Fifth Years: Lesson 3

This was one long lesson ahead, but Professor Killian Borisyuk had his notes ready, in case he missed anything. He sat behind his desk to wait for the fifth years to come in and get settled. The part-giant tapped his arm that was covered in robes as the last of the students entered. He gestured toward the door to close it. He didn't smile - which was the norm. It seemed to be saved for his girlfriend, only. Killian leaned back in his chair, crossing one of his legs over the other as he greets with his low voice, "Today, you will be learning about the other two founders: Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin." The class would be a little longer since Slytherin had a lot of heinous acts and Ravenclaw had very little information about her.

"So, Ravenclaw would be the one that valued intelligence above them all. she even quoted 'We will teach those whose intelligence is surest.' So, that and creativity were qualities that she was said to have, and thus what the hat looks into for sorting those into her house. There is not much known about her unfortunately, so I'll just give out the basics for this founder. It is under speculation that she grew up in 'glen', which likely means in Scotland. Others believe that she grew up where the Loch Ness Monster resides." Killian did not know whether or not it was a fact or a speculation since he did not verify it himself, and it was all up to debate since it was not written down anywhere. "The colors are blue and bronze, and the house symbol is an eagle, which is said to represent those of high academia. Why an eagle over a raven because the name is 'Ravenclaw' is beyond me, as ravens are also birds of high intelligence. Anyway, Ravenclaw is said to have died of a broken heart. She had a daughter named Helena Ravenclaw, who is allegedly the Ghost of Ravenclaw in Hogwarts Scotland. So, if you have a pen pal from that school, you can have them ask the ghost more questions. Our Ravenclaw House ghost is Professor Gladys Wright. She will tutor students, especially those that need help with Arithmancy. And that finishes up Ravenclaw so we are moving over to the next founder: Slytherin."

The part-giant did not like this founder, and he did well to hide it. "Salazar founded the Slytherin house, of course. Slytherin himself can be seen as honorable, or as a devil, depending on which side of the spectrum you are on. There are a lot of mixed feelings about Slytherin that transcend to the house itself just because of the origin. However, considering his morals and beliefs, you will come to understand why." Killian didn't know anything about Salazar Slytherin until he even came to this school, but after reading about him, let's just say his opinion was pretty low of the man. "By now, you all should know that just because Slytherin himself might have done some evil things, doesn't mean that all students in his house are. While my experience is rather limited with people from Hogwarts, you all should know your peers. The colors of his house are green and silver, and the mascot is a serpent." Killian stretched his arms up and crossed them behind his head.

It was just so hard not to swear about it, but he was holding his tongue. "Salazar Slytherin grew up in the fen. Majority of the sources will agree to that, so it must be true. It is also the name generally used for the Eastern Portion of England. It was said that he was a Parselmouth and a Legilimens. Furthermore, Slytherin wanted to create a school with the other three founders, a school where magical children could learn magic and hone their skills. However, as wonderful as it sounds, there were some conflicts. Two founders butted heads." It would take some time for him to understand the rivalry between the houses. "Slytherin and Gryffindor could not agree. This conflict broke up the fantastic four, and the reason for their fight would be because Slytherin believed that only children with pure-blood should be allowed to attend. Gryffindor disagreed." That would mean people like him would not be allowed to attend Hogwarts because he was part-giant and not pure-blood. "The conflict ultimately drove Slytherin off. But he did not leave without a parting gift. It was a legend until Harry Potter confirmed it true. Slytherin left behind a basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets - a secret that Slytherin created. The basilisk had a mission to kill." Killian paused for a moment, as he looked over the students, seeing what they thought of this mess.

"The basilisk almost succeeded, twice. Tom Riddle, a descendent of Salazar Slytherin himself, was able to open the chamber and command the beast. I'm sure you know him as Lord Voldemort by now. Anyway, the basilisk was let loose two times before it was struck down. Once in the early twentieth century and then again in the 1990s. The basilisk killed one student the first time, and she is a ghost there currently. Tom got away with, framing a part-giant student. Tom was at it again in the 1990s, using a student to set the basilisk loose but luckily, no one died. Infamous Harry Potter killed the basilisk inside the chamber when he was a second year. There's more information in the library over it if you want to go research for yourself. The house ghost in Scotland was the Bloody Baron, but ours is known as the Dark Rider. He does not give out his name for whatever reason, but judging from his clothes, he has been here for a very, very long time. If you want to know the very history of New Zealand, you might have some luck there." Seeing as that would dive off the subject of Slytherin, but Killian was pretty much done for the day. He unfolded his arms from behind his head. "And that concludes the lesson." He waved his wand toward the chalk board to write up the assignment. "Homework is on the board. Class dismissed."
Assignment: RP the lesson.
Extra credit: If you are in Ravenclaw/Slytherin, then write a small essay if you think the hat made the right choice. If you are not, then you can write about either a person you know, or if you think you should have been in Ravenclaw/Slytherin and why. Worth 5 EC points.
 
In the end, Savannah had decided to go to the dance and it had been the right choice to make. She had really enjoyed being able to go to the dance, and enjoyed being able to have some fun. She knew this and all the semesters beyond this were going to be difficult, were going to be challenging, so having a bit of time before hand was going to be good. She had a good time, and hadn’t because of it fallen at all behind, really she felt like she was miles ahead of everyone else in the year anyway, so one night wasn’t going to affect her much. She was getting her notes and book together and then headed out of the dorm room to class.

Savannah walked into the history of magic classroom and sat down in the same place as the time before. She glanced up at the professor as the man got started, just as she finished grabbing her notes and books. She was more interested in these founders, if only because hers was part of it. Though Savannah was sure this lesson would mostly be on slytherin. She began getting down what the professor was telling them, making sure to get down the important information about them, trying to avoid just writing everything down. The professor was making it interesting enough though, so even though, as predicted the lesson focused heavily upon the other founder, she did enjoy hearing about it. Not a great wizard in the moral sense, but clearly in the magic sense great. Especially given the knock on consequences of his actions. Eventually the lesson wrapped up and Savannah already knew the homework, but got down the specifics before she packed up and headed out of the room.
 
It was in the middle of the week, and Cassius Styx was not looking forward to the exams coming. Who knew that all classes would have this much of a load? Cass sure didn't. No one warned him either, but who would? He also had to watch Snow because he knew that something was going on with her. Maybe it was because her father was a werewolf, and had not told him yet. Cass already knew because of his connections. It was no big deal since Lucas Chase seemed like a decent guy - from what his cousin told him. The Slytherin prefect brushed this aside so that he could get everything he needed before he left to head to his next class. He looked forward to some of the material, but he prayed that it would not be in vain.

Cass, seated with his usual air of confidence, observed Professor Borisyuk's lecture with keen interest. And today, the lecture would be over Ravenclaw and Slytherin. He took his notes out to write down some of the more important facts. His eyebrow quirked slightly at the mention of the house symbol being an eagle instead of a raven, a detail that seemed contrary to the house's name. He observed the professor's restrained disdain for Slytherin with a faint smirk. As Professor Borisyuk wrapped up the lecture and assigned homework, Cass copied it down. He was done and the next lessons should prove to be as entertaining as the last.
 
Terror Zhefarovich, sitting with his usual air of detached observance, absorbed Professor Borisyuk's lecture with a keen, calculating focus. As the professor delved into the histories of Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin, Terror's pen moved swiftly across his parchment, capturing every detail meticulously. When Professor Borisyuk described Ravenclaw's emphasis on intelligence and creativity, Terror nodded subtly, already well-versed in the house's values from his own studies and observations. As the lecture transitioned to Salazar Slytherin, Terror's demeanor grew more curious.

He listened intently to the professor's account of Slytherin's controversial beliefs in pure-blood superiority, and the subsequent rift with Godric Gryffindor. While he knew some of this history from his own readings, hearing it from Professor Borisyuk's perspective added layers of nuance. Terror was particularly struck by the mention of Slytherin's creation of the Chamber of Secrets and the basilisk within, a dark legacy that still haunted Hogwarts. When Professor Borisyuk concluded the lesson and assigned homework, Terror neatly packed away his notes and copied down the homework. Then, he left the classroom for the day.
 

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