On the afternoon of Thursday, October 7th, 2021, James gave his Wandmaking class some very exciting news.
"So, " smiled James, "Bryce, Dansby, Patrick, and Lily, I think you four are about ready to attempt to make wands yourselves. Next Tuesday, I am planning to allow the four of you to attempt to make your own wands for the very first time. "
"YES!" chroused Bryce, Dansby, Patrick, and Lily in unison, all clapping their hands.
"Now, " said James in a businesslike voice, "Wandmaking is NOT a subject to "pair up" or "work in a group" in. Wandmaking is a process that must be done for one individual for high quality results. Having multiple hands in the manufacturing process can lead to a lot of possible problems and inconsistencies in the quality of the wand. Each of the four of you MUST do your own work. The four of you have proven to really like each other and get along extremely well, and I'm pleased to see that, but Wandmaking is absolutely a do your own work subject."
Bryce, Dansby, Patrick, and Lily all quietly nodded in understanding.
"Today, " said James warmly, "I'd like to give the four of you the opportunity to explain why you are taking this class and what motivates you to be interested in Wandmaking. "
"My interest in Wandmaking is fueled by my thirst for knowledge, " piped up Bryce, "Wands are the most important tools witches and wizards use to channel their magic though and wands play a HUGE part in the day to day life of the Wizarding World. I don't have any career plans at this nanosecond, and I don't know whether I personally will ever put the skill of Wandmaking to practical use. But, well, I'm very academic minded and I enjoy learning and knowing things just to learn and know things."
"Very much like the Ravenclaw you are," smiled James, "There is intrinsic value in education independent of any practical knowledge or skills."
"Anything I can learn is worth knowing whether it is useful or not," declared Bryce clearly.
"You're a Ravenclaw through and through, " James told Bryce kindly.
"As for me, " said Dansby, "I wanted to try my hand at Wandmaking because I like a good challenge. I choose Wandmaking because I thought it would be the most challenging course I could take. I wouldn't want to take a course that was too easy. I enjoy things that I have to work at and it's a really satisfying feeling when I succeed at something challenging. Plus, I just like subjects that require hard work."
"Being hard workers is one of the traits of Hufflepuff, " said James thoughtfully, "Though most known for their loyalty, hard work is another distinguishing characteristic of Hufflepuff."
"Loyalty is the defining characteristic of Hufflepuff that gets people into Hufflepuff, " explained Dansby, "But I can tell you from my perspective of being a Hufflepuff that I think a lot of Hufflepuffs become hard workers because they feel like they have something to prove. Hufflepuff is the least admired of the four Hogwarts houses and I think a lot of Hufflepuffs feel like they have a chip on their shoulder, and they become hard workers in the motivation to prove themselves."
"That makes a lot of sense, Dansby, " said James in understanding, "So, if Bryce seeks knowledge, you seek challenges?"
"That's a fair statement, " replied Dansby matter of factly.
"Well, " said Patrick, pulling out his chest proudly, "I am taking Wandmaking because I want to make something of myself. I want to go down in history. I want to be remembered. I want to become a Wandmaker myself because I want to become one of the most important and influential people in the Wizarding World. "
"You're ambitious, like the Slytherin you are," observed James.
"I want to become the GOAT Wandmaker, " said Patrick with a bright twinkle in his eyes and a determined look on his face, "After I'm dead and gone, I want people to think, "Everyone thought Garrick Ollivander was the GOAT Wandmaker, but Ollivander was nothing compared to Patrick Dawson."
"You have lofty goals, Patrick, " said James briskly, "Your Slytherin ambition is shining through."
"I don't want to be just another person or just another wizard, " said Patrick proudly, "I don't want to just be that latest person who just lived a life. I want to leave my mark on our world."
"I want to become a Wandmaker to fulfill the need of witches and wizards for wands. Not exactly something you'd call brave or associate with the courage of Gryffindor. "
"It does take courage to seek out a profession where other people's well being is dependent on your work, " said James respectfully, "But, more than anything else, your motivation for being here is completely consistent with who you are as a person. Your motivation for taking my class makes you the only one of my original four students whose desire to learn Wandmaking is fueled by altruism. "
"I want to contribute to our world and help our people, " said Lily seriously.
"That's who you are, Lily, " said James glowingly.
"You know," said Lily cheerfully, "Each of us has a different reason for choosing Wandmaking as an elective and all of the different reasons are valid. It's a joy and a pleasure to share this class with Bryce, Dansby, and Patrick."
Bryce, Dansby, and Patrick all smiled at Lily.
James was pleased that they all got along, and it had interesting to learn about what had brought each of them here.
"So," said James eagerly, "You four will be attempting to make wands yourselves for the first time next Tuesday. You may spend the rest of the class period talking amongst yourselves."
Bryce, Dansby, Patrick, and Lily spent the rest of the class talking eagerly about Wandlore and Wandmaking and how they were all looking forward to trying their own hands at it on Tuesday.
When the bell rang, Bryce, Dansby, Patrick, and Lily just smiled at each other with joy and anticipation in their hearts.
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