(Thursday) October 10, 1894 - Forbidden Forest

By Thursday, Basil was pleased with how the week of joint classes had gone between Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Despite a few little hiccups here and there, from which both he and Gus had pulled a few lessons learned, he figured he liked the idea and would be keen to repeat it again. By this point in the week, as he made his way down toward the Forbidden Forest, most of his NEWT students knew what they were in for having heard rumblings from the introductory and OWL students. He had high hopes for them however, and was interested to see what strategic thinking might be spurred on this cold, overcast afternoon. The weather had certainly held up much better earlier in the week and it was all Basil could do to hope that it might hold out just one more afternoon. (Though the rain would certainly add another level of difficulty to the challenge, he didn’t himself particularly want to stand out here for two hours grading them in it…)

When both classes had gathered, Basil turned to address them as he had all the rest. “Good afternoon to our NEWT Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. As I’m sure you’ve already heard, or guessed, today’s lesson will deviate a bit from the norm in that we will be undertaking a practical field study. Consider it a sort of test and please pair off, or form groups of up to three.” He made a vague gesture and pulled the example flag from his pocket.

“This is an example of the type of flag each group will be required to retrieve. There are a number of them spread across the forest in difficult to retrieve locations, unable to be summoned or easily identified by magic, and will require you to be creative in your attempts to locate and keep a hold of them.” The purple piece of fabric in Basil’s hand twitched to life and began to dart about, slipping from his grasp and racing off into the woods. The brunette cracked a grin as it went. “You will be required to use your not-inconsiderable knowledge in both subjects to retrieve them and report back to Professor Lissington and I. Please too keep in mind while we are out here that these woods are home not only to the friendly sort of creature. Be respectful of your environment, keep alert, and if anything dangerous occurs-- please shoot up a string of red sparks and either Professor Lissington or I,” or both, realistically “will come to assist you.

We will indicate the end of the lesson with the sound of a gong and expect each of you to return to the castle promptly, after checking in and giving a brief summary of your experience. I do not expect everyone will retrieve a flag, but to fail to do so will result in a failing mark. Any questions?”
 

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Benedict Hunter, Isobel Valenduris, Scallion Escher, Paxton Fudge, Abraxas Crabbe, Sybille Lukeson, Charles Whymper,
Emma Flitwick, Nicodemus Dursley, Nicodemus Zabini, Harmony Gambol, Hesper Gamp, Sirius Black, Flora Mulciber

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By Thursday, word had gotten around what their classes were doing which caused a mix of excitement and groans – the latter mainly from those who were no longer taking Transfiguration. Gus had reminded them that they still had the skills capable of doing the challenges because they had taken five years of it, but if they weren’t up to the challenge then they could just write him an essay instead. Only a couple students took him up on that offer. They were sent to the library while the rest of them wandered out to the Forbidden Forest, where Gus quickly took his spot next to Basil as he explained why they were and what they were going to be doing. Gus fussed with his scarf because it was colder out here than he imagined it would be. Hopefully the rain will hold off.

The other professor pretty much covered all of their expectations, and Gus didn’t feel the need to chime in. Even if they were taking either of their NEWT classes, he felt confident they would know, or at least someone in their group would know how to defend themselves; plus he and Basil would be there in an instant if something was going terribly wrong. Maybe they’d see why the forest was forbidden for them to enter while they were still learning spells. (Although if he was being honest, he definitely would have jumped at the chance to explore the place without a professor watching his every move.)

Gus stepped forward to help answer any questions there were before he stepped back, wearing a bright grin. “You need to pair off because it’s safer, although you may work in groups of three if you wish.” By this point, NEWT students knew who they worked well with so it didn’t take long. “Follow me.” The professor waved at the group of students, and he took them onto a path, pausing at the entrance of the forest. “Have fun and be safe. You may begin.”

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Benedict had dropped transfiguration for his NEWTs, it wasn't that he was bad at it, or even that he didn't enjoy it, he was just better at other things and there was never the time to do everything. He had taken DADA though, so was still required to do this combined experience.

He was quite excited, he loved a chance to get into the forbidden forest and boldly approached one of the other new sixth years to pair up. "How about it Mr. Whymper? Want to team up?" he asked. "You don't both subjects don't you? I only have Dark Arts, but I'm pretty handy with creatures too." he nodded and smiled, now that was a subject he excelled in, and it would hopefully help if something wild did decide to intervene in there practical.

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Charles Whymper

  

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It was certainly an unusual lesson, Sybille thought as they gathered at the edge of the forest. She had no interest in entering, and she was rather nervous that she had not taken Defense last year, nor this year, but she hoped that she might be able to remedy that with whomever she partnered with.

She looked beside her with a smile, wishing Fleur were here, "Shall we?" She asked of her fellow student. Hopefully she wouldn't have to find someone else to partner with.

  

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It was a strange set up for a class, but Charles was taking both Transfiguration and DADA as NEWTs, so it was a bit like killing two birds with one stone. Or something to that effect anyway.

"I'm not much for creatures," he told Mr. Hunter. "But I can handle the rest, I think. We can balance each other out."

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"Perfect!" he said confidently to Charles before checking his boots and making his way into the forest. He loved the forbidden forest, it was so wild and the noises that filled the environment were miriad. They quickly became separated from the group and Benedict looked hard into the higher parts of the trees.

He reached up and pulled down on one of the branches, causing drops of moisture to fall. "Think you could turn me into a monkey or something?" it would make exploring the trees much faster and if he was honest, Ben liked the idea of being a monkey for a bit. "Or we could try something else" he laughed.

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Charles Whymper