Transfiguration ((NEWT years))

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

It took patience and care to make sure beginners managed the slight transmutations Minerva taught them correctly. For OWL years it was more of a matter of how to keep them in line and properly occupied with their work not with whoever they were crushing on at the moment or trying to impress their friends. Today however the NEWT years who were really serious about Transfiguration would be coming to class. And Minerva expected them all to give their best even if it was hardly possibly to expect everyone to succeed immediately. Yet Minerva was sure that she would be seeing a lot of simply brilliant wand work in class today.

Opening the lock on the Transfiguration classroom door Minerva left the door slightly ajar as if to let her students know that they were welcomed to step into the class once they reached the room after finishing their breakfasts. Minerva herself finished the small cup of tea she had brought along with her to class and placed the blue porcelain cup gently on a cupboard edge where she used to store equipment on which her students could practice. Opening the doors to the high oak wood Minerva’s eyes looked quickly over all the shelves before she took out a crate with carefully made dolls. The dolls were about 10 inches/30 centimeters tall and rather lifelike with moving eyes, four moving limbs and clothing. Each doll was wearing a suit or a dress from a different era from history and Minerva motioned for the crate to fly over to her desk. Letting the crate stay there Minerva took a seat in her desk being sure that every student who entered the class chose a doll before taking a seat in the classroom. The dolls looked pretty but Minerva knew that her students would be having quite a bit of trouble with them after she had explained today’s assignments.

((In your posts I would want everyone to say that they have picked a doll.))

[dana]

Dana finished eating the muffin and cleaining her fingers in a napkin took the last sip of her coffee-cup as well. Standing up it was almost an automatic reaction for her to smoothen her unifrom skirt to make sure it didn’t have any creases in it. Picking up her Hogwarts cloak from the bench next to her and onyl now did Dana clasp it closed as she pushed her arms into it’s sleeves. While she didn’t usually practice dropping food on herself while eating, it was just a safety precaution to make sure she didn’t spill something on her robe. Waving bye to the friends who had been sitting around her during breakfast Dana heaved her bag on her shoudler moving with quick steps towards the doors to leave the Great Hall. „Morning Kris,“ Dana murmured to her cousin as Kris appeared by her side pulling the big doors open for her politely.
Stepping through into the hallway Dana waited for a moment for Kris to catch up to her. Placing her right hand in the crook of Kris’s elbow Dana fell into step next to her almost immidiately as the two relatives conversed in quiet french as they walked down the hallways towards the first class of the day. Which just had to be Transfiguration at which Dana wasn’t overly talented at all.

The class-room door was slightly ajar so Dana pulled it open without knocking and nodded and smiled in greeting: „Good morning, professor.“ Feeling Kris slip away from her arm Dana walked forward alone to the crate that held the dolls McGonagall told them to pick out. Glancing backwards at Kris who had already chosen a seat for himself and was currently playing with Morrigan Dana picked out two. One – a lady with a book and glasses and in a blue riding costume – reminded a little of a teacher to Dana and she picked that one for herself. And one for Kris. Kris’s doll was holding onto a violin and wearing a deep-red and black evening dress. Someone who could be performing perhaps. Smiling thanks to professor McGonagall Dana turned and walked over to Kris choosing a seat next to him while placing one of the dolls on the table before him. Pulling out her books and writing stationary and parchment Dan apushed it generously betwene herslef and Kris who most obviously wasn’t planning on taking any notes in the class anyway. He would most likely just use hers yet again if he needed them. Leaning back against the backrest of the chair Dana continued their conversation quietly from where they had stopped upon reaching the classroom door.

[kris]

McGonagall had no sense of human and her class wasn’t exactly easy, especially not so now when Kris was blind. So he made sure he would get a partner sitting next to him who would not annoy him and who would also be intelligent enough to help him should he require it. So he was sure to catch Dana just as she was leaving the Great Hall as he could most certainly stand her. Besides Dana might at least be able to uphold a conversation in class, if it happened to be overly boring. The small privacy of speaking a language the bigger part of the school couldn’t understand was somehow rewarding and relieving as well. Politely opening the classroom door before Dana as well – Kris was brought upto be a gentleman after all! – Kris entered behind her, letting Dana’s hand slip from the crook of his elbow as McGonagall instructed them on picking up a doll. Morrigan gave a quiet dissatisfied purr at something as Kris turned and went towards one of the seats at the side. If McGonagall wanted him to wokr on dolls, she would have to distribute the dolls in class herself.

Dana however had a different opinion. Kris raised his right hand feeling the dool who apparently was carrying a... violin? Raising a quizzically eye-brow twards Dana, Kris shifted himself in his seat hearing Dana doing the same. Their shoulders leaning against each other both bowed thier head a little closer continuing their conversation but a lot more hushed tone as they discussed the business of Meredith and Julien that now belonged to Dana. Isabelle would most likely stay responcible for it, at least for until Dana herself went to Hogwarts. But for now, that wasn’t a very pressing matter, because the stores worked on as always. And they had a class to prepare for, no matter how boring it was going to proove to be.

[Jake Rainyar]

Much to the dismay of Jake's dorm mates he bounded out of bed early in the morning. It was much too early for class, but he didn't care at the moment. His kitten had been crying for at least a few minutes and Sniggle was definitely not happy with Jake at the moment. He looked down at his Calico kitten that was nearing it's 2nd birthday. Food. The kitten was hungry for food, but Jake knew that the house elves would be around soon feeding the animals like normal. Even at this thought he couldn't help but dig into his drawer next to his bed and give the kitten a tuna treat. Sniggle ate it up quickly and Jake held back a laugh. He didn't want to wake his dorm mates. It was too early in the morning to cause ruckus in the dormitory. Besides he needed to get ready for class that morning. He was heading to Transfiguration, one of his best and favorite classes, other than DADA. He loved Trans, but he knew that with the NEWT exams approaching class was going to be getting more and more difficult, especially the type of spells. He had already been having difficulty with silent spells, though he had almost mastered it now. Just a few more days of continuous practice and he would have them perfect. Of course, he actually needed to do that practice to actually obtain perfection. He shrugged off the trivial detail as he hurriedly began to dress into his school robes.

In a few minutes Jake was headed out of the Hufflepuff common room his bag slung over his left shoulder. He was on his way to get some breakfast in the Great Hall. With how early it was he would probably sit in there for a while waiting for time to pass. It gave him a few more minutes to fully awaken, besides he wanted to know if he had mail that morning. Trudging through the corridors in the early morning, the brisk air greeted him. It would be a nice day, maybe, if he had time, he would go for a ride on his Comet 260. If not then he would most likely hang around the student lounge working on homework.

Jake entered the Great Hall surprised to see other students sitting down eating in the early morning. He shrugged his shoulders as he took a seat at the Hufflepuff table and packing his plate full of bacon and hash browns. There he sat eating or talking until he realized that it was time to head to class. He left the table and headed up the staircase to the Transfiguration classroom.

The door was already opened and Professor McGonagall was sitting behind her desk. Jake noticed to other students already in the classroom. He recognized them from gossip and small talk. Kris and Dana, he believed, but he didn't know them. He had never talked with either. Suddenly a voice called him out of his thoughts. He didn't understand exactly what Professor McGonagall had said but it had something to do with dolls. That's when Jake noticed a crate at the front of the room with a bunch of dolls inside. He didn't know what the lesson would be about, but something that involved dolls would be entertaining. Jake smiled as he took a doll that was wearing a black suit. The doll had dark brown hair and it's eyes, which were moving, were also brown. Kind of freaky he thought to himself, but he took the doll without question. Turning he headed for a seat furthest from Dana and Kris. He didn't want to interrupt anything and it seemed they were deep in conversation. Jake sat down in his chair and awaited the beginning of class with anticipation.

[will]

Will could feel his impatience ebbing away. One could tell by the way he sat at the Raven table, scowling down at the breakfast that he would surely regret not having later. Why? Guess. Bad night sleep, unable to pick the right clothes, forgetting to brush your hair, and then tripping over untied shoelaces. And last, but very much not least, he had eggs for breakfast. Eggs! The orphanage had pretty much force fed him this as a young boy, and ever since he resented even the smell of it. Shuddering in disgust, Will placed one in his mouth. Chew. Chew. Swallow. He had to remind himself how to do it, the taste was so disgusting. There were many words for it. Revolting, nasty, distracting, horrible, awful, vulgar, throw-me-up type of thing. Will could think of many more words, but that would even bore himself to death. Sleep, more like. Something he needed.

His schedule just didn't want to cooperate with him. Transfiguration! Why, that was possibly the worst thing that could happen to him. His reasoning was beyond doubt impeccable and very unfriendly-like toward the Professor teaching that class. McGonagall. Even the mention of her name made the scowl set deeper on his lips. Bad days weren't something she took lightly when it affected your attitude toward her and the subject of which she was teaching. A difficult one at that. One that required patience and skill, something Will usually had. Actually, scratch patience. Keep skill. Anyway, as he entered the classroom, he managed to put a smile on his face. It was small and probably insignificant to the pleasantries McGonagall would share with students to come, but that was fine by William. Today he didn't feel the need to stick out.

During any other day, Will would have grinned at the proposal of picking out a doll that was moving somewhat. It was neat until Will pulled one up and felt it. It was like any other doll, excluding the fact it could move its limbs. Will nearly dropped his in astonishment when it moved its hand. Freaky! With a deep breath in, Will put his hand in the crate and drew out a random one. It had a black suit and a polka-dot tie, and in his hands was a piece of paper that had minuscule writing on it. Will grinned; it looked like a minister, perhaps, or someone of importance. Not a bad pick. This was the first time he turned to look at the class. In it were only three other people, which he found surprising. An older kid he didn't know, and Dana and Kris. Two people he did know. Which way should he go?

"Hello Dana. Kris." Will said as normal as he could without sounding strained. Like he was feeling. He wasn't sure if Kris would enjoy his company as much as Dana did. Well - Dana was probably used to it - they were in the same year. Anyway, he managed to put on a smile that could be considered friendly or forced, depending how one was feeling. He slid into the seat next to Dana as a result of being used to her. Kris he still found hard to figure and quite unique, maybe too much so. And too sarcastic. Recalling how difficult it had been to decipher Kris' words, Will decided his choice had been smart one. Leaning back, Will set his doll down on his desk carefully, very aware that it might just walk off at any moment. Because of this, he kept a wary hand, mind, and eyes on it, not paying attention at all to the conversation he could have interrupted.

[Colin Morgensen G7]

"Oh, shoot!" He muttered angrily as he couldn't find his camera case. He needed that! Scratches were unacceptable on his camera, especially if it was on the lens. That would ruin it! He had this camera ever since his first year of Hogwarts. You could say this was a fact Colin was very proud of. The clock was ticking, he could hear it echoing through his mind as he searched furtively for the lost camera case. And it was all to no avail. It remained hidden somewhere in the dorm, and Colin didn't really want to cause a row with a fellow dorm mate if he searched through his things to find Colin's case. With a sigh, he gave up the search and and turned to the mirror, straightening his tie and at the same time accepting rather reluctantly he would go without his camera today.

Transfiguration. Colin walked down to the classroom leisurely, not really in any hurry. He was still upset at the case. When he found it, he was going to just tear himself up. It was probably in the most obvious spot and he would find it during break. This had happened before, so the assumption was practically correct. Colin sighed and entered the classroom, treading carefully since McGonagall was really strict. Yet, he was in NEWT years, and he was finding that he was slowly making progress in this class. Another thing he was very happy with. The dolls that were trapped in the crate looked really nice and the craftsmen who had to have made it must have worked tirelessly to make them like they are. Excluding the spells, of course. Colin put his hand in the doll crate and carefully pulled out a doll that just happened to be a craftsmen. He was wearing glasses and his fingers were clamped around clay. Colin had been hoping it might have a camera around its neck, but in that he was disappointed.

The people sitting in the classroom were peculiar. Dana - he had met in the Student Lounge. She hadn't exactly left a good expression. The person sitting next to her didn't appear to even be in the classroom. He was fiddling with the cuffs of his school robes. Colin didn't know him, even though he was slightly familiar. The other person sitting by Dana was someone wearing sunglasses. He knew the identity of this guy - Kris Graas. The blind kid that had made Dana so hostile toward him. Colin instantaneously veered away from the threesome and retired toward the other guy in the classroom. An older kid and not in Gryffindor, yet he looked friendly enough. Colin grinned. "Hey." He said, sliding into the seat closest to him. "I'm Colin. Colin Creevey."

[luna]

Luna placed her legs directly before one an other. The toes of her one leg touched the hell of her other one as she walked. It was bit difficult to go down the staircases in this manner but what choice did she have? It was the day to honor chickens and so that you wouldn’t be pulled into tiny little pieces by chicken legs that had a life of their own after being thrown away before being eaten. Luna did not want to be killed by legs so she made sure that her steps were proper. And this way her blue toe ring glittered happily and was visible better as Luna had decided to not wear any shoes today. Or maybe the glasses she had decided to wear today made her see the ring better. Her arms carefully spread so that she wouldn’t fall Luna reached the classroom door without too many problems still as she entered it and smiled happily at the professor: “Good day, professor. Are you by any chance related to Minnie the Mouse? The nickname for Minerva is Minnie!”

Smiling and making her way to the front Luna chose a doll dressed as a clown for herself before looking around. A girl from her dorm was sitting at one side with an other boy from Ravenclaw and a Slytherin. They seemed quite happy. Then there was a Hufflepuff boy who was in his seventh year already. And then there was Colin. “Have you been seeing anyone being ripped apart by chicken legs today yet? I’m sure father would love some illustration for Quibblers next edition.” Luna smiled seriously at Colin as she sat down next to him after having slowly wobbled her way over. Turning Luna greeted the Hufflepuff boy too. “Hello. Have you ever eaten chicken?”

[Jordan Elizabeth Cortes]

Books. Pencils. Quills. Ink pots. Sketchpad. All set. Oh, wait! Wand! Jordan grabbed up her wand, stuck it in her rucksack, and then ran out of the common room. She would make it to transfiguration on time. She would. She just had to. Hufflepuff was ahead in house points, and they actually had a chance of winning the house cup this year - and she wanted it. She wanted it badly. Plus, it looked back for a Prefect to appear late in class. Her doc martens made squeaky noises as she ran down the corridors toward the classrooms. When she came within ten feet of the door to Transfiguration, she slowed her pace and then walked in casually to see that not even half the class had arrived yet. Lovely.

Jordan found a seat in the middle, thinking that was probably the safest place to sit. She took out her quill and ink, her pencil and sketchbook, and then her book for the class. Setting the class materials on the desk in front of her, she opened her sketchbook to a clean page and then started to sketch McGonagall today. That's when she realized she had to pick up a doll. Jordan hated dolls. Always had. Please don't tell me we're playing with dolls today.. She took out her wand with a sigh and summoned a doll from the crate. It was a pretty one, with twisted hair up in a bun and a nice dress with an apron, probably a pilgrim. She set the doll down and continued her sketch.

[ernie]

Ernie made it to class at exactly the right time, he was in seat the moment the bell rang. Never be early, and never ever be late. Being late meant point deduction for Hufflepuff. His eyes traveled over the Transfiguration classroom. He recognized a few Hufflepuffs, but just because they were in class didn’t mean much if they didn’t participate. Some of them never went to class, and others were just trying to pass with at least an A on their NEWTs. Ernie would never settle for just an A, besides he never had to.

There was a crate of dolls in the front of the room. Ernie nodded, knowing that McGonagall wanted them get a doll, it was obviously what today’s lesson was. He pulled out his wand, “Accio.” He said precisely. A doll flew to him and landed squarely in front of him on the desk. It was a creepy looking thing. Almost human like, that was what made it so creepy. Ernie looked up to the front of the room, his eyes on McGonagall. It was imperative to pay attention at all times; one never knew when the professor might ask you a question or say something important and bring it up later on in the lesson. Taking mental notes was also a very good idea, it prepared a person; making them ready for anything thrown their way. Being prepared was something one should always be.

[payton]

“Dillion! Come on! Get up!” Payton pulled on his twin brother’s foot. Dillion didn’t reply but he slumped off his bed. Then there was a grumble, and Payton took that as the sign he was awake. He picked up the books from the floor, placed them into Dillion’s backpack and then set that beside the mess of red hair that was on the floor; “We have Transfiguration to go to. Come on, Dill!”

Payton threw some clothes at his brother and then headed out of the dorm, hoping that Dill would actually show up to class. He bounded down the steps to the common room, and then out the portrait toward McGonagall’s classroom. Once there, he stepped inside and found a seat near Jordan. He smiled and then sat down, waiting for class to start. Every now and then he would peer at the door – waiting for Dillion to walk through.

[dillion]

“Dillion! Come on! Get up!” He pulled covers over head and tried to block out noise, but someone pulled on him. Unhappy he sat up, trying to pull covers over again, but fell to side and topped off bed. Lay there for moment, then hear something about transfiguration and something hit me. Peek over covers to see Pay leaving and clothes on me. Grumble more and try to get dressed. Clothes never go on right in morning. always backward and upside down and inside out. To many ways to go. Need to pick one way and stay that way. Need to stop smelling little funny too. Must get Pay to clean later. Sort of dressed run down hall. Where was Transfiguration room? Down hall! Wait...what hall. there lots of halls. Finally find room. Run inside just in nick of time and find seat near Payton and Jordan. "See. I good. I here on time."

[jillian]

There was a specific reason as to why Jill didn't attend as many classes as she could. And by the time she realized what that reason was, she was already sitting in her seat in Transfiguration, a spooky looking doll in front of her and a once clean sheet of parchment already filled with doodles. Jill always appeared to be early to classes, especially to classes she didn't like - maybe that way she could get a head start on her boredom. Yes, that could possibly be it. So, that was exactly what she was doing in Transfiguration...being bored. Jill looked up as a few more people entered the classroom, and then turned her attention back to the doll in front of her.

She took her quill and poked it with the tip. Quickly she withdrew her hand and the quill, and then poked it again; waiting for it to snatch up and strangle her. She had this weird wiggy fear of dolls killing her, she never played with dolls when she was younger. And there was a reason for that. The reason would be; she valued her life. Jill didn't want to die of being murdered by little dolls who could claw out her eyes with their nails. It just...wasn't on her to-do list. Jill sighed, setting the doll down as far away from her as possible. Maybe this class would prove interesting today.

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva greeted the students in turn as they entered the classroom. During the course of years she had spent teaching them she had learned bits and pieces about all of their characters. Who liked company, who preferred to work alone. Yet there were still surprises held in everyone she was sure. But the one thing common for all these young men and women in the classroom right now was that they were all talented in the art of Transfiguration.
Minerva let them converse quietly until it was time to start the class. Today would be fairly difficult assignment sot he students would need all the time they could get to perfect the spell they were learning. Everyone had received their dolls so Minerva waved her wand to the crate holding the dolls making it float back into the cupboard it was usually storaged at.

“Good morning everyone. We will have a rather interesting an difficult class today, even if I have no doubts that all of you should be able to manage with the assignment. But let us start now without any further ado. First of all I would like to know if any of you could explain what or who a golem is?” Minerva looked around the classroom waiting for hands to be raised after she had asked her question.

[Jordan Elizabeth Cortes]

As the class settled down, McGonagall began with a welcoming. Jordan continued to doodle, though she was completely listening. In fact she was listening so much that when McGonagall asked what a golem was Jordan stopped doodling and looked up. She knew the answer to this question, having studied a little bit about golems when she was in her third year - but she hadn't gone into depth with them. After all, they weren't the prettiest thing to go into depth about, were they? She would much rather go into depth about unicorns, or even Pygmypuffs. Those were cute.

Slowly she raised her hand and waited to be called upon, hoping she would be. Jordan really did like to answer questions in class - but a lot of them times she wasn't paying attention enough to answer the questions. Besides, Ernie usually always got to raise his hand before she did. He had like this reflex. Question, reach! Question, reach! Jordan stifled a giggle at her thoughts and continued to wait.

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

One hand rose showing readiness to respond to Minerva’s question. Minerva looked at the 5th year Hufflepuff prefect for a moment recalling her strengths and the skills she still had to work upon. “Ms.Cortes. Please be so kind as to explain to the rest of the class as to who or what golems are.” Minerva nodded briefly to the girl to show that the girl should reply as soon as she was ready for it.

[Jordan Elizabeth Cortes]

Jordan smiled as Professor McGonagall called on her. Um, something about folklore, but it was something...oh yes! "Well, a golem to the muggles is considered a folklore from the Jewish religion. Which, is true...if you think about it. But basically it's a creature made out of some type of matter, say frogs or rocks for example, and is made into a human form and is supernaturally endowed with life." Jordan had liked golems, mainly because of the frog ones - but she didn't really study much more than the basics. She hoped her answer was suitable, she didn't know much more into depth - after all the books she had read didn't go into much detail about how to make a golem or anything.

[Professor Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva listened to the answer to her question and gave miss Cortes a brief smile. “Very good. 5 points to Hufflepuff for the answer.” The answer had been good covering the basis so that Minerva’s further explanations would make sense. For a moment Minerva stood quietly letting her eyes look over the classroom as she tried to find the best words to explain the matter of golems.

“As miss Cortes said golems are made of some other material that is shaped into a form to resemble a humanoid. The process of creating a golem is very long and time-consuming as to create a lasting golem you need to use very advanced transfiguration spells, a number of different charms and potions in which you have to soak the golem for a number of days to make sure the animation will last. The process of creating a working human-sized golem is about three months and the Ministry of Magic keeps track of all existing golems and the punishment for creating one illegally without allowance from the Ministry is very severe. It may even resort to some time being spent in Azkaban. However as such animation of lifeless things is a very important part of Transfiguration we are going to learn it in today’s lesson. However as you are only using a Transfiguration charm the animations will only last about the duration of the class or even less, so you have no need to worry about the Ministry. I told you all to take one of the dolls when you entered the classroom. As the doll is small enough and already human-like looking so you wont’ have to start to shape it with spells the task should not be too difficult.”

Turning around Minerva picked up one of the dolls herself and placed it on the high platform from where it would be visible o the whole class as the platform was at level with her eyes when Minerva stood. Minerva made sure the doll would stand on it’s own and then took a step back. Raising her wand Minerva concentrated for a moment before casting the spell.
“Animo vividum.”
The doll opened it’s eyes at a wave of Minerva’s wand and then stretched for a moment raising it’s arms high above it’s head. Minerva observed the movements of the doll that started to do acrobatic exercises at where it stood bending, stretching, making head, hand and waist circles and everything imaginable. Leaving the doll to move Minerva turned towards the blackboard and waved her wand once which made the spell and the correct pronunciation of it appear.

“The spell is Animo vividum. [ANI-mou vi-vi-DUM]. Pay attention to the pronunciation as it is vital for the spell to work. If you need any help do not hesitate to say so as I will be walking around and grading your work in the end of the class. You may start working on animating your doll now. Mr. Senette, you seem to have received an alreayd slightly altered doll, I will fix that in a moment." Minerva walked to the mentioned Ravenclaw 6th year tapping the doll he had chosen with her wand once making it just as lifeless as every other doll was. The work in her class had to be done fairly.

[dana]

The classroom filled with people slowly and Dana grinned at Will as he came over and took a seat on the other side of her. Arching a curious eye-brow at his casual greeting to Kris as well Dana glanced at her cousin. “You two know each other? Or at least know each other well enough for a greeting?” Dana asked curiously not bothering at all to hide the curiousity in her tone. Kris wasn’t overly social, even if he could be a pleasant conversation partner if he chose to be. But he didn’t go around making friends with just about anyone, none the less with Ravenclaws. As far as Dana knew Will wasn’t a pureblood either. Dana glanced with a slight smirk at the moving doll Will had had the bad luck – or good luck? – to pick out but didn’t comment.
“Very good. Two smart guys on either side of me. If I break down in tears or kick you in the shin under the table then take it as a hint that it would be a good time to help me with whatever we are doing today. Transfiguration is most definitely not my forte,” Dana murmured to both boys turning her back slightly towards Kris leaning against his shoulder as she faced Will smiling at Ravenclaw boy.

McGonagall began the lesson and knowing she had to pay much attention to pass this class well enough Dana concentrated on her words grinning at Jordan as she answered McGonagalls question. Sure, first tell them about all the dangerous that accompanied the process of creating a golem and then tell them that they were doing just that in the class. Dana could just imagine how she would stand under trial and the only thing she would have to say for her protection was “but it was a school assignment!” “Mind exchanging dolls?” Dana whispered to Will before wincing as McGonagall reanimated his doll again and shook her head, “Never mind. But if I get dragged into Azkaban for this, I’m taking you along so I wouldn’t be bored. And I do expect you to break me out, Kris.”

Dana stared at the doll before her and concentrated repeating the spell quietly to herself trying to get the pronunciation correct. Raising her wand Dana tried the first time. “Animo vividum,” Dana commanded and groaned when a quiet rumble sounded and the doll didn’t show any signs of life. Dana sighed and pulled her hair back into a pony-tail before concentrating fully on the doll before her and blocking out every spell attempt from either side of her as she tried to animate the doll. “Animo vivi-DUM!” Dana chanted for what seemed like the hundredth time, even if in reality it was only try number 8 and watched as the doll moved. Or at least tired to. The doll’s left arm started waving in air wildly and the left leg started beating against the table rhythmically. The dolls face moved as well, the eyes and mouth opening and the head turning from side to side. Dana poked the doll with the tip of her wand and sighed picking the doll up if it didn’t react much to the light prodding. “I think my doll is half-way paralyzed. At least I know I won’t be thrown into jail for creating illegal golems,” Dana muttered moodily as she stared at the doll in her hand before turning her head to see how Will and Kris were doing.

[kris]

Kris grunted in reply to Will’s greeting to him but didn’t respond verbally instead letting Morrigan pull on his finger as they played a make-shift game of tug-a-war. Even if either way Kris would be loosing, because Morrigan’s teeth and claws left light marking onto his skin. Hearing the curiousity in Dana’s voice as she shifted himself Kris moved a bit as well shrugging lightly and responding with barely one word: “Horses.” It should be answer enough for Dana. Dana knew how much Kris adored animals so animals were one way how to approach him without infuriating him. Other than that one word Kris played with Morrigan absent-mindedly listening with one ear to the conversation Dana and Will had. Not that the conversation lasted for very long as McGonagall started the lesson. Golems? Interesting concept really. Ven if Kris really preferred real flesh and blood, but golems did have their uses. They had been used in quite many wizarding wars as weapons as Kris recalled. “Sure, do you want me to bring something to eat along as well after I make myself wanted all over the world for breaking into a jail and escaping with convict prisoners?” Kris drawled quietly in response to Dana’s remark even though he didn’t doubt that he would break into Azkaban or at the very least try. There was very little Kris would not do for Dana.

After a flick of his wand his wand appeared from his sleeve as Kris caught it theftly between his fingers having practiced the move for years. His left hand found the doll laying on the table as Kris placed it into an upright position as he pondered a bit. It was a tricku task for him. He couldn’t see the doll so as far as he knew the doll could be dancing or playing a mime even now. Magic was much about bending things to be like you wished by your way of thinking, by kowing that your spell would work. That and practice and some use of brain. The ability to locate and force that tiny spark in your blood that no muggle had to work for your benefit. Being blind so that he could just as well guess that the doll was already animated gave Kris an upper hand at this case. Always having had a knack for Transifguration – it was his best subject – most certainly helped too.

“Animo vividum,” Kris stated trying to get the feel of the spell. Just to be sure Kris cast the spell thrice and then tapped the doll with his wand one more time and a moment afterwards violin music started. Tchaikovsky as Kris recognized. As his doll had been carrying a violin in it’s hand and Kris had been thinking of music Kris had evidently been successful in his spell. “Dana?” Kris enquired quietly and felt Dana turn slightly before replying: “Her legs aren’t moving, but she plays music so it doesn’t even matter at this case. Nice work.”
Feeling content with the outcome of the spell – even if it had not worked fully, as the doll didn’t move below it’s waist - Kris let Morrigan sniff the doll and move around it curiously while he picked up the book Dana had brought along his fingers starting to dance over the lives as Kris read the text in braille.

[luna]

Luna sang a little under her breath as listened to the answer Jordan Cortes gave to McGonagall. Luna waved happily at Jordan and then listened on to the task. They were supposed to create golems. But golems attracted Gnutbails. Luna stuck her tongue out of her mouth as she tried to think why McGonagall would give them such an assignment. McGonagall was usually so dutiful. Unless she had already secured the classroom against the attack of Gnutballs. Luna looked up as she heard someone cast the spell already and observed curiously as a girl from her dormitory cast the incantation making the doll move a little bit. No Gnutbails attacked so Luna clapped and called out happily. “You have secured the classroom against the Gnutbails attack!”

Being reassured now Luna took hold of her own clown doll and smiled at it as she pulled her wand out from behind her ear. Unwrapping one piece of hair that had came off from her head away from around her wand Luna placed her wand against the doll. “Animo vididum.” Luna watched as the doll lay calmly for a while before Luna gently placed a finger on it’s chest. The doll opened it’s eyes and let out a loud screeching giggle that hurt one’s ears. Luna picked the doll up and placed it on it’s feet watching and humming along as the doll started to dance cancan. Only to stumble and fall over because of it’s big shoes which made the doll let out it’s screeching laughter once again. Luna giggled and raised the clown doll or now the clown golem to it’s feet again. And the circle started to repeat. Luna raised the doll to it’s feet, the doll danced, fell over, screeched and Luna raised it to it’s feet again.