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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:42 pm
Third Year Lesson Plan Unit 1: Beedle the Bard [ ] Unit 2: The Fountain of Fair Fortune [ ] Unit 3: The Wizard and the Hopping Pot [ ] Unit 4: The Warlock's Hairy Heart [ ] Unit 5: Beatrix Bloxam [ ]
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Fourth Year Lesson Plan Unit 1: Quintaped Myth [ ] Unit 2: Unicorn Blood Myth [ ] Unit 3: Chamber of Secrets [ ] Unit 4: Chamber of Secrets Basilisk [ ]
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Fifth Year Lesson Plan Unit 1: The Sorting Hat [ ] Unit 2: The Sword of Gryffindor [ ] Unit 3: Helga Hufflepuff's Cup [ ] Unit 4: Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem [ ]
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Sixth Year Lesson Plan Unit 1: Rowena Ravenclaw's Death [ ] Unit 2: Rowena Ravenclaw's contributions to Hogwarts [ ] Unit 3: The Boy Who Lived [ ] Unit 4: Deathly Hollows [ ] [align=center][b][u][i]Third Year Lesson Plan[/i][/u][/b] [u]Unit 1:[/u] Beedle the Bard [ ] [u]Unit 2:[/u] The Fountain of Fair Fortune [ ] [u]Unit 3:[/u] The Wizard and the Hopping Pot [ ] [u]Unit 4:[/u] The Warlock's Hairy Heart [ ] [u]Unit 5:[/u] Beatrix Bloxam [ ] [b][u][i]Fourth Year Lesson Plan[/i][/u][/b] [u]Unit 1:[/u] Quintaped Myth [ ] [u]Unit 2:[/u] Unicorn Blood Myth [ ] [u]Unit 3:[/u] Chamber of Secrets [ ] [u]Unit 4:[/u] Chamber of Secrets Basilisk [ ] [b][u][i]Fifth Year Lesson Plan[/i][/u][/b] [u]Unit 1:[/u] The Sorting Hat [ ] [u]Unit 2:[/u] The Sword of Gryffindor [ ] [u]Unit 3:[/u] Helga Hufflepuff's Cup [ ] [u]Unit 4:[/u] Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem [ ] [b][u][i]Sixth Year Lesson Plan[/i][/u][/b] [u]Unit 1:[/u] Rowena Ravenclaw's Death [ ] [u]Unit 2:[/u] Rowena Ravenclaw's contributions to Hogwarts [ ] [u]Unit 3:[/u] The Boy Who Lived [ ] [u]Unit 4:[/u] Deathly Hollows [ ][/align]
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:46 pm
Third Year Lessons Lesson One: Beedle the Bard The Man:
• Born in Yorkshire in the 15th century. • Author of many of the wizarding world’s most well-known and famous folktales. • Little is known of the man or his personal life. • Many of his tales sparked controversy due to his apparently high opinion of non-magical folk and treatment of wizards who valued pure bloodlines or ambitious designs. • He mistrusted all forms of Dark Magic and believed that wizards were far from immune to the lure of those worst traits of humankind. • His stories were unusual in that in them, the heroes were rarely those with the strongest magic, but rather those who possessed traits such as kindness, common sense, ingenuity. • There are various parallels between Beedle and the famous muggle playwright William Shakespeare, both of whom are referred to as ‘The Bard.’ Less informed readers are often of the incorrect belief that they were actually one and the same person.
The Tales:
• The Fountain of Fair Fortune: Enclosed in a magical garden lays The Fountain of Fair Fortune, a magical fountain whose waters are believed to cure the aliment of any bathe in its waters. Three witches, suffering from poverty, illness and heartbreak, travel with an unfortunate knight to seek its blessing. • The Wizard and the Hopping Pot: A kindly old wizard, who uses his magic to help the non-magical folk of a nearby village, passes away, leaving his blood purist son as their only assistance in times of trouble. The son, however, has little interest in helping the muggles. He is punished for his hard headedness by a magical pot, which his father enchanted to become afflicted with anything those in the village are afflicted with. • The Warlock’s Hairy Heart: A warlock becomes convinced that love is a true weakness, and seeking to become powerful and without any weaknesses, locks his heart away so that he can never fall in love.
Homework: Write a short essay on Beedle and how public opinion of muggles during his lifetime may have led to controversy concerning his stories. Offer your opinion on the perspectives of both the Bard and his peers.
[size=16][b]Lesson One: Beedle the Bard[/b][/size] [list][list][list][list] [b]The Man:[/b] [list][list]• Born in Yorkshire in the 15th century. • Author of many of the wizarding world’s most well-known and famous folktales. • Little is known of the man or his personal life. • Many of his tales sparked controversy due to his apparently high opinion of non-magical folk and treatment of wizards who valued pure bloodlines or ambitious designs. • He mistrusted all forms of Dark Magic and believed that wizards were far from immune to the lure of those worst traits of humankind. • His stories were unusual in that in them, the heroes were rarely those with the strongest magic, but rather those who possessed traits such as kindness, common sense, ingenuity. • There are various parallels between Beedle and the famous muggle playwright William Shakespeare, both of whom are referred to as ‘The Bard.’ Less informed readers are often of the incorrect belief that they were actually one and the same person. [/list][/list] [b]The Tales:[/b] [list][list]• [b]The Fountain of Fair Fortune:[/b] Enclosed in a magical garden lays The Fountain of Fair Fortune, a magical fountain whose waters are believed to cure the aliment of any bathe in its waters. Three witches, suffering from poverty, illness and heartbreak, travel with an unfortunate knight to seek its blessing. • [b]The Wizard and the Hopping Pot:[/b] A kindly old wizard, who uses his magic to help the non-magical folk of a nearby village, passes away, leaving his blood purist son as their only assistance in times of trouble. The son, however, has little interest in helping the muggles. He is punished for his hard headedness by a magical pot, which his father enchanted to become afflicted with anything those in the village are afflicted with. • [b]The Warlock’s Hairy Heart:[/b] A warlock becomes convinced that love is a true weakness, and seeking to become powerful and without any weaknesses, locks his heart away so that he can never fall in love. [/list][/list] [b]Homework:[/b] Write a short essay on Beedle and how public opinion of muggles during his lifetime may have led to controversy concerning his stories. Offer your opinion on the perspectives of both the Bard and his peers.[/list][/list][/list][/list] Lesson Two: The Fountain of Fair FortuneSummary: Enclosed in a magical garden lays The Fountain of Fair Fortune, a magical fountain whose waters are believed to cure the aliment of any bathe in its waters. Three witches, suffering from poverty, illness and heartbreak, travel with an unfortunate knight to seek its blessing. As they travel, each witch faced a trial which helped her to overcome her woes, so that when they came across the fountain, each forsook the right to bathe in its waters, offering it instead to the knight.
Controversy: This tale has long been discounted and discredited by blood purists, who attack it for its depiction of romance between a witch and a muggle. Over the years, there have been many petitions started to have it removed from the library of Hogwarts and to cease its inclusion in publications of the Bard’s tales.
Homework: Write a short essay on the idea of the Fountain and why you think it worked, despite the fact that its waters held no true enchantment.
[size=16][b]Lesson Two: The Fountain of Fair Fortune[/b][/size] [list][list][list][list][b]Summary:[/b] Enclosed in a magical garden lays The Fountain of Fair Fortune, a magical fountain whose waters are believed to cure the aliment of any bathe in its waters. Three witches, suffering from poverty, illness and heartbreak, travel with an unfortunate knight to seek its blessing. As they travel, each witch faced a trial which helped her to overcome her woes, so that when they came across the fountain, each forsook the right to bathe in its waters, offering it instead to the knight.
[b]Controversy: [/b]This tale has long been discounted and discredited by blood purists, who attack it for its depiction of romance between a witch and a muggle. Over the years, there have been many petitions started to have it removed from the library of Hogwarts and to cease its inclusion in publications of the Bard’s tales.
[b]Homework:[/b] Write a short essay on the idea of the Fountain and why you think it worked, despite the fact that its waters held no true enchantment.[/list][/list][/list][/list] Lesson Three: The Wizard and the Hopping PotSummary: A kindly old wizard, who uses his magic to help the non-magical folk of a nearby village, passes away, leaving his blood purist son as their only assistance in times of trouble. The son, however, has little interest in helping the muggles. He is punished for his hard headedness by a magical pot, which his father enchanted to become afflicted with anything those in the village are afflicted with.
Controversy: This particular tale has been subject to two rewrites, for different reasons. Beatrix Bloxam rewrote the tale to make it more appropriate for children, believing that the depiction of the pot was too gruesome for children. On the other hand, blood purists rewrote the tale to completely change the depictions of the father and son. In the original tale, the father is depicted as a kindly old man, and much cleverer than his son. The son, a blood purist, is shown to be cruel and selfish. In the Bard’s tale, the Hopping Pot is a device created by the father, meant to force the son out of his selfish ways and teach him to help the muggles who live in the nearby village as he had in his life. But, in the revised version, the Pot instead is meant to protect the son from the muggles, who attack him for practicing magic. In this version, the Pot gulps most of the villagers, and the wizard tells the muggles that if they leave him alone, they will be safe. Copies of the original story were destroyed to such an extent that it was considered a miracle that any child has heard it. Many wizard children still grow up hearing only the revised edition.
Homework: Write a short essay on the differences between the original story and either of the revised versions.
[size=16][b]Lesson Three: The Wizard and the Hopping Pot[/b][/size] [list][list][list][list][b]Summary:[/b] A kindly old wizard, who uses his magic to help the non-magical folk of a nearby village, passes away, leaving his blood purist son as their only assistance in times of trouble. The son, however, has little interest in helping the muggles. He is punished for his hard headedness by a magical pot, which his father enchanted to become afflicted with anything those in the village are afflicted with.
[b]Controversy:[/b] This particular tale has been subject to two rewrites, for different reasons. Beatrix Bloxam rewrote the tale to make it more appropriate for children, believing that the depiction of the pot was too gruesome for children. On the other hand, blood purists rewrote the tale to completely change the depictions of the father and son. In the original tale, the father is depicted as a kindly old man, and much cleverer than his son. The son, a blood purist, is shown to be cruel and selfish. In the Bard’s tale, the Hopping Pot is a device created by the father, meant to force the son out of his selfish ways and teach him to help the muggles who live in the nearby village as he had in his life. But, in the revised version, the Pot instead is meant to protect the son from the muggles, who attack him for practicing magic. In this version, the Pot gulps most of the villagers, and the wizard tells the muggles that if they leave him alone, they will be safe. Copies of the original story were destroyed to such an extent that it was considered a miracle that any child has heard it. Many wizard children still grow up hearing only the revised edition.
[b]Homework:[/b] Write a short essay on the differences between the original story and either of the revised versions.[/list][/list][/list][/list] Lesson Four: The Warlock’s Hairy HeartSummary: A warlock becomes convinced that love is a true weakness, and seeking to become powerful and without any weaknesses, locks his heart away so that he can never fall in love. After overhearing his servants mocking him for failing to attract a wife despite all his wealth and power, he resolves to find the perfect witch to be his bride. He finds such a witch and attempts to court her, but she is able to sense his coldness, and says she would marry him, if only he had a heart. He takes her to the deepest dungeon of his castle and shows her his heart, which has grown hairy and shriveled through years of remaining untouched. He attempts to place it back in his chest, but the years of seclusion have perverted it and made it dark. He kills the witch and take her heart in an attempt to replace the one in his chest with it, but the heart is too powerful, and the warlock and witch are both found dead.
Controversy: Unlike many of the Bard’s tales, this particular story has never been subject to criticism for pro-muggle sentiments, as there are none to be found. However, it is the darkest and most disturbing of the stories, making it an interesting fact that, of all the Bard’s stories, it is the most prevalent and well known, at least in regards to the original story. Professor Albus Dumbledore believed that this is because the tale speaks to the darkest parts of the human soul and as such was regarded as an important lesson for young witches and wizards, teaching them not to seek power by meddling in the dark arts. Parallels have been drawn between the warlock’s act of removing his heart and the creation of a Horcrux. The story has had such an impact that the phrase 'To have a hairy heart' was often heard in years past to describe a person who was unfeeling.
Homework: Write a short essay on the phrase 'to have a hairy heart' and why you believe the heart became so cold and twisted in its years of seclusion.
[size=16][b]Lesson Four: The Warlock’s Hairy Heart[/b][/size] [list][list][list][list][b]Summary:[/b] A warlock becomes convinced that love is a true weakness, and seeking to become powerful and without any weaknesses, locks his heart away so that he can never fall in love. After overhearing his servants mocking him for failing to attract a wife despite all his wealth and power, he resolves to find the perfect witch to be his bride. He finds such a witch and attempts to court her, but she is able to sense his coldness, and says she would marry him, if only he had a heart. He takes her to the deepest dungeon of his castle and shows her his heart, which has grown hairy and shriveled through years of remaining untouched. He attempts to place it back in his chest, but the years of seclusion have perverted it and made it dark. He kills the witch and take her heart in an attempt to replace the one in his chest with it, but the heart is too powerful, and the warlock and witch are both found dead.
[b]Controversy:[/b] Unlike many of the Bard’s tales, this particular story has never been subject to criticism for pro-muggle sentiments, as there are none to be found. However, it is the darkest and most disturbing of the stories, making it an interesting fact that, of all the Bard’s stories, it is the most prevalent and well known, at least in regards to the original story. Professor Albus Dumbledore believed that this is because the tale speaks to the darkest parts of the human soul and as such was regarded as an important lesson for young witches and wizards, teaching them not to seek power by meddling in the dark arts. Parallels have been drawn between the warlock’s act of removing his heart and the creation of a Horcrux. The story has had such an impact that the phrase 'To have a hairy heart' was often heard in years past to describe a person who was unfeeling.
[b]Homework:[/b] Write a short essay on the phrase 'to have a hairy heart' and why you believe the heart became so cold and twisted in its years of seclusion.[/list][/list][/list][/list] Lesson Five: Beatrix BloxamThe Woman:
• Bloxam was born in 1794. • As a child, she was traumatized by hearing her aunt tell her older cousins the story “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” which she was too young to hear at the time. • She also overheard the telling of her uncle’s indiscretion with the local hag, apparently a disturbing and unusual affair involving bouncing bulbs, the details of which are unknown. • These events traumatized her so that she dedicated her life to ‘purifying’ the stories told to children. • She sought to fill children’s heads only with ‘happy thoughts,’ believing that the original tales led to children being ‘preoccupied with the most horrid subjects.’ • She rewrote the tales in an adaptation she called ‘toadstool tales,’ which was universally hated by children and caused uncontrollable vomiting, leading them to eventually be banned. • Interestingly, she was never able to write a version of “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart” which she deemed appropriate for children, and so was unable to ‘save’ children from the very story that she believed had traumatized her. • Many believe that the story of her uncle’s affair was the true cause of the traumatization, which is why no other children have ever suffered such ill effects to the story. • There are several parallels between Mrs. Bloxam and the famous muggle children’s author Beatrix Potter. Less informed readers are often of the incorrect belief that they were actually one and the same person.
Homework: Write a short essay on whether or not you believe Mrs. Bloxam's belief that the original tales were inappropriate for children was correct.
[size=16][b]Lesson Five: Beatrix Bloxam[/b][/size] [list][list][list][list][b]The Woman:[/b] [list][list]• Bloxam was born in 1794. • As a child, she was traumatized by hearing her aunt tell her older cousins the story “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” which she was too young to hear at the time. • She also overheard the telling of her uncle’s indiscretion with the local hag, apparently a disturbing and unusual affair involving bouncing bulbs, the details of which are unknown. • These events traumatized her so that she dedicated her life to ‘purifying’ the stories told to children. • She sought to fill children’s heads only with ‘happy thoughts,’ believing that the original tales led to children being ‘preoccupied with the most horrid subjects.’ • She rewrote the tales in an adaptation she called ‘toadstool tales,’ which was universally hated by children and caused uncontrollable vomiting, leading them to eventually be banned. • Interestingly, she was never able to write a version of “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart” which she deemed appropriate for children, and so was unable to ‘save’ children from the very story that she believed had traumatized her. • Many believe that the story of her uncle’s affair was the true cause of the traumatization, which is why no other children have ever suffered such ill effects to the story. • There are several parallels between Mrs. Bloxam and the famous muggle children’s author Beatrix Potter. Less informed readers are often of the incorrect belief that they were actually one and the same person.[/list][/list] [b]Homework:[/b] Write a short essay on whether or not you believe Mrs. Bloxam's belief that the original tales were inappropriate for children was correct.[/list][/list][/list][/list]
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:51 pm
Fourth Year Lessons Lesson One: The QuintapedThe Creature: The Quintaped is a carnivorous five legged beast, covered in hair, also known as a Hairy MacBoon. They are indigenous to the Isle of Drear. It is classified as extremely dangerous by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. They are believed to have, at one time, been wizards. This cannot be verified, however, as they have resisted all attempts to be Untransfigured. Due to their dangerous nature, the Isle of Drear has been made Unplottable to prevent people from going to the island and being harmed.
The Myth: Long ago, the Isle of Drear was home to two warring clans, the MacBoons and McCliverts. One night, the two family heads engaged in a drunken wizards duel, and McClivert died. In retaliation, the McClivert clan transfigured the entire MacBoon clan into Quintapeds. However, they soon realized that this was an awful idea. The MacBoons were famous for being wholly inept at casting magic. But, as the Quintaped, they became powerful, and quite dangerous to their McClivert rivals. In their attempts to rectify the situation and return them to their natural state, the entire McClivert clan met their doom.
Homework: Discuss whether or not you believe it is possible that the Quintaped is in fact a family of Transfigured wizards.
[b][size=16]Lesson One: The Quintaped[/size][/b] [list][list][list][list][b]The Creature: [/b]The Quintaped is a carnivorous five legged beast, covered in hair, also known as a Hairy MacBoon. They are indigenous to the Isle of Drear. It is classified as extremely dangerous by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. They are believed to have, at one time, been wizards. This cannot be verified, however, as they have resisted all attempts to be Untransfigured. Due to their dangerous nature, the Isle of Drear has been made Unplottable to prevent people from going to the island and being harmed.
[b]The Myth:[/b] Long ago, the Isle of Drear was home to two warring clans, the MacBoons and McCliverts. One night, the two family heads engaged in a drunken wizards duel, and McClivert died. In retaliation, the McClivert clan transfigured the entire MacBoon clan into Quintapeds. However, they soon realized that this was an awful idea. The MacBoons were famous for being wholly inept at casting magic. But, as the Quintaped, they became powerful, and quite dangerous to their McClivert rivals. In their attempts to rectify the situation and return them to their natural state, the entire McClivert clan met their doom.
[b]Homework:[/b] Discuss whether or not you believe it is possible that the Quintaped is in fact a family of Transfigured wizards.[/list][/list][/list][/list] Lesson Two: Unicorn Blood MythThe Creature: The Unicorn is one of the most famous magical creatures in the world, being so prevalent that there are still muggles who believe in their existence, despite efforts on the part of wizards to hide their existence. Unicorns are often mistaken for horses, being indistinguishable from them except for the single horn in the middle of their head. As a foul, they are a perfect golden color, their hides turning silver, and then white as they age, with golden hooves. They prefer the presence of women over men, and inhabit forests across the whole of the UK.
The Myth: Unicorns are said to possess many magical qualities, and have long been sought out for their various parts, as each hold magical qualities. Their hair is often used in the making of wands, and their horns are ground for potions ingredients. However, the most mysterious and perhaps disturbing use for a Unicorn is to drink its blood. The Unicorn, being one of the most beautiful and purest creatures in the magical world, is considered almost sacred, and to slay one is a vicious crime. Legend holds that a witch or wizard who is at the brink of death may slay and drink its blood to prolong their life, but because they have committed such an egregious act, their life shall be cursed from the moment it touches their lips. The exact details of the curse are unknown. The most notable occurrence of the slaying and drinking of a unicorn’s blood was committed by Professor Quirinus Quirrell on behalf of the Dark Lord Voldemort, who, lacking a body of his own, was sharing Quirrell’s at the time. Shortly after committing the act, Quirrell died, although it is impossible to say whether or not this is the effect of the curse.
Homework: Discuss whether or not you believe in the curse of the blood and what you believe the ill effects of drinking said blood might be.
[b][size=16]Lesson Two: Unicorn Blood Myth[/size][/b] [list][list][list][list][b]The Creature:[/b] The Unicorn is one of the most famous magical creatures in the world, being so prevalent that there are still muggles who believe in their existence, despite efforts on the part of wizards to hide their existence. Unicorns are often mistaken for horses, being indistinguishable from them except for the single horn in the middle of their head. As a foul, they are a perfect golden color, their hides turning silver, and then white as they age, with golden hooves. They prefer the presence of women over men, and inhabit forests across the whole of the UK.
[b]The Myth: [/b]Unicorns are said to possess many magical qualities, and have long been sought out for their various parts, as each hold magical qualities. Their hair is often used in the making of wands, and their horns are ground for potions ingredients. However, the most mysterious and perhaps disturbing use for a Unicorn is to drink its blood. The Unicorn, being one of the most beautiful and purest creatures in the magical world, is considered almost sacred, and to slay one is a vicious crime. Legend holds that a witch or wizard who is at the brink of death may slay and drink its blood to prolong their life, but because they have committed such an egregious act, their life shall be cursed from the moment it touches their lips. The exact details of the curse are unknown. The most notable occurrence of the slaying and drinking of a unicorn’s blood was committed by Professor Quirinus Quirrell on behalf of the Dark Lord Voldemort, who, lacking a body of his own, was sharing Quirrell’s at the time. Shortly after committing the act, Quirrell died, although it is impossible to say whether or not this is the effect of the curse.
[b]Homework:[/b] Discuss whether or not you believe in the curse of the blood and what you believe the ill effects of drinking said blood might be.[/list][/list][/list][/list] Lesson Three: The Chamber of SecretsThe Myth: Hogwarts founder Salazar Slytherin was famous for his belief that magical learning should be kept within the realms of magical families, and that any child born to muggle should remain a muggle, regardless of whether or not they showcased any magical talent. When he failed to convince the other founders of this ideal, he decided to create a safeguard, so that whenever the school became overrun with those he deemed unworthy, his lineage could purge the school of their presence. He created the Chamber of Secrets, which was said to be hidden away, so that only the Heir of Slytherin could ever find it, and house a monster which only the heir could control. As no one was ever able to locate the Chamber, it was dismissed as a myth. However, in the 1940’s, there was a series of attacks, leading to the paralysis of several muggle born students, culminating in the death of student Myrtle, who now haunts the girl’s bathroom on the second floor, known better to students as Moaning Myrtle. Then student Rubeus Hagrid was blamed for the attacks and expelled, but remained at the school as gamekeeper. Later, in the 1990’s while Harry Potter attended Hogwarts, the Chamber was opened again, and Hagrid was briefly taken to Azkaban prison. It was later proven that the culprit, in both instances of the Chamber being opened, was none other than Tom Riddle, known later in life as Lord Voldemort. The first time, Riddle was a student in attendance at Hogwarts, and was in fact the one who turned Hagrid in. The second time, he was acting through use of a Horcrux and student Ginny Weasley.
Homework: Explain your thoughts on the beliefs of Salazar Slytherin and his contemporaries.
[b][size=16]Lesson Three: The Chamber of Secrets[/size][/b] [list][list][list][list][b]The Myth:[/b] Hogwarts founder Salazar Slytherin was famous for his belief that magical learning should be kept within the realms of magical families, and that any child born to muggle should remain a muggle, regardless of whether or not they showcased any magical talent. When he failed to convince the other founders of this ideal, he decided to create a safeguard, so that whenever the school became overrun with those he deemed unworthy, his lineage could purge the school of their presence. He created the Chamber of Secrets, which was said to be hidden away, so that only the Heir of Slytherin could ever find it, and house a monster which only the heir could control. As no one was ever able to locate the Chamber, it was dismissed as a myth. However, in the 1940’s, there was a series of attacks, leading to the paralysis of several muggle born students, culminating in the death of student Myrtle, who now haunts the girl’s bathroom on the second floor, known better to students as Moaning Myrtle. Then student Rubeus Hagrid was blamed for the attacks and expelled, but remained at the school as gamekeeper. Later, in the 1990’s while Harry Potter attended Hogwarts, the Chamber was opened again, and Hagrid was briefly taken to Azkaban prison. It was later proven that the culprit, in both instances of the Chamber being opened, was none other than Tom Riddle, known later in life as Lord Voldemort. The first time, Riddle was a student in attendance at Hogwarts, and was in fact the one who turned Hagrid in. The second time, he was acting through use of a Horcrux and student Ginny Weasley.
[b]Homework:[/b] Explain your thoughts on the beliefs of Salazar Slytherin and his contemporaries.[/list][/list][/list][/list] Lesson Four: The Chamber of Secrets BasiliskThe Myth: There was debate for many years as to the exact species of monster which was supposed to reside within the Chamber of Secrets. The reason the possibility of a Basilisk was hardly considered has always seemed baffling, as the symbol of Slytherin house has always been a snake, and Salazar himself was a known Parselmouth. It has been hypothesized that the reason for this oversight was the lack of actual deaths, as there was only ever one victim who died. Basilisks kill by staring into the eyes of their victims, which causes instant death. The idea that so many victims could escape death from such a creature was astounding, and so the possibility was long ago dismissed. When student Rubeus Hagrid was accused of opening the Chamber, his pet Acromantula was named the monster. However, when the Chamber was opened the second time, then student Hermione Granger was able to piece together evidence that proved the creature was a Basilisk. This explained why the creature was able to be controlled by the Heir of Slytherin, as his bloodline has produced many Parselmouths. Harry Potter was able to hear the snake moving through the walls of the school through the pipes, explaining how it was able to escape notice.
Homework: Considering the somewhat abysmal success rate of the Basilisk, do you believe Slytherin's choice of monster was well suited for his purpose? Explain why or why not.
[b][size=16]Lesson Four: The Chamber of Secrets Basilisk[/size][/b] [list][list][list][list][b]The Myth:[/b] There was debate for many years as to the exact species of monster which was supposed to reside within the Chamber of Secrets. The reason the possibility of a Basilisk was hardly considered has always seemed baffling, as the symbol of Slytherin house has always been a snake, and Salazar himself was a known Parselmouth. It has been hypothesized that the reason for this oversight was the lack of actual deaths, as there was only ever one victim who died. Basilisks kill by staring into the eyes of their victims, which causes instant death. The idea that so many victims could escape death from such a creature was astounding, and so the possibility was long ago dismissed. When student Rubeus Hagrid was accused of opening the Chamber, his pet Acromantula was named the monster. However, when the Chamber was opened the second time, then student Hermione Granger was able to piece together evidence that proved the creature was a Basilisk. This explained why the creature was able to be controlled by the Heir of Slytherin, as his bloodline has produced many Parselmouths. Harry Potter was able to hear the snake moving through the walls of the school through the pipes, explaining how it was able to escape notice.
[b]Homework:[/b] Considering the somewhat abysmal success rate of the Basilisk, do you believe Slytherin's choice of monster was well suited for his purpose? Explain why or why not.[/list][/list][/list][/list]
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:58 pm
Fifth Year Lessons Lesson One: The Sorting HatWhen Hogwarts founders Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin first formed Hogwarts, they personally selected the students who would go to each of their houses. After a certain point, they realized that they weren’t going to live forever, and that they needed to find a way to sort the students once they were gone. According to legend, Godric Gryffindor, struck by a moment of genius, removed the wizard’s hat from his head and he and the other four founders ‘put some brains in its head,’ which has long been believed to be a reference to enchanting it to both become sentient and gifting it with the ability of read minds. As few wizards have ever worn the hat more than once, its selection process has remained shrouded in mystery, despite the fact that every wizard or witch to attend Hogwarts was sorted by it, and thus subjected to that process. According to every source, it is supposed to place students as the founders would have, that is, by placing brave students in Gryffindor, kind students in Hufflepuff, smart students in Ravenclaw and ambitious students in Slytherin. However, evidence suggests that there is more to the process than this. Examples include the sorting of Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom. Both students were sorted into Gryffindor, despite little evidence that either of them possessed the traits that would have led Gryffindor to covet either of them at the time. Granger, well known for being the smartest witch in her year, was quiet and bookish, almost certainly better suited for Ravenclaw. Longbottom was shy and clumsy, and most likely would have been chosen by Hufflepuff, and indeed is believed to have requested the hat place him there. In both cases, later in life they would come to exemplify those qualities which Gryffindor valued in his students. This would suggest that perhaps the Hat sorts students, not for the traits they possess, but those that they have potential for, which must be nurtured. It can be argued that perhaps, had Granger been sorted into Ravenclaw, she would have remained quiet and bookish, and never risen to her potential in the areas of bravery. Similarly, Longbottom, without the influence of the stigma of Gryffindor house, might have remained shy and unsure of himself. As both students played important roles in the defeat of the Dark Lord Voldemort, one reasons that perhaps the Hat was aware that the cultivation of these traits, they would have never lived up to their full potential, and leads one to question what might have happened in that fateful era without their presence in Gryffindor House. On the inverse, it seems that you need not possess those traits at all, as Peter Pettigrew was sorted into Gryffindor. In later years, he would show to be quite the coward, selling out friends James and Lily Potter to the Dark Lord Voldemort out of fear for his own life. Perhaps this is because the hat placed him for his own preference, as he is known to have admired Potter and his friends Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. It might also be surmised that the hat placed him in the hopes that his weakness would be overcome and he would grow out of his cowardice. Unfortunately, we know this was not the case. The hat’s assessment of Pettigrew seems to have been one of its rare misjudgments.
Homework: Recount your own sorting, and discuss what traits you believe contributed to your placement.
[size=16][b]Lesson One: The Sorting Hat[/b][/size] [list][list][list][list]When Hogwarts founders Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin first formed Hogwarts, they personally selected the students who would go to each of their houses. After a certain point, they realized that they weren’t going to live forever, and that they needed to find a way to sort the students once they were gone. According to legend, Godric Gryffindor, struck by a moment of genius, removed the wizard’s hat from his head and he and the other four founders ‘put some brains in its head,’ which has long been believed to be a reference to enchanting it to both become sentient and gifting it with the ability of read minds. As few wizards have ever worn the hat more than once, its selection process has remained shrouded in mystery, despite the fact that every wizard or witch to attend Hogwarts was sorted by it, and thus subjected to that process. According to every source, it is supposed to place students as the founders would have, that is, by placing brave students in Gryffindor, kind students in Hufflepuff, smart students in Ravenclaw and ambitious students in Slytherin. However, evidence suggests that there is more to the process than this. Examples include the sorting of Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom. Both students were sorted into Gryffindor, despite little evidence that either of them possessed the traits that would have led Gryffindor to covet either of them at the time. Granger, well known for being the smartest witch in her year, was quiet and bookish, almost certainly better suited for Ravenclaw. Longbottom was shy and clumsy, and most likely would have been chosen by Hufflepuff, and indeed is believed to have requested the hat place him there. In both cases, later in life they would come to exemplify those qualities which Gryffindor valued in his students. This would suggest that perhaps the Hat sorts students, not for the traits they possess, but those that they have potential for, which must be nurtured. It can be argued that perhaps, had Granger been sorted into Ravenclaw, she would have remained quiet and bookish, and never risen to her potential in the areas of bravery. Similarly, Longbottom, without the influence of the stigma of Gryffindor house, might have remained shy and unsure of himself. As both students played important roles in the defeat of the Dark Lord Voldemort, one reasons that perhaps the Hat was aware that the cultivation of these traits, they would have never lived up to their full potential, and leads one to question what might have happened in that fateful era without their presence in Gryffindor House. On the inverse, it seems that you need not possess those traits at all, as Peter Pettigrew was sorted into Gryffindor. In later years, he would show to be quite the coward, selling out friends James and Lily Potter to the Dark Lord Voldemort out of fear for his own life. Perhaps this is because the hat placed him for his own preference, as he is known to have admired Potter and his friends Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. It might also be surmised that the hat placed him in the hopes that his weakness would be overcome and he would grow out of his cowardice. Unfortunately, we know this was not the case. The hat’s assessment of Pettigrew seems to have been one of its rare misjudgments.
[b]Homework:[/b] Recount your own sorting, and discuss what traits you believe contributed to your placement.[/list][/list][/list][/list] Lesson Two: The Sword of GryffindorThe Sword of Gryffindor is a magical artifact. Originally crafted by goblin Ragnuk the First, the sword was sold to Godric Gryffindor, who presumably used it throughout his life in battles, in addition to his wand. Since Gryffindor’s death, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the sword. Goblins hold that, once the original purchaser has died, ownership of any goblin made artifact reverts back to the goblins. However, the sword is regarded as a personal effect of Gryffindor, and has changed hands many times throughout the years. According to lore, the sword can, at any time of great need, be summoned by any who possesses the traits of a true Gryffindor, using the Sorting Hat as a portal, no matter its location. Examples of this occurring take place during Harry Potter’s lifetime, such as when he was able to summon the Sword to kill Slytherin’s Basilisk and when Neville Longbottom summoned it to kill Voldermort’s snake Nagini. The sword is said to only absorb that which makes its blade stronger, being incapable of rusting or staining. It is believed that, when Potter stabbed the Basilisk, it absorbed the snake’s venom, making it capable of destroying Horcruxes, hence why it was effective against the snake.
Homework: Describe characteristics which you believe would make a person worthy of finding the Sword of Gryffindor and a situation in which it might appear to them.
[b][size=16]Lesson Two: The Sword of Gryffindor[/size][/b] [list][list][list][list]The Sword of Gryffindor is a magical artifact. Originally crafted by goblin Ragnuk the First, the sword was sold to Godric Gryffindor, who presumably used it throughout his life in battles, in addition to his wand. Since Gryffindor’s death, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the sword. Goblins hold that, once the original purchaser has died, ownership of any goblin made artifact reverts back to the goblins. However, the sword is regarded as a personal effect of Gryffindor, and has changed hands many times throughout the years. According to lore, the sword can, at any time of great need, be summoned by any who possesses the traits of a true Gryffindor, using the Sorting Hat as a portal, no matter its location. Examples of this occurring take place during Harry Potter’s lifetime, such as when he was able to summon the Sword to kill Slytherin’s Basilisk and when Neville Longbottom summoned it to kill Voldermort’s snake Nagini. The sword is said to only absorb that which makes its blade stronger, being incapable of rusting or staining. It is believed that, when Potter stabbed the Basilisk, it absorbed the snake’s venom, making it capable of destroying Horcruxes, hence why it was effective against the snake.
[b]Homework:[/b] Describe characteristics which you believe would make a person worthy of finding the Sword of Gryffindor and a situation in which it might appear to them.[/list][/list][/list][/list] Lesson Three: Hufflepuff’s CupThe Cup of Helga Hufflepuff was long regarded as a treasure of the wizarding world, being passed down from generation to generation through Hufflepuff’s family. It was said to be possessed of many magical attributes, although the exact nature of these is unknown. The best guess anyone can fathom is that, because Hufflepuff was well known for being adept at homemaking magic, particularly in regards to food, it might have, at some time, served some purpose in the Hogwarts kitchen. However, knowledge of the cup fell out of wizarding knowledge throughout the years, and the only person who might have been able to tell others its purpose was killed by Tom Riddle, also known as the Dark Lord Voldemort, in his quest to collect artifacts of the Hogwarts founders to make into Horcruxes. Hepzibah Smith, the last known descendent of Hufflepuff’s line, was shopping at the infamous Borgin and Burkes (what a descendent of Hufflepuff was doing in such a place is a question many have asked, but there seems to be no answer) when Riddle came in. She bragged to Riddle of her possession of the cup and the locket of Salazar Slytherin, both of which would become Horcruxes. Riddle attempted to purchase the cup from her, but when she would not relent, saying that she couldn’t bear to part with it, he killed her and took both artifacts.
Homework: Consider possible uses for Hufflepuff's cup and what magical properties it might have possessed.
[size=16][b]Lesson Three: Hufflepuff’s Cup[/b][/size] [list][list][list][list]The Cup of Helga Hufflepuff was long regarded as a treasure of the wizarding world, being passed down from generation to generation through Hufflepuff’s family. It was said to be possessed of many magical attributes, although the exact nature of these is unknown. The best guess anyone can fathom is that, because Hufflepuff was well known for being adept at homemaking magic, particularly in regards to food, it might have, at some time, served some purpose in the Hogwarts kitchen. However, knowledge of the cup fell out of wizarding knowledge throughout the years, and the only person who might have been able to tell others its purpose was killed by Tom Riddle, also known as the Dark Lord Voldemort, in his quest to collect artifacts of the Hogwarts founders to make into Horcruxes. Hepzibah Smith, the last known descendent of Hufflepuff’s line, was shopping at the infamous Borgin and Burkes (what a descendent of Hufflepuff was doing in such a place is a question many have asked, but there seems to be no answer) when Riddle came in. She bragged to Riddle of her possession of the cup and the locket of Salazar Slytherin, both of which would become Horcruxes. Riddle attempted to purchase the cup from her, but when she would not relent, saying that she couldn’t bear to part with it, he killed her and took both artifacts.
[b]Homework:[/b] Consider possible uses for Hufflepuff's cup and what magical properties it might have possessed.[/list][/list][/list][/list] Lesson Four: Rowena Ravenclaw’s DiademThe famous Diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw was said to be a magical artifact that Ravenclaw had imbibed with the power to increase the wearer’s cleverness. Ravenclaw’s daughter Helena, now better known as ‘The Gray Lady’ and ghost of Ravenclaw house, was jealous of her mother’s wisdom, and stole the diadem from her mother and hid away in Albania. Shortly after, Ravenclaw fell ill, and sent a man who had once been in love with her daughter to find her and make her return. Helena refused and so angered him that he stabbed her to death, and, filled with regret over his actions, killed himself. He would become The Bloody Baron, ghost of Slytherin. However, before the Baron found her, she had hidden the diadem in a hollow tree, and even as a ghost did not reveal its location for centuries. The diadem received a new nickname for her trouble, becoming known as The Lost Diadem. However, many years later, Tom Riddle would convince Helena to admit the Diadem’s location. He travelled to Albania and found the Diadem. He killed an Albanian peasant and used this death to convert the Diadem into a Horcrux before returning to Hogwarts under the guise of applying for the position of professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. He hid it away in The Room of Hidden Things, one of the many incarnations of the Room of Requirement. Pressed for time and thinking no student would be clever enough to discover the room, he failed to ensure any further magical safeguards. The Diadem would remain lost for many years to come, until Harry Potter was able to discern its location. Like Hufflepuff’s cup and Slytherin’s locket, the diadem was destroyed in the battle to defeat Voldemort once and for all.
Homework: Explain whether or not you believe that there is any merit to the belief that wearing Ravenclaw's diadem might increase a person's cleverness or intelligence.
[size=16][b]Lesson Four: Rowena Ravenclaw’s Diadem[/b][/size] [list][list][list][list]The famous Diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw was said to be a magical artifact that Ravenclaw had imbibed with the power to increase the wearer’s cleverness. Ravenclaw’s daughter Helena, now better known as ‘The Gray Lady’ and ghost of Ravenclaw house, was jealous of her mother’s wisdom, and stole the diadem from her mother and hid away in Albania. Shortly after, Ravenclaw fell ill, and sent a man who had once been in love with her daughter to find her and make her return. Helena refused and so angered him that he stabbed her to death, and, filled with regret over his actions, killed himself. He would become The Bloody Baron, ghost of Slytherin. However, before the Baron found her, she had hidden the diadem in a hollow tree, and even as a ghost did not reveal its location for centuries. The diadem received a new nickname for her trouble, becoming known as The Lost Diadem. However, many years later, Tom Riddle would convince Helena to admit the Diadem’s location. He travelled to Albania and found the Diadem. He killed an Albanian peasant and used this death to convert the Diadem into a Horcrux before returning to Hogwarts under the guise of applying for the position of professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. He hid it away in The Room of Hidden Things, one of the many incarnations of the Room of Requirement. Pressed for time and thinking no student would be clever enough to discover the room, he failed to ensure any further magical safeguards. The Diadem would remain lost for many years to come, until Harry Potter was able to discern its location. Like Hufflepuff’s cup and Slytherin’s locket, the diadem was destroyed in the battle to defeat Voldemort once and for all.
[b]Homework:[/b] Explain whether or not you believe that there is any merit to the belief that wearing Ravenclaw's diadem might increase a person's cleverness or intelligence.[/list][/list][/list][/list]
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:59 pm
Sixth Year Lessons Lesson 1: The Death of Rowena RavenclawLittle is known about the exact details of Ravenclaw’s demise. The only facts we are certain of are as follows: After Helena Ravenclaw stole her mother’s famous diadem, Ravenclaw kept the theft a secret. Shortly after, she fell ill. Knowing that whatever sickness she had was fatal and that her time was near, she asked her daughter’s former lover, The Bloody Baron, to track down her daughter, not in retribution, but so that they could be reunited. However, Helena refused to return with him. The encounter resulted in the death of both the Baron and Helena. Sadly, mother and daughter were never reunited, and there was no reconciliation between the two. Legend holds that Ravenclaw’s heart was broken as a result of her daughter’s treachery and disappearance, and that this was the main cause of her untimely death.
Homework: Do you believe that it is possible for a person to die of sorrow? Why or why not?
[size=16][b]Lesson 1: The Death of Rowena Ravenclaw[/b][/size] [list][list][list][list]Little is known about the exact details of Ravenclaw’s demise. The only facts we are certain of are as follows: After Helena Ravenclaw stole her mother’s famous diadem, Ravenclaw kept the theft a secret. Shortly after, she fell ill. Knowing that whatever sickness she had was fatal and that her time was near, she asked her daughter’s former lover, The Bloody Baron, to track down her daughter, not in retribution, but so that they could be reunited. However, Helena refused to return with him. The encounter resulted in the death of both the Baron and Helena. Sadly, mother and daughter were never reunited, and there was no reconciliation between the two. Legend holds that Ravenclaw’s heart was broken as a result of her daughter’s treachery and disappearance, and that this was the main cause of her untimely death.
[b]Homework:[/b] Do you believe that it is possible for a person to die of sorrow? Why or why not?[/list][/list][/list][/list] Lesson 2: Ravenclaw’s Contributions to HogwartsHogwarts was the dream of its four magical founders. The four of them sought to build a school where magical children could come to learn to use their talents to the best of their ability. As each founder had their own strengths, each contributed something different to the construction and running of the school. Most of the specifics on who did what have long since been lost, and the completion of the school has become a conglomeration of their efforts. However, there are a few things of which we can be almost certain, simply knowing what we do of each of the founders. The most widely accepted assumption credits Ravenclaw with the school’s ever changing floor plan. Prideful of her intellect and a lover of puzzles, Ravenclaw sought to make the school a challenge in all aspects. Thus, she developed the idea of staircases that move, trick stairs and false corridors. Presumably, she can also be credited with the invention of several of the castles’ most interesting areas, such as the Room of Requirement. As Ravenclaw was well known for being an expert in almost all wandwork, there is little doubt that she would have been able to devise such spells as those that cause our halls to alter themselves and rooms to disappear. We can also surmise that she had a hand in some of the school’s defense mechanisms, such as the spell that hides it from muggles and the protective barrier. The most interesting of these features is the creation of magical golems, which can be awakened to act as an army in defense of the school. Many believe that Ravenclaw was involved in the creation of this particular defense, although it is widely accepted that it was chiefly the idea of Godric Gryffindor, who was known for being a master duelist and an expert on any tactical magic.
Homework: Think of the things that make Hogwarts unique. What contributions do you think each of the founders might have made to the school, aside from those mentioned already in class?
[size=16][b]Lesson 2: Ravenclaw’s Contributions to Hogwarts[/b][/size] [list][list][list][list]Hogwarts was the dream of its four magical founders. The four of them sought to build a school where magical children could come to learn to use their talents to the best of their ability. As each founder had their own strengths, each contributed something different to the construction and running of the school. Most of the specifics on who did what have long since been lost, and the completion of the school has become a conglomeration of their efforts. However, there are a few things of which we can be almost certain, simply knowing what we do of each of the founders. The most widely accepted assumption credits Ravenclaw with the school’s ever changing floor plan. Prideful of her intellect and a lover of puzzles, Ravenclaw sought to make the school a challenge in all aspects. Thus, she developed the idea of staircases that move, trick stairs and false corridors. Presumably, she can also be credited with the invention of several of the castles’ most interesting areas, such as the Room of Requirement. As Ravenclaw was well known for being an expert in almost all wandwork, there is little doubt that she would have been able to devise such spells as those that cause our halls to alter themselves and rooms to disappear. We can also surmise that she had a hand in some of the school’s defense mechanisms, such as the spell that hides it from muggles and the protective barrier. The most interesting of these features is the creation of magical golems, which can be awakened to act as an army in defense of the school. Many believe that Ravenclaw was involved in the creation of this particular defense, although it is widely accepted that it was chiefly the idea of Godric Gryffindor, who was known for being a master duelist and an expert on any tactical magic.
[b]Homework:[/b] Think of the things that make Hogwarts unique. What contributions do you think each of the founders might have made to the school, aside from those mentioned already in class? [/list][/list][/list][/list] Lesson 3: The Boy Who LivedThe Boy Who Lived is one of the many titles given to Harry Potter, one of the most famous wizards of all time, and for good reason. Many years ago, a prophecy was given which spoke of a boy whose fate would be to defeat the Dark Lord Voldemort. This prophecy was overheard by one of Voldemort’s followers, who informed his Lord shortly after and set into motions the events that would lead to the death of the Potter family. On the October 31, 1981, Voldemort descended upon the Potter’s home at Godric’s Hollow, tipped off to their hidden location by Peter Pettigrew, a former friend. He entered the home and first killed James Potter, then proceeded to the bedroom, where he killed Lily Potter and attempted to do away with the boy he was certain would be his downfall. But, when he turned his wand on Harry, the spell somehow rebounded and instead seemed to kill Voldemort instead, leaving Harry with nothing more than a lightning bolt shaped scar. Years later, it would become apparent that the spell only destroyed his body, and through the use of Horcruxes, Voldemort was able to return. He would then spend years attempting to return himself to a proper body, attempting such methods as drinking the blood of Unicorns and attempting to steal the Sorceror’s Stone. He would finally succeed in re-embodying himself in June of 1994. The following year would mark his virtually unnoticed rise to power, during which time the Ministry made great efforts to discredit Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore, both of whom were attempting to spread word that Voldemort had indeed returned. His return was made public in June 1996, after which the Ministry made brief efforts to prevent his rise before he and his people infiltrated their offices and Voldemort began to unofficially run most of the major wizarding offices through figureheads. During this time, Harry Potter and his friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger were travelling the countryside. Many believed that Potter was running from Voldemort, but they were in fact making efforts to collect and destroy the Horcruxes Voldemort had created so that they could finish him off once and for all. They eventually returned to Hogwarts, where they met and fought Voldemort’s forces. Despite many casualties on both sides, Potter’s efforts proved successful as all the Horcruxes were destroyed.
Homework: Consider the Prophecy that spurned Voldemort to attack the Potters at Godric's Hollow. How might our world be different now if not for that prophecy?
[size=16][b]Lesson 3: The Boy Who Lived[/b][/size] [list][list][list][list]The Boy Who Lived is one of the many titles given to Harry Potter, one of the most famous wizards of all time, and for good reason. Many years ago, a prophecy was given which spoke of a boy whose fate would be to defeat the Dark Lord Voldemort. This prophecy was overheard by one of Voldemort’s followers, who informed his Lord shortly after and set into motions the events that would lead to the death of the Potter family. On the October 31, 1981, Voldemort descended upon the Potter’s home at Godric’s Hollow, tipped off to their hidden location by Peter Pettigrew, a former friend. He entered the home and first killed James Potter, then proceeded to the bedroom, where he killed Lily Potter and attempted to do away with the boy he was certain would be his downfall. But, when he turned his wand on Harry, the spell somehow rebounded and instead seemed to kill Voldemort instead, leaving Harry with nothing more than a lightning bolt shaped scar. Years later, it would become apparent that the spell only destroyed his body, and through the use of Horcruxes, Voldemort was able to return. He would then spend years attempting to return himself to a proper body, attempting such methods as drinking the blood of Unicorns and attempting to steal the Sorceror’s Stone. He would finally succeed in re-embodying himself in June of 1994. The following year would mark his virtually unnoticed rise to power, during which time the Ministry made great efforts to discredit Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore, both of whom were attempting to spread word that Voldemort had indeed returned. His return was made public in June 1996, after which the Ministry made brief efforts to prevent his rise before he and his people infiltrated their offices and Voldemort began to unofficially run most of the major wizarding offices through figureheads. During this time, Harry Potter and his friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger were travelling the countryside. Many believed that Potter was running from Voldemort, but they were in fact making efforts to collect and destroy the Horcruxes Voldemort had created so that they could finish him off once and for all. They eventually returned to Hogwarts, where they met and fought Voldemort’s forces. Despite many casualties on both sides, Potter’s efforts proved successful as all the Horcruxes were destroyed.
[b]Homework:[/b] Consider the Prophecy that spurned Voldemort to attack the Potters at Godric's Hollow. How might our world be different now if not for that prophecy? [/list][/list][/list][/list] Lesson 4: The Deathly HallowsThe Deathly Hallows are three magical artifacts believed to make the bearer the Master of Death. Though many believe that the tale of the Deathly Hallows is a story and nothing more, there are those who believe that, even if the story may not be true, the Hallows do truly exist. They are said to have been created by Death himself and given to three brothers under the guise of gifts for outsmarting him, although those who know the story know better. In reality, the gifts were a ruse, meant to better allow Death to claim their lives. The two eldest brothers would fall victim to Death’s trickery, but the youngest and wisest of them was able to outwit Death. The first of these ‘gifts’ is a wand made of Elder which is said to be the most powerful wand in existence and can make its bearer undefeatable. Its existence the easiest to believe, as there have been various accounts, though unverified, of it appearing throughout history, under many different names. After the first brother left Death and his brothers, he challenged a wizard he had previously fought to a duel, won, and then bragged on the power of his wand, leading another to murder him in his sleep to obtain the wand. Each instance of the wand’s appearance in myth and history has followed a similar train. The second Hallow, called The Resurrection Stone, was said to be able to call a person back from the dead, though all accounts of this occurring, myths though they are, indicate that the being who ‘returns’ is not truly themselves, but rather a shade of who they were in life. It is a widely known fact that, thus far, no magic has been discovered which can return those who have died to the land of the living, at least not in truth, although we have succeeded in many efforts to preserve their likeness. The second brother took this gift to bring back a woman he had hoped to marry, but when she proved to not be herself, he grew depressed, banished the shade and killed himself to join her in truth. There have been no recorded accounts of this particular Hallow’s journey throughout history after the death of the second brother. The final Hallow is said to be a piece of Death’s own invisibility cloak, given to the third brother, who asked that he might be able to hide from Death. The brother would wear this cloak for all his life, until he grew to a ripe old age. He then removed the cloak, giving it to his own son before greeting Death on equal terms, as friends. Like the Resurrection Stone, this Hallow has no official accounts of existence, although there were rumors that the invisibility cloak possessed by Harry Potter was in fact the third Hallow. Like the Elder Wand, the existence of this Hallow is somewhat believable. There are spells which can create such cloaks, though they often wear thin with age. Death’s cloak is unique in that it is said to be infallible and never to grow opaque. Still, Potter’s cloak was said to have been his fathers before him, and it can be surmised that it was a family heirloom. The implication here is that, not only is the cloak owned by the Potter family in fact the real Hallow, but that since the cloak was supposedly passed down through the family, this would mean that there is a real possibility that the Potter family is descended from the youngest of the three brothers from the story. While this theory is essentially impossible to prove, it has held strong.
Homework: If given the opportunity, which of the Hallows would you take for your own? Consider the Tale of the Three Brothers when forming your response.
[size=16][b]Lesson 4: The Deathly Hallows[/b][/size] [list][list][list][list]The Deathly Hallows are three magical artifacts believed to make the bearer the Master of Death. Though many believe that the tale of the Deathly Hallows is a story and nothing more, there are those who believe that, even if the story may not be true, the Hallows do truly exist. They are said to have been created by Death himself and given to three brothers under the guise of gifts for outsmarting him, although those who know the story know better. In reality, the gifts were a ruse, meant to better allow Death to claim their lives. The two eldest brothers would fall victim to Death’s trickery, but the youngest and wisest of them was able to outwit Death. The first of these ‘gifts’ is a wand made of Elder which is said to be the most powerful wand in existence and can make its bearer undefeatable. Its existence the easiest to believe, as there have been various accounts, though unverified, of it appearing throughout history, under many different names. After the first brother left Death and his brothers, he challenged a wizard he had previously fought to a duel, won, and then bragged on the power of his wand, leading another to murder him in his sleep to obtain the wand. Each instance of the wand’s appearance in myth and history has followed a similar train. The second Hallow, called The Resurrection Stone, was said to be able to call a person back from the dead, though all accounts of this occurring, myths though they are, indicate that the being who ‘returns’ is not truly themselves, but rather a shade of who they were in life. It is a widely known fact that, thus far, no magic has been discovered which can return those who have died to the land of the living, at least not in truth, although we have succeeded in many efforts to preserve their likeness. The second brother took this gift to bring back a woman he had hoped to marry, but when she proved to not be herself, he grew depressed, banished the shade and killed himself to join her in truth. There have been no recorded accounts of this particular Hallow’s journey throughout history after the death of the second brother. The final Hallow is said to be a piece of Death’s own invisibility cloak, given to the third brother, who asked that he might be able to hide from Death. The brother would wear this cloak for all his life, until he grew to a ripe old age. He then removed the cloak, giving it to his own son before greeting Death on equal terms, as friends. Like the Resurrection Stone, this Hallow has no official accounts of existence, although there were rumors that the invisibility cloak possessed by Harry Potter was in fact the third Hallow. Like the Elder Wand, the existence of this Hallow is somewhat believable. There are spells which can create such cloaks, though they often wear thin with age. Death’s cloak is unique in that it is said to be infallible and never to grow opaque. Still, Potter’s cloak was said to have been his fathers before him, and it can be surmised that it was a family heirloom. The implication here is that, not only is the cloak owned by the Potter family in fact the real Hallow, but that since the cloak was supposedly passed down through the family, this would mean that there is a real possibility that the Potter family is descended from the youngest of the three brothers from the story. While this theory is essentially impossible to prove, it has held strong.
[b]Homework:[/b] If given the opportunity, which of the Hallows would you take for your own? Consider the Tale of the Three Brothers when forming your response.[/list][/list][/list][/list]
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