-Academic Article - Second Year-

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So you have passed all of your classes in year one, and are ready to start year two. But what should you expect in year two? What classes are you required to take? What are they going to be about? Are they going to be hard?

Year two introduces new classes called electives. You have probably heard of them, and what they are are basically classes that cover topics that don’t necessarily fit in with your core classes but instead are taught on their own. This year you are expected to pass all seven of your core classes, along with two electives of your choosing. Of course, you can take as many electives as you want but in order to advance to year three you need to have passed at least two. Just like in year one, all essays in year two are optional.

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Core classes:

Astronomy

Astronomy is taught by Professor Turing and in your second year you will focus on the moon and how it magically affects our life down here on earth. You will learn about the phases, Mooncalves, Werewolves, and much more.

Charms

Professor Akchurin and Professor Levintree teach this course. In your second year, you will focus on charmable objects and how to bewitch them. This includes learning about object charming, basic temporary charms, and investigate various magical and mundane charmed objects.

Defense Against the Dark Arts

Defense Against the Dark Arts is taught by Professor Penrose. In your second year, you are going to focus on duelling. You will learn about famous duels, along with how to participate in duels of your own. You will learn many new spells whilst improving the ones you have already learned.

Herbology

Professor Tudor and Professor Rowan lead Herbology. In your second year, you will learn about a variety of new plants, along with having tons of hands on practice with them. Specifically, you will learn about the different types of wand woods, nocturnal plants, how to properly classify a plant, and how plants can be used in literature.

History of Magic

History of Magic is taught by Professor Kyrkos. In year two, you will focus on British wizarding history, including things such as the most famous wizarding villages in Britian, famous British wizards, along with the formation of the first wizarding school and the formation of the Ministry of Magic.

Potions

Potions is taught by Professor Batyaeva. In year two you will learn all about ethics in Potions. You will brew your own potions such as the sleeping draught and the swelling solution. You also will learn more about potion brewing and about ingredients used in potions.

Transfiguration

Transfiguration is taught by Professor Mitchell. In year two, you will begin to perform animate to inanimate object transfigurations. You will also learn about the ethics behind this type of transfiguration, and how to protect the life form in the inanimate object.

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Electives:

Alchemy

Alchemy is taught by Professor Rosenquist. In Alchemy, you will learn about eternal life and famous Alchemists. You will study metals, and how they can affect us magically, as well as their planetary alignments.

Ancient Runes

Ancient Runes is taught by Professor Stevens. In your first year of taking this course, you will begin to learn the history of the Elder Furthark, one of the oldest texts. You will also learn and study the runes written within this ancient text.

Care of Magical Creatures

Care of Magical Creatures is taught by Professor Anne and Professor Cattercorn. In your first year, you will learn about the Ministry of Magic and what it does in relation to magical creatures, specifically about the Department of Management and Control of Magical Creatures. You will also learn about many magical creatures, such as Grindylows, Fairies, Fwoopers, Bowtruckles, and more!

Divination

Divination is taught by Professor Umbridge. In your first year of studying the art of Divination, you will skim the surface of the many branches of this art. You will learn how to predict the future with Omens, Palmistry, Tarot cards, Dream interpretation, runes, Tasseography,  Acultomancy, Aichmomancy, Augury, Astrology, and Crystallomancy!

Magical Art

This course is taught by Professor Honeysett. In year one of this elective, you will learn about many different art techniques, and how you can use magic to improve your art. You will study famous magical artists, how to magically develop pictures and portraits, and the magical art market, along with spells that could come in handy when creating your own art (Or mercilessly teasing your friends by changing their hair color every day).

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So, ready to go onto Year Two? The electives are all brilliant and the core classes get even more interesting, though a little more difficult. Hopefully this is a good preview for you and will urge you to progress onto second year. Conquering first year is difficult, but it’s certainly worth it!

-Lily Cath Wood