Professor Adler had almost finished restocking the cabinet that sat along the side of the classroom when the third years turned up for their next lesson. She wanted to make sure that any student, regardless of whether she was teaching them, had access to the basic necessities any student might need throughout the term. The drawers were filled with tissues, plasters, wipes and deodorant. Spare hand cream and sanitizing lotions, hair clips and products for the girls, and even extra pieces of parchment, fresh notebooks and multicoloured pens. It was free for all, and the mother in her was keen to make sure the students felt as though they had anything they could need.
As the students were taking their seats, Geo held in her hand the questions that they'd submitted the week previously, when she'd asked them for things they could discuss in relation to werewolves. Professor Adler had some important points to cover this lesson but she did hope it would be an interesting one. "Good morning everyone, are we ready?" There were a few students still shuffling in, "If you need any extra supplies at any time, you're welcome to check out the stock in the classroom," she told them, hoping it would be beneficial to someone. "We're getting straight into our discussion today, so I'd like to spend a moment answering some of your questions from last week," she explained, casting her attention to the papers in her hand.
Professor Adler thought they'd be here all day if she answered them all to the class, however there were a few that stood out to her and she was on the fence whether to name their author. "Last week one of you asked If a werewolf dies, do the bones stay the way they were when they were transformed or do they turn back into human bones?" Geo read aloud. "I could be wrong, however it is my belief and understanding that if a Werewolf were to die while in their transformation, they wouldn't automatically revert back into their human form, so in this case the bones would stay as they are." Geo would go into more details shortly about werewolves, but it was still important that the students heard some of these answers. "To the student who asked Are there any ways to help or support those who have the condition?" The professor glanced at the student who'd sent it in, just briefly. "I think it's important to note that as a community it's vital for us to support those with this condition, so I'm glad there are students out there who want to help. The best way to help a werewolf.." Geo considered her answer for a moment, thinking back to a previous conversation, "beyond making sure they have access to Wolfsbane potions and a safe place to go, is to remember that these witches and wizards are just like yourselves. They didn't ask for this condition and it's something they have to contend with every month. If you truly want to help them, then make them feel included. They don't want your sympathy. They don't want to be treated any differently." They would get into the technicities of the potion, and the logistics of safety, but it was important for the professor to get across to her third years that those things were just as important as the way they were treated on a daily basis. Geo glanced down at another question, but was on the fence about reading it out loud. Everyone knew that Werewolves could be dangerous one night a month, without the proper preparations, although it may have done more harm than good spelling that out for this set of third years.
"Werewolves, first and foremost, are regular people and I expect everyone in this school to be respectful of this. There are some people in the wizarding community that don't recognise this, unfortunately." As she spoke, some notes appeared on the board behind her. "There is no cure for lycanthropy, however as some of you may know, the Wolfsbane Potion helps to alleviate the worst symptoms, and allows a werewolf to hold on to their mental faculties after a transformation meaning they can keep their human consciousness while in their animal form. This potion however is expensive, difficult to brew, and needs to be taken for a week prior to a full moon and so as you can imagine, this can make it very hard for those with lycanthropy to take this potion. Anyone who wants to become a potioneer in the future would do well to learn how to make this potion."
Professor Adler knew this lesson was a long one and she'd have to wrap it up as soon as she could. "Werewolves have always been subject to prejudice at all levels of society. Over the years, those with this condition have been subject to Anti-Werewolf Legislation and discrimination in employment. Depending on the school, children with this condition have been prevented from pursuing a magical education. Thankfully, the treatment of werewolves in the magical community has improved over the past half-century, and opportunities for this group continue to expand. However, there is still room for improvement," Geo hoped everyone was paying attention, for the sake of their peers. "I recommend that you become well versed in this area however as it will come up on your exam at the end of the year. If you have any more questions or want some advice on your reading materials please do come and speak to me. There's no homework today but if you submitted a question last week that you would still like answered, come over to my desk and we can discuss it, respectfully." With that, Professor Adler dismissed the class, and prepared herself to answer any of their questions.
As the students were taking their seats, Geo held in her hand the questions that they'd submitted the week previously, when she'd asked them for things they could discuss in relation to werewolves. Professor Adler had some important points to cover this lesson but she did hope it would be an interesting one. "Good morning everyone, are we ready?" There were a few students still shuffling in, "If you need any extra supplies at any time, you're welcome to check out the stock in the classroom," she told them, hoping it would be beneficial to someone. "We're getting straight into our discussion today, so I'd like to spend a moment answering some of your questions from last week," she explained, casting her attention to the papers in her hand.
Professor Adler thought they'd be here all day if she answered them all to the class, however there were a few that stood out to her and she was on the fence whether to name their author. "Last week one of you asked If a werewolf dies, do the bones stay the way they were when they were transformed or do they turn back into human bones?" Geo read aloud. "I could be wrong, however it is my belief and understanding that if a Werewolf were to die while in their transformation, they wouldn't automatically revert back into their human form, so in this case the bones would stay as they are." Geo would go into more details shortly about werewolves, but it was still important that the students heard some of these answers. "To the student who asked Are there any ways to help or support those who have the condition?" The professor glanced at the student who'd sent it in, just briefly. "I think it's important to note that as a community it's vital for us to support those with this condition, so I'm glad there are students out there who want to help. The best way to help a werewolf.." Geo considered her answer for a moment, thinking back to a previous conversation, "beyond making sure they have access to Wolfsbane potions and a safe place to go, is to remember that these witches and wizards are just like yourselves. They didn't ask for this condition and it's something they have to contend with every month. If you truly want to help them, then make them feel included. They don't want your sympathy. They don't want to be treated any differently." They would get into the technicities of the potion, and the logistics of safety, but it was important for the professor to get across to her third years that those things were just as important as the way they were treated on a daily basis. Geo glanced down at another question, but was on the fence about reading it out loud. Everyone knew that Werewolves could be dangerous one night a month, without the proper preparations, although it may have done more harm than good spelling that out for this set of third years.
"Werewolves, first and foremost, are regular people and I expect everyone in this school to be respectful of this. There are some people in the wizarding community that don't recognise this, unfortunately." As she spoke, some notes appeared on the board behind her. "There is no cure for lycanthropy, however as some of you may know, the Wolfsbane Potion helps to alleviate the worst symptoms, and allows a werewolf to hold on to their mental faculties after a transformation meaning they can keep their human consciousness while in their animal form. This potion however is expensive, difficult to brew, and needs to be taken for a week prior to a full moon and so as you can imagine, this can make it very hard for those with lycanthropy to take this potion. Anyone who wants to become a potioneer in the future would do well to learn how to make this potion."
Professor Adler knew this lesson was a long one and she'd have to wrap it up as soon as she could. "Werewolves have always been subject to prejudice at all levels of society. Over the years, those with this condition have been subject to Anti-Werewolf Legislation and discrimination in employment. Depending on the school, children with this condition have been prevented from pursuing a magical education. Thankfully, the treatment of werewolves in the magical community has improved over the past half-century, and opportunities for this group continue to expand. However, there is still room for improvement," Geo hoped everyone was paying attention, for the sake of their peers. "I recommend that you become well versed in this area however as it will come up on your exam at the end of the year. If you have any more questions or want some advice on your reading materials please do come and speak to me. There's no homework today but if you submitted a question last week that you would still like answered, come over to my desk and we can discuss it, respectfully." With that, Professor Adler dismissed the class, and prepared herself to answer any of their questions.
WEREWOLVES
- Lycanthropy: a condition which causes the transformation of a person into a werewolf during the full moon
- Lycanthrope: Official term for werewolf. One can be infected with lycanthropy when the saliva of a person in werewolf form enters the bloodstream of another
- Applying a mixture of powdered silver and dittany to a werewolf bite can help prevent death, however, the person who is bitten will live on with lycanthropy
- Wolfsbane Potion: Remedy, not a cure for lycanthropy. Contains wolfsbane as the main ingredient (also known as monkshood or aconite)
In order to get an O in this lesson:
- Roleplay the lesson. A few sentences is fine.
For additional credit (Worth 10 Points):
- Interact with Professor Adler, whether that is to ask another question in class, or come and speak to her once you're dismissed.