| Puffskein
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,197
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Professor Marion Burbage
|  Goodness Gracious Heavens Above!
Text Cut: my daaaaaaaarling students Quote:
Originally Posted by Charely Potter 
Hermione's face warmed a little at the mistake. Perhaps she had a mix-up with the memories, but the thought of her being wrong about her entire destiny... well, that was a little melodramatic. It flashed her mind briefly but went instantly, and Professor Burbage, being so warm with the correction and unintentionally leading into the next part of the lesson, had her unaffected, with her smile remaining. Hermes and Lyra, that must be what her Apapa had been telling her.
Hermy liked hearing other's responses. Astrology tied well with the naming of constellations and the stars, while she didn't commit to astrology, she found the reading fascinating and more of a little brand with her being a Capricorn. Her little sister's middle name being Capricornus provided an even special bond between them. But alas, it was time for the next part of the lesson.
Hermione quickly scribbled into her notes the corrections and the information Professor Burbage provided. It was all so enchanting for her to later discuss with Kritti, Thena, and her Apapa later. Now which musical instrument she would pick? Perhaps the flute? It was a delicate looking instrument and served the infamous trio well from her light reading of Hogwarts, A History. But it wasn't present, since there were only string instruments available. So she picked up the violin and bow, half-expecting it to sing, but thankful it didn't, before glancing at Kritti. Companions? Naturally, but not opposed to change. She then took her seat and awaited further instructions.
Marion’s wispy silvery gaze lingered on Hermione with a soft, approving gleam as the girl settled back into her seat, violin in hand.
“ A fine choice, Miss Laramore,” she said, voice light and laced with something almost secretive. “ The violin is a complex and breathtaking companion—elegant, precise, and capable of surprising resonance. Much like the stars, I’d say… or perhaps like those who study them with such earnest care. Quite reflective, wouldn't you say?”
She didn’t elaborate further, only gave the faintest amused nod, as though she knew something about both violin and student that she wasn’t quite ready to share. Quote:
Originally Posted by Kolyander The smile that was already in place on her lips grow evermore at Burbage's reply. "Not even in the slightest, Professor." The only thing better than sweets and looking at the stars was laying beneath the sky to star gaze while enjoying sweets. Now that was a lovely time.
Vesper slowly let her gaze take in the different string instruments once more. Their presence didn't make sense to her until the first question was asked. The first constellation she could recall seeing was Corvus. Obviously it had been her papa that had showed it to her and her siblings. The fact that it had to do with a 'crow' had always made her laugh.
Some detailed notes were taken as Burbage explained all about Lyra 'Lyre'. The story was quite interesting and definitely showed the importance of simply following what you're told. Surely though, in that moment it must have been incredibly difficult not to look back and ensure that his loved one was still right there behind him. Anyhow... Now wasn't the time to sit here and consider all that.
It was time to choose an instrument. Ummm... Honestly this may not turn out well if they weren't using magic. Vesper wasn't very musically inclined! Rising to her feet, she moved to have a look at each delicate instrument before her.
The one standing out the most was the ukulele. Why, she had no idea but this was the one that she carefully picked up and carried back to her seat. She observed Miss Thanatos-Misra’s selection with clear delight, a curl of misty fondness shaping her features.
“ Ah yes, the ukulele,” she hummed with a voice light as moonlight on water. “ A curious little marvel…easy to carry, bright of tone, and often underestimated. Much like the smaller constellations in the sky, wouldn’t you say? Constellations small in shape, but quite bold in stories.” Her eyes twinkled with that signature Burbage way. Quote:
Originally Posted by badger_boy_93
Xerxes walked up to the front of the class and looked around at the assembled string instruments. He gave each instrument an appraising look in turn. He then decided on the banjo. He picked it up, it was much heavier than he had initially imagined.
Xerxes then walked over to Professor Burbage. “I apologize for my improper greeting earlier in the class Professor. I’m just so nervous. It’s my first year here at Hogwarts and I really want to make a good impression. I guess I’m just used to starting class with a respectful ‘Good Morning’. However, I should have remembered that we always study Astronomy at night, so that we can see the stars. I’ll be more precise in the future. Anyhow, it’s a pleasure to be in ur class. ”.
He held up the banjo to show her. “I chose the banjo. It spoke to me, not literally of course. But you can still tell it off if you wish.” Xerxes laughed at his own joke.
Her smile bloomed as Mr. Cadwallader approached. “ Oh, Mr. Cadwallader,” she said with a soft chuckle. “ You’ve no need to apologize, though your courtesy is duuuuuuuely noted and most welcome. Precision is admirable, yes, but a kind heart and a genuine spirit make the finest impression of all. Though I MUST confess, for a moment I feared you’d been asleep all day. It is certainly a relief to know it was simply a matter of a slip of the tongue!” Her tone was light, teasing, with a wink to soften the jest. “ Though truthfully, at Hogwarts, you’ll find lessons can happen at nearly any hour. The stars, after all, keep their own schedule.”
Her eyes twinkled as he lifted the banjo. “[b]And what a bold choice,” she added, voice lilting with delight. “ The banjo’s not shy, nor is it subtle. It rings out, joyfully and unmistakably. A rather charming mirror of your presence, wouldn’t you say? No telling off necessary. I dooooooo hope to not put it in such a sour mood it refuses to perform for you.” Quote:
Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19 Krittika discreetly reached over to give Hermy’s hand a reassuring squeeze. There was never anything wrong with one’s answer being off. Then she was positively beaming at Professor Burbage. It was kind of weird that her parents had settled with such a name when neither were into Astronomy. They probably just liked the name, which was okay with her because she liked her name too. A lot.
Anyway, she hung onto every word of Burbage’s, stifling a giggle when the ghost wiggled. Honestly, Ms. Marion was so endearing! As for that information on Lakota culture, Kritti made some notes and added a little comment to do some reading on the topic. It was underlined in bright pink ink for emphasis. “I had not known that, Professor. I’ll do a bit of reading on it later.”
As the lesson progressed, she continued to diligently make notes, pausing at times to marvel about the story being told to them. She found it spectacularly romantic that Orpheus went all the way back to the Underworld to get his Eurydice back. Though, he was incredibly foolish to not be able to follow clear instructions. Krittika’s gaze flicked towards Lyra sparkling through the window but soon after followed Hermy to collect an instrument. She thought the violin was an excellent choice, she herself choosing one of the handheld harps. Thankfully, it did not sing though Kritti was sure she would have joined in if she knew the lyrics.
Lyrics.
“The word ‘lyric’ has its origin in Greek mythology, professor?” the seventh year asked after reseating herself next to Hermy, he hand raised. The word sounded a lot like Lyra but maybe that could have been coincidental? Professor Burbage looked up just as Miss Joshi’s hand lifted, her eyes already crinkling in a pleased smile. “ Ah, an excellent question indeed,” she chirped. “ And yes, it does.” She floated slowly in a figure eight as she spoke. “ Now, there are far more linguistically included members to the Burbage family than myself, but I can say that the word lyric traces its etymology back to the Greek word ‘lyrikos’. A word which quite literally means 'of the lyre.’ In ancient times, as you may recall, poetry was often sung and when it was it was almost always accompanied by a lyre rather than simply read aloud.”
Her gaze swept fondly over the harp in the young lady’s hands. “ And what a fitting instrument you’ve chosen. The harp’s gentle resonance echoes that same intimacy, if I doooooo say so myself. And I do,” she chortled. “ Delicate, thoughtful, and deeply expressive. Much like yourself.” Quote:
Originally Posted by WhittyBitty BEAM.
Rory definitely thought she seemed to fit Aries, and it seemed that the Professor agreed. Even though neither of them put stock in Astrology, it was still interesting. Being an Aries was cool, and she nodded along to everything the professor said about it.
The lesson started, and Rory started taking notes. Mythology was rather interesting. As were musical instruments.
Rory walked over to them and decided to grab a violin. That was what spoke to her. Taking her seat again, she waited for the lesson to continue. Marion offered Rory a small smile as she settled back into her seat with the violin. “ Lovely choice, Miss Bay. The violin is one of the most versatile instruments in the world—capable of carrying both melody and harmony, and used in everything from classical symphonies to traditional folk music,” she noted appreciatively. “ It takes both curiosity and confidence to pick it up without hesitation. Well done.”
Professor Burbage floated backward and gestured grandly toward the slitted dome overhead. " Now then, my DAH-lings, I do hope you took your tuning seriously just now, because the starlight tonight isn’t just pretty—it's potent. You see, the light amplified in our classroom this evening is woven together with the light from Vega, the brightest star in Lyra. Not all stars but there are special ones that are said to carry magical frequency, especially those bound to myth and memory. When your instruments are tuned beneath Vega’s light, they don’t just find their pitch—they resonate. With you. With the sky. With them.” She motioned upward toward the constellation Lyra above them as seen through the window. " So when you pluck those strings now, you're not just making music—you’re aligning with the rhythm of something ancient. Cosmic. Personal. Some would argue you are even doing so with Orpheus himself."
It was a charming thought, she must admit.
" Tonight, we are not merely stargazing—we are starlisteningーso to speak. Magical resonance," she began, drawing the word out as though singing it, " is the principle that certain magical elements—especially wand cores, incantations, even intent—hum in harmony with cosmic patterns. And few patterns are as melodically aligned as Lyra’s. Especially when our dear Vega is high in the sky as it happens to be this very evening." She pivoted mid-air, translucent robes swirling. " Wands with musical core ingredients such as Veela hair, phoenix feather, even the rarer kelpie-hair—are thought to vibrate more powerfully under Lyra’s influence. The wand, you see, isn’t just a conduit for spellwork but also a tuning fork for the soul." She pointed a translucent finger at one particularly sleepy student. " And yours, darling, is horrifically out of tune. I suggest you try journaling."
Another whirl and then Marion was floating through the middle of the curved desks as she spoke. " Now. Charmwork, especially that involving emotion, communication, or bardic magic—the sort of magic that uses music to pacify a creature or even Mermish hymns—is theorized flare brighter when cast beneath Vega’s light. If you’re writing a love letter that needs a bit of extra oomph, or performing an enchantment meant to soothe a creature’s heart? Aim for Lyra’s rise. It’s also why, historically, the Wizengamot and particularly back to the days of the medieval Wizards' Council held major proposals and declarations of fealty during September and October." She paused dramatically, lowering her voice just enough to draw the class closer. " And then there are the Seers… Lyra is a favored constellation for Diviners and Dreamwalkers as it is thought to help clarify emotional visions, strengthen symbolic interpretation, and pierce the haze of internal noise."
Marion hovered near the blackboard now, script curling into being behind her in moon-silver chalk. " Memorae Lucentia," she spoke with a kind of reverence, "comes from the Latin—memorae, meaning memories, and lucentia, from lucens, meaning shining or light-bearing. So together, we might translate it as ‘memories that shine’ or ‘light of memory.’ Poetic, no?" Quote:
Originally Posted by blackboard Memorae Lucentia
MEH-mor-eye loo-SEN-tee-ah She gestured to the instruments in each student's hands. " To cast it, one must point their wand at the instrumentーONLY stringed instruments will workーwith their non-dominant hand and pluck or strum with their dominant hand while holding a clear, emotionally vivid memory in mind. This is conceptually similar to how one would cast the Patronus Charm, but this particular bit of magic is NOT limited to only happy memories to be potent. The incantation should be spoken softly, like a whispered secret or quiet confession. Memorae Lucentia that's MEH-mor-eye loo-SEN-tee-ah. The instrument, plucked under Vega’s light, will respond—casting not an image, but a kind of harmonic echo of the memory’s emotional imprint. It is not exact, nor always gentle. But it is honest. So choose wisely." OOC Instructions:
Time for your characters to try casting the spell on their chosen instrument! No musical talent is needed—a simple pluck or strum is enough to activate the magic.
The Narrator account will follow up to reveal the outcome of your character's casting attempt—success, failure, unexpected results—and may include guidance help your character improve.
Have fun exploring how your character channels magic through sound!
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THE ROTATION OF THE EARTH MAKES MY DAY |