► Dangerous, But Necessary [8th Years], Human Transfiguration

[Wes Bailey]

This was a very important lesson and one that the students were required to learn before their time at the school ended. Unfortunately, it was also one of the most dangerous bits of magic they were to learn during their time at Seiseux. Care of Magical Creatures taught dragons. Defense Against the Dark arts brought dementors in. And Transfiguration had human transfigurations. It was dangerous, but it was necessary. Wes inhaled deeply, shutting his eyes for a moment. This lesson always put him on edge. So many things could go wrong with this lesson if the students did not take it seriously. Luckily, nothing too bad had ever happened in twelve years of teaching. But it was still always a possibility, and he never looked forward to having to teach it.

He was sitting at the desk, his arms folded as he watched the students slowly enter the room. Normally, he was in a much better, more pleasant mood, but today he was extremely serious. When it was time to begin, he pushed himself up out of his chair and stared pensively at the board. With a flick of his wand, the chalk rose and wrote the words, “Human Transfiguration” in bold letters, underlining the words twice for emphasis. When the chalk hit the tray again, he spoke and turned, “Today we are going to begin the unit on Human Transfiguration.” He watched the reactions of the class before he continued.

“I know that this is exciting for some of you to finally be learning how to perform this kind of magic.” He remembered the first time he had learned it himself and how excited he had been. “But I need you all to listen to me very carefully.” He paused, making sure that the eighth year students were all paying attention, “This magic is dangerous. If done improperly, you could maim or even kill yourselves.” He did not want to frighten them, but they needed to know how important it was that they were safe. “So, it is for that reason that if I see anyone so much as step a toe out of line while we are performing this magic that you will be dismissed from the classroom until the unit has been completed. You will receive no credit, and you will most likely fail the course.” He raised his eyebrows, indicating that he was serious.

He had known most of these students for eight years now. He knew what kind of people they were and what their strengths and weaknesses were. He knew who he needed to watch today because they were weak in his subject and who to watch because they might overestimate their abilities and get themselves injured. He adopted a lighter, more reassuring tone of voice, “Those warnings having been said, I would also like to say that I have faith that you all will handle this material with the maturity of the men and women you will soon become.” Don’t let me down, he added inwardly. “We would not be covering this material if I did not feel you were able to handle it.”

He scanned the room once more and said, “Are there any questions before we begin?”

[Lorraine Ritter]

This was her last year. It hadn’t really hit her until classes had begun. The blonde was thankful for it. It wasn’t that she was excited to leave the school per se, it was more along the lines that she had a plan that be put in place until after she had graduated. No, she couldn’t meet her potential here at the school. Not when what she truly wanted to learn wasn’t a normal class. Instead she had to go out into that disgusting bayou and sneak around. That was the problem right there. A Ritter sneaking around. Ritters didn’t sneak. They were above that.

Lori took a deep breath as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She needed to wake up. No class was easy when you were half asleep, but she honestly didn’t think transfigurations would go well if she fell asleep during class. At least living on the same floor as Transfigurations had some benefits. After staying up so late last night she had been able to sleep in a little longer this morning. A girl needed her beauty sleep.

Walking into the Transfigurations room, Lorraine let her eyes wander around before she made her way to her desk. Seeing Professor Bailey sitting at his desk was not what she was expecting. He didn’t normally begin his class at his desk. The blonde pushed that tidbit to the back of her mind before sitting down in her desk and crossing her legs. She looked around the room, eyes landing on the students who had gotten there before her. Thank god that bitch Rodriguez wasn’t there yet. It was all she needed to brighten her day, to see the other taureau girl. Rolling her eyes at the thought she let her mind wander until the rest of the class had filed in.

An eyebrow rose as she read the words on the chalkboard. Human transfigurations? Now this class was going to be interesting. This was the benefit of being an 8th year. She was finally able to learn the big stuff, the important magic. She kept her eyes on the professor, already listening. She wasn’t going to waste an opportunity like this by daydreaming about her plans for the rest of the day. Not with stronger magic. She nodded at the warning, no part of even thinking about calling his bluff. She was smarter than that. She was a Ritter after all.

Lorraine smirked at his expression of faith but kept her mouth shut. No, today she was going to be good. She could do that if it meant she was able to learn this magic. She shook her head. He wouldn’t get a question from her. She just wanted to get things started.

[Maya Rodriguez]

Maya hated class

As much as some would have liked to point their fingers and declare it was part of her rebel without a cause nature, the simple truth was that Maya had too much energy for sitting still for long periods of time. Her hands began to itch fiercely when she did causing her to twitch and rub them constantly. Her legs would often jump in the seat at random as the familiar feeling of wanting to break free from the desk’s confinement came over her. Was she hyperactive? No. Simply had a boundless amount of energy with no direction or drive to where to put it except for Quadpot, it was one of the reasons she had joined the team. Her father had suggested, in a cautious manner minding his daughter’s temper, that she use the sport as an outlet for her energy. It usually worked up until the moments that she had class.

Hence why Maya was determined to get take her time getting to class. Unfortunately her usual comerades were in class themselves unable to help her with a reason to skip. Walking into the room, she gave Mr. Bailey a rather bold glare before making her way to the back of the room. The familiar sight of curly blonde hair made her nose wrinkle in disgust. Ritter. Ugh. “Yo, curly! Move your big ass fro, can’t see from here.” She muttered to the girl as she passed Lorraine to sit behind her. With any luck, she’d be able to set the girl’s hair on fire. Now there was an idea…an excellent idea. In fact, an idea that would enable her to get out of class early. Grinning at her sheer luck and fine intellectual skills, Maya cast a sideways glance at the professor making sure his back was turned.

Pulling out her wand, she aimed it towards the back of Lori’s head and muttered the small spell for setting an object on fire. Unfortunately, someone happened to bump into her wand hand at the point of time causing her aim to shift to a stack of papers at Professor Bailey’s desk. The papers went up in flames in the middle of Wes’ lecture causing Maya to stare in disbelief for a brief second. Shit. That wasn’t in the plan! As he finished asking if there was any questions before he began, Maya raised her head jutting out her chin in defiance. “Yes, Professor Bailey…do you realize your desk is on fire?” Always a smart ass, that one.

(Yes, Josh. I want Maya to fail Transfig. -cackles- She needs to do something serious enough to where her father will finally put his foot down!)