"Ancient History; Egypt" Lesson Two, History of Magic Class (All Years)

Last edited by Madison Reid on Thu Dec 06, 2012 9:31 pm; edited 2 times in total

Lesson Two, "Ancient History - Egypt"

---Textbook:

Spoiler:

Expectations

Students shall not disrupt the class. Punishment for doing so will be held at the discretion of the Professor.
If addressed, students are expected to have an intelligible response.
Students will not waste the Professor's valuable time. The Professor will not take questions before or after classes, unless otherwise stated. No Exceptions.
No Excuses will be accepted for incomplete homework.
If the student requires the Professor's attention after hours, an appointment must be requested by owl at least a week in advance. Even then, it is the Professor's choice whether to oblige or not, or reschedule the appointment if need be.

Grading System
Outstanding- Far beyond the expectations of the assignment or test, and containing no errors. The completed assignment is also organized well, and contains no damages such as rips, tears, or creases on the parchment. The parchment itself, in other words, is at a professional standard. Outstanding grades are worth 30 House points.
Exceeds Expectations- Somewhat above the expectations of the assignment, and containing few errors. The completed assignment is also organized well, and contains very few damages, such as rips, tears, or creases on the parchment. The parchment itself, in other words, is very neat and clean. Exceeds Expectations grades are worth 15 House Points.
Acceptable- The assignment has met the standards of the task, and may or may not contain errors. The assignment basically contains the bare minimum. Acceptable grades are worth 10 House Points.
Poor- The assignment is below the expectations of the set assignment, and/or contain many errors. Poor grades receive no House Points.
Troll- The assignment was not turned in at all. Troll grades receive no House Points.

---
"In this class, whether it relates to the lesson or not, I will always answer all your questions to the best of my ability.
I will not try to conceal the truth from you, as this textbook may wish for me to.
Some of you, when you graduate, will find decent jobs, some of you may go about keeping your heads down, simply enduring the war that I will not leave unacknowledged.
And some of you... may join the Death Eater cause. I will not seek to sway your decisions, nor tell you right from wrong. I would not even ask you to work hard in this class unless you choose to do so.
All I desire for you, is that by the end of this year, you will leave this class with your own opinions. Not shaped by me, or your parents, or even your friends.
I want you all to know, that you have the power over your own choices."
---

Professor Reid sat at her desk, her textbook open to the lesson she was to teach today. She was taking notes on the sorts of things that plagued the thoughts of those like her; like the Order, what good it would do, the people in it and how trustworthy they could be, and most importantly, how she could possibly train these people, as Michelle had requested.

Around the classroom, displays of Egyptian artifacts adorned the room. Most were under glass for their- as well as the students'- protection. Madison had tested all of these trinkets to be sure they weren't fatal, and many enchantments on the objects had grown ineffective, but she didn't want to take any risks.

In fact, the only display that wasn't covered in glass, was a wide table directly in front of Madison's desk, and was within her sight no matter where she stood in the room. Spaced apart evenly, were boxes, each containing an Egyptian trinket or amulet that rested on red velvet cushions. These particular amulets were to be used for the lesson today, and therefore Madison made them available to her students.

It had been awhile since Madison had arrived to her own classroom early, especially this early. There was still an hour left before class started, so she had all the time in the world until then.

History of Magic was a dull, dull class. It only proved to show exactly how utterly bored the Slytherin 6th year prefect was to attend such a thing.
As it was, the only thing Brianna carried to class that day was her wand, the required textbook, and a pencil she had rolled up in a half foot paper. It wasn't like she needed anything else, and she felt as if she was seriously starting to develop a limp from the book bag she usually carried around.
She wasn't sure what to expect of this class - the Hogwarts rumor mill had plenty of stories about the bat-crazy professor, sure, but rumors were always exaggerated. She seemed, at least, like any stereotypical stuck-up teacher. Giving the woman a curt nod, her eyes fell upon the objects on the table.
They were an assortment of things - all ancient, obviously. She stared at the amulets for a few more seconds before turning and dropping what little she had at an empty table. Were they studying the history behind magical artifacts?

Jackson stepped inside the classroom. They had History right now, didn't they? But he didn't hear anyone talking... He decided to take a seat at the front of the room and wait. He nearly bumped into a table, but his cane hit a table leg and he avoided it, finding a seat and stowing his now-folded cane in his robe pocket.

Curtis walked into the room behind a younger boy in about 2nd or 3rd year he imagined. He looked around giving a smile to the teacher happy as always to be in class and to learn. Curtis scanned the room quickly noting several artifacts of apparent Egyptian origins from what he could tell. He looked around again seeing only one other student besides the boy in front of him. A girl perhaps his year or maybe 6th. She looked unamused to be there. Her back was to him so he knew she had not seen him yet.

Jackson heard a person behind him, but didn't talk to them. He had no reason to. He wondered if maybe there's already almost a roomful of kids and just no-one was talking. He thought he heard breathing, but he could be imagining it, or it could be the person behind him.

7th Year Posts : 67 Stats : 84 Join date : 2011-05-06

---
Shadow walked into class and took the first open seat he saw, which just so happened to be in the very back of the class, in the corner, and near the door. As always, he was quiet and soundless as he set down his things on the table. The things he brought to class were his sketchbook, a pencil, a quill and some ink, his textbook, and several sheets of parchment that were tucked into the first page of the textbook.

He made no attempt to converse with his fellow students, as there was no point to it, and he didn't want be a bother to anyone. Instead, he opened his sketchbook to a blank page and started drawing one of the artifacts displayed close to him. He was merely waiting for class to begin, and it would be about twenty or so minutes before it did.
---

(Just waiting for Mystery and one or two more students ^_^)

Certainly History of Magic was the last class Dein could have ever wanted to attend, but after his conversation with the Headmistress, the time for ditching was over. He had to be 'a good student' now, and a 'suitable example' to other students. So, he walked in with his messenger bag, ready to get it over with.

And of course, to make even better, Miss Kyler had shown up to class as well. He did not feel put out because of it, however. Instead of suffering, he decided to make her suffer instead. So, he waltzed on up to the front row and took a seat right next to his new acquaintance, which conveniently placed him right smack dab in the middle of Kyler's view.

"Hello again Jackson." Dein greeted with a lop-sided smirk.

(edited)

Oh, for the love of all things holy - WHY was he here?
It took a tremendous amount of effort for Brianna to not slam her head down on the desk. Be it as it may, she laid her forehead on her arm, closing her eyes irritatedly. The two of them were like warring countries, making each others lives a living Hell whenever they met. Brianna would have been more than happy to ignore him, if it weren't for the fact that his big inflated head was in the way of her view in the board. Annoying tall bigot, he was. She resolved to not pay a whit's bit attention to him if she could help it.

Curtis sat a few rows back from the Slytherin's hoping someone from his own house showed up so he was not alone.

Jackson heard a familiar voice, but he couldn't quite place it. "Hullo." He smiled.

Last edited by Lucien Dupre on Sun Dec 09, 2012 9:09 am; edited 2 times in total

Lucien swiftly walked in. He gave no care to whether he was late or not. It didn't bother him if Slytherin lost a few points. He didn't even have to be here, the History of Magic was of no use to him. It was just to break his repetitive routine of wandering round Hogwarts like its new ghost.

He gave a polite nod to the raven-haired teacher. His eyes lingered on the little trinkets for a split second before he found interest elsewhere.

Despite their previous meeting, his eyes never wandered to Curtis as he passed by the boy's table. He would give him his space.

The majority of the class were acquaintances. The greetings between the Hufflepuff and Dein, proved it as did the occasional glance Brianna cast towards Dein. He had had four years spent with the Slytherins in the Dungeons, it was to no surprise that he would forget their names.

Lucien's gaze slowly roamed over the attendees from his vantage point near the window.

The Egyptian artifacts was pleasing to the eye, bringing him memories to the time in Muggle primary school. It was so different back then, he actually had something to smile about. A ghost of a smile crossed his lips.

(Mysteryyyyyy~)

"How's your owl doing?" Dein asked, as though nothing could make him happier then to have a conversation with the young Hufflepuff student. At the same time, however, he opened his textbook to the appropriate page for today's lesson, as stated on the board. He then glanced up at the clock; about ten minutes until class started.

It must be Dein Jackson was talking to, then. "Taylor's alright. At least, I think so. He can't tell me what he does, but he hasn't been acting off."
He heard Dein open a book. "What page in the textbook?" He asked, pulling his out of his knapsack. Class would probably start soon, then.

5th Year Posts : 129 Stats : 67 Join date : 2011-03-20

Soundlessly, the door to the classroom had opened and closed.

Next to Shadow sat Mystery, her lifeless face staring forward, and the immediacy of distaste
followed. Though none could see but Shadow, it was the expression which held her face. More
then she had ever seen before, the colors exploded over every student in the classroom. A
bright yellow breaking through the tensed greens and shaky reds, strong and violent.

Not a word left the girls lips. Her fingers, beneath the desk in front of her, quivered with the
need to escape. To back away and leave. But what was she to do? It could never leave her.

She glanced down at her desk, holding her breath and her eyes closed, as she took in the white
cave of Shadow's presence.

Appreciating.

Even as the students filed in close to a half hour early, Madison made no acknowledgment of any of them, even the rare student that actually took notice in her rather than conversing with their classmates. For the time being, Madison's attention was only for her own thoughts. She wasn't going to make any effort towards her students until class officially began.

The parchment in front of her was filled with irrelevant notes; random scribbles, some nonsense about creating a 'safe' place for practicing, and who would be called upon first. None of these notes had anything to do with school, of course, and had any of the students looked upon her parchment, they would only see what its enchantment wanted them to see: a blank page.

Once the clock struck the exact time for class, Madison stowed the parchment away, and stood from her desk to gaze upon those who were currently in attendance. Brianna Kyler, Dein Edrins, and Lucien Dupre, from Slytherin. Jackson Smith and Shadow Grace from Hufflepuff. And, with a ghost of a smile, she acknowledged those from Ravenclaw; Curtis Fortiter, and Mystery Grace.

She gave no greetings to the class, and instead, plunged right into business, "I'm sure you've all noticed by now, that we will be discussing the History of the Egyptians today. Once you've all opened your books, we may begin."

Last edited by Dein Edrins on Sat Dec 08, 2012 7:56 pm; edited 1 time in total

~~"Page Three-hundred and Ninety Four."~~ (x3)

"Twenty-seven," Dein murmured as the Professor drew the class's attention and waited for everyone to open their books. He stared at his page, but was merely skimming through it. He'd siphon information when it was actually required of him. Now that class had started, Dein could feel the dull atmosphere it wreaked, and immediately regretted coming. He had to sit here, for two hours? He'd rather go through the Triwizard Tournament all over again.

As he stared rather blankly at the page, his thoughts drifted with ease, and without pause. He thought of the offer he had received from Naer, and how he could possibly bare staying here, in the same castle as her. How tormenting it was, to know what she didn't, and despising her for it. If she knew, how differently would she have treated him? Would she have even made her own knowledge known to him? Or would she keep it as well, as he has, in some sort of ruse, thinking she was protecting him?

He had never considered much about the Headmistress, but just what sort of person was she, behind closed doors? Was she just as twisted as the family in which he had been cut from? Dein just didn't understand how he could know the truth about her, and yet feel as though he'd gotten know where because of it. If he had just kept his mouth shut, way back at the beginning of the tournament, would he have been better off?

(edited)

7th Year Posts : 67 Stats : 84 Join date : 2011-05-06

---
Mystery's presence beside him had brought Shadow to stare endlessly at the artifact he had once been sketching. The page in his book was elaborately drawn out, not a single detail missing. The curves of the gold chain, the sunshine from the window reflecting off the edges, and even the microscopic hieroglyphics that were engraved along both sides. While others may have saw it as a work of art; Shadow thought otherwise. It was merely a fabrication of reality. A poor replication of the truth that rested behind the cold glass, outside of his reach.

As class began, Shadow looked up at Professor Reid, while at the same time turning his book open to the appropriate page. He then interlaced his fingers as he devoted his attention to the lesson. He left his sketchbook open to the drawing, and occasionally looked upon his work, as he ran his fingertips along the corners of the page. The feel of paper across his skin was something he was kindly familiar with. He took one, short glance towards Mystery, before returning his attention to the Professor.

Shadow had always been grateful that he could be of some help to his sister and shield her from the torment that plagued her. But as the last few weeks of school here at Hogwarts were coming to a close, it only left a painful reminder that she would soon have to face it on her own. The thought of their separation could only mean the worst upon his sister. Of all the bane's the Grace family has suffered, Mystery's was by far the most extreme. To constantly be under attack by the rampant emotions of those around her, it was something Shadow could never fully imagine, or understand, or even relate to.
---

"Thanks." Jackson whispered, turning to the right page in his textbook. They were learning about Egypt today. He vaguely remembered some stuff from muggle school, but nothing magical. Had he ever even gone to History of Magic class before? He couldn't remember. He knew Professor Reid taught the class and she hadn't been doing well for the last few years...

Curtis sat in a seat almost dead middle of the rest of the seats. He pulled out his book and fiddled with the cover idly. No relevant information was being spoken to him so he took the opportunity to look around and realize how quiet and subdued the class was. Didn't look like there would be any excitement today...at least for now...

Last edited by Lucien Dupre on Sat Dec 22, 2012 2:41 pm; edited 1 time in total

Lucien's fingers caressed the surface of the edges of paper. At the perfect position, his finger paused and pierced the two pages apart.

Ancient History.

No pride nor amazement touched Lucien's emotions. There was no such thing as luck, everything was based upon solid strength, strategy and skill.

Whilst everyone was turning their pages, he took the time to have his oddly-coloured gaze wander around the classroom. He further examined the ancient artifacts scattered around the room before he lost interest.

He eyed the teacher warily for any word after all the students had turned to their pages. His thoughts soon wandered to Professor Binns, the ghost who had managed to secure the History of Magic post for a few decades. He was sure that the ghost was probably having a more lively situation than they had now. [~excuse the pun]

(If anyone ever wanted to rp Professor Binns interrupting class, that's totally fine as long as you run it by me first xD Realistically, he would still be here, and probably still want to go through his routines xD)

Once she saw they all had their books open, she pressed on, "Now then. Egypt thrived between the years 3000 and 1000 B.C. and here, magic was greatly integrated with society. It was just as well-respected as architecture, literature, medicine, and so on. Of course, these days, we all know magic is kept secret from the rest of the world, so as to retain the balance between muggle and wizard. I'm sure the world of today would not take to magic as well as the Egyptians had." She took a swift glance at the page of the textbook before looking up to address her class again, "Can someone tell me what the Egyptians used magic for?"

Jackson thought. He wouldn't be able to read his textbook as fast as the other kids, but he might know something they didn't. The Bagdad Battery came to mind, but that wasn't what Professor Reid wanted. How magic was used in ancient Egypt? He knew they believed Ra pulled the sun on a chariot... Worshipped cats, had sphynxes and pyramids, mummified pharos... Could that be it?
"Professor, did they use potion-making in making mummies?" He asked, raising his hand.

(Misspellings are intentional)

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