Beginning Magizoology: Lesson 1 ~ Flobberworms

[Rebecca Davenport]

This class is for all third years and anyone else who has never taken a beginning COMC class}

The creatures for today's lesson were hardly the cutest things on the planet, but studying a worm had it's advantages. If nothing else, it told Becca whether or not the students could handle and respect a more difficult creature. If they couldn't even manage to keep a flobberworm alive for an hour, there really was no point in them taking this class.

She had set up the class inside (no need to make it harder on the students by throwing them the late summer heat into the mix), desks set up facing the front and on top of each a small crate containing the day's subject.

Becca was seated at her desk, reading a book, but still (unusually) aware of the students filing in. Third years were like many of her creatures. You didn't want to turn your back on them.

[Jeremy Taylor]

Like his other electives, choosing to take this particular class hadn't taken much thought. Both of his cousins had taken the class and told him it was pretty neat and while having Davenport for a teacher was a plus, the best part of it was getting to work with animals.

Jeremy entered the room and took a seat in the back, peering into the crate in front of him. The small Ravenclaw grimaced at the worm inside before sitting back in his chair. Drew had warned Jeremy that the class started off slow, but had also assured him that it was worth a few slobberworms to get to the good animals. While he waited for the class to start, he took a cue from the teacher, pulled his book out of his school bag and started reading up on the day's lesson.

[Derrick Breckenridge]

Derrick sprinted down the stairs of the castle with a huge smile plastered on his face. Why? For the simple reason that it was his first Care of Magical Creatures lesson, something mind you, that he had been waiting for since his first year at Hogwarts. Derrick loved animals and while magical plants fascinated him he preferred nature not to bite back. Animals though were fascinating whether they be magical or just your plain run of the mill kind. Which is why he was so excited about this class and had been since he chose it. Hitting what seemed to be the bottom 10 steps Derrick counted to the fifth and leaped out onto the lawn. Landing on his feet he tucked into a roll and sprawled out on to the grass. Laying in the sun Derrick inhaled the warm air and smiled.

Picking himself up he checked his bag to make sure that he hadn't broken his ink well on his landing. Righting his robes he began to trot briskly to the classroom. The same smile still plastered to his face Derrick turned the knob and entered the classroom. Usually one to sit near the back he strode to the front and took a seat up there. Scanning the classroom he realized that he was one of the first two there. He knew he was early but had somewhat expected more people to be here. Shrugging he faced the front and continued to have the same large smile stuck to his face as he waited for more people to come and the class to start.

[Rebecca Davenport]

The bell rang out the hour, signaling the start of class. As the last toll sounded, the professor snapped her book shut and looked over her small class. Very small. Ah well, at least they looked well behaved. Hopefully they'd deal with the first lesson appropriately and they could move on quickly.

"Good day, students," she greeted them with what was just a hint of a smile. "As I hope you know, I am Professor Davenport and this is Beginning Magizoology. Over the course of this year, we will be discussing the characteristics, life cycles, care, feeding, and management of a number of magical creatures... starting today with a very simple one. The flobberworm."

"So, before I start lecturing, I like to know what you might already know," she continued, looking over her glasses at the students. "That way, I don't waste our time repeating information. Any thoughts?"

[Derrick Breckenridge]

Derrick looked down nervously as the class began. He wanted this class to go well so badly. He loved animals and hoped that meant it would translate into good marks in the class. The professor began the class and he couldn't help but stop being nervous and feel a surge of excitement go up his spine. Derrick didn't care what he animal they were handling as long as he got to work with something that was alive. The professor began the class and asked them what they knew about the animals they would be studying. This was a moment that Derrick just couldn't control himself and spit out everything he had read over the summer about Flobberworms.

" Well Professor Davenport flobberworms live in damp areas, such as ditches. They usually grow up to ten inches in length. The Flobberworm moves little, and it is impossible to tell one end from the other. One of the only good uses that can come out of the Flobberworm is its mucus which is used as a potion thickener. They eat most vegetation, though they seem to prefer lettuce. Flobberworms are a Class X beast and pose no threat to wizards."

Derrick caught his breath and looked down at his book. Had he said too much? Did he sound like a know it all? Both of which were things that Derrick had not intended what so ever but knew that his actions could be misconstrued as such. After being relatively silent for the past two years, what was so wrong with speaking up now? Shrugging it off Derrick waited for the next set of instructions or question from the Professor.

[Jeremy Taylor]

Jeremy slumped lower into his seat. Had they been given an assignment to read over the summer that he hadn't known about? That Huffle rattled off an answer for Professor Davenport as if he had eaten the textbook for breakfast. Of course, Jeremy thought that it was probably better for him in the long run. That Huffle could do all the work and Jeremy could sit and just listen, which was fine by him.

He leaned forward just a little to take another look inside the crate. He was quite familiar with flobberworms and actually felt a bit of a kinship with the slimy creatures. They were unwanted and useless and prefered to be left alone as well. With a sense of understanding, he smiled at his worm and gave it a small little pat. He wasn't sure if it knew or cared, but it made him feel better.

[Rebecca Davenport]

{woah... it has been a while... let's see if we can't pick things up?}

The professor raised one eyebrow, wondering if the young Huffle had gone so far as to memorize the whole text book. It really didn't matter much to the woman since it was a very solid, and complete, answer.

"Five points to Hufflepuff. Thank you Mr. Breckenridge," the woman responded, wondering if there was any point in even continuing the lesson. She did notice young Mr. Taylor though, who seemed to have an unusual connection to his worm. She marked another five points in her grade book for the boy's compassion to the lowliest of creatures. If he could be nice to something as unappealing as a Flobberworm, he had a lot of potential in her class.

"So, with a very thorough evaluation, let us see," she snickered to herself her small joke of lettuce, "Let us see how well you can care for your charges." She'd give them a few minutes to see how they did, and then move on to something else.