Nightingale, stood before his class, dressed in attire that wasn't anything close to his robes, but still he kept his posture poised and perfect. Ever since that class where everything seemed to go wrong, Gale had tightened up his lessons. He came down hard on them, forced their hands at lessons that would push them and pull them in directions that even he wasn't sure they should have gone. His duty to be their mentor wasn't taken lightly, but he kept it mostly in the classroom. Having purchased a new house, Gale spent most of his spare time fixing it to his standards. He was going through a bit of a break up,  his lover off on his adventures, having landed an internship that moved him half way around the world, and at 32 Gale was starting to really feel his biological clock ticking. A mutual understanding had fallen between them, where it was hard to tell what the next few years would bring them, and they couldn't keep each other tied down. Gale had let him go, saw him all the way to the airport that would carry his beloved away, and for once didn't shed a single tear. How could he be sad for someone following their dreams, while he remained behind to live his own. And it was time for a change.

Classes were much harder, he was a much more stronger teacher, and he didn't put up with anything. More detentions were handed out in the past month than in the entire school year. He pushed them to their max, forced their hands into trying harder and working even more so. Essays were coupled with each lesson, questions to be answered, and harder more advanced charms were introduced every day.

"Please take your seat, and I hope you all got my note," The night before Gale had sent them all a quick little owl explaining that for class tomorrow they were to wear normal attire, but not your robes, and wear shoes that were fit enough for walking. He had explained to them to not make any plans for lunch and expect to be in class for most of that period. He told them to wear clothing fitting of the outdoors and that it might rain, so to plan accordingly. He folded his arms over his chest to wait for the entire class to fill up, but clearly by the way he was dressed--this wasn't going to be a very typical class.

Where they ever?

---

Have your student come in, take their seats!

Jordyn had a love-hate relationship with charms. She was not the type of student that caused trouble, and she was deeply involved in her studies, but Professor Kesali sometimes was just… well – operating on two poles!  Sure, since the blow up in the fields class had been much more structured, but one still couldn’t always be sure of the Professor’s reactions to things. 

It was in her nature to please those in authority, so Jordyn was fine, despite watching her classmates rack up detentions as though they were treats at dinner, but at least it wasn’t to the detriment of their learning.  At the very least, Jordyn felt like she might actually be prepared for her NEWTs, which was really the goal: wasn’t it? 

Walking into class with her note in hand – just in case it wasn’t serious (one could never know what was a joke or not), Jordyn was still a little apprehensive.  The last time they’d gotten explicit directions to dress a certain way – well, she’d needed to send home for replacement gloves that didn’t come cheap.  But dressing as she liked was a welcome change – even with trepidation. 

Certainly the professor had taken his own advice, and Jordyn put her note straight back into her robe’s pocket.  “Hello Professor,” she greeted politely, though without real warmth and sat down in her typical seat at his direction, right near the front and just off to the side a bit, glancing toward the door in hopes everyone would arrive with haste. 

The note they'd received the night before had been at the same time both intriguing and contradictory.  They were to dress normally but in clothes befitting an outdoor adventure.  Weren't those two descriptors in many ways mutually exclusive?  At least in his own case, they were.  Assuming it wasn't supposed to be in full cross-country hiking regalia, Sasha had donned his usual, casual, barn-day attire and he could only hope they'd have time to change again before Potions after lunch.   

Once inside the classroom, Sasha cast a quick glance towards Professor Kesali and regarded him for a moment.  The man's change in demeanor had been quite obvious, especially in contrast to what Sasha had seen during their Muggle Studies field trip before the holidays.  Sasha had taken to trying to gauge the man's mood at the start of each class. 

"Morning, sir," Sasha offered before nodding in greeting towards Dimbleby.  He found his usual seat, as well, on the front row though next to the window.  He could only guess what Professor Kesali had in mind and the man's crossed arms revealed nothing. 

Rayven could not wait to get to class! She could actually barely sleep the night before because of her excitement. She loved being outside and any excuse to be outside was fine with her. That was probably the reason she liked her charms professor so much. They were both nature loving creatures, though she wasn't quite as fond of the cold as he was.

He had been getting a little more strict recently, but she couldn't really blame him. So much had gone on recently it was like he really didn't have a choice. Not only that, but if she didn't do anything to get a detention then she wouldn't. Not that she did anything anyway. She wasn't a prefect for no reason.

She came into class carrying a bag that had an umbrella in it just in case of rain. Dreads were terrible when they got wet and she had no way to dry them right then. She smiled as she almost bounced into the classroom, eager to get outside and be, hopefully, in the woods.

"Good morning, professor!" she said with her excitement barely contained. She smiled at her classmates and took her seat in the middle row next to the window and double checked the buckles on her shoes to make sure they were properly fastened.

Xavier entered the Charms classroom with a bit of saunter to his step. There had been a marked change in their Charms Professor and Xavier was the first to admit it was definitely for the best. In the past Kesali had seemed so flighty that Xavier barely felt like he could teach his way out of a paper bag. He had no idea what had happened to the older man, nor did he care but he had stepped up and Xavier was loving every minute of it. He was being pushed further than any other Professor (except perhaps maybe Storm) was willing to push them and Xavier was a excelling at every turn. This was the sort of teaching he needed, he thrived on the challenge and he was anxiously awaiting the chance to prove himself once more.

With the note to dress casually with the outdoors in mind Xavier had thrown on a pair of well fitting jeans over hunting boots, and a black undershirt showed off his collar bone under a dark green zip up hoodie. The cold air that was still present this late in March didn't bother him much, though there was a pair of leather gloves in his book bag should he require them. His hair stuck out at odd angles as if he had just rolled out of bed and there was a soft hint of a five o'clock shadow on his chin. He was now Seventeen and the last vestige of puberty had finally set in, Xavier found himself able to grow a bit of facial hair and while he didn't openly admit it he was excited for the possibilities it posed.

He took his seat near Jordyn giving her a nod and a soft whisper so as not to disturb the rest of the class, "Ye shuld dress like tha more offen."

Cadance had taken the change in Professor Kesali's demeanor in stride. She hadn't been one to pry into the man's private life or what may have caused this sudden change in behaviour but there were rumors of a lost love. She kept the image of one that was above such trifling non sense such as gossip but if they were true her heart went out to him. He may not have been the most conventional of Professors and by the standard for which she had been raised she was supposed to disapprove of someone like him but he was a kind soul all the same and Cadance could appreciate that - even if she couldn't show it.

Unsurprisingly Cadance's usual attire was not that far from Jordyn's though she wasn't about to wear a shirt to class if it weren't required. Should they be trudging through the potentially mucky school grounds she didn't want her legs exposed. Instead she wore form fitting dark brown slacks reminiscent of rider's pants with a pair of flat boots that went up the length of her calf to stop just below her knee. A tight knit sweater a soft cream colour was underneath a Slytherin green corset that accented her curves without showing any skin - which would have been completely improper of her.

She took her seat next to her cousin giving him a disapproving look. Sometimes he could look like such a slob but she supposed that could add to her devil may care charm. Personally she felt his disconnect with any of his romantic interest was starting to show, alongside a lack in his personal care. Was that stubble on his cheeks? She shrugged it off, "Xavier, Jordyn." She offered sweetly in form of greeting before turning his ice blue eyes to the front, "Professor."

Unlike his brother and cousin Peyton was not a big fan of the new Professor Kesali. He had already been sentenced to more than one detention (one of which had cost him a Quidditch match) and wasn't looking forward to getting any more. It wasn't that Peyton was a trouble maker, he just had a hard time paying attention and often got instructions wrong. He also performed poorly on homework and had a habit of talking back to Professor's whom he thought were being unfair to their students. However now that he had gotten his Captaincy back he was more than determined to keep out of trouble and do what he could to appease the harsher Charms Professor.

Peyton was excited at the prospect of heading outside for the class though not so much about possibly missing their lunch period for it. With the work outs he had been keeping up for Quidditch (not to mention almost non stop practices) his metabolism had gone into over drive and he found himself almost constantly hungry. He wore a pair of worn out jeans that had multiple mud and grass stains embedded into the denim, from Quidditch Practices, over a pair of runners that didn't seem like they were going to make it through the class. A dark blue hoodie was zipped up over a long sleeved  grey shirt. With his own hair tousled from a pre-breakfast flight on his broom he bore a striking resemblance to his half brother.

Peyton took his seat next to Sasha who was looking classy as hell. He often wondered how his best mate functioned in society outside of school, no Seventeen year old should look that good of their own free will, "All right then, Sasha?"

Jay entered the Charms classroom cautiously wondering which side of Professor Kesali they were going to see today. He wasn't all too fond of the change in the Professor but he hadn't had the misfortune that other students had with the increase in detentions. Due to his studies at Beauxbatons Jay was accustomed to strict Professors that thrived on driving their students to their limits. His own Charms work was mostly up to par and he had only faultered once or twice. He was sure that with the extra push they were being given that he would have no problem passing his Charms NEWT come June, though he had to wonder whether he'd be taking the Ministry sanctioned exam here at Hogwarts or when he returned home to France.

Jay wore a pair of khaki coloured slacks over some runners and a polo shirt of baby blue, that looked like a casual Friday version of his own school uniform. He had a sweater in his book bag but wasn't sure when he was going to need it. It was starting to warm up getting ready for the spring though he was used to a much warmer climate back in Marseille. The temperature was a little closer to what he was used to at Beauxbatons but still on the colder side. Over all looking at some of the other males in class he was sure his sweater and hat were thicker than the ones they were wearing.

Jay took his seat near the middle and hung his book bag off the side of his chair. He was ready to leave as soon as the Professor said so.

Jordyn watched as others trickled in, Sasha sat on the opposite end near the windows – unsurprising, he wasn’t particularly social (though who was she to judge?) and  then there was that Rayven Hufflepuff girl who still got to retain her prefect badge despite the animal nest that was growing in her hair – dreads, she knew they were called, probably short for dreadfuls! 

Other than that, there wasn’t much wrong with her, she wasn’t a trouble or anything of the sort – just visually offsetting, and discordance wasn’t Jordyn’s favorite thing.  Anything that upset natural rhythms and patterns generally miffed her for no reason other than it’s lack of normalcy. 

She supposed, however, she’d take the elated Hufflepuff over Tawse who took a seat near her and whispered something about how she should dress more often.  If it were anyone else, she might have been a little flattered, but coming from Xavier, she just imagined he was trying to irritate her – which then, irritated her – “I’ll take a note,” she sniffted, “Though,” she glanced at him, her eyes doing a generous sweep, “You should not heed your own advice.”  He looked quite like a hooligan if she’d ever seen one.

Turning her eyes away, she looked slightly more pleasantly toward Cadance.  “Cadance” she returned politely, spotting a Ravenclaw who’d also entered the room and one of the many Beauxbatons boys coming in as well.  Hopefully class would be full up soon and they’d be on their way to wherever it was they were going.   

Rosie took a seat at the front of the classroom, but not before greeting the professor with a small, warm smile and a nod of her head. She was curious and also excited about what could have prompted a request for normal attire and footwear appropriate for walking. Surely that meant they were to leave the castle, no?

Wearing some of the clothes her sister had picked for her during the winter holidays, she hoped she had chosen warm enough clothes. A little rain never scared Rosie, but the cold was an entire thing altogether. Rosie threw a cursory glance at the rest of the class and decided that she might in fact be dressed too warmly, seeing as she was now pulling at her sweater and felt a little flush take over her face.

Well, they'd be out and about in a few, anyway. At least she hoped so. Her eyes scanned the room for her cousin and Ji-Hyun but hadn't turned up any results yet. Then again, Rosie was always early. She wondered if Professor Kesali was feeling better... Rosie had taken no issue with the increase in study material, if anything, she welcomed it. It was the change in their Charms professor that unsettled her. He rarely smiled these days.

Figaro was not happy to get Kesali's little note.  Charms had been grueling since the Fiasco a few weeks ago, and Kesali had gone from a lovable weirdo to a hardass weirdo.  He'd be a contender for Storm's position as Head Executioner if Kesali replaced his heart with a ball of old string and off cheese.

He took an empty seat by Xavier and Rayven and prepared for the onslaught.  It was a exhausting to have to try hard.  But since he'd decided he wanted to become a Healer, he'd had to step up his game.   He let the air out of his lungs in a loud sigh.  What he wouldn't admit was how much he was learning and how much more smoothly class had gone. 

"I don't like surprises," he said with a less cheerful attitude than he was known for.  "I'd almost take a pop quiz today rather than whatever horrors he's got planned."

Mysti, like Rayven, was pretty excited about Charms class today, but not so excited that it inhibited her ability to sleep. However, she did wake up a bit early to figure out a good outfit to wear.  Outside, where it was cold and possibly wet. She eventually decided on an outfit to wear that would be comfortable and warm. So after her morning Defense class, she had plenty of time to change before heading to class.

Upon arriving, she was interested to see some of the other student’s clothing choices. Especially some of the Slytherin girls. They always needed to be oh-so-fashionable, though in Mysti’s opinion, today called for comfort over fashion.  Venturing outside? Definitely not the dress wearing time. But let them do as the wish, she though, and then possibly laugh a little when they’re getting their dresses dirty and wet.

As for the class itself, she still looked forward to it.  She had also noticed that Professor Kesali was changing things up. Mysti felt it was changing in a good way.  It was more challenging, which was probably called for, considering they were getting closer to graduating.  And when they finally went out to the real world, Charms would be needed quite often.  At least, that’s how Mysti saw it.

“Pop quiz over a lesson? Come now, Fig. Where’s your adventurous spirit?” She said upon sitting down by him, Rayven, and Xavier. “I think it’ll be exciting. Should be a good lesson.”

Notes from Kesali never turned out well, and as far as Nicholas was concerned the professor was either going to give them all detentions for being out of uniform or planned for some other professor to do it for him.  Having already received several detentions in the last month he was sure that that was what the man intended to happen.  Given that the note had said they'd be outside and it was likely to rain, he'd grabbed a hoodie to go with the t-shirt and jeans he was wearing.

He was definitely dreading the class though.  He'd never particularly liked Kesali but now the man was acting all Storm like, the difference being Professor Storm was Professor Storm, and Kesali was definitely not.  No matter how many detentions or essays he gave out.

Nicholas took a seat near the group around Figaro and looked at Mystique, "Haven't we had enough adventures in this class?"  He wasn't sure he wanted a pop quiz instead, maybe a lecture instead, but he did not share Mystique's confidence that it would be a good lesson.  He was just hoping not to get a detention or a cold.

Blythe hadn’t put too much effort into dressing that morning: pairing a solid top with jeans, boots, and a coat had seemed to suffice, though she was never going to complain about being able to wear jeans to class. She took an empty seat behind Bevans and company, and abstained from taking out her notebook and quill, as it sounded as if they would be trekking outside quite soon. Blythe fastened her eyes and attention onto their rather ethereal charms professor.

Charms was among her best subjects, and if it could be dramatic, it was rarely dull. The note had been vague, something to leave them guessing as to today’s adventure, but it had made plain that they would not be stuck in the classroom today. Blythe had gone over the possibilities after finishing homework in bed the night before— had consulted the chapters surrounding their current concentration with a playful flick of her thumb— but she hadn’t been too bothered by the unknown, not yet. Deciphering it… or meeting it head on... was half the fun of magic. If her wandwork came with a side of mud and rain, rather than a desk and ticking clock, she looked forward to stretching her legs.

Still, she offered a lopsided smile at the Gryffindor's quip. “Come on, Bevans. What’s a little rain?” She said to the back of his head. She shot a bright look in Mysti’s direction.

Alex was considerably happier than usual to have a charms lesson – mostly because she knew that she wouldn’t actually be having a charms lesson. Unlike almost everyone else present, the Ravenclaw knew exactly where they were going. It was something that she’d been looking forward to since she’d heard the news, and although the circumstances were hardly ideal, they were still better than no circumstances at all. And it wasn’t as though it wouldn’t be a little amusing watching Rick interact with her classmates. More than a little, in fact, not least because Gracie knew about the calendar. What on earth he’d been thinking, assuming he’d been thinking at all, she had no idea. But even with that bonus, Alex would much prefer to visit without having to go on a school trip to do so; since Rick and his work were the main attraction, there wouldn’t be much opportunity to talk to him, and the possibility of being able to talk without the others around was so small as to be non-existent.

By the time she arrived, talking with Theo as she passed through the door, several of her classmates, the poor lack-wits, were sitting around and doubtless speculating on the destination of their excursion, and while it would be somewhat amusing to listen in, it simply wasn’t worth it. Especially when company which she could enjoy rather than endure was available. “Sir,” she said as she passed, already headed for a seat, although she knew that her occupation of it would be brief. It was nearer to her cousin than the others, but not directly adjacent to her.

“Are you looking forward to our little jaunt?” she asked Theo as she dug into her bag, searching by touch until eventually she produced a quill that was the worse for being in a bag with a very heavy book. “Arm?” she requested, intention clear and smile bright and certain. After all, what reason was there to refuse?

It was important that she did this, after all, London was a large and treacherous city and she couldn't risk losing Theo. Unsatisfied with the offered arm, she adjusted it slightly, only briefly checking that Theo didn't look too inconvenienced before she began to write, glad she had paid for a refilling quill. The words were not quite as neat as she usually managed, but they were still better than many would have managed, and when she was done, she took a moment to admire them:

Property of Alexandra Carstairs. If found, please send an owl.