Transfiguration: Pod 1 - Lesson 1

As the first class approached, Adrienne found herself more and more anxious. She was excited to an extent, but also slightly concerned. The students wouldn't all be from the same year, so choosing lessons would be worrisome sometimes, considering that some would be lost while others would be more confident in their abilities. But after talking to one of her mentors, the old Transfiguration professor, Adrienne had an idea. Thankfully, the numbers in her class were even, so it would be far easier to organize their efforts.

She was just glad to note that she had a seventh year who she got along with fairly well. It would be slightly awkward, undoubtedly, to now be in a position of authority around him, but she could hope that he continued to be as respectful as he had been to her in the past. Letting out a little sigh, she stood from her seat behind the desk, moving to the table in the front of the classroom. A large box was sitting there, and she glanced inside, a smile appearing on her face when she saw what it contained.

A knock at the door made her look up in surprise, and she realized she hadn't left the door open for the students to just walk in when they arrived. It was the first day of classes, after all, so it made sense that she would be mixing things up a bit. And it was her first day as a professor, too, so that made it all the more difficult. Lifting her wand, she flicked it towards the door, letting it open on its own. Apollo, of course, stood there in the hall. He blinked in surprise when the door opened, but smiled at her as he walked in.

"Morning, Professor," he commented, inclining his head towards her as he emphasized her new title.

Adrienne offered a smile in return, but was determined to remain professional and proper in her conduction of the lessons. "Good morning," she replied. "As soon as the other students arrive, I'll explain the box. But until then, just hang out for a bit."

He gave an understanding nod, and found himself a seat in the second row towards the center of the room. Hopefully he would know someone from the class, though he wasn't counting on it now that classes were organized differently. On the one hand, he had the chance to meet new people who didn't act like his Slytherin housemates. But on the other hand, he had a tendency to act like his house was expected to, so he could get along with them often enough.

Jessica wasn't sure how she felt about Transfiguration lesson compained with Charms. She was good at Charms but not so good at Transfiguration. She hoped it won't be anything very difficult one.

She walked into the classroom. "Hello professor," she said with a smile and took a seat middle of classroom now. She wasn-t sure what she should do now. She soon placed hands on table and head on them. She wasn't sleepy but borex a little bit. Jess didn't know that boy and she wasn't sure what to say to him now there. So she decided to be quiet here now. Seemed better than say something silly or bad.

Andrew was usually an early riser but, for some reason, this morning, he had overslept. He hadn't had time to go to breakfast in the Great Hall. He had merely had time to get up, hustle into his clothes, run his fingers through his hair, pick up his books, and run down to the fourth floor.

He scooted into the classroom, perhaps looking a bit scattered. He wasn't quite awake, except by being a bit mentally jarred by seeing how untypically late he was.

"'Morning," he mumbled, feeling a bit self conscious. He slid into a seat behind some of his other classmates, not wanting to make any more a spectacle of himself than he already felt like he was.

He opened up the textbook, opened up his notebook and drew forth a blue quick quotes quill. Not every teacher allowed them, but when Andrew could use the quick quotes quill, it took better notes for him, and he could pay more attention to what was being said.

Pepper was almost falling over herself with nerves. Only a week or so ago she had been bubbling with excitement even thinking about starting her first lessons, that had now turned into a churning bucket of nausea that she just couldn't seem to shift. She had barely had anything to eat at breakfast time, but oddly didn't feel hungry even at this hour in the morning.

Worrying her lip between her teeth, Pepper peeked her head into the classroom and almost turned on her heel to walk away. This classroom was full of older years! They would be sure to have so much knowledge that she didn't have, and if she was called upon to answer a question Pepper was certain that she would combust on the spot. Amongst fellow first years, she was hopeful that she would be able to contribute to the class in a coherent manner, now, she wasn't sure if she would be able to articulate anything.

Taking a seat in the middle of the classroom, Pepper took out her pristine new textbook and laid it on the desk in front of her alongside her quill and parchment. Resolving to do her best in this lesson, no matter what might come her way, Pepper rubbed her hands up and down her arms nervously as she waited for the professor to begin the lesson.

(ooc: If anyone joins after this post, feel free to say they've been here the whole time. Or you're welcome to choose to have them come in late)


Adrienne waited until the official starting time for their class rolled around before moving to stand behind the box she had set on the front desk. She was thrilled to see that most everyone actually looked curious, and that the students were from all different years. Hopefully they could all help each other if the students came across problems in their attempts at mastering the task.

"So," Adrienne started brightly, "today we're going to start out with a simple, first year level Transfiguration spell. After that, we'll be trying a fourth year charms task. It will be a bit difficult for the younger students, I know, but it's more about testing your limits than having to succeed within this class period. That's why we have Charms Club for anyone who wants to chat with me or the Deputy Headmaster about anything from class."

She reached a hand into the box, and pulled out a little hamster - one of many within the cardboard container. "Go ahead and pick up one of these guys, but be careful with them. They like to wiggle away," she warned, gesturing to the box.

Once they had all chosen out a hamster, she nodded once before flicking her wand at the board. The spell, "Flintifors" appeared in curly writing indicative of Adrienne's own. Turning back to the students, she held the hamster out on her palm, and said the spell loudly, tapping her wand gently on the creature's back before flicking her wand towards it once. The little hamster turned into a matchbox, and the professor looked up at her students with a pleased smile.

"Alrighty! So, you've seen how it works! If you need any help, feel free to partner up or ask around, and I'm here to check wand motions if you aren't sure why something isn't working. And once you think you've got it figured, I can give you the next part of today's goal."


(ooc: If you're going to partner up, maybe PM the person first, and use it for plotting, to meet someone new!)

Pepper sat up a little straighter in her chair when the Professor began to speak, wanting to look as if she was paying attention - which of course she was. The fact that they were doing a first year transfiguration spell relaxed her a little bit, regardless of the older students in the room they seemed to be doing spells that were appropriate for her level.

Or...or not.

Gulping lightly, and directing her wide gaze to her text book, Pepper felt the strong desire to run out of the door and never return. A fourth year charm! This was her first ever charms lesson, she didn't know even any first year charms! For someone who measured her happiness based on succeeding, not managing to do the spell in the first lesson was actually a terrifying thought.

As directed, and slightly nervously, Pepper weaved her way to the front of the class in order to pick up a hamster. Maybe she could do really well at this spell, and the professor wouldn't notice how bad she'd fail at the other? Plopping back onto her seat, Pepper took a few minutes to stroke the hamster - in order to calm her nerves - before turning her thoughts to the spell.

Worrying her lip between her teeth, Pepper noted down the incantation and required wand movement, alongside the effect of the spell, so she would not forget for future notice.

Now was a good a time as any to begin trying the spell. So squaring her shoulders, Pepper drew out her wand and looked at the hamster, trying to forget about everything else in the room so that she could focus on what she was doing right now. Clearing her throat Pepper chanted; "Flintifors." before tapping her wand on the back of the hamster then drawing it back to flick it towards the creature.

Unsurprisingly nothing happened. It would be too much to ask to get it right on the first go. Pepper's lips firmed into a thin line, but decided to keep trying the spell. This time, she attempted to say the incantation louder and with more conviction; "Flintifors!" before tapping the hamster just as gently, but flicking her wand harder at the creature. Waiting with baited breath, Pepper frowned deeper when nothing happened. Again.

Rolling up her sleeves, brow furrowed in determination, Pepper thought maybe visualising the intent of the spell in her head would work. So, she spoke the incantation clearly, and with feeling behind it - at the same time she imagined the hamster actually turning into the matchbox as it was supposed to. Tapping the hamster a tiny bit harder, before flicking her wand towards it, Pepper kept her eyes closed slightly longer than she needed to. She couldn't bare to look if she hadn't been able to do the spell even on the this try.

Very slowly, she cracked one eye open and grinned, the hamster was now successfully a matchbox sitting on the table in front of her. There might have been a few minor imperfections but, with practice she was sure she'd iron them out.