(no subject)

[sylla]

Who else is taking animagus studies this year? This will be my first year and I'm so excited to be starting! Have you lot studied or done any preliminary research over the summer? I brought some interesting books related to the subject if anyone would like to borrow one for the weekend. I found them most illuminating.

[Warded to Hogwarts exchange students]

I would like to say the time difference gets easier to deal with your second time around, but I'm exhausted. Thank Merlin for a weekend to catch up on the Portkey lag.

Comments

[puphart]

I am! I would love to want please wouldn't mind borrowing one of the books if you have one left over.

[sylla]

Oh I have plenty! I insisted on packing as many as I could - would you prefer more contemporary analysis or one on the history of animagus transformations?

[puphart]

HISTORY! One of each, please? But I think I might want to read the historical ones the most.

[sylla]

Of course! Shall I find you tomorrow and deliver them?

Same Ward

[decisive.insanejournal.com]

Even arriving a couple days early didn't help much.

Same Ward

[sylla]

It's really quite jarring. Daddy says it's because I haven't traveled very much, but I doubt even the most seasoned travelers find such a drastic change so simple to adjust to. I fear I may fall asleep at dinner.

Same Ward

[decisive.insanejournal.com]

I am feeling quite tired, but that also could be from all the excitement from today.

Same Ward

[sylla]

It is a very big country, I never realised that until I actually got here. It makes me feel quite foolish saying that the train to Hogwarts used to take too long.

[alapai.insanejournal.com]

I am. Though a senior. So not my first year.

[sylla]

Do you hope to transform successfully this year, or have you already? Is it very uncommon for sixth years juniors to do so? Did you study at all over the summer, or do you find it more a naturalistic improvisational practice?

[. . .] I'm very sorry for so many questions, I'm just very [. . .] thrilled to finally be studying it. You all are so very lucky here, at Hogwarts we have no such class.

[alapai.insanejournal.com]

I have been close to successful. I think I will get it by the end of the year. It does take a lot of time to get and I do hear it is not a guarantee to complete it by the end of senior year. I have heard of juniors managing before. I did study some over the summer, but i think it is more naturalistic for me.

Yes. I am very pleased to have the opportunity here.

[sylla]

That's all very brilliant to hear! I have a feeling it is more a personal approach, but I do tend to overthink things, and I would hate to be behind the curve when I only have this year.

[alapai.insanejournal.com]

I am sure you will do just fine.

[evercreep.insanejournal.com]

At least one of those books has to be charmingly morbid. What dark and terrible things did you discover about animagi?

[sylla]

Well I suppose the healing journals articles about the incomplete transformation and mishap fatalities were rather morbid, but one must be exposed to the dangers of such an undertaking. For example I read about a wizard in Madrid who got stuck between his form as a bee and his normal state. The pictures were frightful.

[all-apologies.insanejournal.com]

Oh, I am. But I didn't study. Was I suppo

[sylla]

It's good that you have two years to study it, I feel like I have to get as much as I can from this year, since when I return to Hogwarts we have no animagus class of any sort.

Did you at least practice holding a leaf in your mouth?

[all-apologies.insanejournal.com]

I want to get it in one year so I can take Occlumency next year. So I probably should have studied it over the summer. I did study Transfiguration, hopefully that will help?

Did you? You have to hold the leaf in your mouth for so long it didn't seem like practicing would make it that much easier.

[cygninae]

The leaf'll be an excuse not to have to talk.

[sylla]

If you keep it tucked into your cheek it does help, I couldn't find any definitive study on most effective placement.

[all-apologies.insanejournal.com]

That's true! I'm a little worried about having to eat with it though.

[sylla]

Daddy helped me study my transfiguration since I can't use my wand back home, but there's only so much theoretical reading you can do.

Well that's the point of practice, to know what to expect! And I got to twenty-five days exactly before Mummy told me to stop. It was a bay leaf from the pantry, but it helped me get used to it.

[all-apologies.insanejournal.com]

Too bad we can't learn everything we needed through just reading.

I figure I'll get used to it when I'm doing it, we have to do it so long.

[sylla]

I wanted to make sure I don't make any mistakes like swallowing it when the time comes for the real month to take place. It would be horrible to accidentally spit it out or chew it when it actually matters.

[all-apologies.insanejournal.com]

Ugh yeah, then you would have to start all over.

[all-apologies.insanejournal.com]

Wait, so you are going back for next year?

[sylla]

Oh yes, all Borgins graduate from Hogwarts.

[all-apologies.insanejournal.com]

Isn't it the only school in the UK?

[sylla]

And we are very proud of it, yes.

[all-apologies.insanejournal.com]

But where else would you go then?

[sylla]

Should I not be proud of a school that has produced some of the greatest wizards and witches of our age simply because it is the only one in my country?

[all-apologies.insanejournal.com]

No, that's a good reason to be proud of it. Your whole family going there isn't really, especially if that's their only option.

[sylla]

[. . .] I am still quite proud of that fact also, thank you very much.

[all-apologies.insanejournal.com]

All right? You can if you want to be.

[sylla]

And nothing you say is going to- Good.

[all-apologies.insanejournal.com]

Okay?

[sylla]

You're quite rude and you should I wish you the best of luck in your coming school year.

[all-apologies.insanejournal.com]

We're in You too.

[cygninae]

My first year too. I'm excited.

Did we need to do reading?

[sylla]

Excited and a bit nervous, but Daddy insists I'm just fretting for no good reason.

Well we didn't have to, but I like being as prepared as I can.

Same Ward

[orangepip]

We got here a few days early to try to adjust our body clocks! But New York isn't exactly a restful city.

Same Ward

[sylla]

I simply would not be able to manage without the time to adjust, I have already needed to take three breaks whilst unpacking.

It's mental, isn't it? I am at least somewhat used to muggle London but New York City was all very overwhelming! No wonder Daddy and my brother Bedwyr insisted on accompanying me.

Same Ward

[orangepip]

It hits you hard! Although apparently it's easier going back the other way?

It was so loud! And busy! Overwhelming is exactly the right word for it. Would you really have gone around by yourself if they hadn't insisted?

Same Ward

[sylla]

I find it is, though perhaps that's just from the relief of being home.

Oh no, I'd positively be eaten alive! I'm very glad Daddy and Bedwyr were there to help me as they did last year. Plus, it gives me more time to see them, albeit brief.

[unregrettable]

I did a bit of reading beforehand, but Ms. Rhee covers everything you need to know. You can always attend the other year's classes if you want additional help.

[sylla]

That's very good to hear, I expected she would be as thorough as possible. I suppose Daddy was right, I do tend to overthink everything, but preparation is important.

Oh I already cleared my schedule to allow for that! As you can see I simply cannot wait!

[unregrettable]

Don't expect too much progress too soon. There's a lot of theory.

[sylla]

Oh I've absolutely immersed myself in theoretical books and scholarly papers all summer long, I am determined to breeze through it and progress as best I can!