Applied Magic: Lesson 2

7am
Friday
9 Dec 1921

Gideon sat quietly at the front of the class, waiting for the students to arrive. Today’s lesson was going to be very different from their normal work. Not only would the class be shorter than normal, but they wouldn’t be required to come to class on Monday if they didn’t want to. Although, he thought most would attend just for some help. And a break. Maybe a nap. Gideon smirked with the thought of what was to come.

One by one the tired students arrived, some yawning, very few looking awake in the slightest. Unfortunately for most, sleep wouldn’t be abundant for the next week.

"Good morning class. Today won’t be a standard lesson. Instead, we will be starting a week-long project meant to teach you patience, give you prospective and potentially bring some joy. Don't get too excited though, that outcome isn't expected. This is a solo project, but you will not be docked points if you help each other… cope with the material."

He knew they would end up helping each other, which was fine, as long as each student did the majority of their own work.

“As you know, we have worked a lot over the last couple months with the more domestic types of magic. You’ve worked well with the children when we visit the Children’s Home, which makes me believe most will do well with this project. Others will struggle, but you all have it in you to succeed.”

He was being purposefully vague, it was more fun that way.

“Today’s class will also be shorter than normal, so that you can take your project and get it set up in your dorm room, prior to your next lesson. All of your professors have been notified, so there will be no surprises when you arrive in your other subjects.” Many of the other professors were annoyed, but when he reminded them that most of the students were of child-baring age, they decided to allow the disruption. He hoped this would be the best type of birth control.

“In a moment, I will have you come up to the front of the class one-by-one to get the object of your lesson.” Bending down, Gideon retrieved a small toddler sized realistic looking doll. He put the “baby” on the table in front of him, a little boy with bright green eyes and brown curly hair. He was cute, if not a wee bit creepy. With a tap of his wand the eyes blinked and the little baby stood up. He didn’t move, just stood there.

“Class, I would like to introduce you to your lesson. Each of you will come up and be issued one, or for the lucky few, two babies. You will be required to care for them over the next week. Yes, the entire week. You will be issued a box of supplies to make this easier. There will be NO magic cast on the babies. EVERYTHING must be done by hand. Feeding, changing, bathing, soothing. Everything. If you break this rule, be prepared for a complete holy terror of a child. I recommend NOT breaking this rule.”

The faces staring back at him were a wide range of emotions, everything from complete horror to... dare he say, excitement?

"Obviously, this isn't your typical magic lesson. This term you have learned to apply magic in your daily life to make your life easier. But... Magic can't fix everything. Children are living breathing things. You can't cast a charm to shush them. You can't cast a charm to clean and feed them. Sure, a simple accio charm can make life easier, but when dealing with living beings you need to be hands on."

Gideon hoped they were listening. At this young age, many teens felt invincible while learning magic. It can do and solve all of life's problems! Which was actually not true at all. This lesson would hopefully show them that.

"When I call your name, please come forward to collect your..." Gideon looked at the little life like blinking doll. "Child." His mouth quirked up into a (slightly) evil smirk.

---

OOC! Hello and welcome to Lesson 2! Ok, LOTS of info below, please read it carefully.

At the end of your opening, where you will react to the nature of the lesson, please leave at the bottom the following:
1: TWO numbers between 1 and 8. (This will decide how many babies and gender, they can be the same.)
2: Pick TWO different colors. (This will decide how they sleep at night and naps.)
{Blue, Violet, Purple, Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink, Grey, Teal, Coral, White, Green, Crimson, Brown, Indigo, Navy}
3: Pick THREE:(There will be a table to help decide your child's general temperament. You need to pick 3 table fields. A-E & 1-5. EX: A4 B5 E1. These will correspond to different spots on the table)

The magical baby simulators are roughly 12-16 months old. Like normal children, they will have emotions, attitudes, meltdowns and the sweeter moments with giggles and cuddles. Your child's temperament will be decided based on your choices above, but with attention, soothing and patience, even the most persnickety child can be sweet and loving.

NEXT UPDATE Feb 5th

Walking to class at 6:55am was just rude. She would complain to the professor, but he was also the Deputy so he probably made the schedule.

Maybe she would start a petition. Yawn… That sounded exhausting.

At the young age of 16 it didn’t register that if she got more sleep at night waking early wouldn’t be an issue. The greenhouse called to her though, like a sirens call. Working with plants till 11pm was probably more of the issue.

Walking into the class Tilly found it empty except Professor Blackwood. “Hello Professor.” She said with a yawn, taking her seat in the middle of the class. The room was chilly, and dark. Even the windows didn’t let in light at nearly 7am in December. Pulling her sweater tighter around her, Tilly put her bag on the desk and lowered her head down using it as a pillow.

As the class began to fill up, everyone in carrying stages of tired, Tilly almost drifted off to sleep, but Blackwood brought the class to attention just as she was drifting off.

He kept talking, the words were entering her mind, but her brain was not able to process the info. Did he say babies? And then the little creepy doll was placed on the table. “Oh freaking hell,” she whispered.

“Each of you will come up and be issued one, or for the lucky few, two babies. You will be required to care for them over the next week. Yes, the entire week. You will be issued a box of supplies to make this easier. There will be NO magic cast on the babies. EVERYTHING must be done by hand. Feeding, changing, bathing, soothing. Everything. If you break this rule, be prepared for a complete holy terror of a child. I recommend NOT breaking this rule.”

Tilly groans, her elbows rested on the desk top cradling her head in her hands. Her gaze drifted around the class, it was almost comical. Horror, excitement, blank stares, was Bradely sleeping? He was going to get a RUDE awakening when he woke up.

Looking up at the Professor, he looked entirely too happy about this situation. Ass…

---

Numbers picked by Alice's human:
1. 3 and 6
2. Green and crimson
3. B1 C5 D3

Morgan felt like a zombie. If zombies could even feel things. Likely they couldn’t, except for an insatiable desire for brains. Ew. Gross.

She was half asleep still, cursing the people who made early morning responsibilities a thing. No one wanted to be up right now. She needed to sleep. Maybe she’d nap during class? Surely no one would notice. Especially if she hung out in the back.

So she did just that. Morgan sat down and immediately crossed her arms over her desk, rested her head on her arms, and closed her eyes. Sleep was closer than it should be…

Before she knew it, Professor Blackwood had begun speaking. About some sort of project. By the time she finally managed to pry her eyes open and look at the front of the room, she could have sworn a child was sitting – no, standing – on the professor’s desk.

Morgan rubbed her eyes and sat up completely.

”Each of you will come up and be issued one, or for the lucky few, two babies. You will be required to care for them over the next week.”

WHAT?!

She had Evander. Couldn’t she just borrow him? She didn’t need a fake toddler when she had easy access to a real one. And he’d be more fun anyways.

Morgan stood and made her way to the front of the class when her name was called. She looked over at Professor Blackwood. “Is this really necessary? I mean I have Blob – Evander. I can just borrow him. I’m sure my dad wouldn’t mind if he stayed with me. He’s my House Head afterall, so he wouldn’t be far…”

---

1: 3, 3
2: Coral, Yellow
3: A3, C2, E4

Alice walked into the classroom with Everleigh at her side. She was feeling a bit lighter than normal because it seemed the longer they were at school, the less miserable Ever was. She was still a mess, of course, and would be for some time. But she had gained some sort of optimism. As the term went on, Ever became more and more lucid. Maybe some people couldn’t see the difference, but she certainly could.

”Tilly’s already here, come on,” Alice said and led her sister to their seats. Alice preferred to put Everleigh between her and Matilda. There was no particular reason. But she knew that Tilly wouldn’t make fun of her if she had a breakdown in class. Even though she was doing better now, it seemed, she could never be too safe.

As Professor Blackwood spoke about what they had been working on – mostly visiting the children at the Children’s Home, she looked over at Everleigh. Whatever the project was, it seemed like it would be quite disruptive.

“Today’s class will also be shorter than normal, so that you can take your project and get it set up in your dorm room, prior to your next lesson. All of your professors have been notified, so there will be no surprises when you arrive in your other subjects.”

Well a shorter class would be good, though, now Alice was a bit concerned about why... and what they would need to set up in their rooms.

“In a moment, I will have you come up to the front of the class one-by-one to get the object of your lesson.”

Alice watched intensely with her brown eyes as the professor bent over and straightened up holding a doll. Baby? No… as he tapped it to life, the thing stood up. Toddler. She frowned. This would be a challenge.

She glanced over at Everleigh. The girl wasn’t going to do well at all. Or maybe she would. Alice honestly wasn’t sure which it’d go for her sister.

She sighed and looked straight at the professor, waiting for her name to be called. She prayed, hard that she would not be one of the students who got twins. Or that Everleigh wouldn’t.

---

1: 4, 4
2: Blue, Grey
3: B4, C4, D4

HUH?!

Benji sat, wide-eyed, mouth agape and eyebrows furrowed as Professor Blackwood sat a doll on the desk, stating this was some sort of project for the next week. A doll? He was supposed to carry around a doll? For what?!

"There will be NO magic cast on the babies. EVERYTHING must be done by hand. Feeding, changing, bathing, soothing. Everything. If you break this rule, be prepared for a complete holy terror of a child. I recommend NOT breaking this rule.”

Benji closed his mouth and sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. No. Just no. He wouldn't. He didn't care what hell the 'child' rained down. He'd shove it in the nearest broom closet for a week, lock the door and be done with it. It wasn't a real kid so it wasn't like he'd be starving some poor little sod.

He wasn't gonna do it. Professor Blackwood couldn't make him and -

He glanced sideways at his girlfriend who was grinning like the chesire cat. Merlin. Benji let out an exasperated puff of air and rolled his eyes. This was exactly what Rae needed. The girl already had baby fever, and this would only worsen it. Benji had zero intention of becoming a teenage father, and he certainly didn't fancy starting with an enchanted baby doll.

He raised his hand. "If I get a note from my mum, can I be excused please?" Or he could just ditch, but Julia...wasn't in the mood for his ditching antics lately. She was moody. He figured diplomacy was a good first approach before he went for broke and dropped his doll off somewhere in the dungeon labyrinth.

---

1. 7 & 2 - no rigging Sarah Gus.
2. Green and yellow
3. C3, B5, D1

Rae...wasn't sleepy.

In a surprising twist of events that had even her a little stunned, the Slytherin girl was actually well rested. A lot of that had to do with her and her dormmates shoving their beds together the night before and having a mini-dorm party. It had ended somewhere before midnight, and they'd convinced her to stay in for the night, to fall asleep to scary stories that were dumber than they were terrifying. Sceptical as she'd been about the offer – certain it would never work – Rae ended up falling asleep sharing a pillow with Emma and with Gracie strewn across her stomach.

When morning came, she was startled to see she'd slept right through the night and hadn't woken feeling like death. It wasn't enough to have her changing her late-night habits, but it was a refreshing way to start her Friday for once.

Rae took her seat among the zombies, her boyfriend one of the few exceptions. While the lesson began, the girl unpacked her materials. Just the parchment, quill and inkwell for now. No telling what they would actually need as the lesson – come again?

The Fifth-Year's eyes lit up at the explanation, a grin creeping wider and wider as it spread across her lips. Babies? They would get to take care of babies? It didn't matter that they weren't real. Rae couldn't believe the man had finally done something right. A week walking around with a baby on her hip, cooing and fawning and shoving it into Benji's face until he decided they needed one of their own. What could be better?

Nothing. Nothing could be better.

Give her the babies.

"If I get a note from my mum, can I be excused please?"

"Shut up, no!" Rae leaned over, grabbing hold of Benji's arm and trying to bring it back down. She didn't care that the man had said they were going solo, she and the Hufflepuff were in this together which meant he wasn't allowed to opt out. Who did he even think he was? "Ignore him, Professor. He's ill and delirious. He wants two. We want two. As a matter of fact, She wasn't about to wait her turn for all the good babies to be taken. Rae sprang to her feet and wrestled Benji out of his before yanking him to the front of the room.

"Hi, present. Elliot and Laurence. Our names are somewhere on your list. Quadruplets, please." Rae leaned over the desk to have a look for herself at the dolls on offer.

"They gotta have Benji's eyes. They're pretty – you think so, don't you, sir? Anyway, that doesn't matter."She craned her neck, even getting on her tiptoes. "Curly or wavy hair will do. They can't be straight as wisps; he'll think I've cheated on him, then we'll have to argue, and I'll win, but it won't be good for the babies. You'd agree, wouldn't you, professor? I think you would. I don't care if they sleep at night – Benji might. We can split that luck down the middle. Two can be night owls – oh! Oh! Benji, looooooook, that one already has your eyes. That one! We pick that one, right, Benji? Don't look so miserable; you'll scare him."

Babies. Please.

---

1: Twins, Sarah. TWINS, S A R A H. Idc the gender but won't give you numbers in case you roll them and don't give me twins.
2: Pink, indigo
3: Pick THREE: A2 C3 E1

They were doing what now? A child?! For a whole week!

Maevie sat like frozen, mouth agape, gaze darting in between the doll and Professor Blackwood, back and forth. This early in the morning it took a moment longer to really comprehend the magnitude of what was being asked of them.

Slowly, it trickled in though.

She couldn't take care of a child. She didn't know anything about them. She was only twelve! Being the younger sibling, she didn't even have experience with a brother or sister she could fall back onto.

What did they eat? Would she have to change diapers? She didn't know how to change diapers. Would she have to take that doll to all of her classes? What if she wanted to practice flying? Could she tie it to her broom?

...probably not.

There were a million question plopping up inside her head, one seemingly more urgent than the other, overlapping and stacking into piles of panicked overwhelm. If only she knew which one to ask first.

Instead, Maevie continued to stare open-mouthed, her attention getting stuck to the doll and thinking it looked downright terrifying. That thing would not sleep in her bed. She already had nightmares, she didn't need a new set of those.

Benji's voice managed to rattle her out of her stupor and she looked around at him, sat at the table next to hers, before directing her focus back on Professor Blackwood. Her hand shot in the air. "Can Benji's mum write me a note, too?"

---

1) 1 and 8
2) Coral, Indigo
3) A4, D3, D5

The looks on the faces of every student in class was the stuff dreams were made of. Or, in the case of the students… Nightmares.

Unless your name was Ruth Elliot. For once it seemed she liked Gideon and his lesson. This was some alternate reality for sure.

He let the lesson sink in, watching the reality hit their brains. It was glorious. “Your Professor’s have all been informed. Even the ones with children in this class and all parties have signed off on the material. So, no, you won’t be getting out of it.”

Ruth Elliot was FAR too eager. It was almost terrifying. Before he could comment on her excitement she jumped up, dragging Mr. Laurence with her. "Hi, present. Elliot and Laurence. Our names are somewhere on your list. Quadruplets, please."

Gideon blinked, a little worried about the poor boy. He would need to do a welfare check later.

"They gotta have Benji's eyes. They're pretty – you think so, don't you, sir? Anyway, that doesn't matter. Curly or wavy hair will do. They can't be straight as wisps; he'll think I've cheated on him, then we'll have to argue, and I'll win, but it won't be good for the babies. You'd agree, wouldn't you, professor? I think you would. I don't care if they sleep at night – Benji might. We can split that luck down the middle. Two can be night owls – oh! Oh! Benji, looooooook, that one already has your eyes. That one! We pick that one, right, Benji? Don't look so miserable; you'll scare him."

Holding back a laugh, Gideon put his hand up, halting the girl in her excitement. “I promise, you will both get a chance to pick your babies soon. Please, take your seat. Once we get the directions out of the way we can get to the fun part.”

Walking in front of the table, Gideon walked back and forth while he layed out the rules of the lesson. “I need you all to listen very closely. The rules are set up for a reason, and I promise you DO NOT want to break them.”

With a wave of his wand, the chalkboard at the front of the class lit up with words. The rules were simple, he just hoped they would follow them.

RULES:

• No Magic: No spells can be used on the baby. You can summon the bottle from across the room to YOUR hand, but no magic can be used on the baby. If you break this rule, the general temperament of the baby will drastically change. Think terror toddler (Baby JackJack from incredibles)
  
• The baby will tattle on you: Once the baby is returned it will give a general report on the treatment it received. Did you feed the baby correctly? Change their diapers? Sooth it when they cried? You better! Or the baby will tell.
  
• No trading. No Ignoring. No leaving alone. No Hurting: try it and there will be consequences. (Gideon is not above making you play magical babysitter to the entire group of magical babies for the next few weekends)
  

“As you can see, the rules aren't terribly hard. It comes down to treat them as you would treat a real baby. Don’t drop them, be attentive. Just like a real child, if they are hungry and you feed them their attitude will improve. If you forget to feed them, hangry will be your new life.”

Overall, it wasn’t that difficult. The hard part was that it didn’t end until they returned the babies in a week. They would have some rest, a chance to recharge, but not much.

“During the week, while you are in class will be their designated nap times. For your sanity, and the sanity of your professors, there will be cribs set up in each class. This will keep the babies safe from spells. All cribs have been set up with protections. Also, when you lay them down in the crib, they will instantly sleep. Over the weekend, this will not be the case. You will be responsible for getting them to take a nap, soothing them, rocking them to sleep, etc.”

It was a concession he had to make, otherwise the Professors would have been against it. And giving the students a small reprieve would be for the best.

“The class schedule will be as follows for the next week. Monday will be a no class day, however, if you need help with your project please come and see me. The class will be set up with cribs, you can leave your charge with me and get some rest. If you don’t feel the need to come in, it’s not required.

You will come to class with the babies on Wednesday as normal. You will work in small groups, share stories, and talk about what you have learned. Then, on Friday you will return the babies. This will be a long week. It will test your patience, but I hope you all get something out of this. Now, when I call your name, please come up and become a parent.”

---

BENJI:

BABY: Single
GENDER: Girl
NIGHT: Great!
NAP: Great!
BEHAVIORS: Wiggly, Affectionate, Playful

---

MATILDA:

BABY: Single
GENDER: Boy
NIGHT: GREAT!
NAP: What’s Sleep
BEHAVIORS: Volatile, Clingy, Obstinate

---

ALICE:

BABY: Single
GENDER: Boy
NIGHT: Average
NAP: What’s Sleep
BEHAVIORS: Picky, Serene, Obstinate

---

MORGAN:

BABY: Single
GENDER: Girl
NIGHT: What’s Sleep
NAP: Great!
BEHAVIORS: Mellow, Bratty, Stoic

---

RAE:

BABY: Twin A
GENDER: Boy
NIGHT: What’s Sleep
NAP: Average
BEHAVIORS: Destructive, Wiggly, Flirt

BABY: Twin B
GENDER: Girl
NIGHT: What’s Sleep
NAP: Not Great
BEHAVIORS: Curious, Playful, Affectionate

---

MAEVIE:

BABY: Twin A
GENDER: Boy
NIGHT: What’s Sleep
NAP: Average
BEHAVIORS: Curious, Zen, Particular

BABY: Twin B
GENDER: Girl
NIGHT: Not Great
NAP: Not Great
BEHAVIORS: Picky, WILD CARD, Flirt

---

(OOC: WELCOME TO PARENTING 101! There is A LOT in this update. Please see below for the specifics of your baby/babies. A couple picked twins, I’m sorry for your loss of sleep (Not really). The info below details if the kiddo is a girl or boy, how they sleep at night and for naps, and three personality traits. YOU GET TO PICK ONE for when the baby is sleepy. Cuddly, loving, volatile, you pick.
IN YOUR POST, please detail how they are feeling, what they think of the rules,, getting called up to the front, and getting their babies. They WILL NOT know about their kids personality until they interact with the tike over the course of the week. The look of the child is completely up to you. Each student is given a kit of supplies, and a crib is waiting for them in their dorm. See below for supplies, if I missed one, let me know.

Supplies Provided:

• *Bottle (Magically fills)
  
• *Carrier
  
• *Sling/wrap
  
• *Crib/Cot
  
• *Diaper Bag filled with general supples
  
• *Outfits
  
• *Diapers
  
• *Food
  

ALL BABIES WERE CHOSEN WITH THE FOLLOWING INFO:

The Basics Pick 2 numbers between 1 & 8 (can be the same number)
Single	4	2	7	3
Twins	1	5	6	8
Boy	1	8	6	4
Girl	2	7	3	5

Sleep Pick 2 colors (different), one for night and one for naps
GREAT!!	Yellow	Green	Violet	Navy
Average	Grey	Purple	Blue	Red
Not Great	White	Brown	Orange	Teal
What's Sleep?	Pink	Coral	Crimson	Indigo

General Behavior
	A	B	C	D	E
1	Happy	Volatile	Pugnacious	Playful	Flirt
2	Destructive	Stubborn	Bratty	WILD CARD	Vocal
3	Mellow	Fierce	Wiggly	Zen	Bubbly
4	Curious	Picky	Serene	Obstinate	Stoic
5	Silly	Affectionate	Clingy	Particular	WILD CARD

NEXT UPDATE: February 10th


**A FEW ADDITIONS:
*The babies aren't "real" but the are more real then a doll. I envision Rennesme from Twilight in all her creepy glory.
*The babies are between 9-12 months "old." They can crawl, babble, eat solid foods, throw a fit and play. They can't walk or talk.
*In the supplies, there is a carrier. Think Infant Car Seat. You can levitate this (if you have the ability), to help move the babies around. Because you aren't casting ON the baby, but the carrier, the baby won't react negatively.
*The sling/wrap is something you wear.
*PLEASE tell us the name of your baby!
*Strollers are impractical with the castle, but you can choose to have one if you want.

"Shut up, no!"

"I won't be manhandled, thank you." The boy yanked his arm from the girl who would lead them into chaos, brushing away the invisible 'dirt' from her hand that she left behind. There was no reason for him to be the center of attention with Rae in all her fetal-hysterics. If she wanted to play dolls for the next week, then God-bless, but he would not. He didn't care if he got detention, or if Julia came down on him like a hammer.

He wouldn't do it. He wouldn't. He'd -

"Can Benji's mum write me a note, too?"

"She can, Marge. Trust. She's very easy to work with, if you just sweeten her up some and -"

“Your Professor’s have all been informed. Even the ones with children in this class and all parties have signed off on the material. So, no, you won’t be getting out of it.”

Dammit. Blackwood had thought of everything. The boy groaned, slumping in his desk, but it was short lived as Rae's hands were on him again, yanking him from his seat and every comfort he had left. Why? Where? When had she become the teacher's pet?

Benji's nose wrinkled in disdain as she began rattling off like she was ordering lunch, rather than 'babies' that would torment them for the next week. Twins? QUADRUPLETS?! Was she out of her mind, or had she never had one in the first place? Benji stared at his girlfriend in disbelief and slowly poked his index finger against her temple.

"Oh! Benji, looooooook, that one already has your eyes. That one! We pick that one, right, Benji? Don't look so miserable; you'll scare him."

"It does NOT have my eyes," the boy protested, grabbing his girfriend and yanking her back to their seats. "It has fake glass eyes. Like all the other dolls." When they were promptly seated again, Benji sighed, rolling HIS EYES and crossed his arms in front of him.

A nightmare, that's what this was.

“As you can see, the rules aren't terribly hard. It comes down to treat them as you would treat a real baby. Don’t drop them, be attentive. Just like a real child, if they are hungry and you feed them their attitude will improve. If you forget to feed them, hangry will be your new life.”

His name was called and Benji groaned, tossing his head back in exasperation before he rose again and made his way to the front. His doll was set on the desk. A girl with a big smile and hands that immediately reached for him. He was supposed to give this thing a name.

"Come on Barnaby," Benji muttered, grabbing the doll and tucking it under his arm like an American football. "Let's find a closet to shove you in."

"No, thank you," Rae said politely when the professor suggested she and Benji take their seats. She had no intention of that. The Slytherin had already seen the babies that she wanted, and she wouldn't stand by while someone with a name earlier than "E" stepped up to claim them should the professor decide to go alphabetically.

Out of nowhere, the choice was removed from her when Benji dragged her back to their seats. Rae tugged against him the whole way, whining and protesting that they'd be left with the riffraff if he continued to take such a passive approach to fatherhood. Didn't he care about them getting smart, well-mannered children with rosy cheeks and sweet smiles?? Didn't he care about their future and their happy family??

Stupid question; of course, he didn't. It was there in the exasperated way he rolled his eyes and folded his arms while he tried to rain on her baby parade. Just dolls, he said. Glassy eyes. He was such a spoilsport, a gremlin coming to ruin Christmas early when all she wanted to do was play house with the boy for a week. She supposed she shouldn't have been too surprised. The boy likely wouldn't have been willing or aiming to play house with her, regardless.

Life was hard. Distractions were fleeting. This really was the least he could do, and yet here she was, the only one in their happy little union who was excited for the birth of their children.

She'd have to dig up her engagement ring for the week. Make everything official.

When her name was called, Rae jumped and headed to the front in a flash. She stuck both hands out, wiggling her fingers eagerly as she waited to be handed a baby. The professor dropped a little boy in her arms, the one whose eyes reminded her of Benji, and she squealed in delight, never expecting a second surprise just on the horizon. Rae, all gushing and grins, pressed her cheek to the baby, cooing while she reached for a supply kit when the professor called for her attention aga--

A SECOND BABY.

Hand her over. This was life now. Give her the baby. All the babies. The sound that erupted from her was enough to shatter glass as Rae reached out to take the baby girl.

TWINS.

DID BENJI SEE?? THEY WERE THE PROUD PARENTS OF TWINS NOW.

"You can be 'Benji' like your father," Rae muttered affectionately into the boy's cheeks. "And you, my sweet thing, you can be 'Andrea' and I'll take the very best care of you." The way the woman had done everything she could to take care of her.

With both hands full and her heart FULL OF JOY, Rae wiggled a bit to fish into her holster for her wand. She levitated the supplies the professor had given, assuming he'd put enough in there for two. Beaming, she hurried back to her seat where Benji already had their daughte--

Barnaby?

She wrinkled her nose. "Our daughter's not a boy! You'll not be calling her th--"

Did he just say closet?

Rae tutted at him LOUDLY as the box of supplies fell by her desk. This wouldn't do. This wouldn't do at all. "Here, hold Benji," she said, nudging the baby toward the confused boy. She set Andrea down on her chair for a moment to rummage through her kit. She pulled out both slings then set to tying Andrea to her front. She reclaimed Benji, and with a bit of awkward manoeuvring and some spell work (on the sling, she heard the rules just fine) she got him tied to her back.

"Gimme," she said, arresting sweet little Not!Barnaby from Benji and balancing her on her hip.

She was ready and unbothered by the rules.

Not even Benji's mum could help her now, it seemed. This was inevitable and Professor Blackwood just kept on smiling as though his birthday had come early. Rules appeared on the blackboard, one by one taking away the loopholes Maevie had spun up in her head since this announcement, furthering her path to doom.

This was terrible. Despite her cheerful nature and the fact that she liked pretty much everyone, found fun and joy in almost everything -- this would not be one of them. A whole week sounded like forever. What if she did something wrong and got a bad grade for it? Would she have to scour the library for books on motherhood and parenting at the ripe age of twelve?

She needed to do homework and studying...a little bit... But what if the doll she got handed was a nightmare child from hell and kept her up all night and day?

What if cried incessantly?

The thought spiral was endless, slowly developing into a headache, piercing the back of her brain.

All the while more information was given. It entered her brain, did a little hop, and then plopped like a bubble of smoke. It was simply too much to take in with the low panic swirling her insides, some of it sticking, some of it never to be remembered.

Her name was finally called and Maevie approached the professor's desk, feeling rather stiff.

And then the man presented her with not one doll, but two.

Terror drained her blood cold, blanched her face, dropped her heart straight through the floor.

"T..two?!", Maevie stuttered wide-eyed, looking from one creepy baby to the other. They looked almost identical. Dark hair, deep, brown eyes, chubby arms and legs. "Sir..." Maevie gulped, wringing her hands, shifting uncomfortably. "Sir, I don't think I can do two."

But the man was already calling the next student forward and so Maevie shifted her attention back towards the twins. Hesitantly she reached to pick up one of them -- heavy! -- and placed it on her hip, struggling to do the same with the other without dropping either of them.

Back at her desk, panting from the effort of carrying two wiggling chunky baby dolls, she placed both on the ground by her chair, watching them babble and wiggle around. Her gaze lifted to where Rae and Benji sat, the former covered from head to toe in babies. Looking back at her dolls, Maevie lifted a stern finger and said, "Stay!" As if that would work.

Leaving them there for a moment, Maevie crossed the short distance to Rae's desk, pointing at the sling she was wearing. "Can you show me how you did that?", she asked, pointing next at the twins on the ground. "Uhhhh...Apollo?...and Artemis..." She squinted her eyes with the random Greek mythology names that had plopped into her head. "I don't know how to carry them," she finally finished off, looking back at Rae with a helpless smile.

There was only a slight hint of desperation to her voice when she leaned in with an intent plead in her eyes. "Please help me, Rae."

Blackwood was insane. Certifiable.

He was giving them BABIES? Well, not actual babies, but close enough. Looking around the class a few looked actually happy. Rae… Rae looked happy. Everyone else looked stunned. Scared. Freaked out. So many words to use.

She was sure her face reflected the same thoughts.

Matilda watched in horror as her classmates were called up one by one to retrieve their children. It was obvious when someone had no experience, holding the thing like a ticking time bomb. And then Benji was called.

"Come on Barnaby," Matilda laughed out loud at the name. Only Benji… "Let's find a closet to shove you in." And she laughed louder.

And then, her name. “Aww fluffer-nutter.” She said, under her breath.

Walking to the front, Blackwood held out the doll to her, bright red ginger hair making it no mistake that this one was for her. Awesome, made it that much harder to pawn it off on someone else.

Watching Rae, happy as can be with TWO… Make that three, if you added Barnaby into the mix.

Matilda walked back to her desk with the supplies ready to go. The little tyke staring at her with soulless blue eyes. Creepy…

“Ok little… Hmmm…” Then it hit her with a chuckle. “Hello Herbert, but I shall call you Herb. Herbert Petunia Nordstrom.”

Taking out her wand to levitate all her supplies behind her and little Herby, she walked out of the class with the small thing on her hip, looking at it like any minute he would explode.

Calling the students up, one by one, watching their looks of shock, disgust, and excitement… Ruth, she was the only one that looked truly excited, was honestly thoroughly entertaining. He probably shouldn’t find so much joy in their discomfort, but there was no fixing it now.

Gideon ignored all questions and cries of horror. They would deal.

Until he heard the comment by Benji. "Let's find a closet to shove you in."

Raising his hand to quiet the whispering, Gideon’s voice carried across the classroom. “Ignore your baby, lock it in a closet,” he gave a pointed stare to the Hufflepuff, “or trunk, and you will find the child very displeased. If you leave it alone for more than five minutes, you will find the child popping into existence by your side. And when they manage to find you, they will make you regret your negligence. Screams, temper tantrums, biting. Expect the worst. You have been warned.”

Watching Ruth become downright giddy at getting twins was the highlight of his day. Not because she was happy, but because her boyfriend was terrified.

It was the simple pleasures in life.

When little Maevie came up, and also received twins he had a small amount of regret. It was a bad draw. "Sir, I don't think I can do two."

“You will do just fine. If you find it too difficult, come and find me.”

Mathelda, Matilda, Tilda... Whatever. Came up next, tentative but resigned to her fate. Her ginger haired baby was going to be a spicy one. It was inevitable. It made him smile even bigger.

As stated before, the students were free to go after they received their baby. Gideon sat at his desk, feet up, smile bright, supremely happy with today's lesson.

---

OOC: OK, short update. With your next post please give me a one-shot of a weekend day with your little one. This update should detail how their sleep is for night and nap time. What do you do with your baby during the day with no class? The weather is cold, Mid December with snow on the ground. So if you take the tyke outside, plan accordingly. What is feeding them like? Are they picky, adventurous? How are your dorm mates handling the intrusion? Think about the personality of your baby, and tell us all about a day in your life.

The Applied Magic classroom will be open during this time for play dates, toys, stuffed animals and other fun things if you would like to bring your little ones for some fun.

**The next update will be on 14 February. **

11 December 1921
Sunday
One-Shot

6:00am
“OUCH!”

This was not the first time those words had been grunted out in pain and frustration. It seemed little Herbert Nordstrom the First was a hair puller. Awesome. Lucky him, Tilly had a lot to hold onto. And it was bright, easy to see.

It was the morning of day one million as a mom. Terrifying to think about, Night one she learned that Herby was a good sleeper. THANK THE MAKER. Others were not so lucky, she had heard many cries through the dorm, it seemed Applied Magic was a popular class this term. The Muffliato charm was being used in every dorm and around every bed. Tilly, being one of the few that knew the spell, did her service to those in her house. She would be applying for masters level caster in that spell and that spell alone.

Waking up after actual sleep, Tilly wanted to shut her eyes and continue with the bliss, but it wasn’t going to happen. Herby may sleep well, but he was an early riser. And it appeared he was mildly abusive when she didn’t wake at his insistence.

”You hungry little man?” she asked the boy with a yawn. He was WIDE awake, which was probably more a product of his magical nature than anything else. Grabbing the bottle off her bedside table, watching it magically fill with whatever liquid was inside, she handed it to the boy and watched him lay back down and drink hungrily while she got up and got ready. After a day and a half with the baby, she had learned a few very important things.

• When tired he was cuddly, almost loving.
  
• When hungry he was a holy terror
  
• Naps were worthless, she might get 30 minutes
  
• When bored or upset he would flail and hit, bite, scream.
  
• keeping him busy was KEY to a happy day
  
• He loved all food and a lot of it. (Changing his middle name to Benji)
  

---

7:00 am
Tilly had Herby strapped to her chest in the soft carrier she found in the supplies box. It allowed her to have both arms and kept him close, which was good and bad. Being so close to her face, hair pulling was inevitable. Today, she was smart and had her hair pulled into a tight braid and bun. His little fingers itched to grip her red hair, but she wouldn’t give him the option today.

Sitting at the long house table, Tilly put food on her plate and poured herself a LARGE mug of coffee. Looking at Blackwood at the staff table, looking all rested and fresh made her feel slightly murdery.

Breakfast went well, Herby eating more food than should be allowed for a small child, but he seemed to be in good spirits. Thank goodness. Talking with other students at the table who also had little ones, there were varying states of happiness and anger. It seemed someone tried out the magic trick on their baby and it had been a holy terror ever since. No sleep, screaming, biting, hitting. She took notes for things she wouldn’t be doing.

8:30am
Herby was still strapped to Tilly’s chest babbling and talking in his own little language. For the time being, he seemed happy. She headed down to the greenhouse for a short shift to harvest some ingredients for the divination professor. Getting to the greenhouse, Herby had his little eyes set on all the colors and plants. Maybe he was programmed to be her kid, he looked enthralled. Grabbing her tools, Tilly looked at the list of things she needed, and got to work.

It didn’t last long. The peace and quiet was quickly snuffed out when Herb started trying to grab the plants. Tilly pulled his hands back, scolding him. “No, you can’t touch that. No, STOP!”

Herb DID NOT like the word no. Like a switch he began screaming and flailing his arms. His little hands were grabbing for the plants. It was nearly impossible to keep him back from decimating the flowers. She tried reasoning with him, expanding, scolding. Nothing worked.

Packing it in, she left the greenhouse with a note that she would finish later. This was impossible.

10:00am
Returning to the dorms, Tilly tried to give Herb a bottle to sooth him, but he wasn’t having it. He was exhausted and angry, not a good mix. She tried humming, singing, bouncing and swaying, but nothing worked.

She was nearly in tears as he just kept screaming. Finally, after nearly an hour, he tired himself (and her) out and passed out in his tiny crib. Tilly laid down on her bed, shut her eyes to take a nap herself, but it didn’t last long. The short thirty minutes was just enough for him and not nearly enough for her.

3:00pm
The day was progressing. Lunch was fine, he ate three helpings of apple sauce and flung steamed peas in her hair. It was now a crusty mess. She smelled. It was nasty.

Thankfully a few others had decided to get together in the Applied Magic classroom for a play date. Many little ones crawled around on a carpet playing with the blocks, stuffed animals and cars. This was particularly great since the students could sit and relax for a few minutes.

Herby loved the cars as well as throwing blocks. She let him have his fun as long as no one got hurt.

8:00pm
Dinner was much of the same, and now THANK GOODNESS, it was time for bed and she couldn’t be happier. After a quick clean up: diaper, and washcloth bath since he wasn’t too dirty, Tilly got Herby changed into PJ’s and got his bottle ready. Cuddling him close while he drank his bottle, little eyes getting heavy, Tilly breathed a sigh of relief. She had survived another full day. Exhaustion clawed at her, pulling her under quickly. As Herby went still with sleep, she placed him carefully in his crib, recited the specific charms to keep it quiet around her area for her dorm mates and then fell, fully clothed in her bed and passed out.

Sunday

4:27am

Her eyes creaked open with an exhausted sigh, directed at the canopy above. There had been no rest, no sleep, no peace. Apollo hadn't fallen quiet all night, blabbering or banging against the bars of his cot. Artemis had naturally not slept either, kept awake by her twin brother and answering with relentless, waling cries. In fact, the whole dorm had been kept awake, much to the disdain of her fellow Hufflepuffs. All had fled the dorm at some point during the night, to where, Maevie didn't know.

At first she had tried to soothe, she'd even tried to sing! Hadn't worked though, so food she'd tried. No success there either. In the end, she'd given up, had ignored the consistent onslaught of noise, and tried to sleep anyway. With little success, it had been an on-off affair all night for all three of them.

A glance at her clock sitting on the bedside table told her morning wasn't far off and all hope dispersed anyway as Apollo squealed another happy squeal of excitement.

"Okay, then," Maevie groaned as she sat up, tired eyes on the dolls that didn't look any less creepy than yesterday. "Anyone fancy breakfast?"

6:12am

"Artemis, please." Maevie took the fork from the girl's hand. "No playing, I just want to eat." Two days in and Maevie was about ready to lose her mind. There was no moment of peace or quiet, not when one twin made the night to day, and the other couldn't stop grabbing whatever it could reach. This included sleeves, hair, knifes, quills, anything that could potentially hurt a child. It was the worst time she's ever had.

Apollo was strapped to her back, finally sleeping, Artemis sat in the carrier sitting to her left, not sleeping. At least they had both eaten, after forever had passed. Artemis seemed to change her mind on what she liked by the hour and the weather.

At least she wasn't whining or crying anymore and she'd even accepted the small stuffed bear Maevie had given her to keep busy with. Yesterday she hadn't wanted it at all.

Snatching the knife away before Artemis managed to grab it, Maevie kept on eating.

10:06am

"Yuck." Maevie carefully folded up the stinking diaper filled with magical poo, swallowing her gag but not bothering to keep the disgust from her face.

This was torture, this was cruel. No girl should have to do this at the age of twelve in the middle of a random bathroom. She had been on her way to the library, still needing to finish an essay -- while dead tired, mind you -- but the telltale smell and the whine that followed had delayed her. At least Apollo kept mostly still throughout the endless process of changing diapers.

Artemis never stopped moving, usually crying all the way through. It had become very apparent, very quick that the child was whiny, picky and overall exhausting.

02:45pm

The open classroom providing toys and reprieve was like a sanctuary. Artemis and Apollo sat in a play crib, happily playing with each other and the stuffed animals Maevie had given them. No crying, no fighting. The relative quiet pulled Maevie to sleep faster than should be possible.

Mouth slightly opened, the Hufflepuff lay next to the cot, hands folded under her cheek, out like a light. Only a few seconds, she had told herself as she'd laid down. Only a minute, and then oblivion took her.

Until the shrill cry tore her right back to life.

Artemis was crying -- again -- and Maevie felt like crying along as she lifted the doll out of the cot, cradling it to her chest in an attempt to sooth while Apollo merrily kept on squealing.

06:38pm

The spoon of applesauce flew in a sharp throw all along the table, clattering against goblets and plates. Maevie didn't notice the glares of disdain as they settled in her and the dolls. She was too busy sighing.

While Apollo happily drank from his bottle, Artemis refused to eat anything at all. Nothing seemed to be good. They'd been at it for over twenty minutes now.

Maevie prayed for an end to this day, this week, this assignment.

11:07pm

They were sleeping. All of them. Knocked out cold after hours of more crying, more babbling and more bottles and diapers and toys. Even Apollo was quiet and under.

Maevie hadn't even changed out of her clothes.

Sunday 6:45 AM

A whimpering came from beneath his bed as Benji slept soundly, limbs sprawled in every direction, face buried in the fluff of his pillow. It was a day for sleeping in - the one day a week he didn't rise early for a morning workout - and he often slept well into the early afternoon.

The sound of tiny hands and knees crawled out from beneath the bed, a little grunt sounding as the baby pulled herself into a standing position by the edge of his mattress. She patted his face, lightly at first, babbling happily, before stronger smacks came, eager to wake the boy up.

Benji groaned as his eyes fluttered open, hazel orbs landing on the face of Barnaby. "Whaaaaat?" he asked grumpily, reaching for the little doll and pulling her onto the bed with him. She giggled, a sweet little baby laugh that sounded like bubbles. "It's Sunday, Barnaby. That means I sleep and you don't exist."

The doll tilted its head at him, not unlock a puppy, before her babbling resumed, tiny fingers pulling and plucking at the skin of face. It seemed to be her favorite activity.

"Fine," he muttered, sitting up and tucking the baby into his side as he manuevered to the edge of the bed. "Breakfast should be ready anyway."

---

9:00 AM

"Look here, Barnaby," Benji said, walking through the corridors with the baby tucked under his arm like a football again, while she made happy baby noises. "I've got a library shift and I can't have you making a mess of things. Your granny will have a fit, and then I'll have to clean it up." Julia had already insisted that Benji would not be referring to her as 'granny' in any capacity, but if he had to be called a 'dad' it was just the natural order of things.

Whether she was young and pregnant or not.

Throwing open the doors to the library, Benji made his way to the check in desk, tossing down the diaper bag and poking his head into his mum's office. "Can I leave this in here?" he asked holding up the baby between his two hands.

Julia glanced up, an eyebrow raised in exasperation for her son.

"No sir. That is your assignment, not mine."

"But you watch Maddox's kid all the time!"

His mum stared at him, the look in her eyes warning him not to test her. The boy sighed and rolled his eyes. "Some granny you turned out to be!"

---

12:00 PM

"Barnaby, this is my food."

Barnaby didn't care. She didn't care one iota about boundaries or what her dad did or didn't like. She didn't care that Benji didn't share food. As far as the infant was concerned, he shared food with her.

It was like having a little bitty Rae with him at all times, which would have thrilled his girlfriend, he was sure.

The baby munched away happily, mashed potatoes and peas coating her hands as she stuffed herself. The boy sighed, resigning himself to the idea that anything he wanted to eat would just have to come at the price of his peace. He'd already tried stuffing the doll into a closet and his bag.

It hadn't ended well.

"Enjoy then," he said, reaching for a chicken drumstick. He bit, looking down at the girl who grinned happily back up at him.

"Yeah, yeah," he said, ruffling her hair.

---

5:45 PM

"It's time for bed."

The little one stared up at him with big brown eyes, not unlike his girlfriend's, a sweet smile plastered on her lips. "Under the bed," he ordered, just like the night before.

Her stare grew more intentional, little dimples showing as a singular tooth peeked out from her grin.

"Barnabyyyyy," he moaned, not wanting to give in, but who could resist that little face? He could! That's who! This is exactly what Rae wanted. For him to somehow love this and decide he was ready to be a teen father.

WHICH HE WASN'T.

"Fine," he sighed for the umpteenth time that day, gathering the little one in his arms and plopping her into his bed. He reached into the bag, fetching one of her bedtime books and sat down next to her. Barnaby nuzzled into his side as he popped open the book and settled in for the next thirty minutes until she fell asleep.

"Once upon a time," Benji began, "there lived a beautiful little princess named Barnaby."

Walking around the castle over the weekend brought Gideon more joy that was probably warranted, but watching his students learn was a thing of beauty.

And by learning, he meant struggle. It was glorious. The wails of magical baby dolls echoed off the walls and through the common room and dorms. The smarter students had figured out charms to muffle noise. Some hadn’t been so lucky. He would have to pay the elves a visit in the kitchens. With the little tykes tossing food all over the castle, he owed them a bonus for all their hard work.

It would be a long week for the teens. One, that if all went correctly, they would never forget.

Matilda:
The red haired girl glared at him over her coffee. The bags under her eyes said that her little one was a handful. He blamed the ginger hair. It was those of her age that he was the most concerned about. Teen parenting was rough, he was just trying to teach them that babies may be cute, but not something they needed to deal with until they were out of school.

Maevie:
Watching little Maevie with the twins, Gideon felt a twinge of guilt. She had gotten a rotten pull. A few times, watching her juggle the babies, he wanted to step in, but then remembered this was a learning experience. Even if she was learning that she never wanted to have kids, it was still educational.


Benji:
Of all the students in the school HE had to get the easiest of children. No matter what he did, or how he held the adorable little dimpled baby, little Barnaby smiled and giggled. No matter, he was docking his grade for the football hold. Watching Benji with his little one, made Gideon want one of his own… Maybe this was going to backfire. Hopefully, having Ruth get twins would even things out.

---

Monday rolled around and Gideon sat waiting in his classroom for the students who decided to attend. A reminder note had gone out to all his students, Monday was optional. If they came to class they would find the magical baby cribs used in their other classrooms. Guaranteeing the little ones sleep for however long they lay down. With the kids taken care of, it would allow the students a full day by themselves. They could sleep, eat, attend classes alone, study, work on extracurriculars or relax. Whatever they wanted. As long as they returned for their little ones by 5pm, Gideon would babysit.

---

OOC: Short update. Thank you to all that shared their one-shot. I was cracking up. If you haven't posted your one shot you still can! Just do your one shot and add in what they decide for Monday.

Your next post can be relatively small. Make your decision. Will you drop your baby off with Gideon for the day or keep them with you?

If you drop them off, he will have them from 7am to 5pm. Your update would need to detail what they do while the baby is with Uncle Gideon. Sleep? Study? Whatever your heart desires. When you come to pick them up, is your student happy? Did they miss their little ones?

If you choose to keep them with you. Give a short post on why you made your decision, one thing they did during their day, and if you were happy with your choice by the time dinner came around.


NEXT POST will be them returning their babies. SAD DAY! Feb 20th! I am leaving for one night away on the 20th, so the morning of the 20th will be a firm date.

Maevie dragged herself into the classroom, seven on the dot. She hadn't bothered wrapping the dolls to her back and chest with the sling, but instead carried two carriers, each containing one crying baby.

She didn't glance at Professor Blackwood, she didn't greet anyone in the room. Her arms strained with the effort, her ears rang from the constant crying, her eyes drooped from the lack of sleep. Wordlessly, feet dragging, Maevie found two empty cribs and placed Artemis and Apollo down.

The instant cease of screaming and thrashing was like bliss sent down from heaven itself.

With a heaving sigh, Maevie sagged in relief.

Again, as she left, she didn't acknowledge anyone, didn't speak. She had no energy.

7:12am

She managed to slide her shoes off before crashing into her bed, eyes falling shut the moment her head hit the pillow, and she was out.

1:39pm

Her head felt drowsy but at least it didn't feel like falling off anymore. Still, her entire body ached, as though she'd been training for something all weekend long. The dorm and common room were blissfully empty and quiet. Most students were in class, after all. Maevie, for this one time, allowed herself to not care. She had decided long before this morning that this day, offered by Professor Blackwood, would be a day only to herself.

The kitchens provided her with enough leftover lunch to last all day, including a whole batch of cookies that the kind elf had packed into the basket now sitting on the low table before her. Her mood had significantly improved since her nap and since the sugar had hit her bloodstream. It was almost enough to forget what she had been all exhausted about in the first place.

4:59pm

She had stretched her time as long as she could. With one minute to spare, Maevie begrudgingly entered the classroom, her dolls laying in their cots exactly as she had left them.

One after the other they went into their carriers. One after the other blinked awake and giggled happily along as Maevie huffed her way to dinner.

At least there was no crying. Yet.

Some foreboding suspicion told her it might not have been the best idea to let them nap all day...

Wednesday
14 December 1921
8:00 am

Gideon sat at his desk, waiting for the onslaught of students bringing their babies in for a break. He knew they would come. He would honestly be shocked if anyone took up the offer to keep their baby with them for the day.

As if they were lined up in the hall at 7am on the dot the doors opened. Maevie was first, walking in and depositing her twins in the magical cribs without saying a word. And then, off she went. Gideon was glad he had extended the offer, Maevie surely needed it.

One by one the rest of the students came in, put their kids down for a nap and left. Some in great moods, others glared at the Professor for such a horrible project. It warmed him up inside.

---

The day had come.

The day most students would be looking forward too. Not the end of school. Not the day they leave on Christmas break. No, this was the day the students returned their magical babies.

It had been a long week for the students. Some, longer than others. He would rethink the idea of twins in the years to come. In hindsight, it might have been too much.

Gideon had his station set up at the front of the class. Boxes for the supplies and babies. Each getting its own container. Before putting them away for a looooooong nap, he would tap into the magical memory and record their treatment over the last week. This would be a large portion of their grade.

Some of his students should be nervous.

Finally, as the seats were filled, a few baby babbles and cries could be heard, Gideon waved his wand causing all the little ones to go quiet. “Good morning. I’m sure most of you have been waiting for this day. When I call your name, please bring up your baby and the supplies you were given. The cribs and any other supplies left in your dorms will be gone before you return. If you wish to say goodbye to your little one, now is the time.”

Gideon returned to his desk, allowing the students a few minutes to say goodbye. A few looked genuinely sad to be ending this project. Others looked like they were ready to chuck their babies across the room. Funny enough, most fell into one of those two extremes.

---

After everyone had been called up and the babies had been put away, Gideon waved his wand up at the board. “Thank you all for your mandatory participation over the last week. While I know it was a long week, it does come with its benefits. You will not have class this Friday and Monday’s class is only required to turn in your last paper of the semester. Then Tuesday the 21st you will be off for Christmas Break. Your assignment between now and Monday is up on the board. Please have it in to me before the end of day on Monday. You are dismissed.”

---

FINAL ASSIGNMENT: PROJECT REFLECTION

Due: Monday, 19 December
Instructions: Please submit a 12-inch parchment response to the following prompt:

• This project was designed to show that magic cannot fix everything. Students must write an essay on the ethics of domestic magic.
  
• Requirements: Discuss the No Magic rule. Why is it dangerous to use magic on living beings (or lifelike simulators)?
  
• Key Question: If you had been allowed to use magic, would your "bond" with the child have been stronger or weaker? Why?
  

Extra Credit:
If you are concerned about what might be found when the child speaks/tattles about their week, you can do the following for Extra Credit:
10-inch Parchment Journal Entry

• A narrative account of your hardest and best moments
  
• What did these moments reveal about your own patience and character
  

Note: Points will be deducted if your parchment is peppered with tears and/or swear words

((OOC: THANK YOU for all those that participated. You still have time to post if you need points to pass. You don’t need to respond to each update, just do the one shot. If you have questions please let me know. The “Final” assignment is not required, obviously. I will close the lesson on 25 February. TOODLES!))