Lessons and Assignments

The Headmistress looked up from her desk and at the clock as the students filed into her classroom. She waited until the clock struck 9 o-clock exactly.

"Welcome to your first Defense Against the Dark Arts class , I will teach this class until another teacher can be found, Now since this is our first lesson I am going to start with something easy" she said as flicked her wand at a peice of chalk, it wrote a name on the bored, a name she was certain many of them would know of.

Harry Potter

"And for those of you itching for spell work, we might get to the Expelliarmus charm before then end of class. But first lets go over the life of one of the most famus wizards in history." she said as she stood infront of the class looking at every single student.

"The Potters are an old, wealthy pure-blood family, though Harry himself is a half-blood, as his mother was a Muggle-born witch. The Potters descend from the Peverell family, an ancient wizarding line, through Ignotus Peverell, who passed an Invisibility Cloak on to his descendants. The Gaunts, descendants of Salazar Slytherin, also descend from the Peverells, through Ignotus's brother Cadmus, who passed on the Resurrection Stone in the family heirloom of a signet ring. Thus, Harry Potter and Tom Marvolo Riddle are very distant relatives.

Harry James Potter was born on July 31, 1980, to James and Lily Potter, who were members of the Order of the Phoenix during the height of the First Wizarding War. From birth, he lived in hiding with his parents after Lord Voldemort marked them for death. They lived in the town of Godric's Hollow in a home put under the Fidelius Charm to keep them hidden. As part of the charm, they had planned to make their Secret-Keeper Sirius Black, however they changed this designation to Peter Pettigrew, as they thought he would be less suspicious. But as fate would have it, Peter Pettigrew was a spy for Voldemort. He gave the Potter's location away, Which of course resulted in James and Lily Potter deaths.

It happened on the evening of October 31st, 1981, Voldemort arrived at Godric's Hollow and murdered Harry's parents.

It was Lily Potter's sacrifice,who died protecting Harry that prevented the Avada Kedavra curse from working. Her love for Harry became a barrier protecting her son; when Voldemort attempted the curse on the child, it backfired, and instead of killing Harry, Voldemort lost all of his power and his physical form for 13 years. "

Kiara stopped for a moment and flicked her wand at a pile of news papers making them float to the students desks.

"This news article was printed only hours after the event that took place at Godric's Hollow. The main title is "The boy-who-lived", after this paper's release Harry Potter, who as only a year old at the time, was made the most famous wizard of our age. And for good reason to, Harry is the only known survivor of the killing curse and the only one to have lived through an attack carried out by Voldemort. Because of the death of his parents and the imprisonment of his framed Godfather Sirius Black, Harry was sent to live with his muggle Aunt and Uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley.

The Dursleys considered themselves a "proper" family and hated anything out of the ordinary. They lied to Harry about his parents, claiming they had perished in a car wreck and that James was an unemployed drunkard. They resented Harry for his magical talents, which were sporadic, but evident. For instance, after Petunia had sheared off all his messy hair in fury that it would not lay flat, it had grown back to its untouched state by the next morning. Harry was punished, even though he hadn't done anything on purpose.

There were two benefits to Harry's virtual imprisonment at the Dursley's home. First, Harry's neighbor, Arabella Figg, was a Squib working undercover for the Order of the Phoenix to keep tabs on Harry's well-being (however, to maintain favour with the Dursleys, she was forced to mistreat him whenever they sent him to her). And second, Albus Dumbledore put a spell on the Dursley home to keep the inhabitants concealed from Voldemort and the forces of Darkness. However, this spell would be broken when Harry turned 17 years old, or whenever he no longer called Privet Drive his home.

After Harry turned 11, he was finally given his letter from Hogwarts by Rubeus Hagrid, who was also the person who told him he was a wizard."

Kiara stopped, looked up at time and hung her head.

"Oh dear it seems we have ran short on time, We will continue with Harry Potter and go over the Expelliarmus charm next Class. If you are eager to earn some house point for you house Here is the homework assignment" she said as she quickly wrote 5 questions on the bored.

(Just PM me the answers in the order they are asked please, also no need to answer in full Sentences, just the answer will do)

1) What family are the Potter's and Gaunts descended from? (2 points)

2)What charm was placed on the Potter's home in an effort to keep it hidden? (2 points)

3) What acted as a sheild that prevented the killing curse from killing Harry Potter?(2 points)

4)For how many years was Voldemort with out his body and powers? (2 points)

5)What are the 2 reasons the protections around the Dursley residence would fail? (2 points)

Due March 30th

Good luck everyone!

Kiara ran in to class slightly out of breath.

"Sorry I am late class, There was a emergency yesterday which casued me to over sleep this morning. Now so no more time is wasted, we do have alot to go over today so I suggest you take notes. Where were we last class? Of yes we left of with Harry Potter first starting his magical education.

Harry Potter was further guided by destiny when he met his lifelong friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger while riding the Hogwarts Express. It was in their first year at hogwarts that Harry and his friends first encountered Voldemort. Who at the time was living of another human being, Quirinus Quirrell, who was the defence against the Dark arts teacher for that year. It was also that same year that the Philosopher's Stone was being held in hogwarts, on the third floor. The stone was a praticaular interest to Voldemort, because it produced the elixir of life and would enable him to regain his own body back. To make Voldemort never got the stone Harry and his friends went down the third floor corridor to stop him. They of course had to pass through a number of obsticales to get to way they wanted to go.

In fact for those of taking potions the riddle Professor Viper has on the board was actually one of the tests Harry and his friends had to pass, and no for those of you wondering I am not going to tell you the answer to it, you guys can figure it..

Anyway Voldemort was thwarted by Harry, with great help from Ron and Hermione. As for the stone it was detroyed not long after, as it was concidered to much danger then it was worth.

Now I could sit here and talk about each one Of Harry Potter years at hogwarts in great detail, but we don't have that kind of time. But it is safe to say Harry Potter battled against the dark arts every year, some more so then others however, particulaly when Voldemort returned to power the 2nd time. It here Harry actaully started his fight against Voldemort wand to wand. He used Expelliarmus the disarming spell.

The Disarming Charm is a defensive spell that aims to disarm an opponent, causing the individual's weapon, usually a wand, to fly out of his or her hand. It has been known to knock an opponent backwards in some cases.

The charm's incantation is Expelliarmus.

Alright everyone wands out and get a partner. Come on, on your feet.

One of you will be the caster and other will be the "Victim".

Now casters aim your wand at your opponets wand arm and with a flick of a wrist say Expelliarmus.

When you are done the homework assignment is on the board and I do ask all of you attend the Dueling club coming up soon, It will help you a great deal in this class.

Now the homework is on the board, now get to work"

1) What was it that Voldemort sought to regain his body in Harry's first year?
2) Related to answer above where was it hidden?
3) Still related to the answer in question 1, True or false It was detroyed.
4) What does Expelliarmus do?
5) What is the wand movment?

Due April 18th

Ana grinned as she successfully cast the spell.
That was new, being advised to join a duelling club. New, but not unwelcome! Ana resolved to sign up as soon as possible, particularly looking forward to the inevitable teacher demo.
It was always funny to watch teachers duelling...

Sevastyan had arrived a few minutes early to his class and had just finished scrawling his name upon the blackboard as the students filed in. The noise of locomotion and chatter almost entirely drowned out the occasional loud thudding from a locked writing desk at the back of the classroom. Seeing as how he had been listening to the same sound for the greater part of an hour yesterday while making certain the boggart was contained and going about other general preparations, Sevastyan could pinpoint the noise precisely. Just like his office, the Russian professor found the classroom in which he was to be teaching to be incredibly lavish compared to Durmstrang’s spartan way of life.

When the bell rang to signal the start of class and all the students that seemed to be attending were present, Sevastyan placed the scroll of parchment used to record attendance aside and stood from his chair, arms clasped to each other behind his back. He walked around the birch desk somewhat stiffly to address the students. Surveying them with neutral gray eyes, Sevastyan cleared his throat loudly for to dissipate the last few whispers.

“Добро пожаловать. к обороне против темного типа искусств,” his voice boomed and echoed around the room. The confused faces initially baffled him, until he’d replayed what he’d just said in his mind. Russian, not English; the vice versa was expected. Sevastyan heaved a slight sigh of irritation. Russian was just easier for him, sometimes. “Velcome,” his accent warped the greeting, “to Defense Against the Dark Arts class. My name is Professor Sevastyan Kaminski, and I vill be taking over this position as appointed by the Headmistress.” His statement was punctuated by a loud THUD from the back of the room.

Sevastyan gestured in that same general direction and continued his speech. “As you see, ve have a special guest vith us today. Can anyvone tell me, for five House points... vot a boggart looks like ven it is not attempting to ensnare a victim?” It was almost a personal custom of his to provide a small ‘mini-quiz’ of sorts before the actual lecture portion began.

Amy raised her hand,

"No body knows, as the boggert is a shape shifter they take shape of what ever that person fears the most. They hide in dark corners and places, so the real form is not known by many, if any at all"

"Very good, Miss Avalon. Five points to Slytherin," Sevastyan nodded.

"As Miss Avalon has already explained, boggarts are shape-shifting creatures vith the ability to take any form it vishes. And because it takes a shape the moment a potential source of fear is vithin range, it is next to impossible to determine vot they look like ven on their own. It is rare - if not unheard of - for boggarts to stalk their prey in groups, though several boggarts could live in the same general vicinity. Take Hogvarts for example: I found this boggart in a cabinet on the fifth floor, though that does not mean it is the only boggart in the area. Also provided by Miss Avalon, the boggart prefers a confined, dark space: vardrobes ((wardrobes)), desks, cabinets - even the basement or attic of a house are likely places for them to reside.

"Some that debate how Dark Creatures are classified may take the stance vere boggarts feed on the fears of their victims because it is how they survive, and hence they cannot be blamed for a predatory nature. This is not the case, however. A Dark Creature earns its category by adhering to three basic guidelines," Sevastyan began the lecture. Withdrawing his wand, he cast a spell on a piece of chalk to do approximately the same job as a Quick Quotes Quill.

"One: Most Dark Creatures vere born or created from magic, and have an inherent magical nature.

"Two: They have an abnormal pattern of living, and are sometimes instead a living extension of sinister intentions.

"And Three: Harm to their victims is actively sought, as opposed to predatory or defensive instincts, vithout reason." Once the chalk had finished its task it dropped with a quiet click to where it had been before being summoned to task.

"The feeding on emotions is not the same as, say, a manticore's dietary preference. And since boggarts vould have no problems vith stalking source after source for the fear they subsist on, it is clear that this mechanism is not in either vay meant for a mundane existence.

"Vith all of this stated, boggarts are universally common creatures. Surprisingly, even Muggle children can become avare of their existence even if they can't entirely explain it. However, vere Muggles decide to attempt to be rid of boggarts through relocation, ve have a simple spell for vich ve can deal vith the problem readily. It is called the Boggart Banishing Spell, or 'Riddikulus,' from the Latin vord 'ridiculum,' vich simply translates as 'a joke'. It is further ultimately derived from yet another Latin vord - 'ridere' - vich means 'to laugh'.

"Needless to say, the opposite of fear is laughter. The boggart cannot tolerate its victim being amused rather than afraid, and vith enough laughter it vill get so confused and flustered that it disburses in a mild explosion." Sevastyan paused there, striding between a row of students toward the back of the classroom to where the writing desk stood fidgeting every once in a while with a dull scrape across the marble flooring.

Resting his left arm on the writing desk and gazing at the students to make sure he still had their attention, he continued. "The method of using the Riddikulus spell is relatively simple, though ven faced with our greatest fears it does have the potential to become qvite useless. Ideally it is best to be prepared for a boggart attack, but unfortunately most real-life situations are anything but pre-planned. Vot one must do ven using the Riddikulus spell is to anticipate vot form the boggart vill take, and come up vith vays to make this fear laughable: mentally imagine a giant insect performing a Cossack dance vile vearing a clown outfit - or even your archenemy in an outfit you know they vould not be caught dead in.

"So, for today's practical exercise, let us first practice the spell - Riddikulus - vithout vands. Make sure the 'kyoo' syllable is highly stressed: ree-dih-KYOO-lus. Ven you are ready, and have envisioned your greatest fear being turned into something of great amusement..." he paused again to step away from the writing desk, "...form a line in front of me and each of you shall have a shot at him. You do not all have to face the boggart if you do not vish to. Regardless of vich vay you choose, be sure to copy down today's homevork before you are dismissed."

Sevastyan waited a few minutes for the students to form an orderly line before unlocking the writing desk from a decent distance and using a further spell to open the fold-down desk the rest of the way, unleashing the boggart specimen from its prison...


Homework
1. True or False: The boggart is notorious for stalking its prey in groups. (2 points)
2. Name at least one condition the Ministry of Magic uses to classify certain creatures as being inherently Dark that can be applied to the boggart. (2 points)
3. The Riddikulus spell was ultimately derived from which Latin word? (2 points)
4. Describe the mental preparation one must take before casting the Riddikulus spell. (2 points)
5. Name three objects or places where you would be most likely to encounter a boggart in the setting of a household. (2 points)

Extra Credit
Analyze Your Fears - Examine what form the boggart took or would have taken in class, and explain the reason why you believe this form frightens you. How might knowing more about your fear prepare you for future boggart attacks? (10 points)


[PM homework and extra credit to me, both of which are due May 22. And by all means feel free to role-play! ^_^]

Ana groaned inwardly.
Vaights weren't meant to show fear, ever. But now an entire class was going to know her worst fear.
And doubtless, some would try to turn it against her.
Yipee...
She flicked her wand out of her sleeve and into her palm. She just had to work out how to make a dog funny...
The corner of her mouth lifted in a smirk.
Now she just had to change it before the class realised what it was. Doubtless, she'd get the whole 'what's so scary about a dog?' mocking. She swore inwardly and rested her head on her hand and her elbow on her desk.
There might not be time for them all to try and fight it anyway...she'd just try to be last or something.

((Anyone want to RP with me?...well Ana...but oh well... ))

((Alright, you got my whole Gryffindor armada))

"So, Nicky," Diana said folding her arms. "How did your date go?"

Nicolas smiled. "She's going with me again, so I think it went pretty great."

Helena rolled her eyes, "I can't believe you two. Dating Slytherins, honestly, what's the world gotten to?"

Ana overheard and turned in her seat.
"You make Slytherin sound like a bad thing...and I'm sorry, but you seem to be outnumbered by those who like Slytherin...although it sickens me to agree with a couple of Casillases on anything..."

"Oh hey there Vaight didn't see you there." Nicolas said.

"You really shouldn't be earsdropping on people, it isn't very nice." Helena said.

Ana snorted.
"I'm a Vaight...I'm not very nice."
She raised a hand. "And before any of you play the whole 'Darien is nice' card, he is just an oddment, end of story...although I doubt that Nick here would say that...as that would probably cause the world to implode."

((g2g now sorry, see ya))

"I wasn't going to say that." Diana said. The other two raised her eye-brows at her. "What? I wasn't."

Nicolas sat back, "Alrightie then, who wants first crack at the boggart?"

Amy looked at the writing desk, should she face it? could she face him again.

"I my as well..." she said.

Aiden looked unsure at Amy for a moment.

"You sure Am's?" he asked a hint of concern in his voice, he knew what she would see. He Didn't want to really see it again either.

"Yeah I am, got of face him again sometime brother"

With that Amy got up and went to face her boggert.

Standing infront of the writing desk she waited. Then a man stepped out wearing shaggy black clothes and had a insane look on his face.

"Get on you knees girl!!" the man demanded.

"No" Amy replied though there was a slight shake in her Voice.

Then the man pulled a muggle gun and aimed it at Amy's head.

The click of the gun made Amy flinch,

"Come on think of something funny"

"Now kneel....." the man said.

"I..I will not" Amy repeated.

The man looked as if he was going to hit Amy with the gun what Amy snapped out of it.

She pullled her wand out and yelled "Riddikulus!"

The mencing man soon turned into a young boy wearing a pink tutu and holding a cheap water gun.

Amy looked at the boy.

"Haha" she said .

Then the boggert churried back into the desk.

Nicolas was watching Amy face her demon raptly. It seemed like she was really affected by the man. He wondered who it was and made a mental note to ask her about it later. However, Nicolas was relieved that Amy was able to face him effortlessly.

"Do you two want to go?" Nicolas asked Diana and Helena.

For some reason, Helena blushed. "I'd rather not actually."

"Diana?" Nicolas said.

"After you, cousin." Diana said sweetly.

"Fine," Nicolas stood up, sent a smile and a wink at Amy and faced his inner-demon.

He stood waiting at the writing desk. The boggart came out and Nicolas' heart dropped. It was in the form of Persephone... but it was weak, barely able to move, her wings were chapped and torn, there were gashes on her chest and back, her whole body seemed skeletal like she was straved. She approached Nick but a few seconds later she dropped dead.

Nicolas shook himself and screamed, "Riddikulus!"

Boggart-Persephone turned into a mule with a very fashionable floral hat.

Nicolas chuckled at it and went back to sit down.

"Don't you fnd Mule's amusing?" Nicolas said to Diana. "I mean, really, muule how funny is that?"

"I find you amusing," Helena said, "Does that count."

"Shut up, Hel and go face your inner-hell." Nicoals said. "Haha get it? Hel?"

"Diana, I cannot believe you are related to him." Helena looked at Nicolas dislainfully.

Amy laughed " I get it, come on Capulet, face it..... if you can" she said with a smirk.

"I won't because I don't want to." Helena said. "Diana, why don't you go?"

"Me? Why not you?" Diana said.

"Because the Pixie told me to." Helena said wildly.

"I don't even know how to argue with that," Diana said laughing.

"That's the point," Helena said, "Now go!"

Diana was still laughing, "Alright, alright already."

She stood and approached the desk tentively. A whisp of black, like smoke started to appear. It was getting larger, and larger and it started to surround Diana. She started to feel trapped, and started to choke.

'Calm your self Diana and focus!' She told her self. "Riddikulus!"

Suddenly, there were multi-colour lights coming from everywhere and loud beat music.

Diana said down.

"A rave," NIcolas said approvingly nodding his head to the beat. "I like it."

Ana leant back in her seat.
"Well...who's next?"
She couldn't help wondering why Diana's friend was so unwilling to face the Boggart. Her fear must be embarassing...

"Well that's two of the Gryffindors," Helena said counting, "I think it's time for another Slytherin."

"I agree," Nicolas said looking at the Slytherin section.

Aiden shook his head, his was connected to Amy's, thought doubted Amy wanted his shown, espeacily with Nick watching. Plus he couldn't think of anything funny in it's place.

"I better not"

Ana groaned inwardly.
"Fine. I shall bow to peer pressure...this time."
She pulled her wand out of her pocket and stood up.
I'm guessing you two have different worst fears right? Not meaning to be rude... She thought.
Okay, how to make it funny... and how to make it harder for them to guess it. The second it appeared, she had to destroy it. Particularly considering the nearby Casillases...
She strode to the front and faced the Boggart. She whistled.
"Here boy!"
It leapt towards her, becoming the dog she feared.
"Riddikulus." She flicked her wand lazily.
The boggart was thrown backwards, clad in tutu and rollerskates. It sped backwards and crashed into the wall.
Ana laughed, and the Boggart's form changed.
She turned and walked back to her desk. "Gryffindor's turn again...unless she isn't as brave as you lot are supposed to be."

Aiden thought over to Ana "You could say that, mine is the aftermath of Amy's fear....It isn't pretty"

"Yes Gryffies, who is next?" he asked.

Nicolas and Diana looked at each other, then at Helena. Helena shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Oh look at the time, we've only got five minutes until class ends... maybe we should start on our homework?"

Amy raised her eye brow "Come on where is the Gryffindor courage you gryffie's brag about so much? We have all done ours, it can't be that bad"

"Actually," Helena said crossing her arms. "You haven't done yours, Aiden."

"Neither have you...Helena. Gryffindor turn! And seeing as you are the Gryffindor left to fight it...It is your privilidge." Ana smirked.
"Maybe the sorting hat made a mistake...you don't seem to have any of that bold and daring courage you lot are meant to posess...maybe you should have been in Hufflepuff, as yellow is the colour of cowardice."