Chapter 6 - Talons and Tea Leaves

So, in this chapter, we're introduced to three new things: Divination, Animagi (briefly) and Care of Magical Creatures. So many new things to see!

-When Ron points out how Hermione's time seemed impossible both at the beginning and end of this chapter, did you wonder how she actually could do 3 classes at once? What did you think she meant by "fixed it all with McGonagall"?

-Did Trelawny seem legitimate, or at least mystical, to you? Or did she seem like a fraud or just dramatic?

-McGonagall introduces Animagi in this chapter, the wizards that can turn into animals. If you were an Animagi, what animal do you think you would become?

-I don't have much to say about the Care of Magical Creatures lesson besides the fact that Draco is a jerk... but I'll ask this; do you think you'd be scared of the hippogriffs? Or would you love to see them, pet them or even ride them?

:D

I was curious as to how Hermione could attend 3 classes at the same time and by fixed by Mcgonagall was that she had to keep secret whatever the discussion the two of them had to make her timetable work.

As for Care of Magical creatures I would probably feel wary of the hippogriff and slightly intimidated.

Hm Animagi if I could become one it would most likely be something in the feline family. How about you?

Definitely feline for me, as well! I adore my kitties so much and have loved cats for so long I feel like a part of my soul is feline haha. And my character in this cult, Emmy, is an animagi that changes into a Norwegian Forest cat! ^^

nice I think if my character had the ability to become an animagus if I was any good at rping that is she would probably be an Orange Tabby German Rex.

Even if Trelawny isn't actually a fraud, she definitely seems to be playing it up. I'm a lot like Hermione in regards to my views of her.

I might be intimidated by the hippogrifs, but I would love to get close, pet, and maybe even ride them~

As to Hermione's classes, it's been a long time since my first read of this book, which was around when it came out. But I knew about Doctor Who at the time, and had seen things where magic was used to time travel, and I think I chalked it up to that. Or possibly the magic equivalent of online courses done after regular hours, and just listed in her schedule as during that time. One of the two.

I definitely wondered how she could do 3 classes at once, but I assumed that because it was Hermione and she always seems to be studying anyway, that she was just doing independent study on the other 2 classes when she wasn't in Divination. Not like she would need much help with Muggle Studies anyway haha.

I thought Trelawney was WAY over the top. Not necessarily a fraud, like mentioned, but definitely hamming it up for the audience.

I'd probably turn into a cat, like McGonagall, if I was an Animagus. Or maybe something bigger, like a wolf. <3

I would LOVE to get close to a Hippogriff.

I just figured she was getting the classwork but only going to one class at first. Then I kinda had doubts that was the case and was wonder how the hades she was doing it lol.

Trelawny always seemed like a fraud to me.

Hmm... proably a big cat... like a leopard. Gosh that'd be so cool. so with you lol and in the next comment too :D

Oh I'd be petting one and riding one before you could say sign me up xD

When I first read this chapter I thought it was strange that Hermione did have such a large load of classes but time travel did not come to mind at first. I thought she might have just worked it out with everyone to get the class information through the teacher, maybe by some recording devise. It wasn’t until she started showing up where she shouldn’t have been that I started to wonder about how she was doing it all. Time travel just seemed a little too science-fiction to me though still. I still don’t understand that IF time travel is around why people didn’t go back and kill Voldemort before he got into power.

Trelawny never seemed too much like a fraud to me… she just seemed dramatic. She seemed to have it in for Harry but that might have just been because she didn’t like that he was the “chosen” one.

I would love to meet a Hippogriff – I would be so scared at first though. I think that would have been my favorite class. I love learning about new animals as it is and something as strange as a Hippogriff would be awesome.

I would want to become something powerful like a coyote if I turned into an animal… however knowing my luck, I would become something strange like a mouse. lol. I think it would actually be interesting to be able to turn into a few different animals.

To be honest, I initially did not give any extra thought to how Hermione was going to all her classes. I just thought she was spending more time studying and more or less teaching herself the learning materials, and that was her arrangement with McGonagall.
Trewlaney gets a bad rep for being energetic and a little out there - but c'mon, it's a school for magic! The idea that you can learn how to brew potions, learn to fly, transfigure yourself, etc, but Trewlaney cannot predict the future?! I feel like it's in tune to how we treat people who are drawn more towards the arts than people in hard maths and sciences. It's like some disciplines are considered more 'real' or 'respectable' than others. Passion is passion.
If I could turn into any animal, I would probably choose a cat like McGonagall. It just seems like having the super sharp senses, but also being able to lounge around and relax, would be super fun! Plus I love cats hehe
I feel that I would trust in Hagrid's advice - as long as I did not offend the Hippogriff, I should be safe, so why not go meet, pet or ride one! That would be an amazing experience and definitely make a great story. Plus Draco doesn't seem to listen to anything people tell him so as long as I did not follow in his footsteps, I feel like I would have nothing to worry about!

Here's the next chapter question, folks! My apologies for how late it is - school has been a nightmare the last week or two. Only one more week of the craziness left to go, though, and after that posts will be MUCH more regular! Now then, on to the next one!

Chapter 7 - The Boggart in the Wardrobe

Most professors call students by their last names. In fact, I don't think I've seen anyone besides Dumbledore (and Hagrid, I suppose), ever call students by their first names. Lupin, however, uses students' first names. Why do you think this is?

Because Lupin rocks? ;) lol I mean, perhaps because he knows he is only working for a year and doesn't consider himself an acutal professor? Or also maybe because he views the students as equals?

I like the viewing the students as equals approach! My thoughts were that it makes him seem more approachable. Perhaps he knows that the students have a lot to be dealing with and he wants to make himself seem less formal and more like a trusted friend. I know in my personal experience, professors that are more casual and on a first name basis with students make me feel a lot more comfortable both inside and outside of class than the ones that are more distant and prefer to go by their titles.

I agree and helps kind of show why Harry likes him XD

I agree with what's been said thus far about Lupin. I'd also like to point out that he is probably a good bit younger than most of the other teachers, with the exception of Professor Snape. Both he and Snape are only one generation removed from the students, but Snape doesn't seem the type to use first names (this ties in to the approachable/friendly bit).

I agree so far with the thoughts on Lupin. I think because he is younger and wants to be more trusted he is a little more lax in the order and stiffness of Hogworts.

He also has a completely different teaching method that the other teachers. He doesn't think the kids are too young to learn things so maybe he figures they are old enough to have their first names used.

I think it comes mainly down to his personality too. He is more laid back and tries to teach and have fun at the same time. He wants a connection with the students because he knows he will get a better result that way.

Honestly, Lupin reminds me of a lot of my favorite teachers. Though I'm sure I would like McGonagall as well.

I agree with everything that has been said so far and can't elaborate much as I have two essays due next week.

I always forget Snape is the same-ish age as Lupin because Alan Rickman looks so so much older haha. Good points, though!

I'd never even thought of it from the perspective of him thinking the students are old/mature enough to be on a first name basis alongside learning practically. That's a really interesting perspective!

May the odds be ever in your favor! I can sympathize - I have two major presentations due in the next two days and I'm kind of dying. It's great to have your input anyway and I wish you the best of luck!

Chapter 8 - Flight of the Fat Lady

In this chapter, Hagrid loses confidence and decides to just let the students study boring flobberworms... what do you think would be a good creature to study instead that's fairly safe, buta lot more interesting than the flobberworms? Consult your copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them if you need to!

Also, Hogsmeade sounds amazing! Similar to my past Diagon Alley question, where would you most like to visit in the village, if you were ever able to go?

I'd go everywhere lol. Seriously, I dont' think I could get enough of either location and even a "boring" shop would have to be exciting xD lol everyone of the animals I liked are dangerous so hehe I'm not a good judge there, but the threstrals could've been a good one if he'd shown them then.