History of Magic ((Everyone))

[darien]

“Ooh, foxy lady
I see you, heh, on down on the scene
Foxy
You make me wanna get up and scream
Foxy
Ah, baby listen now
I’ve made up my mind
I’m tired of wasting all my precious time
You’ve got to be all mine, all mine
Foxy lady.”
The lyrics sounded across the hallway as Dare walked towards his classroom winking to a couple of girls as he passed them. History of Magic. He loved that lesson. Truly loved. While he didn’t care much about the Goblin rebellions the class was a prefect opportunity to meet new people and get new friends. It was socializing with different people that made life interesting and in History of Magic all the houses came together and at most cases shared a dislike at Binns so it should be relatively simply to start a conversation as well.

Dare entered the rather full classroom still singing the song but quieting down a little now that he had entered the classroom. His eyes swept over the classroom as Dare quickly evaluated different seats that he could take even as he was already moving forward. His eyes falling onto an other 5th year Gryffindor even Dare grinned widely and made his way over slipping into a seat next to Cathy. “Precious, I was hoping to see you again. I still haven’t found a way to properly express my gratitude for the day you spent on ice with me. It was like a dream come true. May I take a seat here next to you, precious?”

[Ivy Tunstall]

Ivy shivered uncontrollably as she sat on her bed in the Hufflepuff fourth year girls' dormitory. Disease was running rampant through the school and Ivy had managed to catch the virus which was making itself prominent. Madam Pomfrey would no doubt be able to sort it out quickly but Ivy didn't much like going to see her so things had to get really bad before she'd submit to doing that. She was eating as much as she could though she didn't have much of an appetite. She intended to keep her strength up. She just felt rather dizzy, and a little nauseous. As well as the fact she just couldn't stop shivering. She felt so cold. Even when it wasn't cold. Even when all her senses told her it was boiling in the room she still shivered. But if you could go on you should go on without complaining, and it wasn't that bad yet.

It was History of Magic next. Not one of Ivy's favourite classes. She didn't fear the teacher or the outcome of the lesson like she did with Potions, nor was there the same apprehension when that time of day approached. But Professor Binns hardly made it very riveting and she did have trouble engaging with the subject. Generally she was conscientious enough that she ought to pass it at OWLs level with any luck, but she did have trouble concentrating during lessons too. At least it would be a chance to have a bit of a rest. Wearily Ivy, dressed in more than one jumper in an attempt not to feel quite so cold, raised herself up from her bed which she had been sitting on and made her way out of the dormitory and the common room, through the busy end-of-lunch corridors towards the History of Magic classroom.

There were already quite a lot of people there by the time she reached the classroom. She hadn't set off particularly early for the class. Ivy smiled at Lacey and the girl sitting next to her who she believed was a Hufflepuff in the year below as she went to take a seat next to Gary. Noko's guy, she liked to call him in her head, though that was probably a little presumptuous. "Heya," she greeted him shyly with a smile, hoping that Nokomis would show up fairly soon since she didn't know the Ravenclaw particularly well. The exertion of bending down to get out her books gave a wave of dizziness a chance to take effect and as it overwhelmed her Ivy put her head down in her hands till it passed, resting her elbows on the desk as they shook along with the rest of her in the cold only she could feel. Once it had passed sufficiently Ivy looked at the Ravenclaw boy she was sitting next to, feeling slightly embarrassed that she wasn't feeling well enough to be of any credit to herself, let alone to make any type of conversation as really she ought to. "Is it cold in this room or is that just me?" she asked him eventually. Windows could always be closed if it was the room... if it was just her she would have to bear with it for a little while longer. Bed wasn't a particularly fun place to spend your days. On the other hand, neither were History of Magic classes. But they were duty.

[luna]

Luna skipped happily towards the classroom. She wasn’t even singing or waving to her friends who all looked after her. Today she was a woman with a mission. She had even tried to dress accordingly but Luna wasn’t completely sure how well she had succeeded. While her purple skirt was most certainly suitable for a business woman Luna had small doubts about her bright yellow cloak that flowed behind her. But she had to have some part of her clothing represent the superhero part in her. But the cloak matched very well with her orange T-shirt that had big daisies with faces and sharp teeth on it. Teeth were good. Teeth could be used to scare away Mergyletties if one ever ran into them. Sure the Ministry tried to keep Mergyletties a secret, but the reporters of the Quibbler had still discovered the secret.

Entering the classroom Luna looked around and beamed happily. There were so many people here already! That meant that she could warn so many people about Mergyletties who liked to sneak closer to you and start chewing your toes. “BEWARE! The Ministry has failed to hide the existence of Mergyletties and the Mergyletties should soon enough break out and take over the world of socks! Don’t be fooled by their cuddly looks! They will chew off your toes and then make puppets of them!” Luna called loudly over the classroom before prancing over to a pair of Gryffindors. One boy and one girl. “You have a pretty hair-clip. Do the Sucettrys like swinging form it? With it color it should draw tem nearer?” Luna asked from the girl ((Cathy)) before dragging off her black mask to show to her that she wasn’t going to fight against her in her superhero form.

[Nokomis Astarra H5]

She was going to be late, she just knew it. She was rather sure that she was going to be late a fair part of the time, and most of the time she managed to somehow avoid it, but she didn't know how she was going to pull it off today. Everyone had left for class already and she was still rummaging around in her trunk trying to find her sweater. She didn't know where she had put it after classes yesterday, but she knew it couldn't have gone far. Finally she spotted a charcoal sleeve hanging down from under her pillow and she dashed over to find it wadded into a ball there. She pulled it on, trying to walk and dress at the same time, and grabbed a piece of parchment and her history book before she dashed out the door and down the stairs.

She stepped into the History of Magic room and happily realized that class hadn't started yet. That meant at least one thing was going right today. As she stood int he doorway she clanged around the room and spotted Ivy. She was rather good at spotting the yellow trim in the crowds. As she started to head over to where Ivy was sitting she noticed that her best friend was sitting next to Gary. She couldn't help but see Gary and smile, and then she remember the state of her sweater and wished she looked at least a little bit better. When she finally reached then she smiled at them, trying to smooth her wrinkled sweater as she did. "Hi guys."

[ernie]

Ernie entered the History of Magic classroom 30 seconds before the bell rang, and by the time it did ring he was in his seat. On time, as always. He had found a seat near the front of the classroom so he could get a good view of everything. History of Magic was a good class to go to, a person could never learn enough about the history of magic.

Ernie did his survey of Hufflepuff students before having taken his seat and it appeared that a few more had attended than last time. Some younger Huffles were there, and that was good. Getting started on classes early was never frowned upon, not by Ernie anyway. He smiled smugly and turned his attention to Professor Binns, awaiting the start of class.

[payton]

The muffin was stuck in his mouth as he juggled Dillion’s books from his left arm to his right. Where was his brother? Payton looked around the Great Hall, looking for the familiar mop of red hair but saw a familiar smile instead. He walked over toward Jordan and took the muffin out of his mouth, while smiling at her; “Have you seen Dill?” He asked. Jordan shook her head, but she would probably see him later on in Transfiguration, or sooner.

“Could you give him these? He needs them and you know he’s always forgetting things around the dorm.” He motioned to the books in his arms, with a hopeful smile. Jordan laughed and took the books from him. Payton thanked her and ran off, hoping to make it to class in time. Dillion came first though, and as much as he didn’t like being for class – he always looked after his brother.

Payton entered the History of Magic classroom seconds before the bell rang, and for this he was thankful. He took the nearest empty seat and watched as the professor began the class.

[rowen]

The bell rang just as he stepped through the door and into the History of Magic classroom—not that it really mattered, Binns wasn’t exactly the most observant of all professors. Someone could stroll inside just in time to hear their assignment and the old ghost would think they had been there the whole time. That coupled with how boring the class was he didn’t even know why he bothered going to the whole thing. The only reason worth going was to get some passing mark on a card that no one would care about later in life. Still wondering why exactly he was here, and here on time he pushed his way to a seat near the back, glancing around to see that there was a reasonable turn out to the class, including a number of Hufflepuffs, but then they were too dumb to even realize how worthless this class was. After locating an empty chair he dropped his books heavily onto the desk before letting his weight sink down into the chair, not exactly looking forward to the useless information soon to be rambled off to them.

[Professor Binns]

Binns felt his eyes being a little tired but he didn’t need any sleep anymore. Otherwise he might have fully well been dozing off. But in the current situation he was still perfectly able to work and fascinate the students of miracles and beliefs that were once world-altering. History was an interesting subject and very educational. If it wasn’t so complex in some ways Binns would have demanded that it was a required subject. But as it was the classroom had filled with students anyway.

“Good day, good day. We have a very thrilling class ahead of us today where we will discuss two very important topics in history. Faith and religion. The difference between a legend, myth and reality. We will start with the so called mythology of the Norse also known as Scandinavian countries. We will touch Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Denmark and then we will also see a tradition well known and loved in our own homeland. But now let us start with Norse or Viking mythology. Perhaps you can find interesting references to Norse Mythology from the works like J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings or Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung. But before we fully get lost in the magical world of history, could someone please remind those who have forgotten as to who exactly the Vikings were?”

[dillion]

Found Jordan somewhere on trip to class. nearly run into her, sort of on purpose. She have books. Lots of books! Too many books. No one need that many books. Not even Ernie! Ernie have too many books! She give some books to him. Say for class. Oh yes! Suppose to be going to class! Who want to do that. Class not fun. Have to go through, Pay want to go. Something about being good student. Get to class right as Binns start talking. Not listening though. No one want to listen to Old ghosty man. Sit down in chair near Payton and Ernie. They pay attention. Get what need to know from them later. Not listening but hear Vikings! Vikings fun!
"I know!"

[sammy]

"Dare!" Cathy wasn't sure whether to be excited or glum, delighted or disappointed. Sitting next to Darien Fletcher would be a task in itself. Controlling him and enduring him. She looked up at him, precariously leaning on the edge of her seat. "Of course you can sit down. Don't be silly." She tugged him down by the sleeve into the seat next to her. Him standing there would only cause him to be an agitation and the source of attention. Cathy didn't like attention. Pulling herself together, she gave Dare a friendly smile. Again, the word precious came up. Attention. This was the kind she liked. Kind of. Well, she did. Or did she? Being called precious was something she could get used to, Cathy decided after pondering over it. Yes, she could most certainly get used to it.

Binns started to talk. About what an exciting class the had today. Thrilling, he called it. Uh-huh. She highly disagreed, but not a word left her mouth about it. Instead, she leaned against her desk, putting her head on her hands. Vikings. It rang a bell, but Cathy's hunch was not enough to make her raise her hand. In fact, she decided that it would not do at all to make an effort on this question; she didn't want to show off her ignorance. Because she knew something about Vikings, but it was probably wrong. And probably very little of what the Vikings really were. Licking her cracked lips, Cathy turned to Dare with a raised eyebrow. Did she have to speak? Perhaps they would start passing notes; that would be amusing, and Binns probably wouldn't notice. There were two things Cathy was certain of at this moment: she wouldn't raise her hand; she wouldn't be the one to start passing notes, if it came to that. Simplicity really does feel good.

[Professor Binns]

It was always pleasing to see students taking interest in your subject. Binns smiled fondly at the already 7th year boy who volunteered information about vikings. Binns had always suspected that he wasn't serious about History. But maybe something still had caught onto him if he knew the answer now.
"Mr.Moore, please raise your hand if you wish to answer. But please, share with the classroom as to who the vikings are."

[dillion]

"Have big boats and sail around and raid villiages! Norse peoples! Big Norse peoples! They blond right? Me remember they blond, and they were big fur thingies. It cold that why they wear big fur thingies. The ylive long time ago too. Very long time ago!"

[Professor Binns]

Professor Binns stared at young mr.Moore for quite a while even when the boy had already finished his answer. While not exactly wrong the answer had been presented in a quite unorthodox way. But such display of imagination most certainly displayed understanding of his subject and so Binns found it justified that he could move on with the class.

“The Norse mythological system as we currently have it comes down to us mainly from the Icelandic Eddas and sagas which were written down a few centuries after the christianization of the north. There are many theories concerning the meaning of the word edda. One theory holds that it means "great-grandmother". Another theory holds that edda means "poetics". A third belief is that it means "the book of Oddi". Oddi is the name of a place Snorri Sturluson, who wrote (The Prose Edda or Younger Edda around 1220 CE) was educated.

"Norse mythology presents us with a multilayered, often contradictory, world view with a myriad of parallels in other mythological systems, elements and creatures from the primeval giant Ymir to the cow Audhumla the reader is besieged with mythic archetypes and is therefore extremely interesting.
Perhaps some of you have been acquaintanced with Norse mythology before and could explain the myth of how the world was created according to Norse mythology to the rest of the class?”



((I have quoted Nicole Cherry, who is a researched of Norse mythology in this post))

[kaddy]

Danielle muffled yet another yawn and glanced about the classroom. She didn't know why but for some reason History of Magic always made her sleepy. Or maybe it was just her imagination. Either way she did not like this class much. Though it usually gave her a little time to take a nap she always worried that she'd get in trouble. Of course it hadn't happened yet, but she decided to be extra careful. Besides, Danielle thought. maybe class won't be too boring.

Danielle groaned in frustration. "How am I supposed to remember all this junk? Oh, duh. Notes." She said to herself. Quickly she pulled out a pen and piece of paper. For her it was easier to write with a pen or pencil then quill. At least then she wouldn't have to keep dipping it in ink. So as quick as she could Danielle began to scribble down notes.

[trippy]

Trip slid deeper into his seat, half-heartedly scribbling down notes while hiding behind his textbook. Though he had arrived before the bell rang, and wasn't doing anything wrong (at the moment), he never liked to have the full attention of Professor Binns. Maybe it was because he was a ghost, or maybe it was because the guy could bore someone to tears; it didn't matter. Trip had never talked to Professor Binns before, and aimed on keeping it that way.

Vikings: big. blond. fur thingies. boats. raid villages. Furiously, Trip scribbled down the notes, pausing for only a second to wipe his ink stained left-hand on his robes. However, it only took a second for Professor Binns to launch into one of his famous confuse-fests. Trip gaped in horror as he listened.

"Icelandic Eddas?" "Snorri Sturluson?" What's that supposed 'ta mean? Sighing, he picked up his quill just in time to catch something about a giant and a cow. He added it to his notes; though he didn't know what good it would do for him.

[dana]

Dana had barely had time to settle down in her seat and scan over the first page of the book with her eyes when the door opened again and Sapph entered. Dana grinned at the 5th year cheerily as she took a seat next to her. Their first meeting had been rather unusual, as they had met last spring in a thunder-storm Dana had went to dance in, but they had became very good friends.
“That’s the point of dueling and fencing you know,” Dana said frowning towards the small drop of blood that appeared from Sapph’s finger, “Do not hurt yourself. I’ll glad to practice a little however.” Dana grinned and snapped her book closed waving her wand towards the small figuring to make the speed of the make-shift sparring practice a little bit quicker as Sapph countered her moves now.

The next person to arrive was an other Ravenclaw fifth year Dana knew only by appearance. They had passed each other in the common room from time to time and they had some similar friends, but they had never really had a conversation with her. A.. Ariel was her name Dana thought. “Heya,” Dana replied to her geeting as the red-head slid into a seat on the other side of Sapph, “I don’t mind company personally.” Dana added the comment lightly wincing as Sapph’s sword broke through the defense of the figurine but quickly flicked her wand to make sure the figurine would win back every small doll-step of ground she might have lost.

Their table seemed to be quite popular though as the next person to arrive was Cleo who sat on the other side of Ariel greeting her rather familiarly. “Really, Cleo, I thought you were smarter. If I agree to pay a little over 200 galleons for a sword after the first lesson, then it should be rather obvious I like fencing, wouldn’t it?” Dana asked back from her friend with a slight smirk curving her lips, “As for being a role-model – fencing is a graceful way to get rid of extra-energy without harming anyone; it gives my brain a chance to rest from studying and makes sure my posture stay nice and I stay fit. It shows I take care of both my mind and my body. You should rather be the one who surrenders to peer pressure and picks up fencing as well?” Dana winked at Sapph as she raised her nose towards the ceiling and peered towards Cleo then, making it seem as if she was looking down at her, while not leaving any doubt of the fact she was merely acting: “And for your information I didn’t have to drag Sapph’s screaming and kicking form into the first fencing-lesson. I just had to use a little bit of chloroform to haze her mind so that she wouldn’t be able to argue too well with me.”

Dana raised her hand and waved to one of her other friends – a 2nd year Gryffindor – as she entered the classroom. Melody was great and rather taken by paper airplanes. Dana chuckled as she watched the attack on the statue of a troll in the corner of the classroom and winked at Cleo at her dare to Melody. “Really, Cleo, what’s the pressure? Let’s get the stakes higher. Get the plane through Binns’s arms or legs and I’ll buy you 12 bottles of butterbeer; if the plane passes through the stomach you get the finest stock from Zonko’s. Through the head and I’ll bring you a basket of the finest treats from Honeydukes and the nose is the main target. Get your plane fly through there and I’ll treat you to the next Weird Sisters concert with you as well as a full-out dinner after it,” Dana added her own part to the dare Cleo had thrown out to air in the firm moment as she glanced back down on the fencing figurines just in time to narrowly avoid a rather clever attack from Sapph.

Glancing backwards at Will as he questioned about the figurine and the swords Dana grinned wickedly. “Oh course I’m planning to do something with the figurine. See, there are some Ravenclaws who don’t pay attention and don’t do omework properly and sleep in class or paint their nails,” Dana glanced pointedly at Will and Cleo while saying this mock-snarling towards Cleo as she waved her hand carelessly towards her and replied: ”Sorry, Dana, I don’t do other people’s nails.” Shaking her head Dana turned back to Will and grinned: “And I’ll send this little figurine after such students who try to sleep in class or don’t pay attention. So beware, darling, knowing me won’t get you off the hook any easier.” Dana didn’t even turn around greeting Ryan with a quick “Heya” as well as the 5th year boy landed himself in a seat next to Will. And the first words out of Ryan’s words made Dana glare at her furiously until Ryan threw his hands up and changed the point of his words. Snape was a smart professor in his own subject and as such deserved respect. And Dana didn’t want anyone to put him down around her, because well… potions was a dangerous subject and the amount of stress Snape must be under was extra-ordinary stress. Besides Dana found his character and his rather sarcastic humour oddly refreshing and pleasant.

“Kris,” Dana said simply as Kris stopped at the corner of their desk to let her cousin know where exactly she was. And Kris’s reaction was swift and quick as Dana found herself suddenly flying backwards with her chair. Letting out a yelp Dana threw her hands upwards only to be caught by Kris to her ultimate relief. “Ah, merci,” Dana said as Kris dropped some envelopes onto her lap before pushing her chair back into an upwards position. Dana slapped her hand on top of the letters but one of them still floated to the ground so Dana was forced to stand around, walk around her table to get it and then return to her seat. Turning the envelopes the other way Dana glanced at the address they were from and grimaced, knowing that she didn’t want to read any of them actually. Were her grandparents still alive Dana wouldn’t have to worry about business. Her face a carefully blank mask Dana slid the envelope between her history book, not wanting to open them in front of others. It still hurt too much for Dana to trust herself that much.

Quieting down as class started Dana listened with one ear to hear what they would be speaking of today while she concentrated on the fencing-duel she had going on with Sapph right now. Snickering quietly at the Hufflepuff’s answer as to what Vikings were Dana listened to Binns’s next words, not bothering to take notes, knowing she would be able to find all this information in different books on history she owned and had along at Hogwarts with her as well. Binns asked about how the world had been created and no one seemed to be overly enthusiastic to answer as no one raised their hands. Dana sighed and raised her own recalling everything she knew of the material and figuring that it would be enough as she waited to see if Binns would call upon her or not.

((I hope I managed to respond to everyone who spoke to Dana or with who she would have to talk to. If not – sorry, but I think I got everyone. *huggles*))

[Professor Binns]

“Anyone? Anyone at all know the answer?” professor Binns looked around the classroom wondering why so few people raised their hands to answer the simple question. Fashion a nd music had both developed so much and were now so courageous, but students themselves seemed to have turned a lot more shier. I t was an interesting thing for professor Binns to discover. Such mild and sweet students.
Finally one hand rose slowly at Binns tried to give the girl an encouraging smile. “Yes, miss Coran.”

[dana]

And Binns did call on her. Well, Dana was the only one who volunteered to answer as well. Dana gazed at the still fencing doll before her on the table for a moment as she tried to gather her wits to her. She didn’t know overly much about the creation, but she still knew some. Besides most such myths had a lot of similar components. Taking a breath Dana let the doll finish one rather complex move before looking back up at professor Binns and beginning her answer: “List in most myths the world was started from the void, or a gap with magical potential. Norse mythology is no case, except there were also two lands existed – one of ice and one of fire. The two countries or lands started to come together and the mix of fire and ice created… Ymir and the… cow?” Dana blinked rather doubtfully as se didn’t know anything about any cows. She most definitely wasn’t a farm-girl. She didn’t have what it took to ever become one either. Dana was a big-city girl through and through.

“Ymir greated the giants and at the same time gods appeared. The gods rebelled so to say and killed Ymir therefore at the same time killing most of the giants too. The gods who had killed Ymir took his body and created the earth, sky, stars, moon and pretty much everything else from the corpse. And after the earth and universe so to say was created the same gods found two logs on a beach on earth and turned the logs into the two first humans,” Dana listed out all her knowledge in a more-or-less understandable logic as she smiled calmly at Binns. Not that the old ghost would really even notice it. In Dana’s opinion he rather seemed to be dozing off. Staring at Binns thoughtfully for a few moments after concluding her answer Dana shrugged and turned most of her attention back to the fencing-duel taking place between her and Sapph.

[Professor Binns]

"Yes, yes, very good ms. Coran." Professor Binns nodded his head a couple of times as he thought about the answer he had received. "The gods were created by Audhumla, the cow, licking the salty ice. Her incessant licking formed the god Buri. He had a son named Bor who was the father of Odin, Vili, and Ve. But as alwyas there's a beginning and end to all things. Could perhaps someone share with the class the meaning of Ragnarok as the end of the world was called in Norse mythology?"

[ernie]

As class began he flipped hi text book open to the section they would be covering today, not that he hadn't nearly memorized it already. He rather liked history, and he was good at it. It was more memorizing than creative thinking or even application. Memorization was easy as long as one drilled themselves enough. The first question that their professor asked was immediately addressed by a fellow Hufflepuff, the stranger one of the Moore twins. He was of course pleased to see a Hufflepuff stepping up to the task, but he was also not surprised to hear Dillions...far from normal explanation of the the Vikings were. He did suppose though that it was perhaps the best anyone had ever gotten out of his house mate. He rather pitied anyone who had to read an essay written by the boy.

The next question was responded to a Ravenclaw, who did rather well, but then she normally did. When the third question was asked he paused for a moment, waiting for someone else to come forward with a response. When no one did he calmly lifted his hand into the air. Sometimes he simply had to do everything himself if he expected them to get done properly.