September 2, 1895 - Earth Magic Classroom, Hogwarts

It was surprising how much could change in a year, Belladonna thought as she approached her classroom. Last year she had been nervous about classes, this year she was excited for them. The only new students to her would be her incoming third years and she was more excited than nervous to meet them.

Bells breezed into the classroom in a swirl of green robes, a bright smile on her face at the assembled students. "Welcome back!" She greeted them coming to stand at the front of the classroom. "I trust you have all had a good summer." She looked around at the students before her inwardly groaning when she saw Seacoal seated among her students. He'd be a challenge but nothing she couldn't handle.

"For those of you new to this class, welcome. We are glad to have you among us. My name is Professor Woods and I shall be teaching you Earth Magic. Now," She turned her gaze to the older of her students, "So I don't bore you too terribly, fourth and fifth years if you could please sketch from memory a wheel of the year, I'm sure you all remember this from last year, I will discuss a few things with the third years and then we get truly get into things."

Bells grinned as her attention returned to her new students. "Now, third years. I thought I'd go over a few things before we truly dove into the heart of things. The study of Earth Magic is really at the core of all other magics you learn here at Hogwarts. It is, as I may be so bold to state, the very essence of our magic as a community. You may find that there is some overlap with your other coursework. Unlike your other coursework, however, you will focus on the root of the magic and how it connects to the world around us. Starting with the wheel of the year. You will also find that we will spend much of our time outside in the Earth Magic garden, which I'm sure each and every one of you will be excited to help tend this year." They wouldn't, but she couldn't help treat them all with her infectious enthusiasm for her subject - even if they were obligated as part of their grade to sign up for a time to tend the garden on their own.

"Now, fourth and fifth years can I have your attention again? Thank you, I'd like each of you to introduce yourself and explain what your favorite time of year is. I will go over the wheels you have been working on once introductions have been completed. The most creative one may win your house some points." Bells truly felt in her element as she smiled and talked with her students.

"I shall go first as that seems only fitting. My name is Professor Woods. I adore all of the seasons, but summer is my absolute favorite because the colors of the world are at its brightest. And you?" She nodded at a student for them to begin. It was always good to have a class who knew and got along with each other so she took moments like this very seriously.

---

Open to Lucy Tatting, @"Kathrine Arundell, Louisa Weasley, Morgan Valenduris, Toby Seacoal; Nathaniel Gallivan II; and any other OWL level Earth Magic students

  

---

Morgan had been nervous about her decision to choose Earth Magic as one of her electives. She hadn't known much about the subject and what she had heard was a confusing mess of guesses and rumours that weren't based in fact. None of the students she was particularly close to took the subject so she had to make an educated guess - and having read as much as she could in the time purchasing the required text and first day of class she felt some of her nervousness about choosing this particular subject ebbed away (She still wasn't sure she'd made the right choices for Ancient Runes and Arithmancy yet).

The reset of that anxiety - that disappeared as she listened to Professor Woods speak. Morgan hung onto every word that her professor said - and a spark of excitement grew in her chest. The essence of magic? The core of all magics? And they'd be focusing on how the root of magic and how it connected to the world around them? How exciting!! Her chest fluttered - not with nerves, but with something brighter. Optimism? Hope?

She often found her lack of ability when it came to wandwork overshadowed alot of her magical lessons but maybe this class would be different.

She squared her shoulders and sat as properly as she ought and when the teacher gestured to her first Morgan took a deep breath and steadied herself.

“I’m Morgan Valenduris," She said, surprised to find her voice didn't waver. She wasn't nervous anymore. She took strength from the feeling and continued onwards "And my favourite season is Spring. I like how the world comes back to life after the snows melt and I like being able to choose the new plants that will grow in the garden. I like to watch them take root and grow.”

---

  

---

Set made by the wonderful Athena

Electives: Earth Magic, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Art
Clubs:  Garden, Potions, French, Art and Leisure Sports.

Child of Professor Valenduris and Irish Twin to the "Creepy Twins" who disrupted their (and her) Sorting Feast, and eventually one left the school after a professor died.

Professor Woods was one of Kitty's favorite professors and she grinned as the woman greeted them. It was good to be back.

She set about her task drawing the wheel of the year from memory, adding soft sketches of the fair folk at each spoke in different seasoned clothing.

When it was her turn Kitty smiled at the students before her. "My name is Katherine Arundell." She said not intending it to come out all polished as it did. Apparently all summer at home and some etiquette had finally stuck. "I love spring the best as well," at least when it came to nature, she much preferred fall for the fact that school was just beginning - not ending, "The air has a different quality to it, the rain brings hope and a greeness that only appears in the spring."

  

---