Lesson 2: Viperaverto

[Gavril Romanov]

Gavril strolled into the transfiguration classroom with his heart up in his throat. He was a little nervous to begin teaching his first class, and was unsure of how many students to expect, or how they would take to a new professor. He set his bag down next to his desk and sat in the chair, taking a moment to regard the classroom and just meditate for a moment. As he sat there and pulled his thoughts together, he began to think of creative ways to begin his first lesson. Was he going to show them how to transfigure a piece of parchment into a rose? Or was he going to expect that they all were a little more advanced than that and could handle transfiguring lampshades into marble pedestals? He mused over several ideas before he decided on one and then began preparing for the arrival of his students.

Removing his wand from his bag, he flourished the 13" dark stained mahogany wand at the blackboard. The piece of chalk levitated itself into the air and began to chalk out his name:

Professor Romanov

Turning to face the classroom, he flourished his wand again at the large cabinet at the far end and intoned: "Contineo Aperio." The doors flew open and with a jerk of his wand toward the front of the room, several brooms flew out and positioned themselves beside each desk. He smiled inwardly as he envisioned the lesson he had decided to go with and hoped that he would get good results.

Turning, he grabbed the broom which had leaned itself against his own desk and he placed it across the top. He sat down in his chair and pulled out a book from his bag and leaned back in his chair and began to read until the first students began to filter in. He stole a quick glance from his pocket-watch, and replaced it beneath his dark midnight blue robes.

Fifteen minutes... He thought as he completely cleared his face of all emotion and threw himself back into his book.

[Cavan Mikal Weiss]

So far it had been an entertaining and some what educational day. Cavan hurried to his next class, not wanting to be late. He switched out his school books, before heading up the flight of stairs with utmost caution to the first floor classroom. With a deep breath he entered the classroom, taking in the fact that yet again he was the first student to arrive.

He noticed that there was a broom positioned beside each desk and absently wondered what they would be learning today. He then noticed that a broom was placed across the top of the professor's desk. There sat the professor, Romanov the board said, leaning back in his chair, reading. He silently observed the robes as midnight blue as his own eyes. He smiled, noticing that the professor was still quite young, he wondered to himself if the man had ever taught before.

"Hullo Professor Romanov, I'm Cavan Weiss. It's very nice to meet you." He greeted as he moved further into the room, choosing the seat directly in front of the teacher's desk. He placed his transfiguration book and thick notebook on his desk, letting his bulging messenger bag slip to the floor with no effort.

[Caitlin Collins]

Caity carefully packed her books, checking that she had packed everything correctly and that she had everything she would need. It would not do to find that she had forgotten something again, especially now she was a prefect. They had a new teacher today – it would be interesting to see what new teaching methods they would be subjected to for this lesson. So long as he was not as patronising or naive as Professor Lochrest, it couldn’t be that bad. Hopefully they would be doing some practical spellwork, too.

It wasn’t far from the Hufflepuff common room to the Transfiguration classroom, and Caity was there on time – several minutes early, in fact, judging by the small amount of people in the room.

“Morning professor,” she smiled at the teacher at the front of the room, then turning to sit down. She froze upon seeing what was next to each desk – brooms. This was a transfiguration lesson, not a flying lesson – surely they couldn’t be expected to need a broomstick.

Looking slightly pale as she remembered her previous experiences on a broom, Caity slipped into the seat next to Cavan. Smiling faintly at him, she continued to eye the brooms warily as if they were going to jump at her and attack.

[serenamars]

She was late, She was never late! Serena quickly packed her books in her bag and ran down the stairs and corridors. "ohhh...how I hate potions! she muttered angrily.

She was not going to miss her transfiguration class. Nope no way! She ran pasted students "move! Please Move She stopped as she reached the door. She took a few minutes to calm down and then straightening up she knocked and walked into the classroom.

"Morning Professor Romanov," Serena said as she quickly walked to the table next to cavan and Caitlin. She unpacked her bags, dumped it on the floor and sat down.
"Heya guys" Serena said before she turned to wards Professor Romanov. She grinned and instantly felt happy. Brooms!! Their lesson had something to do with Brooms!! she could have laughed.
She played quidditch for the team. "That reminds me, I need to speak to the team Serena muttered.

Serena sighed. This wasn't flying class this was Transfiguration so they probably weren't gong to be flying though. She leaned back in her chair and looked out the window.

[Gavril Romanov]

Gavril Romanov was young, this is true. At the age of 18, he matriculated from The Durmstrang Institute with no real ambition to pursue anything right after school. He was a gifted young wizard with a flair for Transfiguration, but had no clue that it would lead him to the heart of the United Kingdom to teach young witches and wizards the art of transforming one object into another. It was his affections for his younger sister, and the responsibility that he took on for her as his parents had become somewhat consumed in their line of work--helping others. As he would care for her and teach her how to speak English, he as well showed her minor transfiguration spells, which amused her greatly. It was her delightfully eager and fascinated expressions while watching her older brother transform brooms into snakes, or tea cups into canaries, which made him realize that he wanted to pursue a career in education.

He looked up as his first student came into the room, acknowledging Professor Romanov's presence by introducing himself.

"Hullo Professor Romanov, I'm Cavan Weiss. It's very nice to meet you."

Professor Romanov glanced up from his book, raising his eyebrows in scrutiny of the youthful Hufflepuff that had just captured his attention.

"Good day." He said briskly with a very light Russian accent and a quick smile as he returned his attention to his book before a quick second glance at his pocket watch. Just a couple more minutes and then class would be ready to begin. He didn't want to be too talkative or chatty with the students just yet. He felt that if he came off too overly friendly at first, he would never gain their respect.

Just as fast as the first one came in, a second student of the same house came through his classroom door. Noticing out of his peripheral vision, it was a female student who looked much older than the prior, a prefect, no less. As she came in and greeted him, he offered her another one of his quick smiles as he noticed she quickly seemed a bit put off as she regarded the brooms. He even thought she had paled in color a couple of shades.

He had lowered his book several inches as he was about to inquire about her wellbeing before yet another student came bungling through the door.

"Morning Professor Romanov," she said as he rushed quickly into the seating area as if she were running late. She was perfectly on time contrary to her actions as the class still had yet another couple of minutes. At least, he hoped that there would be more than three students on his first day, he at least was expecting ten to 15, at least.

"Good day." He said in the same fashion as he had to the Hufflepuff boy who had been the first to enter his class, offering her the same quick smile. He glanced at his pocket watch one more time before resuming his book. He would wait at least five more minutes before he would commence the lesson. Hopefully they would receive it well and actually have fun with it, although, anyone fearing snakes would be in for a bit of a dilemma.

[D'rorah Philosophy]

D'rorah made her way briskly into the classroom with a perfunctory nod to the classmates who were already assembled. "Good day, Professor," she greeted in a polite tone of voice that was really more business-like than friendly. She made her way to the front of the classroom, taking a seat in the desk to Cavan's right. She figured the empty desk on her other side might be for Dylan whenever he arrived. After his brisk exit in Charms, she hoped she would see him again and perhaps be able to calm him enough to return to classes. She understood his anger and frustration with Ian's statement, however he would need Charms for his OWLs and would have to return at some point.

She sank into her seat gracefully, placing her heavy satchel on the floor beside her. "Mister Weiss," she greeted with a slight nod before turning her attention to getting her notebook and quills for class.

[Susan Matthews]

Susan entered the classroom, without any regard for the current time. She wasn't worried about arriving late or too early. With all of her transfiguration supplies in tow, Susan nodded warmly to the professor and gave a definite wave to those sitting in the row directly in front of the professor. Susan analyzed the new professor as she made her way to a desk closer to the middle of the class. He was certainly young for a professor, Susan decided as she concluded that he couldn't be more than twenty years old.

Settling into her chosen seat, Susan swiftly unpacked her text and spare parchment for notes. At the top of her paper, she headed it "Transfiguration", since the topic of the class had not yet been posted on the front board. Susan took notice of the brooms organized about the classroom and pondered for a moment, indifferently, what they would be doing with them, before returning to shuffling and reorganizing her things.

[Dylan Cooper]

Trailing along the first floor corridor, Dylan was quite keen to avoid the scenario he had encountered in Charms. Having calmed down considerably, his mind had turned to more pressing matters. Clearly, not everyone was quite up with the reality of life at Hogwarts. This presented quite a dangerous situation for the lightfighters; if even a small amount of people were so naïve, they could cause serious disruptions in the movements of the side of good.

He realised quite easily now that they needed as many professors on their side as possible; Archer alone was not enough. Their ideal representation within the school would be at least the Heads of Houses, but the more they could align to their cause the better. With a quiet shock and indignation, he realised that Lochrest was the Head of Gryffindor and quickly lost faith in his concept. Professor Slater he had not yet encountered, his next Muggle Studies class not until a few days from now, but he knew that at all costs they needed to try and gain his allegiance. Surely not every professor would be so dimwitted as Lochrest.

Barboza he hadn’t too much hope; she was both the Head of Slytherin house and the professor of Divination, neither of which he had ever taken a liking too. In reality, he knew that not every Slytherin had such a cold core and aligned with the Shadow Mage, Keaira and… as much as he hated to admit it, perhaps even Zane proving obvious exceptions. But there was a good reason the serpent house had the reputation it did, so he didn’t hold much faith in weedling Ciena to the lightfighters.

Entering the classroom designated to Transfiguration, he spied several of his classmates already present and wasn’t in the least bit surprised. He’d long since given up his ideals of reaching lessons first. Noting Cavan seated directly before the professors’ desk, Caitlin beside him, and an unknown girl who appeared to be in Gryffindor also taking up a seat in the row. Seeing Susan by herself in the middle of the classroom, he briefly pondered taking a seat next to her. His eyes were caught, however, by the ever-familiar tight bun upon the head of his love. Appearing to not even notice the brooms present all across the classroom until he encountered the one beside his chosen seat in the front row, he cast a small, confused glance at it before turning to D’rorah. “Morning,” he muttered quietly, casting a small, sad smile at her.

[Cavan Mikal Weiss]

Cavan sat in the seat directly across from the teachers desk, he set up his pigmy puff ink well and quill on the top left corner of his desk, his quill set on a rest, much like that of a chopstick rest. He opened a dark blue, muggle folder, full of thick sheets of parchment paper. On the top of the first one he wrote ‘Transfigurations’ in small neat scrawl.

"Good day."

Cavan smiled to himself, the professor’s name was true to his slight accent. He absently wondered how long the man had been in England. He smiled brightly as Professor Romanov scrutinized him for a moment. He was glad to see that the man was keeping careful watch of the time, until Professor Lochrest in his first Charms class had done.

Just as he had opened his ink well, Caity had walked in, greeting the professor much as he had. She received the same greeting he had before turning to the rest of the classroom. He raised a concerned brow in her direction as she froze at the sight of the brooms at each desk. He didn’t know he very well, truthfully he didn’t know anyone very well, save for D’rorah, who he only knew intellectual things about. It worried him even more as she paled, he smiled reassuringly when she sent a faint smile his way.

“Are you alright?” He asked her quietly, leaning towards her in his seat a little.

Just then there came a knock on the door and then Serena entered the classroom. She looked as if she’d been running and he wondered if her watch was fast.

"Morning Professor Romanov."

He grinned mischievously as Serena walked to the table next to Cavan and Caitlin. He watched as she unloaded her bag and then dropped them onto the floor by her feet. He smiled in response to her greeting, still waiting for Caitlin to reply. He did notice as she grinned at the presence of of the brooms.

He looked up as D’rorah entered the room and took the seat on his other side. He nodded to her briefly, “D’rorah,” he grinned as he greeted her. He again nodded in greeting, as Susan entered and waved to them all. He noted the way each student reacted and analyzed the professor as they entered.

He nodded to Dylan as he entered the classroom and passed by him to sit on D’rorah’s other side. He sincerely hoped that the older boy was doing alright after Professor Lochrest had treated him in Charms, he also hoped that this professor would not be so foolish as to treat any of them like idiots. He wondered absently if there might be anything he could do to cheer up D’rorah’s boyfriend. Maybe he mother would have an idea.

[mallan]

The morning was busy with students scurrying around and that paralleled Mallan’s brain at the moment. With all the classes and paperwork Mallan began fearing that he would fall behind. At first he was sure of himself and knew that he could handle anything. That thought was now being suppressed by the stress of all the information yet he still was applying for prefect position. He was hoping that the position will instill some motivation and carry some of the weight off. Those were the thoughts going through Mallan’s mind as he made his way to the transfiguration classroom. He was physically prepared with his book bag over his shoulder but he was not mentally prepared.

Pushing the door to the classroom open Mallan smile a half-hearted smile to anyone who paid him any mind as he skimmed the classroom to see who was in it. Seeing Caitlin, Mallan headed over to the empty seat next to her. On his way he heard Cavan talking with Caitlin and a light prick of jealously emerged unbeknownst to Mallan. His mind having been a little distracted he almost forgot to introduce himself to the professor.

Good morning Professor Romanov. I’m Mallan Baine (With that he did not wait for a reply but sat in the empty seat next to Caitlin) Good morning Caitlin (he said with a joyous smile). Good morning Cavan, D’rorah, Dylan. (He said with a mere friendly smile unaware that his jealousy touched it ever so slightly when he mentioned Cavan’s name)

Normally Mallan was not one to be jealous at all, especially of an eleven year old, but today seemed to be a day to be on his nerves. He hoped that this class would go smoothly otherwise he was afraid he might say or do something normally unlike himself. After greeting those on Caitlin’s side he turned to greet the others nearby before pulling out his papers and quill from his book bag.

Good morning Serena. (Mallan said as he turned to face her) Good morning Susan. (Mallan whispered after sending a small wave her way to get her attention)

Turning back around, Mallan pulled out his papers, quill and ink and began preparing himself for the class. His mood just got worse while looking at the papers; it only made him think of all the work he had yet to do today. “I hope Jason show’s up,” Mallan thought to himself. Jason seemed to have a knack for uplifting Mallan’s spirits and was hoping Jason would join the classroom soon. Mallan planned on waving him over to take the seat next to him when Jason showed. After he was done pulling all his paperwork out, Mallan looked back up to Caitlin and gave a smile that was not as emphatic as the first.

How’s your day been so far? Mines been a bit rough.

[Caitlin Collins]

Caitlin was touched by the first year’s concern towards her and she made an effort to smile more reassuringly at him. She was about to reply when Serena entered the classroom, seeming slightly out of breath and greeted them. Smiling in response, she turned back to Cavan. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just... don’t like flying much. Well, flying in general is okay, so long as it’s not on brooms.” She sent a grimace towards the broomstick alongside the desk but her attention was directed elsewhere as more people began to arrive. First D’rorah, then Susan and Dylan; she greeted them respectively as they entered the classroom.

Finally Mallan entered and sat next to her. She gave him a bright smile mirroring the one he directed at her, not noticing the jealousy inflected in his voice when he greeted Cavan and forgetting about the brooms for now.

I hope Jason show’s up, Caity heard Mallan, and realised that he must be thinking it to himself – his lips weren’t moving, and she had discovered during Charms to recognise the particular echo she should associate with the limited telepathy that was produced through their bond.

Jason? She attempted to direct the thought in his direction, not quite sure if that was how she was supposed to do it. Apparently, their telepathic bond would be weakened because they were not of the same element, although this didn’t particularly bother Caity. She wasn’t too keen on someone hearing her every thought, even if the only person who could do such a thing was Mallan, who, from everything she had witnessed so far, was trustworthy. At least now she understood exactly why she couldn’t bond with Gat unless they were completely sure of his allegiance to the lightfighters – she was still convinced that this could be attained, if they tried hard enough. She just had to understand why a boy her own age would actually want to fight for evil. She couldn’t comprehend it.

But going back to the original point; if there was any doubt, then bonding with him would be potentially disastrous – the Shadow Mage would find out all about the other lightfighters, and about any plans, and Caity herself would probably end up excluded from any meetings that might give away anything to Dark Phoenix.

Mallan smiled at her again, not so brightly as the first time, and spoke aloud this time once he had finished arranging his paperwork.

”How’s your day been so far? Mine’s been a bit rough.”

Caitlin turned all her attention on Mallan as he said this, a concerned frown appearing on her face. “My day’s been fine,” she said, brushing over it. “What’s wrong?”

[Keaira O'Connell]

There was nothing that made Keaira happier than the thought of attending a transfiguration class. Well that was not entirely true. Actually attending a transfiguration class was quite the exciting thing, and of course when there was a class where partners were required and Alessandro was there, that as well made her quite happy. However, Alessandro’s attendance was more likely not going to be happening, a thought that left Keaira with a bit of a sad smile on her face as she approached the doors to the class room.

She was on time. She was hardly ever late to a class, and even less frequently was she late to a class she enjoyed as much as she did this one. As she sat her book bag on the floor beside the desk she had chosen in the second row, she smiled at the professor. For some reason Hogwarts was having exceptional difficulties keeping professors this year. A problem that was reflected in many of her fellow students work, and progress throughout the year. The last time she went to a transfiguration class, the professor had been female, and gat had managed to turn a bird in to a fish or some ridiculous things like that. Some student simply had no ability to concentrate on an object long enough to get the right results in a transfiguration class.

Silently she mused over the change in professors, and the lack of a certain male Slytherin that she despised. Surely the way this year was being taught would affect the overall quality of the work the students presented for their owls at the end of the year. Nodding to herself, Keaira made a mental note to make sure she spent her free time studying the classes that were required on her own so that she could get the best chances she could at passing all her classes.

[Gavril Romanov]

As the last few minutes dwindled down, he put down his book and stood up. His first class turned out to be a decent size; not too many students, but not too little either. He took one final glance at his pocket watch after several more students made their ways into class, greeted him and found a seat that suited their personalities and social standards. A seemingly cold, and no-nonsense type girl, Ravenclaw, took her seat in the front row next to his first student. This was followed by a somewhat dreamy looking Gryffindor, another Ravenclaw with seemingly a lot on his mind, another Gryffindor, male this time, who seemed totally prepared but definitely had his mental focus elsewhere, a Syltherin girl who came in with an expression of a somewhat saddened happiness, and lastly a Gryffindor female who gave him a very warm greeting and welcome to the school.

He replaced his pocket watch into his robes and pointed his wand at the door, causing it to close. He turned to face the class, taking a couple strides toward the seating area and began to make his introduction.

"Good day, class. My name is Gavril Romanov, however, Professor Romanov will suffice for those who wish to remain in their human forms and not end up as a tea cozy." He said with as the left corner of his mouth subtly twisted into a cocky smile. "No, of course I won't do that, but please, Professor, or Professor Romanov will be just fine. Now, I see that we have a rather mixed class varying in age, house, and presumably experience. I've prepared something for you all today as I believe it to be appropriate for everyones current level, or, it ought to be." He said factually as he moved back behind his desk. He removed his dark blue cloak and folded it over the chair, revealing him to be wearing black slacks, a dark grey vest and a black button down underneath.

He swung his wand arm around behind him as he looked straight on at the class and begin to speak. 'Viperaverto' began to scrawl itself out on the chalkboard. "This is today's lesson. Can anyone tell me, based on etymological knowledge of the words Vipera and Verto, what we are to be doing today?" He asked with a curious glance around his class.

"Hands please..." He said as he gave the class an expectant look.

[Keaira O'Connell]

As the class seemed to be getting ready to start Keaira slowly began pulling out her inks, quills, and parchment. It was as usual her multicolored notes, titles in blue, important highlights in green, and the rest in red. It helped her to focus better when studying if she knew that the subject and things of important stood out. With her supplies on the desk and ready to go she noticed that the professor was about to start class. He began like most of the new professors, a greeting with some type of joke to break the awkwardness of just meeting a new teacher, and then the lesson plan.

Vipera Verto, much like the spell, Hominis Verto, or Fera Verto, Verto meant I change, Fera, animal, Hominis, Human, Vipera, Snake. With a glance to the brooms beside each desk she knew what the lesson plan was. Swiftly Keaira’s hand made its way in to the air. Transfiguration was her subject. Her best and only second favorite to Potions.

If there was a question to be answered, and perhaps points to be earned she would try her damnedest to be the one answering, and gaining those points. Otherwise Slytherin would never recover from Gat Soilder's major loss of points. Keaira had brought their house up to the same rankings as the other houses, and watched in horror as in a matter of ONE day Gat Soilder lost ever point she had earned, and then another 30 more on top of it. It would have to be through her efforts that they regained their standing. Or else they might have the honor of this being the first year that Slytherin would end in the negatives.

[Cavan Mikal Weiss]

Cavan didn't notice the jealous tone, he was too busy making sure Caitlin was alright. When she affirmed that it was just a fear of flying, and therefore of brooms he smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, I don't think we'll be flying in Transfiguration."

Knowing that she was alright, he turned his attention to Dylan as he entered, sending him a small wave of greeting and a large, friendly smile. He could see pain and sadness in the older boy's eyes where other people would completely miss it. And more than that, D'rorah cared for him like the very words they translated, he needed cheering as much as she did. He watched a few more people trickle in and then, class was started.

As Professor Romanov stood and introduced himself, Cavan decided that he was a nice man, who seemed to know what he was doing and though he wanted them to like him, more than that, he expected their respect. He was willing to give it, not that he wouldn't have gotten it anyways, as Cavan always gave the benefit of a doubt upon first meeting anyone. He could however already see that his man probably deserved the respect and wouldn't lose his easily.

"Now, I see that we have a rather mixed class varying in age, house, and presumably experience. I've prepared something for you all today as I believe it to be appropriate for everyones current level, or, it ought to be."

He absently dipped his quill and wrote in his neat hand writing, the professors name, his own name, and the date in the top right hand corner of the page. When he looked up from his neat script he saw the rather gloomy attire of Professor Romanov moments before the man decided to show off a little and swung his wand arm around behind him as he looked straight on at the class and begin to speak. 'Viperaverto' began to scrawl itself out on the chalkboard. He smiled at the act, it proved that he was still young.

"This is today's lesson. Can anyone tell me, based on etymological knowledge of the words Vipera and Verto, what we are to be doing today? Hands please..."

Cavan's hand shot into the air before Professor Romanov could finish his sentence, mere seconds after Keaira's own. He fought the urge to behave like the first year he was, his face was not eager to be called on, save his deep midnight blue eyes with shone with the excitement of knowing the answer. But he waited, his hand did not move around or strain, it stayed still in the air, patient, ready to be called on.