Class #1

[Hendrik]

Professor Hendrik makes his way to the front of his classroom. On his desk is a medium size tank covered by a dark cloth. He sits and fumbles through some notes while he waits for the students to make their way to class.

"Class will begin in a few moments, just waiting for a few more student to arrive."

[HPGryffindor08]

*walks in* hello professor! *thinks to herself* I guess class is starting sooner than expected *takes out a phoenix-feathered quill, oynx-colored ink, and some parchment* *looks at the object on the professor's desk interestingly*

[Merman]

Walks in
"Hello professor"

lookes at the tank covered by a dark cloth and wonders what it is cant wait for class to beginn

[Aris]

*walks into the classromm read tolearn about natures animals. Smiles as seeing the professor and takes the seat on the fron row near the gate.*
i can't wait to know what we are learning about smiling

[HPGryffindor08]

*looks at Raven4life* Hi! Weren't you in one of my classes the other day?

[Tidus16]

Hey professer, I'm chris

[Harry-Ron-HermioneONLY]

"Hello professor!I'm Vicky.How are u?"

[HPGryffindor08]

Hi Vicky! Sit next to me.

[Harry-Ron-HermioneONLY]

"Sure Tiffany!Nice to see you again."

[HPGryffindor08]

*to Vicky* What do you think is in that thing on his desk?

[Harry-Ron-HermioneONLY]

"I have no idea.Do you?"

[HPGryffindor08]

I have no idea either but I hope it's something that's interesting.

[Tidus16]

I think it's a grindylow.hehhee

[HPGryffindor08]

LOL! A grindylow would be cool! Will you be showing us the creature in the tank soon, professor?

[Harry-Ron-HermioneONLY]

"You think so?"

[Tidus16]

yeah, because it's a tank a tank usally has water in it and grindylows live in water don't they.

[HPGryffindor08]

*looks at Vicky* Tidus has a point, but what else lives in the water?

[Harry-Ron-HermioneONLY]

"Oh yeah, you're right.I forgot about it."

[Tidus16]

mermaids. It would be cool if he did.*Chris says really fast*

[Hendrik]

"Alright class, today we will be studying a creature rarely seen by wizarding eyes and even more rarely seen by Muggle eyes. It can be found on the ocean floor, usually in close proxmity to naturally occuring volcanic vents. They are found in deep underwater caverns as well. These caverns usually have large amounts of seawater flowing through them and are interconnected to larger underwater systems and the average temperature is somewhat tropical in nature (roughly 69-75 degrees Fahrenheit.)."

[HPGryffindor08]

*looks at the tank on the desk*

[Tidus16]

* waits pationly with suspense mounting*

[Harry-Ron-HermioneONLY]

"What's its name professor?"

[Hendrik]

"The creature I have here today is called a Quandury. Really unique creatures."

Professor Hendrik walks to the front of his desk and removes the cloth.

"You will see that I only have one specimen in the tank. Quanduries do not travel well. They are accustomed to very high pressures, living at the depths they do. To get one to the surface is a tedious task. I have pressurized this tank so that this Quandury can survive until we are finished with it."

The students all look at Quandury (http://img33.photobucket.com/albums/v101/hendrik/CoMC/Quan.jpg).

[sunstar]

underwater flowers cool

[Tidus16]

Cool even better than a grindylow.

[HPGryffindor08]

Whoa! How cool!

[Harry-Ron-HermioneONLY]

"Hehe, this creature is funny."

[~hermionee14~]

*Priya enters the classroom quickly* oh! Hello Professor!
*She quickly looks at the the water tank curiously !*

[sunstar]

that a high pressure job

[~hermionee14~]

"Hehe, this creature is funny."
"yeah!" :D

[Hendrik]

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to say anything but all students, please read the information posted here (http://www.snitchseeker.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=24555). Pay close attention to the part about chatting in my class, this is to include one line posts that offer no benifit to the class."

Professor Hendrik casts his glance towards sunstar and others....

[Hendrik]

"Now, what unique features do you all see? Specifically, what would this creature look like if it were to flip itself upside down."

[Rowena Ashkevron]

"It looks almost exactly the same!" Rowena says looking at it

[Aithne]

*Aithne runs into classroom and starts gasping for air because she's out of breath from running*

Sorry I'm late, Professor! There was a crazy pillow fight in my common room. I only just made it out alive.

[Aithne]

It does look similar! except the pupils of the eyes are different upside down

[Backslash]

It would look exactly the same...is there a way to descern which side of it is...it's...head?

[Hendrik]

"Excellent! 5 points to Ravenclaw! You are exactally right Rowena Ashkevron and it is this unique feature which make the Quandury a creature of special consideration. You see, the Quandury spends most of its time pondering which is it's top side. This creates a rare configuration of chemicals in it's body. When these chemicals are harvested, or rather, when it's bodily fluid is harvested it can be used in a number of potions and elixirs.

The Quandury was first discovered by P.H. Athoms about 75 years ago on one of his underwater explorations. He was able to bring one back to the surface for futher study and discovered the unusual properties of the Quandury."

[Backslash]

Professor, are there any specific magical qualities that the Quandury has? In what potions are its body fluids used in?

[Hendrik]

Originally posted by Aithne@Mar 22 2004, 02:10 PM
*Aithne runs into classroom and starts gasping for air because she's out of breath from running*

Sorry I'm late, Professor! There was a crazy pillow fight in my common room. I only just made it out alive.
"This will be the one and only warning I give this term. Please read the Important Information posted in my office. Another announcement reguarding a late arrival will result in a loss of House Points."

[swedishharrypotterfan]

Professor, I just wondered how the Quandury feeds itself. It doesn't appear to have a mouth?

*Lina keeps staring at the tank, completely fascinated by the creature in it.*

[Hendrik]

Professor, are there any specific magical qualities that the Quandury has? In what potions are its body fluids used in?
"There are several potions in which Quandury fluid can be used, for example: Forgetfulness Potion, Confusing Concoction and the Memory Mesmerizing Potion are all potions in which Quandury fluid can be added to increase their effects. Mr. Athoms did record in his journals that when large numbers of Quandury were present, he had a hard time concentrating on tasks at hand. He then speculated later, once he was a safe distance from them, that Quanduries in large numbers produce a confusing "aura" if you will. This leads to my next question..."

Professor, I just wondered how the Quandury feeds itself. It doesn't appear to have a mouth?

"The Quandury feeds cutaneously, meaning they aquire all the nutrients they need through their skin. It's a type of osmostic process. Nutrients found in seawater are absorbed throught the skin. This is why they are found mainly near volcanic vents. The amount of nutrients are extremely high near these vents provide an excellent source of food."

[Kazters]

what kind of things does it eat professor.

[quidditch_chick]

*takes some more notes while listening to Professor Hendrik*
*looks back at the Quandury curiously*
"Professor, are there any reports of Quandury attacking people?"

[GinnyHPfan]

*Raises hand,*
"Just answering quidditch_chick's answer Professor. But wouldn't it be rather impossible for a Quandury to attack people? I mean...it does look wimpy. Then again, looks aren't everything are they?"

[lightstar1154]

*writes down wait her professor has said*

*looks at this bubble like creature curiously...*

It doesn't look very dangerous... but looks can be deceiving :shifty:

[She-Who-Is-Not-To-Be-Psycho!]

*Nadia raises her hand*

"Professor, the Quandury isn't on my edition of the book Fantastical Beast and Where to Find Them by Newts Scamander, does it means it's not a magical creature, but rather an Apparition of a Being, or does the rarity of it have something to do with that?"


ooc: I've the Spanish edition so the names could be changed, still I don't find a creature that fits into this description, even by a different name. Hi, btw :hello:

[SlytherinPride]

Yes, I am curious as to knowing about whether or not they have attacked anyone before. It's rather strange... but, then again, so am I. Hmmm.

[virginiap]

*looks carefully at the quandary after making notes of what the professor has said*

So, Professor, is the name of the animal a play on words? Did Athoms name it because it spends its time in a quandary? Pretty clever!

[little mermaid]

Christina was taking careful notes on everything the professor was saying. She wanted to make sure that she copied down every bit of information, in case this creature were to come up on a test.

[HPcrazy_in_jamaica]

*Takes down notes. And wiats for the Professor to continue.*

[Mrs. Weasley]

I have two questions, Professor. When you say it lives off of nutrients in the ocean water, do you mean things like plankton (please forgive my spelling)? I agree with the other students, it does look harmless, but looks can be deceiving, Could It use the antea or stingers at the top and bottom of it's body to attack?

[Backslash]

(To Nadia)

No, it's not in my copy of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" either. Perhaps it was recently discovered, or too difficult to obtain, or Newt Scamander did not encounter them in his lifetime.

(Wonders to himself what they would be doing this class.)

[She-Who-Is-Not-To-Be-Psycho!]

OOC:: Hey!^^ *waves dramatically & happily* nice to have you back! =P


"Yes, I guessed so, I suppose is like dementors and boggarts which doesn't happen to figure just because... or maybe because they are dark or something -- though I don't think these lil ones are dark..."

Hears questions by Mrs Weasley.

"That's a very good question, Mrs Weasley. Pretty interesting, I never thought of that," Nadia says and next awaits for the professor, feeling curious herself about it, to tell if the antenas (sp?) did sting attackers.

[olivia_wood18]

Raises a hand.

"Those are all really good points. Because, If it has no means to attack is it also true that it has no way to protect itself?"

[HPGryffindor08]

Maybe it has some special defense tactic. For example, skunks have an odor that they spray. *to the professor* Does the quandary have a special defense thing it uses to protect itself from predators?

[GinnyHPfan]

*Thinks* I hope I can have defensive powers. Most of the boys at school are so annoying!

*Raises hand.* "Professor, is there a way you can turn yourself into a magical creature?"

[MorningEmbers]

Being near volcanic vents, do they mostly use minerals and gases for nutrients? It's really rather large for this type of feeding mechanism... are they very slow? Do they have any natural predators?

[LilEuropeanHermione]

*raises hand*

"I thought that quandarys didn't harm any1, because they r rarely seen already. How will they harm a witch, wizard, or muggle if they r barely in contact with them? Also, not many creatures can survive in those condtions right professor?

[Merman]

^thats what I was thinking professor their really rearly seen

[HPGryffindor08]

Professor, if the quandary is rarely seen are there still a lot of things scientists don't know about it?

[Hendrik]

"You are correct LilEuropeanHermione, the Quandury is rarely if ever seen, by witch, wizard or Muggle. Living conditions are extreme in their natural habitat and they have no natural predators. Mr. Antoms just happened to come across a community of them by chance. If you recall I mentioned that he had a hard time concentrating on what he was doing when he was in the presence of such a large number. He speculated that is why Muggles have never encountered them. They have a sort of 'natural' repelling characteristic, much like a Muggle Repelling Charm. As you all know, we are not effected in the same manner as Muggles, thus, Mr. Antoms was able to "find", if you will, these creatures. It is not known if this characteristic repells other creatures as well. Mr. Antoms never spent long amounts of time in their presence."
Being near volcanic vents, do they mostly use minerals and gases for nutrients? It's really rather large for this type of feeding mechanism... are they very slow?
"Yes they do feed on naturally occuring minerals in the seawater. Water escaping from the volcanic vents is rich in primary minerals like carbon. They are also able to synthsize natural gasses, such as methane, and convert it to oxygen.

To answer the question of defence and if the appendages at both it's top and botton are a type of stinger, the answer is no and no defence other than possibly confusion. The appendages at it's apices are thought to be a type of feeler for locating substrate on which to sit."
"Professor, the Quandury isn't on my edition of the book Fantastical Beast and Where to Find Them by Newts Scamander, does it means it's not a magical creature, but rather an Apparition of a Being, or does the rarity of it have something to do with that?"
"Nadia, the Quandury is not in FB. If you would read the "Important Class Information" I mentioned...'What Lurks Beneath by P.H. Athoms will be useful this term, as I will be covering several underwater and deep-sea creatures. Check with Madame Rowena in the Library for their availability.' And the Quandury is in deed a magical creature and not an apparition of some other creature, interesting theory though."
So, Professor, is the name of the animal a play on words? Did Athoms name it because it spends its time in a quandary? Pretty clever!
"Yes, I'm sure virginiap that is why Mr. Athoms named it what he did!" :lol:
Professor, if the quandary is rarely seen are there still a lot of things scientists don't know about it?
"Possibly, but the work that Mr. Athoms has done with this creature has been extensive."

[lightstar1154]

*nods head and smiles, jotting down a couple notes*

So, are we going to do anything with it, study it, or just look at it? ;)

[Hendrik]

"That's a very good question, I was planning on harvesting some of it's fluid and giving it to Professor Airlia. I thought she might enjoy having it in her personal Apothecary. Now who here would care to guess how I might extract some of the Quandury's fluid?"

[quidditch_chick]

Um... (I have no idea if this is right but...) "Squeeze it?"

[LilEuropeanHermione]

Would u put a needle in it, and take the liquid out? U know, like how Muggle Doctors extract blood?

[Dracnyzz]

"Perhaps you use a special charm?" Thyra said uncertainly.

[She-Who-Is-Not-To-Be-Psycho!]

*blush* I did, I just forgot (ooc: my question in real was if you had invented it or if it was somewhere in the HP books =P)

*raise hand* I'll risk that they give the substance out from their stings -- maybe you could make it think you are about to harm them and they will try using the fluid on you, and then you can extract it. However, seeing that live under water we have the following problems:
a ) That you would need an object alike a bag preassured within to tie around the stings; that's the only way I find for extracting the fluid without it mixing with the water.
b ) You could take the Quandury out of the tank but there's the possibility that it will die, for it needs to be under the preassure of the tank/sea and water to breath, isn't that right?
c ) Following both last posibilities, it happens that, to reach the Quandury in the tank -- to tie the enchanted bag or just bring the Quandury outside --, you would need to put your hand in the preassured tank, which would probably cause some harm on you... Mh, maybe using a very resistent net or another object to catch it?

[Hendrik]

"These are all really good answers but quidditch_chick is exactally right. One would squeeze it; however Nadia is also correct. The extraction of fluid has to be done underwater with a constriction/extraction spell (Thank you, Dracnyzz). The seawater surrounding the Quandury is then collected and it's fluid is seperated from the seawater. Quandury fluid is more viscous than seawater. What I mean is that it's heavier than the surrounding seawater. Once the Quandury fluid and seawater have been collected, the Quandury fluid will settle to the bottom of the container. The seawater is then poured off of the top and put into a seperate flask. You will want to distill this seawater because part of the fluid will mix with the seawater and not seperate out. To distill you simply gradually boil the mixture allowing the seawater to vaporize and escape in the form of steam. You will want to have a distillation tube connected to the flask of seawater so that what little parts of Quandury fluid that are in solution have time to condence and precipitate out of solution.

The resulting solution in the flask will be highly concentrated Quandury fluid. This can be mixed back in with the original fluid or used independently in potions."

[Backslash]

(Scribbles down the steps quickly on some parchment.)

Would we have to maintain the pressure of the water while doing this?

[Hendrik]

"Not necessarily, Backslash. If you gradually decrease the pressure in the tank, allowing the Quandury to adjust to the change, it should be fine. You will have to keep it under water at all times though. They can not survive in the open air for even a minute. Now, are there any other questions?"

[HPcrazy_in_jamaica]

*Mike raises his hand and asks.*

"Professor one question, on distillation of the mixture of sea water and Quandury fluid, won't the fluid be contaminated with the salt left behind from the sea water?"

[Hendrik]

"That's a very good observation HPcrazy_in_jamaica. One would tend to think so but Quandury fluid is quite saltish so what salt that is left behind has no effect at all. Are there any other questions before I assign homework?"

[HPcrazy_in_jamaica]

"That's it for me Professor, no questions here." he says while scribing the notes so far.

[SapphireMisty]

Originally posted by Hendrik+Mar 22 2004, 01:02 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Hendrik @ Mar 22 2004, 01:02 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>"The Quandury feeds cutaneously, meaning they aquire all the nutrients they need through their skin.* It's a type of osmostic process.* Nutrients found in seawater are absorbed throught the skin.* This is why they are found mainly near volcanic vents.* The amount of nutrients are extremely high near these vents provide an excellent source of food."
[/b]
"Wow, they're a bit like amphibians, like as if they asorb oxygen (or their enviroment) through their skin, and other marine animals simpler than that, 'cept that amphibians just get their food from their mouth."

<!--QuoteBegin-Hendrik@Mar 25 2004, 09:46 AM

"These are all really good answers but quidditch_chick is exactally right. One would squeeze it; however Nadia is also correct. The extraction of fluid has to be done underwater with a constriction/extraction spell (Thank you, Dracnyzz). The seawater surrounding the Quandury is then collected and it's fluid is seperated from the seawater. Quandury fluid is more viscous than seawater. What I mean is that it's heavier than the surrounding seawater. Once the Quandury fluid and seawater have been collected, the Quandury fluid will settle to the bottom of the container. The seawater is then poured off of the top and put into a seperate flask. You will want to distill this seawater because part of the fluid will mix with the seawater and not seperate out. To distill you simply gradually boil the mixture allowing the seawater to vaporize and escape in the form of steam. You will want to have a distillation tube connected to the flask of seawater so that what little parts of Quandury fluid that are in solution have time to condence and precipitate out of solution.

The resulting solution in the flask will be highly concentrated Quandury fluid. This can be mixed back in with the original fluid or used independently in potions."
[/quote]

"You know, with preparing something that complicated, I don't think I'll be able to capture a creature like that for studying."

[fox]

Quandury... :online2long:
Very interesting creatures.
Thank you Professor for the interesting lecture. What are our homework?
:flowersmile:

[Hendrik]

"Alright class, seeing as there are no more questions, here is your homework."

Professor Hendrik turns and waves his wand at the blackboard. The assignment appears:

Discuss in detail all aspects of the Quandury.
Why is the Quandury a creature of special interest?
What precautions should one take when dealing with this creature?
How feasible is it to remove Quandury fluid and what are it's uses?
What steps are involved?


"Please send your homework to profhendrik@hotmail.com

Include your SS name, member ID and House. If you have any questions, please post them in my office. Please do not PM your homework to me. I will not accept PM'ed homework."


Professor Hendrik begins to leave when he remembers something...

"Oh, I almost forgot! Mr. Shrine will be teaching the next CoMC class students. He will be covering...well, I'll let him tell you. I expect you to show him every courtesy, he will be able to assign (and remove) House points."