Transfiguration Beginners ((1-3 years))

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

((Your characters are expected to have a copy of Practical Transfiguration. You can find this book posted on the Classes board. As new students, you are not expected to have any prior knowledge, unless you are a 2 or 3 year, then it is most likley expected that you have a good idea of some of this. Basically, we will be covering chapters 1-4 in this class throughout the year.))

Minerva closed all of the books on her desk and with a flick of her wand sent them air-bound toward the bookshelf on the other side of the room. The students would be arriving soon, and she had some last minute preparation to do before the lesson. Knowing that the lazy summer days had done their job of numbing the students minds, she planned their first lesson to be somewhat of a review, but at the same time, she wanted to challenge them with something new. After all, she did need to prepare them for their O.W.L.S. that they would be taking later in the year.

As always, there would probably be students who either forgot their text-books or were unable to get them for one reason or another. Thus, Minerva found five extra copies of Practical Transfiguration for those who might need to borrow them. She felt like being kind today, and she might not even take house points from those who lacked the responsibility to come to class prepared.

After putting the extra books on the front table, she opened the cupboard on the left side of the room, and levitated a box of objects to the front of the table. Since it was their first class back from break, Minerva wanted to make it interesting. She knew that the students wouldn't want to just sit and listen to her lecture, so she was going to give them the chance to take center stage and try a bit of teaching themselves. It was going to be a fun class, she hoped. With the items ready, Minerva took a seat at her desk and waited patiently for the students to arrive.

((This post is up a day early, but it is because I will be too busy to post it tomorrow when class is supposed to start.))

[Annabella Valentine H3]

Annabella walked into the classroom, and looked around to discover she was the second student, to arrive. The other student looked like she was in her first year, and from Ravenclaw judging by her robes. Annabella nodded a silent hello to Professor McGonagall and made her way to a seat. She sat down and got out her Parchment and Ink, quill and her copy of Practical Transfiguation. Arranging them on her desk, she then turned around and looked at the other student. She bit her lip and then smiled and got up, and walked towards her. Stopping just in front of her desk.

"Hi my name is Annabella, I thought that maybe since we will be taking this class, together I should introduce myself." She then smiled warmly at the girl and waited patiently for her to respond.

[Padme Rendel S2]

Padme felt proud as she sat among the other Slytherin students in the Great Hall and saw that she wasn't the smallest one around anymore. The first years themselves looked slightly worried about their first class, but there Padme couldn't blame them. She could empathize with them, more like, when it came to those things. She remembered that feeling - although she had been much more excited than the sour faced first years that picked at their food. I had been waiting to come here for my whole life, she thought. Now these pampered little china dolls look at it like it's a filth hole. Which naturally it was, Padme wasn't that blind. She saw how many mudbloods roamed the halls, she saw halfbreeds everywhere. Then there was the mud-lovers, as Padme dubbed them. She despised them all, but she couldn't do anything about it. So she dealt with it and looked at Hogwarts' better prospects, such as getting away from home and living in a castle! Who would have thought?

Padme walked back to her dorm leisurely, knowing that she had more than enough time to make it to Transfiguration. As always, the dungeons weren't the most lively of places - in fact, they could easily put a damper on your mood. Padme was used to the constant drip-drip-drip noise that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. She was used to seeing the cold gleaming stones and feeling the damp air on her skin. She was used to all that. After all, she was a big second year now! She had a year of experience. Though she did wish Slytherins could have better quarters than this dreary place. When she reached the common room full of plush green chairs that looked very inviting to sit on, Padme went to the girl's dormitories and found her bag near her bed, already packed. She was always thinking ahead of time, now-a-days.

When she exited the dungeons, the crisp cool air rejuvinated her and she felt more awake than ever. She could have smiled right there and then, but she knew that that was not really accepted by Slytherins - in fact, it was so uncommon, she would have probably attracted a few unwelcomed stares. So her face remained blank and haughty as she pushed her way through large crowds congragating around corners. She saw some of her aquaintances there, but no one tried to talk to her, nor did she try. For Padme wasn't very good with friends. She was more of an independent person. All she needed was herself. Finding the Transfiguration door was easy, and she entered, making sure to close the door silently behind her. Today Padme had no wish for attention. She'd rather be the shadow in the corner. Which right about now, the corner did look very appealing. But instead of going there, she found a nice seat toward three rows from the back. Settling in, she pulled out her Practical Transfiguration book and waited impatiently for class to start.

[wendi]

“Bop bop bop, bop to the top. Slippin' slidin', ride that rhythm.” Wendi sang happily as she bounced down the hall. The song “Bop to the Top” was from a new musical she had learned to love over the summer. “Jump and hop. Hop until we drop.” She continued happily. Wendi was in a happy mood. Hogwarts was back in session and today was the first Transfiguration Lesson of the year. Wendi did like Transfiguration. Her favorite subject was Charms, but Transfiguration came in at second for her favorite subjects list. Wendi held her text book under her arm as she now began to skip down the hall. What could she say? She was happy. Wendi had a good summer and she was ready for classes to begin. Basically, she had forgotten the attack she was involved in and Wendi just wanted to have a fun, good year. Wendi smiled and waved at all the students she passed down the hall. Some gave her a weird look, but Wendi ignored it as she repeated the chorus of her song again. She was in a good mood and nothing would take that away from her. Wendi took a few Bertie Bots Beans out of her pocket as she now began to hum the song as she made her way to the Transfiguration Classroom. This would be a good day and a good class. Wendi was certain of that.

Wendi entered the Transfiguration Classroom about five minutes later. She scrunched her eyes. She didn’t see a single friend in here! Where were May and Myn? Wendi gave a sad look for a brief moment making her way up to Professor McGonagall. “Howdy Professor!’ She said happily. Wendi then turned to find a seat. She looked around her. The only people in the class so far were Padme, and older Hufflepuff, and a younger Ravenclaw first year Wendi knew to be Rebecca.” Wendi sighed not really seeing a place to sit. She had met Padme before, and Wendi was certain she didn’t want to try and sit by the girl. So, Wendi smiled calmly taking a seat in the middle of the room. She peered her eyes to the box in front of her. Wendi was exactly sure what they would be doing, but she had a few ideas. Wendi put her textbook on the desk as she looked to the back of the room. She wished some friends or any other Hufflepuffs would come in soon because Wendi wouldn’t mind the company. She played with one of her pony tails as she waited for more people to enter and the class to begin.

[Sita Mehadi H7]

Transfiguration! Transfiguration! Oh yeah... Sita was rubbish at it. Oh well, at least it still sounded fun and interesting. Just she couldn't do it. Last year she had struggled with Transfiguration, DADA and Charms as well - Charms in particular, in fact. Sita packed her books into her bag. What colours of leather was it possible to get? she wondered, looking mournfully at the plain brown covering to her Transfiguration textbook. She could always cover it in wrapping paper to make it more exciting but... that would rip eventually and then not look neat and she'd have to repeat the process all over again. A pink leather covering would be nice, or maybe pale green. Not that dark green you often got - no, Sita wanted something light, bright and cheery. She needed to be cheered up in Transfiguration: her Transfiguration marks at the end of last year had been bad enough that there was no disputing that was the case.

Sita had moved on in her thought track by the time she arrived at the Transfiguration classroom with the same black shoulder-bag she'd used last year slung casually over her right shoulder. Maybe she should get a new one of those too! But it was still functioning perfectly well so not quite yet. Her thoughts came full-circle though as she reached the classroom and saw Professor McGonagall already there. Sita ducked her head in slight embarrassment - McGonagall was stern and unforgiving and probably disappointed with Sita after her poor performance in her exam last year. Which Sita didn't like the thought of; she respected the teacher and would have preferred to be worthy of that respect being returned. But oh well. That was another oh well, another fact of life. None of it could be helped so there was no point worrying about it. Having decided that she stopped pausing in the doorway and instead entered the classroom with a happy smile for Professor McGonagall. She headed straight for her dormmate and plumped down next to her. "Hello Wendi!" she greeted the other Hufflepuff as she started to unpack her books.

[Peeves the Poltergeist]

"Bananas, in pyjamas, are coming down the stairs
Bananas, bless my llamas, are haunting student lairs
'Cos on Tuesdays they all try to CATCH THEM UNAWARES!" Peeves sang loudly and a semitone out of tune as a wave of oddly-attired bananas followed him down the stairs and started pelting the students. He was in the middle of a wave of... ICKLES! headed for one of their first classes of the year. Peeves waved cheerily to them with a wicked smile as accompaniment as he repeated his lines.

"Bananas, in pyjamas, are coming down the stairs
Bananas, bless my llamas, are posing as your chairs
'Cos on Tuesdays they all try to CATCH YOU UNAWARES!"
He cackled as he saw Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration classroom and sent a multitude of his bananas that way. That was where all the ickles were pouring into. Marvellous! Splendid! Just the way to make an impression, if he hadn't done so already. Time to make another verse up. And make it come true! Each couple of bananas chose a target and started pursuing them.

"BANANAS, in pyjamas, are coming down the stairs,
Bananas, in pyjamas, are chasing you for dares
'Cos on Tuesdays they all have to CATCH YOU UNAWARES!" he shouted in glee, ecstatic in all the chaos he'd caused.

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva sat at her desk patiently as the students began to make their way into the classroom. The first few students were all female, which made sense considering the age group. Most boys this age were probably fooling around, not worrying about being to class early. She smiled to herself at the thought.

A band of noise caught her attention from the halls. She listened for a bit to what sounded like someone reciting poetry. However, there were screams to go along with it, which puzzled Minerva. She quickly got from her seat and made her way to the door, just as Peeves entered, wailing at "That shall be enough!" Her face reddened, and she whipped her wand from her front pocket. "Evanesco," she stated firmly, causing the bananas that were surrounding Peeves and the area to vanish. "Out with you," she scolded, "or it will be the Bloody Baron's concern to take care of this charade." Her eyes were narrowed as she watched the ghost in disgust.

Minerva turned on her heel and marched back to the front of the class. The interruption didn't help her mood much, but she knew it wasn't fair to be in a sour mood for the class. After all, they had done nothing wrong. "Dear, dear," she said ans she tucked her wand back in her front pocket and eyed the doorway again to make sure Peeves had made a proper exit.

"Well then," she said, looking up at the class with a small smile. "I suppose we shall get started. For those of you new to Transfiguration, I assure you that this will be a class that you should pay close attention to. It can be one of the most difficult subjects, yet most useful at the same time. Now, if you have your books with you, please take them out and turn to chapter one. For some of you, this will be a useful review. For others, this will be important foundational information that you will want to remember." She levitated her copy of Practical Transfiguration to the table in front of her.

Opening to the first chapter, she scanned the text briefly. "Alright, will someone please tell me the Principles of Transfiguration? And then could another student please explain to me what an Exordium and Eventium are, while stressing the difference between the two.?" She looked up from the book, waiting for two volunteers to raise their hands. "Don't be shy now, the answers are right in front of you."

[wendi]

Wendi smiled happily as her fellow dorm mate, Sita sat beside her. "Hey Sita." She said brightly showing a grin. Wendi was happy for this day. She liked Transfiguration and she liked classes. She just couldn't help that. Wendi smiled at Sita. She was about to ask how the Hufflepuff's summer had been, but before she could, Peeves came into the room. He was singing some annoying song. Wendi frowned for a moment. She had all the nerve to cast a charm on that annoying ghost, but Wendi refrained. Anyways, Professor McGonagall dealt with him soon enough. That pesky ghost was always causing trouble. Wendi had never had a bad encounter with Peeves, but she had heard stories. Anyways, Wendi didn't have to give a reason of why she didn't like the ghost. Nope, she didn't. Wendi turned to the front of the room. Peeves had caused a ruckus yes, but Wendi was sure class would continue as normal. She was sure of it. Wendi slid her text book closer to her body eying it closely. She did wonder exactly what they would be doing the first day, but all she could do was wonder for the moment. Wendi would know soon enough.

Wendi smiled eying Professor McGonagall as class started. The Professor had a brief speech for the old and new students that didn't last long. Wendi nodded. Yes, Transfiguration was a bit difficult, but she found it fun. Transforming things appealed to Wendi as it did to several young Hogwarts students. Wendi opened the book and flipped to chapter one as instructed. She smiled as the professor asked some questions. One question was about the Principles Of Transfiguration and the other was to explain what Exordium and Eventium were. Wendi remembered the answers pretty well from the year before, but she took a quick peak at the book in front of her just to make sure she was correct with the answer. Wendi then raised her hand at a medium pace hoping to answer a question. She assumed she would be answer the first question, but that didn't really matter to her. She could and answer any of the questions asked. After all, wouldn't it be great if Hufflepuff won the House Cup two years in a row? Wendi certainly thought so.

[Annabella Valentine H3]

Annabella watched as a few more students had, piled into the room. She didn't know any of them, but hopefully she could change that later on. She began flipping through the pages of her book, when she suddenly heard singing coming from the hallways. Her eyes widened as she saw bananas coming into the room, and going after random students, she caught sight of Peeves behind them. He was the one doing the singing. Professor McGonagall had gotten up, and dealt with the situation promptly.

She listened to the Professor's speech, before turning to the chapter they were instructed to. She began to read over the chapter and thought about what, they were asked. After a few moments she glanced around the room and saw one student had their hand in, the air. She got her quill ready to write down any information. And waited patiently.

[Sierra Greene S6]

Sierra walked down the hall on her way to Transfiguration class. For the most part, Sierra wasn't a fan of classes, but Transfiguration wasn't too bad. It wasn't her favorite, but she could at least stand it. Plus, since it was the first day of class, she figured that they would probably just spend most of the time reviewing, so she didn't have to bother paying too close attention.

Just as she was about to turn the corner, she all the sudden heard someone singing an awfully annoying song. She was going to turn around and tell them to shut it, but when she saw Peeves followed by a band of bananas, she quickly made it to the classroom and ducked inside just before he and his banana group managed to start pelting the group of students with bananas. Luckily, Professor McGonagall was too preoccupied with Peeves to notice her barely making it before the bell rang. As McGonagall prepared to start class, Sierra pulled her book from her bag and let out a sigh.

"Blah, blah, blah," she muttered under her breath as McGonagall gave the usually first day speech. It followed by some basic questions that Sierra thought were rather simple. She glanced around to watch for the usuals to raise their hands and suck up to the professor, however only one girl raised their hand. Well, if nobody else would answer, Sierra thought she might as well just give the simple answer and earn some house points. It was never a bad thing to help Slytherin out. Hufflepuff had won last year, so hopefully that would change.

Casually, Sierra tilted her head to the side and raised her hand. She flipped with her other hand to chapter one, where she quickly refreshed her mind to make sure that she could get the wording just right. It wasn't too uncommon for students to mix up the meaning with Exordium and Eventium. After all, they were similar in name.

[natxthexrat]

Aurora walked into Professor McGonagall's transfiguration classroom, almost late, the class had started just as she arrived at her seat. She sat down quietly and settled herself into a seat without even sparing a glance at Professor McGonagall or the students. She took out her text books and looked up at the Professor just in time to get hit it the face by a flying banana. Peeves! She thought. Aurora had been stuck in many situations caused by that horrible ghost many times, so she knew his style. Of coarse, in the past years she had smiled and clapped for his genius plans, being the evil little girl she was before, but now, she was very agitated at the sight of Peeves the Poltergeist.

Just as she expected, Peeves didn't stay long, Professor McGonagall had dealt with him without a problem, so class had started back up again immediately. She gave a short speech and then asked a question or two for the class to answer. Even if she had heard the questions, she wouldn't be able to answer them. Aurora hadn't payed attention to any of her classes in the past two years, but yet she did manage to scrape a good grade. Aurora figured it was because of all the determination in her. Unfortunately, all the determination in the world would be able to help her answer the question, so she just sat there, pen in hand, ready to take notes while reading the page hoping to find the answer to an unknown question. Luckily, someone's hand was already up, so Aurora was off the hook, for now at least.

[aleatha]

Aleatha got to Transfiguration in her own good time. That witch McGonagall might not like it, but you simply couldn't rush some things, and one of the things you certainly couldn't rush was Aleatha Rydalmere. Besides, her daddy could buy and sell this school. The nasty transfiguration professor would have to watch out when that happened.

She adjusted the black headband she'd just ordered from Paris in her hair. It was plain, with a black bow attached to the side. It made her look oh-so-sweet. Not that she didn't look simply devine already.

"Sorry for being late, professor," she trilled as she flounced into the room. "Peeves was making a nuisance of himself in the corridors."

It was a lie, or at least, Aleatha thought it was. She had no idea of the trouble Peeves had been making just moments before. Her real reason for being late was simply that she'd not been too bothered about the time, as was her wont.

"Oh, Professor, I seem to have mislaid my text book," Aleatha made a show of looking through her satchel as she walked toward the front desk. "May I borrow one for this period?"

Aleatha left off trying to charm McGonagall into not being mad at her for this transgression. She knew from past experience that the woman had a heart of stone. It was probably why she'd ended up as an old maid.

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Just before Minerva prepared to call on the two young girls to answer, a third walked in the room late. "Ms. Rydalmere," Minerva greeted sternly. "Tardiness is unacceptable no matter the excuse. And to come unprepared, even worse. You are lucky that I am kindly offering my books for use today without a punishment, but next time don't expect such grace. As for being late, there will be no grace- five points from Slytherin. Now please take a seat and join us in chapter one." Minerva peered over her lenses and gave the girl a stern look. She never felt bad having to punish students like her. She knew that they gained as much satisfaction in causing her strife as she did with handing out punishment.

"Now then, Ms. Parson and Ms. Greene, please share the answers to the questions I have provided." She smiled kindly at the class, waiting to comment on the girls' answers.

((Terribly sorry for the delay. Wendi and Sierra- feel free to answer either question in either order.))

[aleatha]

Aleatha pouted but didn't bother to try to change the professor's mind. The crone would only take more points and then her housemates would be upset with her. At least McGonagall had called on Sierra to answer the question. Aleatha had noticed that little upstart was nausiatingly proud of her own ability. She'd deserve it if someong brought her down a few pegs.

Taking the text book, Aleatha retreated to one of the seats near the back of the room where she could daydream and look out the window in peace.

[Sierra Greene S6]

Sierra shook her head in disgust as McGonagall took ten points from Slytherin for Aleatha's lateness. It bothered her when students didn't seem to care either. Sure, Sierra didn't enjoy all the rules, nor did she particularly care to try to abide by them. However she did try her best to represent Slytherin, even if it did mean acting like she cared. Everyone should at least try, she thought, but some felt like they were beyond even those among their age and house- one of these people was Aleatha.

Luckily the professor had called on Sierra to answer a question. She figured she could do her best to redeem Slytherin with her reply. "The difference between the Exordium and Eventium is quite simple if you can just remember which goes with which, since the words are so similar. The Exordium is just the object that you are starting with. Whatever you are going to transfigure is considered to be the Exordium. Then, whatever the object will change into is the Eventium. Even if the object doesn't look different afterward, even if the function has changed, the object is now called the Eventium. The words basically represent what you start with and what you end with." Sierra gave a positive nod. She was pleased with her answer. Hopefully it would be enough to make Aleatha realize the importance of representing Slytherin well.

[Darren Gibbs S1]

Darren walked down the corridor on his first day of lessons at Hogwarts. According to his schedule, his next lesson was transfiguration, with McGonnagall. Scott, his brother had loved Transfiguration, being a Gryffindor, so Darren wasn't so sure what he'd think of it. However, he entered the classroom to find several students already there...naturally all girls, and no other Slyths in his year, In fact, the only other 1st year was a Ravenclaw, so he decided to sit on his own, somewhere near the back.

After a while, a ghost, apparently called Peeves, caused a disruption to the class, but he was soon banished from the room by McGonagall, as she started the class. She proceeded to ask students what the principles of transfiguration were, and then the eventium and the exordium. Darren vaguely recognised the phrases from the textbook, which he then took out of his bag, as he waited for a slytherin girl and a hufflepuff girl to answer the questions.

((Sorry it's really late-Darren was only approved 2 or 3 days ago...))

[wendi]

Wendi gave a small smile as she was called on. She really was determined to win some points for Hufflepuff. Wendi loved the fact that Hufflepuff won the house cup only her first year at Hogwarts. She wanted to do whatever she could to insure that Hufflepuff was granted the cup for two years in a roe. Besides, most people thought of Hufflepuff students as hyper kids that didn’t fit in any other house to they were placed in Hufflepuff. Wendi, however, just thought off all Hufflepuff students as unique kids who carried many traits and none of them were specific enough to put them into just one house. Wendi loved her house and her house mates and she would prove Hufflepuff worthy to win the cup once again. Wendi watched the late Slytherin student take her seat. Wendi was surprised anyone would dare be late for McGonagall’s class without a book, but she wasn’t too concerned for the Slytherin students. Wendi sighed as she glanced at her Transfiguration Book for a brief moment before she looked at Professor McGonagall.

The other girl called, a Slytherin, answered her question first. Wendi waited for the girl to finish. “There are three Principles of Transfiguration.” Wendi started. “The first principle is that all Transfiguration is reversible. Oh, and the opposite of Transfiguration is Untransfiguration.” Wendi said without glancing at her book as she had already read this material before. “The second is that the item that comes from a correct transfiguration is the same object. It is simply in a different form.” Wendi said while both shrugging and smiling. “And lastly, the third principle states Partial Transfigurations or transfigurations that are not complete can and will happen frequently.” Wendi smiled after giving her answer. True, it was a basic textbook answer, but Wendi had memorized it just like the text had stated it. However, when the test came around Wendi would try her best to figure out how to say it in her own words, but she did have trouble with that.

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

"Excellent answers Ms. Greene and Ms. Parson- ten points to both of you. Now then," she said as she closed her book and levitated it to her desk. "I know that most of your first classes, you spend much time really getting into the subject and review. However, I have a little bit of a different plan for you today. I've always thought that the best way to learn was to, in fact, teach someone yourself. So, I am going to give each of you the chance to come up in front of the class and demonstrate any spell from chapter three that you think you can handle. You don't all have to go, but I would encourage you to. And while your fellow classmates are up front, be sure to take note in case they make mistakes. Be willing to help each other out.

Minerva walked to the side of the room and took a seat on a stool. "Alright then, one at a time. The items you will need are in the box on the front table. Just be sure to remember the three principles that we talked about, and concentrate hard on the transformation between your Exordium and Eventium.

((You may all feel free to post your student getting in front of the class and attempting to demonstrate a spell. I will simply observe and get involved if the situation calls for it. I will award all points at the end, or I may post after every couple people just to keep it moving. Enjoy )

[Sierra Greene S6]

When the professor awarded her ten points for Slytherin, Sierra smiled widely. Even if class was a pain, she always felt pride in being able to help Slytherin out in the House Cup race. She thought that it also drew popularity from the older students, when they knew that you were responsible for earning points for your House.

Professor McGonagall next explained that they would actually not being doing the normal review. Sierra thought this was odd. They would actually be taking turns getting up and demonstrating random Transfiguration spells for the class? That was definitely an unusual change.

Sierra flipped to chapter four where the beginner's level spells were. She figured that she might as well get her turn out of the way. Not only would she have first pick at a spell, but she would then not have to worry too much the rest of the class about having to pay much attention. Scanning the list, she found one that suited her interest. She glanced around the room to be sure nobody else was already deciding to go. When she saw no one else stand, she made her way to the front of the room.

Peering into the box, Sierra found what she needed for the spell she would attempt. She pulled a large bronze candlestick from the collection of random items. Setting it on the table, she glanced out at the class. From this point of view, a slight wave of apprehension rushed upon her, but she quickly brushed it off and began to speak. "I'm going to attempt the Lumexis spell," she announced. "This spell is supposed to transform a candlestick into a dagger... if done correctly," she added quickly. "Here it goes," she said with a half-smirk as she bit her lip, concentrating hard. Candlestick to dagger, she thought to herself over and over. With her wand raised, she tapped the candlestick and muttered the spell, "Lumexis."

At first, the candlestick simply wobbled a bit and then nothing more happened. Frustrated, Sierra crossed her arms and thought. "Perhaps I wasn't loud enough," she offered quickly, not wanting Professor McGonagall to correct her. She was determined to have another go. "This time I will be a little clearer with the incantation," she said, confident that this was where she made her mistake. Again, she raised her wand and said the spell. "Lumexis!" she commanded, her voice more assertive this time. Almost instantly, the candlestick transformed into a thin, metal blade that quickly fell with a clatter to the table. Sierra looked it over: the blade was still composed of bronze, something that she assumed should have been iron or some other metal that was stronger than bronze. Also, the book said that it should be a dagger, and this was slightly larger than a dagger- almost sword-length, Sierra thought. With a small shrug, Sierra glanced over at Professor McGonagall. It was better than nothing she thought. Sierra walked back to her seat, pleased with her attempt at the spell.

[aleatha]

Aleatha took her place at the front of the room and glanced distainfully at the bronze dagger.

"I shall demonstrate a simple example of inanimate to animate transfiguration," she declared, opening her eyes fully for once and letting her clear blue gaze take in the class one by one.

"A beetle seems a simple creature, barely anything at all, until one considers transfiguring something like this button," she held up the button in question, "into one. However, when faced with the challenge of inanimate to animate transfiguration, one must take into account all the independent mechanisms within the beetle that are not present in an inanimate object. Things such as a nervous system, circulatory system and digestive system must all be present in the final transfiguration for it to be considered successful."

Aleatha paused as she withdrew a wand of Ivy and Unicorn hair from her robes, and set the button on the desk in front of her.

"For all of those reasons, vast ammounts of concentration are required when attempting this sort of transfiguration. The incantation for this is "scarabaeus", by the way," she added.

Eyes clouding over as she imagined the tiny black beetle that the shiny button would morph into when she transfigued it, Aleatha slipped into an alpha state in her attempt to consider all aspects of the final beetle at once.

Slowly raising her wand so that it pointed at the direct centre of the button, the incantation slipped between Aleatha's lips, barely loud enough to be heard. Almost immediately, the button began to transform into a small black beetle, which started to crawl along the surface of the desk. As it did so, Aleatha seemed to shake herself out of whatever dream she'd entered and picked it up to drop it into a matchbox so that the Professor could mark the transfiguration later.