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It was late in the school year- which meant that it was only a matter of time before the OWLs and NEWTs would be held. Declan felt confident that his students would be able to handle it- he had done a good job of preparing them so far, if he did say so himself, and they were getting smart. They were leaps and bounds beyond where they were when he had started teaching. Declan supposed that said a lot about his capabilities as an educator as well.

Today wasn't going to be particularly fun or interesting. He wanted to do some review for the students for their tests- to make sure they were prepared.

"Okay everyone! Take your seats. Today we're going to work on some basic review for your OWLs and hopefully answer questions about any concerns you have. It won't be as exciting as some of our more recent classes- but it is a necessary step to take to ensure you pass your tests for your later years here."

Peyton entered the classroom and settled into his seat without too much fuss. He pulled out a roll of parchment and his well worn pheasant feather quill along with his text book. He spared a glance around the classroom before his attention was snapped back to the front of the classroom as Professor O Morain spoke. He had to admit that with most of his personal and social demons under control classes were getting easier and most of his marks were actually improving. He still was no genius or straight O student but he wasn't trolling out now either.

He stifled a sigh when they were informed that they were going to be doing mostly review today. He supposed it was only natural given the fact that they were so close to sitting their OWLs. As much as he hated to admit it this was considered crunch time. He needed to pass as many of his OWLs as possible, not only to stay on the quidditch team (Though now that Professor Trishna was Head of House instead of Bombay he might find some leniency in that matter) but also to make it into the next year. He couldn't imagine how dreadful it would be to be held back a year. He looked around the classroom again, he couldn't see a single student amoungst them that he thought to be daft enough to actually troll out of their OWLs and be held back.

Xavier sauntered into class and swiftly took his seat. For once he wasn't planning on causing a ruckus. Since coming back from his little unauthorized vacation Xavier had been focusing more on his studies, especially considering his talent to make most if not all of the female student body completely furious with him. He had been steering clear of as many of them as he could since mid February and felt he was much better off that way. Women were just trouble plain and simple fact, at least he learned it at the age of fifteen and not much later in his life.

However men weren't much better company. Men like O Morain for instance. Xavier felt as if he was always at odds with the Care of Magical Creatures Professor. It could have been that he cheated on his egg project, or that he threatened him when they were supposed to looking for yeti or his fantasies about the man's sister. Either way you looked at it he wouldn't be surprised if O Morain hated him. It made him wonder whether it would be worth carrying on the man's class after this year. After all this was the pinnacle year for them, OWLs and all but what Xavier was really interested in was being able to cut all the fat and drop the classes he no longer wanted to take.

If O Morain wasn't replaced by someone nice and smoking like the new Potions Professor or the new Herbology Professor he likely wasn't going to see Xavier into his sixth year.

A full schedule of classes meant a full bag of books.  After Care of Magical Creatures, he only had one more class that day: Herbology.  Professor Bombay had left Hogwarts.  Though Sasha knew that fact, it probably would still feel strange when he found himself in that classroom with one more professor who'd joined the faculty during his absence.  He knew he was probably in the minority around school but he was going to miss Professor Bombay. 

But, that was all a concern for the next class period.  Sasha took a seat next to Peyton and let the heavy bag of books fall to the floor.  He pulled out a roll of parchment and situated his things on his desk.  Though many of his professors had met with him regularly during his absence to help him avoid falling behind, Magical Creatures had been one of the classes he'd tried to keep up with on his own.  Keeping up with the practical, hands on exercise had been, of course, impossible but he'd managed to work through the written materials on his own.  This review was going to be helpful. 

Raine sat at the back of the glass, parchment and quill at hand. Her textbook was open beside her. She held her wand in her spare hand absently, twirling it while shifting attention between notes and the Professor. Part of her mind buzzed with information from this week's lessons- she was considering a practice session for later in the day; a small corner of her parchment consisted of crossed out charms.

Reviewing material was a solid way to end the week, Raine thought as she flipped a page in her book and gave the rest of the fifth years a cursory glance. Nobody looked like they were particularly enjoying this- though it would be a beneficial class. Not to mention, it was rather pleasant to be able to sit still for an hour or so instead of casting spells and counter-curses. It wouldn't be long before her feet wanted up again but that was typical of every class lately. Raine breathed out and continued with her notes, deciding to leave aside her charms prep to concentrate on Ó Móráin's teaching.

Declan watched as his students filed into the classroom and took their seats. Since the weather had been nice he'd been having most classes outside, doing some hands on things. It wasn't practical to do in the Winter- and apart from the yeti hunting class he hadn't really done much outside. He knew it was likely a disappointment for those who liked to use Care of Magical Creatures to take a break from the standard class structure.

"Right then- it's time to get started." Declan flicked his wand toward the classroom door to lock it- he was one of the few who was serious about his students not being tardy and wouldn't let them in through the door once it was locked.

"OWLs, as you all know, are very important examinations. They will decide which classes you may continue to take in your sixth year- and thus which classes you will have a chance to receive your NEWTs in. This test, therefore, will impact your entire future after Hogwarts if you intend to have any type of career where this information might be useful. Such careers include working for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, working with potions, Magizoology, and even the Department of Mysteries finds the information useful."

Declan eyed his students, wondering which ones would actually need his class for their professional lives. He wouldn't be surprised if most them had no idea what they wanted to do when they grew up. "Do any of you have any questions about the OWLs in general?" Declan asked. "Before we get on to class specific information?"

"Yes Professor, I do have a question about OWLS" said Simon as he raised his hand.  "It is about this class's OWL examination.  Would it be acceptable, during the practical examination, for me to use my ability to communicate with animals?  I've learned the 'proper' of doing things these last few years, but to me my way is much easier."
As Simon spoke, the whole class stared at him.  There have been many times during a class outside where Simon completed the task presented to them in record time due to his ability to 'speak' to animals, whereupon he would begin to showoff a bit and get the animals to do tricks and whatnot.

Despite how little Professor O Morain and Figaro Sellaphix liked each other, Creatures had become one of Figaro's favorite classes, mostly because there was always something weird to do.  Which is probably why his patience hatched from its egg, grew beautiful plummage and then promptly caught fire, fizzled and died.   

Desks? Quills? O.W.L. review? 

Sitting next to Xavier, whom Figaro had forgotten why he hadn't been speaking with this last term, he slumped in his desk.  His notes were filling with a battle between unicorns on broomsticks and dragons with a gnome launcher, crudely depicted in blotted ink. 

If he didn't hear the word O.W.L. again in his life it'd be too soon.  That was all this whole school was on about these last six months.  The future, potential, classes, good marks, careers, revision, review, and finals.  The litany was never ending and every new mention made his stomach knot up again.  Part of him wanted to believe it was all just boredom, but frankly he was terrified because he had no clue what he was supposed to be doing with his life.

And now, even in the useless elective class, they were getting the O.W.L. talk. 

"Curse me..." he grumbled. 

Then Simon spoke up, saying he did, in fact, have a question.  Figaro turned in his seat.  Weren't questions Josh Harcroft's job? Or Sasha's.  Oh that's right.  Simon was the lucky bastard who could understand animals.

"Doesn't seem fair," Figaro observed in unsolicited response.  He wasn't being an arse about it, just giving his two cents. 

Simon heard Figaro mutter under his breath, "Doesn't seem fair."
"Whatever," Simon thought.  "Anyways, Professor, could you please answer my question?  I apologize you were so rudely interrupted."

Declan paused to considered Simon's question- hearing Figaro mutter, but dismissing it immediately. Sellaphix did have a point that it didn't seem fair, but there was no point in penalizing someone with a special gift. But the Chevalier boy's impatience was astounding as he apologized for Figaro's "interruption".

"Technically, Mr. Chevalier, I would have to be speaking to be interrupted. However, I do not know the answer to your question. I do not proctor or give the OWL exams. It is a question you will have to pose to the Wizarding Examinations Authority, and they will have to make a ruling on whether or not they deem it to be fair. However, do keep in mind the entire exam will not deal one on one with creatures. It is mostly a written exam, the practical portion is a very small percentage."

"Alright then! Are there any sections that any of you had particular troubles with or would like to review? Anything from the last three years you might not remember well or have been confused on. Remember, the OWL is going to be a cumulative review on the things you have learned. I am not aware what was or was not covered prior to my employment. Now is your chance to ask me anything- and apart from the next few review classes, all you will have is studying."

Simon had not meant to sound rude or impatient, but his question had been on his mind for several days.  He would hate to step into his OWL in his best subject and fail from using his ability.

"Professor, can you explain the life cycle of Ashwinders again?  And this is just more of a general question, but how do they utilize the ash from them as a wand core?"