Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixir

It was kind of difficult to determine which was further from the Hufflepuff common room; the Ancient Runes classroom or the Whomping Willow. Tobias figured that at least it wasn't like they'd had to go allllll the way to the classroom and then allllllll the way out here, so that was a plus. Still, his back and knees were not feeling so positive, and Tobias had to grit his teeth and bear their complaining until he finally rocked up to where Botros was waiting. Or at least... Tobias assumed it was Botros. Similar build and all that.

"Morning, Professor," Tobias rasped, a little wheezy from the journey. "Is it okay if we sit?"

Sure, he might not be able to get back up again, but that was a problem for a later date.

Oooooh, pretty walls. Ancient Egyptian stuff? Hadn't Botros mentioned something about Egypt way back when. At some point. Maybe. Ah, Toby couldn't remember at all.

Botros smiled at the first boy to appear. Yet saddened by the way they all looked frail and grey. "Morning, Tempus." Who would've thought that Tempus could stop jumping around like a yo-yo? It was sad. "Make yourself comfortable, yes." Maybe Botros should've brought them all seats? Oops.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Adi huffed and puffed all the way out to the Grounds then headed towards the Whomping Willow. Ugh! Why must the Grounds be sooooo huge! Finally, he made it to where Professor Botros was. And the man was not smiling. Where did the usual smiling man go? Could they have him back, please? "Hello, Professor,'' he said.

Adi eyed the Willow and it's walls before turning to go stand next to Tobias, the only other student there so far. "Hi, Tobias.'' And yes. Could they sit? Please?

"Hello, Mr. Rehman." He watched the young kid also sit next to Tempus.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tattie

Bliss was ultra curious about today's lesson. It was outside and outside was nice. It also had Professor Botros and that was nice too. And it also had the Whomping Willow and that too was nice. All around niceness would surely be ahead of her, right? At least, that's what the Sixth Year thought.

With a spring in her step, she made down to the Whomping Willow.

Waiting by the Willow - which appeared to be in a box - were only a small handful of students and Professor Botros. She waved a greeting at her fellow pupils before turning to the Professor. "Good morning," she said enthusiastically and waited for some sort of sign or explanation as to what they were doing.

Botros took a moment to take the new!old girl in before he broadly smiled at her, "Good morning, miss Ryans, nice to have you back." He never noticed her in his classes earlier this term, or maybe his memory had been rubbish back then. He was pretty alert now, though, and he saw and recognized her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermionesclone

Alec was glad that the class was out near the Whomping Willow and not up all those flights of stairs. His body seemed more okay with walking across ground than it was walking up... stairs. Maybe more lessons could be held out in the grounds. Especially if the weather was looking up for once.

Rubbing the bottom of his back gently, the boy started walking down towards a certain spot in the grounds. The Whomping Willow brought back some really nice memories. Ones that he was completely thankful he could still remember a bit of, even if it wasn't in detail. A confused expression spread across the seventh year's face as he neared the still tree and the... were those walls?! ... Erm...?

"Hello Professor!" he said, coming to a stop and shooting the man a smile, "Hey guys!" Smiles for Adster, Badger Boom and Bliss too. ... And... more confused looks for the walls. Squinting, he leaned forward a little to try and make out what the markings on them were.

And sitting down sounded like a great idea. His back agreed with that.

Aw, the Head Boy was also a slow-walker. Merlin's Beard, Botros wished the Healers would speed up whatever they were doing and just come on and help. "Hello, Summers." At least the walls still caught the boy's old eyes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expecto-Penguin

Kace was excited that the lesson was held near the whomping willow. He rather have a lesson outdoors on a nice day like this than be cooped up indoors. As he was making his way down the stairs to the lesson, he noticed the professor put up four walls. He looked up at them and gave them a quizzical look. He wondered what they needed those for today.

He noticed the professor was standing there, he smiled and waved, "Hey Professor! Nice place you picked out." he nodded and looked at the whomping willow. This tree kind of creeped him out but as long as he wasn't too near it, it was fine.

Botros waved back at the Hufflepuff boy, "Thank you! I'm known for my good choice-making ability."

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

The Whomping Willow.

It was something to smile about, even if it'd taken ages to get here. Memories, y'know? Even though they were foggy they still made her smile. And she needed all the help she could get these days. Though she looked her old self again thanks to potions and charms, she was feeling worse than ever. Old bones were achy and sore and she was alarmingly frail. She was so over being like this. She was done. That's why she needed a second to compose herself before saying hello to Botros. He was young. Looked great, even. And while she was happy that he got to feel better, she couldn't help but be jealous. She should be feeling like that too. She just needed to...get over it. Yeah.

"Hello Professor Botros!" Small tired smile for you.

And look, lots of badgers here. Ella smiled at everyone and gave a collective greeting. "Hey, you guys." She wanted to be by her boys, though. And so she made her way over to Alec and Tobias and gave each a proper grin. Hiii.

Aw, tired Head Girl too. Botros smiled back at her, a little sadly, "Hello, miss Bishop."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Ancient Runes. Ew.

The Whomping Willow. Double ew.

Sophie was always in a bad mood when it came to the classes she didn't like, and add that to the fact they were out here by a deadly tree that might try and whomp them any second, and you had a very annoyed second year girl. At least the weather was nice, though. Sophie walked up and joined the ever-growing group, making a special effort to stop beside Adi.

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Originally Posted by Lissy Longbottom

Well well well. It was the magical de-aging Botros again! Caleb at first hadn't really questioned it, and thought maybe since he was already OLD the disease was just going the opposite direction with him, but now - now he was certain Botros was somehow sucking their youth from them. He didn't know how, and he didn't know how he'd go about PROVING it, but he knew the man had to be behind it! HE JUST HAD TO!

Not saying hello to him, Caleb went over and sat next to his sister, giving her a small smile.

Two more oldies trudged in, Botros made sure watching them so they didn't fall and broke a hip. He knew exactly the feeling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grrr..Meow

Bay hobbled his way down to the whomping willow.. ughh his knee was still aching him.. seeing the professor he said hello "Hello Professor" oh none of his friends were here yet.. oh he was wrong he spotted Ella so he made his way over to her "Hey Ella… how are you doing?" having the huge urge to lean on her.. should he…. naww… plus she was with other people so he didn't want to take up all her time.

"Hello, dear." The professor smiled at the tired old boy, and was content when he seemed able to breathe and bend and not drop dead.

Maybe choosing this location at this time of the year was not as good as he'd originally thought it would be?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

Oh sweet Merlin.

Someone pass her her inhaler. Oh wow. This walk. This tree. The excitement and tiredness all at once. The Gryffindor didn't know if she was ready to topple over from the exhausting walk all the way over here or try putting a bounce in her step despite her achy knees. This was meant to be an interesting and destructive class. Hosting it by the whomping willow was meant to increase that so she SHOULD be happy but the half smile she was wearing vanished the moment she saw the Professor and his blonde hair.

His class was by far the most depressing to come to for this reason. The change in her expression wasn't something she tried to hide either as she walked up to the others.

"Hello Professor." She mumbled, eyes locked on his hair for only a second before she turned her attention elsewhere. Anywhere would have been better than at him. Seriously. Making her go to Ancient Runes while he was teaching it was torture.

Botros nodded at the jealous lemon-sour faced Cambridge. At least she didn't climb up all over him trying to steal his hair today. That was a good progress.

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Originally Posted by Emzily

Theo draaaaagged himself to Ancient Runes, which was extra effort because it was OUTSIDE. He didn't mind outdoor classes so much if it was the summer, but March? Not so much. He didn't pay much attention to the Whomping Willow once he had arrived, because for a start - he didn't care. But mostly because he was watching all of the other students in the class nervously.

Why? 'Cause he had a spot on his forehead that he was feeling extremely self-conscious about. He had fixed his hair to cover it to an extent, but anyone who looked right in his face would totally notice. He was sooooo convinced.

So yeah, not socializing today. Not even with the professor.

Huh. Interesting. The non-oldie Prefect didn't seem so chatty either. Merlin, what was wrong with them today?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team ronmione

So Tag was here. For Ancient Runes. Yayy.

At least it wasn't cold out here. Probably because there was double the sun than usual this march. Anyway, Tag had found his way to where class was supposed to be and eyed the tree curiously. Why was the tree covered by those weird walls? Couldn't they see nature at its finest? Anyway, it seemed to be a part of the class so Tag didn't question it too much.

However he did see Professor Botros, and the blonde simply gave his professor a short and small nod before finding a place and standing there, waiting for class to start.

Aha! Someone was still excited to see Botros' hair. Good. The professor replied his nod and smile politely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireboltAvis88

Sander made his way down the path to the Whomping Willow. It was a nice day and Sander enjoyed his walk down even though he was beginning to feel tired. When he reached where the other students were waiting, Sander looked around for the Ancient Runes Professor.

Ahhh...there he was. Sander walked up to him and smiled in greeting,"Good morning Professor. It's a great day to be outdoors," Sander said to him before turning around and greeting his fellow students. "Hi everyone," before walking over to sit next to Bay.

"Hey there Bay." Sander smiled at his younger friend.

"Good morning, Mr. Strand. Yes, it is indeed." Someone appreciated the gesture, thankfully. If only he could give points for attitude.

... wait, where did this slight sassiness come from, Ab?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squishy

As Lux made her way over to where the lesson was to take place, she was not sure how this would go over. Ancient Runes was turning out to not be one of her strongest classes, though Professor Botros was rather nice. Speaking of the Professor, she gave him a friendly wave. "Hello, Professor. How are you today?"

Botros returned her wave with one of his own, "Hello, dear. I'm fine thank you, I hope you're fine too." And the others. But it didn't look like it. Ahem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemon

She would have thought that Botros of all people would understand the disadvantages of being old, but apparently not. It was okay to make the STUDENTS walk down to the grounds, huh? Huh? Alice thought it quite absurd, but went along with it anyway because it was class and required.

"Hi, sir. You still haven't given me your cane, y'know? I could reaaally use it." She plopped down on the grass near the young!old professor without asking if she was allowed to sit, wincing in pain as her knee popped loudly. Ouch. Maybe this class should have been skipped after all... but if Mister Ab taught something interesting, Alice would never forgive herself for missing it.

But it seemed interesting enough, considering the Willow.. had walls around it. Weird.

Ohohohono. "No, dear, I won't give you my cane. You'll feel better instead. Soon." Obviously. Botros was not going to accept that they'd just aged like this, even if the Healers gave up or whatever, he would personally go and look into it. Though something told him that the Headmistress was the one so eager to get her beauty youth back. So. They all should just rest assured.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScarletCharm104

This class should be interesting. Skipping to where the Prodesso was, she greeted him. "Hi Professor. Hope you're well." She was being ULTRA formal today. She looked curiously at the Whomping Willow.

This class should be super interesting.

Ooh, a skipping girl. Whew, good, he'd missed seeing skipping kids. His eyes sadly glanced at Tempus the yo-yo. "Hello, dear."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holmesian Feline

While the weather was getting nicer and Ben usually enjoyed the out of doors, it was the trek across the grounds that he wasn't too pleased with. Long and hilly along the pathway to the clearing that housed the Whomping Willow. It was a good thing the Gryffindor had given himself enough time to make his way there in a slow but decent enough pace before class was scheduled to begin. And when he finally reached the area and spotted the professor and classmates around the fenced-in tree, it really did look like the area HOUSED the tree.

"Hello Professor," he greeted politely, still getting used to seeing the elder man the way he was. Not just the non-smiling form but the young and youthful one. In contrast, Benny was back to his aged self as he hadn't bothered to renue the cream and charm treatments they had been taught, given and allowed to use from various lessons.

"Morning," he added in further greeting to Adi and maybe others in earshot as he came up beside his best friend. Good was still always up to determination. So far semi-good. Other than the long walk of course.

"Good morning to you, too, son." He smiled and watched the boy go with his friends.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SweetPeea

Um....Alright...big scary tree....

Random walls around it.....

Josette stared up at the ginormous tree before her as inched her way closer. Why was Ancient Runes outside by this big scary looking tree? Was it even safe? Why would Professor Botros pick this place? She couldn't help but feel like this were the beginning to some sort of a creepy story in a book just before the scary monster inside hopped out to snatch you!

Nonetheless, the first year walked up to the odd scenario and took notice of a blonde Professor Botros standing there with a small board beside him. Josette gave a polite wave followed by a soft, "Good morning Professor.." Walking passed him after doing so, she made her way by her fellow classmates waiting for her favorite class to begin.

The cute little girl looked tired, too. Botros patted her head as she passed, "'Morning, dear."

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanficfanatict

Ascanius-unsurprisingly- was not keen on having to walk all of the way down and outside to get to Botros' lame class. It was bad enough that Ascanius had to suffer through Ancient Runes within the confines of the castle; why did Botros have to ruin the outdoors too? Especially on such a lovely day, which it truly was, yeah?

So he didn't even bother saying hello or doing anything remotely appreciative in gesture to the old man. Ish. Old man ish. The castle was getting really weird lately.

Instead, he just joined the rest of his peers and looked thoroughly bored. Not that he needed to pretend.

Huh. The mute boy looked perfectly young and kicking. Still grouchy, though. Interesting.

ANYWAY. Most of them seemed to have gathered, Botros clapped his hands to get their attention and started talking in his freshly-young and non-raspy voice. "Good morning everyone, thank you for making the trip down here to the Whomping Willow. I understand that most of you are tired and out-of-breath.." No, really, he seriously understood. "But it's going to be worth it." Optimistic face and smiles for everyone. Even if it was a bit forced.

"Today's class is going to be all that we've learnt about curse breaking in a nutshell. As you can see behind me, we have the Whomping Willow trapped in a box of four walls. I took the liberty to design those walls in a way that resembled those discovered in the cursed tombs found in Egypt. You can inspect those walls as closely as you can, but be careful because if you touch them..." He hopped a few steps behind him touch one of them but ZAP! an icy-blue spell zapped his hand as soon as his fingers touched the walls. "Those walls are cursed. Our task today is to break those curses, break those walls and save the whomping willow.... before it woke up... which would be in two hours...maximum." He was feeling daredevil-ish these days, okay?

SO. "First off, let's do a very quick revision over curse-breaking. Raise your hand and tell us what you know about it, what we've learnt before? You can go ahead and examine the walls closely, too, if you like. Just keep it all quiet and in order."