Wednesday, September 2nd. Class is from 4:00 to 5:00 pm.

Gryffindor		Hufflepuff		Ravenclaw		Slytherin		Durmstrang
Nikolas Falkenrath		----		Kelvin Watkins Blake Knight Alvis Norling Baxter Fox		Naomi Foley		Emilija Cihala

---

As the fourth-year students filed in and took their seats, Aileen stood in front of her desk, greeting some of them with smiles, others by name. Her gaze lingered a bit on Miss Foley and Mr. Norling, who had faced her wrath in Egypt over their reckless behavior, yet still showed up to her Runes class today. Aileen preferred that to their absence, though she gave them little sign of it at the moment.

She felt positive about her last class of the day, even nostalgic. A year ago, strangers' faces had stared back at her in a familiar classroom, and her role as a professor had taken time to develop. Now, she was glad to see those faces returning, felt confident in her plans for the fall term, and knew just the right charm to keep the tall windows open a crack to let in the air, yet not too wide to blow the parchment off their desks.

If her smile was a touch warmer than usual, her movements less stiff, it was because it truly felt like a new year. New Headmaster. New tournament students. No curse resting heavily on her shoulders.

"Good afternoon," she greeted them in a chipper tone once they were settled in.

"I trust you've all had a relaxing summer." Aileen noticed the tans and a few already dazed expressions.

"Because we're going to be jumping into things straight away," she finished with a small smile that looked a little too pleased about shoving work on them.

She set a hefty stack of parchment on her desk and turned to face the students. "I've had the pleasure of knowing most of you for a year now, and I have a fair idea of your strengths and weaknesses."

Aileen glanced at each of them, "I'm happy to say that you're a smart group, and the projects and assignments you've done as third-years reflect a certain creativity and curiosity. However..." This was a big however!

"Some of you have a habit of getting in over your heads. Getting off track. While others don't push themselves enough."

She picked up the stack of parchment, and began handing out the syllabus, waiting a few moments for the shuffling of papers to die down. "But part of my job," Aileen went on in a milder voice, "is teaching you those limits, and when to surpass them. Which is why I will be introducing a special project. Please turn to page two."

There was a brief schedule listed under the heading of 'Special Project'. The students had a little over a week to submit their project proposal, would be meeting with her individually in October, and then presenting their projects in November.

"As you can see, you will each be working on one project for almost the entire term. September to November. This is in addition to your regular studies, your lessons with Professor Maras, and the excitement of the tournament. I am confident that you will be able to handle it."

She smiled. "But before I explain what you will be doing, let's go back to the basics and refresh our memories. Tell me the main differences between Runes and other types of magic. What sets Runes apart? What are its limitations?" Aileen quirked an eyebrow. The theme of the day! "What is it best used for?"

Of course Aileen would give her and Alvis the looks in this class. It wasn't like it was their fault they each landed themselves in some old Egyptian tomb nonsense... at least it wasn't Naomi's fault. If Aileen didn't want them getting into trouble she should have taught them more about Hieroglyphs.

• "Some of you have a habit of getting in over your heads. Getting off track..."

And then there was the pot calling cauldron black. Naomi pursed her lips to the side as the professor passed out the parchment; at least she called them a 'smart group.' She began to wonder if that was due to the overpopulation of Ravenclaws in the class or because something was wrong with the other students in her other years.

With her raven curls twisting down the side of her face, Naomi's lazy gaze perused the syllabus as Aileen began to explain everything, and then asked them a question, which Naomi promptly answered, "You can use it for long-lasting enchantments, or to use it as a way to channel other types of magic, and make magic more uniform and orderly." The Slytherin was still keeping her green gaze on the parchment as she looked over their term-long assignment, which was absolutely as vague as could be. Whatever Aileen had planned, she hoped it didn't involve mummies.

Emilija sat in the classroom, listening quietly to the Hogwarts professor with a light smile barely on her lips. This was a small group. Not many of the British students took this subject, she presumed, while her attention danced between the blonde witch at the front and her classmates. Her head was buzzing with excitement.

It was not so exciting as watching the other students. The older ones, the challengers, those pupils who would bring themselves to compete against Emi's upperclassmen. These people weren't competition. That made it easier to get along with them. The girl with the funny enunciation was answering Professor Reid's question and Emi glanced at her, curiousity twinkling in her pale blue eyes.

She turned back to look at their teacher: "Runes, they aren't very dynamic, yes?" Her speech was uncertain but it turned up at the end with a sweet, musical peal. "You create or you enchant one but then it is limited by what you have prescribed it."

The Zufreiden did not enjoy this subject very much but she was interested in the notion of special project. Being in a different school, that was enough to make Ancient Runes a little more compelling.

Alvis cringed under Professor Reid's gaze. It was all the more worse because he deserved it. He didn't actually regret it. They'd done the right thing, getting the whole trip out of Runner's system, and he couldn't regret helping a friend. But he did so hate being scolded. Foley seemed to be taking her similar treatment well enough, but then she had exactly the attitude to resist confrontation. Hopefully, Professor Reid would be over Egypt before the end of the fall semester.

When instructed, he flipped to page two of the syllabus and scanned the information. With every line, he grew more intrigued. A special project? That was different. And fascinating. Maybe he'd get lucky and he could work it into the notes for one of his other projects...

He got so caught up in wondering about the project that he missed the review question altogether. He glanced up blankly as Foley and girl in Drumstrang uniforms started talking about the uses of runes. "That's why they're good for containment and protection spells, though," he said, following up on the Drumstrang girl's input. "Because they're so, um, un-dynamic, they're harder for other people to modify. Or break. Unless they know how, of course."

Aileen raised her eyebrows, quite happily surprised that her students were awake. They were participating. They were engaging with the first question! A pleased smile spread across her face and she nodded at each of them. The two who she had deemed as troublemakers in Egypt were apparently trying to make up for their misbehavior, and there was something to be said about the Durmstrang student bravely piping up in an unfamiliar classroom.

"Astute observations. I see some of your minds have not been addled by the summer heat. Three points for Slytherin, three for Ravenclaw, and three for-" she cut herself off, pursed her lips to stifle a chuckle. "Well done, Miss Cihala," she offered instead.

"Yes, runes are used," she drew her wand, "to enhance enchantments and to strengthen spells and wards already in place, particularly protection and containment spells, but also systems of magic. Depending on how they are formed and the order in which they are formed, they help ensure accuracy and stability."

Aileen pointed her wand at the board. The words 'Enhancement, strength, protection, containment, precision, stability' appeared in neat, flowing script.

"There is a permanence to them, a static power. Breaking or modifying them may be difficult. Testing out effects are often dangerous. Runes require subtlety and a layering of magic, as well as a good understanding of the other types of magic that they function beside or with."

More words were added to the list: 'Permanence, resilience, synergy'.

The vocabulary lesson over, Aileen moved on to make her point. "Now, we know that runes can be used on people, on objects, and on places. Let's consider place for a moment. Think of the old wizarding structures and buildings you visit while you're out in Diagon or elsewhere. A few have been standing for centuries, and seem to rely more on magic than they do on physical beams and columns."

She gestured to the board, "Considering what Runes can do, how would you imagine these structures function? What aspects have to do with Runes?"

"Name examples, if you please."[1]

1.	This kind of info may not be easily found online, so don't be afraid to make up answers!

Naomi hesitated for a moment before she picked up her quill pen and began to write notes on her parchment. She didn't think those were things she needed to write down, but a subconscious need to avoid being trapped in some cavern again questioned that thought, and made her write down everything the professor wrote and most of what she said.

When she asked another question, Naomi hesitated again, not truly in the mood to be very talkative, but she chose to answer the question anyway. She turned to look around at her other classmates before she turned her hazel gaze to Aileen again, "Some street entrances, like 'di brick one to Diagon and stemming from 'dat like th' food market, Chawlon Alley[1]," she drew a swirl in the air with her pen tip as she continued, "'Gotta let gargoyle statues twist you t'rough a wall like a merry-go-round on market days, gotta have a password if it's not 'di right day." Or you could try to tamper with it, but she didn' t think that was a very welcome suggestion.

"So it's got a security aspect, and how it moves people t'rough a wall probably heavily relies on certain runes an' how dey're organized, and 'den it's topped off with some charms and enchantments."

1.	completely made up

Aileen hid her surprise when Naomi Foley participated again, curious if she'd been writing notes or doodles. Either way, the fourth-year was paying attention, and it showed.

"Partially correct, Miss Foley," Aileen nodded, keeping her tone mild. Perhaps she'd given them a question that was too difficult to answer, at least without taking a risk. Younger students sometimes cared more than the older teens about what professors thought of them.

"Gargoyles usually rely on charms and enchantment, actually. They aren't quite sentient, but they do have a more interactive aspect than most runes would allow. Think about the password that's generally required, too - it changes often, so it's dynamic. You have to speak the password to be allowed in. Gargoyles are a part of structures and buildings, but they tend to be less about written magic, and more about complicated charms."

Aileen would have compared them to the portraits guarding some of the common rooms in the castle, but she didn't want to overload them all at once.

"Moving brick walls, however... yes, you could find written magic used in those. For example, if you've ever been to St. Mungo's, you might have noticed that the lettering on the brick changes as you pass through. Just for an instant, and it's invisible to Muggles, but it's there. It uses runes, along with other magic, to forbid or allow entrance."

She looked around the classroom. A few blank stares met her gaze. A moment's pause, and then she clasped her hands together, the sound jolting one student in the back row.

"Alright, up! Up out of your seats. We're going to take a little trip, and I will show you an example."

The student in back began muttering sleepily.

"Yes, I know," she replied. "There's no need to take everything with you; we will be returning to the classroom before the lesson is over," she told another student. "Just bring your cheerful selves." And wands, of course!

Aileen smiled, opened the door, and ushered them out. She began walking down the corridor, glancing over her shoulder every once in a while to make sure they were following, and letting them chatter quietly along the way.[1]

1.	They will be heading to the ground floor, to the Great Hall (it's a surprise!). Please feel free, if you'd like, to post distractions, questions, anything you'd like until we get there.

It was about a quarter past 4pm and Ylva was coming up from the staff office provided by Hogwarts in Durmstrang's temporary quarters.  She had in her hand a wooden box about a foot across, carved all over with runes.  She stepped lively up the stairs until she reached the entrance hall.  Beneath the large glasses shallowly filled with rubies, sapphires, emeralds and topaz, she set down her box and adjusted herself.

It was to be her first class with Professor Reid's students and she wanted to feel arranged and settled.  It was the same ritual she went through before her Durmstrang classes back home.  She ensured her dark curly hair was contained way from her face, and that her silver eye patch was secure beneath her left eyebrow.  She smoothed her robes, checked the cuffs on her black sleeves, and stiffened up her collar. 

She was just picking up the small box again when footsteps and voices heralded the arrival of class, Professor Aileen Reid at the head of the small group.

Professor Maras nodded her head in greeting.  "Good afternoon, Professor Reid.  Right on time."  She saw among the students, one of her own,  Miss Cihala.  She did not acknowledge her.

Aileen greeted the professor, glad she was prepared early and had brought the box with her. "Class, you remember Professor Maras from the Welcoming Feast," she gestured towards her. "She has been kind enough to agree to help me with a demonstration."

The professors led the students past the rows of hourglasses and into the small, empty antechamber of the Great Hall. 

"This room doesn't look like much right now," Aileen turned to face the students. "But as you might have heard," the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, "Tomorrow it will hold the Goblet of Fire. Professor Maras and I have been tasked with the responsibility of creating the age line, and we're going to show you the basics of how an age line works."

She paused and glanced at their faces. "The basics, mind." Any who attempted to cheat the line would fail, and then likely experience mocking (or congratulations) from Peeves.

"What I expect you to gain is an understanding of how the structure of this room supports the line we create." The circular room had a vaulted ceiling and pillars built into the walls.[1]

"I need a volunteer to stand in the center of the antechamber, here," she stood in the middle of the room, and moved away when a student took her place.

"Another student will draw a chalk circle around our volunteer," Aileen let Maras pass out the special chalk. "The rest of you, please pick a rune stone from the box, and stand around the line once the chalk circle is formed."

1.	The ceiling looks something like this.

Maras nodded pertly and greeted the class when she was introduced.  The small wooden box was a special one.  The materials for a good Age Line were difficult to come by, but Reid and Maras had access to the best thanks to the Tournament.  These here were nearly two hundred and fifty years old, having been used in Tournaments past. 

When she lifted the lid, inside was a chalky rock as big as a fist.  Any sharp corners had worn down and there was a blue-tint to its powderyness.  Then, nestled in nooks inset into the plush lining of the box were 12 flat round black stones, like river rocks.  Etched into each of them was a single large rune of the Eldar Futhark. 

Maras passed the chalky rock onto a competant-looking student and made the rounds to each of the others with a runed stone, eyeing each of them personally.  Only then did she linger her gaze on Miss Cihala.  "Hello."  Then pressed a stone into her palm.

Whimpering and attempting to hide behind classmates was probably not the proper way to greet a visiting foreign professor. But that's what Alvis did when he caught sight of Professor Marus. Drumstrang women - or at least, the Drumstrang women that he had met so far - were worse than Slytherins, fiercer and more intimidating by far. This woman, with her missing eye and wild expression, somehow managed to be even scarier.

When Professor Reid's asked for a volunteer, nobody moved. Alvis looked around at them, sighed, and - holding his hard-backed sketchbook against his chest like  shield - shuffled forward. "I'll do it."

He took Aileen's spot and, to avoid pouting at his classmates, turned his head to look up at the ceiling. The Professor had mentioned something about the shape of the room. Alvis had flipped through a few books on architecture, but they'd never interested him enough for the terms so stick, so he had no idea what the shape of the room or anything else had to do with ancient runes and agelines. But it did make him wonder, if this room was particularly shaped to assist age lines...

"Professor?" he asked as the circle was drawn and other students shuffled into place. "What was this room originally made for? Is it just a coincidence that it supports age lines?"

Despite Mr. Norling's hesitance, Aileen appreciated his curiosity and interest. "Food storage," Aileen answered simply, then smiled.

"It was originally built so that the house elves had space to store and preserve food during long winters. It connected to the kitchens, not the entrance hall, and shifted locations sometime during the nineteenth century.[1]

"As you'll learn today, the structure, when used with runes, is especially suited to keeping out pests - be they critters or students," she said wryly.

"You won't need your notebook, Mr. Norling," Aileen added once the students had settled, holding out her hand for it. "I'll set it safe over here," she stepped outside of the chalk circle and rested it against the wall.

Of course, Alvis Norling would be perfectly safe as well, but Aileen didn't bother to clarify. She assumed that someone who was adventurous enough to handle an ancient Egyptian tomb could most certainly handle a Runes demonstration.

1.	Just making up a little backstory!

At this hour of the day, Casey was normally open to partake in whatever scheme he chose before dinner. The day had been one of near exhaustion. The intense scrutiny of the caretaker, Grey, whom Casey was now loathe to have to have his Herbology remedial under.[1] And the Transfiguration class where initial notions of Professor Sandusky were made, broken, reconstructed from shattered pieces and shattered again. And Casey was still surprised playing nice had earned him points.[2] He was being charitable, given how the flair up with Grey could have soured Casey's mood for the entire day.

Thus Casey felt he should double check the house points. Probably little fluctuation since Naomi had stormed out of class, but if there was any increase at all it would be a sign that Casey had redeemed the house somewhat.

So he was surprised that the antechamber was not deserted this early before a mealtime, when others commonly checked house points, in that he found a gathering of students and two teachers. The first he noticed was Ylva Maras, one of the visiting Durmstrang Professors. He couldn't remember what she taught so he looked about for other clues. In the middle of where the students circled stood Alvis and Professor Reid. Then Casey remembered that Runes met at this hour, a class Alvis was in and he was not.

Casey changed his plans. Instead of his first mission for the evening, he would instead wait until the class was over to ask that Alvis meet him. On the bottom of the list of Casey's schemes over the summer was the runic armor he and Alvis had become interested in after a chance pairing. Alvis surely had some new information since his trip to Egypt, a place Casey gathered had runes and hieroglyphs carved over every blank surface of rock. Casey could show him the simple shield he had made from the Ravenclaw's notes. It had served Casey well during the attack on St. Mungo's, absorbing a few painful but non-lethal hexes until a nasty curse had broken it completely. The two needed to debrief each other.

So Casey stayed back, out of focus but where he could still see the demonstration unfolding. Runes had surprised him once before, perhaps there was something else to them Casey could bend to his will, without having to learn the entire subject outright.

1.	Herbology Rem. - Odd One Out
2.	Transfiguration - New and exciting

Holding their rune stones, the students stood around the chalk circle with Alvis Norling in the middle. Aileen surveyed the scene and frowned a bit, wishing for the first time that she had more fourth years. Then she spotted an extra lurking in the corner. How convenient!

"Mr..." It took her a moment to remember his name. "O'Doherty." Aileen smiled.

"Perfect. Why don't you join us," she gestured at the group, phrasing it as a statement.

"Take a rune stone and join the circle, please."

Aileen waited until the class was settled again, and then waved her wand to reveal symbols hovering in the air above their heads, aligned in a circular pattern below the ribs of the vault ceiling.

"Now, those of you in the circle - try to step forward and reach Mr. Norling. Keep a hold of your rune," she reminded one of them.

"You can only move forward a few feet, can't you. What's stopping you?" She paused. "You are. You've just made a basic barrier. Mr. Norling is the anchor."

Aileen held up a hand when a student began asking a question, preferring to continue the demonstration first. It was alright if they were a little confused now. She wanted to give them the chance to sort things without too much of her input.

"Look at the rune you hold in your hand. Then move around the circle until you find the symbol above you that best fits, or matches, your rune. You may work together and communicate with each other. If you're not sure, simply make your best guess."[1]

Once each student found their 'match', their ability to move forward (toward Alvis) would be reduced even more. Their goal at the moment was to make the line strong, to discover how the runes they held reacted to the symbols above them.

"Mr. Norling," she nodded at him. "Your task is simple. Stay in one place, and keep alert."

As the anchor, he'd likely start to feel 'centered' the stronger the circle became, like he wouldn't want to move or leave at all. But barriers, especially age lines, usually depended on objects. Using people could be tricky. Aileen hoped that with two professors in the room, they'd be able to adjust to unexpected side effects.

1.	I don't have anything specific in mind for what the symbols above them look like, so feel free to make something up, PM me for ideas, or just keep it vague!

"You won't need your notebook, Mr. Norling."

"Says you," thought Alvis bitterly. He liked his notebook. Its solid cover served him well and made a good shield, and he knew that thought was irrational but, dangit, everybody has their security blankets. Still, he knew better than to deny a teacher mid-lecture, so he handed over the notebook and stood fiddling with his hands.

The appearance of Casey took him by surprise. He beamed when the Slytherin was called over and gave a bit of a wave. Then he realized what he was doing and let the hand drop. Stupid. That was a stupid thing to do. This was why he liked having something to hold on to, it gave his stupid hands something to do. He folded them behind his back and stared down at the chalk line while Professor Aileen explained what was going on. It was an interesting concept, building the age line from students holding runes. And his part in this was....

"Stay in one place, and keep alert."

"Alert for what?" Alvis sighed, not completely expecting an answer.

He glanced up, careful not to move his feet as he peered at the symbols above his classmates' heads. He couldn't make them out. He squinted up at one, leaned forward, and caught himself before he could overstretch the reach of the chalk line. Right. He was the anchor. He couldn't do that. He needed to stay put and ignore the creeping fear that a wrong step on the part of his classmates would fling him bodily from the room. Even if that was about to happen, worrying about it wouldn't get him anywhere.