Charms Class: OTA

[ladyofthefens]

Golden sunshine splashes through the tall windows and lights up the early afternoon. There isn't a cloud in the sky. Quidditch trials are that afternoon and rumors buzz about who's in, who's cut, who's trying out. Term's barely begun. The entire year stretches ahead, full of promise

Comments

[nootherguy]

Bruce is less than interested in the weather outside. Unfortunately, he's also not paying very close attention to his work. He's been distant for months, really, and being at school hasn't changed that much. Normally, Charms wouldn't be a problem for him - it's not his favorite class, but it comes easily, most of the concepts being things he could easily grasp at age eight, let alone age sixteen.

Still, his lack of concentration and interest are bound to backfire in the way that they usually do, and this must be a record for the fastest time he's managed to set his wand off and sear his eyebrows away since second year.

"Ow! Merlin!" He cursed and dropped his wand, clapping a hand over the space where his eyebrows used to be, and looking sheepishly over at Professor Fensalir, "Sorry, professor."

[ladyofthefens]

After this long, Frigga had developed a sixth sense for disaster and she was at Bruce's table almost fast enough to have Apparated there. "There doesn't seem to be any permanent damage done," she said as she examined the not-quite-burns. "No reason to visit the infirmary unless you wish to go."

Her fingers tapped against the edge of his table as she gave him a speculative look. "But I ought to see what it is you've done to achieve that, I think. Not now, this afternoon. Come by my office."

And perhaps she could also discover what had Bruce staring out windows with that disturbingly distant expression.

[nootherguy]

"No, it's just my eyebrows gone again." He needed to visit Natasha more than the infirmary, but it could wait. "I just wasn't paying adequate attention, professor. I'm sorry." He sighed. First week back, Bruce, and you've already seared off your eyebrows and earned a come-by-my-office. He couldn't even blame this one on Tony.

[ladyofthefens]

Students tended to think they were invisible in the crowd, but Frigga had taught Bruce for several years now. He was quiet, but he was quick and sharp and he generally smiled more than he'd been doing since she'd seen him again this year.

"Practice again," she said with a reassuring smile. "With a bit less enthusiasm this time. Concentrate. You'll find it."

[bean_sa_ghaoth]

"Professor," Hela beckoned her Head of House over to her desk, hand raised. "When using the Disillusionment Charm in pairs, are we to make only ourselves appear differently in the eyes of our partners? Or can we cast it on an object or a portion of the room?"

Out of necessity, Hela had been using a variant of the Disillusionment Charm since her arrival at Hogwarts. By now, it came to her with ease but she did not want to appear boastful or uninterested in the lesson. All good Ravenclaws knew that there was little time for reveling in one's accomplishments when there was always more to be learned. Making a section of the castle wall appear invisible would be more challenging.

[ladyofthefens]

"Begin with your partners," Frigga answered as she paused next to Hela's desk. "Then you may continue to inanimate objects. Try not to cause too much chaos without setting things back in order, hmm?"

She favored Hela with a smile. She tried not to show favoritism, but it was more difficult when it came to this particular Ravenclaw. She was so eager to learn, simply for the sake of learning. "What is it you plan to vanish, if I might ask?"

[bean_sa_ghaoth]

Hela gave her professor a sheepish grin, "I was rather hoping to make a hole in the wall. Just an illusion, mind."

"It'll be quite complex," she continued, "I would have to conjure the scene behind the wall as well as the bricks at the edges."

She realised she was getting ahead of herself, she was yet to find a partner. There were still a few students who looked a little lost, she would have to approach one of them soon.

[ladyofthefens]

"Possibly too complex for the first week of class," Frigga whispered with a conspiratorial smile. "But I'd very much like to see that. You'll work at it, hmm? For now, focus on your partner." It will be a boon for whichever partner she picks.

[genderfluidity]

They had talked about what they needed to do after the blow up with Loki. And they both agreed that they should talk to Loki's mum. The topic of conversation would be about them as much as it was about Loki, if not more. Professor Fensalir could provide an ally among the staff. Charles was one, but he didn't know about Raven's other side and she fully intended to tell Professor Fensalir. The professor was uniquely qualified from raising Loki to understand what they were going through.

Raven left her study hall early to hang outside Fensalir's classroom, waiting for class to end and when she would get a chance to speak to the teacher privately.

[ladyofthefens]

After Hela had departed, Frigga finished tidying up the classroom and ensuring her lesson plan for the next day was in place. There was still almost half an hour before dinner, but she decided she'd go for a walk and enjoy the late summer evening instead of staying cooped up.

She blinked in surprise but smiled when she spotted the seventh-year lingering outside her classroom. "Raven. Is there something I can help you with?" she asked. "Did you have a question about the homework?"

[genderfluidity]

As the Ravenclaw departed, Raven smiled when she met the younger girl's eyes. Then she turned toward Professor Fensalir, her expression still softened from the unexpected sight of her younger classmate.

"Hello Professor. Could we speak privately? I have a personal matter that I need to discuss with you." She appeared stiff, though there was anxiety being expressed by her words. That was very uncommon for her. In recent years, she had tried to withdraw from intense emotions.

[ladyofthefens]

Oh dear, not another family crisis. But Frigga kept that immediate thought off her face as she smiled. She would ordinarily wonder why the girl hadn't gone to her own Head of House, but perhaps this was something Professor Lehnsherr would not be able to help with.

"Of course. I had planned to walk; would you like to join me, or would you prefer to speak in my office?" Walking might help Raven work off that odd nervous energy, but she might wish for privacy.