Transfiguration 2:2

[Professor Leif Odegard]

Lesson Two: Learning Praepilatus (beetles into buttons)
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Leif was stood outside of his classroom, leaning against the wall and greeting his students as they made their way inside. When they did, they were sure to notice the presence of a colourful jar atop his desk, its contents seeming to move about in a rainbow mess. A handful of them tried to get a closer look but they were waved away by the professor as soon as he made his way towards his desk.

"Sit down please," Leif started, grinning. "Today we are going to work on our first transfiguration spell of this year." He continued, leaning on his desk. He could see excitement on students' faces at doing some practical work. He himself was excited, as he preferred spellcasting over constant lectures. As a student, using magic in class had always been far more fun than endless note taking and he didn't need to be a genius to know that was probably how most of his own students felt.

"In the last lesson we learned about Animate to Inanimate Transfiguration, and that's what we are going to do today." He said and held up the colourful jar from the table.

"Beetles," Leif announced, raising the jar just above his chest so everyone could see the small insects scittering around inside. "We are going to transfigure them into coat buttons. Small objects. especially insects, are easiest to transfigure, because you don't have as much detail to worry about," He said, handing the jar to a girl in the front row. "Keep one beetle with you, and pass out the others among the rest."

The students took a long time to choose a beetle of their choice. There was quite the variety, colours, spots, sizes, so he couldn't blame them. They had a whole lesson ahead. Finally, after the last student had selected a beetle, Leif continued the lesson. "Hold onto your beetles, don't let them escape; be gentle though, we don't want them dead. Really, please try not to kill them. Now, you will find that in transfiguration that it is easier to change items that are closer in size to each other. Matchsticks and needles are of the same size, shape, and weight. Essentially all you had to transfigure was the material and color. The same with beetles. They are small and similar in size to buttons, so all you need to do is to change the shape. Remember, that doesn't mean that it's easy. You still need the proper wand movement and concentration. Now," He explained as he took out his own wand, "as I told you in the last lesson, Animate to Inanimate Transfiguration uses the 'three tap' method of wand waving. Make sure you use that or the spell will not work properly. Visualize the outcome."

"The incantation for this transfiguration is 'Praepilatus'. Repeat it after me." Leif said, nodding along as they did. "Now, first you must picture a button in your mind. I want all of you to picture a button with the same coloring as your beetle. That will make it a lot easier for you. As I said, we're mostly focusing on the shape. Once you're comfortable, you may attempt to alter other features. After that raise your wand, visualize the beetle turning into the button. When you are ready, tap the beetle three times with your wand, and swish the wand through the air, saying the incantation. Praepilatus!" At his words, the chunky beetle on his desk flattened into a round, glittering button with a similar blue sheen that the beetles carapace had.

"Now perform the transfiguration on your beetle. I want to see buttons good enough to line my coat with." Leif beamed. "If you have any problems, feel free to ask. And don't worry - this won't hurt the beetles, I promise."

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Roleplay transfiguring a beetle into a button for full marks. Feel free to rp myself helping you.

 

[Apolline Fontaine]

Apolline was looking forward to the club fair again, though she liked the clubs she was currently doing there was always a chance that maybe something else new would capture her attention and she could do that. Apolline was sure that she could find plenty of things to fill her time. After all, participation in clubs didn’t necessarily gain her points - but just maybe it could. Apolline was getting herself together for the day ahead, making sure that she had all of her books and notes and then headed out of the dorm room.

Apolline walked into the transfiguration classroom and took her spot in the room. She took out her notes, books and her wand. Apolline took her quill but was very excited at the prospect of doing the spell. She looked at the professor as the man began talking over what the spell was that they would be doing. She chose a beetle as the professor let her chose one. She then took it back to her desk and was careful to not let it escape. Apolline nodded along, listening closely as the professor went over the the spell, the incantation and all the rest. Then Apolline was able to try the spell. Apolline pointed her wand at the beetle and trying to make sure she could imagine it looking like a button. She then said, ”Praepilatus,” and it took a few attempts before she was able to get it and felt very happy with it. Apolline was able to show it to the professor and then head out of the room.

 

[Aroha Blenheim]

Aroha wasn't looking forward to the lesson. She still struggled with wandwork, and she was sure that hadn't changed over the break. She knew she should at least try, so she paid attention to the professor's instructions and grabbed a beetle as they were passed round the room. Funny, squirmy things she thought as she held it between her thumb and index to keep it from wandering. "Praepilatus," Aroha enounced, tapping three times. The beetle somewhat changed to something more round but it still had its legs. Aroha worried it was in pain so she had another go but no improvements were made. She felt a little embarrassed, not really wanting to ask for help. Aroha persisted for another fifteen minutes, then reluctantly raised her hand. Professor Odegard came over, giving Aroha some advice which she nodded and tried one final time. She ended up with a slightly dented-looking button but it was a button nonetheless. Hopefully that counted for something. On the way out she thanked the professor for his help a little shyly as she showed the button she'd made.

 

[Kyousuke Kurosawa]

Kyousuke was ready to try out a spell. He was determined to get it right, and to get it right on his first try. He paid close attention to the professor, then retrieved a beetle. He could do this. Concentrating hard, he imagined a button the same colour as the carapace, like the professor had done - except his beetle was an emerald green. "Praepilatus," he said in a strong voice. Unfortunately, his first attempt wasn't successful but his subsequent one did the trick - the beetle transfigured abruptly into a solid, green button. Pleased with accomplishment, though resenting having taken two tries, he at least noted someone had been struggling with it. At least he was doing better than them. He showed his button at the end of class, then went on his way back to the library to study more.

 

[Penelope Zatare]

Penelope was settling in alright- as much as she ever did. Keeping to herself, avoiding as many people as she could. It was an easy routine for her- take off, stay hidden in the shadows, keep her head down. It was almost hyproctical, she mused as she got ready for class. She harped on the wizarding world as a whole for hiding from those without magic when she herself hid from most social interaction. She sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. How long could she carry on like this? She set her jaw as she walked to class. She'd carry on this way forever, if she had to.

She took her seat, turning her attention to the Professor. She didn't really want to, but she would at least hear whatever nonsense they were trying to feed her. She bit back a sigh when they were given a beetle. Turn it into a button? She scrunched her nose. Why? Of all the things that magic could do, they were turning beetles into buttons. For what, in case your blazer lost one? She rolled her eyes but took out her wand.

She repeated the spell, copied the motion, and- nothing. Her brow furrowed. She tried it again, her voice more firm. A few sparks shot out, but nothing. She growled softly and sat up straighter. Work, you stupid thing, or I'll snap you and get a new one. She tried the spell again, putting a bit more authority in her tone, and much to her relief the beetle turned into a flawless, shimmering black button on her desk. She smirked, and unthinkingly ran her thumb over the wand. Good job. Keep it up, and I might actually think you're worth what I paid for you.

Done arguing with her wand, Penelope picked up her things and headed back out again.