Charms Class Review

Melinda was surprised at the Macnair girl's almost flawless explanation, but years of working with social deviants had taught her not to let anything change show on her face.

"An adequate summation, Miss Macnair," she agreed. "Ten points to Slytherin, since I'm sure you didn't learn that in any Hogwarts classroom."

Having made her way back to the front of the classroom, Melinda conjured an image all the students ought to have been familiar with. The solar system. The planets wheeled around the room until the Earth sat spinning slowly on her desk.

"As you should know from your Astronomy classes," Melinda began, "gravity is the force that keeps everything in the universe from flying off wherever it likes. The force of gravity on Earth is 9.8 metres per second, squared. Of course, that is an approximation, but it is the closest we need for most practical uses."

The words Acceleration due to gravity on the blackboard erased themselves and were replaced by 9.8 m/s²

"What does this mean about using the levitation charm somewhere other than the Earth? On the moon, for example?" Melinda asked.

Amelia eyes glazed over soon as mention of gravity and Astronomy. She had never gotten Astronomy, arithmetic or physics. The class had turned into something way over her head. She didn’t get any of it. The class was moving too fast. She felt overwhelmed like she had all term. She tried to keep herself from freaking out and having to go get a calming drought from the Hospital Wing. She knew she was going to need some serious help.

She started to write a letter to her mother. She couldn’t think about class anymore. She made sure to mention anything knew she noticed about Alice so her mum could tell Neville. She brought up Charms class of course. She also made note of how stressed out she was. Instead of hoping her parents didn’t find out she mentioned the party. She wanted them to find out from her. It would be better that way and then by Spring Break came they would no longer be mad at her.

Melinda frowned at the lack of forthcoming answers. These students couldn't be bothered to even try. They didn't even guess.

"No ideas?" she asked. "It doesn't have to be right. A guess is better than nothing at all."

Wally sighed, looking up. This was not a class she considered herself skilled in, but the professor was going to keep annoying everyone until someone at least ventured guess. She clacked her quill thoughtfully against the desk and suggested, "Does it mean that the levitation charm will be harder or easier, depending on the force of gravity? It'd be easier on the moon, because of the lack of gravity, right?"

"Very good, Miss Abercrombie, five points to Ravenclaw for that answer," Melinda replied approvingly.

She finally felt like she was getting through these thick skulls. Now, with a range of people from different houses taking an interest, she felt she could try to excite some sense of wonder, elicit a desire to investigate further.

That was, after all, what learning was all about.

"However, as no witch or wizard - unless they were very secret about it - has ever tried levitating objects on the moon there is only one way we can be certain. We must conduct an experiment."

Penny had been glowing with pride after the professor had approved her answer, but remained quietly - it was always important to let others attempt to answer if she had already given answers. She had been on the verge of speaking when Abercrombie had made an attempt, so the lesson was finally moving now.

She quickly scrawled down a shorter version of the questions and correct answers that ad been presented thus far and then looked up. An experiment? But how could they? They would need a lack of gravity... She doubted that could be simulated... but she really hoped it could somehow happen. Her eyes eagerly stayed fixed on the professor, waiting with baited breath.

In light of the Débutante Ball, the experiment will be conducted next lesson. Remember to bring your wands!

Everyone will receive 5 house points for class participation.