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 Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 3:12 pm
The Room After going into what should be the Defense Against the Dark Arts room, you are confronted with a small circular room, with doors leading into three other rooms, circular as well, but much larger. In fact, the rooms are too large to fit the smaller rectangular room that should be there instead, but through magic, the much needed space for students was given.
The doors in the entry room are marked with numbers, from one to three. You step through the first door. The room inside has portraits of wizards and monsters all around the walls, with the exception of where the windows are located and where the pen is as well, to the left of the door.
The pen is a large cage with enchanted bars going from the floor to the ceiling. A rail around it marks where the wards are, to prevent anyone getting too close to the creatures that are usually inside.
Opposite to the pen lies a small potion making lab, with various vials and cauldrons. There is a locked cabinet here, with ingredients and strange artifacts. It seems to be heavily warded against intrusion.
A few chairs and desks are scattered in the middle of the room, leaving the space on the far side across from the door, clear for the students to practice.
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Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:41 pm
First Lesson Already waiting inside the room, Owen was browsing through a green clad book he had on top of his desk. He didn't pay much attention to the students trickling came in, instead preferring to continue reading until he felt that enough had arrived. It was then he slammed his book on the desk to gain their attention and stood up speaking.
"Good afternoon class, I am Professor Owen Avery-York, and I will be your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
First off, I’d like to clarify a few things about this class. I will not teach you dark arts, but solely the means one can use to defend against them. I’m certain some of you thought that was what this class was about, but you are wrong. You will learn protection spells and counter-spells. You will learn about dark creatures and what to do if you come face to face with one. You will learn how to brew effective antidotes to help others. And ultimately, should it come to that, how to do battle and survive. That is the purpose of this class.
Second, I’d like to explain to you what exactly the Dark Arts are. While some magic is particularly good, such as the patronus spell, or evil like the most curses. The vast majority of it is neutral, and so, being evil alone doesn’t make it a dark art.
The most common thing you’ll have to deal with is Dark Magic, spells that have a physical effect besides the magic. Most notably these are curses that hurt, tamper with people minds or ultimately… Kill.
The difference lies in the intent of the wizard or witch that wields it. That so, even should a person cast an unforgivable curse, it doesn’t mean he or she is using the dark arts. It all comes down to the true and genuine intentions of the caster.
That is a difficult distinction to make at times. To distinguish when what someone is doing is acceptable, or is using the dark arts. Understanding this is of key importance for witches and wizards. Especially ones so young like you. By the time you leave this school, it is my hope that you’ve become able to tell the difference. But for now, it’s still not your job to do so yet.
One more thing before we continue with the class. To be prepared against the dark arts, it is vital that one is in top mental and physical shape. That means lots of reading and exercise. I strongly suggest you do both as some of my evaluations will test both of those abilities. Well then, let’s get on with the class."
Turning to the black board, the Professor started talking, writing and sometimes drawing things. Using up the first half of the class, he spoke about dark detectors for the first years, about creatures and demons to the second years and finally various spells of interest to the third year students.
"Now then" He finally said at the beginning of the second part. "These are the things you will use to practice" he said, waving towards his table now full of objects.
"The First Years, will take a secrecy sensor. It can detect lies as I have told you and even though they can be fooled, they are still very useful if someone doesn't know there's one around. Whenever it detects a wrong it will vibrate this little antennas. They are not very sensitive so they will not pick up anything from more than 5 feet, or around 1 meter away.
You will work in pairs, or alone. Telling lies or truths to see how it reacts to what you are saying."
He then moved on to the other objects, colour shifting rocks.
"The Third Years will use these rocks. As you can see, their colours keep shifting, so you will have to stop them. You'll have to use the Finite Incantatem spell - the correct pronunciation is written on the board."
Then, he finally went behind his desk and picked up a box full of Grindylows. They were small, knee length and didn't seem particularly distressed at their situation.
"The second years get to play with these. They are not real Grindylows, they're made of wood, enchanted to behave and look like the real ones. Minus the viciousness and being much smaller. There is a real one in the pen - which is now an aquarium - for you to see. I want you to take them, play with them and study them." He set the box down and the little wooden demons free.
"Well, get to it! As this is the first lesson, I will not demand homework, but expect it on the next one. As for now, I'll be going around the room helping where needed. Feel free to call me." Information: Device - Secrecy SensorThis sensor resembles a collection of old-fashioned television aerials. It vibrates when it picks up lies.
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Creature - Grindylow
A grindylow is a pale green creature that lives in the weed beds on the bottom of lakes in Britain. It is also known as a water demon. Grindylows have long, brittle fingers which they use to grip their prey, sharp little horns, and green teeth.
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Spell - Finite Incantatem
Finite Incantatem (fi-NEE-tay in-can-TAH-tum)
"finio" L. settle, end, die + "incantationem" L. the art of enchanting
Stops currently operating spell effects. This lesson will end October 15th.
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 8:17 am
Naida seemed to be the first to arrive, which was no surprise to her. She had been very much looking forward to this class. She settled down and soon other students sifted in taking their seats.
Naida jumped and scrambled for her notebook and quill that were already sitting on her desk when her Professor slammed his book upon the table. The effect was quite outrageous though, because she paid acute attention to the whole lesson and took quite a few notes - even on things her grade wasn't covering. In fact, she was very much disappointed that she wasn't getting to play with the fake Grindylows. Compared to them, the secrecy sensor was a complete bore.
She sat the secrecy sensor on the desk and watched it carefully for a bit while it did nothing. Then she said "my name is Naida Strauss" and watched it still do nothing. And then stated "my name is Kiandra Strauss" and watched the little tongs buzz. As useful as this could be in certian circumstances, it somehow didn't strike her as fool proof, surely there was a way to out smart them... she would look that up later...
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 7:03 am
Kinzo walked into the classroom, surprised to see how empty it was, as of yet. She sat down at a desk and pulled out her wand, some quills, ink, and parchment. After this, she peered around the classroom looking at the various points of interest. During these observances she noticed the only other student there, a first year. Isn't she a Slytherin? Kinzo thought back to the sorting; yes, she was fairly cetain that this girl was in her house.
Kinzo jumped; the teacher had just slammed his book shut, catching her attention quite throughly. She listened to the professor and took some simple notes upon the subject. Finite Incantatem, eh? She had read about the spell, so she hoped it wouldn't be too difficult. The witch picked up one of the rocks, wondering what the professor had used to enchant them in the first place. Ah well, I ought to get started. Kinzo picked up her wand and quietly said the spell. The rock continued fluttering between the various shades. "Finite incantatem," she said, a little louder than before. The stone did not change, again. She continued to practice as other students began to fill the room.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 8:55 am
Red hurried into the classroom and sat down at a desk. The room wasn't exactly full yet, which was a bit surprising to her, as DADA was a popular subject. Taking out her wand, quill, ink, and parchment, she began to copy notes speedily, pausing only to examine the grindylow.
When the Professor stopped talking, she scooped up a wooden specimen and turned it 'round and 'round, observing its features. She grimaced as she compared the wooden one to the real one in the tank.
Well, at least they're interesting, if ugly.
Red started sketching the creature on parchment, gigggling when it tried to gnaw on her desk. "Oi, stop that." She prodded it gently with the tip of her quill.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 12:32 pm
Lorako went quickly in the classroom, it would be such a disaster if she was late for the first lesson. She sat beside one of the girl she saw when she was in the Hogwart train. "Hello" she said with a low voice, afraid the girl not recognized her.
Then she took out her wand, ink and parchment. The professor was amazing, she already loved this lesson. She noted everything he said and took a look at everything he spoke about, she never saw grindylow before. She thought she will search about it in the library after.
She took a secrecy sensor and tried it like the girl on her side. "I'm Lorako Riviere" the things to made a move. A lie, she didn't like it, she learned lies were not a good things, but well it was what the professor asked for. "My hair color is not natural" the things which looked like a muggle television did a little move, the antennas were vibrating.
She smiled, at least she was sure now her color was natural.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 4:07 pm
Celeste walked into the classroom with a bright smile on her face and sat down at a desk in the middle of the room. Rather than nervous, as she had been the night before, she was extremely excited. Glancing around the room, she was somewhat disappointed to see so few familiar faces. Shrugging it off, she took out a composition book and a ballpoint pen, and began twisting one of her pigtails boredly around her finger.
After listening intently to Professor Avery-York's lecture, she went to get a secrecy sensor, although this was done rather reluctantly as her interest had been piqued by the Grindylows. Placing the weird device on the desk in front of her, she frowned. What should she say? It seemed rather boring to simply tell it who she was. "The sky is blue," she said, grinning when the device began to vibrate. "The sky... appears to be blue," she said, and the aerial-like gadget settled down. "Gee, they make these things smart. Hmmm... My bologna has a first name-" At this, the apparatus began vibrating so hard that she could feel the desk beginning to vibrate as well. "Aunt Moira is an old cow." The Secrecy Sensor stopped vibrating immediately, causing Celeste to giggle.
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Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 4:23 pm
Orchidia slides in, and takes her seat, biting her lip. She listens, scribbling notes as she goes, to what the Professor says, her eyes big. When he finally finishes lecturing, she nods, and looks around, trying to find a partner to work with. "Some one want to share a Secrecy Sensor with me? We can work together, I bet it'd go faster...?"
She looks around again, hoping for a response, chewing gently on her lip. She really did want a partner, these things were much funner with some one, and there was the chance that you'd make a friend this way...
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Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 3:43 am
Lorako heard the girl asked for a partner. "I would be happy to share with you if you want." she replied gently.
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Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 4:23 pm
Sira had entered the room and listened to the professor's directions quietly and attentively.
She realized that this class would probably be a bit more different from what she expected at first, but that didn't get her any less interested.
A lie detector, hm? It would be fun to put it to the test.
As she picked a secrecy sensor and placed it in front of her, in her desk, she stared at it and thought for a while.
"I was sorted into Ravenclaw", she said, and as no vibration was felt, she thought to herself "Well, this wasn't very creative..."
So, she gave it another try.
"I am soooo loooonely". Sira jokingly dragged her vowels, trying to make it vibrate. And yet it didn't.
"Oh, come on", she muttered, as she poked it. "I'm not. "
After a few seconds of silence, she said: "I am actually a troll in disguise, although quite diminute, and my natural hair color is hot pink."
The sensor immediatly began to vibrate.
"Ok, so it's not broken", she thought. "Even if I had to come up with something quite farfetched."
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Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:39 am
Kiandra walked into the classroom and sat down next to her sister. As she took out her textbook, quill and some parchment she listned carefully to what the professor was saying. Every now and then she'd write down the things she thought were important.
Once the teacher left them to do their work, she turned towards her twin "Want to be partners?" she asked and tilted her head slightly.
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Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:31 am
"Sure" Naida said back to her sister, not minding one way or another. "But this thing is kinda boring..."
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Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:36 pm
Sneaking into the classroom a mere two minutes late, Elizabeth sighed as she quickly scanned the room for an open seat before sliding silently into a chair next to a very bubbly brown-haired first year she could have sworn she'd seen once before. Her attention was quickly drawn to the board however, and she immersed herself in the Professor's lecture, taking down extensively detailed notes.
Sighing as she heard her assignment, Elizabeth's shoulders drooped. 'What's the point of studying an imitation creature that lacks some of the notable qualities of the thing it's masquerading as? I guess this Professor isn't very confident in their ability to handle them...'
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Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:54 pm
When the grindylow wouldn't stop chewing on the wood, she brandished her wand and started banging away at the little creature with it. "Idiot thing..." Red muttered, staring at the imitation grindylow. Poked away from its "food", it started to pick on her parchment instead. "Weird..."
Shrugging, she finished up her sketch and began to label its different body parts.
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:32 pm
Frowning at the little wooden Grindylow, Elizabeth poked its stomach with her quill. It bared it's teeth at her, but did nothing else which was rather disappointing. She reluctantly began to sketch the water creature, she could always look up some more useful information at the library if she was so inclined.
However, she was soon distracted from her task by the younger student next to her, who appeared to find something she had told the Secrecy Sensor she was working with quite amusing. Suddenly, it hit Elizabeth. "You're that girl from the platform!" She exclaimed, laughing. "I believe that was my cousin you ran over."
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Interrupted by the girl she hadn't even realized had sat next to her, Celeste blushed. "R-ran into? Platform... Oh." She buried her face in her hands as it came back to her. So much had happened since then that she had nearly forgotten. "Sorry about that..." she continued, her response somewhat muffled.
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Still grinning, Elizabeth waved it off. "Don't worry about it. To be honest, I was considering doing it myself, so technically I should be thanking you." She turned, leaning one elbow on her desk as she took a closer look at Celeste's face. "I'm Elizabeth Swanson, by the way. Second year Slytherin." She held out her hand.
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Meekly, Celeste took Elizabeth's hand and shook it. She replied, "Nice to meet you. And I really am sorry... I'm Celeste Maguire, and I'm in Gryffindor, first year."
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