Beginner's lesson 3

[Alexander Griffiths]

Xander limped into his room, levitating a small box behind him. Having students that active in discussion and the journal intrigued him, so he was gonna test how good they really were. In the box were a selection of books about wars, and important events around the world. He wasn't going to concentrate on one thing only now, he was gonna get them to see and note things from around the world during the times of the ancient wizards. His first and second years seem to be the most active in all the students he taught, except the O.W.L's. He had pureposely given them practival since they already covered the written one.

These kids fascinate me on how much information they can get from that book without my guidance, now we'll see them tackle things like this he thought, smiling as he set down the box on the table and sat down on the chair. It seemed almost pathetic to have these first to second years not to learn about the world or just things that fascinate them. He was gonna encourage their curiosity of the past to have them be more active and even make them pass, there was much potential in them and he wanted to help them notice it more.

Xander could hardly wait, so he started to list down the keywords of the most important things in the books...

• Witch hunt
  
• Aztec curses
  
• Roman Gods
  
• Indian Royalty
  
• Griffiths
  
• Queerditch
  
• Potter or peverell
  
• Deathly Hollows
  
• Black
  
• Death eaters
  
• Voldemort
  
• Grindelwald
  
• Egyptians
  
• Hebrew slavery
  
• Filipino Witch Doctors
  
• Chinese illusionists
  
• African sorcerers
  

He looked at the list and he knew he could go farther, but his hand was already aching from all the keywords he wrote. So he copied it and levitated the copies to the tables with an added note saying "That's not the whole list, find the others for yourselves" Xander smiled and then he stood up and walked over to a window, he stared out of it as he waited for his students. He hoped that this lesson would be better than his other lessons.

[Jeremy Taylor]

Jeremy peeked into the class he hated almost as much as Charms and Transfiguration. Almost, because Professor Griffiths had taken to ignoring him and leaving Jeremy alone to read the history book on his own. Though the writing was a bit dry, he found the stories interesting and liked how they matched some of the stories his Grandmother and Granddad told.

He still wasn't sure why he had to go to class, but no longer had an argument since Drew had returned to his own class. Jeremy wasn't thrilled about being the first one in class that day, and almost sat in the hallway instead, but seeing as the man was looking out the window, the small boy snuck in and slipped into a seat in the back. He noticed the list on his desk, scanned it, but didn't like any of the options. He got enough stories about witch hunts and Quidditch from home, thought it was kind of silly to see the professor's name on the list, and wondered if he'd be able to find his own name in a history book. He doubted he'd find Taylor, but what if Thornton was in there? Or what if... what if Taylor actually was in a book and he could prove that Daddy actually was a Muggle-born Squib like he teased. Jeremy giggled to himself at the family joke as he opened his book and found a chapter he thought looked interesting.

[Carys Abendroth]

Carys was determined this time to tackle whatever History of Magic would bring. The last two lessons had been difficult, she had been intrigued by the difference in teaching methods, but it hadn't been enough to keep her mind focused. The second year entered the familiar classroom, spotting Xander and one other student present. Carys gave her fellow classmate a smile and slipped into a forlorn seat. Her blond hair was pulled back today, she had tired of always brushing it off her head.

The projection journals that everyone had been given in the first lesson was removed and placed on the desk in front of her. She watched as Xander listed topics in a manner she hadn't witnessed from the man before. One particular topic caught her eye, Egyptians. There was something almost romantic about that era, with the legacy those great Egyptians all left behind. She wondered what secrets the journal hid inside. Carys figured it wouldn't hurt to take a peek, just until some more students arrived...

[Isabella Huntington]

Because she was such a late sleeper, Izzy never had the time to eat until after her first class of the day - Potions. On a normal day, she'd come up from the Dungeons and walk straight across the Entrance Hall into the Great Hall, where she'd help herself to two, sometimes three, helpings of whatever it was being served for breakfast that day. After that, the Gryffindor would then head up to the first floor for her History of Magic class. While that routine had always worked for her, the dragon pox she had caught several weeks ago didn't agree: Her appetite quickly began to disappear. The helpings she took at breakfast made their way down to two, than to one, and then eventually to just a piece of toast. It seemed that the illness had brought nausea with it, and Izzy was feeling it. In fact, her eyes hadn't even wandered over toward the Great Hall after Potions. There was no way that the Gryffindor would eat today - she felt too sick.

Instead, the red head greatly welcomed the extra time she had to get to her next class. Ever since the dizzy symptom first made itself known, Izzy's speed to get from here to there had greatly slowed down. She now took her time getting to where she needed to be, not caring if she'd be late. In fact, that was the last thing on her mind. All she could focus on was the pain she felt. It was too difficult for her to ignore it. In fact, if she had been at home, she'd be constantly whining to her parents.

Unfortunately for her, she wasn't at home and therefore had to suck it up as best she could. She'd go to classes for as long as possible before she was too weak to move. If her appearance was anything, it looked like that would be happening soon: she had already lost some weight. Other than the red rashes all over her body, three of which were visible - her neck, right cheek, and left hand - her now pale skin had lost all color to it. Bags had made their place at home under her sunken eyes, and her normally vibrant red hair was now dull. Yes, if her appearance was any sign, Isabella Huntington would be too weak to move fairly soon - Probably tomorrow.

'Just get through this day and then you can have off tomorrow,' Izzy told herself as she slowly made her way into the classroom. Once she arrived at her desk, she dropped into the seat and, just like she had done in Potions, let her head fall onto the desk.

[Jeremy Taylor]

As Jeremy read his book, his eyes could be seen, not reading but carefully watching as first one and then another Gryffindor girl came into the history room. Girls, of course, were mean and only interested in silly things, so the small Ravenclaw knew they needed to be watched very very carefully.

Especially that red-headed one. She was big trouble.... only this time, she didn't look so good. She was usually more bouncy and her hair usually reminded Jeremy of fire, but today everything about her seemed so tired. The only reason Jeremy said anything was he knew she wouldn't try to hit him if she was that weak.

"Psst!" he hissed at her, leaning low on his desk and hiding under his book. "You okay? You don't look so good."

[Alexander Griffiths]

Xander didn't mind the students much, as he continued to stare out the window. He didn't even notice that there were already three students in the classroom, until he heard a thump. That snapped Xander out of his trance and he looked around, surprised to see the students. But his focus was on one student, Izzy. He stood there for a moment as he watched jeremy moved a bit on his seat, probably to talk to the girl. But Xander didn't care what was happening, but since Izzy didn't look good he decided to ask her about it.

So he slowly walked over to where Izzy was, wondering what could be wrong with his usually very active student. He sat down on the chair next to Izzy and put a hand on her shoulder, "Are you alright, Izzy?" he asked. His voice was gentle and almost caring, something students don't see much on a teacher. Whatever his other students thought about it, he didn't care. Xander was a bit worried for Izzy, she was always bouncy and lively. But now she looked like someone had sucked the life out of her. "Do you want to go to the hospital wing?" he asked agian, still with his hand on the girls' shoulder and a worried expression on his face.

[Isabella Huntington]

Her head had only been down for a few seconds when Izzy heard a whispering voice ask a question. While she wasn't positive as to whom the question had been directed at, she had a pretty good feeling that it was meant for her. Unfortunately, that would require her having to answer it, which elicited a soft groan from her. The last thing she wanted to do was move or talk. Nausea was beginning to creep up on her and she always found that the more she did when nauseous, the more her stomach threatened to show off its contents. However, the familiar voice surprised Izzy. If it was who she thought it was...

Very slowly, the first year turned her head to face the direction from which the voice had come. Sure enough, it was that stupid Ravenclaw boy, Jeremy Taylor. Ever since that day in the library, the two students had done everything but get along, so Izzy was surprised to find that he was actually kind of showing some concern for her. "No, I don't feel good," she responded, in a voice that was anything but angry and annoyed, like it usually sounded when she talked to Jeremy.

And then she felt a hand on her shoulder, and soon heard the voice of her professor, asking her if she was okay, and then if she wanted to go to the hospital wing. Izzy didn't bother to look up, instead keeping her head on the desk, when she responded. "I think I have what everyone else has." By now, she was almost sure she had what a large majority of those in the castle had, unlike at the beginning of her illness when she was too stubborn to believe it was anything but a simple cold.

She contemplated the second part of Professor Griffiths question about the hospital wing. She could go now - heck, she could really use it - but she was a fighter. She had already promised herself that after today, she'd take a break. As soon as her last class was done, she'd be under the covers in her dormitory, fast asleep until the next day and when she would go down to the hospital wing. Until then, she'd just suck it up... hopefully.

"I think I'm okay for now," she said, her voice sluggish. She wasn't sure if that was the truth, but she decided to go with it anyway.

[Jeremy Taylor]

The girl in front of him didn't snap, didn't hit, didn't even tell him to shove it someplace that might be uncomfortable. At that moment, Jeremy was reminded of his little sister who was the biggest pain in the neck, but when she fell and hurt herself, he couldn't help but be nice to her.

"No, I don't feel good," she responded, and Jeremy was about to ask if she needed to go to nurse, when the professor came up and did it instead.

Jeremy shrunk back and slid further into his seat, going back to reading his book. The man's words and actions spoke volumes to the small Ravenclaw. How dare Jeremy forget he wasn't allowed to talk to one of the teacher's favorites, especially when they had red hair! Jeremy had forgotten, but was now reminded. He wouldn't make that mistake again.