Complete Guide to Classes

Though characters are expected to attend their classes, the level of participation is up to you. Care of Magical Creatures and Divination are optional elective subjects only available to 3rd year students and above. Though there's a minimum requirement, N.E.W.T students choose all their classes -- depending on their O.W.L results.

Classes take place in their specified board. They're separate from present events within their time slot, thus don't apply to the “can't be in two places at once” rule. You can post your character attending class while also posting their free time, though from their perspective it happens in the proper order. This helps things progress at a fair and enjoyable pace for members, without restricting productivity.

All students have equal free time. Classes may finish early, which is especially common for History of Magic, but it won't impact free time or the overall schedule. Professors are available to RP with throughout Hogwarts, regardless of class threads, except during Quidditch days. If your character has a class, free time is optional. However, you must post at least once in your class thread to be attending it, before also embarking on your free time elsewhere. Ignoring / overlooking the class thread counts as skipping, and has severe consequences for your character -- such as loss of house points, detention, etc.

How your character behaves is up to you and the personality you've created. Even so, we strongly advise against misconduct, especially with certain classes / Professors (like Potions, with Snape). A character who's not paying attention isn't going to succeed in answering questions or completing a magical task. If a class has already started, simply join as if your character's been there since the start. Posting them being late (though door may be locked) can result in loss of house points and detention, depending which Professor's involved.

There are classes scheduled for most RPG mornings / afternoons that school term is in session, but not everyone has something to attend on that particular day. Classes are a great place to interact with classmates to grow friendships or rivalries, though the focus is on their education. At N.E.W.T level, some lessons may include field trips outside of school grounds.

Grades are important to your progress as a Hogwarts student, and impact your career / Academy options after graduation. Most students average in their subjects. To earn higher grades, you'll need to partake in extra-curricular quests -- which are optional below N.E.W.T level. Every class earns house points and skill experience, plus other rewards such as new spells or bonus items. Actively participating your class threads increase your rewards.

Unlike canon, classes at HAU aren't split by house; if 2nd years have Herbology then it's all 2nd year students. There are more Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts classes scheduled than others, as certain spells are learned from them and unlocked in your Magical Skills list.

You don't need to have taken either elective class in the past to take it now, though every 3rd year will have taken it that year. For 4th years and above, elective classes can be dropped (unless too close to exam period) if your character changes their mind. If a 5th year drops the class, they're locked out of ever taking it again as an O.W.L grade is required to proceed into N.E.W.T years.

Care of Magical Creatures challenges your character with practical tasks and risk-navigation. It exposes them to a range of interesting or rare beasts, as well as educating them on proper care and advocacy. It's very hands-on, and at times quite messy. 

Please note that characters who intentionally defy instructions, are prone to loud and reckless fooling around, or overall do not respect magical creatures, are not recommended to take this class unless they can behave. It is possible to be kicked from COMC if ill-suited.

Divination challenges the member, with a wide range of RP potential during the class and ongoing afterwards. It's somewhat of a plot playground, as predictions made in this class (by your own work or from the Professor) are incorporated into your future RPing. It may also unlock a new ability or an opportunity that can be used outside of class.  

Please note that a member taking Divination must own a 6-sided die, for the self-modded lessons. Online dice / generators are unreliable as they're not truly random. We've found that the physical action of rolling a die makes it more personal and increases immersion, as well as fairness.

Academics is only available to N.E.W.T students. Information about this class is provided to O.W.L students, when necessary. Technically, all N.E.W.T classes are "elective" as you have full choice (grades permitting) of what classes you take.
Increased activity and the amount of students in each class group sometimes made it easy to lose track of how classes work -- which can be overwhelming; members need to be able to jump in at any time / however they want. So if you're having any trouble with classes or it looks a bit intimidating, please read below. 


Professors may still assign homework during classes, but the optional feature of members actually completing the work, for improved grades and bonus rewards, has been temporarily removed. It will be reworked, and most likely added back to site in a future RPG year. In the meantime, outside of exam period or event rewards, grades are only increased via Extra-Curricular quests -- which are especially important for O.W.L and N.E.W.T students.