to the professor. "Uh... hi," she muttered.

[Vanessa Harrison]

Finally, a class that Vanessa enjoyed. Muggle Studies was always fairly easily for the Hufflepuff and she loved the class. Hopefully the new professor would do her favourite course some justice. If not, it was going to be a long term. Strolling down the hall, Nessa knew she'd read the class just in time for it to start, or maybe even a little earlier. And for a change, she was smiling on the way to class.

Entering the room, she found her prediction to be right; she was fairly early judging by the lack of students in the room. Nessa looked around, not really recognizing the girl who was there but smiling at her anyways. She looked over at the professor, flashing her a warm smile too. Even Nessa was a little freaked out by her own giddiness.

[Lucas Smith]

Muggle Studies was always sure to be an interesting class. It was yet again another of Lucas' favourites for the simple fact that it was easy. Entering the room, Lucas looked around and saw that there were very few students there. With a shrug, he took a seat near the front of the class, getting ready to learn.

[Deryn Morgan]

Deryn loved Muggle Studies more than any other class. It was weird, but it was true. Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms and stuff like that was fun, but she was really more interested in Muggles and how they worked, even though she'd grown up with them. It was still interesting to learn more.

As she came into the room, Deryn looked up at the board and flashed a warm smile at the new professor before turning to look for a seat. Once again, there sat Lucas, nerdy as always, already ready for class.
"Are you stalking me?" she asked him as she took the seat next to the boy, not enjoying the idea of being so close to the front.

[Lucas Smith]

"Pretty sure you're stalking me," Lucas replied with a grin as Deryn joined him once again, "I'm always here before you. You come in after, therefore you're following. Stalker." He stuck his tongue out at her playfully and chuckled, closing his book and turning to face her for a chat before class actually started.

[Finn Kendrick]

Muggle Studies was always fascinating. But Finn wasn't sure what this class would bring, considering he was still running down the hall. He knew he was going to be late, he could just tell and as he rounded the last corner, he pushed his legs as fast as they could go. As Finn got closer, the Ravenclaw realized he wasn't slowing down. There was a crash and Finn Kendrick lay on the floor, just outside the classroom, wishing he'd gotten knocked out. Instead, he stood up, red-faced and slowly entered the room, only to find he wasn't actually late. Nice one.

[dragos]

Yet another new professor. Dragos wondered what the school was coming to. Either the professors were getting fired or arrested. This new one, from Dragos' first impression, didn't look like she was going to last. Still, the prefect flashed her a smile as he entered the room and made his way over to Charlie whom he hadn't seen in ages.
"Wake up, Jones. The class had only just started," the Croatian Slytherin greeted his younger friend, flashing her a grin as well. Dragos sat next to her, dropping his bag and board under the table.

[Brandon Blaze]

More class with the seventh years. Brandon hoped Es would be taking Muggle Studies. She might make it slightly more bearable. Entering the class, Brandon saw that so far, no such luck. He sighed and walked to the tables to find a seat that was farthest away from everybody else, waiting to see if she showed up or not.

[cronon]

Alexander walked in, not afraid of being late or anything of the sort. Two minutes to go, or so said his pocket watch that was stored in the inner robe pocket of his uniform. Thanks to his mother, as always, for she was more afraid of him being late half the time than actually doing what he was told to do. Alexander sighed, and kept walking. Muggle Studies? It was as alright as any of his other classes, something he could pick up quickly on because of his parents and their lliving arrangements. It was probably the only OWL that he wasn't actually surprised he had gotten the 'O' in.

Walking into the class, Alexander smiled at the professor, tipping his head a bit and noticing that she seemed a bit --different-- than the others he had encountered since being at Hogwarts. Obviously new, since Norbrook wasn't standing in the front of them as he had been last fall, Alexander took a seat in the back row of the two laid out, not saying anything to anyone. This was one class that he really didn't know anyone in, and the only Huffle he did see, was not one he had ever really gotten to know. He sighed, and took out a piece of parchment for the class, and a quill, preparing for the notes that he was sure they were about to take on the topic of the day.

[viola]

One by one, the students walked in, or in some cases they fell outside the class before entering the room. Annemarie could only smile at how enthusiastic this class already seemed to be. Multiple students came in with a warm smile, greeting her with just their looks and some even wondered with their eyes about her. It was something Annemarie had gotten many times at St. Catharine’s School for Girls. Sister Mary Ellen had told her that it was something to due with her mysterious demeanor; Annemarie could only guess, however, that it had something to due with God’s gift of magic that everyone could sense but no one ever could really know.

First was a bright looking young woman, one whom actually greeted her with words as she entered and took a seat a one of the set up desks. Annemarie smiled back at her and sweetly spoke in response. “Well, hello there, my dear. And how are you doing this fine day?” With that said, almost if by pure chance or luck, the room started to fill with the most delightful faces. That being already said, Annemarie moved on rearranging her display accordingly.

A light bulb here, batteries, and wires, a lemon and some metallic items for a brief experiment for later, handouts on the subject of electricity and much more. A shaky sigh released from the woman as more entered, some taking their seats and others still looking over everything in the room and for their other friends. Annemarie was very delighted that the room was so comfortable to most; others on the other hand seemed almost suspicious but still smiled all the same. Annemarie blamed none of them for the thoughts they must have had, especially after what was said to have happened at the school just a week or so before. It made Annemarie feel a bit guilty that she was not able to be at Hogwarts sooner, but she thought no more of it. It was the Father above who had planned out what she was supposed to do, and when she was supposed to do it. She was not in any position to question his authority.

“Please, everyone. Let’s take a seat now, and prepare ourselves. I’m hoping that today will be an exciding venture into how muggles not only live their daily lives without magic, as I’m sure most of you are aware, but also how they are able to provide for themselves and their families as such.” Annemarie’s warm smile only grew as she peered over all of the students, and then briefly at the door hoping that all that were supposed to be there, were in fact there. Taking out her notes, she started to call role. “Please say here, when your name is called out.”

Putting her role sheet down when she had finished, Annemarie looked at the students again and continued to have a warm smile, that was just right on her face. It wasn’t to wide, nor was it to small, but at the same time it would have made many question what the woman was actually thinking about. “Today, we will be learning the ways of how muggles use power harnessed from natural resources they have come to adapt for their own usage. It’s the power of Electricity, and with this first lesson that I hope to help you all learn to better understand, welcome to muggle studies.” Annemarie raised her hands out away from herself from her sides, and gestured towards the items in front of her just for a moment. “I am Professor Van Aller,” she spoke calmly, and softly. The chalk rose from behind her and started to write out a blue print of sorts on the board of something they’d be making as the lesson progressed. That was for later though, and putting it up at that moment was just to get it out of the way.

“But first,” Annemarie said, as she walked in front of the class a bit only to then return to her podium, stand behind it and look as if she had something stuck on her mind. “What is Electricity? Can anyone tell me what the idea behind the force? The powers that even muggles have the strength to conquer over?” Annemarie stopped and looked around for hands to rise. Yes, it was going to be an excellent class. The students, their enthusiasm, and soon, their work would prove it.

{(Class is now in session. You may continue to enter the class if you are supposed to be here, but if you post as if you are late, then you do so at your own accord.)}

[Esmerelda Mizart]

Es entered the room just as the Professor was starting the lesson. For a moment, she was afraid the woman would call her out for being late. But, it didn't seem like it. She glanced around the room and caught site of Brandon, way in the far back, of course. She silently made her way to the back of the room and slide into the seat next to him, flashing him a smile.

"Hey stranger, try not to look so bored, class just started.."

She teased.

[sticks]

Ron came into class at a jog and took a seat next to Vanessa just as the professor called her name. Her hair was wild today and as the rest of the names followed she tried to calm it. She smiled at Vanessa then spotted her Transfiguration partner and flashed him a smile. It was good not to be completely late for once. Ron became slightly agitated with her hair and quickly tied it up just behind her ear so that red curls fountained over her shoulder and down her neck.

She set her ruck sack on the floor and looked up at the professor who smiled at them all. Ron smiled back. How wonderful to learn more about the muggles she had read so much about. The topic for today was one that most intrigued Ron and she had read much about it. When the question was posed, Ron's hand raised slowly into the air and back down again. 'Electricity is the consequence of moving charged particals like electrons, protons, and ions that make kinetic or potential energy.' It was a simple enough definition, one she hoped she recited correctly.

[Charlie Jones]

Charlie gave Dragos a greeting punch and nodded at him. She was glad to see the guy, considering that he wasn't holed up in the dorms or staying away from her anymore. It seemed that she had another chance to work at the relationships that were damaged before, and perhaps just in time if she played her cards right. "Wide awake," she told him.

The lesson then started and she was surprised how adept the professor was in getting the ball rolling. Not that the las professor hadn't, however she was glad to see that they wouldn't continue with some ancient wizard that droned on and on about Muggle mail carrier system.

Charlie had to pretend to gag at the answer that the Gryffindor gave, seeing as it was textbook definition and a little too pristine. Taking no interest in that, Charlie lazily put up a hand and added, "Don't they use stuff like water and air and junk? Water, air, even the sun..."

[viola]

And out of a textbook, Annemarie found that it probably was. Being that it may, she was already a bit perturbed with the Gryffindor’s apparent lacking in knowledge of the time, not to mention the other Slytherin that just happen to walk in just in the nick of time as well. Irritated, Annemarie’s foot tapped a bit as she tried to retain control of her temper that she could feel already raising. Such disrespect the students were not only showing for her by just getting to class when the class had just started, but also the respect they were showing for each other. That was how tolerance was lost within the race and that was the exact thing in Annemarie’s mind that led to what had just happened at Hogwarts. Annemarie breathed a bit and counted to ten in her head.

Annemarie’s smile faded as she lifted her eyes and narrowed them at Miss Mizart and then at Miss Price. “Thank you ladies, for deciding to join us. May I remind everyone, that my class starts before I begin to take role call, not as I’m just about to call out your names. As I am new, I know how many professor’s differ with their attendance. Therefore, no points will be docked, but due make sure to keep your eyes on the clocks, my dears. And that’s everyone’s first and only warning.” Her smiled grew again as to show everyone that she wasn’t that upset. She was used to a stricter rule at St. Catherine’s than the children at Hogwarts was obviously used to and Annemarie decided that she’d rule her classroom here the same way. She gave warning, and that was that.

It was then that Miss Price answered her question, and before Annemarie could even nod a sound was heard from the other side of the room. A gagging type sound that Annemarie just couldn’t believe from, what she thought was a nice girl. In fact, she was the same girl that had greeted her from before. Annemarie sighed and shook her head in Miss Jones direction. Another sign of disrespect was shown, and though Annemarie wasn’t one for the definition that Price had given, it wasn’t as if there needed to be any disrespect shown because of it. “Thank you Miss Jones, that’s five points. Next time, I think we can due without the sound effects of disapproval,” Annemarie said sternly, her voice seemed a bit cooler than it had when she had first started the class.

Annemarie was a stickler for respect and if anything it was her biggest peeve. These students would soon learn this; otherwise they’d pay for it with their house points. At St. Catharine’s there were other ways of dealing with unruly children. Annemarie had to say she liked the point system a lot better. “I expect from this class, being that it is made up of the role models of the school that you’d treat each other a bit better and learn to respect one another even if you don’t like each other. Respect and like are two different things. Remember that, and in this classroom, please abide by it.”

“And Miss Price, thank you for what many of books could have probably told you, but what is electricity in your own words? That is, if you had no previous reading knowledge?” Annemarie looked around the classroom and smiled encouragingly. “And this doesn’t only have to be answered by Miss Price, class….Miss Jones has given us her idea about what electricity is. Anyone else?”


(-5 Slytherin)