Post by MAGDALENE LAYNE TELLER on Feb 20, 2024 22:38:42 GMT
It was hard to believe the end of the term was drawing near, and Mags was faced with the decision to step out into the world to pursue her career or hone her skills in the secondary education route. Part of her wanted the excitement of the unknown and the chance to take her own risks and make her own discoveries. But history had left a painful reminder that knowledge was power in her chosen field and one could never learn enough to become all-knowing, only slightly more prepared until the next discovery was unearthed.
Naturally, her musings found her hanging out by the paddocks long after another insightful Care of Magical Creatures lesson had ended. Unicorn foals of various ages had been brought in. Even though unicorns were typically a fifth-year lesson, during the peak mating season, they'd had the opportunity to identify the difference in fur color and horn development depending on the foal's age. Seeing splotches of brilliant gold and shining silver accompanied by gentle snuffling and stomping was a soothing sound to Mags's ears. She sat near the fence to the paddock, scribbling away at a loose shelf of parchment that would be tucked away like the many others lining her disintegrating copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Many of the unicorns paid her no mind, content to nip at the sparse grass beneath their hooves, but a few or the more sprightly ones curiously poked their noses through the fence to examine her, rewarded with loving pats and smiles by Mags.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Mags looked up with that smile still on her face. Unsurprisingly, Professor Jefferson was her favorite of all the teachers she'd had during her years at Hogwarts. The fascination and excitement they shared over magical beasts was magnetic, and they'd shared many lengthy chats well beyond classroom hours. He had encouraged her pursuit of knowledge in the realm of magical beasts, and he was one of the few who, early on, didn't judge her for what she had become.
"Sorry," she said sheepishly, running and embarrassed hand through her short blonde hair. "I know class is over. They're just so amazing. How many animals do you know that change colors that many times over the course of their lives? And the fact that their little hooves never change? Adorable." Many people took issue with her nonstop animated chatter, but when she brought up a topic she loved, she couldn't be stopped.
Naturally, her musings found her hanging out by the paddocks long after another insightful Care of Magical Creatures lesson had ended. Unicorn foals of various ages had been brought in. Even though unicorns were typically a fifth-year lesson, during the peak mating season, they'd had the opportunity to identify the difference in fur color and horn development depending on the foal's age. Seeing splotches of brilliant gold and shining silver accompanied by gentle snuffling and stomping was a soothing sound to Mags's ears. She sat near the fence to the paddock, scribbling away at a loose shelf of parchment that would be tucked away like the many others lining her disintegrating copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Many of the unicorns paid her no mind, content to nip at the sparse grass beneath their hooves, but a few or the more sprightly ones curiously poked their noses through the fence to examine her, rewarded with loving pats and smiles by Mags.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Mags looked up with that smile still on her face. Unsurprisingly, Professor Jefferson was her favorite of all the teachers she'd had during her years at Hogwarts. The fascination and excitement they shared over magical beasts was magnetic, and they'd shared many lengthy chats well beyond classroom hours. He had encouraged her pursuit of knowledge in the realm of magical beasts, and he was one of the few who, early on, didn't judge her for what she had become.
"Sorry," she said sheepishly, running and embarrassed hand through her short blonde hair. "I know class is over. They're just so amazing. How many animals do you know that change colors that many times over the course of their lives? And the fact that their little hooves never change? Adorable." Many people took issue with her nonstop animated chatter, but when she brought up a topic she loved, she couldn't be stopped.
MARCUS JEFFERSON