(7/22) OWL&NEWT Bubble-Head Charm: Class 2

Charms Class
Mon, July 22nd- Sun, July 28th
Bubble-Head Charm: Years 4-7 (OWL and NEWT Level)
Day 2

Bring all required materials to every class (writing quill, parchment, and wand). If you fail to bring an item, you will not be allowed to leave to classroom to retrieve it. House points will be deducted.

Food and Drink are not permitted in the classroom. The Great Hall is open at all hours, there is no reason for you to need either during the course of Charms Class.

House Points will be both awarded and taken away during class. Any complaints are unacceptable. In earning house points, participation is key.

Be respectful to those around you and treat others the way you want to be treated. There will be no tolerance for rude or disrespectful behavior.

Poor behavior will not be tolerated. Detentions will promptly be handed out to those who fail to acknowledge this.

Textbooks will be provided in class. They are not to leave the classroom unless asked for special permission. It's suggested that you ask and sign out the textbooks in order to study for upcoming tests within the class and examinations (OWL and NEWT).

Homework will often be assigned. It is suggested that time is utilized at the end of each class to copy down the problems from the textbook before completing them. Permission is required to sign out any textbook. (OOC: Eirina will hand out homework. If you complete it and submit it via PM, you can earn House Points)

Claudia didn't really like going to classes as much as it seemed like to everyone else's eyes. She had to do well though so she had no choice. She walked into the charms classroom and put on her best smile.
"Hello Headmistress, Hope you are having a good day so far."

With that she found a seat in the row closest to the front and took out a book that she had become interested in. It was a good way to pass the time.

Timothy smiled at Naer and waved with the Charms book he'd borrowed before sitting in his preferred seat, off-center in the second row. There were 3 other students in class, a Gryffindor girl in the last row and 2 students in the front row, a boy and a girl judging by their haircuts. Timothy couldn't see their house ties. He took the time before class started to arrange the textbook, parchment, and inkwell on the desk.

In high spirits today Jett marched into the Charm's classroom with head held high and a smile on his face. He was ready to learn something new today and it bolstered his good mood. He made a quick sweep of the students as he walked in, sensing Eleanie in the back by her aura of angst. Jett walked quickly by her, avoiding contact, and took a seat in the second row behind Claudia.

"Good afternoon Headmistress," he called over to Naer's desk as he prepared a parchment for note taking.

(Since I'm attending my own class, Eirina will not make any comments on Ella or Fan, nor will either of them be able to gain or lose house points. I had just thought to mention that.)

Fan walked into Charms class with Ella right behind her. Fan looked around the room with a new sense of excitement and pure enthusiasm. Out of all of the academic classes, Charms was once of her favorites, but Art and Divinations topped Charms by far. Either way, Fan's eyes shimmered with love and exuberance.

On the other hand, there was Ella, cool and collected as she entered the classroom. Last time, she had skipped Charms class, for good reason of course. That was when she had had her run in with Kaden. Though Ella pushed that thought away as quickly as it came, not with distaste but with looking toward the future. She didn't like to dwell, not that it was ever a bad thing, she simply liked to keep going. It was a story, after all, and she'd rather reread her book at the end.

Claudia looked up from her book and surveyed everyone who came through the door. Their were two Gryffindors who she had not met yet, Timothy and Jett who she had met before, and two Ravenclaw girls she had not met yet either. She knew she would have to introduce herself but she knew she would have trouble with that. She decided to put the thought out of her head and put her book away since she had long lost interest in it. She got out her textbook she borrowed, some parchment and her quill with her inkwell. She crossed her legs and sat up straighter. She was not going to lose focus today. She couldn't afford to. She sighed and looked out the window at the far wall.

"Good afternoon, class."

Eirina looked around, counting the students in her class: who was present, who was either not coming or potentially tardy. She made a quick note in her mind, and her chalk began to write on the board.

"Today we will be going over the Bubble-Head Charm. Before we take out our textbooks, tell me, what do you already know of the bubble-head charm? And don't worry if you don't know anything, this charm has never been mentioned before in a class, so it should be new information. If you'd like, take a guess."

This would show who would step up. Sure, some students studied outside of class, but that wasn't what she was concerned about. They didn't need to know what this charm was yet. Eirina just wanted to see who had the guts to guess, and probably guess wrong. She needed to get a better feel for each student, especially since today was going to be a bit different.

There were 3 Gryffindors, majority girls, 1 Slytherin boy, and 3 Ravenclaws, majority girls. The class size was not nearly as big as she had hoped, but it was what it would be. Eirina would have to return to her office and try to figure out the numbers that she had of students in each year, see who she was missing and what they were doing.

"Does it expand the head of the person it's being cast on?" Timothy asked while raising his hand. Naer hadn't told them to call out answers like last class, nor had she asked them to raise their hands, so Timothy did both.
Could the bubble-head charm do something stupid like cause soap bubbles to come out your ears? Though that might be useful for containing the steam from a pepper-up potion...

Jett was preparing for the lesson, his thoughts going over the spells from last class, when a few more students walked in. He did not recognize them all but his eyes rested for a moment on Ella as her and another girl took their seats. She seemed to be in most of his classes yet they not spoken since their morning encounter. Quickly grabbing his quill Jett penned out in eloquent  script a short note and surreptitiously sent it over to Ella's desk.

Jett's Note to Ella:

His task done, Jett turned back to the front of the room as the Headmistress began her lesson. The bubble head charm...he had read about that one over the summer. It was mentioned in a book of wizard's discovering ancient treasure. Someone had used to to explore deep underwater caves in search of artifacts.

Jett politely kept his hand raised after Timothy gave the incorrect answer and supplied his own. "The bubble head charm creatures a pocket, or bubble, of air around the casters head."

Timothy whipped his head around to glare at the Gryffindor girl in the last row. It had been quiet, but he'd heard her comment. How dare she? "I don't see why you feel the need to say something like that about someone you don't know." He hissed. Hopefully Naer would dock points or something, but he wasn't sure she heard.

Timothy spoke first, but Eirina could hardly focus on his answer because she could hear Eleanie's voice, just a whisper. Her attention was split, and she was sure that whatever Eleanie said probably wasn't anything nice, seeing that it was a whisper after all, and coming from Eleanie, leaving Eirina with very little doubts about her suspicions. She didn't really end up hearing Timothy, in the end, but she knew from what snippets that she heard about an expanded head, that he wasn't correct.

But then another voice perked up over the crowd, and Eirina turned her gaze onto Jett now. He had the answer, quick nearly perfect, and she guessed that he must have studied in the library or something like that before. Or maybe he was most interested in something like aquatic spells. Either way, she didn't know.

"Good try Timothy, 5 points to Slytherin. And yes, Jett would be correct, so that will be 10 points to Ravenclaw. So, when it comes--" Eirina was cut off when Timothy turned his back to her, facing Eleanie, and both were clearly angry with each other as she could feel the vicious vibs, "Warning, both of you, I will not tolerate this kind of rudeness. Turn around, stop whispering, and pay attention."

She looked at them both with hardened eyes, trying to be sure that her point was coming across. Next time, she would begin to deduct points, and throw out a few detentions of course too. Eirina didn't enjoy detentions, but they did pretty well in teaching the students how to behave properly. Afterall, no one really wanted to spend time with Eirina, out of class, when she could be doing something better.

"As I was saying. The Bubble-Head Charm forms a protective bubble which goes around the caster’s head, or for those of a higher skill level, that perfectly fits around the caster's nose and mouth."

She took a pause so that both the chalk and the students could keep up with her, since she gave a good bit of information, before she continued on and asked another question.

"Now, just shout it out. Someone new of course, or multiple people if you can elaborate or add on to someone's answer. Or disagree too, I guess. When, or where, or under what circumstance do you think this charm would be used? You don't have to answer them all, I just want to hear something."

Timothy faced front again, slightly ashamed for getting told off but more frustrated that Naer hadn't done anything about the rude girl in the back of class.
"Sorry, professor." He muttered, writing down the purpose of the bubble-head charm. Oh well, if the girl had made such a comment once she would likely do it again, and Naer would catch her.

Claudia wrote down what was being said in a swift manner. She didn't feel up to answering questions today even if she knew the answer. She just wanted to get her notes written and try to go unnoticed for the rest of the class. She began drawing around the edges of her parchment occasionally looking up at the Headmistress.

Fan didn't notice Kaden and his kindness of pulling out a chair, she was simply drifting around the charms room until she found a seat that she thought felt the most convincing with a good aura, as Fan was a very supersticious person. Coincidentally, the seat was only one over from Timothy, and she smiled very brightly and waved in his direction as she sat down.

On the other hand, there was Ella, who gave a quiet and grateful nod toward Kaden as she took the seat that he had offered to her, laughing a little bit as she watched Fan maneuver into a seat across the room, being the quirky and superstitious girl that she was. Ella liked her though, regardless of whether Ella shared Fans beliefs or not, because Fan was one of the happiest people that Ella had known, and she had great respect for her ability to stay pleased.

It was only a note that had ever so softly drifted in front of her that had grabbed her attention. In the other direction, she peeked, catching glimpses of a very handsome boy. Ella's peachy lips curled into a small smile as her delicate fingers traced the fragile paper of the note, before opening. Reading through the beautifully scripted handwriting, Ella felt an overwhelming smile cover her face and bubbles rise in her lungs. She let out a nearly silent laugh, only one of pleasure of course, and looked over at Jett, fully this time, with that smile still shining on her face.

"That would be a circumstance, Eleanie, yes, but an inappropriate use of one. You will not target other students, even if it is just in words, refrain yourself next time and use better judgement. 10 points from Gryffindor."

Eirina nodded her head, asserting her authority in the classroom. She would not simply just let a student bully another, directly or indirectly, physically or verbally. It was forbidden in Hogwarts, and of course forbidden in her classroom. She did not say it aloud, but it should have been clear enough. The next time that Eleanie did that, it would be a detention for her.

She listened, or so she acted, as Kaden spoke about the water, and just as Eirina was going to bring up a strong point that many students missed in regards to using the bubble-head charm outside of the water, Kaden had mentioned it. She was surprised, and taken aback a little, but continued on.

"Yes, very good, Kaden. 10 points to Gryffindor, and an extra 5 for exceeding my expectations. It is very, very important for you all to note that the bubble-head charm is not limited to just and only water. It can be used outside of water, as well. It is constructed to be a breathing apparatus, one that's goal is to protect. Now, class, if you'll open to page 10 in your textbooks..."

She pulled open her own textbook, flipping the pages with magic on her desk. Eirina never looked at the textbook, but it was still there on her desk anyway. (I'll post the textbook in my next post, or I'll edit this one in a second...depends on how I feel XD)

"Who can give me an example of a situation where I'd be using the bubble-head charm out of the water? And do not use your fellow classmates as examples."

Eirina looked directly at Eleanie as she spoke.

His quill moving lazily in his hand, Jett divided his attention between Professor Naer, his book, and Ella. He wanted to see her reaction to his note, to make sure she would speak with him. He was rewarded for his efforts with a brilliant smile. He had intended for just a glance but let his eyes remain on her glistening lips for a few heartbeats. Tearing his eyes away he let the thought of her pass through his mind, tucking it away until he could devote himself to her. For now he had more pertinent matters.

A verbal altercation was taking place behind him. He heard Eleanie's voice twice insult other students, her mocking tone clear in the hushed room. Jett let a quiet sigh escape and focused back on the headmistress. At least it was now obvious that Eleanie behaved poorly to everyone and not just him. It eased his conscious a bit knowing that he had not done anything in particular to warrant her wrath. He would not change his actions towards her, he would remain chivalrous and polite, but he knew now to watch out for her claws.

After Headmistress Naer posed another question Jett took a moment to consider. It was new knowledge to him that the spell was often used outside of water. There were many circumstances he could imagine using it for now that he knew. Hoping he would not bother anyone by answering another question so soon, Jett raised his hand and spoke clearly and confidently. "Combined with the flame-freezing charm the caster may walk through a burning building with ease, safe from the smoke and fumes."

A Ravenclaw girl Timothy hadn't met before waved at him as she sat down, one seat seperating them. Or had he met her before? He'd have to keep an eye on her. Naer took points from Gryffindor for the girl being rude again, but the boy earned them back and then some. Timothy maybe you'd use the bubble-head charm if you were someplace with a lot of air pollution, but the Ravenclaw boy had already answered.
"Professor?" He raised his hand. "If a person were to have allergies to something you breathe in, this charm would help with that, right?"

Eirina listened and nodded her head, satisfied with both of the answers that she was provided with. Both students displayed the ability to understand a variety of situations, just as she was looking to hear.

"Very well put, the two of you. 10 points to Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Now, looking at both of these situations, it's very important that you all understand, and this pertains to all spells, that there are a variety of situations and circumstances that all spells can be used under."

She paused for a moment, making sure that she had everyone's attention for this next part. These students would soon be entering the real world, where if there was a spell thrown at you, you'd have to react. You don't get the time to pause and think anything through, and it won't always be so easy to simply shout a spell back. In the real world, things were different, and you have to be smart, quick, and flexible.

"When you enter the world, outside of hogwarts, your opponent will not be giving you the time to think your spells through and contemplating which fit and work the best. You have mere seconds. And you may not be up against a witch or a wizard who vocalizes their spells. You could find yourself facing a creature, a fast changing predicament, or anything, really, and the situations will never be the same. There's more to spell casting then just memorizing a page in a book. Please, keep that in mind."

She stressed the please, as it wasn't so much of a please but a demand. She'd be sure to teach the students later on how to think on their feet, but that wasn't what this specific class period was meant for. She'd have one halfway through the year, and another at the end of the year. Plus after class time, for those who were smart enough to seize the opportunity.

Spoiler:

"As you can see in your textbook, there are a few very important things that you need to keep in mind when using this spell. Two people, please read them aloud to the class."

She turned back to look at her chalk, making sure that it was highlighted the key phrases that she was saying. When she realized it wasn't, she glared at the chalk for only a second before it hurriedly wrote all of the things that it had missed. With a nearly silent sight, Eirina turned back to the class, awaiting to hear some answers. Hopefully, they'd be able to get them on the first go, that way Eirina could move on to her activity.

Timothy was glad to be earning house points, instead of that rude Gryffindor girl, but reading aloud from the textbook? He didn't want to seem like a brown-noser, he decided he'd wait a few seconds to see if anyone else would go. And OF COURSE there wouldn't be time to pick and choose spells if you were in a duel, but the right spell would just come to you unthinking, wouldn't it?

(I better get some posssstsssss....I have a REALLY fun activity plaaaannnnedddddd...)

Eleanie was hoping to lose more house points, but her desire did not change the fact that she only lost 10. She hated the cocky grins that played on Gryffindors smug faces as if they were kings and queens alike. They thought they were better than everyone else in the ooze of confidence, and the way they politely treated others. At least with Slytherin they are more vocal about it. They speak in black and white, not in grey like the Gryffindors do. It sicken her at the sight of it.

Just then an idea detached itself off the tree of knowledge giving Eleanie an idea that showed on her face, and a gleam in her eye. She went to her little black book and wrote down one name: Claudia Evens.

Kaden seemed to be focusing on class, much more than usual of late. His attention hardly faltered to the distraction of others, even though he sometimes took a glance at Ella, or Fan. It seemed like the summer rejuvenated his spirits or he was trying to contrast himself against his sister to Eirina. He read through the passage twice, before even taking not of what the Headmistress asked, so he did not know that she asked someone to answer a particular question, but Eleanie had heard and said, "If I was going to use a poison, it is not necessarily need to be ingested through the mouth, but through skin as well."

Timothy ignored the rude Gryffindor girl. If she wanted to try to earn house points now, he would earn more. He quickly scanned the textbook, finding what he needed.
"Another thing to remember is multiple reports of bad breath causing trouble with this spell after 30 minutes." He glared at the pages. Really, bad breath? Halitosis gets a mention in a school textbook? He wondered if it meant they smelled their own bad breath, or if the stink actually affected how well the spell worked.