Transfiguration Class with Professor Shakeshaft

[Nie]

It's a new year with a new Transfiguration Professor, and it really shows. The classroom has been redecorated, and with great enthusiasm.

The desks are a little smaller than you remember, but are all now singular rather than doubles, giving you plenty of room to work. The entire room itself seems much larger than you remember. It's very well lit with wide windows set high along one wall allowing clear sunlight to stream in. There are also candles along the opposite wall, adn various clocks hanging here and there, all set to exactly the same time. Just below the windows and candles are cages of many different sizes and shapes housing all sortws of different birds, rodents, reptiles and mammals. Most of them are of the smaller variety, but there are a few larger animals as well, most notible is the ostrich in a very tall cage behind the desk at the front of the classroom.

Perched atop the large mahogony an green leather chair behind the desk is the only creature that isn't caged -- a raven. It's shiny black feathers catch the sunlight giving them a deep blue hue, and it cocks it head a little, watching each student as they enter the room and take their seats. It has an odd gleam in it's eye that tells you it's far more intelligent than the average raven -- it's sizing you up. There is a tall, pointed, deep blue hat sitting to one side of the desk.

When everyone is seated, the raven starts to gently flap it's wings, and before your very eyes turns into a tall, slender woman with black hair and dark eyes, wearing shiny, silk and satin, deep blue robes. She straightens them breifly, picks up the pointed hat and places it delicately on her head, then turns to face the class, dark eyes still gleaming, but now there is a hint of a smile in her face.

Good morning, class. I'm your new Transfiguration teacher, Professor Shakeshaft. My apologies if my initial appearance startled anyone, but it was a small demonstration of the sort of thing you can aspire to if you manage to perfect the art of Transfiguration.

We'll work towards that sort of thing later, however. For the moment, we'll get you started on some more basic things.

Before I go on, something I must stress to everyone is that one of the few things I truly demand of my students is punctuality. I will not tolerate people being late to my class. I hand out detention to late comers unless I have been previously advised that you'll turning up late, in which case I ask you just enter the class, take your seat and join without a word. I will come over to fill you in on anything you've missed once I've finished explaining it to the rest of the class. The only other time I accept lateness is in medical emergencies, or if you arrive accompanied by other Professor with an explaination. There are no exceptions. I hope I've made myself clear, because I won't take "I didn't know," as an excuse.

Now that I have that out of the way...

*Professor Shakeshaft turns and picks up a heavy volume from her desk and holds it up for everyone to see*

Everyone will need a copy of this to make it through this class. "Transfiguration - Simple Through to Advanced", by Seth Durnick. It's the most extensive book I've been able to find, and the one that gives you the most oppurtunities to practice what it preaches. I know alot of students complain there is too much theory work and not enough practical involved in their Transfiguration class, and I hope to change that, at least here at Hogwarts. I do hope you all find my class interesting.

If anyone doesn't have this book at the moment, I have a few spares that can be borrowed during class, but they are to never leave this classroom, so you will need to get your own copy as soon as possible to do homework and extra assignments. I've informed Flourish and Blotts that they will require extra stock of "Transfiguration - Simple Through to Advanced', by Seth Durnick so none of you should have any trouble getting a copy.

*The Professor walks around to the other side of her desk and takes a seat, placing the large book in front of her*

Now, we really should get this lesson started. Could everyone please turn to page eight, "Transfiguration: The Basics"? I'd like everyone to take turns to read this chapter out loud to the rest of the class.

Please say your name so the rest of the class and myself can get to know you, then read the next paragraph. If you have any questions, please raise your hand after the person speaking has finished their paragraph. We'll start with you.

*The Professor points to a student in the front row*

NOTE: You aren't expected to actually know what's in the book and say what's in there. Simply role playing that you're reading a paragraph is fine. I'll also be changing onto getting people to do something else after a few posts have been made, so don't worry about having to wait for everyone to post before you can again. Enjoy.

[[ Wiz ]]

*Wiz startles and looks up at the Professor*
Yes, Professor Shakeshaft
*Starts to read in a monotone*

[Nie]

*the Professor waits while Wiz finishes reading the first paragrah to the class*

Thankyou, Wiz. Are there any questions from anyone? Otherwise we'll move onto the next paragraph with...

*she points at the next student to read, but waits for a moment for any questions*

[KoNeko]

*raises hand* Professor, are we going to do any sort of complex transfiguration in this class, like things to do with animagi and morphmagi?

[Nie]

No, not at this time. It may be something I'll consider teaching if some of you show true apptitude and talent for this art, but that is something I shall have to discuss with the Headmistress when the time comes.

In the mean time we'll just learn a few of the basics. If we have time before the end of this lesson we'll be attempting to turn matchsticks into pins, then you can practice it until the next lesson, but first you all need to know some of the basics, so please, continue reading.

[Peregrinus]

*Pere, sitting down the line a little, looked down painfully at the book. She really expected them to read this boring stuff. Shifting a little in his seat, Pere began to draw a moving cartoon in the book. Upon finishing, he nogged the person next to them and snickered a little as he showed them.*

[jakelestrange]

The door flew open to show a medium height figure with short, straight black hair and a rather slim figure. It was easily seen with his tight shirt and skinny black jeans, followed closely by his green and silver striped tie which hung loosely around his neck. He coughed once before entering the classroom, most of those inside moved quickly and silently to their seats for the male who obviously got his own way, most of the time. "Stupid classes," Jake muttered under his breathe before setting out his books upon the desk at the back of the room.

[maybie93]

Kayla walked into the Transfiguration classroom and waved at her professor and said "Good morning. I am Kayla. Kayla Taaffe".