[WRITING TOURNAMENT]: Year 12 - Round 1 - Going for the O!

Ancient Runes
Remnants from languages now long gone by,
Takes years of research to properly know,
Symbols and tokens that help to clarify,
Civilizations and stories seen through an ancient window.

Those who are keen learn these runes still today,
Hoping to pick up some knowledge that’s lost.
A sharp brain is needed, and patience to stay,
In order to decode these lines that exhaust.

Art, Drama & Creative Writing
This is the place for the creative and bold,
Writing, and drawing, and acting their tales.
Emotions and feeling beyond what’s the mold,
Paying attention to any and all the details.

Come one, come all, that wants to put paper to pen,
Or the loves the great rush of standing onstage each night.
There’s something for everyone to come back time again,
Helping humanity through every known plight.

Arithmancy
If you’re a fan of divination that feels a bit more like fact,
Than come to Arithmancy, where each number means a letter.
Adding, subtracting, assigning the abstract,
Reveals information about heart, personality, and social unfettered.

For those more logical who wish to know what bestows them,
This precise, measurable system feels almost like science.
Find out whether you will face peace of mayhem,
By following this system that has great reliance.

Astronomy
Cosmos and galaxies of worlds far beyond,
Are studied and explored, looking up to the sky.
Constellations and comets that have long since been spawned,
Teach us a history of stars both far and nearby.

If you are searching for something away from this Earth,
This classroom is the place to start your grand search.
There’s so much knowledge to discover its worth,
You won’t find yourself disappointed or in a great lurch.

Care of Magical Creatures
Lovers of animals can be found in class here,
Learning about creatures with a magical flair.
Unicorns, nifflers, and thestrals endear,
All under student’s most earnest care.

Come one, come all, to learn of those big and those small,
With respect and admiration for their place in the land.
Creatures who gallop, and swim, and even who crawl,
All can be found in this magizoologist’s wonderland.

Charms
No wizard’s complete without the skill sets taught here,
Learning charms from mundane, to powerful tools.
To be a good wizard and reach the next tier,
Pay close attention to not become fools.

Swish of the wand, and correct use of the word,
Is essential to master the hardest of charms.
Cheer up friends with a giggle, or lift a box like a bird,
All this and more with a flick of your arms.

Dark Arts Studies
For the darker of souls with an interest in evil,
This is the place to expands your horizons.
While certain ideas are frankly medieval,
You’ll find it’s not lacking in information to wizen.

Whether to study the enemy or embrace the dark side,
The things you learn here will mess with your mind.
Once it’s complete, you’ll have to decide,
Whether these lessons will free you or bind.

Defense Against the Dark Arts
In this classroom you’ll find the noble of heart,
Striving to conquer the dark arts which spreads.
To succeed in this course you must be quite smart,
To outwit the dark side’s sneaky outreach of threads.

From dark wizards to creatures with plans of foul deeds,
It takes determination to not turn and just flee.
Those who succeed and find all those leads,
Will find themselves prepared for the fight to a great degree.

Divination
The future, the future, unknown and unnamed,
Until you discover the secrets awaiting in here.
Famous, or penniless or maybe acclaimed,
Unveil all these answers with the power of seer.

Tea leaves, and cards, and the famed crystal ball,
All give us answers of what is in store.
Regardless of meaning, it’s sure to enthrall,
You’ll never find a reason to sleep or to snore.

Flying Lessons
In this class you’ll find it’s time to take to the skies,
By broomstick you’ll find a reliable transport.
The sights and the scenes will always be a surprise,
Or take part in the great wizard broom sport.

A skill every wizard should know just in case,
It may not be suited for those with fears of great height.
But up in the clouds you might find it’s your place,
And the rush of the cool air may vanish your freight.

Healer Studies
For those with compassion and empathy, wise,
This class is just perfect, to teach the healing of pain.
Though magical maladies should not be taken lightly, trivialized,
As the solutions are often quite hidden in vain.

Though this class may seem gentle,
It’s not for those easily surprised.
While it will strive to teach the most fundamental,
Be quick on your feet to avoid being chastised.

Herbology
While plants can be thought of as boring or dull,
You must keep on your toes in these Greenhouses found here.
From poisonous to moving to those that trick into a lull,
You’ll wish some of these could just disappear.

Come dirty your hands,
And learn what’s safe and what’s not,
While you learn about properties you must understand,
Try to keep these green plants confined to the pot!

History of Magic
To be a great wizard you must know what came before,
Don’t listen to those who say this class is a bore.
With wars and adventures, there’s much to explore,
So it’s certain you won’t find these lessons as chores.

Goblins and house elves and centaurs as well,
Are mixed in the history of wizards themselves.
Immersed in the past, it’s easy to tell,
That learning these facts will help us ourselves.

Muggle Studies
This class is important for each wizard to learn,
The ways and the manners of the Muggles next door.
To promote understanding and limit concern,
This class seeks to minimize all ignorant uproar.

From politics to transport to their impact on wizards,
Anyone from a wizard family is sure to be shocked.
How a life without magic can become quite a blizzard,
And understand why our way of life remains locked.

Mythology
Gods and creatures from many years ago,
And places and cities scattered all around the globe.
Here in this classroom you’ll be surprised at the show,
That these grand ancient deities roamed here on their own.

From Egypt to Greece, Australia to Rome,
These mythological stories have much to divulge.
Once you start these great classes you won’t want to stay home,
Instead soaking the knowledge in, one great big indulge.  

Potions
Below in the dungeon, cauldrons simmer away,
Brewing and stewing and sitting for days.
Come to discern the mysteries hidden in the fray,
Don’t let the fumes leave you down in a daze.

These potions are powerful and must be watched carefully,
Fall into the wrong hands, and destruction you’ll see.
Pay close attention to the steps quite earnestly,
Because any mistake will mean no sense of glee.

Supernatural & Paranormal Studies
If you’re interest lies in the life after death,
Come learn about the ghosts present and known.
No frights lie here to make you catch your breath,
Just transparent ghosts that might chill you to the bone.

From mischievous ghosts, to benevolent spirits,
Poltergeists, demons and angels roam, too.
In this here classroom we explore the realm yet unknown,
So come study here for the next big breakthrough.

Transfiguration
One of the most challenging skills you’ll learn in this school,
Is how to transfigure both yourself and your desks.
Turn a giant great clock, into a little mouse, minuscule,
Just be careful you don’t make something looking grotesque.

Precise use of language, that must be practiced in bulk,
Along with concentration, will give you the desired result.
Don’t be afraid, or discouraged, dismayed,
Once you succeed you’ll earn great accolades.

Word Count: 1,298