Sixth Defence Lesson: Protection 1

[Alexander Archer]

((OoC: Posting requirements for this class are only one or two small paragraphs, just so we can keep this moving along please.))

Pushing the wooden door open, his empty classroom was revealed and Alex stepped beyond the doorway and into the muffled silence. He set his satchel down beside the desk that stood at the helm of the room and sighed quietly, looking around at the absense of movement before turning to write on the blackboard. Taking a piece of chalk that was nearly too small to even bother trying to hold, he traced today's topic onto the board before deciding the white chalk was very much on it's last legs and tossing it into the trash can beside his desk. Taking his seat, he glanced at the clock centered on the back wall and knew he was a little early, but assumed students would start arriving soon.

Behind him was displayed the fact that today's lesson, and the next few to come, would be on Protection, Escape and Concealment. He considered each of these things just as, if not more important, than offensive spells, especially in recent times. The better the students of Hogwarts learned to protect themselves in as many ways as possible, the better off they would all be.

D'rorah Philosophy	7th		Dylan Cooper	5th		Benjamin Ellis	4th
Ivy Halliwell	7th		Charlie Williams	5th		Niobe Blakes	4th
Bryan Kelley	6th		Alessandro Darko	5th		Brody McNamara	3rd
Kerridon Paradox	6th		*Keaira O'Connell*	5th		Tommy Bryce	1st
Caitlin Collins	6th		Sam Kelley	5th		Michael Homewood	1st
						Cavan Weiss	1st

((Anyone not on this list is welcome to participate in the class, it just gives me an idea of who to expect before starting))

[D'rorah Philosophy]

D'rorah made her way into the classroom, walking past the rows of desk to the front row. She took her customary seat. [blue]"Good day, Professor,"[/blue] she greeted him politely, nodding her head slightly. [blue]"I should like to speak with you after class if you are available,"[/blue] she added, wanting to make certain she would not be intruding upon his plans if she stayed after.

Out of habit, she was already at work setting out her notes and textbook on the desk before her. Her quill was poised over parchment a few moments later, ready to begin class and ready to work on her notes while they waited for the other students to arrive.

[Dylan Cooper]

His head bowed against the crowd of students moving from one class to the next, Dylan quickly found his way over to the classroom he was destined for. Passing through the doorway, it was a moment before he realised that he was practically alone in a room with D'rorah. Of course, Professor Archer was seated at his desk, but it was still the first time he had seen her since... well. "Hello, Professor," he muttered quietly.

Taking a seat in the second row to the side, a position he deemed far enough away from D'rorah, he kept his head down and eyes averted from her. Slipping a bit of parchment, a quill and a small pottle of ink from his bag, he hoped more students would enter soon.

[Alexander Archer]

Not a few moments passed before, prompt as always, D'rorah Philosophy entered the class. Returning her greeting, he raised his eyebrows slightly in pleasant surprise as she requested to speak with him after the lesson. "Of course, Miss Philosophy," he replied with a small smile as she moved to take her seat.

It was a while after he entered the room that Dylan actually spoke, and Alex returned that greeting with the same fervour he had D'rorah's. "Good day, Mister Cooper," he said, noting that although the boy was normally quiet, he looked more solemn today. Of course, most people did around the castle. Hopefully this and the next few classes would help whoever possible, and the disappearances would at least become fewer.

[Sam Kelley]

It wasn’t often that Sam Kelley walked into class early, but if it was going to happen, such an event would definitely happen in a class like Defense Against the Dark Arts. This class along with Transfiguration and Charms easily commanded 80% of his academic attention, but such things would certainly come as no surprise to those who really knew the boy. Wandwork was where he excelled and that was simply something that he had come to accept. If a class required him to perform a spell, he would love it and achieve stellar marks. Should the class include more than a minimal amount of book work, then he would struggle.

Moving through the doorway of the classroom, Sam realized that he was one of the first to arrive and offered the professor a small nod as he claimed a desk in the back of the classroom. The four textbooks that he carried quickly found their way beneath the desk just before a blank piece of parchment and a quill were laid onto the level surface before him. As always the kelpie mane cored wand lay a single movement away within the flowing black robes that the youth wore.

With his place taken within the room, Sam glanced up to the board briefly before allowing his eyes to touch on those others who occupied the space. Fellow lightfighters, the both of them. D’rorah was familiar as his weapons trainer and the one that had brought him into the order, while Dylan Cooper was a boy of his year that he had never once spoken with. In fact, the only reason that Sam knew of the other boy’s shared alliance with himself could only be attributed to those memories belonging to Caitlin Collins that he had viewed in perfect clarity at the moment of their bonding.

The Gryffindor’s liquid blue eyes did not remain with either of the other students for more than a second before returning to the chalkboard once again. Protection Magic. For a silent few moments Sam contemplated the potential lesson of this class, his agile minding looking back on the recent night when he had accosted the shadow form of D’rorah Philosophy with his dolphin patronus. Fate certainly did have a sense of humor if that charm were the object of their study today.

[Bryan Kelley]

Classes seemed to be what made the days at Hogwarts seem a bit normal. Ever since being drawn into the Light Fighters, Bryan could not say that the days were ever really normal. It wasn’t as if there was constantly battles or training, but it was more the sense of knowing one was a part of the group, that one had to practice to become better and be suspicious of almost everything around them now. Before, Bryan had no knowledge of the Shadow wars and light fighters. He had heard of the dementors and that was really it. He wasn’t really one to get investigating things, however, so his lack of knowledge was never something that too surprising.

However, classes were at least one aspect where normalcy entered their lives again. It reminded them they were only students. Students who were still learning the art of magic. This was a thought that vaguely entered Bryan’s mind as he walked into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. He knew that D’rorah was already present, but a quick glance around showed him his brother and Dylan as present as well. Despite his closeness to his brother, Bryan took his typical seat and pulled out the sketch book from his bag, opening it to a drawing he had been working on previously. The Gryffindor intended to draw until Professor Archer decided to start the lesson.

[Alessandro Darko]

Several days of studying on his own, he finally couldn’t take it anymore. Being a recluse was tougher than being dead. At least he had no choice in the matter of seeing friends and whatnot, but this time he had a choice, and he chose not to. Not because he didn’t want to see them, but because it was hard for him to just pop back up and say “Hey everyone, I’m back.” The circumstances of their lives were much more dire than expected, and he was waiting for the right moment. Now, he felt was that moment, although, he wasn’t completely ready to jump back in and be all friendly and social, he had to make an effort to integrate himself back into the routine life of a Hogwarts student. Defense Against the Dark Arts had always been a favorite class of his, and today, he was going to revel in actually being able to learn again from his professor. Archer was not really a frequent friend in his book, but, he had been generous enough to supply him with backup work, and allow him to return to class when he was ready.

His strides were small, feeling anxiety and nerves wreaking havoc in his mind, he forced himself to do this: Today Alessandro Darko returned to the public eye. He prepared himself to see his allies, his friends, and his classmates, wondering if there would be any new revelations after today, perhaps they had gained some headway after the time he had been gone. Who knew? Dressed in his school uniform, and Ravenclaw robes, he picked up the pace as he knew he would not be the first in this time, as it was already almost five till class started. He imagined that he would see D’rorah and Dylan already seated in the front row, as the three of them usually stole the “good seats” before the rest of the students showed up, and then at that thought, he wondered what he would naturally do. Would he sit next to them? Or would that cause too much of a stir for him on his first real day back in class? As he approached the door to the D.A.D.A classroom, he took a quick rifle through his bag, ensuring he had all the necessary tools for the session. Wand, books, and what he had completed of the back-up work, which mostly consisted of parchment essays, and homework.

Pushing open the door, he entered.

Already he recognized the faces he anticipated on seeing. Dee was the one seated in the first row exclusively, however, Dyl appeared to have chosen a seat in the second row. Bryan and his brother Sam were present as well, seated more towards the back. Honestly, how anyone expected to learn NOT seated in the front row was beyond him. It struck him as odd to see Dylan and D'rorah not seated next to each other, and marked that in his mind to inquire about when given the chance. He had paused momentarily after he passed the threshold, taking a hard swallow as he spied a seat in the first row at the very end, he walked up to the professor’s desk, and pulled out the several pieces of parchment make-up work, laying them gingerly on Archer’s desk.

“Hello Professor Archer. I’ve completed what I could from the make-ups.” He said adjusting his strap over his shoulder. “I feel like I’m ready to be back in the swing of things, rather than being cooped up in the library or the dorms. Hope that’s alright with you.” He said softly as he acknowledged his teacher and then took his desired seat, far right against the wall, first row. On his way there, he passed D’rorah and shot a glance at Dylan, giving them a small nod, barely meeting their eyes. Immediately after sitting down, he pulled out parchment and a quill, laying it down over the desk and then folding his hands over the surface, his attention strictly toward the front of the classroom.

There would be time for catch-up with them later. In class was not the time. He was sure that soon, there would be a gathering for all the Lightfighters, and then he would explain what he had learned during his time “away”.

[Niobe Blakes]

The class was a mix of all students, to which Niobe found herself a bit nervous about. She only really recgonized a few students, but it seemed as if she were the youngest there.

Niobe loved classes, she loved studying and learning new subjects. This class in particular would prepare her for what she was aiming to become when she left Hogwarts, an Auror. She felt she was somewhat suited to that particular field and DADA was a requirement.

Realizing she was not the first one in class she said a polite "Good Morning" to the professor before taking a seat in the front row opposite of D'rorah and pulling out the items needed for the day.

She found herself in a bit of good spirits, Protection magic was something she knew a bit about, she hoped her bit of knowledge would be enough.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted D'rorah who seemed quite involved in her notes, as usual. Smiling a bit to herself, Niobe had to admit that she did greatly admire the older Ravenclaw. She definitely hoped when she became an Auror she'd be as confident and strong as the older girl.

[D'rorah Philosophy]

D'rorah nodded with a slight smile of thanks as Professor Archer indicated he would be available to speak with her after class. She knew it would be wise to plan ahead. And she knew she needed to find some way of remaining at Hogwarts for the coming year in order to be with the other Lightfighters. Given her experience with Defense and the Dark Arts themselves, attempting to stay on as a teaching assistant for Archer made the most sense to her of any course she might take. With him vouching for her, perhaps Caira might be swayed to allow her to remain behind. It would make sense... Caira, and thus the Mage, would be able to monitor her activities far more easily if she remained at Hogwarts than if she left. That didn't matter though, she knew she needed to remain close to the Lightfighters in the coming year... until this war was finally over.

It was only a moment later that she heard another student enter the room and Dylan's mumbled greeting to the Professor. She hadn't seen him in quite some time... and that was something she was thankful for, as all of their encounters of late seemed to end in some sort of substantial damage to D'rorah. She didn't look up or acknowledge him, hoping that her quiet ignorance might earn her a reprieve from whatever new cruel torment he had dreamed up since last they met.

Her quill was already quietly moving across parchment as other students entered the room. She did not look up as either Bryan or Sam entered the room, already absorbed in her notes. However, her concentration was broken by the voice of Alessandro Darko as he entered, and she looked up for a moment. She had heard rumors that he had returned to the school, but had not yet encountered him in her movements and had begun to think it was nothing more than a silly rumor. Apparently, he had somehow managed to come back from the dead... and she worried for that he might not actually be the Elemental Master of Fire who apparently stood in the classroom with her. She returned his brief nod, her eyes searching him suspiciously for a moment before returning to her notes. There would be time later to question him... obviously now was not that time.

She had already thoroughly re-immersed herself in her notes when Niobe entered the classroom, her thoughts racing between the material she was reading and the reappearance of Alessandro Darko effectively blocked out the rest of the classroom as her quill continued to scratch against parchment.

[Caitlin Collins]

Having bonded with Sam not long ago, Caity wasn't entirely sure what to make of the whole thing. She was by this point well aware that transforming into shadow form was right up near the top of a list of the stupidest things she had even done and had no intentions to do such a thing again, however nice it had felt. She had no plans for corruption just yet. Pondering this with no real thought as she headed to class, she entered the room and glanced over the occupants already there idly, wondering whether to sit next to Sam, or on her own, or maybe with Alessandro... wait. Alessandro?

Her eyes widened as she finally took in the other boy's presence in the classroom. There were none of the customary flames that had marked her visions before when she had seen him on occasion, and he was in full human form – in fact, he looked rather normal. The other people in the room now filtered out and her attention solely on him, she took a tentative step forward, then a few more, and eventually sat down in the seat next to him. She was just aware that she couldn't really question him now, but wanted to be sure she wasn't imagining things again. Of course, if she was then the whole class would wonder what she was doing talking to an empty chair. [yellow]"Alessandro...?"[/yellow] she questioned quietly, still not quite believing he was there. Despite her idea that he might not be dead, it was still a shock seeming him there, sitting in class in such... normalcy.

[Alexander Archer]

He returned the first Mr Kelley's nod with a small smile and a "Good day, Mister Kelley," before noticing his brother, too, enter the room. The first of the boys had offered only a small nod of greeting, but the second failed to produce one at all. Regardless, Alex still sent him a happy greeting as he took his seat and pulled some items out onto his desk.

Barely a moment or two passed before the next student passed beneath the doorframe of the classroom, and this time he found himself slightly surprised but glad nonetheless. "Mister Darko, welcome back to class," he said jovially, even as the Ravenclaw student produced the make-up work that he himself had provided the boy with earlier in the week. "Excellent, excellent, have a seat," he said, glad he would re-continue taking classes with the rest of the school as a whole. His return to school life had undoubtedly been barely more than a shadow so far, and Alex took it as nothing less than a positive sign that he was beginning to re-integrate.

As yet another Ravenclaw student entered the classroom, he received a polite "Good morning," and returned it with a smile. "Hello, Miss Blakes, how are you?" he said as she took her seat in the front row, rather close to D'rorah who was studiously working away at her notes, which he could only assumed had to do with his class. "Ah, and good day, Miss Collins," he said to her back. She seemed to initially be focusing on Alessandro, and currently had offered no cordial greeting that was so customary upon entered a class.

[Kerridon Paradox]

Absorbed in translating a book in the library, Kerridon was aware that class was coming up but did not want to leave mid-chapter due to all the interlinking themes that were involved in this passage. It really was a very complicated piece, considering it had been written by a man who had only learnt to write at all a few years prior to this book. Finally reaching the end of the chapter, he quickly rose and put it safely in his bag, leaving the library and heading to Defence class.

Upon entering through the door, he gave a quick greeting to the man standing at the front of the class. [blue]"Good morning, professor,"[/blue] he said politely, heading to the back of the class and seemingly paying no attention to anyone else in the room. He saw no problem with being at the back – you could see everyone else in the classroom, whether they were paying attention or talking among themselves, and it was still quite easy to hear the professor talk and issue instructions. Settling himself down, he waited for the lesson to start.

[Tommy Bryce]

Heading towards the defence classroom, Tommy pulled the heavy bag sliding off his shoulder higher up in an attempt to keep it there rather than sliding to the floor again. He had come to the conclusion quite quickly that taking out all those books on astronomy at once had not been a good idea, going by how much they weighed him down. He should at least have waited until he had time to take them up to his dormitory and dispose of them rather than having to lug them to lessons.

Entering, Tommy found himself a little intimidated at the definite lack of younger students in the class. The youngest person he could see there so far was a Ravenclaw – and they always seemed to have their noses stuck in books from what he had seen so he doubted she would be particularly receptive to having a small Gryffindor interrupt that. Plus, even if she was the youngest he could see, she was most definitely still huge compared to him. Not wanting to travel too far across the classroom due to the heaviness of his bag, he took a few steps and eventually settled in a seat in the second row from the front, smiling tentatively at the professor but offering no greeting. What if the professor wanted silence in his classes? He didn't want to interrupt that.

[Benjamin Ellis]

Having been lying outside on the grass by the lake and just watching clouds go by, Ben had at some point let his eyes slip closed and drifted off to sleep. The gentle wind rolling over him like a blanket and the soft mattress of grass had been particularly helpful in ensuring he caught up on the sleep he had missed last night while talking to one of his housemates in the common room. The boy had been quite upset for some reason, and after some coaxing – and after the rest of the house had gone up to sleep – he eventually managed to get out the reason that his grandfather was in hospital and there was little hope that he would come out again.

It was a raindrop that woke him up – falling right on his nose, the boy's eyes flashed open to see a rather large, dark grey cloud right above him just as another fell onto his cheek. Blinking as he awoke, Ben scrambled to his feet, grabbed his bag and set off at a run for the castle doors. He knew exactly where he needed to be, and as he ran he took a quick glance at his watch, which told him he was okay for time – very fortunate the clouds had arrived at that time. Hurrying up the stairs, Ben slowed his pace a moment before stepping into the classroom. [red]"Morning professor,"[/red] he said with a bright smile, walking further into the class and taking a seat next to the Ravenclaw boy in the second row he vaguely knew as Dylan, who looked a little introverted right now. [red]"Hello,"[/red] he greeted the older boy with another smile that gave no sign that five minutes ago he had been asleep.

[Brody McNamara]

As far as classes went Brody had four classes he absolutely adored-Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, and the one he was headed toward now-DADA. When he got there, he felt a bit odd as always since he really wasn't all that friendly with anyone in the class. There weren't any in there currently either that were on his bad side, so overall he supposed, it could be a lot worse. However, he still wished he was more friendly with more people. At Dollar Academy he had maybe only three true friends and that had not been all that fun. Hogwarts it had gotten a lot better, but he was still far from being popular.

On his way to class he had his nose in a book he had gotten from the Library on Elemental Magic simply because it was a topic that greatly interested him and was something is Lobdale ancestors had known a lot about. The main reason for reading it as he walked down the corridors again led back to his ultimate goal-he felt that if he could show his grandparents he had great admiration and respect for Elemental Magic, it might give him an advantage when the decision had to be made as to who was going to be the next heir.

Along the way, nothing significant happened and he was happy to see he wasn't late and hadn't missed much, if any of the latest DADA lesson-after all it was supposed to be on protection and Odin knows he was always wanting to know about protection to protect his family. When he got there he nodded to the other students there and greeted the professor as he got his notes and quills out and put the book he was reading back into his knapsack:

"Good day sir."