★ charms classroom

@Nikoru Amagawa "If I wanted to read only facts, I could just pick up one of my books or a news paper. And even books about facts show the personality of the author. Was he passionate about what he wrote? did he do his re-search throughout or did he just read one text and then changed one or two words and wrote that down? You can see all that and so much more, even if it is a text that only relies facts." Lily paused and then narrowed her eyes slightly at the younger girl. "Your paper shows nothing but facts. It doesn't show that you understand your wand, how or why it suites you or anything. Your text doesn't show how in the end those three or four important parts of a wand come together to make that one unique wand just for you. It doesn't even show if you see your wand as a tool or a part of yourself. If anything it says a wand is a wand consisting of various parts and nothing more."

@Nikoru Amagawa The young Professor watched the girl in front of her squirm, looking rather worried about the work she had handed in. It made Lily feel almost bad for calling her out, for not outright telling her what was wrong. It woke her mother instincts and made her want to reach out and hug the young girl, reassure and comfort her. But that would be anything but professional of her and so she stayed where she was, listening to the words of her student. Humming softly at the answer she nodded. "Exactly. I wanted you to learn more about your wand, why it choose you, why it fits you. I wanted you to be able to get a better understanding for the wand and yourself. After all, for most of us our wands will be with us until the day we die."

Lily paused a second, giving the girl time to process her words before she continued. "Your paper has been great. There are no flaws so of course you will receive and outstanding for it. But what I am missing is personality. Your paper shows all the facts one should know about your wand. It has a reasonable length and is neither too long or too short. This paper could very well be printed in one of those magazines or books about wandlore."

Professor Potter sighed and run one of her hands through her hair. Maybe the task was too hard. Maybe she wanted too much from her students. "I would have just liked the paper to state something like this >> Willow wood is said to be an rather uncommon wood with healing powers, that makes up some very beautiful looking wands, which is why apparently many Witches and Wizwards alike are often found to be asking to try such a wand. Furthermore it is stated, that they have a reputation of enabling the owner to advanced magic as well as non verbal spells. Mr. Ollivander further says, that people with a willow wand often are shown to have some kind of insecurities, which most of the time, are unwarranted seeing as wands of this wood only seem to choose owners with great potential (wherever he means personality wise or magical is not stated) . <<

or maybe something at the end that truly shows that you understood your wand and why it may have chosen you. Something like:

>> Just as described for the wood of my wand as well as size and flexibility I can say it represents me just like I am. I am quick to adapt to new situations and am great at charms as well as non verbal magic. Even advanced spells came easy to me. And while I would never have admitted my insecurities as a child when I first got my wand, they were there and it wasn't until many years later that I was able to overcome them. And as a muggle born I can truly say that I went a long way in a rather short time, just as it is described for people with a willow wood wand. . .<<

Something that let's me know you truly got to know your wand."

@Nikoru Amagawa The red headed woman waited until the classroom had emptied out and she was alone with her young student. Smiling gently she hoped to calm the seemingly nervous young girl in front of her. "Of course dear. You have nothing to worry about, I just wanted to talk to you about the homework I have assigned you."

Stepping around the desk Lily sorted through her dark blue work map where she kept the loose assignments of her class and then finished Nikorus out. She took another glance at the handed in homework before she then handed it back to the young girl. "Why do you think I assigned you and your class to write about your own wand? What do you think could have been my intention with it?" Professor Potter questioned the girl and mustered her curiously.

@Nikoru Amagawa A week later Professor Potter ended yet another lesson with one of her first year classes. She was resting with her hip against the dark wooden frame of her desk as she watched the students pack up their bags, chattering about homework, school, teachers and all the other interesting things that they had seen or had happened within the walls of Hogwarts. It made her reminisce about her own time at the school. Wishful she sighed softly, before her gaze stopped on one Asian descendant Slytherin girl. The red headed woman straightened her position and then gently called out to the girl.
"Ms. Amagawa, if you wouldn't mind to stay behind for a second, there is something I wanted to talk to you about."

@Taemin Lee @Nikoru Amagawa @Alexandra Granger 3/3


DISCOVERY OF WANDS
As you can imagine, magic was not always formally taught or controlled. The sort of uncontrolled bursts of magic that young magical folk are prone to were the norm several millennia ago before wizards and witches were able to focus and control their powers. Those with only a weak affinity for magic were able to lead relatively normal lives, but others caused great destruction. Some of their actions were noticeable enough to become Muggle mythology.

Primitive tools like crystals, crude wands made of little more than a hippogriff wing feather wrapped around a stick, and metal rods all allowed some to exert a level of control over their magic. Instead of randomly causing something to vanish when they were angry, they could instead make it happen by using their focusing item. Eventually, the most effective of foci, the modern wand, was created.

A wooden shaft containing a core from a powerful magical creature, the wand allows us to focus and channel our power to achieve the desired result. These wands are much more advanced and focus than their predecessors. Now, witches and wizards can spend less time worrying that their wand will explode and more time experimenting with different spells and gestures.

You will be learning the culmination of centuries of knowledge and experimentation in this class: the ability to turn your will, your desire, into reality, and to shape your magic and send it into the world. Over the next few weeks, I’d like you to think about our history and what led us to where we are today and how it relates to what we are learning here in class.


THE WAND-LIGHTNING AND WAND-EXTINGUISHING CHARMS (Lumos & Nox)
We will end today with a small talk about a simple but very useful charm: the Wand-Lighting Charm. As the name implies, this simple spell will allow you to illuminate the tip of your wand. It is one of the easiest spells to master, useful whenever you need light, and makes for some good spellcasting practice.

Now, the first known use of the Wand-Lighting Charm was in the 18th century, despite how easy it is to use. Magical historians credit Levina Monkstanley, a Ministry of Magic employee, for its invention. It was first demonstrated in 1772 when Ms. Monkstanley had dropped her quill on the ground and used the spell to find it.

Its uses far exceed simply lighting the tip of your wand. It can provide an easy and endless source of amusement for young witches and wizards who usually enjoy watching the color change. In the Ministry of Magic, it makes for a safe and easy method for casting a vote. It can even be used to repel incorporeal threats such as the Gytrash (a vicious spectral hound) and other malevolent spirits.

Now! Onto the casting!

The Wand-Lighting Charm
Incantation: Lumos (pronounced ‘LOO-mos’)
Wand Movement: Single counter-clockwise loop
Willpower: Low; determines the color of the light
Concentration: Low; lighting up the top of your wand

You should keep the wand movement in mind and don't put too much willpower, or mental push, into the spell or the tip of your wand will turn scarlet. Too little and it will be a pearly white. You should aim for a nice light yellow, which indicates sufficient effort. Of course, circumstances may call for a weaker or stronger light.

Since the magic for the Wand-Lighting Charm never leaves the tip of your wand, the flow of magical energy does not need to be consciously maintained. However, please keep in mind that if you let go of your wand while this charm is in effect, the light will go out. Very advanced magical practitioners may still be able to see their wand, but this is not an easy task.

No text describing the Wand-Lighting Charm would be complete without its equally-simple counter, the Wand-Extinguishing Charm. This spell has a singular purpose, and that is to counter the Wand-Lighting Charm. It is a personal charm, which means it will only work for your own wand, or the wand you happen to be holding should it be lit.

The Wand-Extinguishing Charm
Incantation: Nox (pronounced ‘NOCK-ss’)
Wand Movement: Flick of the wand
Willpower: None
Concentration: None

The Wand-Extinguishing Charm can be quickly cast and its effect is immediate. There is no harm of backlash, making it as safe as the charm it counters.

Now, on to your assignments for the day! I want you to find out more about your own wand and then write down the information that you collected. Thank you all for your wonderful effort and I look forward to seeing you next class!

@Taemin Lee @Nikoru Amagawa @Hermione Granger @Draco Malfoy @Alexandra Granger 2/3
BRIEF HISTORY AND ESSENTIAL LAWS
In ancient times, magic was practiced much more openly and freely than it is today. In ancient Greece and Egypt, witches and wizards were held in high regard. They used magic to protect many ancient tombs, and even today curse-breakers working for Gringotts attempt to retrieve the treasures from within, though not necessarily without loss of limb.


The first instances of dedicated wand making lies with the Ollivander family, who have been making wands since 382 B.C.E. While wands of various design had been crafted before this, the Ollivander family is one of the first, and certainly the longest, to have practiced the craft. Before there was a standard practice and process for wand-crafting, there was always a fear that a wand might fail at a critical moment, or worse, explode.


Beginning around 1000 C.E., the Wizarding World began separating from Muggles, and for approximately 400 years (from 1000 C.E. to around 1400 C.E.) was ruled by the Council of Warlocks. In the 1400s, various magical governments were established based on ethnic and cultural values as well as location. We see this even today with a separate Ministry of Magic in most countries.

Witches and Wizards were persecuted throughout the 1600s with such instances as the witch burnings, though these proved ineffective thanks to Flame-Freezing Charms. What is a Flame-Freezing Charm you may ask? Well these handy little charms could be cast on the flames burning a witch to make them do nothing more than tickle the witch in question. She would then writhe in agony, pretending to burn, and voila! She was safe. These problems culminated in the introduction of the International Statute of Secrecy in 1689. This international law completed the separation of the two worlds. The law was created to protect the magical and non-magical communities from each other, for when the witch trials began to wane, witches and wizards were seeking revenge on the Muggles who tried to oppress them. Magic was being used willy nilly to hurt, trick, and confuse Muggles and something had to be done. Each government became responsible for hiding all evidence of magical activity within their borders, including the magical flora and fauna (plants and animals) of the Wizarding World. It's important to note that, while the law was signed in 1689, it took a further three years before it was officially established by all governments internationally. However, many governments did recognize it in the interim.

Over the centuries, magic has become the stuff of legend for Muggles. Documented now only in fairy tale and stories, many of the Muggles’ contemporary literature is full of encounters with witches and wizards, dragons, pixies, and many other kinds of magic that they dismiss as wild dreams or hallucination. You must remember though that the majority of Muggle stories are rooted in fact. Most are eyewitness accounts of Muggles seeing magic done that have been changed over time. Of course, whenever an incident is too big to ignore or there is too much evidence it is true magic and not trickery, the Ministry will send in the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad to sort things out, usually through memory modification.

There is another important law that all of you should remember. Anyone under the age of 17 falls within the guidelines of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery established in 1875. Basically, no student is allowed to practice magic outside of school. Now, there are a few exceptions, such as the case when your life, or the life of a fellow Witch, Wizard or Muggle, is at stake.

However, I caution you to practice prudence. Attempts to circumvent the law and lie will only result in a greater punishment handed down by the Ministry of Magic. Remember, you are all under the effects of the Trace until you turn 17, and any magic you perform while not at Hogwarts or Hogsmeade, or in an exception zone, will be immediately detected.

Now the Ministry is able to distinguish between Muggle and magical homes where the Trace is concerned. In a Magical home, adults will be casting magic, so casting underage magic will not be detected as easily. The Ministry also relies on the parents of these children to discipline them. However in a Muggle home, no one except the underage party would be using magic.

@Taemin Lee @Nikoru Amagawa @Hermione Granger @Draco Malfoy @Alexandra Granger ❬ ✨ ❭ CHARMS - YEAR ONE - LESSON ONE : INTRODUCTION TO CHARMS
1/3
It was the start of another term at Hogwarts and Lily was more then ready to start teaching again after a long summer full of fun and of course preparing her very own son for the start of his own journey at Hogwarts. From behind her table the red head watched as one by one the new first years started to pile into the room and taking a seat. Some of them, mostly Slytherins she noted, looked very sure of themselves. Arms crossed, arrogant smile in place and slightly slumped down in their chair. Others looked very unsure. With big, frightened eyes they stared at her as they sat with a straight back on the edge of their wooden chair. Lily tried to smile reassuringly at them, feeling very sympathetic of the little first years, especially those who were like her: muggleborns.

She waited until all the seats in the classroom were taken and the students had settled down, before she stood up from her seat and greeted them cheerfully.
"Welcome to Charms! I am Professor Lily Potter and I am looking forward to be guiding you along your journey to true Witches and Wizards. "

She paused for a moment looking at all the students in her class before she moved over to the old blackboard and wrote her name down with a bit of white chalk.

"If you ever need to reach me, have any questions about the lesson or homework you are welcome to always stay behind after class or contact me via owl mail (pm). And now onto your syllabus."
Professor Potter pulled out her wand and with a silent flick of it, a stack of papers on her desk started to rustle, before paper after paper started to fly through the room until each student had a sheet of paper in front of him with a printed syllabus on it.

FIRST YEAR CHARMS SYLLABUS
Lesson Topics Spells
One Introduction, History, and Ancient Foci Lumos, Nox
Two Accessing Your Power Flight Charms
Three Wand Properties and Movements Alohomora, Reparo
Four The Spoken Word - Incantations Incendio, Locomotor
Five The Importance of Concentration Lumos Solem, Lumos Numerosa
Six Applying Your Will Wingardium Leviosa, Astrictus
Seven Static and Dynamic Spells Diffindo, Spongify
Eight Putting It All Together Focillo, Infrigido
Nine Yearly Review and Final Exam (None)


"As for the main rules in this class, I ask that I myself as well as your fellow students will be treated with respect. I absolutely will not tolerate any rude or negative behavior towards anyone. Anyone found treating anyone else with disrespect will be dealt with accordingly. You have been warned."
Professor Potter told the glass and gave them all a stern glare for a moment before she moved on with her lesson.

"There will be no required reading for this course! You are welcome to read any supplementary texts that you like, but none will be required to pass this class. Please keep in mind that these lessons should be referenced for assignments over any supplemental material. Assigned homework has to be turned in on the announced date otherwise it will be ignored. If you turned the assignment in on time then,depending on the grade you receive you and yours house will receive between 60 and 10 points."
The red headed Professor announced. Then she clapped into her hands and with a bright smile started the very first charms lesson for this first year students.


INTRODUCTION
Think of Charms as an introduction to spellcasting in general. Even the most accomplished of witches and wizards had to start somewhere. This year we will cover the basics of spellcasting including the importance of pronouncing a spell correctly and practicing wand movements as well as casting basic charms.

We will touch on the basics of wandlore, such as why we need a wand for proper spellcasting, what wands are typically made of, and why it is important to properly care for them. We will also discuss the various components that may be required to successfully cast certain spells.


Today we will be discussing the origin of modern-day spellcasting practices as well as the laws you need to be aware of when using magic. I'll be leaving all the juicy historical bits for your History of Magic classes, but it is important for you to understand how modern magic came about and what laws you need to follow at all times, lest you find yourself being interrogated by the Ministry of Magic.