What's that magic in your charms? [Charms, 1st to 7th Year]

[airshipswank]

[ Good morning, darling seventh year students! Remember when Charms was a harmless subject with a lovable old professor and a slim to none chance of suffering emotional or physical trauma? No? Excellent.

Today each of you will find a candle sitting on the desk in front of them. Don't worry, unlike last time it will not grow teeth and attack you on sight. So sit down, get comfortable and listen to the task at hand! ]

Now, given the dreadful quality of your memory charms last week I trust that at least none of you will have any trouble recalling... the freezing charms you were taught in your third year. Today-

[ He snaps his fingers, lighting all the candles in the room at once. ]

-you will freeze the small flame in front of you.

[ He allows for a dramatic pause and for his students to wonder what place child's play like that has in a seventh year class. ]

Of course there... is a catch. Not only do I expect your actual incantation to be silent, no, I... should also like you to move your wand and lips as if you were conjuring fire. Allow me to demonstrate.

[ Professor Buckingham draws his wand (Dogwood, dragon heartstring, 15¾”, rather flexible, of course) and aims a flowing motion and a booming Incendio! at the candle on his desk, but instead of flames his wand produces a jet of ice that freezes flame, candle and holder solid.

Cue moment to let the display sink in. ]

To maintain the appearance of one charm while executing another is the very peak of focus, control and unity between you and... your wand, not to mention quite the edge in a duel.

[ It's also a rather underhanded technique and greatly frowned upon by Professor La Fère... which is all the more reason to teach it passionately and thoroughly!

Buckingham grins broadly and moves to the side of the classroom in strides. ]

That said, good luck and... do mind the eyebrows, eh?

[ For any ghosts, members of the faculty or students not presently suffering from his class Professor Buckingham will be in his office, grooming his owl. He will also be wandering the hallways often enough, especially to return a little something to a certain Ravenclaw's office. ]

Lesson Plan
First Year

[ We seem to be curiously light on students in their first year these days. If we were not then this would be where Professor Buckingham would teach the Wand-Lighting Charm while judging the new arrivals on their fashion, pet and wand choices. ]

Second Year

[ It's time to conjure up some green paint and throw it! At least if you are Professor Buckingham. Students are expected to use Aresto Momentum to stop the attack. Victory and house points go to whoever is not covered in green paint by the end of the lesson. ]

Third Year

[ Bring your pets, dearest students! Today you will learn how to turn even the most drab creature into a colourful sight of joy! ]

Fourth Year

[ Accio antidote! At the beginning of this lesson there will be a delicious treat waiting for each student. Consumption is mandatory and will result in fun changes such as enlarged ears, blue skin or beaks! But don't worry, don't worry, none of it is fatal and if you manage to accio the correct antidote with your name on it (all hidden in this room somewhere) by the end of the lesson then you won't even need to wait the rest of the day for the effects to wear off!]

Fifth Year

[ Your desk is sporting lips! Big, noisy lips that just won't stop talking! Use the Silencing Charm to make them shut up. Do take your time with it as well, that is, unless you are bothered by the fact that what those lips are saying just so happens to be a string of embarrassing little secrets, such as the name of your current crush or what you do with that bunch of Gillyweed at night. ]

Sixth Year

[ BIRDS! It's a lovely day today, so let's take that Avis! summoning outside. Your grade will not only depend on stance and elocution of the charm itself, but on the visual appeal of your flock as well, so don't even dream of conjuring up a common pigeon. ]

Comments

[itsahotone]

Wait, okay, melt it or turn it into fire?

[She gives her most favoritest of teachers an innocent look.]

Or both?

[airshipswank]

Melt will do just fine, thank you. Elemental conversion ought to be saved for Transfiguration class.

[ He takes a step back to observe her next attempt. ]

[itsahotone]

[She shrugs.

And melts the cute little snake.]

Anything else I can do awesomely?

[airshipswank]

You can practice for the rest of the lesson.

[ Or do something else entirely, as Santana should know by now Buckingham will not monitor that all too thoroughly.

He lowers his voice a little. ]

And see me at the end of it.

[ About matters regarding You-know-which-Ravenclaw-professor. ]

[itsahotone]

[She will certainly practice! Probably not so much what the class is supposed to be doing, but she's practice something, anyway.]

Absolutely.

[Muhaha. End of class will be fun.]

[airshipswank]

[ ~ LATER THAT MORNING ~ ]

...and revise chapter seven on poison detection charms. There will be a practical quiz next week. [ A broad grin. ] Class dismissed.

[ Except for Miss Lopez, of course. Kindly step up to his desk, won't you? ]

[itsahotone]

[Santana waits patiently for everyone else to clear the hell out. Then she gathers her own stuff and makes her way to the desk.]

You asked for me?

[Always playing the innocence at first.]

[airshipswank]

[ Buckingham is in on that game. Because clearly he merely wishes to act upon his position as the head of Slytherin, ensuring the well-being of his protégés. ]

Ahh, yes. Just a moment to make sure your... last year here is going well. No major problems, I take it? Anything that ought to concern me about your... other classes?

[ Arithmancy, just to name an arbitrary example? ]

[itsahotone]

Oh, absolutely nothing! After all, Professor de la Fere is so...sweet-tempered.

[She leans forward a little.]

He also got another one of those letters.

[airshipswank]

[ Agrippa again. Buckingham groans internally, although... that helpful analysis is something to keep in mind.

As for the interesting part, the professor takes a cautious look towards the door, making sure nobody else lingered behind. ]

You would not have... happened to catch a longer glance at that letter, would you?

[itsahotone]

[She cringes, shaking her head apologetically.]

They're always just sitting around with the ribbons and crap still on. He'd notice if...anyone borrowed one, I guess. I did see that the newest one's seal was red, though. If that means anything.

[Needless to say, she has been practically whispering this whole time. You never know who could be lurking around.]

[airshipswank]

[ Buckingham listens and taps his lips with one finger. If he did reach a conclusion about the red ribbon then he is not sharing it with his student. ]

Anything else?

[itsahotone]

[Now her smirk is back.]

He ate about ten pieces of coconut ice.

[airshipswank]

[ Buckingham raises an eyebrow, amused. Sweet nature indeed.

He is not quite sure what he would like to do with that information yet, but he is certain that something will come to him eventually. ]

Is that all?

[ Merely making sure, mind, that grin on his face says he is quite pleased with the observations she has provided. ]

[itsahotone]

For today. I hope some of it is...helpful.

[She smiles sweetly.]

[airshipswank]

Most helpful... to know that my students are doing well this year,

[ he finishes off with another display of mock innocence. ]

Ten points for Slytherin, Miss Lopez, for your exemplary engagement in... extracurricular activities. And-

[ A smirk. ]

-an O on next week's essay, already handed in today with... so much foresight.

sob it was sweet natured, not tempered B(

[itsahotone]

[Santana's smile grows; she's practically beaming.]

Thank you, sir.

[And as she turns to leave--]

You always remind me why you're my favorite professor.

as long as the sweetness fits c:

[airshipswank]

And you one of my most... accomplished students.

[ He shows her out with a nod and a grin.