[img align=left]https://i.imgur.com/3B5sLlT.png[/img] Elizabeth listened carefully to Professor Valdez' words and nodded. However, she wondered at the phrase ' Dark magic and those who would use it for their own purposes existed before Voldemort and will continue to exist long after today ' - wasn't everyone who used Dark magic using it for his or her own purpose? Were there situations which justifed the use of it? She noticed the interest in Lenore's eyes() when the professor was talking and she looked at her friend in a curious way. She had seemed quite uninterested before and now this sudden change. However, before she could think more about this, Poppy() had voiced her question - which was a very good one and Elizabeth had turned her face back to Professor Valdez.

When the small break between guest speakers was announed, she was a bit surprised to see Lenore leaving for the refreshments table so quickly. Even more important, she remained there to drink her tea. She wondered if her question had been too distressing and pulled out a small bag of cookies from home from her leather bag and placed it on the table, carefully pushing it closer to were Lenore sat.

Elizabeth was glad for the appearance of Professor Mathers and even though she didn't pursue such a career, she continued to listen carefully. There was something in her voice and demeanour that demanded attention. Moreover, what she said was very interesting and it could help her for potions class as well. She did have a strange feeling about the drink the students were forced to take and nodded silently in agreement when the professor told them to never drink something when you didn't knew the ingredients. In fact, Elizabeth would have just ignored this drink, but professor Mathers had been so strict about it.

(OOC; I'm so curious for Professor Valdez' answer to Poppy's question. xd And I hope Lenore won't be unhappy for too long xd )

"Oh okay. I wasn't sure if you did. I thought I heard something about her but wasn't sure. I don't know her very well either. Thanks" she whispered back to Sauvage ( )

She looked at her friend with curiosity when she asked her question. She knew she had hosted the right workshop.

As instructed, she stood up and poured herself a mug of the hot honey lemonade. Although she was a good student in potions class, she sometimes found herself in trouble with Professor Mathers and didn't want to risk a look in front of her father. She nodded a thank you to her professor and returned to her seat. She took a sip and smiled to herself. The hot honey lemonade was delicious

(OOC: I want to apologize for not participating. It’s hard for me with all the activities and I can hardly keep up. I’m super busy and still have no power and only my phone for connectivity. I will try something but don’t think I can keep up.))

Merlin got into the workshop late, he was tired trying to catch up with lessons but was still behind. “So what do we do?” He said to no one in particular. I know what I want to be and will be soon- a dragonologist!”

Zoe had been quiet largely cos Valdez scared her. But then she'd always been rather quiet. She smiled at Merlin and whispered "You missed Auror and hit wizard, we have potions right now, then we'll have the Magizoologist guest speaker."

Merlin pouts. “Seriously, I missed Auror?! Who was guest speaker? Paul? Tamsin? Someone else.” He then realized he was interrupting.

Millie was enjoying her honey lemonade when Merlin () entered the room. She gave her friend a smile and wave before returning to lecture.

((No worries, I fully understand. I can't imagine how frustrating it is. You and your family are in my thoughts and I hope things get better. Meanwhile, participle when you can. This will be going on for a while and I"m thinking of making a post workshop thread involving dinner at Three Broomsticks))

During the break: Lenore heard someone approach where she was standing, still leaning against the wall but she didn't open her eyes. She needed a moment and took in the comfort of the coffee's aroma. After a minute the sound of a plate being gently pushed nearer made her smile. She opened her eyes and saw that Liz was standing nearby. She looked curious but was, as always, being tactful and not pushing her questions. Taking one of the cookies, Lenore smiled at her.

"Thank you, I think I could use these." She dipped a corner of her cookie into the hot coffee and took a bite, being careful not to drip.

"I don't mean to get so worked up." she said apologetically. "The subject of dark magic is still a bit hard on my nerves after the picnic. It's been a long time since I've had to think about such things and it's brought back some old insecurities." She gave her friend what she hoped was a convincing smile and finished off the cookie.

With the next lecture being about potions, Lenore wasn't sure she would stay. She was terrible at potions. Still, she didn't exactly want to run out right after giving away her discomfort either. Why did she let this get to her? She could usually control herself better than this. She knew how to disconnect from her environment and fake anything. That's how she had managed to master Occlumency. But...

Was she disconnecting from her environment? If she was honest with herself, she couldn't say that she was. She had let herself open up to people over the last few years. Liz, Callie, even Drew to some degree. She liked these people. Emotions like that were not good for keeping ones thoughts secret. But would she want to give up this newfound closeness for secrecy? She hadn't had to think about the things she needed to protect in so long. She needed time to think.

Lost in thought, she hardly noticed Professor Mathers beginning her lecture.

Professor Valdez was so right, Drew thought to himself. There would always be evil and people who attempted to do harm, be it through muggle means like guns and bombs or by the use of Dark Magic. It couldn’t ever be truly and totally eradicated but Drew was thankful that the majority of the magical threats were gone and/or being dealt with.

As Valdez left the front of the room, Drew gave Lenore () a questioning look as she hurriedly rose and went to the refreshment table. Something about her seemed…off. He watched a bit concerned as she prepared a cup of coffee and closed her eyes. Drew started to go check on her, but then paused knowing that if she was upset then she would need time to regain control and likely not appreciate someone bugging her immediately, even if the intentions were good. He settled back in his chair but kept an eye on Lenore. At least until the lights flashed again and the next presenter appeared.

Drew held back a slight groan at the sight of all the new items on the table in front. It wasn’t that the boy didn’t like Potions, it was just that he was average at best in the class…though trying his hardest o get better (and truth be told he’d come a long way in the last two terms). He’d always wanted to excel but it just didn’t seem to be in his power. He only hoped Professor Mathers () didn’t require them to brew anything today. Drew was more than content to listen and soak in information. He had to admit the words of the professor were a bit enticing but Drew knew it wasn’t the career for him. As Professor Mathers began to brew, Drew watched closely. She made it seem so easy and the potion had a lovely scent, unlike some they had been forced to make in class. Then Drew frowned slightly as the professor began handing out mugs of her concoction. He sniffed it. It smelled great but that didn’t mean the taste would match. He was at least well versed enough to know that it was possible to use ingredients to mask oders…well taste too for that matter, but somehow he could see Professor Mathers leaving it to have a horrible taste just to teach them a lesson. As she barked the order to drink, Drew debated disobeying for a moment, saying he wasn’t thirsty or something. But then as others around him drank and didn’t gag, retch, or die, he tentatively raised the mug…just as Professor Mathers explained what her potion was. He took a swallow and nodded to himself. Not bad. He slowly drank more and listened to the questions.

When Merlin ()came in late, Drew had to shake his head. Well at least his friend hadn’t tripped on his way into the room this time. Now if they could just keep him quiet until the next presenter. He winced slightly as Professor Mathers scolded Merlin. He gave his friend a sympathetic smile and wave.

((We’re glad to have you with us whenever you can be, Merls hugs Just know that we will be here for you and thinking of you and your family. cool! That would be fun to have the chance to continue the thread a bit longer than the workshop and allow the kids to talk with the adults more one on one and ask things they might not in a group setting))

(and anyone. Zoe's shy and doesn't do a lot of talking still.))

"No," Zoe wispered, "Professor Valdez." She couldn't help the shudder. She smiled at Professor Mathers, before blushing shyly and glancing at the floor.

Marcia laughed at Elizabeth's () comment on her plate, "Thank you, I most certainly will."

Before she could take another bite, however, she turned around in her seat and cocked an eyebrow curiously toward Sauvage () and Millie (). She could have sworn she heard her name come up in a hushed conversation between the two, but perhaps she was mistaken. She narrowed her eyes slightly before turning back around quickly as Professor Mathers walked up to the front of the room. Those two had better not be saying rude things about her, but she'd just have to wait until after the presentation to find out.

She leaned forward in anticipation at all of Professor Mather's words. She absolutely adored potions as a subject, and spent a lot of time researching them in her free time, when she wasn't drawing up new cake recipes, of course. As the professor finished speaking and passed out her mysterious drink, Marcia was initially rather hesitant to drink it. It smelled delicious, but who knows what it could be. Finally, once the professor had explained, she took a sip and smiled. It tasted as good as it smelled.

Marcia raised her hand eagerly after Sauvage had voiced her question. "Professor ()," She started. "You said that mastering potions takes dedication. How did you realize that potions were your calling in life and how long were you working in the field before you became a professor here?" Marcia faltered slightly after asking her question aloud; hopefully that wasn't too personal.

(OOC: , all the Head Girls who are role playing a professor also have student characters here. I assume we can RP as just our students at the dinner. It didn’t occur to me that the professors would be taken out by a parent, if I’m making sense. I do like the idea of Andrew Tudor doing that for a closing though. It reminds me of my parents taking my college roommates out and being invited by theirs. I’ll post as Mathers after work. Thanks!)

((OOC: sorry to hear the power is still out, hopefully things work themselves out soon))

@/poppet

Sauvage was a little astonished and frankly did not notice any of the other students around her as they jostled and shifted. Someone even showed up late, but she did not turn to see who.

"Zat's it?" She said.

Then she blushed a deep red when she realized that she had said it aloud. She stuttered for a moment, embarrassed, then said to Professor Mathers, "I mean- I - it is only zat I expected it to be more...complicated? Is it awfully competitive?" Since the professor said all she would have to do is come up with a personal concoction - which she had already done on several occasions - Sauvage was beginning to feel much more confident in her dreams becoming reality.Awaiting the response, she straightened up to look a bit more professional. She whispered to Millie, "Yes, I really don't know Marcia but I cannot thank you enough for 'aving set up zis workshop."

"Oh, I see..." Sauvage was obviously melancholy after such a response, but she did not let the idea of hard work ever get in the way of perusing something, if anything it just made the journey more worthwhile. She shrugged and smiled at the professor, not really sure what else to say except, "Thank you."

(( - Of course. I thought I would extend the invitation to the professors but I'm not expecting them to join us. It's completely up to the three of you. I thought it would be a nice gesture plus gives us another RP forum))

"I'm so happy you're enjoying yourself" she whispered to Sauvage (). "I"m really happy I thought of it. She nudged and gave a smile to her friend when Professor Mathers complimented her.

(OOC: I totally support a change of setting and think it will be fun! I’d just prefer to RP one character after the main part of the workshop is done and it genuinely didn’t occur to me that professors would go, but the invite is a nice gesture. I’ll wrap up any questions after I get home later from a late movie. Feel free to RP a break or whatever you want until Professor Pinto comes if there are no more questions for Mathers.)

(( I think so too. I completely understand. I do too. Enjoy your movie))

After Professor Mathers ended the lecture and answered the questions, Millie took the chance to use the restroom. After returning the the classroom, she decided to ask Marcia’s () about what she heard.

"Hi, you must be Marcia. I'm Millie. It's nice to meet you. I heard though the grapevine you want to own a magical bakery. My mum has her own in London. Even though she's a muggle, she employs two witches to make magical treats for the Wizarding community. You should check it out in your ever in London"