[hr][hr][center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/4yS8QqqT/image.png[/img][hr][@BlueSky44][@FantasyChic][@Achronum][@Nallore][@Natsu][@Kirah][@TrainerBlue192][@Framing A Moose][hr][color=FFDF00][b]September 1st, 1984 - 2:30 P.M.[/b][/color][/center][hr][hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/uiLzUWI.png[/img][hr][hr][b][color=41700D]Location:[/color][/b] the Seventh Floor - Dumbledore's Office
[b][color=41700D]Magic:[/color][/b] Pocket Sneakoscope[/center][hr]	Paige tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing a little bit as Mary brought up planning [i]the Thing[/i]. She had nearly been placed into Ravenclaw due to her stubborn curiosity and her thirst to reveal anything kept secret. Mary didn't have any interest in Quidditch - there was no way Zelda would've allowed her on the team - so that ruled out that. Mary also wasn't in the Dueling Club, which Paige regretted - it would've been nice to get to hex, jinx, and curse Miss Perfect every week without punishment. 

	With a jolt, a theory came to her. Mary must've been planning the Celestial Ball. It hadn't happened yet while they were at Hogwarts and from what Paige could tell, it was a random event that just occurred whenever the professors felt like it was time. She had been talking to her father about his Celestial Ball and his attempted date - the Giant Squid - at Platform 9 3/4 earlier that day. Her eyes flickered over to Zelda and she smirked. She was [i]definitely[/i] going to pester her silly about going with Andre. Paige would've insisted to Mary to try her hardest not to make the Celestial Ball a complete drag, but with Dumbledore there, she wanted to be on her best behavior. 

	"You will be able to take all of those classes, yes. As there are only nine of you, I have selected a time slot for our meetings that do not conflict with any of your courses - or clubs such as Quidditch or dueling," Dumbledore answered Mary, a twinkle in his eye. "I am quite fond of Celestina Warbeck's latest album - [i]You Stole My Cauldron but You Can't Have My Heart[/i]."

	Paige perked up slightly, hearing Artemis essentially try to politely turn Dumbledore down. Her rivalry was with his twin brother, Apollo, but he hanged out with a group of the worst people in the school, so Artemis was largely guilty by association in her book. 

	"Unfortunately, you are required to sit the O.W.L.'s for both of those courses," Dumbledore told Artemis. "You may drop either Muggle Studies or Care of Magical Creatures. If you don't wish to join, it's no trouble. I'll simply need to obliviate you to remove this discussion from your memories."

	She wanted to gag herself with a spoon as Apollo basically begged for Dumbledore to compliment him. Paige knew what she was worth and what she was skilled at - she didn't need Dumbledore to tell her that. If Apollo was half as bright as he claimed to be - and Paige doubted that - then he ought to have known what his own strengths were. She didn't understand how a person couldn't know their strengths and weaknesses - how could they plan and strategize without them? It was obvious that Dumbledore hadn't picked Apollo for his ability on a broomstick - he was a mind reader. As much as Paige hated him, it was a useful skill. 

	Even Fae she felt had an obvious talent - flying and pummeling things with her fists. Blunt instruments were needed just as much as crafty ones. Madalyne and Zelda were both great strategists, and Zelda was an animagus. Elizabeth was irritating, but she was clever and sharp eyed, a really good seeker for Slytherin. Paige's own talent was her skill as a dueler - she was the captain of the dueling club, almost undefeated throughout her time at Hogwarts.

	"Mr. Harrington, a wise man must not know only his strengths, but those of his friends as well," Dumbledore cautioned him. "At the end of this year, I am going to pose your question to you and I expect you to answer it. For now, though, perhaps a bit of introduction to your fellow witches and wizards is indeed in order."

	"Miss Mintfree has the heart of a true hero and the strength of a brawler. Miss Crane is perhaps one of the brightest witches of her age, gifted with both strategy and dexterity. Both of them are a credit to Gryffindor," Dumbledore said, before continuining.

	"Miss Locke has a promising future as an auror ahead of her - and Professor Binns rates her historical essays as an absolute delight. Mr. Harrington is one of the kindest young wizards Professor Sprout has ever had the good fortune to teach and has a native talent for legilimency. Again, both of them some of the finest students Hufflepuff has taught."

	"You, Mr. Harrington, I am told can tie a cherry stem with only your tongue." Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling yet his voice was kind. "Like your twin, you are gifted at legilimency and yet you also have an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Miss Winthrop has mastered several magical arts at a young age - an animagus and able to cast a corporeal patronus. Miss Flynn is the fastest chaser Ravenclaw has had in over a decade, with her magical prowess shown in her ability to turn into a cat. All students that Rowena Ravenclaw would be proud to call her own."

	"Miss Flame is a rarity among Slytherins, a muggleborn. She is a gifted seeker and duelist, overcoming prejudice with heart and grace," Dumbledore praised. "And of course, lastly Miss Atwell... The best young duelist at Hogwarts and with a knack for finding trouble that rivals her father's," he finished with a bit of a chuckle. "Both exceptional young witches from Slytherin."