Muggle Studies Classroom

Muggle Studies Classroom
hogwarts classroom

Muggle Studies is an elective class taught at Hogwarts. It focuses on Muggle history and technology with smaller lessons on Muggle sciences such as biology and physics. A major focus of the earlier assignments is electricity, transportation, and other forms of technology that wizards lived without for such a long time that it doesn't appear in other course lectures. Once students are in their seventh year, pairs are assigned a robotic infant to care for through the middle of October. Muggle Studies is currently taught by Professor Zhao.

Arden

seeker for the tutshill tornadoes
paintedred

Arden is only half paying attention when she hears the word 'partners' come out of the professor's mouth and she looks up to see a complete list of pairings on the board. She sees her name next to Amor Santiago's and the name is vaguely familiar, but it isn't enough for Arden to be able to place a face to it. She smiles a bit because she's grateful that the professor put S. Arden; she had cornered nearly every professor she had after the first day and explained to them just how embarrassing her first name is, so it's nice knowing that this one is being accommodating. She sits up, book in hand, looking for someone who's equally as lost as she is. If everyone else knows each other, then chances are, that would be them.

Amor Santiago

first year healing student
ateleia

Amor stands as soon as everyone starts to shift to accommodate their new assignments, immediately hovering over most of the crowd. One of his girl friends gives him a small squeeze as she slips past him, whispering something, but he doesn't hear what it is. He assumes it has something to do with whoever *S. Arden* is. How mysterious. He huffs as he pushes his hand through his hair and eyes the crowd as it progressively collapses into its seats. When everyone is sitting, he turns around once more and he notices the person who has to be *S. Arden*. Amor grins and nods at her as he slips between the seats towards her, offering his hand and introducing himself before falling into a seat beside her. "You must be Arden. It's a pleasure."

Arden

seeker for the tutshill tornadoes
paintedred

When Amor sits in the seat next to her, she sits back in her chair. He looks familiar, and she looks at him a bit confused for just a couple seconds before recognition dawns on her face and she breaks out into a big smile. "Oh, hey! You're one of March's friends, right? I know you." He was at that party for the start of the year. She remembers him now, yes, the one that got insanely wasted. She doesn't bring that up; it might be embarrassing and she doesn't want to make a bad impression given she doesn't know how long she's going to be stuck with him. She takes his hand and shakes it. "I like your name." she adds cheekily, though it does sound genuine. She'd have called him *mi amor*, but she doesn't want to be a hypocrite, knowing that she'd just *wilt* if someone found out her first name and started poking fun at her for it. Maybe she can start calling him that once she has a better idea of how he feels about it.

Amor Santiago

first year healing student
ateleia

Amor shifts his gaze towards their professor for a moment, expression confused and a bit amused at the thought of him being friends with that idiot. All because one pours alcohol down the other's mouth does not mean they are friends. For a moment, he's concerned she *does* know him and he doesn't remember meeting her, but he's certain he has never blacked out. He gets excited and more rambunctious than usual in his intoxicated state, but he isn't wholly irresponsible. Arden must not *actually* know him. "No?" he answers, immediately laughing as he turns and drapes an elbow over the back of his chair. "Maybe, but we're not close." Amor supposes it could be within that boy's nature to claim they're friends though and he instantly worries that that is the case. He isn't *so* miserable. Identifying as March's friend would kill him far less than a lot of other things he's chosen to do. "And thank you. My lovely mother chose it." He grins. It doesn't bother him so much when people simply compliment it. Getting harassed for being named *Amor Rosa*, however, is painstaking. "Is it true- your mother named you S?" He obviously doesn't believe such a thing to be true, tone teasing as he cocks a brow.

Arden

seeker for the tutshill tornadoes
paintedred

"Merlin, I *wish*." Arden thinks a *letter* would be better than fucking *Starfire*, of all the eccentric names her mother could have chosen from. She cannot seriously imagine that they expected kids her age to also just call her that and not make fun of it. The Muggle Studies professor seemed to be amused when Arden went off on this tangent; perhaps she was a comic book fan like her mothers are too. "*My* lovely mother is not as good at names as yours was. Buuuut, Professor Zhao was kind enough to let my first name be my little secret." She feels like she would've dropped the class if the professor didn't agree – it's not like Arden cares much for her education. "It adds a bit of mystery, anyway. Makes me more interesting, I think." She grins, looking quite pleased with herself as she fiddles with one of many earrings, a blue butterfly dangling on a golden chain. She wanted something to match her Ravenclaw tie. "Did you catch what the project is, by the way?" she asks, turning towards the other students in the class to see what they're doing. "I haven't been paying attention."

Amor Santiago

first year healing student
ateleia

He huffs at the notion that his mother is good at naming children, but doesn't push it. At least he doesn't write his name as A. Santiago. Speaking of, he's rather intrigued by this new mystery, beginning to brainstorm the possibilities, but not daring to voice them. *Sailor spelled Saylor? Maybe Simonette?* Her grin snaps him out of this state, instantly grinning at her in turn and glancing at the earring she is toying with. It's beautiful, but he doesn't say anything. He's afraid complimenting girls usually doesn't go well for him. "It does. Everyone loves a little mystery." His voice is purposefully cheesy as his gaze meets hers again. When he registers her statement, he turns down towards the blue lining on her robes and rubs his hands across the lower half of his face to hide his amusement. "You weren't paying attention?" He repeats, chuckling in his own surprise. He doesn't mind and isn't judging. He's done far worse than not pay attention in class. If anything, he's glad he isn't paired with someone who will take the assignment too seriously. "We're budgeting for Muggle babies," he lifts his shoulders and shrugs. "A little while from now, we will have to take care of one. Easy sh- *it*."

Arden

seeker for the tutshill tornadoes
paintedred

Arden's equally as grateful that she doesn' seem to have been partnered with someone who's going to take this class too seriously, especially given that she's taking it because she thought it would be an easy blow-off class. An overbearing partner definitely wouldn't have fit into that ideal at all. She suddenly notices the baby doll on the professor's desk, which looks worn after what she assumes is years of use. "Merlin, is *that* what we'll be taking care of?" she asks, leaning in closer to him and hanging on his shoulder so that her voice is barely above a whisper and the professor doesn't hear her talking shit about the robo-baby. "Its eyes look like it's staring into my soul." she adds dramatically, but she looks so excited. She would have never been able to do something like this while she was homeschooled and this is exactly the kind of absurd school project that she had in mind whenever she'd dream of her ideal school experience. "This is fantastic. What should we name ours, *mi amor*?" She stops leaning on him because she knows it's annoying to some, but keeps the close proximity, their chairs stuck together.

Amor Santiago

first year healing student
ateleia

His shoulders are something he is rather conscious of both for the presence of his scars and the muscle he has built up underneath them to handle his otherwise deformed appearance. He flexes on instinct, but releases after a moment and chooses to ignore how she clings to him. It doesn't bother him so much as it surprises him, turning down to her with a raised brow before eyeing the robot at the front of the classroom. "It's absolutely *demonic*," he tells her, mimicking her drama as he raises an offended hand to his heart. When she seemingly mocks him, he turns down to her and leans away from her slightly although it's not from repulse. He simply wants a better view of her as his eyebrows raise and knit together to form a small tent on his face. He laughs before responding, "*Mi sol*, we should not doom her to a similar fate as her parents, but...she is obviously a creature from Hell." He turns and gestures at the robot before noticing that the professor is eyeing them and making a point to lower his voice as he utters the last words. "Will she love us either way? Afraid not."

Arden

seeker for the tutshill tornadoes
paintedred

Arden is about to answer when Professor Zhao passes by the table and places one of the robotic babies on their desk between the pair as if to force space between them. Rolling her eyes at this, she moves the doll away so that she can continue leaning in close so they can whisper together and not be too disruptive. Arden has never been a big believer in leaving space for the holy ghost, especially when it's getting in the way of conversations with someone she's really enjoying. "I got it." she says, eyes lighting up. "Hear me out, hear me out. We can name her *Hellzel*." she says, bursting into a tiny fit of giggles. "I had an old friend who named her cat that. Poor thing." She examines the doll a bit more. "And it's a bit hardcore, don't you think? Kinda fitting. Look – our baby already has her first tattoo." she mentions, pointing out two small letters written on near her left elbow: *F U*. "She's growing up so fast." Arden grins. "You should choose her middle name."

Amor Santiago

first year healing student
ateleia

He murmurs a short acknowledgement of gratitude as the professor passes them and leaves little Hellzel in their presence. When Arden sets out into a fit of giggles over this proposal, he laughs and it carries across the room until the professor turns to them and shushes him. He's used to it, so he's free of embarrassment. "Hellzel is *perfect*," he acknowledges, reaching out to pinch the baby's hard, plastic cheek. "Aw, our little sinner..." Amor pauses and eyes the robot for a brief moment. "What about Abstinence? A permanent reminder to not make the same mistakes her parents did." He nudges Arden and grins, rather amused with himself. He stares down at her for a minute, but shakes his inner monologue from his mind and ruffles his hair before turning towards the robot. "Doesn't Hellzel Abstinence have a nice ring to it? Should we hyphenate her last name?" His instinct is to not want the baby to have just *his* surname considering he sure wishes he had his mother's. He doesn't think children should be given their father's name unless the two are married, but that's his own issue with his father...and he doesn't even have his father's name.

Arden

seeker for the tutshill tornadoes
paintedred

Arden looks positively thrilled at Amor's choice of name. "Hellzel Abstinence sounds *amazing*. We're really nailing this parent thing, don't you think?" she says, nudging his arm in amusement. She's gotten less shy about being touchy considering he didn't try pushing her away when she was being so affectionate earlier. "I actually really like your last name, *Santiago*." she says cheekily, liking how the name sounds on her tongue. "But, since we're not being very traditional, I guess there's no need to conform with the usual naming standards. I think we might even be able to do away with a hyphen." Arden thinks for a bit before voicing her brilliant idea. "Hellzel Abstinence Artiago." she says, before breaking out into laughter. "So horrible. I *love* it."

Amor Santiago

first year healing student
ateleia

He feels an instant sense of validation, something he doesn't often experience, and tries to not let it inflate his ego. "I think we will be wonderful parents," he confirms with a grin and brief widening of his eyes for dramatic effect. Amor probably would be a good parent someday if not for his condition and he's pretty sure of it. Just not now and not to Hellzel. "Artiago is the name of a bright rubbery cheese trying to sound first class. Asiago, but worse," he comments loosely, but he's visibly holding back his laughter. He doesn't want to get them in trouble again out of fear they will be separated. Hellzel's life is already so troubling without separated parents. "I fucking *love* it. I couldn't picture anything better for my beloved daughter," he says, voice oozing with more flair as he scoops the baby from its carrier and rocks it in his arms. It isn't turned on, or so they were told, because they won't get them until the start of October, which seems to be fitting for their child. "Artiago," he repeats quietly, but his brain mostly replays the way she says his last name and he smiles to himself. He chuckles, but tries not to be as loud this time.

Arden

seeker for the tutshill tornadoes
paintedred

Arden's face breaks out into a wide grin, so happy that the two of them seem to be on the same wavelength. She reaches for the paper where they're supposed to be budgeting everything, but she glances up on the blackboard and sees that it's still due next meeting, meaning they can always cram it right before class sometime nearer to the deadline. Still, it wouldn't hurt to make an effort to *pretend* like they're actually getting stuff done, not wanting to get into any trouble that might separate her from him. "I'm *so* glad we're in agreement." she says, placing her chin on his shoulder to get a better look at the doll. It's so creepy, she thinks, but that's what makes it so funny. She pulls away once she realizes how affectionate she's being – it's so hard trying to school herself into not invading other people's personal space. "I'm so glad we're partners. I'm new here and I don't really know anyone, so I can never really tell what I'm in for. I just came from Defense and last week I got assigned to this guy named Max – I don't know if you know him – and I thought he was pretty nice but he was... *okay*." Normally, she's a lot less reserved about her insults but she doesn't know yet who's friends with who in this school. It's pretty obvious from the way her face scrunches up what she's thinking, though. He seems pretty popular and easygoing, but he won't stop asking about her mom. Merlin.

Amor Santiago

first year healing student
ateleia

Amor grins, tilting his head slightly to rest on hers before she pulls away. His eyes flicker down to the space between them as he shifts to the further edge of his seat, adjusting Hellzel to sit in the middle of his legs and rest against his stomach so he can reach into his bag and grab a pen. "I'm glad we're together too. I'm partnered with a lot of overachievers," he tells her with a small grumble as he rolls the pen across the desk. He doesn't actually mind any of them. Amor is certain they are useful to staying on track with his education instead of being partners with someone who will encourage him to slack off, but there's no such thing as slacking off in Muggle Studies. This shit is *easy*. He could do all of his studies for this class in his sleep- if he ever got some. "Fuuuck Max. Let's be honest- he's a massive prick," he tells her, reading from her tone that he is worse than *okay* as he rolls his eyes dramatically. Max is one of those boys that he tends to be spitefully jealous of, yet not at all at the same time. Amor wishes he got the attention without actually having to act anything close to how he does. Not only does he seemingly run through the girls that flock to him, but he has heard from other boys what he says about them. He finds it awfully disturbed. "We don't get along. We have some mutuals though, so we see each other from time to time. I wouldn't consider him a good guy."

Arden

seeker for the tutshill tornadoes
paintedred

Arden's eyes light up and his comments immediately unlock all the frustration that she's been keeping to herself about this. She tries to not talk about it very much in her dorm because from what she understands, Melissa is dating or used to date Max's brother. "I *hate* him. He's so – " She gestures with her hands, not really knowing how to put it into words. "He's always talking to me about Quidditch because he knows I play too." More accurately, he's always talking to her about her mothers, which she feels like he should realize is a bit of a sore subject. "And whenever he can, he always stands while we're talking? To seem taller? I don't know. It's so odd. He told me he was six feet tall and I didn't even ask." Arden laughs a little to herself because she knows he *isn't*. There's no way. "Luckily, I'm not with anyone who's the overachiever type." Divya takes Divination a bit seriously, but she's nothing like the Slytherin female prefect, who she saw yelling at her Transfiguration partner the other day. She gets a pen and writes their last names at the top in a neat cursive. "You should introduce me to some of your other friends, babe." she mentions, the term of endearment slipping out as it does with everyone else. "If they're anything like you, I'll adore them, I'm sure."

Amor Santiago

first year healing student
ateleia

Amor feels a weight off of his own shoulders when she reveals her own disgust. Not that he would have changed his opinions for her, but he would have tried to change the topic. He smiles slightly at the gesture she makes with her hands, turning down and noticing the collection of rings she has on her fingers. When she starts expressing herself through speech, he quickly diverts his gaze back to her face. She's so cripplingly beautiful, but the comment about introducing her to his other friends makes him cringe and stop that thought in its tracks. "He's not six foot," he tells her with a small shake of his head, hair swinging with a mind of its own. "I can introduce you, but I doubt you would fancy them." He hopes not. Oh, he hopes she doesn't. Especially after that recent fight with them, he wouldn't want that and perhaps it's the Hufflepuff nature, but he isn't going to deny her the opportunity to meet them. He internally sighs. It isn't as if *he* is any better. He shouldn't be so mighty. "Just a bunch of stupid lads. I bet you saw them at that-" He notices the professor eyeing them and shoots her a small nod before finishing, "- gathering."

Arden

seeker for the tutshill tornadoes
paintedred

She notices the look the professor shoots them and ends up squeezing Amor's hand to stop herself from rolling her eyes. Arden doesn't want to get into any trouble. She's due to see her mother soon because of her monthly therapy meeting, and she certainly does not want her head of house reporting back any less than polite behavior. "Maybe," she says, trying to remember that night. The other pairs seem to be talking a lot more now as well and chatter fills the classroom. "I don't know. I was with March for most of the night." she says, giggling a little bit at the memory. He hasn't messaged her for a while – perhaps he's lost interest? Arden almost frowns at the thought, because she's *concerned*, of course. She resolves to check in on him later. It's the right thing to do, after all. For a friend. "I'm pretty sure I'd like them if you like them." She pokes his arm playfully and smiles. "Unless you'd like to keep me all to yourself." She sticks her tongue out at him.

Amor Santiago

first year healing student
ateleia

His face falls and his eyes flicker down to their hands the moment she squeezes his, confused and in shock. His eyebrows knit together until her hand leaves his and he rolls his shoulders almost as if he's rolling the touch off of him except his muscles *are* sore. An eyebrow arches the moment he hears March's name again, holding his tongue in his own spite. He watches as Arden giggles and sticks her tongue out at him, a sly smile tugging at one side of his lips. "I don't, but we obviously have differing opinions on which company we wish to keep," he tells her a bit sorely, ignoring her last comment. Maybe he should message March. No, why bother? He isn't a terrible person and Arden doesn't need his protecting, so that can't be why. He isn't interested enough to do something of that nature either. *How intoxicated were you if March and his faux feminism was somehow tolerable?* he wants to say, but he still holds his tongue. Amor has an instant feeling of guilt for letting the thought even come to his head. He doesn't understand it. "March makes you happy, doesn't he?" He decides on instead.

Arden

seeker for the tutshill tornadoes
paintedred

Arden suddenly gets a bit defensive at the question. "He's my friend! Of course he makes me happy." she says, "We're friends." she repeats with finality. She isn't dating anyone right now and she definitely isn't anyone's *girlfriend*. Arden can't imagine being anyone's *anything*, really. After a whole life of being under someone's thumb, she doesn't think she can be blamed for not wanting to enter another relationship like that. Realizing how defensive she sounds and not wanting to be called out on it, she continues. "You're a lot more fun." she teases, and she's not lying. "In fact, we should probably hang out after class if you're free," she adds, looking down and fiddling with a couple rings on her fingers. The whole concept of making friends and asking them to hang out with her is still a bit new and she's afraid she's overestimating how much he's enjoying this conversation. She looks up when she realizes it's a bit annoying to not be maintaining eye contact. "I think it'd be cool to get to know you better. Y'know, for the sake of our daughter." Arden smiles.

Amor Santiago

first year healing student
ateleia

Amor frowns as he watches her get defensive over the question, nodding once she's finished and turning down towards their assignment. He doesn't believe her, but he has no right to be so concerned with it. March isn't terrible and there isn't anything to criticize or warn her about, so he knows he should butt out. *I could make you happier,* he still challenges, but he doesn't dare speak it into existence. He's a bit unsure that that is even true, but then she teases him and he melts. At the offer to spend more time together, he turns to her again and nods as he runs his hand back through his hair to get it out of his face. "We should. I can't tonight, but sometime soon," he tells her, grinning before he notices how she's fidgeting. It turns into more of a natural smile, complimenting hers. "I know a place. Maybe you would be interested in seeing it. It isn't child-friendly though, so maybe we can find a babysitter."

Arden

seeker for the tutshill tornadoes
paintedred

"I feel like most places in the castle aren't child friendly." she quips back, her smile turning into a lazy smirk at her own comment. So far she's encountered the giant squid, the ever-changing staircases, all the tall towers, and Peeves who seems to always be wreaking havoc in one corridor or another. "But I'm excited. I haven't seen much of the castle yet, and I'm easily impressed so you don't have to worry about wherever it is not meeting my expectations." She covers her mouth when she laughs so that they don't make too much noise. "I can ask my roommate to look after Hellzel." she tells him, before leaning in a bit closer than she already is. "Just tell me when, *mi amor*, and I'm all yours." She taps his nose once playfully on the last word before pulling away to get her phone out of her pocket. "Do you have Witchagram?" she asks, already opening the app. She keeps the phone down in her lap and beneath the table so that the teacher doesn't see, her shoulder bumping against Amor's as she tilts the screen towards him. "We should follow each other then you can hit me up when you're free."

Amor Santiago

first year healing student
ateleia

He nods at the notion that the castle isn't very child-friendly, grinning to hide in his laughter at the expression on her face. "I almost died at least 15-16 times during my first year," he comments in turn, and it's true. He isn't sure if that says more about the safety of Hogwarts or what he was up to at that time. Amor assumes he would probably make for a good tour guide, but he doesn't offer. Maybe he will later. "Of course," he answers, leaning in a bit closer as well as he pulls his phone from his pocket. The brightness is down extremely low and even though his screen is barely visible, he is able to see it fine. It's a benefit of having great eyesight. He isn't too worried about getting caught as he turns up towards the robot again, clicking open the app and navigating to the search bar without looking. "I'm not that busy," he tells her. "We should be able to spend some time together soon, or we can see each other every Thursday." He glances down at her screen for a brief second before typing in *ardenofeden* and following her, grin wide. "We'll see what we can do."