Ancient Runes with Professor Watson[8]

[Alan Watson]

*Alan entered the classroom and started making the necessary preparations for the coming lecture. With a flick of his wand he closed the curtains, allowing darkness to settle in the room.*

Incendio!

*A dozen candles allowed a dim light to fill the room, not quite bright enough to reach the creaks and corners.*

*He sat down waiting for students to appear and got lost in a whirlwind of kaleidoscope thoughts that were spurred by the flickering candles.*

[Wyman McCalman]

*Wyman was very much interested in history ans scriptures. He got interested in scriptures through his mother. His mother, an architect by profession, was also fond of them. He got excited when he heard that Ancient Runes class was starting again.*

*He took his books, quill and his wand from his trunk and then headed towards the class. He reached the classroom and found Prof. Watson sitting there already.*

Good Morning Prof. Watson!

*He very cheerfully greeted the Prof. then took the front seat in the class.*

[Tina Griffin]

*Actually looking forward to a lesson of Ancient Runes after a rather long break, Tina strode inside the comfortably lit room. The professor's absence hadn't been of a surprise as classes without a supervising teacher were quite common these days. The Ravenclaw smiled at Mr Watson.*

Good morning, Professor. And welcome back.

*Wyman seemed to be the only student so far. Tina waved and took the place next to him.*

Hey, my dear. How's you? Oh, hope you don't mind the company.

[Deleted]

Jennessa was third one into the class. She was very eager to start up this class again. Nessa didn't understand the class very well, as she was never one for the real academic stuff, but she enjoyed this class nonetheless. It always quite interested her and she seemed to like Professor Watson well enough.

And thus her presence was made known as she bounced into the room and headed over to a seat after Tina. She smiled and gave a friendly wave to their professor. "Hello Professor!" She even called out warmly to him as she took her seat.

[Wyman McCalman]

*Wyman watched as his fellow Ravenclaw entered the class. He saw her greet the Prof. Watson and then saw her heading towards him.*

I'm good. *He smiled*

I won't mind any company.

*Saying this he cleared a seat beside him.*

[Zelda Harkain]

Zelda entered the classroom with a smile on her face. This was one of her Favourite classes, easy for her to understand, mainly because it made logical sense, making it easier for Zelda to follow since there was an easily defined process. She missed having this class while Professor Watson was out.

"Good morning Professor" She said still with a smile. Zelda was happy today, perhaps it was because they were finally having classes again after such a long break. Or maybe because she'd been being a bit more social than usual, all she knew is that she liked this change it felt good. Taking a seat near the front, Zelda got out all the necessaries for this class, waiting excitingly for it to start.

[Michael Billows]

*He slumped into the class in his usual way, a mildly grumpy look on his face, not expecting to enjoy a moment of the next class. Looking at gibberish and trying to make sense of it. What a waste of time. He grabbed a seat and slid into it before slinging his bag under the desk.*

[Ellis Archer]

*Isn't too sure how he got roped into taking this subject by his parents, but he looks rather chipper anyway as he strolls into the classroom, and choses a seat that's closer to Zelda and the Hufflepuff rather than the sour looking Slytherin.*

*Digs in his sack for his text before dropping the bag on the floor and scooting it out of the way with his foot. He then flops into his seat and turns a grin on Zelda, fellow Gryffindor, while setting his book on the desk.*

Hullo.

[Alan Watson]

*The arrival of the students jerked him out of his daydreaming. He stood up to great them, slightly sleepdrunk.*

Welcome! Get out! Come in! Sit down!

*He shook his head to get rid of the lingering drowsiness. As he started talking his eyes were slowly coming to life and by the end of his first sentence they were beaming.*

Now, we all know that this is the most exciting class you have here at Hogwarts. Don’t get me wrong, your other classes are important but they are not as exciting!

*He looked expectantly at the students waiting for a confirmation. When no one seemed to want to confirm his knowledge he continued*

I’m sure you’ve all been missing my classes. To make up for it I’ve planned a special lecture for you today. You can start by moving your chairs and desks to the back of the room, we’re going to need space. Some of you may already have gathered what we’re going to do, but let’s first treat ourselves to a quick repeat.

Can anyone tell me why it’s important to learn about the about the ancient runes? And don’t be shy. There are no right or wrong answers, your interpretation is as good as anyone’s.

[Zelda Harkain]

Zelda gave Ellis a small smile as he sat down. She really didn't know him too much, only that he was a Gryffindor like her. They shared a few classes together but Zelda's shy nature kept her from ever really talking to him. "Hello." She replied still smiling, trying not to seem too weird by her excitement for the class. She had been waiting for Professor Watson to return. This being such a theoretical course was right up Zelda's way of thinking.

After Professor Watson gave them the direction to move their chairs to the back, she did so, sitting back down with her book and parchment waiting for what was going to happen next. She heard him ask why they study ancient runes and Zelda's hand went up soon after. "Well ancient runes are from an ancient alphabet of the German heritage. They were typically used in writing, divination, and the focus of magic. I feel we study them not only to be able to read them and focus magic into them, but to learn about past ways of using magic, how the ancient witches and wizards did magic and wrote our histories about magic." Zelda finished and looked down. The classroom was the place where Zelda really was able to come out of her shell a bit and she liked the feeling, wishing she could be this confident outside the classroom sometimes.

[Wyman McCalman]

*Wyman saw Prof. Watson getting back to normal and then listened to him. Then he did as it was directed. He moved he chairs to the back of the class and then came back. He heard as Prof. asked them why it was important to study Ancient Runes.*

Professor! I don't know the actual reason for that but yes I study it because I find it fascinating!

*He said and then waited as others put there views forward.*

[Tina Griffin]

*A little confused the Ravenclaw got up shortly after she had taken her seat next to Wyman she had smiled at as a Thank you, and helped him moving their desk to the back.*

*Pondering about Professor Watson's question and listening to Zelda and Wyman's answers for a moment helped Tina finding her own reply.*

I believe that it is important and of much use to learn about the ancient runes and their magic.

*She shrugged shyly.*

We can never know what we might stumble upon so it's good to know that we prepare ourselves. After all they were regularly used for such a long time and it's a wonderful way to value the magical past, integrating it into the here and now.

[Dinah Manning]

*Dinah walked into the classroom disappointed about the sudden return of Professor Watson. While he had been gone she had carefully put away her ancient runes books in a now-forgotten place to make sure they didn’t get exposed to the wear and tear that the books of some of the more studious students bore witness of. She had spent the pre-lecture time fervently searching for her missing books, but the only thing she had managed to uncover was a bowl containing its very own eco-system which she suspected had once been oats. The bowl now smelled like someone had been eating thai-food, vomited in a diaper and then put the diaper in a sweaty sock. She managed to convince herself that the books were probably better off being left alone.*

*When entering the classroom she was slightly puzzled by its lurid atmosphere and the empty space in the middle of the room. She greeted the professor and sat down on the floor.*

[Alan Watson]

Very good all of you. Just a small correction: Zelda, be careful that you use the word gemanic and not german if you want to avoid stepping on any Scandinavian toes.

First of all the runes represent a written language. They are witnesses of forgotten times, and the runes themselves are imbued with their own special magic. If you learn how to master the reading of the runes you will be able to interpret and understand the writings of some of the greatest wizards of all times – writings where the subtleties of the art all too often gets lost in translation.

Secondly, but just as important, the runes are ancient charms, potent and secret magical symbols used to create spells and in divination. In today’s lesson we are going to learn how to cast runes. To be able to do so you must have a solid knowledge of the runes and good interpretation skills. This will be a test that will separate the sheep from the goats.

I want all of you to think about a question you’d want to ask the runes. It will have to be a genuine question, the casting of runes only work if your heart is in it. When you’ve done that you will come forward and I’ll equip you with a set of rune stones. I’d also like for you to tell me what question you have come up with.

[Ellis Archer]

*Ellis had opened his mouth to say a few more words to Zelda, not all that familiar with the witch, but wishing to be friendly nonetheless. However, Professor Watson had other ideas, and called the class to attention. The Gryffindor snapped his mouth shut, turned to face the professor and shook his head at the odd greeting.*

*Mad or not, Ellis listened to Professor Watson, and opted for keeping his mouth shut. He had no idea how to answer the question and he stared at the blank floor where the desks and chairs once stood before he and the others pushed them aside.*

*He knew he shouldn't have given in to his parents pleading. Failing this class was a certainty.*