[Muggle St] T4:Lesson 1: Muggle Transportation

[Prof. Jack Fagin]

Fagin's classroom always had a lingering stale smell, and that was the best smell that assailed the senses on entering his provincial palace, as he would have it be known, or was that his office? He always confused the two. Regardless the room had a distinct stink, which was often hard to place, sure he might reek of alcohol and smoke, if there wasn't smoke wreathed about his head then you'd caught him on a good day, but the alcoholic smell couldn't affect the entire room like the smoke from his pipe could.

Today though there was the smell of roses, dead roses, that a distant relative had sent him, how they'd gotten a hold of his address he didn't know though. A simple message saying "we miss you" had been attached, which he didn't understand in the slightest, or claimed he didn't when his colleagues remarked about it at the dinner table. Professor Fagin was still wreathed in a little mystery, if one cared to delve into his past they'd find it quite surprising, as it gave no real clue as to how he had become the cantankerous old man he was today, something along the long winding road must have changed him somehow though, it just took a lot of searching in his memory banks to remember quite what the series of events were. To him they remained a confused jumble, a whirlwind at the time that so few had ever enquired about.

He'd go so far as to say that only his drinking buddies here really knew him when he let his tongue go running free and wild, but he still kept some things a secret, almost unwittingly to preserve himself.

So now the room had only a slight pong of smoke, and the chairs and tables had even been tucked away tidily when he'd grown bored last night. The armchair that usually resided behind his desk was now pushed into a corner, that had taken some shifting, and he now kept a wooden chair there instead. Which he now sat upon with his feet resting on his cluttered desk before him. He sat reading the morning paper awaiting his first lesson of the day, a steaming mug of hot coffee balanced precariously upon a mountain of paperwork now ringed with horrible coffee stains from his overfilled mug that had dripped all the way from the staff room. There was almost definitely a long trail of coffee drips all the way from the staffroom, some poor kid would probably slip, watching pupils slide all around would really brighten his day considerably.

Today was to be an interesting lesson, to him at least, but his subject intrested him immensely, or else he simply wouldn't teach it. Muggle Transportation was wide and varied he believed and could produce a decent length of discussion, he might even bring in debates over global warming to heat up discussions. He might even try not to bite off each pupils head as they entered his classroom, though he wouldn't promise anything mind you.



Gryffindor: +30 +20
Hufflepuff: +30 +10
Ravenclaw: +30 +30
Slytherin: +20
10 Points given for attendance then 10 for contributions and more if I see fit, =)

[vampireangel]

Erika walked into the classroom, nodding her head in greeting towards Professor Fagin, while at the same time trying to keep her eyes open. "Morning Professor." she greeted as she sat down in her usual place near the back. Yawning, Erika let her head fall down onto her desk. "I am so tired." she complained, "When I figure out whatever genius it was that decided that school should begin at this god forsaken hour, I swear to Merlin I will rip them to shreds!" she growled frustratedly. Just thinking about the injustice of it, made her snarl. A terrifying, almost animal-like sound.

[Prof. Jack Fagin]

Shuffling his paper, he looked over it as the first student arrive, "morning, McCallister is it?" He asked remembering her from an incident in the corridor, now that had been fun. He was also rather proud, strangely enough, that he'd recalled her name, it was most unlike him. He was about to return to his paper when she complained, and she was right to really, so long as it wasn't at him, or his colleagues he supposed, then he didn't much mind hearing her grumbles. He could multi-task and read the paper at the same time anyway; just about.

"Glad to see I'm not alone in hating this detestable hour of the early morning then." From his tone it was clear he was actually in a reasonable mood, until a single little thing sent his terrible temper over the edge.
"I don't want you in prison though, that'd spoil my fun at having you in detentions constantly," he bantered finding it hilarious tormenting students when they received a detention from him. He hadn't given one out in over a week though, now that was strange.

"I hope you know lots about transports," he remarked, "or else it'll be detention," he joked laughing to puncuate it, he really was in a near insufferable good mood; very odd.

[Alice Simmons]

Alice was slowly learning her way around the castle, but she needed to keep a hand drawn map in her pocket and walk around the castle slowly in hope that she did not miss a turning and then get completely lost. So after setting out half an hour before her muggle studies lesson began Alice made her way to the classroom. There was one problem however, she had heard many stories in the Hufflepuff common room about this teacher, Fagin he was called and he already struck fear in this small first year even before she entered the class room.

Pushing open the door a mixture of smells filled her nose causing her to clamp it shut with her fingers. It smelt more like a potions classroom, smoke, dead flowers and other smells that could really be anything. But after looking around she noticed that Professor Fagin was sitting waiting and there was one student already in there, sitting at the back moaning.

With a small smile Alice wondered into the classroom and quickly scurried to one of the desks on the front row, trying to draw as little attention to herself. Alice did not wish to open her mouth in case she screamed or was so scared that her words all mashed together that no one would be able to understand a word that she said. So instead she sat in silence, watching the professor like a hawk.

[Prof. Jack Fagin]

As the door creaked ajar he looked up over his paper, then had to look again to spy the frankly rather terrified looking girl peeking her head around his door and duly entering. Her fear made Fagin grin which showed his yellowy teeth, this could prove to be amusing, he had to strike the fear of god in her of course. At least she smiled on entering, and didn't know quite what she was in for. "Boo!" He roared hoping to make her jump only a little, laughing he sipped his coffee watching her watching him.

"Have I something on my face? A little dirt?" He asked knowing full well the irony as he hadn't washed his face that morning, so probably did look a state. Folding up his paper, he put it down watching the little girl carefully, "I feel like I've seen you somewhere before...haven't a sibling have you?" He asked feeling he knew the face somehow.
"I don't suppose you've used muggle transport have you?" He demanded tapping his foot to show his impatience, he couldn't scare her too much, but these days kids didn't scare easily anyway. In fact she probably did just think him an old fool; ah well.

[Alice Simmons]

The people in the common room had not been over reacting when they said how scary Fagin truly was, even if it was small he had already made Alice jump on many occasions. He cruel joke of shouting ‘boo’ at her and then also the mere sight of his yellow teeth, but the problem them occurred when he asked Alice a question. Her lower lip started to tremble and she shook her head trying to find something to say and answer his list of questions. It was too much for her to get her head around, his eyes were not moving off her and she felt that he could easily pull out his wand and zap her where she sat if she did not answer quickly enough or worse he could take points off Hufflepuff house and if that happened she would never be able to show her face in the common room again.

“You aint got anythin on your face sir. I did not mean to stare it is just that you have a reputation sir, and the stories I have heard…” Alice stopped and took a deep breath. She thought it unwise to blurt out that she was scared of him so instead she thought she should answer his other question, if anything just to get his gaze off her.
“Me half brother Dax came before me sir. He still works and lives ere, in the hut down on the grounds, so I’m from a wizardin background sir, do not use muggle transport much.”

Alice did not know what else to say, Fagin asked his questions quickly and directly and there was no way for her to get out of it. Although there was one thing it helped with was that it helped over come her nerves, she was ready to learn.

[shafer]

The morning had been quite a dull one. Bray had been off with his Ravenclaw buddies, and had payed no mind to poor old Shay. 'Course he had friends of his own. He just preferred to stay away from them, ever since they'd found out that he'd been taking private tutorings with Bray. He decided he might as well attend one of his classes for once, as he wandered off to his first class 'Muggle Transportation.'

Upon arriving in the room, he stopped and smelled a mixture of odd smells. Wrinkling his nose, he looked down at his schedule again. Muggle studies.. Hmm... I think I had this for a couple years... Never really bothered to come in, I guess. He thought, as he took a seat in the middle row. Two other students were in the room, and he had no intention of speaking with them.

Look up, he noticed the head of his house, Professor Fagin. A slight advantage. And yet, a disadvantage as well. Fagin would most likely favor him for being in his house, or discourage him for never attending the class. All Shay could really do, was pretend to know what was going on. Smirking lightly at the fact the teacher was interrogating a younger student, he sat back in his chair, placed his feet on his desk, and placed his hands behind his head. Might as well sleep as long as there aren't many students in here.. He thought, closing his eyes.

[Prof. Jack Fagin]

Making first years cry was a terrible thing to do, Fagin would claim it was too easy so he wouldn't break them, but really he couldn't bring himself to be overly cruel to them if they did nothing against him first, then they thoroughly deserved a telling off and so very definitely received one. The girl's lower lip trembling suddenly remembered him painfully of his own little girl, he shuffled the paper and brought out to read once more, as if he was ignoring her answers, but somehow that lower lip wobbling had brought back a clear memory; far too terribly clear. This old cantankerous man nearly had to blink back a tear. As near as he'd ever got to one these days at least. Giving a harrumph he composed himself behinnd the paper, with a simple rough shake and a slap around the face that echoed about the room. Replacing the paper once more he had been listening to her quite intently, though made out as if he hadn't. So she'd heard stories eh? His reputation was still upheld then, that was good. Brilliant in fact.

"Dax...Dax," he mused aloud trying to remember the face, then it came to him, "ah nervous guy, complete wet lettuce," he shot McCallister a look, and a grin along with it as he likened him to a vegetable. "Decent groundsman chappy though," he couldn't think of what his actual proper title was. "Living in a hut can't be nice though," he commented passing the time as they waited for the arrival of more students. "But that's a crime, you should try out muggle public transport at least, get a new experience." He laughed, "it's good stuff, great quality, you wouldn't believe you were moving on those high speed trains, they move so smoothly on the tracks, and the old red buses in London, changed now of course, double decker, but nothing like that Night Bus contraption thing." He commented now upon a topic he loved and could spout about for ages. Yet he forstalled his ramblings, the majority of the class weren't even present.

"So for homework over the holidays you can use muggle transports, try them out." He chortled knowing she'd probably find them inefficient and slow compared to magical ways. About to enquire as to why her brother, no half-brother that was it, Wax, was still at the school he was waylaid as a third student entered the room,and didn't even greet, nor even smile at him; well. He hadn't seen the lad here before, not in class, but somewhere, clearly a Slytherin then, probably mucked about the common room disturbing his and others peace. About to continue grilling the girl, she seemed more interesting, he was stopped again by a sound that only he was allowed to make; the sound of feet placed upon a table. His outraged eyes flew towards the culprit, blazing instantly, seeing the boy relax and finally close his eyes. Shaking his head, Fagin eyes bulged, as he quietly slipped from his chair then crept up on the lad, signalling for the two girls to keep quiet. Bringing a fist down upon the boy's table he whispered hoarsely, "dirty shoes upon my tables; preposterous, relaxing here; unspeakable and sleeping in my classroom; utterly unthinkable." Staring pointedly at the shoes he spoke crisply, "Three detentions for each offense, that makes three days in my hellish company, and there will be points deducted from Slytherin if your feet aren't removed from my table and you don't start looking alert and ready for work!" He roared near the end then face inches from his he asked, "do you use public transport?"

[shafer]

Only minutes after closing his eyes, Shay had heard a loud slam on the desk his feet sat, and the vibration from whatever hit it. He quickly opened his eyes, to find Fagin in his face. "What the-?!" He practically shouted, falling off his chair, and landing on the floor with widened eyes. Scrambling back to his chair, he sat there, listening to his punishment. Great. Detentions. Three of them, to be exact. Beginning to sigh, it was quickly stopped by the fact the professor's face was inches from his own. "Er. No. My father prefers not to interfere with those.. Muggles." Shaking his head in disgust. He didn't even want to picture himself on some Muggle train, sitting next to filthy Muggles.

Shay only hoped the professor would go back to his desk, and that more students would come, so he would be able to nap. When was he going to need to know about Muggles? They were in their own, happy world. And the wizards were in theirs'. Why would he need to learn about them? Muggle Studies would just be another napping class. But he knew that Fagin would now be on his case for ruining his desk. It was only a matter of looking awake, then he would pass this class.

[Prof. Jack Fagin]

Tutting loudly, Fagin exited the boy's personal space, supposedly he was only allowed to let spittle fly into a person's face twice a day, he'd used one up this early in the morning, that would make the rest of the day difficult. His colleagues joked that they were weening him off shouting and screaming, it was simply a running joke, but he took it to heart a little to calm his demeanour and to stop biting everyone's heads off.
"Ah," he uttered simply, "someone who looks down on muggles eh? What a surprise," he stated deciding to walk about the room as he lectured. "Even if you're purist it's common sense to know that you can learn a lot from non-magic folk. Just because they can't utilise magic doesn't make them stupid. Most of the great inventions are of muggle invention, the wizarding world cannot endure without the muggle world alongside it, you have to coexist, it's natural logic." He smiled, as McCallister could tell you, the vast majority of this world's population are muggles, I forget the percentages now, you should learn them for the exam though, my point being that they outnumber you countless times, and purebloods are few and far between are they not Dax's sister? Half-sister even." Circling back round to the boy, to make sure he stayed thoroughly awake, he kept his eye upon him as he continued, "back to transport itself, many magical vehicles are based primarily upon muggle vehicles, invented and manufactuted solely by muggles, you need give them more credit, all of you." He warned even if there were muggle lovers in this room they wouldn't find it boring as they would agree and others would need to know to appreciate how much muggles unwittingly help the magical world.

"Oh and boy, you'd best know carpentry, muggle fashion, so you can make me a new desk." He chuckled, "or else just an exceptionally long lecture, your choice." He offered with a happy smile, "can anyone name me any types of muggle transportation? Anyone?" Going to the board he scrawled down the question and left room for people's suggestions. If they engaged in the lesson they'd find it passed far quicker and then they might actually pass the exams too.

[Edward Niven]

Edward examined Fagin with his lips quirked upwards slightly. The man was still as charming as ever, zooming in on the individual faces of his students and invading their personal space without a second thought.

As the rogue professor continued his lecture, Edward took it upon himself to drone it out and study the room. It had a heady smell to it, one that he had grown familiar with but not at all used to. Wrinkling his nose, he turned his attention to the board and caught sight of the lifeless flowers, wilted and drooping.

Arching a brow, Edward drummed his wand quietly on his table for a minute, before lifting it. As Fagin waited for his answer, Edward pointed his wand at the thorny stem of one of the roses and watched as it instantly began to straighten. Then, the old petals fell off as new ones grew in, a vibrant red.

Smiling a bit at his handy work, Edward nudged his wand over a bit and pointed it at the next rose. "What colour do you think this next one should be?" He murmured at the Hufflepuff absently.[/color]

[Char Hadley]

Char tilted his head to one side, examining their professor with an uncertain smile on his face. He had decided Muggle Studies would be his favourite class long before he had even entered it, though it did surround him with many wistful memories.

Their unusual professor had barked out a question, and though Char felt momentarily intimidated, he decidedly rose his arm to answer. "Well... they have these massive birds - no wait, airplanes," his eyes were wide and excited. "I've always wanted to go on one, but everyone I know thinks they're dangerous. They must be just like brooms, though," Char added sullenly.

[vampireangel]

Erika lifted her head, finally they were talking about something of interest to her. "Well, airplanes can be dangerous. But brooms can be dangerous as well. Any type of transportation can be dangerous if you're not careful and don't know how to properly use it. Doesn't matter if it's a muggle form of transportation, or a magical form. If you don't know how to use it safely, it can be dangerous."

[Sarie Thimble]

Sarie ran down the hall and into the Muggle studies class room hoping she wasn't late. She came in breathing heavily. "Sorry I'm late Professor." She took her seat feeling stupid.

[effie]

Effie had slipped into the classroom just as Fagin began yelling at one of his own house, creating a knowing smile on the Ravenclaw's face. The muggle studies Professor may be prone to being a right git, but at least he was a right git to everyone.

She had taken a seat near the back of the classroom, which put nearly all the rooms occupants in her sight. A moment or two passed, as she watched a single flower in a wilted bunch at the front of the room spring into new life, forming petals of a firey red. Her attention finally returned to the lesson, noticing the question scribbled on the chalk board.

'Also buses-' Effie offered, thinking of the many red ones that she saw every year when going down to King's Cross. '-Though have you seen how slow those things are? Always following the road exactly.. and stopping every time a little light changes.' She wrinkled her nose. '-No beds or arm chairs either.' Effie, of course, was more used to the likes of the Knight Bus.