"Oh. Sorry." Hads grinned sheepishly. "I was just...eager. Hadley Denaker. And thank you." Don't go disappointing her on her birthday now. Not like Ichihara did.

Hadley made her way into the office and stopped, taking a look around. It was the same office as Ichihara used, but vastly different in appearance. Where hers had been white and immaculate, Riveroll's office was blue, warm and homely. It was nice, just different.

"I understand that it's a hard and complicated thing with a lot of risks." She'd read the books Ichihara gave her a dozen times already. "This has been a dream of mine since before I knew I was a witch, or that this sort of thing was possible. I'm prepared to do whatever it takes." She really was. She understood the risks well enough to know now that she couldn't do it on her own. So this was her only hope. That Riveroll would let her. "I'm only third year," she admitted. "But I know I can handle it."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callie

"Oh. Sorry." Hads grinned sheepishly. "I was just...eager. Hadley Denaker. And thank you." Don't go disappointing her on her birthday now. Not like Ichihara did.

Hadley made her way into the office and stopped, taking a look around. It was the same office as Ichihara used, but vastly different in appearance. Where hers had been white and immaculate, Riveroll's office was blue, warm and homely. It was nice, just different.

"I understand that it's a hard and complicated thing with a lot of risks." She'd read the books Ichihara gave her a dozen times already. "This has been a dream of mine since before I knew I was a witch, or that this sort of thing was possible. I'm prepared to do whatever it takes." She really was. She understood the risks well enough to know now that she couldn't do it on her own. So this was her only hope. That Riveroll would let her. "I'm only third year," she admitted. "But I know I can handle it."

Hadley Denaker. Felicity would be watching this one to see how Hadley's transfiguration skills were. "You've been dreaming of being able to turn into an animal before you were aware of your magical abilities?" Quite the strong imagination this one. Perhaps this would speak to her abilities of visualization, and visualization was very important to successful transfiguration.

Hmm, a third year. "You're a bit younger than the age that I allow students to start training, but we'll see. Prove to me that you can handle this and maybe you'll be able to train, although it probably wouldn't be until at least next year I need to know that you have a mastery of the transfiguration skills that you have already been taught before I can even attempt to guide you in such complex self transfiguration. You will also need to demonstrate responsibility through good behavior and good grades." There were, of course, a few other requirements for training, but those would be discussed later if Hadley proved her transfigurations skills to be strong enough to attempt the difficult process of animagus training. "What do you already know of animagi and the processes of training to become one?"

Hadley nodded. "Yep. Before I even knew anything about the magical world. It was a favorite game of mine growing up. Always wished I could transform for real." She smiled, dreamily as she recalled her childhood. "One of the first things I looked up when I got to Hogwarts was whether or not it was possible, and then discovered animagi." And here she was. At the start of every year. Right here in this office, hoping to start training.

Her face fell with a sigh as the words "a bit younger" spilled from Professor Riveroll's mouth. But then...wait, what? There was a maybe. A MAYBE! Hadley's face lit up excitedly. "Yes! I mean, of course. Whatever you need for me to prove it. I'll do it." She had no worries about her grades really. Behavior...well...she was Hadley Denaker. But Hads had already pledged to not get into trouble this year. So, hopefully it won't be a problem...maybe.

"Oh, I know practically everything." She realized how that sounded the second the words came out of her mouth. "Professor Ichihara gave me several books that covered it all. Two were all about the theory of it and the practice of becoming one, and the dangers and risks and the reality of it. Another was an autobiographical account of becoming an animagus. She wanted me to be well-informed before really making the decision to train. I've read them like a dozen times already." There that was a better explanation. "I know how hard it is, and the risks and dangers involved. I know you don't get to pick the animal you turn into. I know you have to register. That it takes hard work, patience and determination when training to be one. I'm prepared for all of it, Professor."

A childhood dream, that once a fantasy may become a reality. Hadley Denaker seemed eager to learn, a quality that was sadly not found in all students. Felicity was impressed that Hadley knew so much about animagus training and admired the girl’s dedication. ”It sounds like you are quite knowledgeable about animagi. I’ll be watching your transfiguration skills and checking up on your potions skills as well. There is a collection of books about animagi in the practice room if you wish to do additional reading. It was lovely talking to you, but I’ll need to speak with Miss Summers now. Feel free to come talk to me any time.” Miss Denaker would be back, Felicity was sure of it.

Hadley swallowed and nodded. Her potions skills, while improving, still weren't the greatest. She was confident about her transfiguration skills though. So she at least had that. "Thank you, Professor. I'll be sure to check those books out."

All-in-all, this had been a good meeting, that might have put Hadley on the cusp of beginning animagus training.

Excitedly, the girl stood and smiled. "Thank you." With that she turned and exited the office.

A few more seconds and Blaise would have walked away. It wasn't as if he possessed a burning desire to attend Transfiguration but with the Holidays coming up, it signaled that the school year itself would be over before he knew it and the boy supposed he SHOULD at least try to work something out.

Granted, he was fine learning things on his own and he wasn't too fussed about the grade (surely by now his parents didn't expect much anymore) but at the same time, why not see if he could retain his old arrangement?

The Fourth Year made his way into the office when the offer was extended to him, but he didn't take a seat. "Afternoon, Professor. I was..." His voice trailed off as he looked about the room. It was so different from Professor Ichihara's. Being in here...felt a little weird now that it was under new management. "wondering if I could speak to you about your lessons. More specifically, potential but conditional attendance of them." Brown eyes landed on the woman once more, his expression giving away very little of his thoughts in the moment.

Did it matter to him that this was a core subject he was not given permission to skip? It certainly hadn't in the past few years and it didn't now.

Noelle followed the Professor back into her office and sat down on one of the cream coloured couches. She looked around at the office, appreciating the simplicity of it.

"Thank you for seeing me professor. As I said, I was hoping to talk to you about starting animagus training this year. I have been studying up on it all last year. I have seen it happen first hand with an older student. I keep a book with me at all times." To prove that, she pulled out the book that her big sister, Hads had given her to study. It was given to her by Professor Ichihara. "I want to prove to you that I am ready to start training."

Noelle took animagus seriously. She knew that it could be deadly if you didnt take it as seriously as you could. It was even next to impossible at times. Thats why there were so little animagi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

A few more seconds and Blaise would have walked away. It wasn't as if he possessed a burning desire to attend Transfiguration but with the Holidays coming up, it signaled that the school year itself would be over before he knew it and the boy supposed he SHOULD at least try to work something out.

Granted, he was fine learning things on his own and he wasn't too fussed about the grade (surely by now his parents didn't expect much anymore) but at the same time, why not see if he could retain his old arrangement?

The Fourth Year made his way into the office when the offer was extended to him, but he didn't take a seat. "Afternoon, Professor. I was..." His voice trailed off as he looked about the room. It was so different from Professor Ichihara's. Being in here...felt a little weird now that it was under new management. "wondering if I could speak to you about your lessons. More specifically, potential but conditional attendance of them." Brown eyes landed on the woman once more, his expression giving away very little of his thoughts in the moment.

Did it matter to him that this was a core subject he was not given permission to skip? It certainly hadn't in the past few years and it didn't now.

”Please, sit down over here.” Felicity gestured to one of the couches, then seated herself on the other couch. ”Why haven’t you been coming to class? What might these conditions be?” She was willing to make adjustments to accommodate certain students depending on what they needed. If it was something like he needed extra help with transfiguration spells or hadn’t been showing up to class because he was deadly allergic to something in her classroom or he didn’t understand something she could help him, but if he simply felt like doing other things with his time during her lessons and was skipping just for the sake of cutting class there was little that she could do for him. Hopefully they would be able to make an arrangement that would benefit Mr. Bellaire’s learning of transfiguration and that he would start coming to classes.

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Originally Posted by ChanceCoeur

Noelle followed the Professor back into her office and sat down on one of the cream coloured couches. She looked around at the office, appreciating the simplicity of it.

"Thank you for seeing me professor. As I said, I was hoping to talk to you about starting animagus training this year. I have been studying up on it all last year. I have seen it happen first hand with an older student. I keep a book with me at all times." To prove that, she pulled out the book that her big sister, Hads had given her to study. It was given to her by Professor Ichihara. "I want to prove to you that I am ready to start training."

Noelle took animagus seriously. She knew that it could be deadly if you didnt take it as seriously as you could. It was even next to impossible at times. Thats why there were so little animagi.

”Please, take a seat.” Felicity waved her arm towards one of the couches, then sat down on the opposite facing couch. ”Animagus training is not something to be taken lightly. If anything goes wrong at any point in the training process you may end up half-human half-animal for the rest of your life.” So far it seemed that Noelle was taking this all seriously. ”You’ll also need to speak with the headmaster and your parents about your desire to train with me, but first you must prove to me that you are skilled in transfiguration and potions. I must see your abilities in other areas of transfiguration before I can agree to let you begin training. Why do you want to become an animagus?” This was very serious business.

He hadn't really planned to sit, finding the spot by the door just as comfy and advantageous in the event he and his quill needed to take their leave, but at the offer, he obliged. It was after sitting that he realized the couch was comfier than it was letting on. Imagine that. Blaise shifted around on it a bit, trying to get comfortable while he considered the Professor's questions.

First, why didn't he attend her lessons. "I don't cast magic and your lessons are magic based. As you can imagine...it wouldn't work very well." Which brought him to the conditions he'd come here to discuss.

The Gryffindor straightened in his seat, sparing only the smallest of glances to the quill and notepad that had settled next to him. "Professor Ichihara, when she was still here, had come up with a compromise by which I attended the lessons, took the notes and participated for as much as I could but then I was allowed to sit out the practical aspects." It'd worked brilliantly. He hadn't skipped a single class after that.

"I'd like to know if we can work for the same. I used to have her evaluate my progress--I'm self taught you see--and I even do that now with the Headmaster who's allowed me to drop Charms so long as I can prove I'm keeping up." He'd happily prove the same to her, but he wouldn't attend the classes if he was made to practice the spells repetitively and collectively with the others. It wasn't how he learned.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

He hadn't really planned to sit, finding the spot by the door just as comfy and advantageous in the event he and his quill needed to take their leave, but at the offer, he obliged. It was after sitting that he realized the couch was comfier than it was letting on. Imagine that. Blaise shifted around on it a bit, trying to get comfortable while he considered the Professor's questions.

First, why didn't he attend her lessons. "I don't cast magic and your lessons are magic based. As you can imagine...it wouldn't work very well." Which brought him to the conditions he'd come here to discuss.

The Gryffindor straightened in his seat, sparing only the smallest of glances to the quill and notepad that had settled next to him. "Professor Ichihara, when she was still here, had come up with a compromise by which I attended the lessons, took the notes and participated for as much as I could but then I was allowed to sit out the practical aspects." It'd worked brilliantly. He hadn't skipped a single class after that.

"I'd like to know if we can work for the same. I used to have her evaluate my progress--I'm self taught you see--and I even do that now with the Headmaster who's allowed me to drop Charms so long as I can prove I'm keeping up." He'd happily prove the same to her, but he wouldn't attend the classes if he was made to practice the spells repetitively and collectively with the others. It wasn't how he learned.

Felicity listened to Mr. Bellaire's explanations of why he didn't come to class and what the former arrangements had been for him. Ah, so the issue here lay in not casting magic. Why he didn’t cast magic was beyond her, but she could make an agreement with him like the one he had previously had. ”Why do you not cast magic? Is it only in classes? If it is only in classes that you are unwilling to cast magic, it would be quite alright for you to participate in the theoretical portion of classes and practice your wandwork outside of class. I’d like to meet with you every month to check in on your progress.” If he could agree to that then he could keep this arrangement of not casting magic in class. ”Do you need arrangements for your practical exams?” Couldn’t have him failing at his exams if he understood the subject and had practical ability.

This......was going better than he thought it would. Barely sitting and it seemed they'd already come to an understanding that would see him making an effort to attend Transfiguration lessons. Would you look at that.

"Just personal preference, Professor. I'm not much a fan of magic to begin with and find it harder to learn the required spell in a room full of others." This however, seemed like something that could work. "I can come to your office at the end of each month with a progress performance if that works for you." He offered. All he had to do was keep his engagements in order. Charms was once a week and now Transfiguration was at the end of each month. Good thing his quill was writing this down.

The boy thought about her final question for a moment. Did he need arrangements? His first two exams had been....questionable but his last hadn't been so bad once he'd begun catching up with his individual studies. As it happened, this year he was beginning to catch up on the material the others in his year had grasped. Slowly, Blaise shook his head. "I think the exam should be fine this time around but I'll let you know."

Noelle took a seat once she was asked. She was in her serious mode. The mode she got when she was training. Usually, she was boisterous and smiley. Right now, she was concentrating and serious.

She nodded when the professor said that the person could get stuck in animal form. Of course, she knew this. It was a fear of hers. She had read most people who do get stuck in half-human and half-animal form go to live by themselves because the site of them was so atrocious. She did not want that to happen to herself.

"My parents are already aware. I have been talking about it since second term. I was told I had to wait until I was in my fourth year to even be considered. " She understood why she needed transfiguration and potions to be a good animagus. "I have a natural talent at Transfiguration. I don't know if you will notice in class. As for Potions, it is not my best subject but I am in the potions lab any chance I can get. I was actually wanting to ask you. Do you think its wise if I ask him for extra tutoring to be able to help with my animagus training? I wasn't sure what kind of potions and such he would be able to help in. Is there a list I can have to practice with? " As you can see, Noelle had been thinking about this.

And the reason she wanted to be an animagus.
"My reasons are very personal.... I don't know if you heard.. but another student and I had been taken and tortured before our second year and through half of our second year. We almost died. Luckily, aurors had saved us. I want to become an animagus to use that skill to become the best auror that I can possibly be. I want to be able to use my skill to find the kids that get taken.. to hunt them down.. so to speak. " She hoped that this reason wasn't a silly one. It was a passion of hers.