Professor Austerlitz entered the classroom, not even glancing at the arrogantly mature students looking back at her. Seventh years were known for trouble - hell, Hildegarde had been one many aeons ago. They were old enough to have some form of personality, yet their youth added this sense of cockiness. To them, they knew everything and anything about the world they lived in, and Hildegarde  could only scoff at this sentiment; they weren't even old enough to see how hard life got. Despite this, Austerlitz was known for her somewhat icy and blunt nature, and she'd fried bigger fish than a self-righteous seventh year. Placing a charcoal grey patent handbag on the table delicately, she stood in front of her desk, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. It was always best to assert one's own dominance, Hildegarde found.

Her History of Magic classroom had been recently decorated since Lumpkin's resignation; it was floor to ceiling mahogany bookshelves surrounding the perimeter of the classroom, and the large bay windows let in floods of winter afternoon sunlight. There was a distinct sense of grandeur and academia that Hildegarde was keen to instil; exquisite portraits of mythological scenes such as the slaying of Medusa and the rescue of Andromeda adorned the walls, whilst in the front two corners of the classroom sat marble busts of Plato and Archimedes. Yes, this was the environment of classical history, and resembled the conference room of the Wizarding History Society, a place of prestige and knowledge.

"Good afternoon," Hildegarde replied, gazing around the classroom slowly. "I am Professor Austerlitz, and I am presuming you have no doubt been informed of Professor Lumpkin's resignation. You are in your final year of Hogwarts, and although I may be echoing my colleagues, these are your most important moments within this establishment." Taking a pause, her voice was dominant yet threatening, and she began to pace down the middle aisle of the structured desks. "Unfortunately for you, I have not previously taught the majority of your History of Magic experience, but I believe that a lot of progress can be made in your final year regardless of this little matter. I am sure you have all cultivated your own specific interests within the subject, and I would be foolish to not consider this. After a meeting with Headmistress Snark, and by revising a new curriculum, seventy percent of your final year will be dependant upon one conclusive deep research project."

Standing at the back of the classroom now, she perched on an empty stool, crossing one leg over the other in a delicate manner. Whilst small and seemingly fragile, her entire being could've easily been a guard in Azkaban; she had one of those faces that nobody wanted to insult, upset or even cross. If silent wrath could be personified, then Hildegarde Austerlitz would have happily materialised that sin.
"There have been so many prominent figures within wizarding history; classical sorcerers from Greece such as Dion the Olympian, and Eumelia the Great, feudal warlords from Europe such as Holko the Horrible and Vladimir Vetch, even modern despots such as Grindelwald and Voldemort. The vault of history is vast, and therefore, for your final project, you will select a piece of the jigsaw."

Professor Austerlitz stood up once more, pacing towards the front of the classroom, her posture upright and proud. "In pairs, you shall select a figure of great interest and intrigue, and present your own point of view and history of that individual. What events did they instigate or participate in that shaped our society today? Was their effect upon history positive or negative? What were the reasons and values behind that individual? Research and a clear critical perspective are two tools needed for this project, and I believe that as young adults, you should assert some control over your own education within History of Magic."

Flicking through a pile of well-organised sheets of parchment on her desk, there was a fleeting second of coldness and caution in the room; Professor Austerlitz had arrived.
"Of course, I would not be foolish enough to allow you to select your own pairings. Seventeen year olds, when together, are a source of much trouble. After some consultation with my peers, I've received some enlightening advice, and the pairings I have devised are not up for debate. I expect that none of you would be so foolish." Lightly placing a pair of half-mooned spectacles on her fair, she held up a sheet of parchment to the light, her mouth tight-lipped and bitter-looking. She announced each pairing with an extended pause of foreboding and anticipation.


"Your project is your joint work, no questions asked. If you find your partner to be unreliable, ineffective or just plain lazy, then inform me. I can guarantee that their sloth-like tendencies will soon diminish, trust me on that one." She gave them a knowing smile - after all, Professor Austerlitz had removed fully-grown men to tears of fear in the Ministry, a bunch of jumped-up seventeen year olds were a walk in the park for good old Hildegarde.

"I am here to get the best of you, and your projects will be closely monitored throughout the remainder of this year by myself. Do not take offence if I provide another line of argument or opinion upon your projects; a critical eye is always necessary for a work of conclusive evaluation. For most of your History of Magic lessons, we shall be carrying out a history of magical warfare, which will be the basis of your examination which formulates the remaining thirty percent of this course. Any questions so far?"

Maeve entered the classroom with purpose, which was unusual for the young pureblood witch. Surprisingly enough, History of Magic was one of her favorite subjects, perhaps because she took such pride in her own personal history and that of her family. In that sense, wizarding history was something to take seriously. It was a dreadful shame that most students knew nothing at all about it before coming to school and most students held such little regard for it once there.

With a small smile for the new teacher, she took a seat towards the front. It wasn't long before the woman began the class and Maeve opened her notebook and began to scratch down some notes. As Austerlitz noted the upcoming assignment, Maeve circled some of the names of figures that she was interested in. Not knowing who her partner would be, she could not know if he or she would agree with her choices, so it was nice to have several in mind.

Maeve smirked when the professor spoke of the pairings and how they weren't to be trusted to make them. Perhaps that was true. Wrinkling her nose  when she glanced around, Maeve wondered who she would work with if she had the choice.

Luckily, she didn't have to choose and soon enough she found out that she was matched with Edmund Klint. Though she would probably have preferred to work with Devlin,as far as she could tell, Edmund wasn't going to be a completely unfortunate pairing. At least he was good looking. And hopefully he wouldn't be a bore and would at least humor her by flirting.

Not having any questions for the professor, Maeve collected her things and walked over to where Edmund was sitting. She slipped into the empty seat next to him. Flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder, she turned to him and asked, "Hello, Edmund. Shall we begin?"