Second Years, Lesson One

"Hello, everyone," Gabrielle greeted, giving the class a small smile and nod as they took their seats. She didn't really mind where they sat too much, as long as they didn't start chattering and disturbing the class. "For those of you who do not know me or have forgotten, my name is Gabrielle Moncrieffe, and I am your professor for first through fourth year History of Magic. You do not have to address me formally, though I expect you to address me respectfully and not rudely." It was hard being so teacherly. She didn't like being strict, but she knew it was important to set ground rules for the class. "Makes it easier for me to do the same back." She hoped that would lighten the mood a little. There were plenty of teachers she'd come across who didn't respect their students. They were usually the worst kind.

"This year we'll be looking at a couple of major figures in history, and we'll be writing a few essays as well. I'll go over essay writing in class if you would like. I'm not looking for perfect structure at this stage, but we'll work up towards improving your writing over time." She gave a sympathetic smile to the class. It wasn't the most thrilling subject to talk about, but it was important for all their subjects, not just History of Magic. "You'll thank me when you get to your OWLs and NEWTs."

"Just a short lesson today. I won't keep you too long, as I'm sure you have plenty of gossiping about your holidays to do," Gabrielle joked, raising an eyebrow at the class. "If you are struggling with History, or with any of your classes and need someone to talk to about it, my office is open. I can promise you a cup of tea and no judgement. Unless you're coming to tell me how much you hate history. I might judge you then." Gabrielle shrugged, smoothing down her robes again. "But if you want to do further history study too, have the spare time and would like to take on any additional projects, please let me know. I am always very happy to encourage the pursuit of passion projects in history, and will gladly help you find resources to learn more about any subject you are keen to further research." Her eyes shone a little as she spoke, hoping that there would be some students who showed a real interest in history. "But that's all for today. Go enjoy some fresh air, and I'll see you all next lesson. Come ready to take notes."

Homework

RP the lesson. Let me know if there's any major figures in wizarding history you would like to talk about at the end of semester!

 

[Morrie Ayre]

Morrie slouched into the History of Magic classroom, already rolling her eyes as she dropped into a seat at the back. She barely glanced at Professor Moncrieffe, but her cheerful "Hello, everyone," drew a groan from her, she wondered if the professor would consider being called Gabby or Gabs as respectful? Morrie didn't see a problem with it. She didn't listen to much of Gabby's lesson, preferring to strop instead. She left the classroom as soon as they were dismissed.

 

[Kyousuke Kurosawa]

Kyousuke entered the history of magic classroom in good spirits. He enjoyed history, especially since it was history he wasn't really exposed to when he was younger. Kyousuke took his seat and readied himself. He listened to the professor, thinking it reason enough that she wanted to be addressed respectfully, but was a little disappointed when they didn't end up learning anything new. There was always next time, and Kyousuke knew he had to get more used to essay writing if he wanted to excel in the subject. He was intrigued by the idea of potentially doing extra history but he'd have to think about it. It was early in the semester and he had to manage his time carefully if he wanted to maintain his perfect grades. When the lesson came to an end, Kyousuke departed.

 

[Helios Obasi]

Helios had really tried to bargain for his place at home. It had to be better and safer to be at home, but his sister had a boyfriend, or something close to that, so of course she was back to having no time for him. Or so he perceived her to have no time for him. Though they had spent plenty of time together over the break. He just knew that this would go badly for him, that she just wasn’t seeing what he was seeing and wasn’t able to predict what he was predicting would happen. So he was stuck back at school, and needing to spend time doing classes. He headed out of the dorm with plenty of time to make a safe journey to his class.

Helios walked into the history of magic classroom and took his usual spot in the room. He glanced at the professor as the woman got started, and he nodded along to what they would be doing in the lesson. It was definitely going to be an interesting semester, though he was sure it also was going to be at least safe, comparatively with some of his other classes. He wasn’t too bothered that it was a short lesson, and he just headed off, knowing it would take him double the amount of time as most to get to his dorm room. Since he always moved more slowly and carefully that most.

 

[Marcellus Vetrov]

Marcellus Vetrov walked into the History of Magic classroom, his usual lively demeanor a bit subdued by the thought of another year of history lectures. He found a seat near the back, where he hoped he could daydream about Quidditch strategies without drawing too much attention. As Professor Gabrielle Moncrieffe started the class with her warm but firm greeting, Marcel couldn't help but respect her straightforward approach. He liked that she expected respect but didn't demand formality. As she introduced the year's focus on major historical figures and essay writing, Marcel sighed inwardly. He wasn't exactly thrilled at the prospect of writing essays, but he understood the importance. He made a mental note to pay attention to the essay writing tips; they might come in handy not just for this class but for others as well.

Professor Moncrieffe's joke about holiday gossip brought a smile to Marcel's face, and he chuckled along with the rest of the class. Her relaxed attitude made the subject feel less daunting. When she mentioned her open office and the promise of tea, Marcel's interest increased slightly. As the lesson ended, Marcel packed his things, feeling a bit more positive about History of Magic than he had at the start. He left the classroom, wondering how much he would learn.​

 

[Jean Lancaster-Snow]

Jean Lancaster-Snow entered the History of Magic classroom and chose a seat near the front. As Gabrielle introduced herself and set the ground rules, Jean nodded in agreement, making a mental note of her emphasis on mutual respect. When she began talking about the major figures they would study and the essays they would write, Jean's interest was piqued. He had always found history fascinating and was eager to delve deeper into the lives and impacts of those who shaped the magical world. He wrote down a few notes, underlining "major figures" and "essays" in his neat handwriting.

Gabrielle's light-hearted joke about gossiping brought a small smile to Jean's face. He appreciated her effort to create a relaxed and open atmosphere in the classroom. The offer of tea and a chat in her office was particularly appealing. Jean knew that having a supportive professor could make a significant difference, especially in a subject as broad and detailed as History of Magic. As the lesson wrapped up, Jean thought over Professor Moncrieffe's offer, and then decided against it. He got up and left.​

 

[Osiris Vale]

As Professor Gabrielle Moncrieffe finished her introductory remarks, Osiris Vale sat towards the back of the classroom, his eyes glinting with a mischievous curiosity. As the other students began to shuffle and murmur, Ozzy leaned back in his chair, observing Professor Moncrieffe with keen interest. Her straightforward yet friendly demeanor struck a chord with him; she didn't seem like the typical strict professor. His mind raced with possibilities of what he could do to spice up the class - maybe find historical figures who dabbled in magical fire or uncover some obscure magical rituals involving flames. When Professor Moncrieffe mentioned major historical figures, Ozzy's thoughts drifted to Merlin and his rumored mastery of elemental magic. He wondered if there were any records of Merlin conjuring firestorms or harnessing the power of infernos. Essays, though not his favorite task, presented an opportunity to delve into these intriguing figures and their magical exploits. As the class came to a close, he thought about the offer, and then left upon dismissal.​