(Ancient Runes) Lesson One

[Alice Simmons]

Alice gave a panicked little squeak as she saw the time on her watch, she was running late, very late in fact and she knew that as soon as she stepped into the Ancient Runes room she would be shouted at and lose points for Hufflepuff. Running down the corridor the small Hufflepuff’s face was slowly turning red and she was finding it hard not to start crying, she had never been in trouble before and she knew she would be it, it was the end of her world. Marcus would be ashamed of her and all her other housemates would hate her for losing the points they had all worked so hard to gain.

Alice was running so quickly that she really was not paying any attention where she was going and had took a few wrong turns and then to top it off managed to run into a Professor. She was getting ready for the shouting to begin about running in the corridors when she saw who it was.
“Oh sorry Professor Hubbles. I ain’t in trouble am I?”
Girty gave the small Hufflepuff a small smile and shock her head. “Are you meant to be somewhere Alice?” The little Hufflepuff gave a very nervous nod finding it hard to say anything. “Anc..Ancient Runes. Professor Saunders is going to kill me.”

Girty could see the look of panic in the young Hufflepuff’s face and knew that it was her job to comfort her and even help her get out of the situation. After a few seconds of thought Girty had come to her conclusion and signalled for Alice to follow her, which the Hufflepuff did not moan about at all. Slowly they made their way towards the Ancient Runes classroom and from the sound of the Professors voice from inside the lesson had already started. Wrapping her knuckles on the door Girty pushed it open before even waiting for an answer and shot the Professor a wide grin.

“Sorry for the intrusion Professor Saunders.” Girty pushed Alice into the classroom and gave her a small wink. “Miss Simmons was having extra Charms lessons and we did not notice the time flying past us, it is my fault she is late and I am very sorry.”

With a small smile Girty did not wish to intrude the lesson anymore then she had already and with a nod in the direction of the Professor she quickly closed the door behind. Alice however was still slightly dumb struck by what had happened and quickly made a way to the closed available seat whishing she could just sink into the darkness, although the funny little floating rune was rather entertaining.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac watched with detached amusement as the class filled with Slytherins, as well as a few other students that Jac didn't really take note of. Slyths were always amusing to the Gryffindor, as she related much with them and at the same time felt she couldn't be more different. Such was the relationship between Slytherins and Gryffindors.

Her decorative heading was well on its way to being completed and just as another Claw strolled in she had pulled out her wand and tapped the still wet ink, a small flash of white light emitted from the end of her wand and the ink started slowly changing colour like it was liquid. Much impressed with her wordless magic skills (that she had been practicing since she was legally allowed to practice magic out of school), Jac slung her arm over the back of her chair and began rolling her quill between her finger absently.

Prof Saunders began speaking, asking the class at large about a rune before pouncing on a snoozing Claw. Jac sniggered as she lifted her arm from her chair and drew the rune in question in her note book and scribbling what she knew about it next to the large figure. Someone spoke but it was laughable how little these people know about this rune. Ending her written notes with a flourish of her quill, Jac turned around and lifted her hand.

"Fehu is the first rune and equates to the English letter 'F'," Jac said, wondering at the same time just how much she should say on the matter. "The name came from the farming peoples of ancient Europe, where wealth was measured in cattle. In literal terms Fehu means cattle, wealth, reward, generosity, ownership, livestock, nourishment, a beginning, or an opening gambit. In modern interpretation Fehu symbolizes money, a fee, a payment the ability to achieve and sustain success, or greater wealth. In a broader sense it can be interpreted to mean good health and good fortune, but you are reminded of the need to be generous, to be charitable and to show compassion." With this last Jac was scribbling again, only remembered that point as she spoke.

Looking back to the professor, Jac smiled broadly. She thought she might have gone a bit overboard but that was what the professor wanted, wasn't it, information on the rune?

[Polaris Stormwrath]

Polaris sat quietly as students were picked on, and even one who decided to speak her hearts content out. Not that the Ravenclaw minded, she already knew every rune, it's meaning and purposes and history in not only english, but in norwegian, finnish and german as well. She also knew that the Professor knew all of this and hopefully didn't mind that she was staying quiet until prompted. After all, those who didn't know so much and those who wanted to show off could in this class, now that Polaris wasn't talking. And it seems that a few students already were.

The animagus then flashed a smile towards the teacher and bore an expression that read 'hey-I-know-this!' but also spoke of respect. With a sigh, she rested her chin on her palm, still smiling and awaiting for the rest of the lesson to continue on.