Hello all you people! Welcome to another edition of talking about topics! Every other week I'll be selecting a topic that I just can't stop reading and tell you all the things I love about it. Then, I'll interview one of the members of the topic and ask them a bunch of different questions about why they chose to write the things they did.
Joining me today for this week's edition of talking about topics, I have Vesper Nightbloom, and Sevrin Larkspur, discussing their topic Eyerolls and Elixirs. I am very excited to have them join me today. Though their topic is just getting started, it was too good to pass up! As always, I'll give you guys a short summary of the topic, in case you've not had time to read it, and then I'll ask Vesper and Sevrin a couple questions about their writing. Let's get right into it!
To kick us off, I'll give all you lovely people a summary of Vesper and Sevrin's wonderful topic!
Vesper and Sevrin have just been partnered for a potions assignment by Professor Rosefall-Alexander. However, it looks like neither one of them seem to be particularly thrilled about the pairing, both for their own reasons.
Vesper is organized and meticulous about her work, eager to do well on all of her assignments and avoid more detentions. She wasn't fond of the last one. She doesn't know much about Sevrin, except for the fact he's known to sit in the back of the classroom which in her eyes means he's a troublemaker. Still, despite his laid-back demeanor making her anxious, she's going her best to be polite for the sake of the assignment.
Sevrin, on the other hand, is indifferent about school in general. He doesn't quite care for any class in particular, except for herbology. He likes herbology. He isn't terrible at potions, but it's far from being a passion of his. He's more interested in the ingredients themselves over the results. He's unprepared, doesn't take notes, and seems less than thrilled to be partnered with a "try-hard" like Vesper.
Neither one of them are too entirely sure what they're meant to be doing for the assignment, but they're also both too uncertian (or too proud) to ask the professor for clarification. Vesper tries to guess the correct potion, while also stumbling through small talk that leaves her embarrased and overthinking everything she's said. Meanwhile, Sevrin seems to be disengaged, but not unfriendly.
If you want to see more about what happens between Vesper and Sevrin, be sure to stalk their topic in the Potions Classroom! Now onto my personal favorite part of this article, the interview portion!
Talking About Topics
Year 43 Week 3 - Edition #002 - Written by Oscar Edwards
Hello and welcome, Vesper and Sevrin! I am overjoyed to be joined by the pair of you today! I have a couple of questions for both of you, and my first one goes out to Vesper!
Why does being prepared (and being perceived as prepared) matter so much to you?
Why does being prepared (and being perceived as prepared) matter so much to you?
Hello Oscar! I’m so excited about this! It’s my favourite weekly, and I had a bit of a freak-out when I got your owl.
To answer your question, my father works for the Ministry, and he’s always told me that you don’t get anywhere in life without good grades and a charming smile. In my first year, I managed to earn Outstanding in most of my subjects, but it didn’t come easily. I’ve never been the best at homework or theory, and my mind tends to wander. I daydream, I draw more than I take notes, and I actually got in trouble for sketching in class a few weeks ago.
Because of that, I push myself hard to stay on track, and sometimes, I expect the same from the people around me. Being prepared is how I prove I belong here, even if my brain doesn’t always work the way professors would prefer.
To answer your question, my father works for the Ministry, and he’s always told me that you don’t get anywhere in life without good grades and a charming smile. In my first year, I managed to earn Outstanding in most of my subjects, but it didn’t come easily. I’ve never been the best at homework or theory, and my mind tends to wander. I daydream, I draw more than I take notes, and I actually got in trouble for sketching in class a few weeks ago.
Because of that, I push myself hard to stay on track, and sometimes, I expect the same from the people around me. Being prepared is how I prove I belong here, even if my brain doesn’t always work the way professors would prefer.
Wow! Almost all outstandings! Incredible work Vesper. I know I struggled a lot with some of my courses, especially coming from a muggle family where I don't have much background knowledge, so to me that is quite the feat. I definitely can see how you might expect other people to be prepared because you're prepared, and don't want to fall behind due to other people's lack of work. Anyways, my next question goes to Sevrin!
Is there a reason you don’t take notes or prepare much in class?
Is there a reason you don’t take notes or prepare much in class?
Honestly there's not a lot of reason to take notes, is there? Most of the things Professors teach us are in the textbooks anyways. And anything in the textbook is enough to make you pass an exam. And anything that is enough to make you pass an exam, is enough. What's the point of knowing more than that if that knowledge won't be of any use later? Or if you'll just forget about it all once the summer holidays start?
My future won't really involve too much magic, so for me it'll be just everyday stuff that will be useful. Not even my plan B would involve magic, so I don't see why it's important to try hard *winks at Vesper*
My future won't really involve too much magic, so for me it'll be just everyday stuff that will be useful. Not even my plan B would involve magic, so I don't see why it's important to try hard *winks at Vesper*
I can definitely sympasize with your future not involving magic. I don't really see myself doing anything with magic either, so the reasoning makes sense. I don't blame you for not wanting to waste your time with notes if it isn't something you're interested in! My next question goes to Vesper!
How has that recent detention changed the way you see yourself at school?
How has that recent detention changed the way you see yourself at school?
Honestly, it wasn’t a surprise. I’ve been drawing in class since first year, and though some teachers don’t mind (especially since I manage good grades) I still get in trouble now and then.
This was my first actual detention, though, and I know at least one class where I won’t let myself draw as much. I probably still will, though.
This was my first actual detention, though, and I know at least one class where I won’t let myself draw as much. I probably still will, though.
I get that honestly. My best friend Nora always doodles in class but keeps up really good grades. I'd hate to see her get in trouble just for doing something quietly at her seat during the lesson! I'm sorry that you got detention for something as silly as that! My last question goes to Sevrin!
What was your first impression of Vesper, before she even spoke?
What was your first impression of Vesper, before she even spoke?
Teacher's Pet.
It was the first day of classes of our first year at Hogwarts. Her white hair made her stand out, but what made her stand out even more was the obvious urge to be liked by the Professors. Even if she doodled, you could tell she was paying attention. I thought the Professor could talk about Merlin's poo and she'd still look at them with gleaming eyes and take notes. But to each their own I guess...
It was the first day of classes of our first year at Hogwarts. Her white hair made her stand out, but what made her stand out even more was the obvious urge to be liked by the Professors. Even if she doodled, you could tell she was paying attention. I thought the Professor could talk about Merlin's poo and she'd still look at them with gleaming eyes and take notes. But to each their own I guess...
Fair enough honestly. Everyone has their quirks and interests. Maybe she does just really loves learning! Or she's really good at pretending she does. Either way, as long as she’s not hurting anyone, let her do her thing! The castle is big enough for everyone! (Yes, even student's who'd take notes on Merlin's poo.)
Well guys, that wraps up our interview with Vesper and Sevrin! Thank you both so much for joining me today, and for letting me but your amazing topic under my microscope!
If any of you lovely readers ever see any topics you'd like to be featured here in this column, please feel free to send me the link in an owl with the headline "Talking About Topics - Topic Submission", and I will do my best to make it happen for you guys! See you next time with another great topic!
If any of you lovely readers ever see any topics you'd like to be featured here in this column, please feel free to send me the link in an owl with the headline "Talking About Topics - Topic Submission", and I will do my best to make it happen for you guys! See you next time with another great topic!
