August Goldstein saw a noticed on the Gryffindor Common Room homework board mentioning that the assignment for the History of Magic Final was posted already and he decided it would be a good time to go ahead and start seeing as there was alot to do on it and there was no telling how much time he would have in the future. The Gryffindor had cracked open his textbook once again and began to search the pages for people who were barely mentioned or weren't too instrumental in the mainstream of history; the 'little' people.

With a name of someone in hand, the third year eagerly made his way to the reference room that Professor Scabior had set up and knocked on the door quietly before entering. When he walked into the room he noticed it was just him and the Professor, who was just waiting there--in an empty room, weird.

"Hello Professor, I am here to begin my research on my 'little' person." he smiled smally, closing the door softly behind him; did Libarary rules apply in here? "It took me a bit but I decided on Tom the Bartender of the Leaky Cauldren for quite some time, during the Potter days, you know?" he said hopefully the name would ring a bell to the Professor.

Although he wasn't a librarian, Dash felt the need to sort the books in the easiest manner possible. Hopefully the students would put everything back where they found it, because he was NOT going to clean up after him.

He turned away from the books as someone entered the room. "Hello Mr. Goldstein." He sad slightly surprised. He didn't expect anyone to start the final already. It had only been assigned this morning. He stepped away from the books and walked over to the boy. "Oh! Yes Tom." Tom. That was all he had been know as. Called the hunchback too wasn't he? "Good job. He is a very good choice for a...little person if you really think about it." He nodded. Scabior hated using the term little person but it was the best way for the younger kids to understand.

Tori was like, determined to ace the History of Magic final AND to be like, one of the first people done with it. Just because she was speedy did not mean she couldn't be thorough too. Plus, she had already done loads of research on her little person --- on TWO little people, actually, since she couldn't decide between them --- and now she was here to make her person a wand.

"Hello Professor!" she chirped cheerfully, skipping into the reference room. Oh. Someone else was there first. Hmmmmmph. "Hello August," Tori added, though much less brightly.

She sashayed up to the twigs and materials and started digging through them all before she remembered her question.

"Professor, what if the 'little person' I chose is... kind of a Squib? Should I do someone else then?" Probably, yeah, cuz Squibs didn't need wands.... did they??

Nessie walked into the room excited to start her History of Magic final. Her parents had raised her to be a woman's rights activist, so she decided to do her report on Artemisia Lufkin, the first woman Minister of Magic. She really admired people like that. People who overcame 'The Man'. She had finished the writing and was ready to start the model. She thought quietly for a moment before she realized that she hadn't greeted Professor Scabior. She perked up and turned towards him.

"Hello Professor!" Nessie greeted him happily before going over to the boxes and looking through the model materials. All of these were interesting but she had an idea that she was set on.

Alyssa walked into the research room. This was the first time that she had ever ventured into this part of the castle. She was here because she had noticed on her Common Room's Bulletin board and read Professor Scabior's Finals assignment requirements. It was definitely a LONG list and Alyssa decided that she had better start doing her research now before she ran out of time.

She had thought about all the 'little people" in history and how they somehow affected the course of history. She had first wanted to write about Neville Longbottom but then figured that since he had a big part to play in the Battle of Hogwarts, that he couldn't be considered 'little'. So Alyssa decided to write about Mundungus Fletcher instead. He may have been a wizard but he wasn't written much about in the history books.

So here she was in the research room, to figure out what kind of wand he would have possessed. From what she had read about Fletcher he was nefarious and untrustworthy and would sell his mother for a galleon if he could. So she had to look for the kind of wood and core that would match that kind of personality.

As she walked passed the bookshelves looking for any book that would help her with her research on what kind of wood and core she would be using to 'create' his wand, she almost walked into Professor Scabior who happened to turn round the corner of while she was walking into it.

"I'm sorry, Professor. Please excuse me for almost bumping into you. I hope I'm not disturbing you. I was just here to do some research about Mundungus Fletcher and what kind of person he was. I guess once I know more about him, I can then determine what wood and core would have best suited him. Do you think I'm on the right track here, Professor?", Alyssa asked the Professor shyly.

Kurumi walked into the room, stacks of parchment, books, and newspaper clippings in her hands, and stumbled around until she found an empty desk and all but flopped on top of it. Kurumi knew some about wizarding history, but the minor details and what not were not always clear - unless it involved house elves and the evolution of magical creatures, to which she knew quite a bit about. Which is actually how she came about her "little person" to do her assignment on.

She had happened upon Arabella Figg while doing some research on cross-breed cats and kneazles - mostly because she had been wondering if Walnut were actually a cross-breed due to him being far too smart for his own good - and her name had popped out on the page. A squip yet a very important member of the Order of the Phoenix who had been given the VERY important task on keeping an eye on Harry Potter himself. She certainly was one of those people who got lost in the details of the wizarding war...and perhaps it was because she was a squip?

Looking up, and re-stacking her things a bit to make a neat and organized work station, Kurumi noticed Professor Scary Face talking with August. She smiled at the younger lion and then approached the man, notes still in hand. She probably ought to have asked BEFORE doing extensive research if she could choose someone who may not have ever stepped foot inside a wizarding school, but too late now.

"Good day, Professor Scabior," Kurumi said with a small smile. She ALMOST said Scary instead of Scabior, but she was able to catch herself before things became too...obvious. "I think I have picked who I want to do research on," and kind of sort of already started doing research. "...but I wanted to make sure that she is appropriate for the topic." She fumbled with her papers for a moment. "I would like to do my project on Arabella Figg, if that is alright."

While Alyssa waited for the Professor to respond to her question regarding whether she should be considering Mundungus Fletcher as a 'little' person and that it was okay to proceed with her assignment, her eyes casually glanced behind him to the bookshelves behind him. Her eyes opened in amazement. There were so many books related to the topic of History and if she really squinted there was actually one about wand something or other, she couldn't see the last word.

Alyssa decided that once the Professor gave his approval, she was going to head straight for the book section and read up more on who were the important and lesser important people in history and who knows, she might actually find out a thing or two more about Mundungus Fletcher.

Kourtney swung open the door, stepping into the room, and peered about for Professor Scabior. Before she started her research project, she wanted to make certain that she was allowed to use him as a subject.

She approached the professor slowly, giving a word of greeting. "Hello, Professor Scabior." She paused, clutching a piece of parchment. "I just wanted to check with you if it was okay to do my project on Aberforth Dumbledore? I...didn't want to start my project just yet if I couldn't use him and had to select a different person."

Elise stumbled into the Reference Room, intending to do some research for the final paper. She'd seen the notice on the bulletin board and was sure she'd need a LOOOOOOOT of research if she was going to pass this exam.

After a bit of thinking, Elise had decided that she'd use Xenophilius Lovegood. He was a rather minor person, right?

On her way over to the bookshelf to find her subject, she very nearly collided with someone. Looking up, she realized that it was Professor Scabior. Face flushing RED in ambarassment, Elise stammered out an apology.

"I'm so s-s-sorry, Prof-f-fessor." she stammered, face already beet red. "But would Xenpphilius Lovegood be a good subject for a little person?"

He wasn't that important, but his strange beliefs had always fascinated Elise.

Oh. The Slytherin. "Hello Miss Bunbury." Scabior gave her a small nod. Did she actually want something?

Oh! A squib... "They can actually work..yes. There are a couple of important Squibs in History" They weren't exactly Witches or Wizards but they were in the Wizarding world. "So no Miss Bunbury, you don't have to pick someone else." Go with the squib, that worked.



"Hello Miss Masen." Scabior gave another nod. Were all the students coming in now? It seemed so, as the door just kept opening and more and more students entered.



"Well he is a good choice. That's really all I'm going to say Miss Potter as this final is yours to figure out." He was only here to help with the wand woods. Dash had the urge to shoot a look at August...the boy had started the rounds of questions.



Annnd...more children were asking him. Scabior sighed. "Yes, yes she is alright. Anyone is alright as long as they are from the Wizarding world and are technically a background type person." Good to know? Good.



These children..."If you think Aberforth is good then he probably is." Really..he was trying to be a bit nicer to the younger students but they made it so difficult.



"That really is for you to decide." He said, resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose.

~

Normally Scabior wouldn't allow yelling in this room..but he would make an exception...for himself. He took a step away from the students and cleared his throat."LISTEN, all of you, I am not here to tell you who you should or shouldn't pick. Actually, I would have liked that to have been a surprise. I'm here just to help on the any confusions you might have about wand cores or wand woods. JUST that. Alright?"

ooc: If you are really having problems picking a person just drop me a PM but please don't come up to Scabior and ask if using "so-and-so" is alright, he won't answer you.

Oh. Well. No need to shout, really, Tori wasn't deaf. The redhead nodded to show that she understood... both/all of the professor's directions and then continued to look through the wand woods and cores.

She wasn't about to tell Scabior WHICH Squib she had chosen then. After all, there weren't that many options to choose from.

Tori was pretty sure she had a good idea of which core fit her 'little person' though. Heh. Kneazle whiskers.

India walked into the reference room her own textbook in her bag as well as notes from class. She was going to be well prepared for this exam. Alright - so she had to write a two paragraph essay on a "little person" in magical history...hmm who was little? Collin Creevy was little - he was listed under the dead found at Hogwarts during Voldemort's Last Stand. Or that's at least what SHE called it.

Thinking hard on the idea she finally came up with someone who was indeed very important to the history of the magical world - because if they had not existed a very BIG person in the magical world would not exist.

Opening her her book she glanced at the name scratched down. Yes - indeed they were inflexible.

"Excuse me Professor Scabior I was wondering what would you believe a witch or wizard's wand core would be if they are well - demented maybe? No thats not the right word - well, she's unyeilding, naive, in love - and well...crazy to say the least" well that narrowed the wand cores down just a hair.

Alyssa gasped when she heard the Professor yell in the research room. She didn't know that they weren't supposed to ask him whether whom they were researching was the right person or not. In fact, this was the first time that she had actually heard a Professor yell. "Now I know not to get on his wrong side."Alyssa thought to herself.

She quickly ducked out of his sight and browsed through the books that were in the shelves. She was hoping to find a book that described the types of wood used and their characteristics. She would have asked the Professor earlier but didn't dare until she knew what she was looking for. But after an hour of searching she couldn't find a book related to wand making or the types of wood used or even what cores would work for a specific person.

The only books she could find were books related to Wizard history. Alyssa sighed to herself, "I guess that if it was that easy we wouldn't be having to do research". So she decided that while she was at the bookshelves, she decided to read up more about Mundungus Fletcher and what kind of person he was. "I guess that's one way to start my research. Learn more about the person I'm going to be doing my assignment about." So Alyssa browsed through the books until she found what she was looking for. She pulled out those that she wanted, brought them over to one of the desks. She then sat down and started turning pages. As she read, she would pick up her quill and jot down notes in her journal. Once she was satisfied with the information she had gathered, she returned the books to the shelves.

Now to find out more about the characteristics of the core, the type of wood, the length of the wood and the wood's flexibility and the only person who would know where she would be able to find the information was Professor Scabior. She did have the notes that she had written down during History of Magic class the other day and she knew that she could get alot from that, but she still needed to do more research and she needed help.

She walked over to the table where the Professor had placed large bunch of long and thick twigs, and a few containers. She looked at the label on each of the containers and realized that they actually contained the cores that were commonly used in wand making. "So this is what we are going to be using to make a replica of the wand."Alyssa thought to herself, but she still needed her questions answered.

So gathering up her courage, she approached Professor Scabior again and asked,"Professor could you tell me where I could research more about the type of wood, the core, the flexibility of the wand and it's length and which would be appropriate for a specific person's characteristics. I know we talked about it in class, but if there was somewhere else I could find more information, I know that it would really be helpful. I'm trying to find out what type of core and wood a person's wand would have if this person was both a coward, unscrupulous but at the same time loyal. Could you possibly give me some advice on that?" Alyssa shyly asked the Professor. She hoped that he wouldn't start yelling again.

Meep? What was he getting so upset about? Wasn't it a professor's JOB to answer questions and all that. It would be really depressing if she hadn't asked and then found out AFTER turning in her assignment that he wouldn't accept the person selected. There was just no pleasing this man and that was a fact she was just going to have to accept it seemed. "Thank you for clearing that up, Professor," she said with a small bow. She should probably get going on putting together the pieces of her research now.

Wandering back to the table where all her things were all laid out, Kurumi cracked the bindings on several books, including one VERY large encyclopedia, and began scanning and cross-referencing various bits of information about Figg. Not knowing what anything meant, Kurumi decided to go on her instincts and take things at their name value only when assigning a potential wand for her 'little person.'

Seeing as Figg was a cross-breeder of cats and kneazles, Kurumi's eye was drawn towards Kneazle whiskers as a core. For wood, she was slightly drawn to Acacia because she liked the flowers that sprouted from the tree, but she remembered reading that wands made from it were suitable only for 'bangs-and-smells magic' - whatever that meant. However, as she continued to read, she found herself drawn more towards Dogwood...quirky, known to perform outstanding spells under difficult conditions...seemed to fit the role that Figg played in the Second Wizarding War. She continued to skim through the rest of the pages about wandlore and found a good sized paragraph about pear. "...their best in the hands of the warm-hearted, the generous and the wise..." she read out loud. That certainly seemed to fit.

Jotting down a few notes, Kurumi jumped back to her feet and walked over towards Professor Scary Face. "Professor, would you mind telling me a bit more about Kneazle whiskers and what that represent as a wand core?"

With her text book open in her hands she looked back and forth between the cores. Looking at all the meanings she figured that dragon heartstring would be the best wand core for the wand from looking at her personality. She picked up the core and a wood about 12 inches long. She set off to a desk looking at her notes and the useful spells. She was sure to use them.

Minerva went into the room hoping to see the professor. She saw other students already started. She didn't know many wizards being raised a muggle. So when she found the professor she had to ask. "Hello Professor. I was thinking for my person of doing well a professor her name was Minerva Mcgonagall, but I wasn't sure if she was considered a little person or not. If not could you give me names of some books I could possibly find a little wizard."

Kurumi saw THAT look. The look that all but screamed 'go look it up in a book' followed by a slight finger twitch towards the bookcases. Yeah yeah, so understood. Look things up first before asking questions.

Sighing, Kurumi stood up, leaving her work station temporarily, and began to walk towards the bookcase to return the two books she had about wand woods. She figured that she had done enough on that subject for now, so it was time to think of a core that would compliment or bring out different properties of the woods she was considering.

As she made her way, she heard Alyssa ask Professor Scary Face a question. Oops...that was kind of her fault that the Hufflepuff couldn't find a book on the subject since she held two in her hands.

"I...think I have what you are looking for," Kurumi said with a shy smile as she handed two books to the younger Puff. "These are books about wand woods that might be helpful." At least, they had given her some ideas for what wood she was going to use. She had actually just made her decision on the wand wood and it ended up being something entirely different than what she originally thought.

While she was standing, Kurumi grabbed a twig and put it in her pocket. Once she returned to her seat she would begin to carve into it.

Okay rethinking everything she decided the best bet for someone of this calibur was a Dragon Heart String core...it would be strong, and most likely inflexible. Wait - no Veela Hair.

Grabbing a single strand of Veela hair she brought it back with her to the table. The wand's wood had to be strong yes?

Maybe Yew would work. Writing down her ideas - she walked back to where the twigs were kept and collected a yew twig she walked it back to the table.

Okay now she was going to go back to researching and then once everything was collected she would make the wand. After all it could even be birch wood...that would be interesting.

Nodding at Professor Scary... uh... Professor Scabior, she walked quickly over to the bookshelves.

Lovegood, Lovegood... Xenophilius Lovegood...

After pulling out a book on Xenophilius Lovegood from the shelf, she pulled one of wand woods as well. It'd be useful...

Sitting herself at a table, she began to sift through the books, jotting some notes down as she went.

She almost snorted as she found the meaning of his name. Lover of strange things. Strange things indeed.

"Oh thank you so much for your help. I'm sure that these books will help me do more research about the woods. I wish that the Professor would allow us to work in teams. Anyway, I really appreciate your help"Alyssa thanked the Gryffindor prefect smiling at her.

Alyssa then went back to the desk where she was doing her research and started reading through the first book. As she turned the pages and read, she took notes of the various types of wood and their characteristics. Then she pulled the other book. That one seemed to be more related to wand wood as well as the core, and as she read, she quickly wrote down the descriptions of each wood and how they invididually worked with the various cores. Satisfied with the information she had gathered, Alyssa knew what type of wood and core she would be using to make Mundungus Fletcher's wand.







Alyssa walked over to the table where the pieces of wood were and looked them over until she found the one that she needed. She brought it back to her desk and prepared to start working on making a replica of what she hoped was the type of wand Mundungus Fletcher would have had in his possession.

Violet had been going through the pile of books on the table next to her, furious scribbling down notes in her History of Magic notebook. But she wanted to be sure she was on the right track before she wasted too much time. She waited until Professor Scabior wasn't busy with another student, then took up her notebook to ask him.

Professor Scabior, I was planning to do my project on a wizard named Aesalon Falco, but I wasn't sure if he was suitable for this project. I didn't know much about him before I started doing this research, but--is he the sort of 'little person' you meant? Or is he too famous?" And she held out her notebook for the professor to view.

Nikolas headed to the History of Magic reference room for some...reference about the wand he was making for his choosing wizard, Frank Longbottom. He had already wrote the parchments about his life and why he was important. He entered in the room and greeted Scabior, "Hello professor" he nodded.

Let's start the wand making.

He went over a table to pick his wood and core. He already knew which ones to choose, he picked up a piece of oak wood and then moved on to the cores. Phoenix feathers. Once he had his material he took a seat and started making the perfect wand for Frank Longbottom. This wand was going to be 12 1/2 inches long and unyielding, because he read that wands with phoenix feathers cores were hard to tame or change owner, which was perfect for his wizard. Nikolas thought that since Frank had been an auror his wand wouldn't change owner due to the importance of his job and that he was one of the greatest auror in wizarding history.

Alyssa looked at the piece of branch she held in her hand. "I guess that I'd better start preparing the wand first."Alyssa thought to herself. She figured that she would first have to create a hole where she could insert the core inside. So she picked up her wand and pointed it at the piece of branch and said "Defodio".

A red beam of light shot out from her wand and struck the branch. She could see that the beam had gouged out a piece of wood from the middle of the branch. "Okay, I've got a hole now, but I think that I'll make it a little bigger, to make it easier for me to insert the core later," Alyssa thought to herself. So she pointed her wand at a point just next to the hole she had created and said "Defodio" one more time. As before, a red beam of light shot out from her wand and created another gouge making the original hole larger. "Okay now that I've created the hole, time for me to put the core inside it".

Alyssa walked back to the table where all the containers sat and looked at all the labels until she found the one that had the words "Dragon Heartstring" written on it. "How many strands do I take?"Alyssa wondered to herself. She didn't want to take more than she should and not leave enough for the other students. Alyssa decided to be prudent and just take one. So she opened up the lid of the container and pulled out one dragon heartstring strand from inside the container. She then closed the lid and holding the heartstring delicately in between her index finger and her thumb while laying the rest of it in the palm of her other hand, she carried it back to her work desk.

These children were going to be the death of him. They really were. "If I were to tell you what I thought that would go against the purpose of the assignment." So..go make your own opinions.

Had these two not just heard his speech? He looked from one to the other having the urge to completely turn away, ignoring them all together. But as they were first years he just signed. "As I just said, do not ask me who you should pick or if the person you picked would work. That is for you and you alone to decide." He said addressing both of them. "This is a final but it is not meant to be all hard work. Pick someone you think will work, and that you think is interesting. That's it." He paused before speaking again. "And books are over there." He said pointing to the book shelves. "Go find the right one for you."

"Hello." He said with a nod.

-----------

Clearly the students were going to abuse the fact that he was here, and ask him any question that they had instead of utilizing the room. Scabior quickly scribbled out a small note and tapped his wand against it sending it flying out of the room.

After a few minutes the note returned, but not alone. Holding it was a school owl. Great. "Over there." He said pointing the owl to a spot near the window.

"Alright you lot. I am leaving. If you have any questions that can't be answered in a book send me a note with that owl. Good?" Better be. He wasn't coming back, not to waste his time with questions that could be found on the first page of multiple books in this room. With that Scabior turned and left the reference room.

OOC: Owl = PM Also note that obviously this means that Scabior is no longer in the room, thank you.