Epoximise! (2nd Year)

The cool November morning air wafted through Harcourt’s classroom, chilling the room and making Harcourt smile. He loved fall. He loved the crisp air. Harcourt smiled and put the tin of apple in front of the room.

”Aquamenti,” Harcourt cast, filling up the tin of apples. He smiled as the second years started pouring in, talking about the cold.

”Ummm.....Professor? What’s that?” Elsa asked him. Harcourt smiled and wrote the lesson for the day on the board. He heard nervous whispers behind in and he smiled to himself. The bell rang and Harcourt watched the student sit in their seats.

”Good morning class. Now, today we will be learning the spell, Epoximise, which bonds two objects together. It’s a simple pointing spell and you say is as ee-POX-i-mise. I want all of you to bond two apples together,” Harcourt said. A Hufflepuff raised her hand.Harcourt pointed at her.

”But, Professor, we don’t have apples,” she pointed out. Harcourt smiled.

”Exactly. So, in order to complete this lesson, all of you will need to bob for your apples. If you use your hands, you deduct five points from your house. And, you have.....hmmm.....five minutes. Ready, set, go!” Harcourt told them. The 2nd years rushed forwards. Harcourt watched them bob for apples, smiling happily at the fun day he was having.

Arya's stomach was talking to her...loudly. Just one more hour until lunch, little one, she thought, giving her stomach a pat. Her head was filled with images of bacon, pies of both minced meat and fruit varieties, breads, stews, potatoes -

"Hellooo, earth to Arry!" an irritated voice penetrated her thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, sorry," she apologized to Gavin.

"Thinking about lunch?"

"You know me too well," she laughed.

"Sooo, game's soon," he muttered. "You ready?"

"Ready to kick your arse," she shot back.

"Ha! You wish," Gavin grinned, waving to her as they parted.

Arry smiled as she walked into the classroom, lost in her thoughts again, though they weren't about food this time. She dropped her things by her desk and listened as the professor explained the task of the day. Sometimes, she wondered about Harcourt's sanity. At the same time, it was things like this that made him her favorite teacher.

"Alright, let's bob away," she shrugged, joining the rest of the students. She got one apple right away, but sort of had to fight for the second one - in the end, she headbutted poor Jon and won.

Adelaine and Seamus walked through the halls together, chatting all the while. He was 'dropping her off' at the Transfiguration classroom. Things between them had been great since the dance, albeit a little strange at times. They still hadn't found the right balance between friendship and relationship. Adele, in particular, was trying to keep it on the down-low for the time being. She'd only seen Symon at meals since the night they broke things off, but she didn't want to rub Seamus in his face in any way.

"Well, here we are," she announced, stopping at the door.

"Aye, I'll see ye at dinner," he nodded with a smile.

Seamus started going in for a hug, but then stopped and awkwardly patted her on the head before walking away.

"Ah, young love," Edwin sighed mockingly behind her.

"Shut up," she laughed, and they entered the classroom.

Students were bobbing for apples. Wait, was that really what she was seeing? Professor Harcourt never ceased to surprise her. Adele happily set her books down and joined in the competition, quickly getting two apples and taking a seat by Arya, Jon, and Ed.

Mira yawned as she made her way to Transfiguration. She was running on about four hours of sleep, having stayed up late to finish a project. She stopped in her tracks when she arrived. Where was she going to sit? Edwin and Jon still weren't speaking to each other - one sat on either side of Arya. Jon wasn't speaking to Mira, either. And whose side would Elsa be on in all this?

"Let's sit on the other side of the room," the vixen herself muttered from behind.

Guess that answers my question, Mira thought. The two grabbed seats away from the others. Edwin looked over and waved, and she waved uncomfortably back. She absolutely hated coming between Ed and Jon, they were like brothers. It'd be like if a boy had come between she and Elsa, which hadn't happened yet. Surprising, considering Elsa's track record.

"C'mon, let's bob!" Elsa grinned, pulling Mira over to the container.

Mira felt a bit silly doing this in front of her classmates, but she bobbed for apples with the best of them and came out with two rather bruised ones.

Marigold came into class late. She came in as quietly as possible. But, then, seeing all the chaos that was happening at the front of the class, she knew that she was probably okay. She had a note from Robert for her being late though. She was fine. She stepped around the apple bobbing and handed Harcourt her note.

"We had an incident in a 5th-year class," Marigold muttered quietly. Harcourt smiled and nodded. Seeing that she was late, Harcourt simply handed her an apple.

"Yes, I heard of the incident in potions class. Those 5th-years can be so foolish. I'll give you five points to Ravenclaw for helping Robert. I know you did your best," Harcourt told her. Marigold blushed and thanked him, before heading to her desk. She wrote down the notes on the board.

"You teacher's pet," Elsa scolded her. Marigold rolled her eyes. She couldn't help that Transfiguration was her best subject and that Harcourt appreciated that. Transfiguration was widely hated by students. Marigold found it fascinating.

Harcourt smiled as he watched the 2nd years bob for apples. It was hilarious and entertaining. And, fun for the 2nd years. Although, a few looked upset at the fact of getting wet. He watched as the students returned to their desks.

"No worries if you got wet," Harcourt said. He waved his wand in front of the students, casting the Hot-Air Charm. A blast of hot air blasted through the classroom, quickly drying off the 2nd years. He took attendance quickly. He was missing a few students today, but no worries.

"Alright, so, I hope you have your two apples. If you don't, share with a partner. Now, again, the spell is Expoximise. Say it with me, ee-POX-i-mise," Harcourt reaffirmed, listening to the student's pronunciation. Eh, it'll do, he thought to himself.

"The word has Greek origins, coming from the word epoxy. Now, there's no wand movement, just simply point the want between the two objects and they will bond together. Now, be careful. If you are two close to your apples, the apples will bond to you or your robes. So, I recommend you stand up and stand at least 3 steps away from the apples. Now, give it a try! Let's see how you do," Harcourt instructed.

He watched as the 2nd years milled around the classroom and got to practicing.