Transfiguration Lesson 3: Survivor

[Severus Snape]

Severus felt cooler and turned toward the direction of the spell, it felt like a breeze. He saw Sam with an extra chair and a large umbrella, he looked up at his sad creation and didn't feel very magical. She wanted his attention, he could guess that much, but what was she willing to deal for helping him? He thought maybe she had been the one to make the throne in the last class, but pulled up his bag, picked up his shoes and grabbed his makeshift umbrella and sat in her offered chair. "I suppose a Hello and thank you are in order?" he asked.

[Samantha Montgomery]

"Just a hello will do." she said smiling up at him, but she nodded towards the chair that was made for him, "You know Severus I was thinking...It isn't really right that first and second years are cast such a poor lot in this class, after all, there hasn't been much teaching yet, just showing of what you already know, I didn't learn much transfiguration until my fourth year, nothing useful anyway." She wrinkled her nose, " Anyhow, I was thinking you and I might come to a beneficial relationship, you see, I'm dreadful with potions..." she trailed off lowering her sunglasses past the bridge of her nose so she could look him in the eye to see if he caught on to the deal she wanted to make.

[Severus Snape]

"Clever." he said it clearly. He was more than used to this sort of talk. "You'll learn the way everyone else does, You can't do it my way." the way his mind worked was his only edge, He could think of a potion as art and as science when hundreds of other wizard fools would plod along never knowing the difference. His inflexibility was also his weakness. He wasn't one to think just changing somethings shape would ever be 'real' which is why his transfigurations always fell apart or were fodder for someone else's' magic. "You may be wasting your time, as I might be wasting mine."

[Samantha Montgomery]

She shrugged, " I'm not suggesting you turn me into a potions master, or I turn you into a transfigurist, if you want my honest opinion all of the classes can come in handy if they work with you, if they don't..." she smiled, " Do you see yourself being a brilliant Transfigurist Severus?" she asked, " Or would you simply like to pass this class? I can get you good at the basics...if you're willing to do the same." She knew tricks of the trade where certain crafts were involved if only because it was the only way she would learn a few things. The only real thing that came naturally to her was defense. She shrugged again, and gave him a devilish grin, "Besides which *I* do want to pass this class, and something tells me that you're about this close to mixing some concoction up to make Professor Long's entrails her extrails."

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra's eyebrows raised as she watched Bek shorten her already short shorts, and the quick exchange between her and Rystain that followed. She would have laughed if she knew it wouldn't hurt Ry's chances at possibly hooking up with Bek later, if that was his goal. He could just be leading her on, and if that were the case she wouldn't want to laugh so that she could watch it all play out. Severus was the next to enter the class and his display was almost as funny as Bek's. She watched as he lamely attempted to find shade, and was slightly saddened when Sam rescued him from his private hell.

Still laying on the towel, Lyra rested on her elbows, her head tilted back to catch the faux sun on her face. Thus far there were no other students and she had no more shows to entertain her. She shut her eyes and let her mind wander. "How old is she?" She asked of Bek, to Rystain without looking at him. "Is she seventeen yet?"

[Rystain Quandry]

"Your guess is as good as mine, I only just met the girl in care of magical creatures.. and you know I'm horrible at divination." He chuckled under his breath, low enought that only Lyra would have heard him. "But I know she's in our grade. Why? Are you wondering if you have competition?" He hadn't meant it as if competition over himself but rather just that he knew the girls in school were always competing to be the most liked and the most beautiful.

He enjoyed watching the girls in school compete with each other to look the best or have the most attention. He was the first to admit he enjoyed beauty around him, and never made it hidden that if they showed it off he was going to look. But he also wasn't going to give in to chasing. Chasing meant you were submissive and that gave her power over him. He wasn't about to be submissive to any girl, nor would he respect a girl who was submissive in return. It was one of the reasons he looked and enjoyed but didn't commit himself to anyone in particular.

But he did like watching them compete no matter what it was about, the stronger would always win. He turned back to watch Bek, she was very good looking as well he noted as he lowered his eyelashes to hide the fact he was inspecting her from head to toe. He generally ignored the young slytherin boy but he did turn his head to notice Sam being nice to him. What was that girl up to? He'd noticed her on a few occasions already befriending other young more helpless students, what was she getting out of it all? Surely there must be a reason, but he was too far away to hear what was said and turned his attention back to Bek and then to Lyra as he waited for her response.

[Samantha Montgomery]

She knew she had an audience as soon as Rystain glanced their way, she could always tell when someone had their eyes on her and she usually didn't like it, for the moment she didn't really care, they weren't discussing anything that couldn't be discussed publically. She did however, make a mental note to figure out Rystain's game at some point, he was such an observer, those types could be dangerous.

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra huffed loudly. "Sure Ry. Like that's possible." Lyra rolled over and laid on her stomach, resting her cheek on her arms and looking toward Rystain and the door. She knew that the other girls in the school, and possibly Rystain himself, thought that Lyra fancied Rystain. She didn't care what others thought, especially when they were mistaken. Lyra enjoyed Ry's company, and had loads in common with him. More so than most of the girls her age. And she couldn't deny that he was cute, and at one point she did have a small crush on him. But that was just a phase that passed quickly. Now the only feelings she felt for him were strictly platonic. But she'd never let the more insecure girls know that It was too fun watching them squirm as she pranced about Rystain in her skimpy outfits with her gorgeous face and body. She loved watching people's reactions to the mischief she created. It was the best form of entertainment possible.

[Rystain Quandry]

Rystain grinned in an almost boyish roguish way his eyes shining with laughter at Lyra's reaction. He loved baiting her and watching her get huffy, she got all cute when she was in a huff. She'd never given him a second glance when they were alone. She only did it when they were in public and although he didn't know her little game, he suspected she enjoyed the public attention and the competition itself. He didn't mind, they were much alike in many ways and probably the reason they'd become friends over the years. Not that they were the closest of friends but they understood each other and it was comfortable and convinent for both of them to be friends. She could have her fun and he could enjoy the view with no fear of her wanting more from him than he was willing to give.

[Nikita Long]

Nikita was marking names as the students appeared taking inventory and though she appeared to be writing and not paying attention she was keenly watching all that occurred between her students. Ah, youth, wasted on the young, she was only twenty-two but she felt ancient in comparison to the highly spirited teens in her class now.

She glanced at her wrist to check the time they only had a few more minutes before class began.

[Rebecca "Bek" Caldwell]

Bek had pulled out a book and started reading when she heard Lyra comment about her age. Bek knew she looked young, but she WAS a wizarding adult, and thought that if Lyra wanted to know, she should have just asked.

"I am 17," Bek said to Lyra with a kind smile. Her voice was a bit more pointed than normal though.

[Maxi Borale]

Maxi and Gage came into Transfiguration and suddenly felt a wave of heat.

"It's a beach!" Maxi said excitedly, sweet! She pulled out her wand and pointed it at her robes, turning them into a pair of brown board shorts and a pink tank top. Then she looked at Gage. "Want some help with clothes?"

[Samantha Montgomery]

"Mmm..Promise me you'll think about it?" she asked Severus before returning her attention to her surroundings, she knew she wasn't staying in her dress, it just wasn't appropriate, but she had yet to determine what they were doing in this class and that unhinged her just slightly. Though she was always ready to roll with the punches she did like her control.

[Lyra Newbury]

Bek was speaking to her so Lyra turned to look at the girl. She didn't want to speak with Bek and her question had not been directed at her, so why was the girl responding? "Congratulations," Lyra said in an uninterested tone. She turned her head back toward Rystain. "If only the brain matched the body," Lyra said to him. Bek was dense, but she was rather good looking. It was a shame.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Sam tossed a look over at Lyra that was a combination of rolling her eyes and a smile, she wasn't really nasty, well sometimes she was, but on the right side of Lyra's caustic wit and you were amused. She curbed the quip that someone hadn't been satisfactoraily put to bed last night but shook her head towards Bek as if to say don't pay any attention to her.

[Severus Snape]

Sept 11, 2008 22:34:21 GMT -5 Samantha Montgomery said:

She shrugged, " I'm not suggesting you turn me into a potions master, or I turn you into a transfigurist, if you want my honest opinion all of the classes can come in handy if they work with you, if they don't..." she smiled, " Do you see yourself being a brilliant Transfigurist Severus?" she asked, " Or would you simply like to pass this class? I can get you good at the basics...if you're willing to do the same." She knew tricks of the trade where certain crafts were involved if only because it was the only way she would learn a few things. The only real thing that came naturally to her was defense. She shrugged again, and gave him a devilish grin, "Besides which *I* do want to pass this class, and something tells me that you're about this close to mixing some concoction up to make Professor Long's entrails her extrails."

Severus shrugged and leaned toward her "She's an arrogant fool, I don't see how any of us are learning anything, right now she's just testing and teasing with these stupid situations, For anyone past third year, it's going swimmingly, but for me, and the lack luster year of before, I'm utterly lost. You are more than right" he smiled not looking at the professor, "I want her to explode." and with that he brought his bag to his lap and dug out his battered book to see what a normal text book would say about making umbrellas.

[Samantha Montgomery]

"Does the book help?" Sam asked returning her attention to Severus. Sam ignored his angry tirade about the professor, she kinda liked the class, well she didn't like it, but she didn't despise it, so far they were just summoning what they needed, certainly if she didn't know how to do that she wouldn't like it nearly at all, but for those who did know what to do it was more fun than reading from a book. Still none of this showed in her expression behind her glasses as she asked Severus her question. She hadn't been able to learn from the book very well, her tutors had to do spells and have her repeat them over and over again.

[Severus Snape]

"It's excellent, over worded theory, it's useless." he said dryly shaking the book and removing sand from it. "It's far from practical, But it gives me some idea of what to do" He waved and jabbed his wand saying a spell at his lop-sided creation and the reed pole he had driven into the ground became a piece of bamboo, it was a very Asian looking thing now. the leaves however were still leaves threaded into the bamboo of the umbrella. "At least it won't wilt as quickly" he sighed and looked at the large domed umbrella currently giving him shade. His was at least umbrella shaped now.

[Samantha Montgomery]

She smiled at him, "Come here." she ordered with a small shake of her head, regardless if he tutored her in potions, she'd have him able to make an umbrella, she took his wrist lightly with her hands and rotated it then added the propper jab with just the right force, "Your pronunciation was perfect, " she said encouragingly because when she started transfiguration she butchered the words, " But you put the emphasis on the end. Try it." she said sitting back and waiting for a second attempt.

[Rebecca "Bek" Caldwell]

Sept 14, 2008 1:50:19 GMT -5 Lyra Newbury said:

Bek was speaking to her so Lyra turned to look at the girl. She didn't want to speak with Bek and her question had not been directed at her, so why was the girl responding? "Congratulations," Lyra said in an uninterested tone. She turned her head back toward Rystain. "If only the brain matched the body," Lyra said to him. Bek was dense, but she was rather good looking. It was a shame.

Sept 14, 2008 14:24:19 GMT -5 Samantha Montgomery said:

Sam tossed a look over at Lyra that was a combination of rolling her eyes and a smile, she wasn't really nasty, well sometimes she was, but on the right side of Lyra's caustic wit and you were amused. She curbed the quip that someone hadn't been satisfactoraily put to bed last night but shook her head towards Bek as if to say don't pay any attention to her.

Bek laughed hallowly at Lyra's comment and was about to say something else when she caught Sam's eye. So Bek merely shrugged and returned to her book, a spiteful smile across her face.

Let Lyra say what she wanted. Bek knew that she was pretty, and she knew that she was a perfecly normal, perfectly happy, young adult, and she wasn't going to let some little jealous priss tell her otherwise.

"So how have you been Rystain?" Bek asked, still smiling.