Dark Arts : Dark Memories

[Mafelda Hundar]

Miss Hundar swept through the halls of Hogwarts like a sudden squall. Wherever she went, the halls seemed colder, the light seemed duller, and hope seemed further away, like a child caught in the undertow of the ocean. Like a storm that smothers a bright summer day, so was the presence of the huntress.

When she reached her cold tower classroom door, she was pleased to find that everything was just as she had left it: white marble floors, large gallery walls, on which were canvases that were hidden by silvery cloths, as well as statues littered about the room also hidden by the shimmery gray fabric. There were white cushioned benches for the students to sit on, and lots of room to move about, considering the actual size of the tower.

Today the class would be learning about the history of the Dark Arts, with the added bonus of getting to see a very few actual historical scenes played out, as well as interview a selected few dark witches and wizards. Although she wanted the students to have a comprehensive knowledge of her subject, she at the same time did not want them to be exposed to some of the more... creative ideals that some of the paintings portrayed. There was a fragile line between exposing the dark truths, and tempting them.

Although she had carefully selected how the day would go, it would by no means be a cushy lesson. A more structured class only meant a more steady grip over what they could and would learn in the class period, and a very careful balance of what she would let them see, and what she could make them see. She was calculating down to the very last detail of her lesson plans, and she would not be deterred from her plans.

There were only four students who had been accepted into her class. Noah Yves and Narcissus Drachen from her previous class, and Riley Harris and Alexis Heart, young ladies who seemed to have solid heads on their shoulders. There was also Ricky Daines, who she had debated long and hard about allowing into her class, because she knew of the tension betwixt the young man and her own teaching assistant. In the end she had chosen to accept him, and hoped that he and Miss Grace could remain professional. If not, well there were always ways to remedy that.

Now she stood in front of one of the large gallery walls ad awaited the arrival of what students chose to show their faces.

[Alexis Heart]

Alexis had decided to sign up for Dark Arts class. Many of her classmates had asked her why, and she simply told them she was curious. At first she didn't think the professor would allow her in the class to begin with, she assumed it was a class geared more toward they Slytherin population of the school who seemed to thrive on learning the dark arts, but she was accepted to her happy surprise. So today was her first day of classes with professor Hundar.

Alexis had a feeling she was the kind of woman you didn't want mad at you, and being late would probably be pissed off if anyone were late. Alexis rushed out of her room with her books and everything in hand. Making her way to the class she couldn't help but wonder what they were going to be learning about today.

Stepping into the room Alexis realized that she was the first one there. Oh boy, came her next thoughts. Looking over at the professor she gave her a polite nod hoping she wouldn't be first for too long because she didn't want to be questioned about anything not just yet anyway. Taking a seat in the front of the room Alexis waited for the rest of her classmates to enter the room so the lesson could begin.

[Riley Harris]

Riley hurried down the halls, checking her bag at the same time to make sure she had everything. As she approached the door she remembered her decision to take Dark Arts, she figured that if she was going to work for the Ministry catching dark and dangerous creatures she had probably better have a good knowledge of the Dark Arts and possibly how such creatures were created and the various motivations behind them. So she had added Dark Arts to her class load in addition to Care of Magical Creatures, Transfiguration, Charms, and DADA.

Riley finished composing herself and walked into the classroom. She saw only one other student there and was glad that she was still a few minutes early. She smiled to the other student who she only knew was a Ravenclaw in the year above her. "Hello friend. How are you today?" She then looked to the professor and greeted her too, despite her cold appearance, "Hello Professor Hundar, lovely day isn't it?"

Riley was determined that this class would not affect her sunny and friendly outlook on people and took a seat in the middle of the second row of lovely cushioned benches. As she sat down she began to look around the peculiar room and wonder what they were going to learn. She hoped that the other students would get there soon so that the mysterious lesson could begin.

[Mafelda Hundar]

It was nice to see that some students actually cared about punctuality and making a good impression on their professors. Although she was not a great fan of cheery greetings or overly friendly people, she nodded cordially to the bright eyed girl in scarlet hemmed robes. She checked the clock on the far wall of the room and grimaced approvingly, "Very well, then. I suppose for showing up early I'll give both your cabins... or apartments, or whatever they're called twenty points. Where do you each belong?" she asked as she waved her wand and conjured forth a small chalkboard to keep track of things on.

"And while we're at it," she said, feeling rather bored with this whole... 'mentor' exercise, "I suppose I better check you off the roll. Names?" it was more a commanding statement than a question, but it was as polite an introduction as she could muster in these circumstances. It wasn't that she disliked the school or the children she taught... it was that she loathed the school and could not stand that sarcastic self-righteous brats who were allowed to run a muck within its halls. However, Miss Hundar had hand selected all the students in her class, choosing ones specifically that showed some talent and aptitude and respectability. It was one of her most passionate hatreds to teach classes that wasted her time and the time of students in her class. If anyone thought they knew more than she did and refused to take instruction, what was the point in being there? However, the new students she had added to her roster this year showed an exceptional interest in learning. That was always promising. Students willing to learn were students who had the ability to be taught, which was exactly the way a class was supposed to work. No power struggles between student and professor, nor debates over teaching practices or curriculum material. Simply teaching and learning, as a class should be.

"Do either of you happen to know the other students in my class?" she asked, wondering if either of the pupils who had shown up early might have the ability to remind their classmates to arrive. It would really be a shame to find out she had wasted her time, and the slots on her class roll list, on people who were not interested in showing up for her class. Not that she particularly minded a small class, but she knew that many people when left in close quarters with her got shy and intimidated easily. She hoped that would not be the case with this pair, and it seemed to her that it would not be, as their early arrival showed an eagerness to be there, but nonetheless. As the saying went, 'The more the merrier'... however that worked.

[Riley Harris]

Riley beamed with happiness when the professor nodded and then awarded her and the other girl points to their houses. Riley did notice that she seemed to be making an effort to be nice and cordial so Riley made a mental note to be extra nice to her during the course of the class.

It was then that Riley realized she had not answered Professor Hundar's question about her house and now was asking for her name for the roll. Riley quickly responded in her friendly bubbly fashion, "I am Riley Harris of Gryffindor house and thank you very much Professor Hundar. It is very kind of you to award us points for being on time to your lesson."

Riley smiled her kindest smile at the teacher and then began to wonder where everyone else was. Miss Hundar must have been thinking along those same lines because it was then that she asked if either of the girls knew any of their other classmates. Riley responded again cheerfully, "I know of Noah Yves and I am assuming that he is somewhere with Narcissus Drachen. I know Noah a little and I didn't see him in the common room when I left. I don't really know Narcissus except that he is good friends with Noah." Riley hoped that her response had helped some but that was all she knew. Riley smiled again and waited for the others to arrive praying that they weren't too late.

[Harrison Greg]

Harrison was still sitting in he commonroom when he noticed the time, his pure blue eyes had wondered over to the grandfather clock in the corner of the and after a few moments of just staring at the time it suddenly dawned on him where he was meant to be right now. “Ah, crap.” Quickly pushing himself up off the sofa, ran a hand nervously through his hair as he quickly tried to find his bag…which was no where in sight. But Harrison was always one to think of his feet and running over to a group of fourth years he put on his best charming smile, wrapped an arm around the ugliest and spottiest girl of the bunch and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Hey there sweetheart, want to give me a helping hand?” He could tell from the red blush that was filling her face that she was finding the attention a little bit flattering. “Can I er, borrow your bag?” The brunette gave a high pitched giggle as Harrison gave her another kiss and swept her bag up off the floor and ran out of the commonroom.

He sprinted through the corridors of the castle, barging through crowds of people as he tried desperately to get to his lesson before the bell went. It would not be the best idea to turn up late for your first lesson was a BIG no no.

Throwing open the door to the classroom Harrison’s chest was heaving as he tried to look cool, keep calm and strut into the room. Thankfully it was rather empty, and full of girls ’oh yeah’ With a cheeky grin at all the female inhabitants and a nod of acknowledgment at Professor Hundar Harrison took a seat and pulled out the parchment from the bag and…and…a pink quill…oh lord.

[Mafelda Hundar]

Miss Hundar sighed in irritation. Cheery students, and the students she actually enjoyed were nowhere to be seen, curse them. 'Note to self,' she thought dryly 'When Yves and Drachen do show up, give them a reason never to be late again.' It was always a disappointment when promising students slacked off, and disappointment was not something Mafelda handled graciously.

When another student showed up she couldn't help but smirk inwardly at the apparent apprehension of the boy to "his" writing implement. "Mister Greg, I presume?" she said, marking his name off the roll sheet. "I'm glad you could make it. It'll create less clean up the fewer students I have to hex for not showing up. Though, perhaps for the next class, you'll bring supplies that are less of an eyesore?" she flicked her wand in his direction and the quill in his hand shuddered, rippling bottom to top and changing from hot pink to oily black. "First impressions are more important than you think, Mister Greg. I don't think you want the image that frilly writing utensils give a young man."

Although only half of her class was present, Mafelda decided it was time to start the lesson. She drew her ebony wand and wrote in midair:

History of Dark Magic

She then turned to face her class and said stoicly, "Welcome, class, to your first Dark Arts class. Today we will be looking at some of the most notable moments in the history of the Dark Arts, as well as speaking with some of the witches and wizards who created them. Before we go any further, I must give you a forewarning. I do not like your school and I do not care about your houses. I did not go here and whether your robes have orange trim or a rat crest makes no difference to me. Leave your feuds at the door or stay out."

"That being said," she continued, "I must also warn you that even though all the witches and wizards you are about to see and speak with are dead, their ideas do have the ability to leave on. Steele yourselves now that you might not wander into the gray areas of their thoughts. I do not need another war on my hands because some stupid student couldn't keep his or her head while interviewing a LeStrange. Understand?" She then waited for the class to accept these terms and appropriately ready themselves for the lesson to begin.

[Narcissus Drachen]

Narcissus had, as usual, allowed any sort of privilege to cloud head.

When – worryingly – bestowed the position of Slytherin prefect, he had not discovered the benefits of power so much as learnt to abuse them more extensively, finding new boundaries to push and fresh nerves to touch. Unfortunately for Professor Hundar this instance was no different. Her reputation was high, her standards higher still, and Narcissus was understandably quite proud of his post-approval – handpicked like the finest fruit; and with excellent reason, he coolly believed.

And so he was late, for faith in someone else was just one such thing to abuse.

The Dark Arts classroom was where Narcissus had last left it, which was a surprise in itself considering Hogwarts’ penchant for re-arrangement. However, though its indecisive tastes were similar to his own, Professor Hundar’s wrath was no doubt an incentive to leave things where she desired them to be.

He entered, stopping when he heard his name from the jaws of a lion. The girl – Riley something, a friend of Noah and Echo’s – sat amongst another Gryffindor and a raven. He smirked, imagining the professor's climate perhaps a little too arctic for their sunny dispositions. Good friends indeed he thought wryly, draping himself across one of the cream benches as Professor Hundar voiced her caution, predatory eyes having no yet locked on the truant Slytherin – she knew full well he was there, of course.

‘I’ll behave myself, professor,’ he said, smile dissolving into something less benevolent. ‘Although I am rather impressionable.’

Narcissus was the hot water a fool poured over ice to be rid of it – only to freeze it faster, harder, colder.

[Harrison Greg]

From what he had heard about Professor Hundar, Harrison knew she would not be one of those people who would be willing to let you lean back on your chair or sit at the back of the classroom chewing on some gum. This was confirmed with her rather harsh greeting, mention of hexing other students and insulting his pink quill. Admittedly it was not the most appealing of quills that you could have had, it was most likely a feather from a flamingo not a barn owl but then he was not to blame for other people’s bad taste. But it seemed the Professor had other ideas and even as the Gryffindor held the quill in his hand the pink strands of the feather turned into the darkest black he had ever seen. ‘How emotastic’ Harrison thought to himself as he looked up at the professor and gave her a small lopsided smile. “Much better, thank you professor.” Oh what a little suck up Mr Greg could be.

It seemed that ended the foreplay, and the lesson was underway with a nice harsh warning from Hundar about how those who did not keep their minds would suffer the consequences as dark things could happen to them in this room. It all sounded rather creepy and the Gryffindor could not help think that only under Professor Hubbles reign would they allow students to be potentially venerable for getting taken over by dark powers. Oh well, you only live once and since a Slytherin had also agreed to it then for the sake of Gryffindor pride he could not back down now. “Hear you loud and clear Professor! My mind will be like a fortress.”

Well at least he hoped so…

[Mafelda Hundar]

Turning away from the class momentarily she rolled her eyes at her own misfortune. Half of the dastardly duo was here, but without the other half this might become far too predictable. Then again, Greg and Harris held some hope for interest, and Miss Heart seemed like she would be a particularly interesting subject... student. She turned back around and drew her wand. A small flick enticed a free-standing portrait, which was larger than Mafelda, to sweep from the back of the large gallery room around to stand beside her. Suddenly she wondered where her assistant, Miss Grace was. She was actually interested in having her help today. Ah well, she would just have to wing some things today. The silence in the room was only broken when Miss Hundar took hold of the silvery silken sheet and pulled it off the frame with a heavy -SWOOSH-. Behind the covering was a portrait of two women, one pale with dark hair and a crazy gleam in her eyes, the other had pink pink roses in her cheeks and such fine silvery-blond hair it was almsot invisible.

"I introduce you to the sisters Black."

"Oh, sister! Look, we have an audience!" the dark haired one cooed maliciously. "Hello out there. You may call me, Aunt Bee!" she opened her mouth and released a high-pitched, baleful, obnoxious cackle that even made Miss Hundar wince slightly.
"Oh, don't, Bellatrix, just don't," the blond one chided morosely.
"Narcissa, come look! Don't you want to see all our lovely new friends? Come meet them--" Bellatrix tried to grab her sister's arm, but was denied by a harsh, cold stare as Narcissa took a step away from her sister and swatted her hand away.

Mafelda waved her wand and the portrait was silent. The two sisters continued bickering, making rude hand gestures to one another and attempting to attack each other, but the class couldn't hear what was actually going on betwixt them. "I bring these two out together because they tend to balance each other well. Bellatrix Black-LeStrange is notoriously insane. She has such a mad hunger for the Dark Arts that I can't even stand it sometimes. At least Riddle is somewhat logical about it. Bellatrix simply has a massive case of egocentricity, blood lust, and uncontrolled power. It's disgusting..." Mafelda's nose twitched up slightly as if she smelled something foul and the corners of her mouth pulled down like she might have felt ill, but she played it off with a cough and forged onward. "Which is why I bring Narcissa out with her. Narcissa Black-Malfoy, although a servant of the Dark Lord like her sister, was far more demure in her practices in the Dark Arts. She used them for protection rather than offense. Strange to think they might be used as such, but as you have all shown aptitude to understand, any magic could be used either for the positive or negative. The Dark Arts are simply a bastar--ahem, unnatural version of the magic we commonly know and use."

"Narcissa keeps Bellatrix in check, and Bellatrix antagonizes Narcissa into actually talking about some of the things that went on behind closed doors in the Malfoy household. Are there any questions so far? For myself, or either of the sisters?"

[Alexis Heart]

Alexis could already tell by her demeanor that professor Hundar was not a woman to be messed with. Alexis was already leery of her so she took her seat and tried to remain quiet if she could. Of course when you were trying to avoid trouble it seemed to come and find you. The professor was addressing her and the only other student in the room since the two of them were the only ones with the decency to show up on time. Hundar addressed them asking which houses they were in. Alexis immediately sat up a bit a straighter as she looked directly at the woman. "I'm in Ravenclaw" she said with pride. If there was one thing about Alexis it was how happy she was to be a Ravenclaw. Alexis was surprised though that the professor didn't seem to know much about the houses. No matter she wasn't about to say anything about it.

Next she was being asked her name, Alexis supposed it was weird to her having anyone ask her that since most of her teachers already knew her name. Well, not wanting to keep the woman waiting she said promptly "I'm Alexis Cane professor." Hoping that she would now be able to go back to being silent, Alexis sat there waiting for the rest of the class to appear. Yet again the professor started to speak asking her and the other girl if they knew any of the other students that were supposed to be in her class. Alexis shook her head no because in all honesty she did not have a clue.

Soon Harrison Greg entered the room, and Alexis tried to hide a chuckle. He enjoyed making an entrance that one. Professor Hundar wasn't impressed though just as Alexis thought, she's not one to mess with, but at least now the class was about to start. The professor told them what they were about to do and Alexis almost fell out of her chair. A Lestrange? Really? Of all the things...Alexis didn't say a word just kept her face impassive as she continued to listen, when Harrison made his little sly remark Alexis didn't even smile.

The two women appeared, one with dark hair who looked slightly mad the other one fairer with blonde hair who didn't seem to want to be there. Despite her fears Alexis couldn't help but find the whole thing interesting. She was curious to see how the class would end up.