Muggle History; Part One

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash leaned against his desk as he waited for his first class to arrive. After having spoken with Dan Hubbles, both men had agreed that Ash was much better suited for Muggle Studies than Flying. After all, he had spent much of his childhood and teen years in and around the Muggle world, despite being a Pureblood.

Living around Muggles he had of course assimilated himself somewhat at least, into their society. He knew their fashions, he knew their laws, he had studied their governments, one thing he was particularly interested in was their history.

In fact, Muggle history was going to be the topic of study for the next few weeks or so. But how to go about teaching it? Ash began to think about how his former professors, now his colleagues had gone about their lessons. Some had preffered more hands-on lessons where the students could more actively participate. Others, preffered to have class debates on their topic of choice for the day. Others still, preffered the more traditional route of notes and textbooks. Ash decided that his lessons would be a little of each.

With a flick of his wand, a small wooden box appeared on his desk. Today, what he would do was when the class arrived and got themselves situated he would ask each student to write down a significant time period or event in Muggle history. Something like World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, 9/11 and the War on Terrorism. Any legitimate subject that came to mind. Each student would then place their selection in the box, and Ash would pull out a piece of paper. Whatever he pulled out, that's what they would discuss today.

It was a pretty good plan if he did say so himself. Now, he just needed his class.

[Echo Keir]

Echo traipsed down the corridor to the Muggle Studies classroom. She didn't know very much about Muggles, as she had been raised solely in the Wizarding World her whole life, but she was keen to get a better understanding of how the other half lived. She wanted to know about victrolas and blenders and sellavision. Especially sellavision, it sounded like an amazing device. From what she'd heard, it was this electronic box where people could display stories, like theater, but it was always a different script! She hoped they would be able to cover that at some point this semester, though she really had no clue what this class had in store.

Another thing she was really hoping would be in this class, however, was her friends Noah and Narcissus. They made any subject more interesting just by being there... not to mention all the note passing and wise cracks the three of them exchanged. Some people thought it was odd for a seventeen year old girl to only have male friends, and so few at that, but it was just how Echo liked it. Girls could be so annoying, always up in arms about the most fashionable robes or who's-dating-who or whose parents were letting them practice to be an Animagus early. It was utterly ridiculous. She wondered if Muggle girls were the same way, though surely with the sort of marvelous inventions they had there was no way they'd be so shallow!

She entered the classroom, quite unsurprised to find she was the first one there, and nodded cordially to the professor. Hadn't he been on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team last year? She shrugged concedingly, and made her way to a desk.
Always careful with where she sat, Echo took a seat in the exact middle of the third row of chairs, close enough that she could read anything on the board and take good notes, but far enough away that there was a good chance she wouldn't be called on if she didn't know the answer to a question. And then it was just a waiting game to see who else had this class on their time table.

[Kendal Montgomery]

Kendal was so happy to find that a new muggle studies professor was taking over. By far muggle studies had always been one of her favorite classes because muggles were truly just fascinating. She also loved the class because she one it wasn't that hard a course that's to say it was pretty much a soft option if you were really trying to get yourself a good grade. Kendal not much of a scholar did enjoy gold grades and was just as happy earning them without working too hard. Smiling at the thought she left her last class, potions, with a bit of a spring in her step.

She was headed off to muggle studies to see if the rumors were true that their new professor was a former student. People said these things all the time by usually it was balderdash she liked to see things for herself instead of taking other people's word for it. Entering the room she quickly looked around and spotted a familiar face. So it seems that the rumors were true. "Wow I guess it's professor Laurent now huh" she said smiling and taking a seat near Echo a Gryffindor girl Kendal knew by name but had never really spoken to. None the less Kendal smiled at her.

Preparing herself for class she wondered what Ashton would be teaching them. It was just going to be weird having someone you used to sit next to in class being your new professor. Hopefully the other kids would be nice to him and not try to take advantage oh his age or his once a student like themselves status.

[Liz Granger]

Liz quickly rushed off to her new muggle studies class. She was thrilled to be allowed to take this extra course, although some of her friends laughed at her for taking muggle studies. Liz had grown up in the muggle world with both of her parents being muggles and all with her grandmother being her only link to the magic world. But Liz shrugged them off and told them that it was going to be fascinating learning about muggles from a wizards perspective.

Liz entered the class a little early as was usual for her and gazed at the professor who she had been told was new and just out of school. He did look young to her but he looked assertive and she hoped to be able to learn a lot from him. As she gazed about the room she noticed a Gryffindor, who she recognized as Echo, a seventh year, and a Hufflepuff who looked about a fifth or older. She had known that she was going to be the youngest in the class but she had at least been hoping for some third or fourth years.

But Liz was not one to be intimidated and quickly settled herself into the middle seat in the front row. She might as well make a good impression on the new professor and try her best to show these older students that she was not just a stupid second year.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash smiled as the first three students arrived. A Gryffindor, a Hufflepuff, and a Ravenclaw. He gave a small laugh as Kendall Montgomery greeted him. "Yeah, I guess so."

He smiled at the others as well. "Well, welcome to Muggle Studies ladies. I've got alot of things planned this year; so we'll just wait for the rest of the class to arrive and we can get to work."

Turning around slightly, the young teacher looked at the clock above his desk. He noted that class started in a little over ten minutes and so the rest of the students had very little time to arrive.

[Sarie Thimble]

Sarie was always late. She couldn't think why though, she needed a watch. She was going to be late for Ash's class! He would give her detention just to pick on her. Not that Sarie was a stranger to detention. She had gotten a week full once but she knew Ash and he would think up something real mean for her to do. She hurried down the busy halls. She nearly knocked over a first year. She stopped to help them up saying sorry.

She made it in to the class room and felt her draw drop. There where only two other people in the class room. She felt stupid. "I'm here." She panted as walked in to the room. She was about half way to her desk when she tripped and the contains of her bag spilled on to the floor.

For normal people it wouldn't have mattered but for Sarie kept almost everything in there it was. What was on the floor you could sing it like a chirstmas song. It was rather sad, but Sarie had to keep books and notebooks on her person it was just how she was.

[Harrison Greg]

Harrison was always one to take the easy option of things and what was a better dose subject then Muggle Studies. Harrison, although had wizarding parents knew of aspects of the muggle world but it still fascinated him beyond reason…well it made him chuckle anyway. They had a new professor this term, the old flying teacher, Harrison had also heard he had attended the school as well but he had never met the guy and to be honest he did not give a dam about knowing the dude or not, he just wanted to get an Outstanding in something, even if it was Muggle Studies.

Kicking open the door of the classroom Harrison’s pure blue eyes surveyed the scene as he flicked his fringe out of his view as he tried to find a space for him the sit and the other people in the room. Once again it seemed to be all female’s in the vicinity, not that he was complaining of course so with a cheeky grin Harrison strut into the classroom, he gave the Professor a small salute and flopped down in a chair next to his fellow Gryffindor Echo. “Hello beautiful.” Harrison teased as he looked over at his fellow seventh year, he was only jesting but being in the middle of the classroom it was not like Echo could do anything even if she wanted too. Oh this was going to be a fun lesson!

[Echo Keir]

A familiar bright-haired Ravenclaw entered the classroom. With a grin Echo winked at her young friend Liz, greatly looking forward to seeing The Whiz in action. Because they were in different houses and years she hadn't thought she was going to have a class with the girl, nor had she thought she would ever be pleased about having a class with any girl at all, so on both accounts, it was unexpected, but welcomed surprise.

A couple of other girls entered as well, both of whom Echo vaguely recognized, one being a fellow Gryffindor girl, but neither of whom she knew very well or was concerned with. And then a concern entered the room. 'Oh great...' Echo thought in dismay as one Harrison Greg, reputed extrovert and ladies' man joined the little gathering. She only knew him because they were the same year in the same house. She remembered well the Sorting ceremony and the oddly amused tone the Hat had when deciding which house to put her in. 'You're too stubborn to be a Hufflepuff, too rash to be a Ravenclaw. Slytherin perhaps, but considering your other classmates, it might be more interesting if you were in...' and thus she had joined the Gryffindor table, sitting next to the boy she was now sitting with in this very class.

"Hello, yourself," she replied with a smirk as she shook her head, allowing her unruly bangs to fall into her eyes. She couldn't say she disliked Harrison, in fact she rather enjoyed a great many of his antics. However, she did not want to become tomorrow's rumor in the Great Hall. Somehow she doubted she could keep that from happening though. She might be able to control what the rumor was, though. With a sideways glance over at Liz again, she reached into her robes pocket and smiled. "Gum?" she offered, holding out a bit of the chew candy wrapped in a lovely orange foil.

[Liz Granger]

Liz smiled back at Echo, pleased that the older Gryffindor was choosing to continue to acknowledge her and possibly consider her a friend. Liz watched as various other older students that she did not recognize enter the room in the few remaining minutes left before class began. As Liz sat there waiting the door banged open and Liz jumped slightly at the noise and looked toward the door for the source of it. It was a boy.

"Of course," Liz thought to herself, "Only a boy would deem it necessary to kick the door in to enter a classroom." Liz watched the boy with an apprehensive gaze assuming him to be one of those ladies man type guy who tries to land every girl within a ten kilometer radius. This was the first time so far in this class that Liz was glad to be so young as he appeared to be much older and she hoped that her aptitude in this subject would not appeal to him and cause the age difference to negate itself.

Liz watched appalled as he greeted who she could only assume to be Echo. Liz observed Echo's reaction to the boy and grinned as she offered him gum that was encased in an all too familiar wrapper. She watched to see if he would take the offered sweet and desperately hoped that he would enjoy it more than she had.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash smiled as Sarie entered the room, apologizing as usual for being late. "Don't worry about it. We've still got a few minutes before class starts." he replied with a small laugh. That girl was always bursting into a room babbling out an apology about being late. When really, half the time she wasn't late at all!

The young teacher jumped slightly as the door banged open. He raised an eyebrow as the culprit, one Harrison Greg entered the room. "Please do not kick my door Mr. Greg." he said as the Gryffindor took a seat next to Echo Keir. He rolled his eyes slightly chuckling at Harrison's antics. He was the typical ladies man. "Mr. Greg, leave Ms. Keir alone." He then noticed the piece of brightly wrapped gum in Echo's hand, "Ms. Keir, put the gum away please. You two can exchange candy after class."

Ash looked at his pitifully small class of four girls and one boy. Ah, well... can't have everthing. "Alright, if this is everyone I suppose we should get to work." he said, raising his voice slightly so as to be heard over the talking. "Well, welcome to Muggle Studies. For those of you that do not know me, I am Professor Ashton Laurent. Yes, I was the flying teacher for a few weeks, but after talking with Headmaster Hubbles the both of us decided I am much better suited for this position. Now, as I am sure you all know, Muggle Studies is a class that teaches about Muggles. From a wizard's point of view. We will be discussing things like electricity, airplanes, cars, trains, boats, and other modes of transportation. We will also be discussing Muggle history. Which coincidentally is the topic for today." he gestured towards the box on his desk, "As you can see, I have a small box here on my desk, and what I want you all to do, is take out your quills and small scrap of parchment. On that parchment I want you to write down a significant even or time period in Muggle history. It can be the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, man on the moon, 9/11 and the War on Terrorism. Anything you want. As long as it is legitimate of course."

He paused to let them take it all in, then continued. "Then, you are going to fold the parchment in half, come up to my desk, drop it in the box; and I will then pull out a single piece of parchment. That is what we will be discussing today. I will continue this until all subjects that were written down are discussed. Oh, and to ensure that topics are not repeated, I want you to, when you are done and before you drop them in the box, to gather in a small group and compare your choices. Anyone who has written the same thing down, decide amongst yourselves who will chage theirs, and who will keep it the way it is." He smiled at the class. This was going to be fun! "Alright, if there are no questions, let's get to work!"

Then, he remembered something. "Oh, before we do. I have a few class rules we need to discuss. Now, I know what you are all probably thinking. Why are we talking about rules? Don't worry, I felt the same. But, it's just standard procedure. Now, most of these you should all know and I shouldn't have to remind you about them. Do your own work, no copying or sharing answers, keep your hands to yourself, if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all. These are all common sense people. But, the main thing I want to share with you all, is I do not know if any of you are like me, but I tend to sleep in. Yes, bad habit I know. But since this is my first class of the day, I have a feeling that I will not be able to get breakfast on a regular basis. So, what I am trying to say is, I will allow you to eat in class, but at your discression. I do not want to see crumbs or wrappings all over the floor and desks. The first time, will get you a warning. The second time, warning and detention. The third time, that student will lose eating priviledges for the rest of the year. You will notice that I said 'that student.' I do not believe in punishing the whole class because of one student. There is no sense in getting everyone else in trouble if there is only one who cannot follow rules. And I think that is it for now."

Finally finishing up his little speech, Ash sat down at his desk and waited for his students to write down their choices.

[Liz Granger]

Liz listened intently as the professor called the class to order and explained how the lesson was going to be constructed over the history of muggles. Liz's brain quickly began thinking of several suggestions that she could write down that would be interesting to learn from a wizard's perspective while continuing to pay vague attention to Professor Laurent as he went over the basic classroom rules.

As he was going over the rules she looked quickly around the class at her classmates wondering if any of them would be able to come up with a suggestion about muggle history at all. She supposed the majority of them would be basic things that fathom wizards like the telephone, television, or the functions of rubber ducks. Liz scoffed slightly at the idea as she retrieved a piece of parchment from her bag.

The beheading of King Louis XVI and its effect on the French Revolution

She was satisfied that this answer met all the requirements asked for by the professor and hoped that it would be one of the first ones chosen. She was positive that an answer as brilliant as this concerning muggle history would not be duplicated by any of her classmates. With her answer finished she glanced hesitantly over at Echo and ''Mr.'' Greg to see how Echo was reacting to this first lesson and the new professor

[Echo Keir]

It figured that there would be a 'rules' bit, but the whole schpiel about how the class would be run seemed rather extensive. If they were going to be covering everything the class discussed and had to discuss their choices to make sure there were no duplicates, wouldn't it have just been easier to ask the class what they wanted to learn about, write it on the board, and just go in order down the list? Ah well, she was no teacher so she would simply follow the rubric as was required.

Pulling a piece of paper from her bag, Echo also grabbed a pen and quickly scrawled something across the top of the page. She tore the slip from the page and folded it up, "I call dibs on learning about Norman Invasion of Ireland." She stood, walked to the front of the class and placed her suggestion into the box. She strode back to her place beside Greg. "Not just a pretty face," she said teasingly as she propped her feet on the under shelf of the desk in front of her. In fact, the only reason Echo had any sort of idea what Muggle History was or that this particular event could be considered Muggle History was because her Dad kept tons and tons of Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and Gaelic historical texts around the house. He was still looking for a cure for her mother. Whenever Echo got bored dealing with her older siblings she would sneak into her dad's study and read out of his secret library stash. She didn't know much about the invasion, but pretty much anything that involved war and conquest was interesting to Echo, and she felt smart having the title of a historical event to turn in.

She looked around, waiting to see what other people chose to put in the box and learn about, and then she got bored with that and started thinking about what snacks she would be bringing to the next class period. Sweet cream filled crepes with peppermint sauce, belgian waffles and marmalade, potato and egg breakfast burritos! Ah, the possibilities were endless and she had a whole semester to eat through them! Yes, this would be a good class indeed!

[Harrison Greg]

Compared to some of his lessons it seemed that this particular class was going to be nice and relaxing and with a few girls to playfully tease in the process then it would defiantly be fun! Already the young Gryffindor had a wide smile on his face as Echo playfully teased him back, which was always a good sign in his experience. She then went on to offer him some gum, he had not been expecting this and after a second of just staring at the bright orange wrapper Harrison started to reach forward. “Don’t mind if I do…” but before he could do anything the Professor had picked up on the exchange and with a cheeky grin Harrison lowered his hand and turned to Professor Laurent. “Is that all we can swap at the end of lesson sir?”

It may have been a little tongue in cheek but he was sure everyone knew he was only joking, after all if he was going to try and charm Echo he would not do it in the middle of the Muggle Studies classroom. But from the rules that where being set out by the Professor maybe he could…honestly this lesson was going to a stroll in the park. However Harrison was being forced to think already and with small huff blowing his fringe out of his eye the Gryffindor pulled a scrap bit of parchment out of his bag along with his quill and started to think of something he could put in the box. Running low on inspiration he looked around the classroom seeing the Ravenclaw that echo kept making eye contact with had already scribbled something down and Echo was rambling on about the Norman Invasion…whatever that was.

Unable to think of anything suitable Harrison thought he might go for the old fashioned immature aspect and write down something completely ridiculous which the Professor no doubt would not take seriously…but heck it would get him out of doing work. So it was with a rather cheeky grin that Harrison wrote down ‘the life of muggles in the 13th century who had to live next door to other muggles with noses that were longer then 5 inches’ With a smug little smile Harrison folded up the parchment, stood up, swaggered over to the professors desk and deposited his ‘suggestion’ and walked back to his desk. “I call dibs on the life of ugly muggles.” He teased back at Echo as he offered his fellow Gryffindor a small wink.

[Sarie Thimble]

Sarie hated war, though that seemed that was the only subject everyone talked about. The murder of 20,000 Jewish people She didn't want to talk about the war that was happening in the halls at night. She wondered if someone would try to make a joke out of this.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash waited until each selection had been placed in the box. Then, without looking, reached in and pulled out a paper. Opening it, he read the selection and smiled. "Alright, it looks like we will be discussing the execution of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette and how this effected the French Revolution."

Putting the paper next to the box so that he wouldn't accidentally pull it out again, he leaned back against the desk and prepared to begin the discussion. "Alright, first of all. What can you tell me about this particular event? Who was involved, what led to it, when did it take place? Things like that."

He was also wondering how long it would be before someone asked, or for those that already knew, pointed out that he himself was French... well part French anyway.