| Firecrab
Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Naboo
Posts: 774
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Avalon Sinclair
Graduated | 
SPOILER!!: Replies Text Cut: Evan Quote:
Originally Posted by Chelliephone  He couldn't help but flush even redder at the question of if he was alright, but for an entirely different reason this go around. He nodded his head at the question and offered a sheepish smile at Professor Varma. "Yes, ma'am. I just uh.. I had forgotten my book up in my dormitory." But he was here, surprisingly still on time. Even a few minutes early! So he settled into his seat.
And turned to smile at Kinsay when she slid into the seat next to him. "Hey. Any preliminary guesses on how this will all tie in?" Sometimes it was fun to guess at the beginning of class where the Professors might be going. He was almost always wrong, but that didn't really make it any less entertaining.
But class was starting, so he turned his attention back to the front. He was not looking forward to Christmas and the conversation he had promised to have during it. He had half of a mind to just stay home during the break and ignore it all. And truthfully, he still might. Thankfully the decision had not had to be made quite yet, but it was getting awfully close. But for now, class meant he didn't have to think about it. So he pushed all thoughts of home away while listening to the posed question and raising his hand to offer an answer.
There was the obvious answer of photographs, but frankly he wanted to try to go for something less so. He waited until he was called on to provide an answer. "Journaling is a good way to preserve memories, and capturing the exact emotions felt during the memory." After time a photo would bring nostalgia, and maybe joy, but with a journal entry one would always know exactly what they'd been feeling at that time.
Ahhh, the dreaded forgotten book. Shreya particularly felt for the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws when that happened—they usually had the farthest to trek to retrieve said item. Living in the tallest towers of the castle had its perks, as Shreya recalled from her own time in Ravenclaw, but the staircases to get there were not one of them. "Very good, Evan. Journaling has the added benefit of helping you process emotions and feelings as you are experiencing them. And notebooks are wonderful keepsakes to look back on," Shreya replied. They certainly had a tangible, lasting nature. Text Cut: Claudine Quote:
Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19 Varma peeking her head out of the classroom usually signalled the start of the lesson. Obviously today was no different. Christmas? Yes, she certainly was excited for it! Who wouldn’t be? Christmas was the best time of year. Eyes fixed on that garland and the lights, the girl couldn’t help but agree with Varma. She’d had so many good memories with the people she once called her family. The fact that she no longer wanted anything to do with them did not prevent that sharp stab of longing for a few of the members though. Claudine missed them but how could she live in that mansion among killers, even if her entire family didn’t fall into that category?
But there were happier memories, like the ones she had with Heath. This December made it two years since they’d been together as a couple. Claudine glanced yet again at the setup of the room but chose to go in another direction with her answer. “Using complicated bits of magic that allows you, or others, to revisit events that happened and observe them. Even though you’ll be invisible to everyone present at the time the memory took place.” Her answer was a reference to the method a particular Dark Lord had used so many years ago. "Yes, Ms. Blaze. There are plenty of spells and methods to preserve memories magically." Unfortunately, Shreya's mind also went to dark magic. Such methods were easy to turn to the dark arts. She considered making a mention of it, but she wanted to keep today's lesson upbeat. The students had seen enough dark magic last term. Text Cut: Ashley Quote:
Originally Posted by astrocat Ash went through the motions. She smiled at Dahlia. She spoke to Tadhg. "I'm fine. As usual." It was a bit of a joke, seeing as being fine was unusual for her. Who even knew if she was really fine? It could be that she shut down all of her emotions so that she could handle being in... this class. Specifically. Was feeling nothing really fine? Maybe not. She smiled at Noah. She smiled at Eden, who looked very pretty today. Ash wished there was someone to do her hair and makeup that nice. It was one of the few things that she was not skilled at.
... Ash wasn't sure she liked where this lesson was going. Why would you want to preserve all your memories? Ash was already struggling with not wanting her photographic memory. She wished she could wipe the memories of potions class away too. And flying, and DADA, and muggle studies, and CoMC, and HoM, and basically all of the classes she had. All of the memories she had made here. She didn't want them.
Another thing Ash didn't like was that this class seemed to be a class on making photos move. Ash didn't want to make her photos move. She wanted them to stay still.
And now dread was filling her mind. Tasted like... rot.
Ash was not going to say 'moving photos' as an answer to the question. She wasn't going to say it, even if it was the right answer. "You could preserve your memories through art." And there was an interesting tone of voice she was using. It was almost defiance, but maybe it was more like disappointment or unsurprise. Perhaps resignation. Maybe just not-enthusiastic.
Ash didn't want any moving pictures of herself.
Shreya couldn't help but pick up on Ashley's glum attitude. The typically energetic Ravenclaw seemed a bit out of sorts today. Hopefully nothing was troubling her too much. "True! Whether you are painting, drawing, knitting, or using some other creative technique, art is a great way to preserve a memory. Some might create a specific scene in their art, or simply preserve the emotions of a memory with an abstract piece." Art was another method, like journaling, that often helped people process the feelings associated with memories in the moment. It was therapeutic, in a way. That was one of the reasons why Shreya loved painting. Text Cut: Ivy Quote:
Originally Posted by AlwaysSnapesGirl Seated at her workstation, Ivy was mostly trying to avoid looking at the photography studio setup around the classroom. The lights, the curtained-off section in the back, all of it was quite familiar to her, having spent lots of time around her dad's studio setup at home, but her feelings about it all were...complicated, to say the least.
Once, she would have been thrilled by the clear focus of the day's lesson. Photography had been such a passion for her, something she'd shared with her dad and her friend Cooper. She'd loved capturing little moments and random details about things. She'd loved finding ways to improve and to take more interesting photos each time she pulled out her camera. Every day was different, and so there was always something new to see and to learn.
But the past several months...well, they were different. Taking a bad photo had never bothered her before - she wasn't striving for perfection, only to have fun and to learn something new each time. But now everything she took just looked...horrible to her. She could find a flaw in anything. And even though she appreciated the photo scavenger hunts Cooper had setup, and they were fun in the moment...they didn't seem to bring any lasting changes to her feelings. No matter what he said, she didn't like a single photo once she reviewed them.
And it was...frustrating. Something she'd once loved felt like nothing to her now, and she had no idea how to fix it.
Feeling a bit lost in her head, Ivy pulled out some parchment to take notes on this first question and the answers the other students gave. She didn't feel up to giving an answer of her own, and it probably wasn't necessary to write down the answers almost word-for-word, but it helped keep her mind off all the feelings she didn't want to think about.
Another Ravenclaw who seemed a bit out of sorts today. Shreya wondered what was troubling Ivy. Perhaps all this talk about memories brought up some negative emotions for students. Nevertheless, she appreciated that the fourth year was still paying attention. Text Cut: Daniel Quote:
Originally Posted by DuckyLinJi Utterly oblivious that the young Hufflepuff happened to be at the same workspace where his older brother had vanished, Daniel thought that he still had to owl his parents a letter that he would be spending his Christmas inside of the castle. He had a strong feeling that they would not be thrilled about it, but he really wanted to stay. When he saw Professor Varma peeking her head outside of the classroom and he knew that it was almost time to begin.
While he was listening to the question, his eyes looked around the room again. He had never had a photoshoot before and he wasn't certain if he would like to be photographed or be the photographer. He had read that there was a special potion that made images move, was that what they were going to be learning today? Cause if so then he was excited!!
While the most obvious answer was a photograph, Daniel's hand shot up in the air and wiggled his fingers a little bit. "I read about a memory extraction spell" he said as he lowered his hand. "You can keep it in a potion vial and watch an old memory again"
Daniel may not know that he was sitting in the spot of his older brother's disappearance, but Shreya certainly did. The sight was a bit jarring, and Shreya had to do a bit of a double-take to make sure her eyes weren't deceiving her. Once she was sure that it was simply Minjae's younger brother, she gave the first year an encouraging smile, trying to rid her mind of the memory. "Yes, Daniel. That spell is probably the most accurate way to preserve memories, since it involves every visual and auditory aspect of the scene." But it was a complicated spell, too—and not one that everyone particularly wanted to use. After all, some people didn't want to remember every moment of an event. Text Cut: Remy Quote:
Originally Posted by Emzily Potions was another FUN class, in Remy’s opinion. You could mix all sorts together, maybe even experiment and make your own potion. Let’s not talk about Remy and Ollie’s interest in a certain potion that could change one’s appearance. She’d especially not mention that in THIS classroom…
Preserving memories, hmmm. Without even thinking of a magical, potiony option, Remy shot up her hand and she said, “I - writing in a diary.” Almost letting slip to the class that SHE, in fact, had a diary. Didn’t want any certain Gryffindors getting their hands on that. AHEM. "Wonderful, Remy." It was similar to the journaling answer, but Shreya didn't mind. Writing things down was a great way to remember things. It was thanks to writing that early historical events were preserved, after all. The Gryffindor received a nod of approval. Text Cut: Atlas Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie Atlas knew exactly where his answer was going before the professor had even finished asking the question. Unfortunately his reflexes had be a little slow and his hand shooting up had been somewhat delayed, therefore the introduction to his concept of choice was already voiced...and by Daniel of all people. They said great minds think alike, but Atlas preferred to think of it as a copycat. How could Daniel copy him when Atlas had not yet spoke? A true mystery of the universe.
"With a pensieve," he began. "To elaborate off what he already said." Atlas then pointed at Daniel. "But memories can be altered or skewed too, so accuracy of the memory extraction through the extraction spell compared to the events that actually happened may be questionable. It's kind of all up to the individual to decide how authentic and real they want to be with the preservation of the memory." Which went across all platforms, really.
Anyway.
Atlas had a few memories he would like to remember differently, that was for sure.
Shreya nodded at both Atlas and Daniel in response. "Excellent, Mr. Flamsteed. A pensive is a useful tool for viewing extracted memories." If she remembered correctly from students' stories, some of them may have had the experience of looking into one during a previous Care of Magical Creatures lesson. "You make a good point. How an individual perceives an occurrence can have a big impact on the type of memory that is stored. One would be wise to keep that in mind when viewing a memory." Very good thinking from the young Gryffindor. He got an encouraging smile from the professor in admiration. Text Cut: Noah Quote:
Originally Posted by Stefan Noah busied himself with his notes as the first question was raised. Indeed, Christmastime was a nostalgic period for most of them, and after the events of last term, well, he was sorta-kinda excited to go home with his crazy family. He even looked forward to the annual Mordaunt luncheon that was surely going to be filled with good food, adult chit-chats, ludicrous gift-giving, and seeing his dad get wiped out in chess either by his great gramps or Kiara. As always, it was a sight to see. What may be more interesting was to see Mackenzie join that fray. It was crazy scary how similar his younger brother was to his dad...or even their great gramps.
Anyway, memories. There were a couple of ways to preserve them, and Noah took it to his notes, letting the others contribute verbally.
Pretty much that was all that he got for now, and was surprised at this point that no one has addressed the elephant in the room, so to speak. Photography, people.
Shreya hadn't expected anyone to be taking notes, but she was happy to see that the students were paying attention. Though a part of her wondered if the note-taking from some could be a method for distraction. She hoped this discussion wasn't bringing up too many troubling memories for people. Text Cut: Dahlia Quote:
Originally Posted by Kolyander Lia smiled. Maybe they would be working on a potion memory potion today? Why they need for all the props then? Whatever they were going to be doing, she hoped they got started soon. Waiting was always the hardest part.
Hearing one of her nicknames made her cheeks flush pink and another smile form on her lips. "Hey, Tad. Maybe? Otherwise what's the point in the setup?" She shrugged her shoulders a little as he took a seat beside her at their usual workstation.
As the lesson began, Lia quickly started taking down notes as she normally did. Today's choice ink color being a lively shade of sparkly green.
Ooooh!
Lookit the twinkly lights!
Dahlia was momentarily mesmerized by the lights and had trouble looking away. It wasn't really her fault though. The lights were really really pretty! Blinking a couple of times she finally managed to pull her gaze away from the sparkly lights and back onto her note taking and the current question being asking.
"You can make a scrapbook filled with different things for that specific memory. Drawings, ribbons, photos, cards, you can write little messages too." She had waited to be called on with her raised of course. "Wonderful. A great way to combine art and writing—two great methods for preserving memories—while expressing your creativity." Shreya said with a nod. Her mother liked to scrapbook. There were plenty of decorated pages documenting time in the Varma household. And indeed, they were a lovely way to look back on old times. Text Cut: Lisa Quote:
Originally Posted by Watson Lisa figured they needed some festivity so the cranberry red robes were delightful to her. Before she knew it and was settled in, class began. This time.... with a question? She paused, putting on her imaginary thinking cap. So.... how do we preserve memories? Journals, memories, scrapbooking.... Her eyebrows raised when Daniel mentioned a memory retrieval system which Atlas went and explained further. Ah a pensive... but what happened if said memories were not accurate??
Aaand Atlas went to the next logical and appropriate step to further explain.
“I was going to say pensive too as an option.” Lies. She probably would have mentioned storing memories in a potion vial using a spell as a way to take or copy said memory. “Atlas mentioned that memories may not be as truthful as we thought and can be altered. And I think I remember reading something about a forgetfulness thing or something in the library.... but....Is there a way to make your memories clearer? Like almost clean the lens of the camera so you can see all the fuzzy parts of it?” she asked curiously, relating her answer to the topic of cameras and photography which made her feel thoroughly clever.
She bit her lip, trying to stop herself from asking her NEXT question. “ALSO... just curious. If you use a pensive, are you completely submerged in the memory or are you just observing?” she asked curiously, looking to Atlas and then Daniel (maybe they’d know) and then about the classroom.
Shreya appreciated the camera metaphor, as evidenced by the broad smile that spread across her face at the Ravenclaw's answer. " There are a handful of memory modification charms that have different effects. Some erase memories, some alter memories, and some are said to clarify them. But such charms can be dangerous. One wrong move, and the memory could be stained unintentionally." She didn't want to get too much into the discussion of memory charms, as it wasn't exactly her area of expertise. But she did try to at least satisfy her students' curiosity. In Shreya's opinion, there was nothing worse than getting shut down by a professor if you had a question. "When you are viewing a memory, you are simply an observer. As it is only a memory, your presence cannot change or alter the events in any way." One would need a time turner to do that. But that was a discussion for another day. Text Cut: Nemesis Quote:
Originally Posted by Felixir Like most people, Nem had plenty of memories associated with the holidays, though they would not use the term 'nostalgic' to describe them, or any others, or the holidays in general. Just markers, really.
Little did Varma - or anyone else - know, Nem had been tinkering with the subject of memory for the past year or so. Potions did occasionally come into it, depending on the idea they were exploring, but nothing to do with what they figured this lesson would be about. Not that that would have stopped them providing an answer, if they felt so inclined.
Speaking of which: Occlumency. Given what they'd been looking into, that was a fairly obvious one for Nem. Shore up your defences and you could protect your memories from being tampered with not only by outside forces, but even your own subconscious trying to rewrite the details. Similarly, someone else might be able to draw the real memories out, using the opposing(or complementary, depending on perspective) technique of Legilimency, and a not inconsiderable amount of skill. But that was less about preservation, and more about recovery, and there were all kinds of studies into reliability and accuracy, given the complexity of the brain, especially with the influence of magic.
Nem didn't say anything. It was the wiser and therefore their preferred course of action - just in general, these days - but mostly, they simply didn't want to. Just sat there, still and silent, unobtrusive.
It wasn't at all surprising that Nemesis didn't contribute an answer—Shreya had gotten used to it, and it genuinely didn't offend her. For some reason, she always knew that Nemesis was at least paying attention. But as her eyes swept the room, they lingered on the Slytherin momentarily. She found herself wondering what type of memories Nemesis might be grappling with, if at all. It occurred to her that she didn't know much at all about their home life—another thought about Upstead that both intrigued and worried her.
Shreya was a bit surprised that no one had pointed out the elephant in the room, but perhaps her classroom set-up had just made it too obvious. Nevertheless, she appreciated that the students were thinking outside the box. It would get them into the right mindset for today's lesson.
"Great answers, everyone! As you can see, there are plenty of ways to preserve memories, both mundane and magical." As to why it was important to preserve them, that was a whole other discussion. But hopefully Shreya's reasoning for today's lesson didn't need to be put into words. The events of the last term still troubled her, but they had also showed her the importance of friendship, compassion, and happiness. She wanted to focus more on cultivating positive experiences this term—and she hoped some of the students felt similarly. And what better way to preserve the memories than with pictures? "Today's lesson will focus on a mundane-turned-magical method to preserving memories: photographs."
She gestured to the various pieces of photo equipment scattered around the studio, although she figured most of the students had determined the purpose of the lesson already. "What do you know about how pictures are taken or how we develop them? Both mundane and magical methods are fair game to discuss." OOC: We'll move on in about 26 hours! |