Third and Fourth Years on Defense Against the Dark Arts

Drake O'Leary

September 05, 2006 10:09 PM

Third and Fourth Years by Drake O'Leary

Drake stood in the front of the room, vampirelike. His crimson hair in stark constrast with the black robes he wore. His arms crossed against a body that seemed to blend into the shadows. With piercing eyes, he watched the students enter the room. He waited for the students to take their seats before beginning class.

Nearby, on his desk, sat a rather large aquarium. Inside were several gray rocks. One of which appeared to be moving. Drake smirked slightly. He had something a bit different planned for the older students this year.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

0 Drake O'Leary Third and Fourth Years 15 Drake O'Leary 1 5

Stephen Baxter

September 10, 2006 11:11 PM

Yo teach... we gonna learn something this year? :-p by Stephen Baxter

Stephen wandered into the classroom, taking care to look around properly this year. He wasn't going to be surprised again like last year. He scanned the room, starting at the back, then the sides and finally the front. Shadows... shadows... shadow! Up the front this time, which was a bit tricky. The black clothing was good, but the hair and the eyes gave old O'Leary away. Stephen grinned and waved at the professor, before taking up his usual seat not quite at the back, but definitely not at the front either.

It wasn't until he'd sat down, pulled out his books and was killing time by aiming his wand at things on the wall (often entirely imaginary) and pretending to shoot them with various imaginary projectiles and beams that he finally noticed the aquarium. Rocks. Boring. He planned on moving on and ignoring them when he noticed a movement out of the corner of his eye and his brain ticked over.

Defence. What do rocks have to do with defence? Moving rocks.

Stephen got up again. There were still a few people arriving, so it wasn't like anyone could accuse him of interrupting anything (even if that was likely to have stopped him) so he made his way to the front of the classroom and tapped on the glass.

"Do something," he ordered the rocks, watching with interest.\n\n

39 Stephen Baxter Yo teach... we gonna learn something this year? :-p 49 Stephen Baxter 0 5

O'Leary

September 15, 2006 12:15 AM

Lesson Continued... by O'Leary

Drake waited a few moments to allow all of the students to be seated. One student, Stephen Baxter, however, was standing in front of the aquarium. Looking pointedly at him, Drake raised one eyebrow, assuming it would be enough to say, 'Take your seat.'\r\n\r\nAfter the student took his place, Drake scanned the room to see if anyone else had taken notice of the rocks, that one wasn't like the others. The rock moved again and more could be seen. It wasn't a rock at all, but rather a creature of some sort.

"Attention, students! Today, our lesson will vary from our normal lessons," Drake stated dryly. "As many of you undoubtedly didn't notice, there is an aquarium full of rocks sitting on my desk. Further, for those of you who did most likely failed to recognize that one of these rocks is different from the others."

He moved with a sharp motion to his desk to stand behind the aquarium.

With a wave of his hand, he continued on, "One of these rocks is actually a creature, which uses such a feature to provide camoflauge from its prey. Now, can anyone tell me what this creature is and what its effect on a person would be?"\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

0 O'Leary Lesson Continued... 0 O'Leary 0 5

Stephen Baxter

September 15, 2006 10:22 AM

Well, that's a good sign by Stephen Baxter

He poked the glass again, but the rock seemed determined to play dead. Perhaps if he looked at something else, the rock would be tricked into thinking he wasn't really watching it, and would move again. It seemed as good an idea as any, so Stephen deliberately looked away, making certain that the aquarium was still in the corner of his eye.

"Wow," he said, in an exaggerated tone, "so many thing that aren't boring old rocks to look at." He thought he caught a movement and looked back again, hurridly, but there was nothing to be seen again, so Stephen repeated the process and caught an eyeful of O'Leary's raised eyebrow.

Stephen grinned, waited a moment and then realised that the Professor was probably waiting on him to do something. There hadn't been any questions yet - that he'd noticed - so that left the whole sitting in his seat and being attentive thing. With a farewell tap on the glass, Stephen shrugged and moved back to his seat.

There was movement in the aquarium again. Some kind of critter, hiding amongst the rocks. O'Leary was giving his 'attention' speech and saying some rubbish about people not noticing the rocks on his desk. Stephen, deliberately, raised an eyebrow in immitation of the look O'Leary had given him before. He had noticed. Heck, he'd been poking the glass because he'd seen something. O'Leary just seemed to think that they were all mindless little hamsters, sitting in on class.

A statement to the obvious later, the lesson finally got down to business. Stephen raised his hand, to make certain he had attention, but didn't bother to wait to be called upon.

"Some kind of dark critter," he said, "otherwise we'd be learning about it from Professor K. Dunno what it does though, because I dunno what it is."\n\n

39 Stephen Baxter Well, that's a good sign 49 Stephen Baxter 0 5

O'Leary

September 18, 2006 10:38 AM

And on it goes by O'Leary

Drake looked towards Stephen who had spoken out, "No, it is not a dark creature. Next time, Mr. Baxter, wait until you are called upon."

With a flare of his robes, he went to the front of his desk and leaned back against it, "A dark creature seeks to harm for no other reason than harm. This creature, however, stalks to eat. It can be dangerous though. So, if it's not a dark creature, why is it here, you might wonder. I chose this particular creature due to the effect it produces when stalking. This creature,"he looked towards the tank, "is a pogrebin, a Russian creature. When a pogrebin stalks a human, it produces a feeling of despair so strong that it can bring one to their knees. When this happens, the pogrebin pounces for their feast. Now, can anyone tell me why I might have chosen this creature for its effect?"\n\n

0 O'Leary And on it goes 0 O'Leary 0 5

Kaylie Brockert

September 26, 2006 4:05 PM

Like all lessons.. by Kaylie Brockert

Defense was the one class Kaylie really made an effort to get to on time more than any of the others. Professor O'Leary kind of intimidated her. She could tell he wasn't the type who wouldn't tolerate lateness or inattention or talking in class or any of the other poor habits Kaylie possessed. As a result of her considerable more effort than usual, it also tended to be the subject she had the best grades in, aside from Care of Magical Creatures. It wasn't that Kaylie was stupid, as most people probably thought. Lily seemed to think she was a major airhead. She wished they wouldn't. She especially didn't want Chris to think she was dumb. Kaylie found herself thinking about him more and more but now was not the time.

She listened as the Professor replied to Stephen. Pogrebins sounded like perfectly awful creatures. Making people feel hopeless and sad until they passed out and then devoured them. That was certainly a creature one needed to protect themselves from!

Kaylie, in an uncharacteristically timid manner, did something she rarely did in class. She raised her hand to answer the question and waited to be called on. She didn't want to be chastised like Stephen was.\n\n

11 Kaylie Brockert Like all lessons.. 43 Kaylie Brockert 0 5

Jenna Howard

October 10, 2006 7:46 PM

can't ever settle for simple busywork around here, can they by Jenna Howard

Defense being her least favorite and probably her worst class, it was no surprise really that Jenna could be found in the back of the classroom, slumping in her seat. The holidays had not been particularly kind to her. Constantly being compared to her sister and older cousins had put her back in the defensive, moody state that life at Sonora had nearly driven away. Now that she had finally done away with the red hat and now let her brown hair messily hang below her chin, the fourth year looked more exhausted, disheveled and generally annoyed at the world than ever.

The turn that the Defense class was taking didn't seem to be any help to her current situation. Really, the teen should have seen this coming. It was only natural for the class to become more difficult with time. Yes, she had anticipated more complex spells but not pogrebins.

But, as she thought about it, studying pogrebins did make sense. If the students ever really had to duel outside of school (although Jenna would do everything in her power to keep such a situation from ever happening to her) it wasn't going to be in the comfort of a classroom. They wouldn't be practicing spells with friends- or at least, people they didn't count as enemies. Most likely, if they were to get into a duel later in life, it wasn't going to be just fun and games. It was going to count for something. The girl figured that if they didn't know how to duel in a bad situation that would be a disadvantage. Jenna Howard definitely felt like she had more than her share of those.

And, if it was a duel within her family, then it really was a cause for dread, for many Howards had the tendency to be decent if not great spellcasters, and she was the antithesis of a decent spellcaster. "Makes for a more realistic situation," she thought dryly, without realizing she had spoken aloud. A more realistic situation- just dandy, she thought sarcastically. Just perfectly dandy.\n\n

0 Jenna Howard can't ever settle for simple busywork around here, can they 46 Jenna Howard 0 5

O'Leary

October 13, 2006 12:22 AM

Then, it wouldn't be any fun by O'Leary

Drake allowed his gaze to drift across the room to see who would dare try an answer. He saw a couple students raise their hands eagerly - the usual ones that were always eager to please. This wasn't about pleasing him though, it was about learning skills that might one day safe their lives.

Someone new entered his vision. Kaylie Brockert. She was a decent student in his class, but rarely answered questions. He was about to call on her when another voice was heard. Jenna Howard.

'Makes for a more realistic situation.'

Drake turned towards the girl, robes flaring, "Good, Miss Howard, but learn to raise your hand. Yes, a realistic situation, because if you ever encouter someone using the Dark Arts, you can guarantee an unsafe situation. You won't just be able to say 'Stop, I don't want to do this any more.' And in some instances, it can mean the difference between life and death."

He was proud of his older students, they were beginning to understand the necessity to learn these skills, unlike his first years, who seemed to think it a joke. He was careful though not to show his feelings. He didn't want his students to like him, he wanted them to learn to deal with the difficult.

Not forgetting her, he looked towards Kaylie, "Miss Brockert, what were you going to add?"\n\n

0 O'Leary Then, it wouldn't be any fun 0 O'Leary 0 5

Kaylie

October 13, 2006 10:21 PM

Being attacked by creatures is fun? by Kaylie

She was quite surprised Professor O'Leary had called on her when far more intelligent students had risen their hands. The usual brainy people who knew far more and were more likely to answer correctly.

Trying to keep the shakiness out of her voice, Kaylie answered, "Well, even though a pogrebin isn't a dark creature, because it doesn't kill for the sake of killing, it's still dangerous and we should still learn how to protect ourselves from it. " Her face flushed and she looked around the room nervously. Kaylie usually was more confident in every other aspect of her life but when it came to school, she wasn't quite so sure. School wasn't really her thing, but Kaylie was pretty certain she had a good answer even if it wasn't exactly what the professor was looking for. After all, she couldn't read his mind and didn't really want to.

Kaylie sat back in her chair, waiting expectantly, even though she wasn't quite so sure what she was waiting for. Would she experience laughter from her classmates? Disapproval from the professor? She felt her reply was a semi-decent guess. Not everyone could be brilliant and she was okay with not being so, she just didn't want to be completely moronic.\n\n

11 Kaylie Being attacked by creatures is fun? 43 Kaylie 0 5

O'Leary

October 14, 2006 11:50 PM

It's amusing for me by O'Leary

Drake quirked an eyebrow, careful to keep the suprise out of his face. It was an obvious answer, but one not said. When they had a lecture, the students always seemed to reach for some insightful answer that would change the magical world, but all they needed was the one right in front of him. Yet, here was one of his quietest students that brought forth the answer. Yes, they needed to protect themselves. Now, to see if they could continue along in this thought. Of course, that would require a little more complex thinking.

"Yes, Miss Brockert. To protect one's self," he stated. Then, almost sarcastically to the class, as though it should have been obvious from the beginning, "This is the Defense class, isn't it?"

His gaze shifted beadily across the room, "Now, then, continuing on the idea of protecting one's self. What other creature could produce the same effect as a Pogrebin that one would need to protect against?"\n\n

0 O'Leary It's amusing for me 0 O'Leary 0 5

Lily Collins

October 18, 2006 7:44 PM

That's awfully sadistic...but then I have no room to talk. by Lily Collins

Defense was one of the most interesting classes to Lily. She was fascinated by the dark things they talked about. Not that she wanted to use dark creatures and magic on anyone. Not really. She was smart enough to know that she would probably be caught and punished by the magical law if she was ever to try such means of revenge,(though she liked imagining Earl being decapitated, dismembered, disembowled or any other unpleasant thing beginning with the letter D, or any other letter for that matter). Lily just had rather morbid interests at times. Professor O'Leary wasn't necessarily her favorite teacher though. He was a bit strict for Lily's tastes. He did have his good points though, as he did not seem to play favorites. He seemed to hate them all equally.

Her eyebrows shot up with surprise as her second cousin was called upon. Kaylie never answered in class. To Lily's further amazement, the answer was actually a fairly reasonable one. She couldn't really tell whether O'Leary liked it or not. He always seemed rather grouchy and displeased about everything.

Lily did know the answer to his next question though. It was a creature that she found pretty interesting due to its unfortunate effects on people. A Dementor. Another of those unpleasant D things she liked to imagine happening to Earl. Lily raised her hand, which she rarely did as she didn't like to act like some show-off. Plus she usually just called out her answers but she wasn't going to make the mistake that Stephen and Jenna had.\n\n

11 Lily Collins That's awfully sadistic...but then I have no room to talk. 45 Lily Collins 0 5

O'Leary

October 21, 2006 12:15 AM

Did anyone mention that Sadistic was my middle name? by O'Leary

Again, most of the usuals raised their hands, and again, Drake ignored them. Another caught his eye, Lily Collins, a bright student in his class, but rarely answered questions, or when she did had a habit of calling out. He smirked a little that she had raised her hand. It meant she had a keen eye, a good thing to have in Defense.

He made a mental note to keep an eye on her progress in his class for the next couple years. He thought she might have potential to pursue a career involving Defense. Her answer would determine how right his gut feeling was about Lily. Would she have an insightful answer or would it be something simple, like others would answer?

"Miss Collins?" Drake called.

He turned towards the Pogrebin in the tank so the students would be unable to see the expression on his face for he would be terribly disappointed if she answered incorrectly after placing such hopes on the student.\n\n

0 O'Leary Did anyone mention that Sadistic was my middle name? 0 O'Leary 0 5

Lily

October 23, 2006 11:04 PM

Mine's Amelia by Lily

Lily put her hand down as O'Leary called on her. "A dementor," she replied. "They feed on positive emotions making a person feel like they will never be happy again. The person will also face their most horrible memories. The difference is that being around a Dementor could eventually drive a wizard insane, which is why they are used as prison guards in some places. Pogrebins merely try and kill for food." She finished.

That was possibly the most she'd ever said in this class or in any other. Lily wasn't particularily shy, but she wasn't some goody-goody suck-up. She preferred to primarily sit in the back, mostly pay attention and not act like a know-it-all or show-off. She despised people like that. They (like many other types of people) got on her nerves. Still, Lily found Defense to be the most fascinating class and she just happened to know the answer. She hadn't actually expected to be called on.\n\n

11 Lily Mine's Amelia 45 Lily 0 5

OLeary

November 01, 2006 11:44 AM

And now for more work by OLeary

Drake narrowed his eyes slightly when Lily gave her answer. It was just as he suspected. If she wanted to, he had no doubt that she could have a future in Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"Yes, a dementer, a very foul and loathsome creature. One who serves no other purpose than to feed off of humans and to suck out the soul," he said in a very deep, rhythmic tone. "Unfortunately, it is hard to learn to defend against a dementer, because most of you will only come across one when it is in a desparate situation requiring you to defend yourself or else. This becomes a very difficult indeed when the dementor produces such a depressing feeling and the defense requires a very positive thought."

Drake looked around the room to see what effect his words were producing, hoping that the importance was being obtained.

"The pogrebin, however, produces a similiar, but not as strong, negative emotion, which makes it good practice for defense against a dementor," he continued, "Now, I want everyone to line up for a turn with the pogrebin. I want you to take note of what you feel. Once you get a good sense of the emotion, I want you to first perform Stupefy, which you should already have learned, but I will provide you with a reminder."

"The spell is done like so," Drake waved and jutted his wand, "while stating 'Stupefy!'"

"After producing a capable Stupefy, I want you to try to produce a patronus, like so," Drake pointed his own wand out and yelled, "Expecto Patronum!"

Out of his wand, a bright light formed into the shape of a miniture dragon was produced. After a few moments, the dragon was gone and Drake lowered his wand.

"Remember, when producing your patronus, think of something that gives you a strong positive emotion," he stated, as he moved towards his desk to let the pogrebin out from its barrier. "Line up and begin!"

He moved to the side of the desk to allow the students to practice while he observed their wandwork.\n\n

0 OLeary And now for more work 0 OLeary 0 5

Lily

November 02, 2006 8:23 PM

Re: And now for more work by Lily

Lily settled back in her chair, satisfied with her answer. O'Leary wasn't the type to give praise. Not that it mattered to her. She wasn't one of those suck-ups who wanted the teachers to fawn over her. At least she wasn't wrong and he didn't yell at her for being stupid. Lily might not have been wanting to be a teacher's pet but she didn't care to be humiliated. She still had her pride.

She got in line to face the creature. Once it was her turn, Lily pulled out her wand. It was seven and three quarter inches, ebony with dragon hearstring. She pointed it the pogrebin, " Stupefy ! " Direct hit! Stupefy was a fairly basic spell and Lily had no problem with it whatsoever.

However, now was the more difficult part. Thinking of something happy . Had it been for any other reason, Lily would have found that entirely saccharine, but this was the way this particular defense had to work so she had to do it. She focused hard on something that would make her happy and pictured sending bludgers barreling at Earl's head. Lily scowled when this failed to produce any sort of effect. What could be a happier thing than Earl being hurt? Maybe she wasn't imagining him in enough pain. Lily envisioned sending the bludgers at a place a bit lower on his body and striking him there . Still no patronus.Geez! How much more pain could Lily imagine Earl in? What did she have to do, imagine him being killed? Well, that was worth a shot. She formed a clear vision in her mind of Earl tripping over his own feet while crossing a busy road in Milwaukee and cracking his skull on pavement, with blood dripping out of his skull. Next, she imagined a truck full of toxic waste approaching. The truck tried to stop to avoid hitting the third year Crotalus, but couldn't because its brakes were faulty. Therefore the truck ran over Earl and tipped over, spilling the waste all over him, but it didn't matter because every bone in his body was broken and he was dead. Lily almost laughed out loud. She looked around for the white misty stuff that was a Patronus, but did not see it.

Perhaps Lily was going about this entirely the wrong way. She vaguely recalled reading something that maybe a happy memory would work. She had never actually seen any of that stuff happen to Earl. She tried hard to remember something happy that happened to her. It wasn't easy, Lily had lived a fairly ordinary life. The only thing that came to mind was when she was reunited with her father after about seven years. That seemed trite and sappy but it was the only thing that she could come up with. Lily had been overjoyed to be back with the parent who actually loved her.

A faint bit of whiteness formed, but did not take shape. It stayed for approximately ten seconds before disappearing. Lily stepped aside and let the next person have a turn.\n\n

11 Lily Re: And now for more work 45 Lily 0 5