Class B: Lesson 1 - Memory

[Professor Athena Bennet]

The potions classroom did not look like a potions classroom. Her predecessors had kept the room dank and dark, but Athena couldn’t stand the bleak mustiness of the rooms original design. The walls were lined with glass cases filled with an assortment of random objects including potion ingredients, finished potions, and what could only be jarred animals and body parts. New sleek black tables had replaced the old beaten up desks, each one set with two identical sets of basic equipment. Athena had her students provide all their own materials except for a few things.

She provided each student with the proper amount of ingredients for whatever they happened to be brewing that day, a mortar and pestle, and a small table-sized stove for heating their cauldrons -which they had to produce themselves and have cleaned and ready for every class session. She allowed her students to store their cauldrons in her classroom, but she demanded they keep the storage closet clean and tidy, when they failed to do so, she tended to leave little surprised for them…a little slightly explosive surprise. She’d only had to do it once or twice with a few unruly first years, they learned quickly enough.

The desks were arranged in a large circle, in the center of which was a four-foot marble pillar. Sitting on top of the pillar sat a small silver cauldron full of a bubbling orange liquid. Beside the cauldron was a note that read:

Feel free to examine. Do not touch or taste.

The room was well lit, though the source of the light was unseen. In the only dark corner sat Athena’s desk. It was large and messy, covered in parchment, quills, and other odds and ends. In front of the desk, almost but not entirely hiding it, was a large blackboard. Written on it in large swooping letters was:

Welcome to the first day of potions class B, please find your seat before the start of the period.

Athena herself was nowhere in sight, the room seemed relatively empty except for the giant leopard snoozing on the ground, looking quite comfortable on the cold stone that floored the dungeon. It seemed quite at home in the classroom. It was curled up awkwardly in the back of the room, it’s golden pelt glowing in the strange light that filled the room. It’s flank rose and fell with each even breath and a loud rumbling purr filled the room.

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[shava]

Vincent walked down the staircase from the Library, not sharing his mother's famous habit of never being seen in the room. He didn't mind the Library, though it was too dark in his opinion, but hey it had the books he needed. Story was she used to bully so many kids at his age just to force them to go and get books out of the Library under their names for her. Amusing. Not Vin, he preferred to do his own research in case he found anything else as interesting as he did so. Like last week when he went to go something he needed on potions research and found a pair of fourth years at it behind that particular set of stacks. He had watched for a moment out of interest, could tell they hadn't been doing it much before because of mutual confusion, and had decided to have some fun.

Ah, the look on their faces when he had tapped the guy on his bare shoulder and said "May I cut in and show you some moves?" Vic had about bust a gut laughing at their hectic embarrassment, reclothing, and fleeing of the Library. As he headed for the Dungeon stairs he chuckled to himself remembering, finishing his thoughts with memory of exposed flesh on the girl he would have to remember. The one time he had seen her since she had gone crimson from a wiggle of his eyebrows. He had, of course, added her to his list of possible seductions later on in the school year. Now in the dungeons, he dodged around a group of seventh years having a jinx war and kept an eye over his shoulder for stray spells until he got to Potions.

Walking in, he slowed down, observing the scene.

Stepping to the center near the column, he read the note, sniffed the air near the cauldron for it's scent and looked at the liquid with a frown. Was he seeing more in the color then just orange? A closer, but cautious glance showed something more then bubbles, maybe a bit glinty in the color? Flakes of gold maybe or silver? He watched for a moment, curious, then turned and chose a table not right in front of the teacher's desk, eyeing the leopard with a grin. He was used to wild cats in the manor, as his father kept a snow leopard so he didn't fear them mostly. Of course, since it was Hogwarts it might be a pet or a Professor either one, but his father had explained many times to him how when one changed one also enjoyed a lot of the same things a shape's natural state did as well.

Leaving his bags on a spot, he walked over to the leopard and knelt watching her, holding out a hand for smelling if the creature awoke, but mainly watching. Both he and his sister had been working on their patronus charms recently, but each desired to learn to be animagus someday. Watching her breathe a moment he looked more for the interplay of muscles and skin, wondering what it would be really like to make such a change. "What a prize b!tch you are," he said softly, the correct thing to say when speaking about animals of high quality of course. After another minute he stood and walked back to his chosen spot saying "Merlin, cats are like so cool... Damn you, dad."

As he saw others starting to enter he opened his bag and got out his book and stuff, sitting to await developments...

[Valley Shieldheart]

Valley was not looking forward to Potions class at all, it was her worse class, and to be honest the Professor scared the hell out of her. So today she had made sure to walk extra slow down to the dungeons to the potions classroom from her last class. She was pleasantly surprised when she walked in, to find that the teacher was nowhere in sight. And the only occupants of the room were a giant leopard, a quite beautiful leopard at that, and a Slytherin boy that she vaguely recognized as the seeker of the Slytherin Quidditch team, Vincent Silver-Moon. She went to the center of the room, and looked at the potion bubbling in the cauldron, and scrunched her nose at the smell, it wasn't all that pleasant. She had absolutely no idea what the potion was, and she knew the teacher would make her feel stupid about it later, but right now she really didn't care as the class hadn't really started yet. There was no use getting stressed before she had to.

Turning around, she walked over to a table which she deemed far enough away from the teacher's desk to be safe, nodding politely at Vincent as she passed, and sat down. Placing her bag on the floor next to her, she pulled out a notebook and started doodling meaningless pictures and nothings in it with a pencil. She wished one of her housemates, or one of her friends, was here. She was incredibly bored, and starting to worry about how the class was going to go. She wish she had someone to talk to, even just for a little while. But that didn't look like it was going to happen just yet, if at all soon. So letting herself ignore everything going on around her, she continued to doodle, and prayed the Professor would show up incredibly late and the class would be happily short. It was unlikely, this she knew, but hey, a girl could dream right?

[shava4444]

I DREAM OF GARDENS IN THE DESERT SAND

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Muk left his dorm room and headed to the common room, getting out his thermos and pouring some hot water in it, adding a tea bag. Letting it steep while he added four tablespoons of sugar as normal and stirred using the tea pot to change it several times. FInished he capped it and stuck it in his bag for later on. By the time the first class was finished, it would be about ready and he woule need the heat. Adjusting his scarf for the cold class, Muk headed out of the common room.

One of the easiest classes for him to get to, Muk left the common room and walked through the dungeon, getting to the door just as he saw another Housemate heading through the door. Speeding up he caught the door before it closed and stepped in, letting it close softly behind him and looking around. Seeing the potion and the arrangement of desks he hesitated a moment before walking up as Valley left the potion. The potion smelled odd, but he liked the color of it, wondering what it was. Was that a glint of something in it? Nah. that didn't make sense. Potions were usually filled with bubbles and other odd twists and turns to the flowing liquid, not shapes in it so much.

As far as he had seen, that is.

After he examined it, he turned and walked over, motioning at the chair next to Valley saying "Can I sit with you?" Pulling out the chair he sat down, putting his bag on the desk, still wondering what the potion was. As he pulled out his book he said to his desk mate "Any ideas on what that was?" Opening it he turned to the back for the very first time and noted it had no index. Damn. Well, maybe that would have been too easy for a book. "Oh. Thought I could look it up by color and have some idea of what it might be." Looking back at the pillar, he flipped through the pages wishing the word orange would jump out at him and give him a clue.

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Words:
Notes: Curiosity
Lyrics: Desert Rose by Sting
Credit: Shava
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[Stuart Shieldheart]

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Stuart Shieldheart was concerned. A new school year had always thrown him into concern. He felt off his footing for the first classes. He felt as if he were rushed into making a hasty decision or having to write an essay in a hurry because he slept in and forgot all about it. But, it was potions class that he had. He somewhat liked the class because it involved more mixing and following directions than speaking. He was good at following directions. He liked directions. He liked being told what to do. The boy was a complete pushover and would hardly even defend himself if called out. He'd take a cruel remark hard for a few seconds then try his best to ignore it and move on... Thinking about happier things, such as his ferret.

Though he had liked the class of potions... His opinions of the professor were not the same. She was strict. She was cruel. She singled him out at times. He had never once said a single word in potions. He hadn't planned to in the future. He'd stay in his seat, take the abuse, cry about it later and be caught by Peeves. If she threatened his precious ferret he did get defensive and show anger in his face over hurt. But, he still refused to act. But, if his ferret were ever attacked he would defend the creature with his life. He loved his ferret. He loved his ferret more than anything in the world.

The potions room was brighter. He never understood why his parents called it a dark class hidden away in the dungeons. He was a Hufflepuff... A badger. They lived underground, his common room was even inside the dungeons, close to the potions class. Stuart walked into the room quickly, but quietly. He took a seat at one of the long black tables and grabbed his journal out of his backpack. He opened the journal up to a blank page and he retrieved a pen. He rose from his chair, leaving his backpack there and scurried to the shelves on the side of the room and retrieved his cauldron from the storage place, inspecting it to make sure it was clean. Please... Don't let anything go wrong today. Come on Mousie... Stuart... You can get through it. Just focus on the book, cauldron, board, professor and nothing else. No distractions.

He had noticed a giant leopard on the ground as he walked back to his desk. He did his best to avoid the leopard and keep to himself. This wasn't a class where he tested any of his curiosities. At his desk there was a silver cauldron with an orange liquid inside. Stuart stared at it as he retook his seat and placed down the cauldron that made him seem like a midget. He did not touch or taste or move his hand near the silver cauldron. He simply looked at it. He was unsure of what it was, but, he was sure he would find out soon enough. He looked away from the orange pot to see whom was in the class. There were already a handful of people in the classroom as he entered.

He recognized the orange-red haired boy, Vincent Silver-Moon first. Quickly after he spotted his sister, Valley. He shot a soft smile in her direction, as, he liked his sister. If something were to happen to him she would probably defend him in a heartbeat. He looked at Valley's side seeing Mukhtar, a classmate of his sister's. I wonder... If they're dating? Nah... They can't be. Valley would tell me... Right? He kept his smile and looked back down at his journal grasping his pen, awaiting what to do. He was patient. He would wait. He was alone for now at his table. It was like that for most of his classes as he was a boy whom really kept to himself or just carried around a ferret all day.

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tag: class [white]|[/white] words: 663
notes: please don't destroy his journal

[Matthew Wolfe]

When Matthew arrived in class, he knew he was cutting it extremely close. He was usually never tarty and he did everything he could to avoid such, but when a night goes long with extra study and a morning is late due to bad timing and the needed sleep, one tends to get a little carried away and desires to sleep in just a few more moments longer. It set his whole day off completely. He just hoped that this day would go on and much longer without a hitch. He'd rather just go through his day and not see it blemished. He absolutely did not want his record damaged without a valid reason like... severe illness or strange jinxes or curses. Very vaild reasons like that.

He once again pulled his hood over his head as he joined the flow of students into the halls and through the corriders working with a fast pace, taking as long a stride as he could, robes flowing out behind him in what air that they captured as he weaved between students. He kept his head down and whenever a look was taken in his direction he turned his face to show his 'good' side more. It was no secret, far from it, but small actions like this made it just a little easier on him. Matthew quickly approached the classroom and slipped inside quietly, moving to take a seat at the back of the class. He would like to sit in the front so he might absorb better, but the last time he had attempted such was in his first year and it ended in a bit of a public humiliation when one of the students started to cry due to his appearance. Never again.

He sat in silence and pulled out his books and parchment and readied his quill for what would be to come.

[Kat Quinn]

"Get up Kat" she grumbled to herself as she laid in her bed. Class was the last thing that she really wanted to do. The thought of skipping was so tempted but it was the first day and well she at least had to be there for the first day. First day, the thought rang in her head and she shoved her head back under the pillow. Kat always liked to skip out and well about the only thing she would do is hide in the bathroom and read a book. Slinking out from under her pillow, her red curles fell around her face and she blew a strand out of her eyes. Puffing up her cheeks, Kat sat on her bed. Mostly just blinking and looking around.

Some of the other girls lived for this day, the day when they got to see the boy they liked or show a ex boyfriend how great they had gotten over the summer. "Pretentious" Kat mumbled under her breath as she rose out of her bed and went off to get ready. She took a look at herself in the mirror, brushing her hair as she stood and leaned against the wall. Looking at it again, it looked better, more tamed but it still remained in its curly red orange curly locks. The hair color was from her mother and well the the body of it was alot from her dad. She always remembered him having such curly hair. Smiling to herself at the thought of him, sometimes she really did miss him. On days like this, was probably when it hit her the most. Another year went by, another year without him.

Shaking her head, she told herself to think of happier things. Class could be interesting, after all it was potions and she had to admit that she was a fan. Slipping on a white blouse she began to button it up, fluffing her hair out. Then she slipped the gray skirt up around her legs, and around what most people would call hips. Frankly, Kat had little to no shape to her body. Well she did, have some suddle curve to her but nothing major. It was better that way, most guys didn't try anything on her and even if they did, they got a pretty kiss from her fist. She slipped on a vest and buttoned it up, of course she put on her house tie. Then some long black socks and a pair of classic oxfords. Giving herself a nod in the mirror she grabbed her bag and was off.

Breakfast was about the same as usual. Sera yelled at Bastian for doing something, Dylan teamed up on her and Sera ended up attempting to hit Dylan. The two of them fought like some married couple, not that Kat would ever tell Sera that. Oh lord no, not unless she wanted to meet with a swift and painful death. Her and Bastian talked for a majority of breakfast, making fun of each other for a good majority. That was just their dynamic, he said something stupid, she called him out on it and he called her out on something else. Kat loved him, he might of been a douche to most of the other students but if they gave him a chance he was a nice guy. Just he covered it up well. Not that she could talk, she was known highly for being well...rather harsh and blunt.

Getting up, Dylan make a snarky remark about how she should try and skip classes with him. "Not likely, I'm at least going to show up for the first one" of course he stuck his nose up at her and called her a bit of a prude. Kat stood up throwing her bag over her shoulder and giving him the finger "oh go get your kicks somewhere else Taylor". All he did was put his arms behind his head and smirk, smug as usual. Sebastian and Sera were probably in her class. Which made her happy because well, she would much rather have the two around then some of the other idiotic students. The first person her eyes locked to when she walked in the room was Vincent. Making her way over, Kat casually sat next to him. "Morning" she said in her usual and seemingly uncaring tone as she pulled her book out of her bag and slid it on the desk.

OUTFIT

[Professor Athena Bennet]

Deep sleep was rare for Athena, and it was beautiful as rare things usually are. Shifting into her animagus form always seemed to help, she was much more comfortable when she was out of her own skin. The fact that she had fallen asleep so early before the start of her first class of the year was unlike her, but she hadn’t exactly been able help herself. She’d finished setting up the classroom, added a few finishing touches to the day’s lesson and simply…drifted off.

Waking up on the floor of her classroom wasn’t exactly pleasant and coming to the realization that she was a leopard surprised her momentarily. She had no recollection of phasing into her animagus form, but here she was, lying on the cold stone floor covered in a spotted pelt. She rose, yawning, extending her long bristled pink tongue before closing her jaws and reexamining the classroom. Her students had begun to arrive, sadly. She disliked her students…the majority of them anyways. They showed little promise, they were far too invested in the luxuries they called problems to care about the beautiful art of potions. A deep growl escaped her throat as she turned away stepped forward, her long tail twitching in annoyance.

Her body morphed back to its humanoid form as she reached the center of classroom. She stood there quietly, her posture rigid and unwelcoming. She was a tall woman, standing six feet with help from her black stiletto heels. She wore a tight black dress with long sleeves and a plunging neckline. It was tightly corseted, giving her an unrealistic shape. Her long blonde hair had been braided and twisted into a large figure eight at the base of her skull; where it had been pinned in place with a silver peacock feather. The dress itself was short, the tight skirt cut off just above the knee, leaving the rest of her leg exposed. Not taking the time of greet the few students that were present she looked to the large ornate clock the sat beside the door.

”It looks like there will be more than a few late students, it’s a shame really, I was hoping I wouldn’t have to take away any house points on the first day.” She stalked back to her messy desk, picking up her long blood red wand and sliding it up her sleeve. She scowled at the red-headed Gryffindor girl as she entered "We will begin our lesson soon." She stated coldly, sitting down and tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

[shava]

Potions was a class which required one to pay close attention. And while the teacher was not a friendly type and did not make things very easy, he did appreciate the idea of potions. It was just that so many of them were finicky things, how people discovered them by accident was beyond him. You would go through so many components for years before getting one that was usable. Insane. He watched with half-an attention span as students began filtering in and he was surprised to note the entire Hufflepuff group arriving together.

Talk about coordination. And he was still the only Slytherin? While not a huge fan of the house point system, he disliked losing points simply because other people were lazy. Ridiculous. As the last of the Huffies arrived he was surprised by the sudden reappearance of the teacher and then realized what shape she had been in before that. And he had called her a- - he became very serious and watched her with concern but she didn't seem to focus on him, instead speaking about class beginning soon. And then frowning as another student barely snuck in in time.

However, this one distracted him. Kat was a good friend, an odd pairing since they came from opposite houses actually, but they shared a lot of the same interests. Though she hadn't been convinced a ride on his bike would be something she would enjoy yet, he hadn't given up hope. As she slid into the seat beside him he gave her a rare smile and said softly "Morning. I think you just barely made it under the wire on time." A glance at the teacher showed she was ready to start going on with class.

Vin thought about Kat while he waited. She was a sports fan and they had originally met up talking about something really dumb one of the students on Hufflepuff had done during a Quidditch game. With neither of their houses on the field it had been a hesitant beginning, but they had found common ground easily enough. He's not turned off by sarcasm; it actually often amuses him to hear it and her rough humor which sent many others away he put up with, even chuckled about. At the end of the last school year they had talked enough to get to know the basic outline of each other's family and he had been surprised to feel a bit of sympathy in him for her plight.

He was rather lucky to have his parents and a big extended family around most of the time. It had been a hard realization and not one he found easy to contemplate, losing one of his own. Any of them would have been horrible, even when Ash drove him up the wall with teasing he still loved the heck out of her. But it did make him think about others and especially her, Kat the sometimes isolated. He frowned for a moment at these thoughts, not happy with their direction, but then his smile came back up as he remembered she had chosen to sit down beside him, not some Hufflewhimp.

The day suddenly seemed more up then before.

[shava44444]

Not knowing what his future was going to be like and not having chosen a direction yet in it, Cernenus lay on his back on a couch in the dorm's common room, looking at the ceiling in puzzlement. Neither of his parents occupations really fit him completely, but then again nothing really lay on his shoulders easily. He was tempted to find something to do with the oceans, but really he couldn't see how any Hogwart's classes had anything to do with that. Take Potions for instance, you couldn- -

He sat bolt upright as his eye looked to the clock on the mantle and gasped. Without thought he grabbed up his bag and ran for it. Bursting out of the dorm door and slamming it behind him he ran like his life depended on it (it did) and as he rounded the corner he saw a robe going in the door in front of him. He ran till he needed to break and slid on his shoes to almost even with the door, grabbing the handle just as the door was about to click shut and stepped inside quickly.

Seeing himself facing the teacher facing the door (his cheeks full blush, slightly out of breath, and breathing heavier then normal) he blushed more, gave her a head bow of respect afraid to meet her eyes and quickly stepped to the side of the room sinking into the first chair he saw. He didn't even notice where he was sitting till he looked beside him to see one Stuart, one of the quietest Huffies he knew. He nodded at him briefly, knowing the boy wouldn't speak to him and glanced around to see if there were any others he knew.

In fact, he was the only one in his year here as far as he could see besides his seatmate at the moment. Though there were several Hufflepuffs in the room, he could see that (not having noticed the one behind him). As quickly but with as little sound as possible he pulled out his book, quill, and ink and set them in front of him before he got a piece of parchment out. It was then he saw the cauldron bubbling away and his heart sank. For sure she was going to bring it up and what was inside and he had no idea. Straining his eyes he got a glimpse of color, but that was really all he had.

[Sebastian Larsen]

Checking his watch Sebastian jumped up from where he sat at the Gryffindor table in the great hall. "SHIT SHIT SHIT!" He exclaimed as he clambered up onto the table, slinging his book bag over his shoulder. Martha, his pet rat, squeaked loudly running around his feet, not wanting to be forgotten. He scooped up his four-legged companion and slipped her in the side-pocket of his bag before making his way clumsily down the middle of the long table. His housemates were less than pleased, angry shouts and cold glares followed him as hopped along quickly, trying to avoid stepping in people's food.

"Sorry!" He said as he knocked over one of his peer's goblets, spilling pumpkin juice down their front. He grimaced and quickened his pace, reaching the end of the table and hopping down, rushing out of the great hall and making his way down the the dungeons. He should have left with Kat, then he would have had at least a small chance of making it to class on time. Usually he didn't care, he only attended classes so he could play quidditch, but potions was different. The Potion's Master, Professor Bennet was not a nice woman, she was the least forgiving and most terrifying of all his teachers at Hogwarts.

If only Dylan hadn't been so distracting! He silently cursed his friend, who didn't have to worry about Bennet's wrath. He rounded a corner and slowed his pace, loosening his tie and running a hand through his messy hair. He had to make sure he didn't look like he was too worried about this class, in order to maintain his image he hah make sure people thought he didn't care, which was true more than half of the time. He strolled into the classroom, taking in his surroundings. At first he didn't see the professor, and he was flooded with a sense of relief. He took a deep breath, which immediately caught in his throat as he spotted her in the back of the room glowering at him over a small stack of tattered parchment.

He started to cough loudly as he choked on his own saliva, his brown eyes watering. He slowly regained his composure, clearing his throat and walking further into the room. He spotted Kathleen's red hair and started towards her, stopping seconds later when he noticed the orange head next to her. He scowled, and made his way to an empty desk across from them, setting his things on the floor and sliding into his seat, his displeasure evident.

[kyla]

Now that she's back in the atmosphere

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Keela, having been raised on a farm, was up in plenty of time for her first class of the day. Oddly enough, it was one she shared with her brother Cern, and so she looked forward to it. She knew that some people found it odd that she and her brother got along so well, but they both felt it was nice to have a friendly face no matter what. She hadn't noticed him on her way there though, and she found herself hoping he hadn't been late. She made her way into the room quietly, by the look of things, Professor Bennet was getting ready to start class, and Keela was glad she'd made it in on time.

After all, it wouldn't do to be late on her first day. The others were debatable. She took a seat, behind her brother who looked oddly flustered. She didn't often see him riled by anything, and it made her wonder exactly what or whom had caused this reaction. She glanced around the room, but it wasn't until she followed his gaze that she realized it wasn't a student that had caught Cern's attention, it was Professor Bennet. Keela hid a smile behind her hand. He was so going to hear about this later.

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Plain old Jane told a story 'bout a man

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TAGS: Cern Summerby[/b]
OUTFIT: here![/b]
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LYRICS: Train - Drops of Jupiter[/b]
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[Valley Shieldheart]

Valley grinned as Muk sat down in the seat next to her and nodded when he asked if he could sit with her. "Of course you can, it's nice to finally see a friendly face. I've been sitting here for a while by myself which really always sucks." She said. When he asked if she had any idea what the potion was, she had to shrug. Potions was her worse class, and she really had absolutely no idea what it was. She watched as he opened his book to the back, only to close it soon afterwards, stating that he had been hoping he could look it up by color to get some sort of idea. She shook her head before speaking. "You would think that whoever wrote the book would think to put an index, but guess not. I seriously have no clue what it is myself... but then... i'm hopeless with potions anyway... so i rarely have a clue about anything in this class..." she frowned a bit as she spoke. She hoped the teacher wouldn't call on her at all today, because if so she was bound to be humiliated.

She smiled even wider when she looked up and saw her little brother Stuart, who she fondly called Mousie, enter the classroom. She watched him sit down by himself at an empty desk, and waved when she saw him shoot her a smile, smiling warmly back. She then noticed soon after, that another fellow housemate, one she had always been curious about but never had the guts to approach or talk to, walk in and sit alone at the back of the class. He had a hood on, which made it hard to see his face, and this was a normalcy for him. She had a hunch, that he had an injury, or a scar, that he was trying to hide... probably for fear of people staring and judging. He always seemed to be alone, and Valley wondered that he must be lonely, and had wanted for a while to try and talk to him, but still hadn't made the effort to try, mostly due to her shyness with approaching people. She watched him pull out his books, parchment and a quill, before realizing that she was staring a bit and that he might notice, and forcing herself to look away. She didn't want him to think she was a weird stalker or something.

Suddenly the leopard on the floor stood up, and out of nowhere, turned into their potions professor, Professor Bennet. Valley's eyes grew wide, she hadn't known Professor Bennet was an animagus, and she had been hoping the teacher was sick. She stated that it looked like their would be quite a few of students late, which was a shame as she was hoping she wouldn't have to take away house points. Then she went on to say that the lesson would begin soon. Valley sighed resignedly. She had been dreading this, she had been dreading the time where class would actually begin and the teacher would see yet again just how hopeless she was. She really couldn't wait til next year when she would be able to drop the class if she didn't do well enough this year in her O.W.L.s. That was the one bright thought that would get her through this class this year, that she most likely would not have to take it next year.

[Galen Montgomery]

Galen had been standing in the doorway of the Slytherin boy dormitories as he figured next to no one was left here. He believed himself to be the only one left, and if not, then the few stragglers that would crawl from these halls after him were either incredibly bold or incredibly stupid, and he would suggest the latter. This would, however, beg one to question why Galen himself was simply standing here, fully clothed, ready to go, but not making a move to his next class. It was simple really. Simply and quite curious. He was waiting, timing himself. If he timed this perfectly, the results would turn out in his favor. If not, then he would try again later under a different set of circumstances.

Taking a step back, it seemed silly, his actions. He planned to catch a certain Hufflepuff on his way to class, counting on him to be running late in an empty hall to corner him for a few private minutes. This was strange, without a doubt, but Galen would admit that Auriel Lazarus made him to strange things on occasion. There are many accounts and numerous examples of this, but, as the clock ticked away, time left for reflection wasn't anything he could afford. Instead, with a grin carved slyly along his lips, he finally, finally set off to Potions class, as it had stated on his schedule.

Instead of being in a rush like the few students that still scurried through the halls, he strolled casually with something of a smirk on his lips. He watched for the familiar face in which he searched for, keeping an eye out for silken gold hair, a lithe and graceful figure carried by a beautiful gait. His steps had been confident at first, but as he was fast approaching the Potions classroom doors without any sight of the Hufflepuff male, he began to slow.

"Well, I'll be damned..." he murmured thoughtfully, "Maybe he was early?" Galen mentally kicked himself and decided that maybe this little game of cat and mouse was a silly approach. He'd be more direct. After class, he'll take Auriel to The Three Broomsticks and actually pay for the food and drinks instead of letting his mother give them a free meal. As convenient as it is, he wanted to show Auriel that he could take care of himself, and in turn, he self-proclaimed wife-to-be.

With a sigh, a bit disappointed and a tad agitated, he pushed open the doors of the Potions classroom to see a number of students already seated, some who wore the famous canary yellow, but none with the beautiful face he was hopelessly obsessed with. Galen found himself double damned, and he mentally kicked himself twice over. Auriel wasn't even here! This was the worse idea he had ever come up with! Yes, it was definitely back to being direct for him. Nothing says 'I love you' like shoving your crush up against the wall for a snog and quick feel before getting caught by the staff or any of those more tattle tale-like prefects.

"Am I late?" he asked as he entered, letting the doors close heavily behind him. It didn't matter to him what the answer would be, or if he were given one at all. Instead, he dropped his bag by an open seat away from everyone else in the room in hopes that the Lazarus boy would soon walk in and occupy the seat next to him. "I wouldn't want to lose points from your favorite house, Professor." He smirked, this coming from the boy who was only previously wasting time getting here. He simply leaned back, arms folded, as he waited.

[shava4444]

I DREAM OF GARDENS IN THE DESERT SAND

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( I dream of love as time runs through my hand ) [/b][/font]
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Giving up on the book as providing no handy explanation he closed it and wondered for the millionth time why westerners had not just gone with picture transference by mind. It would have made things like this so much easier to understand. Looking at her he smiled. "Thanks! It's nice to hear someone enjoys seeing me around." He winked to show as most westerners did that he was joking, hoping he got it right when in actuality he winked the opposite eye which looked a tad odd. "Ah, it's okay, Valley, I'll be your partner for this class if you want. I understand it okay."

While not his best class (he absolutely adored astronomy and it would never be replaced) he could follow a recipe for a potion as well as anything. After all, it was simple enough if you knew how to follow directions and were careful. He did fairly well, despite his odd ball way of looking at the world as most thought. If he kept an eye out, he was willing to bet he could keep her from making mistakes. He was as startled as Valley when the big cat transformed, his eyes going wide. Mukhtar had almost no knowledge of animgus and had never realized there were people who could transform their very shape!

The goosebumps popped out on his flesh as several old wives's stories came back to him and suddenly this professor took on a much more sinister look to his mind then any other. He swallowed nervous suddenly and very determined not to meet the witch's eyes, looking down a touch of fear in his eyes. African witch hunters sometimes passed through the tribes who usually ran them off as charlatans, but he knew many still had courts and killed witches on a regular basis. If the professor had been spotted in the country transforming, her description would have gone out all over the place and many of the big cats would have been slaughtered by people afraid of witches. It was not a positive thing for the beginning of a class for Mukhtar, not by a long shot.

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Words:
Notes: Scared half to death
Lyrics: Desert Rose by Sting
Credit: Shava
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