Langlock,""If you must behave like a tantruming toddler, Miss Asquith," "do so quietly. I'll not have you disrespecting the forest or your classmates."
Tulip felt her tounge stick itself to the rook of her mouth. It was a slightly jarring effect but not the first or last time it would happen. Hexing students? Well clearly that just proved Tulip was right, if you had no good arguments left hexing was how girls fought arguments in her experience. She kept her expression neutral, inside she was celibrating the win outside she gave an expression of just not caring. She knew that was the most infuriating response. Of course she would have liked to argue that doing blood magic in the forrest was probabily way more disrespectful to things like the centars but that was obvioulsy going to be an argument for another day. Rose was looking at her with utter horror, How could you? rose mouthed at her, Tulip simply gave her the middle finger.
6am was too early to go look at plants but here they were. Stood in the forrest before the world had even bothered to warm up.
She was still silenced when she'd gone back to the common room and some people asked her what was wrong she wrote Silenced for protesting about Dark Magic. If the proof decided not to remove the hex she was totally wearing that sign around campus all day.
They were made to look at the plants they'd dropped blood on. She was somewhat surprised to see hers had actually grown, it was somewhat spikey which was pretty accurate for how she felt learning this stuff. Blood magic was soething she doubted she would ever feel comfortable with.
Rosalie was quiet, watching the drop from her finger disappear into the darkness as it fell towards her plant. There was a reverence to these sorts of things that was required, whether successful or not. The Gryffindor understood that all facets of magic deserved a level of respect, but ancient and ancestral magic was a different sort.
She watched her plant for a moment, wondering what the morning would look like when she felt Cassian's arm slip around her waist. She blinked, tearing herself away from her thoughts and smiled. "Sure Casanova." Her arm wrapped around his middle in turn, as they followed Julia back through the forest.
It was bloody early.
Rosalie hadn't even had enough time to fix her makeup before she was being summoned out of her common room and down to the forest. Having been glad to have at least managed to brush her teeth and hair, she once again followed her peers into the depths of the trees. Her hands made slow work of gathering her long blonde hair into a messy bun at the top of her head as she walked, keeping an ever-watchful eye out for those horrid creatures she feared most.
One day, she wouldn't dread walking into this forest in fear of centaurs, but that day was not this day.
Rosie didn't mind early mornings as much as some of her yawning, grumbling peers, but even she had to admit a late night followed by such a premature wake-up call was pushing it. Surely the revelation could have waited until this evening when classes were over, but apparently Julia waited for no one.
She crouched down near her wormwood, smiling lightly to see the little plant had flourished overnight. Still delicate and its leaves soft to the touch, but strong, healthy and pushing itself into the other plants' space. She gave herself a moment, letting her fingers brush gently through the leaves. It was incredible, she thought, what their magic could do when given the freedom of its organic state. No wands. No incantations. Just raw magic in its purest form.
It did make her wonder - what was it that scared people about blood magic, when it could do so much good?
As she stood, she stepped back to join Cassian and grinned noticing Rae had leaned on him and was now asleep. She couldn't help but agree. Cassian was the comfiest to fall asleep on.
There were plenty of questions - but none that came from her. Instead Rosalie took her place, along with a fresh new needle, amongst the circle in the ground, ready for whatever came next.
Apparently, they'd be taking this time, instead of giving. Something she'd never done before, but was eager to see how it'd play out.
a white blank page
And A Swelling Rage
“Not really a question, Professor Laurence, but… I almost feel silly for having been so scared of this…
“ It’s wise to always be cautious. People will show you flowers to potentially distract you from other parts of a ritual. Spilt blood should always have some level of trust to it. “
Julia nodded at Alice and Bear, understanding completely that when one wasn't familiar with new rituals, spells or the like, it could often feel daunting or even scary. It didn't help that the 'Dark Arts' were treated as some plague to be avoided or something taboo when it was the origin of everything they did. "Don't feel silly," she said, "It's not unexpected considering we've all been taught that blood magic is something to fear. Magic always comes down to how it is wielded." She paused a moment and looked to each of them.
"Take for example what happened to Professor Thayer." Her expression was serious, but her voice was gentle as she mentioned the man's name. He had caused a lot of trauma and distrust amongst the students, and many of them flinched at even hearing his name. "An Unforgiveable was used to put him down. Was it wrong to use that spell, when it was used to save the lives of your classmates?" She didn't wait for answers, allowing them all to think on it. "Context is important. Intention is important. Some magic is more dangerous and often used for more nefarious reasons. That doesn't make the magic itself bad or evil."
Julia's gaze landed on Cassian. A great question, and one she knew was important for all of them to hear. "Intent matters of course," she said with a slight nod, "but magic is ultimately neutral, and will take such a consideration when there isn't a clear intention." She strolled a bit around the plants, taking in each of them with a discerning eye. "You cannot be tricked into a blood contract or any other ritual. Blood is the most personal and inherit thing each of us has. Therefore, it only obeys a willing offer. Someone couldn't take your hand, slice it and then use your blood for some sort of ritual. This sort of magic only works in full consent."
She added, before answering his last question, "When all of you pricked your fingers and offered your blood, it was with consent that you gave of yourself. Had I pricked your finger for you and squeezed the blood out, you would have found there would be no reaction today and your plant likely dead. As for ill-will," she smiled at the boy, a Ravenclaw through and through, "Absolutely. Had you been hoping the plant withered and died, that intention would be in your blood, even if you didn't know what you were sacrificing it for." Since they were all neutral about it, the blood and plants had taken on a bit of their own agenda - here for the better.
“Professor, is it the Ley Lines that make the connection to the plant so strong? I felt almost, I don’t know… disconnected all night. Until we got back here. I can almost feel the plants energy. Does that make sense?”
Julia wasn't quite sure what Matilda meant. They shouldn't have been feeling any disconnections or connections for that matter. She could...feel the plant's energy? Julia glanced at her plant, noticing it was by far one of the more robust of them. "Let's talk about that after class. Schedule some time to discuss. But they ley lines amplify magical energy and power. They don't necessarily create connections between wizards and other creatures or objects."
Now that all the questions had been answered, Julia's gaze once again fell on Tulip. How good of her to return. With a silent 'finite incantatum', the girl was released from her hex, as they moved on to the second ritual. Perhaps she'd mind her tongue in class. If she hadn't, Julia had no problem langlocking her for the rest of term if necessary.
Life was too short to suffer tantrums from a teenager.
"Now then," she said as they all gathered around the circle, and kneeled down, indicating they all should do the same. "What you give willingly, you may claim willingly. What you offer, you may draw power from in return." She dug her fingers into the soil beneath them, holding the rich earth within her hand. "Blood magic can be charitable, but it can also be an exchange, which is where many consider this to take a 'darker' turn." She dropped the soil back to the earth, brushing her hand clean. She straightened, ensuring everyone was listening and paying attention.
"We'll be asking for empowerment, as your ancestors did on the fields before battle. When you make your offering this time, I want you to envision your magic seeping into the dirt below you, making acquaintance with the vibrations of the ley lines." She demonstrated, a slight cut to her hand again, where they would only prick their fingers. As the blood rose above her skin, Julia let the drops fall into the soil, before pressing both palms deeply into the earth.
"When you place your hands, concentrate. Focus on your magic being amplified in its power. And watch what happens."
As each of them followed her lead, they would feel it nearly instantly. As they shoved their hands into the soil, Julia heard a few startled gasps. Clarity bloomed behind the eyes of a few, while fear showed on some others. "Don't be afraid. This is your magic. There is nothing about your natural gifts that you need to fear."
The students would feel an instantaneous tugging at their palms, notably near the finger they had pricked, as though the earth was drawing eagerly from them. Heat would shoot up their arms, they would feel a pulse in their chest that wasn't their heartbeat, but their own magic doubling back in to them. Sharper. Brighter. Fiercer than it had been just moments before.
Julia watched all of them, studying each of their faces. "That, is the return. You gave last night, and this morning, you take. That balance is the foundation of blood magic." She rose slowly, letting them all wait until the sensations had calmed down, before indicating they should rise to their feet.
"Draw your wands," she said quickly, "One spell to practice on one another. Choose a partner, and cast. I want you all to see the strength and power you've invoked."
She stood back, ready to observe.
*OOC: Last update! So, as always, fairly straight forward. Prick a finger, shove your hands into the dirt, feel all the things, and then find a partner. If you don't have a partner, an NPC friend will work just fine.
When you cast, your spell will be amplified beyond what your character would usually get out of the spell. Feel free to RP that as you see fit. Obviously, you may only cast the spells you've earned on the Willow, and...try not to hurt each other too much! One spell each! :)
Class will update on 11/20 with a closing thread!
come little children, the time's come to play
Here In My Garden Of Shadows
He didn’t correct Professor Laurence. However, he was not actually taught that blood magic was something to fear. He was taught that magic of all forms was best understood before being performed. A standard that applied double to blood magic.
Blood magic was an exchange. Though he didn’t hear enough details of what they were doing for him to take anything. After all, something given was a far less risk than something taken. Especially when the taking was taking magic from somewhere else and using it with oneself.
It was something that was supposed to have purpose.
The usage of such magics and potions that would give short term boosts of power without purpose were what caught many of the less connected on Knockturn in loops of desperation for the next hit. Or so his grandfather told him. The magics they reached for weren’t evil. It was the hold they had on them.
He stepped back.
He wasn’t going to take.
He also wasn’t foolish enough to think one of his classmates wouldn’t choose him as a team mate as he’d be easy to defeat. Hopefully, this wouldn’t land him in the Hospital Wing for not grabbing the extra power. Though he might prefer that to the terms of an undefined exchange.
He waved his wand and attempted to cast “Percurso caligo “ hoping that by stepping back gain that if it worked it would protect him. Well, it would protect him from anyone who wasn’t in Transfiguration class when Professor Battersea gave a list of ways to get around the spell.
The ground seemed to tremor beneath them as each student pressed their hands in to the soil, their blood seeping into the ground as it had the night before. Julia had always been taught that from where one came, one always returned and these rituals were the perfect example of that. The earth gave life, sprouting from its depths, and always accepted it back once the journey was finished.
As spellcasting begun, Julia wandered around each pair, observing quietly as the forest seemed to thrum with the residue of their empowerment. The magic cast was sharper, cleaner, almost startling in its immediacy, as though something ancient in them had woken up, eager to claim its place.
A few students staggered under the recoil of their own boosted casting, their surprise written in the stiffness of their shoulders and the expressions on their faces. Others adjusted quickly, testing the edge of their control with cautious precision. Even the hesitant ones managed a noticeable improvement, their magic steadier and more forceful than usual. Julia noted each reaction silently, storing away observations for future lessons.
She let the spellcasting continue only long enough for every student to feel the shift for themselves, not long enough for confidence to sour into recklessness. When she lifted her hand, every spell stopped at once, leaving the clearing filled with the soft echo of fading enchantments. The sudden quiet seemed almost loud in comparison to the energy that had filled the space moments earlier.
Julia stepped forward, letting her gaze sweep the circle. “That surge you felt was the return of what you gave,” she said evenly, her tone more instructional than indulgent. “Blood magic strengthens what is already yours, nothing more and nothing less.” She paused for emphasis, ensuring every face was lifted toward her and listening. “What matters now is whether you learn to handle that strength with control rather than impulse.”
"Good work, everyone. No essays this week or next. Practice your altar creation in your free time and feel free to stop by the library offices if you need extra tutoring."
Class was dismissed.
come little children, the time's come to play
Here In My Garden Of Shadows
“ It’s wise to always be cautious. People will show you flowers to potentially distract you from other parts of a ritual. Spilt blood should always have some level of trust to it. “
Looking over at Bear, Alice considered his response. He was right though.
"Don't feel silly. It's not unexpected considering we've all been taught that blood magic is something to fear. Magic always comes down to how it is wielded."
Yeah… intention was almost as important as the magic itself. The mention of Thayer caused the Hufflepuff to bite her tongue; she didn’t want to hear about him because he had destroyed her sister. Obviously it wasn’t wrong that the killing curse had been used against him because he totally deserved it. In fact, had she been there and able, she would have done the exact same thing.
She watched Professor Laurence kneel on the ground and she did the same. She watched the woman cut her hand, and then it into the dirt.
Her eyes widened. Wasn’t that dangerous? Wouldn’t the cut get infected? Alice was trained in the hospital wing to keep things sterile, and the fact that they had to do this...
She wouldn’t tell you to do this if you were gonna get an infection or something, she told herself. After a moment, she finally pricked her finger and stuck her hands in the dirt.
At first, Alice didn’t feel anything; probably because she was reluctant. But she took a few deep breaths with her eyes closed, deciding that it was okay. Because it was. And then she felt the earth beneath her fingers begin to drink from her. And in exchange, a warmth spread up her arms starting from the tip of her fingers.
Alice was sure her face showed how surprised she was with the feeling as her chest felt warm. She then pulled her hands out and looked at her palms. It felt as if she was glowing, but she wasn’t. She picked up her wand and bit her lip, looking at one of her classmates nearby. “Wingardium leviosa,” she tried, pointing at the girl.
The girl rose into the sky easily, as if she weighed nothing. Careful not to drop her, Alice brought her down as slowly as possible and then dropped her wand.
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