"Afternoon, Second Years." Greeted Professor Tumbleweed as he strode into the Hufflepuff common room with an arm full of papers. "I know it's the beginning of second term but I'm providing you the information sooner rather than later. After all, your electives will help you in the future to determine your careers."
All four Hufflepuff second years grin at each other as they each took a packet. The main courses were interesting but the electives were what most students looked for when deciding which magical school to choose from. Especially the students who were accepted from all three magical schools in Europe.
5 Year Electives
Ancient Runes
-a study of ancient runic scripts mainly used in Western Europe dating as far back as Camelot
Arithmancy
-a study of numbers and their applications in magic
Egyptian Runes
-a study of Egyptian runes
Care of Magical Creatures
-a practical and theoretical study of magical creatures from around the world
Magical Law
-a study of magical law beginning from Camelot and its evolution to present laws
Muggle Adaptations
-a study of the lives of Muggles and how to hide amongst them.
Spell Crafting
-a theoretical course on spell crafting and the origins of wand movements. The last 2 years of the course will focus on inventing a spell. Further Mastery must be apprenticed under a Master of the field.
3 Year Electives
Advanced Dueling
-By recommendations only. Beginning 5th year, students will learn more complex dueling along with spells authorized by the Competitive Dueling Association
Alchemy Basics
-a theoretical and practical study of alchemic applications of magical
Basics to Curse Breaking
-a study of Curses and how to negate them
Divination
-a theoretical and/or practical study of divining the future.
SYOYO-So You're On Your Own
-a class on how to survive the real world once you leave the confines of your parents' house.
A Study of Rituals
-a study of ancient rituals and how they evolve into spell casting
Wand Lore
-a class on how wand are theoretically made. Why wand cores, wood, and length matter. Why are staves obsolete ?
Warding 101
-a basics to warding and protecting your property. Application of warding in everyday life
Many of the above electives have complementing electives for a more rewarding experience. OWLs and NEWTs exams are available for all 5 year electives.
The packet had further details about each subject along with recommended books to read up in the library. There was no way anyone could take all the subjects at once so it was important that you don't pick something you were going to drop later. That would be a waste of time and energy.
It was interesting how muggle borns don't need to take the Muggle Adaptation class in order to test in it. I supposed that's with all the subjects,really. If you know the subject well enough to test well in it, you don't have to take the class.
"While you all are looking over the information, I should remind you all your final choices should be turned in before July. That's a little over six months from now, plenty of time for you to gather information on each elective and decide which one you should take. Please confide with me if you have any questions. Some electives may conflict with others so I highly recommend you come meet with me before you make your final choices."
Professor Tumbleweed smiled as he looked at his second years. The beginning of the term was usually slow so now hey have something to occupy themselves with.
"Also, your seniors should provide helpful insight and opinions on each electives so please ask around. Is there any questions before breakfast?"
"Professor, Advanced Dueling is by recommendations only. How exactly do we get a recommendation?" Asked Vivian as she peered at the packet in front of her. "After all, girls aren't enrolled in the boys dueling class."
"Normally, girls would get a recommendation through Professor Merrythought." Respond Tumbleweed. "As the Defense professor, she should have a good grasp of your abilities by the time you decide to choose that elective. Boys on the other hand can only be recommended by Professor Akamar, the dueling instructor. Anymore questions?... No? I shall see you all in class in a few hours. Enjoy your breakfast."
Nick and Vivian both left For the Great Hall while Ivan waited for me. I wasn't too surprise. It took them a while to figure out that I'm pretty much an introvert. They didn't mind but I tend to fade into the background when I'm around them. Ivan, I think, appreciates the silence.
"Are you ready, Mari?" he asked lifting up my bag for me. I smiled as I took it from him and shove the packet of electives into it.
"Yes, I'm ready." I replied.
We left the common room and headed toward the Great Hall for breakfast. On thing about living almost right next to the kitchens, the Great Hall was barely 5 minutes away and that was walking leisurely. In a pinch, it would probably take only a minute or so. The sixth years have mentioned it was great during OWLs exams when one could cram in last minute studying literally down to the last second.
As we approach the Great Hall, the silence disappeared.
"Come on," nudged Ivan toward the Ravenclaw table. "Let's go sit with Naos. I don't know if they release the electives to them yet."
"They'll appreciate it." I murmured, following him as he scanned the table for the Black twins.
The Black family, according to Naos and Navi, was pretty normal (if the twins were even normal to begin with), as long as you are part of the extended branch family. But that could be said about all of the ancient Wizarding families. The immediate and main family members were all insane and obsessed with blood purity and 'talent'.
We found the two sipping tea and eating biscuits and jam further up the Ravenclaw table, closer to the professor's table. As usual, the twins each has a pocket sized book to stare at and trying their best to ignore one another. But as twins, there were some things that they couldn't avoid, but maybe it was just Naos and Navi.
"Ivan Vargas," greeted Naos as he dropped his book a fraction of a inch. "A pleasure."
"So cold, Naos," whined Ivan, snatching the book from the brunette. "What are you reading anyways? The Arts, Schoenberg… Is this good?"
"A classic, really." Smiled Navi from behind her glasses. Her teal eyes sparked as she snapped her copy closed. "You should read it, but you're not going to find a copy in the library here."
"Oh?"
"Lots of different controversial topics in this one." Whispered Naos with a conspiratorial wink. "Now, why are the two of you here? Nothing good ever happens with both of you around."
The twins packed away their books across the table and scooted over to make room.
"Now sit and spill."
Navi guided me to a spot next to her and ran her hand through my hair.
"Mariana, now spill." She ordered. "What've you got?"
"If you don't already know, you would be so excited."
I reached into my bag and pulled out the large pamphlet of electives and laid it out in front of all of us.
"Is that…?" Navi
"…the third year electives?" Naos
"Professor Tumbleweed handed them out today. Wanted us to take a look and begin deciding what classes were going to take next year." I explained.
Naos took hold of pamphlet and moved his cup of tea onto the vanishing trays that takes all he silverware to the kitchen early if you're done with your food.
"Advanced dueling, by recommendations only." He read before flipping the pages to a more detail description of the course. "It say nothing about when we can begin it and how we can get that recommendation."
"You're a bookworm Naos." Dead panned Navi. "What made you think you need Advanced Dueling? Alchemy and Runes might be more of your thing."
"Well, sitting in the class don't seem too bad."
His sister whacked m on the back of his head with her book.
"And waste an hour watching other people duel? What are you going to do with that class anyways? From what I heard, you're already sitting out on just the regular class."
Listening to their bickering, I began my breakfast. Toast, jam, and if I'm lucky today, there would be some candied ginger left. Yes!
Popping a piece of ginger in my mouth, I savored the taste as I began spreading my jam across the piece of toast. So good!
While I was eating, the mail flew in carried by owls. Some were dropped in front of students and others actually landed before leaving their package. The owl that carried my mail was a snowy owl today. As usual, it was the Daily Prophet, L'Oracle, and a newspaper from Muggle London. It came, everyday, with a different owl, without fail.
This Chancellor Hitler is a nightmare, but Michael suggested he was only a puppet for something worse. He didn't say what or who for that matter but it can't be a coincidence that the legendary Team Tobirama appeared. If Hiruzen was here, old man Homura and that witch Koharu was here as well. Stinky Danzo was nowhere to be seen, thank the heavens. Hitler was clearly a muggle but there were spells to compel someone to do things, but he wasn't a mindless puppet. After all, there were limitations to compelling someone to do something, basic orders and such.
I shove all the newspapers with the exception of the Daily Prophet into my school bag and flipped it open.
Apparently the people on the continent were afraid of the Muggles overturning their society. The Nazi were turning over every rock to find every Jew or Gypsy in Germany and surrounding countries. They're scared they may accidentally invade the magical community. The wards can only do so much. It can hide in plane sight but it can't stop the march of a thousand men in a row and half of them walk into an invisible city. A pocket space would work but it can only be so large before it rips. The schools, even the smaller private ones are weary and strengthening their muggle repellant wards and closing their gates.
The society was already hiding, but now it was more than ever. Witches and wizards residing in the countryside have sealed their large properties and moved into the city, hoping to hide in plain sight. The manors are nice and everything but it was easier to hide if nothing was living in it to seal it in another space.
I munch on my toast as my brain began to categorize the news. The pros and cons of each statement. What was a solution? Honestly, if I was in Germany, I would probably leave like Michael and Elizabeth. They have the right idea. Leave while you still can, before it's too late. But some can't leave and the pictures weren't nice at all.
"Mari, are you done with that?" asked Navi gesturing at the Prophet. I absently hand it to her as she skipped the first few pages and went straight to the ads. "OH! The honey and almond shampoo is on sale. I better order some before they're out."
I smiled lightly as I finished my breakfast and began packing up. Transfiguration first thing in the morning today. More than likely, it was going to be focused on theory. That was usually what happens the first week of term. Theory and then practicals. Theory and then wand work.
"Who do you have this morning?" Asked Naos leaning over to take a peek at my schedule.
"Dumbledore, transfiguration." I said handing over my schedule.
"Ahhh, Merryweather today." He replied. "It's not too bad. Got dueling right after so the classes blend together."
"I wish I could sit in. It seems fun watching how to apply the spells learn in combat."
"Well, it's mainly how creative people can be when combining different spells.
"That's right, your family participate in competitive dueling. Must be interesting."
"It's just grown men throwing spells at each other. Rather boring if you asked me." Sighed Navi. "If you've seen any informal duels, it's night and day. Competitive dueling has too many rules to make it any more interesting than the possible applications of certain spells. Of course, you can't use any lethal spells that can't be reversed."
I smiled as she began a debate with her brother on the topic. It wasn't strange from Ivan and I to sit back and watch the two of them bicker. They were so similar to Nick and Viviane whenever they touch on a heated topic. It was amusing considering that they were best friends. I shot a small smile at Ivan and took a sip of my tea, organic jasmine with a hint of orange zest. If Mariana was here, would she appreciate how I lived her life so far? Would she disapprove? She was kind, that's for sure, but what would she say about me? About how she would be remembered even though she didn't live more than 11 years of her life that was her own?
…
…
…
"They're building strange buildings." whispered the Madam from the bookstore. "The mundane. I saw them when I was out gathering wild herbs under a concealment charm. It looked like they have the military gathered there."
"Oh? Were you at the base of the mountains?" asked her companion.
"It was strange. It wasn't right. A factory there just didn't make sense. There's not enough people that lived there."
"Were you there recently? I saw them put up wires as sharp as knives all around the perimeter."
"The mundane are an odd sort, are they not? They don't make any sense at all."
The whispers grew around the magical community about strange buildings that were being built around the country. Always about the mundane, the muggles.
"It was horrible. The mundane. I've never seen anything so cruel. Their own kind in such a place."
"Where are they bring so much mundane from? Hundreds of them, working in their factory. Black smoke and horrible smells are coming from there. My plants are dying from the air they're polluting."
"The black smoke use to appear every few days, now it's everyday. What are they doing there? I saw, the only way in or out was through the trains. Horrible."
Slowly, people realized something wasn't right…
"The mundane Chancellor of Germany, what was his name? I was listening them on those mundane radios. 'Camps' he called them."
"Camps? Those poor people there. They're nothing but bones!"
"We can't help them. It'll expose us!"
"We can't stand by and watch!"
Some tried to help…
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "This is the most I can do."
She handed some bread to the skinny man. He only offered her a smile in return. A smile so small and full of despair, her heart wretch at the sight of it.
He whispered something and place a hand on her head before turning back to the brackets and handed his portion to a child there, hiding in the blankets. This was wrong…
Some failed…
Screams echoed through the night sky. Someone was found in a place they weren't supposed to be in. Food, they were smuggling food to the prisoners.
"Eliza!" a man cried out over the now awake camp.
He could only stand by as he watch his wife's wand get snapped beneath the boot of a mundane. Hidden under a charm, he stood frozen as the once empty square filled with guards. They dragged his wife out in the open by her hair and threw her alive in the open fire. He had once thought he knew what hatred was….
They never knew, what was happening, only it was happening.
"Mum, I can't sleep. The smell bothers me and the black smoke makes my eye itches."
"Hold on, dearest. Mummy will make it all better."
A whispered spell to purify the air, even temporarily was a relief.
"There you go, dearest. Go to sleep now. We have a long day tomorrow."
They heard it. They saw it. The cruelty of human nature rearing its ugly head. In German occupied cities, neighbors sold out neighbors. If you weren't in the ghettos and you belong in the ghettos, you were thrown in the ghettos if the word got around to the wrong ears. They watched as neighbors stood on the sidelines as their neighbors are beaten bloody on the streets one day and executed the next. There was a line in the mundane world. If you're not with us, you can only support them…