Seminar Info

OOC Reminders:
>>Assume your character is on time and present. If you have story reasons for a character being late, tell me via PM.

>>If you are a new member/student, assume your character has been present in classes. Don't be afraid to post!

>>There are NPC students but YOU are the stars of the show!

>>Be courteous to everyone's availability. Allow at least three posts between yours, at minimum. If the scene advances too quickly others may have difficulty catching up.

>>However, if things have cooled off for a few days don't be afraid to post.

>>Above all, FUN!! (and don't destroy the classroom)

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The History of Magic classroom wasn't used on Tuesdays. Sissel was mightily thankful for a schedule where he covered all the years on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It gave him plenty of free time on the odd days between though most of that was filled with grading, preparation and office hours.

Idle hands had certain stipulations so Sissel had worked out this seminar during those said office hours. Adding to the irregularity of the classroom being used on an off day the tables and chairs were arranged differently. Instead of tables all facing the same way the tables had been paired into squares with chairs all around. Also featured in the classroom were chalkboards and world maps, hovering slightly to the side without needing an easel. The chalkboards drew out brackets and the maps were covered with pins that shone like little jewels.

"Right," Sissel began before the assembled crowd and the Global Gramophones started to translate. "Regardless of origins something we all have is Family. Now, I'm going to be loose with the definition of family. Some people live with others related by blood, others through adoption or mutual living arrangements but everyone usually has a cluster of people they consider important, a family. The people who have shaped our lives even if they did not know it by being passed on before us. Using myself as an example..."

At one chalkboard the name 'Sissel Jowd' was sketched without chalk, then up from that 'Bailey' and 'Lynne' were written and more lines and names were added until 'Yomiel Cabanela Jowd' was written as the largest name on the tree with further names continuing to the side. "My ancestor, Yomiel, was the principle designer for arranging The Under along side the transportation systems of Toronto, Ontario. The district is pretty much the Canadian equivalent of Diagon Alley only completely underground. As such transportation has been a career for many people in the family. My father, Bailey, and I too for a short time worked for the British Ministry's Department of Transportation."

"So, the longer this seminar continues, the better the chances each of you will have for uncovering the heritage behind your family names. Unless anyone thinks they already know everything about their family."

Chaya thought about her Nana, whose family sent her to England on a kindertransport less than a year before they were killed. She thought about her Zayde, who survived the concentration camps but lost every relative he had. There was so much she didn't know about their families, about her family, so much they had been too young to remember.

She raised her hand. "What sorts of things will we be learning, Professor? Will we be using magic?" she asked. The dead couldn't be brought back, but maybe, with magic, their stories could be.