[Professor Penvellyn]

Eleanor scrutinized the room she had spent a good portion of the recent holiday reorganizing. When she had first been informed that she was to teach this second half of the school year at Hogwarts, she had not been told that her class would meet in an abandoned room several stories off the ground. After removing the former occupants’ belongings, all of which had been stored in one of the spare rooms of the castle to be claimed at a later date, Eleanor had spread some of her favourite belongings out on the shelves and bookcases provided. Books, artwork, and trinkets that she had procured during her travels around Europe make her surroundings familiar, and much more desirable.

Finding everything fitting and appropriate for her first class, Eleanor went to the front of the class, near her desk, and stood with her hands clasped before her. This was always the most difficult moment in teaching; meeting the new students. While most professors would sit or be busying themselves in order to avoid the awkwardness, Eleanor found that observing the incoming student was the most direct means of quickly discerning the types of students she would be instructing.

A quick glance at the large clock ticking not so far away told her that the students were due to arrive at any moment and that there were five or so minutes until the lesson was to begin. Placing a small, welcoming smile on her face, Eleanor waited.


{{OOC: I am on vacation until the 5th of July and have very limited internet access. Until then, enter the class and chat if you must. The lesson will start when I return and the title will be more fitting}}

[Sylverster Kelestral]

After bidding her violin goodbye, she made her way to where the Defense Against Dark Arts lessons were held. She made sure that she would arrive just a few minutes before lessons started, not wanting to be too early, nor late in any way. "She was staring at the sky, wondering why it was oh so high...She always wondered why why why, but never stop to say goodbye...She'll leave you there alone, and move on on her own...She's just that kind of girl, the future with her is never sure..."

She stopped the song there and stepped into the classroom, startled to see Professor Penvellyn in the room, "Good morning, professor," She muttered and went to stand near the wall, waiting for others to come.

[Artemis Wolf]

Artemis entered the classroom and stared at the new professor in slight surprise before manners got the better of her and she greeted the professor. She noticed the Sylverster was standing near a wall and was unsure if this was her "alone time" but decided to risk it and joined Sylverster at the wall.

Grinning at Sylverster slyly, Artemis muttered, "Has Toren arrived yet?"

[Lisette Amber Heartstone]

4 minutes to go! Lisette hurried off to the DADA classroom, almost walking straight into the boys' toilets in her mad rush to get to the classroom. Fortunately, soon she was safe and sound, standing next to a girl whose name apparently was Sylvester. A Ravenclaw. Lisette thought she'd have no trouble with people of other houses, even the Gryffindors, who were pretty much like dogs to the Slytherin cats. She knew she'd fit in right away with this girl.

Lisette smiled as another Slytherin girl entered the room. Artemis, it seemed her name was. She decided to talk to both of them at once. The more the merrier...or did too many cooks spoil the broth?

"Hey," Lisette grinned. "What's up? Do you like DADA?" She wanted to strike up a conversation to chatter away the remaining few minutes until the teacher (Professor Penvellyn, it seemed, first name Elaine or something like that) decided to start the class and when more students had arrived. Lisette couldn't wait. She liked studying, but classes were more of a social thing to her.

This post has been edited by Lisette Amber Heartstone: 30 June 2010 - 05:29 AM

[Ada Ashenhurst]

Ada walked into the room, smoothening out her hair as she went. She had taken a longer but quieter route to class this morning, so as to avoid the crowds in the first floor main corridor. She found it a rather good route, that is, until she she walked by a short tree that whacked her in the face.

A group of third year boys hooted with laughter upon seeing this. They did not laugh for long however, because while their minds were occupied by the thought of a Gryffindor being slammed in the head with a branch, Ada took the opportunity to practice her spell-casting and stunned them.

She then walked away, feigning innocence as she flipped through her defense textbook, walking away from the scene of crime in quick, brisk strides.

Upon entering the classroom, she greeted the new defense against the dark arts teacher, Professor Penvellyn. With her strict look and her pursed lips, Ada felt a certain longing for Professor Hale, their previous defense teacher. Still, she smiled the way nice girls were supposed to, with a look of sincerity, showing no teeth. She must have looked quite shocking, with a red mark running down her face. She assumed that it will fade after a few days. But for now, she shall have to live with it. It was not hard, however, as she was not one to be vain.

She found the classroom deserted, except for the figures of a certain Ravenclaw and two familier Slytherins. "Hello, seems like we're the earliest today," she said to Sylver, Artemis and Lisette. She tucked the stray hair hanging over her face behind her ears, hoping that she did not look as dishevelled as she imagined herself to be.

This post has been edited by Ada Ashenhurst: 30 June 2010 - 05:50 AM

[Iphigeneia Lockhart]

Today, Iphigeneia Lockhart was immensely proud of herself.

She had gotten out of bed on time, eaten breakfast on time, packed her schoolbag on time and now she was even walking up to class on time- and it seemed like the right class too! It was definitely a great feat for her, given her usual complete lack of time management and a sense of direction. Genie gave herself a satisfied smile as she walked up the last few steps to the classroom, flashing a random grin at the old man in a powdered wig who happened to be passing by the last painting. Obviously not accustomed to being smiled at by strange children, he only shot her a strange look and continued moving about as pompously as possible with his gigantic wig.

Finally, Genie approached the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Caught in her own joy at seeing two of her friends, Ada and Sylver, standing near a wall of the room with two other girls, she let out a happy exclamation.

"Hello Sylver, Ada! I'm early! And hello to you two!" She said all this in a very loud and excited voice, first to her friends then to the two girls she did not recognise. After finally noticing how loud she must have sounded and remembering that every class had a teacher, she bit her lip nervously before turning to face the teacher's table. "Hello- erm, good morning Professor!" She greeted the teacher with an apologetic smile before turning back to her friends and yet-to-be acquaintances.

"I'm Iphigeneia, but you can just call me Genie since it's probably hard to say," Genie introduced herself to the two girls.

[Aquanette Arceneau]

Monday mornings were never the same after the day Cybele joined Hogwarts. Back at home, morning lessons started well into the morning, not at these ungodly hours the school supposed were good for children studying Defense Against the Dark Arts. Cybele got out of bed diligently, went to the washing room with all her toilettries, and emerged an energized and fresh student.

Her breakfast was simple and uneventful as she prepared for the first lesson since the holiday break and meeting a new teacher at that, too. When she was all over and done for, she got up and began making her way up to the DADA classroom. The hallways were packed with chattering students and laughter and noise and all signs of a healthy schoolday.

Cybele entered the classroom gracefully, with a demure smile on her face as she curtsied slightly at her professor. "Good morning professor," she said politely before walking towards the middle of the classroom. She took notice of the students already being there, and smiled towards them too. "Good morning," she said before taking a seat right there as she waited mildly for the lesson to begin. It was only proper to wait before any other interactions. It wouldn't do to wander idly about the classroon either, so she intended to wait until either a friend or someone else she knew came along, as she wasn't particularly acquainted with all of them just yet.

[Cerridwyn Glynn]

Cerridwyn Glynn, Cerri as she was likened to respond, made her way to class. Why did the sun always wake her up so early? Even after breakfast she was still half asleep and couldn't seem to get all her attentions straightened out.
"Yea..." She gleemed an unenthusiastic sigh of sarcasm.
"It's time for Defense Class. Whooppee." She mottled along the hallway, up the stairs and finally walked in to class. It was a surprise to see the new professor. They were advised of the change, when they had all arrived back from Holiday, but to actually see the person in class and ready was a totally different take on the matter.

~Maybe the Halloween Feast really did unsettle Professor Hale that much. She did get sick then, maybe the food did kill her.~ Cerri's eyes widened. What did she just think? That was horrible, it was a horrible question to pop into an eleven year old's mind. The thought just couldn't leave though, maybe the new Professor didn't like the old one and poisoned her. Ack she was doing it again! These dark moments were just scary, and what if others knew what she was thinking?
"Proffessor, ma'am." She nodded to Professor Penvellyn, affraid to even make eye contact with the woman in fear she too would curse the girl with just one look. Quickly the girl moved away from the new professor to an unoccupied seat, claiming it for her own. She thought for a moment, whether Cornelia was right and that Professor Llwellyn had been courting Professor Hale. Would he be upset and bothered too?

Cerri was never one to not be prepared for class. She had no idea how this teacher taught, whether they would be seated the whole class or actively interacting on their feet like they had with the stupefy curse. The little welsh girl thought it best to be prepared for anything and that way she wouldn't be in the gaze of the Medusa and she wanted nothing more than to stay alive and not turned to stone. Books, parchment, her wand, they all came out to the top of the desk waiting and ready for class to start. As she pulled free her things and set them just right on the desk, the others in the room caught her attentions. Her other Ravenclaw Housemates and a few Slytherins seemed keeping far away at a wall. Well that was fine by her, she'd just hold the seat next to her for Adrian or Alistair, whoever made it there first.

This post has been edited by Cerridwyn Glynn: 30 June 2010 - 03:37 PM

[Charlotte Blackwood]

As per usual, Charlotte had awoken later than the rest of her dorm mates. She opened her eyes to see an empty room, not that she minded. She quickly donned her uniform, and clasped her thick cloak over top, conscious of the cold stone corridors. On the way to her class she stopped by the Great Hall, and noticed with measurable relief the amount of students still eating. It seemed she wasn't as late as she had thought.

Charlotte allowed herself a few minutes to eat a quick breakfast before once again taking up her bag filled with parchment and her Defense textbook. A rumour had been going around Hogwarts of a new Professor, and Charlotte was quite eager to see if it had any truth. Professor Hale had been quite the good teacher, so Charlotte would be disappointed to see her go. The feeling would quickly leave, of course, if the new Professor turned out to be adequate.

The wooden door was about to close as she approached, so Charlotte slipped in the crack before it could shut. A Ravenclaw had been the one entering before her, Charlotte recognized her as a girl called Cerrin, or something like that. It didn't really matter to her, and she looked around for students that were actually worth her time. Her inspection found the majourity to be Slytherins, inciting a strong feeling of smugness. All of them were female, as well, and who shared a dorm with herself. She sent them all warm and friendly smiles, but chose to sit in the desk next to Cybele.

A glance up to the front of the room showed that there was indeed a new Professor, which provoked a slight sense of uneasiness within her. She didn't like having to get used to new teachers after already establishing a bond with other ones. She sent a respectful nod to the new Professor, and turned to her friend. "Cybele." she said warmly. "Good morning." She heard other conversations going around her, but didn't feel a need to impose.

[Aquanette Arceneau]

"Cybele. Good morning."

Cybele turned her pretty little head to meet Charlotte Blackwood's green eyes. She smiled back at her friend, nodding. "How are you?" she asked, fidgeting with a loose curl of hers as they sat in the stone classroom. Her eyes darted whichever way as they surveyed the crowd that was slowly but surely gathering around them, each person excited and focused on this thing and the next. Her own thoughts were currently occuppied by ideas and speculations about the new professor.

"Do you think this will be an awful change?" she asked her friend in a surreptitious whisper. Quite honestly, she wasn't sure what to make of the change in faculty. Professor Penvellyn looked rather stiff, if she may think so herself.

[Charlotte Blackwood]

Charlotte kept her warm smile on as she placed her black shoulder bag on the desk. "I am doing quite well, for it being so early in the morning. How about yourself?" she questioned, observing her friend for a few moments. Despite it being so early Cybele looked impeccable, as always. At times Charlotte was jealous of her friend's soft curls, but then remembered how awful curls could be if you did not have superior genetics, like Cybele did. It was then she regained her thankfulness for her thick and straight ebony hair.

As she listened and waited for Cybele's reply, Charlotte set herself to work unpacking her bag for the class. She took out her Defense textbook and laid it in the corner of the desk before relocating her bag to the stone ground beside her desk's legs. She removed a sheet of parchment, as well as a well-groomed eagle feather quill and royal blue ink. The ink well took its place next to her textbook, and the parchment directly in front of her. It would not due for the teacher to think Charlotte was a slacker in their very first lesson together.

She turned back to Cybele and allowed her brow to furrow itself in thought. "I am not quite certain." she said with slight worry in her tone. "Professor Hale was quite a teacher, but if this one proves to be just as good, if not more so, then I believe it will be alright." Charlotte nodded to herself, a quick glance at the teacher resolving her thoughts. "Not to boast but I am usually quite a good judge of character... However she has a slightly detached look. I am not sure what to make of her." The fact annoyed her to no end, Charlotte hated not knowing what to expect. Not feeling as though she were completely stable in her environment.

[Sylverster Kelestral]

She closed her eyes, wanting to rest for a while, but footsteps approached her and she opened her eyes, smiling when she saw Artemis, however, that smile was quick to slide off her face as Artemis grinned at her and said, "Has Toren arrived yet?" Faking ignorance at the Slytherin, she said, "Toren? You mean that Hufflepuff boy? How am I supposed to know where he is right now?"

Just then, another Slytherin girl walked in and Sylverster smiled at her and said hello. It didn't surprise her when more people started arriving, first was Ada, her Gryffindor friend who joined their group, it must be weird for them to be all huddled together in a corner, "Hello, seems like we're the earliest today,"

Sylverster nodded, "Yes, we are such awesome students, aren't we?" And before she knew it, another familiar voice sounded, and she grinned, turning to find Genie, grinning widely at them.

"Hello Sylver, Ada! I'm early! And hello to you two!"

Her Hufflepuff friend proceeded to introduce herself to the two Slytherin while Sylverster resumed her glaring antic directed at Artemis.

[Lisette Amber Heartstone]

All these students were joining, some familar, some not. Lisette found that she could recall all of their names. She could not believe it. Forgetfulness normally interfered with her social life. Yet another great reason to go to Hogwarts. It helps you remember things.

"Good morning, Ada, Iphigenia, Cybele, Cerridywn, Charlotte. Lisette greeted them all, one by one, then proceeded to talk to Sylverster, Artemis, Genie(as Iphigenia had kindly let her call her) and Ada. Cybele and Charlotte seemed to be talking together and getting on quite nicely, while Cerridywn was keeping to herself.

"We are the earliest." Lisette agreed. "Though I got lost on my way to class..." She shrugged.

Genie seemed nice and friendly, outgoing and kind. The kind of friend you would love to have. Lisette smiled, and kept on chatting away and making friends. Most of these people were unknown to her, only known by chance meetings in the hallways or(in Artemis' case) making small talk in the Slytherin common room.

[Aquanette Arceneau]

"I am doing quite well, for it being so early in the morning. How about yourself?"

Cybele smiled regally at her friend. "Just as well," she replied easily. "I hope you did not have much trouble waking up," she finished with a little laugh. Charlotte wasn't quite a morning person, she noted. Then again, neither was she. It was often hard for any kid their age to wake up bright and early for LESSONS, of all things.

Idly, she took out her book and began turning the pages without paying much attention to the words inside. It was all a bunch of meaningless theory if the professor didn't explain it, so she hadn't bothered reading much into it. Besides, she hadn't really found a love for books yet, so her reading extended to what she was asked for, and some history (that all in all she found boring as well). She trained her eyes back to Charlotte as she spoke.

"I am not quite certain. Professor Hale was quite a teacher, but if this one proves to be just as good, if not more so, then I believe it will be alright. Not to boast but I am usually quite a good judge of character... However she has a slightly detached look. I am not sure what to make of her."

"I think she looks brilliant," Cybele said after a quiet minute. The way their professor held herself, she looked like she knew lots and lots, and lots of things. That in itself was the only thing that kept her from complaining at having her professor changed in the middle of the year. Honestly, it was already hard on her to get used to school, she didn't need more change in her life right now.

She returned Lissette's smile with a small one herself. "Hello Lissette," she finished, curling a strand of blonde hair around her index finger as more friends and classmates arrived. It would soon be time, she thought quietly.

[Artemis Wolf]

"Hey, What's up? Do you like DADA?"

"Yes, it is quite fun. And I'm trying to get Sylverster to admit she likes Toren." Artemis laughed at the glare that Sylverster sent her.

"Hello, seems like we're the earliest today."

"Yep, we are. " Artemis smiled at Ada.

"Hello Sylver, Ada! I'm early! And hello to you two!"
"I'm Iphigeneia, but you can just call me Genie since it's probably hard to say"

Artemis could not help but laugh at the hyper girl. "Sure, Genie. I'm Artemis."

As more people filed in, Artemis decided to find a seat. As she wanted to meet new people, she decided to seat with someone whom she has not meet before. Turning to Genie and Lisette, she asked, "Would either of you like to sit with me?"

This post has been edited by Artemis Wolf: 01 July 2010 - 02:16 AM

[Toren Dunwiddik]

He was smiling. He had just had a nice talk with a special friend of his before class. She was telling him about a secret passage to help him get to the Defense Class faster from the Hufflepuff cellar that would easily give him an extra amount of laziness before he would need to leave. He took this passage and was to class on time. When he walked in the door it was filled with mostly girls but a few boys were in queue. One being the Gryffindor boy he had stunned so idiotically in their first encounter with the subject.

Toren noticed that his acquaintances from Knockturn Alley were there and made sure he stayed far away from them and went to talk in the far back corner of the room where the Gryffindor boy stood that he had become friends with. They began talking about how the holidays had fared them, and other things, as well as that they wanted to be paired up again for whatever they might be doing today, just because they had become accustomed to talking to each other, and knew the other would never try to hurt anyone on purpose.

He soon realized that Artemis was talking about him when she said something about trying to get Sylver to admit she liked him and he said to the Gryffindor, "You know... Girls are immensely displeasing. You have one good conversation and apparently you are meant to be with them according to others." He said it in a hushed tone as to not upset the girls.

"You're completely right Toren," Mark had replied. "I think most of them have something wrong in their head." The two held back laughter and waved to another boy to join them. Another Gryffindor that had helped Toren out of a small tiff before break with a 1st year Slytherin.

The three of them talked about what they might learn and Toren kept his back to the band of girls. He wanted to hear what they were saying, but wanted to make sure none of them would see any emotion from him if talk continued about him.

[Sylverster Kelestral]

"Just because we are friends and that we shared a good and fun encounter at the alley together doesn't make us - what do you call that? A couple? It is still nice to make friends that are boys, like Kyran and Raen, for example." She explained to Lisette, not wanting the girl to get the wrong idea. It was weird to think about eleven years old like herself having - that kind of relationships with one another. It would ruin the friendship that was there, she was sure about that.

She worried about Toren getting the wrong ideas, like she don't like him as a friend, or that making friends with her was bad, since everyone else would tease them about it. However, she wouldn't admit this, that it was slightly, just slightly, upsetting for the two of them if their friendship was lost just because of such a thing.

"And I do like him, as a good friend, like all of you here, except for Lisette, but I am sure that we would be great friends once we get to know each other more," She beamed at the new Slytherin girl, she was unlike sly little Artemis, always cunning, she mused to herself. But of course, she liked Artemis, more than ever, the girl was special, everyone was, in fact, in their own ways. Since they are her friends, she would like and appreciate them for who they are, whatever they do. Of course, she wasn't forcing herself, that was just how she was and how it was to be.

Turning around to see who else was there, she was startled to see the boy that they were talking about right behind them, his back facing them, busy talking to his friends.

Did he hear her? She panicked, but told herself to calm down.

"Hello there, Toren," she said.

[Toren Dunwiddik]

Toren turned to Sylver when she said his name. "Oh... Hi Sylver" he said. His voice was not completely pleased. It was not because of what he had overheard from the girls, but because of something Peter had said as a joke to him because of what had been said. He was annoyed because Peter had said to him just seconds before Hey dont look. But your new close companion is coming over. Maybe she fancies a kiss, which really made him upset.

He knew that the two of them were perfect friends. And he hoped that Peter and Mark would not take the jokes started by the girls too far. He knew that Mark might be weary after what happened in the class before and he stayed quiet and punched Peter for Toren. That didnt completely help, but he had nothing better to make him smile at the moment.

He hoped his demeanor would not make Sylver feel bad and tried to venture a smile before she might sulk off for nothing. Maybe they would need to figure everything out before they would be able to enjoy being friends again.

[Ada Ashenhurst]

Ada was shocked when Artemis asked about Toren and even more shocked when Sylver sprouted out a speech on how Toren and her were just friends. They were spending alot of time together, that Ada could not deny. She knew gossip probably went around the school alot, but she was worried at the thought of it. They were only eleven and talking about liking boys just made her want to jump into a hole in the ground.

She did not know many boys of her age well. There were of course, Gryffindor boys who were her seniors, but it was quite clear that they had no romantic feelings for each other. She had not met many other boys, especially of her year. There was Joe of course, but they were just friends. She found it comfortable to talk to him, quite unlike talking to other strange boys that she have met. But at the same time, talking to him made her fell immature and childish. He seemed so wise beyond his years. There was Kyran too, but their relationship was less than friendly.

Ada kept quiet, looking at Artemis cautiously. What if someone targeted her? What if they match maked her with someone she was just friends with? That would make everything strange and uneasy. She probably would not be able to look at the person without blushing ever again. Ada nudged Artemis softly, hoping to tell her not to pursue the matter any longer.

Furthermore, she had just noticed Toren somewhere behind them. She would not want him to hear them talking about him behind his back. She knew how bad that felt, having been on the receiving end with whispering neighbours as they looked at her family, sniggering villagers muttering softly as her family walked past them.

When Artemis mentioned taking a seat, she looked around, immediately thinking of her previous lesson partner, Joe. He did not seem to be in the room yet and neither was Eileen. Ada did not remember seeing her after the holidays and was anxious to see her. "Hmm... I wonder what we're doing for our defence lesson today?" said Ada to the group of girls gathered around her.

This post has been edited by Ada Ashenhurst: 01 July 2010 - 02:21 AM

[Siobhan Quinn]

Siobhan seemed to be on autopilot today. She went through the motions of getting ready in the morning, barely paying attention to her housemates. She ate her breakfast in a daze, not really noticing what she was eating. Her feet seemed to know where to take her for her Defense lesson, which was just as well. She wasnt sure she would have been able to get there on time if she actually thought about it.

There was something on her mind, and she couldnt explain what. Well, she knew what. She just didnt know why. Her thoughts were currently turned homeward, and a wave of homesickness washed over her. She rarely felt like this, and hadnt since arriving here, but today she was feeling it acutely.

It seemed like she just floated into the classroom, her gaze passing over her fellow students. She sat at a desk close to the front, the new Professor registering slightly on her radar. There was no need to get on the wrong side of a new Professor, she thought to herself. She sat there in quiet contemplation, waiting for the lesson to begin.