An active, character-driven Hogwarts experience set in the early 2000s. Unique items, plots, and features. Non-canon; this isn't Harry Potter's story, it's ours.
Professor Traddles understood why some students were reluctant, though disappointed they couldn't overcome it in order to take advantage of this opportunity and lesson. He considered those who were yet to have a turn, and decided this simply wouldn't do.
'Anyone?' he asked again, a bit sterner. 'I know this may be a very personal moment, and some of you might not wish to do this in front of the class, but we're a team here. You're all here to learn, and to explore the future together. Must I start choosing names?'
They were N.E.W.T students now, and hiding away at their tables to avoid having a turn -- even for those struggling to come up with a question, was not acceptable this far into their education. He sympathised with them, but they had come here to study advanced Divination. Traddles would start picking names and calling them suddenly to the front if those who hadn't gone yet didn't start moving.
Post by Martha Twiggs on May 23, 2023 15:01:22 GMT 10
Professor Traddles words made her feel bad. It wasn't that she didn't want to or wasn't here to learn but she was really struggling with picking something to ask. A hundred different things went through her thoughts but she struggled to know if any of them were appropriate.
Martha looked at the Blessed Sage in her hands -- she didn't want to fail again.
Losing herself in her thoughts for a moment, she bounced her leg and tried to pick a question that would work for the activity. It had to be something personal but not too far in the future. Asking about her career choice hadn't worked so Martha had to consider something closer to the present but still in the future.
Would something about Christmas work? Something closer?
She twirled the Blessed Sage slowly in her hands and continued thinking. Something about her siblings or parents was an option... She stood up once she had decided on a question and approached the front once more.
Her expression was shy, almost wary but she gave her Professor a small smile, "H-Hopefully this works better this time..."
Clearing her throat, Martha thought about the newspaper, about the Ashworths and then what had happened with Elizabeth's family over the summer. It made her wonder... It might be best to ask about her family in some way.
They were always a worry, with boisterous siblings, those who enjoyed pranks, Quidditch, her Dad's job... Martha fought the urge to let out a sigh.
Instead, she took a few seconds to steel herself before asking, "Should I be worried about my family's wellbeing this year?"
This year only covered from now until the end of December so she hoped it was a short enough period for this to work. Martha thought about her question and focused on adding the sage to the flame. She just hoped a classmate wouldn't ask her to elaborate further.
Last Edit: May 23, 2023 22:22:54 GMT 10 by Martha Twiggs
Professor Traddles smiled warmly as Martha volunteered to go again, and gave her an affirming nod as if he already knew her new question would be a suitable one for Pyromancy. He eyed the other students, hoping they were motivated to follow her example, then focused solely on Martha's result.
The fire flared and sparked a bit more lively, which Traddles frowned at in concern, then exhaled as it calmed back down to a moderate response.
While there weren't enough clues as to the location, the vision was clearly of her entire immediate family -- Martha herself included, though no one wore their school uniforms. They all stood together, fussing and distracted, as they tried to pose for a photo. The overall tone of the mood was unclear, but the scene had warm lighting and her parents seemed rather confident / determined.
Then it panned back a little, revealing they were getting their photo taken by a Daily Prophet photographer. The vision was not as clear for an answer, but rather Martha just had a sense of accomplishment. Of an out-of-the-ordinary event.
'An ocean's tide, I'd say; influenced by a clear day or an oncoming storm,' Professor Traddles commented. 'This vison is like that. An answer that is undetermined in mood. The moment is prepared, but how it feels or the positive / negative ripples are in limbo. There many small points between now and then, all of which may alter how this goes. Interesting.'
But it was optimistic. Traddles gave Martha a reassuring look, then faced the class to see if anyone else would step forward. Yet with the end of class approaching...
'Jaxen,' he said, nodding to the Ravenclaw. 'Why don't you give it a try? I'm sure you questions.'
Post by Jaxen Ashworth on May 23, 2023 16:36:10 GMT 10
Jax practically flinched when Professor Traddles called him name, prompting him to have a go at the activity. Acutely aware of the fact that he was one of the only students that had yet to try their hand at pyromancy, he rose from his seat. He smiled almost apologetically at the Divination Professor as he took some blessed sage and brushed it against the fire, the sage catching immediately.
Searching for a suitable question, his mind wandered back to the mornings paper. His throat tightening at the memory of his family's business being plastered all over the news. Maybe he could ask about something relevant to that.
"What is the reason for the current activity around the department of mysteries?" he spoke clearly, though still unsure if the question would be good enough or even if it was the right one to ask. It was intriguing though, that ten years after his fathers death, unspeakables were fussing around the department.
Professor Traddles nodded encouragement when Jaxen approached, as the boy seemed rather nervous or reluctant to do so. Still, it had to be done, and he was doing it.
Busy checking the time, Traddles didn't react quickly enough to stop Jaxen. His gaze darted to the fire, which caused them both to step back for how much it flared and sparked at such a topic. Yet, while it was fully within his power to stop it, Traddles decided to let it play out. For now.
When the fire calmed a bit, though flared hot, there was a blur of snippets and faces Jaxen couldn't make sense of. Then a huge chamber in the Department of Mysteries flowed into view -- quickly shifting to a vision of his parents with wands raised. It was zoomed to focus only on the; from behind, yet nothing ahead.
His father pushed in front, blocking his mother to shield her (despite her desperately trying to switch places) as...
A huge burst of iridescent magic exploded forward, and the entire class gasped. Some even ducked, as it briefly rippled and coloured the flames themselves on "impact". It never cleared -- but the vision shifted to show walls, and cabinets full of mysterious items or files, sizzling away under the magic. Some surviving objects glowed, and the vision focused on them. Nothing special to the onlookers, but clearly important to the question somehow.
Walls were patterned in a stunning display, almost like mixing oil and water. Bricks shimmered randomly at times. Then the magic began to clear and--
'That's enough,' Professor Traddles cut in, dousing the fire. 'I think we saw quite a bit more than we have any business knowing. I must ask each of you to remember that these visions are personal and very private. As compelled as some of you may be to gossip, I strongly appeal you to keep it to yourself. Imagine how you'd feel. It's not about the Ministry; that was someone's parents.'
He walked round his desk, and placed a comforting hand on Jaxen's shoulder. It felt weirdly warm, and almost familiar -- yet also the exact opposite. It was probably that Traddles had a father's energy about him. It felt as if he was on Jaxen's side, not exclusively trying to conceal Ministry secrets that should be kept under lid.
'Thank you,' Traddles added. 'As a treat, no homework today. Class is dismissed. Enjoy the rest of your morning.'
He gave Jaxen an inquiring look, checking if he was okay as no doubt that was quite a shock to see what was potentially his father's final moment.
'Whatever happened that day, which sealed off the entire department...' Traddles added, in case Jaxen's answer wasn't clear to him. 'It seems they have unfinished work there. So many things left untouched, as perhaps they ought to be. All that is certain from this, is something left unfinished.'
~ Class Finished ~
Skill Experience 150 (random skill) Exp is tripled for anyone who earns at least 10 house points from this class.
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Post by Martha Twiggs on May 23, 2023 22:22:31 GMT 10
Martha nodded faintly to the Professor, frowning a little about what she had just been shown. Her hand immediately went to the bracelet Joshua had made and she played with it to help calm her nerves.
So everything was set to happy but things between now and then could change or affect how it happens? Or how they feel about it happening? Because that was definitely her whole family she saw, wasn't it? They didn't seem in trouble or upset about anything... At least, she assumed so. The overall mood was hard to tell but her parents looked confident about something.
And that photographer.
Maybe their dad was lined up for a big promotion at work or something. Martha pondered about the meaning of what she saw and her Professor's words, sitting down again.
It was only then she noticed a lack of Jaxen in the other seat and she turned in time to see the fire flare brightly. Martha brought a hand up to protect her eyes, missing whatever it was that Jaxen saw in the flames. It had to be something big for such a reaction, she figured. Martha lowered her hand as Professor Traddles doused the fire.
She swallowed, his tone made her worried for Jaxen and Professor Traddles warned them about spreading gossip.
What had people seen? What had Jaxen seen?
The class was dismissed and Martha gathered her things, putting them neatly into her school bag once more. She pulled out a toffee and decided it would help her feel better to have one as she left the class. Passing by the Professor, she gave a small smile of thanks and looked back to check on Jaxen.
He'd be okay, wouldn't he? It wasn't like he needed her to babysit him or anything... Martha hoped he knew if he did need someone to talk to, she was available.
With that thought, she headed back down the stairs.
Post by Jaxen Ashworth on May 24, 2023 21:04:58 GMT 10
The fire flared brightly and Jax stepped back, grimacing at the heat on his face as the flames licked at the air. Shielding his eyes as the fire began to calm, Jax watched the images appear in snippets and snatches, his brow furrowing as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing.
He saw a large chamber, one he could assume was the department of mysteries and then... His parents. They had their wands raised as if preparing to do battle, but with what... Or who, he could not see. Then it all happened so fast, the way his father pushed his mother behind him, shielding her from what would happen next while she fought to take his place.
A burst of iridescent magic shook the image, swallowing up the place where his parents had been standing. Jax felt his heart drop down into his stomach as he waited for them to reappear, a lump forming in his throat when they never did. When the vision shifted, Jax was once again left with new questions. What did those files and objects mean, what significance did they have?
He continued to watch as more of the vision unfolded, but the fire was doused before he could get any answers, if the flames ever intended to give him any.
Jax looked at Professor Traddles, trying to keep himself from scowling despite the indignation he felt. The Professor hadn't ended anyone else's visions so abruptly. What was his reason for doing so now? But his words did fill Jax with a sense of clarity, that the entire class had just seen what he had. If he'd just witnessed his father's final moments, then he had not done so alone.
A hand on his shoulder brought him out of his thoughts and he tried to smile at the Professor, but it was weak and there was no warmth in it.
Retreating back to his seat, he gathered his things and prepared to leave. Pausing when Traddles explained the meaning behind his vision, what could be left unfinished? Everything felt final to him.
"Thank you, Professor" he muttered, though hoped his teacher knew it was sincere. Popping a toffee into his mouth as he left the room, he pondered what all of this could mean, but all he could think about was what had happened that night with his parents.
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