"Shield Charm. The incantation is pro-tay-go," explained Aiden shortly. It should not be hard, she guesses.

''Have you got the hang of it yet?'' asked Luna she didn't know what the best thing that could be done here she thought the sheild charm would be usefull then she took out her wand

"Yes," said Aiden confidently. However, she should elaborate the truth. "Though it's not very powerful," she starts to frown. "My wand is sturdy, so it is not easy to learn new spells," she explained.

"If you need any help, I think you should ask Captain Bennett," Aiden points towards the Gryffindor Quidditch captain. "He is in charge of the defense team."

''My wands Soft'' said Luna ''I will ask if I need help'' said Luna
''I'm not sure what kind of spells I should start of with what do you think I should do first?'' asked Luna

"Umm..." Aiden scratches the back of her head. "If you want to learn defensive spell, now we are learning Protego," she said with one hand on her waist. "But if you want to learn some hexes, you can go to Jimmy Wilkes' team," said Aiden while glaring at the seventh year Ravenclaw across the classroom.

''Right thank you'' said Luna, She wanted to learn some hexes

Aiden nods in response. Just simply nodding. Then, she proceeds with her training.

''Hello my names Luna, Can you help me with hexes please?'' asked Luna poilitly which she didn't know why she said it like that it didn't make a diffrence she thought anyway

After wandering around for quite a bit, Ariadne finally stumbled upon the classroom she had been looking for. Nika had informed her about a DADA practice group and the little lioness had been more than eager to join. It was such a pity that she never had a real DADA lesson in her life. Knocking softly, Ari entered the classroom and looked around.

'Excuse me, may I join you? Do I need to sign up first?' she asked everyone, and no one in particular. All that she wanted was to learn a few spells.

''Hi'' said Luna to a girl that just entered the room ''No you don't have to sign up, You just come in and start learning she smiled ''So what do you want to learn I want to learn some hexes''

"Yeah no. I'm good. Already a human target over here." Jim answered. "But I've gotta get back to this so... if you want a lesson or two... stick around." Meaning if she wasn't, then she could either go or sit somewhere out of the way so she could perve on him watch and pick up a few tricks.


....


"You could learn a lesson or two." Jim muttered, but otherwise remained fairly polite in the sense that he didn't IGNORE Finn.

"Hows that spell going?" Jim NOTICED Spike watching and deliberately turned his attention back to this tutoring gig.

"I'm a bit crooked with my aim too." Jim noted. "But you can compensate for it..." He did a tiny side step to illustrate his point. Moving over a little and casting the same would mean a better hit. "Some time, you should try out casting in the wind too. Most magic isn't effected but some is, and its kind of interesting to see what is and what isn't."

Okay that one STUNG, but Jimmy was brave. He opened his eyes, having only flinched a bit since he was so tough and all, and looked at his arm, which now sported an impressive looking red weal, as if it had indeed been hit with nettles, and reacted to it.

"Heyyyyyyyyy good job." He dropped his arm and prodded at the weal with his finger. Cringing slightly. War wound. Worth it though, with Nika getting the hang of it all.

He looked up and around the room.

... and was met with a glare.

Hehe.

Jimmy grinned at the kid. Whatdidhedo?

Hmm?

"Oh yeah, sure. We've been working on a nettle stinging hex, but I think we'll move on in a bit. You've got your wand? I'm Jimmy by the way."

"Yeah join in." Jim agreed. "I'm helping with offensive things, if you'd rather learn some defense, go over to Simon over there." He pointed out the Gryffindor Quidditch captain.

Lex smiled at Finlay and wiggled her fingers in greeting. "Good to see you." Even if this was potentially awkward... with Jim and Finny and all that. Yeah.


"I think I might just do that, as a matter of fact. I have been looking for an excuse to hex people," she said with a smirk.

Then she turned her attention back to Finlay and SMIIIILED brightly. "You could work with me. If you want to," she said with a giggle. Yes. Let me hex you. Please.

''Oh sounds good. Yes i've got my wand. Nice to meet you Jimmy'' Luna took out her wand and held it tight in her hand so tight she was afraid it would brake then she stopped her tight grip

So. This was an improvement right? At least Jimmy wasn't totally ignoring him. Finlay thought that was an improvement. "Ermm...." But he didn't quite hear what Jimmy had said. He had a feeling that was on purpose. "I didn't quite hear you James." Maybe that was a good thing?

Ooh. And Lexi was talking to him too. So it wasn't too bad that he'd come over really. At least someone would be talking to him. That was good. "Hey Lex..." He smiled, pretending that like it was not awkward at all right now. Lexi wanted to work with him? Mmm. Well that was probably because she would get to hex him, and any other girl he wouldn't be that scared, but this was Lexi, and he knew she would be good. "Sure...." Why not?

Erm. That was a bad idea, Finlay. Leave it be. He SPOKE to you after all. Idiot boys and all their idiotic stuff.

"Oh don't be scared. Use a shield and you'll be fine," she said with a grin. Really it was the best bet. "You've been well though, yeah?" Teensy bit of convo never hurt anyone.

"Did you hear Jim say what hex he was teaching? The nettle hex," she said as she set her parchment aside and shrugged out of her coat and unwrapped her scarf from around her neck. She then removed her wand from it's holster and walked back toward Finlay.

"Hmm well that could be part of the issue. Motivation and intent are important in defensive spells just as much as they are in offensive spells," he said to the Ravenclaw. Simon tried to think of how best to help her and after a few moments pause came up with an idea.

"Tell you what...think of something you have a strong feeling for....perhaps a strong dislike of. And when you go against the dummy again, picture that dummy as that item so that when you go to cast the shield its like you're attacking it or defending yourself against it. You're strong feeling against it should help you cast a strong enough spell to get it right," the seventh year instructed with a smile, giving her a look of belief that she could do the spell if she tried again.

As the students continued practicing, Simon turned back to the door as he heard the familair voice of his fellow Gryffindor. "Hey Selina," he greeted with a friendly smile at the second year. "We're just practicing real defense work," he answered stoppping himself from saying anything bad like he really felt about Borr's plans.

Simon watched as the boy followed his invitation and walked further into the training room. He was about to answer when one of his student's did for him, the captain nodding in confirmation to show the first year was right in her words. Another soon followed and as they conversed with one of his earlier students, he awaited to see what she would do, the girl finally moving over to Jimmy's side of the room.

----------

Deciding to move on, Simon moved back to the front of the room to gather all the defense players he ahd been working with. "Okay, so the other spell mentioned was the Patronus charm. Please put your wands away because for now we're just going to talk about it.," he instructed, his voice slightly raised to be heard. His own wand within its usual pocket. "As others mentioned it casts a light airy item whether just whisps or an actual form, usually a creature, if you're talented and experienced enough." he went on letting it sink in before asking his first question.

"Knowing that, who... if any...can tell me what they think it is mostly used for?" he asked. His gaze passing across the gathered students as he patiently awaited an answer from them, regardless if it was right or wrong.

Kurumi's hand shot up so quickly that it was a wonder that she didn't go shooting right up into the rafters above. "I have heard of two methods using the Patronus Charm," she chirped. Well, one she had actually seen last term when Professor Vindictus' silver boar had arrived at the party in Diagon Alley instructing them all to head back to the castle right away. "One is to defend against Dementors and certain other Dark creatures. The other is to deliver messages and was devised by Albus Dumbledore."

Kurumi had to admit that NOW she was getting excited for what they were doing in the training room. Not that she had anything against Shield Charms, but Kurumi was eager to try more advanced spells.

Presley thought for a moment. A strong dislike...Presley hated that she couldn't get her father to notice her...did that count? She imagined him ignoring the crap out of her, and stepped in front of the dummy. If she did this right, he would pay attention to her. It shot its jet of light. "PROTEGO!" She shouted angrily at the dummy/her father. A shield appeared and the light bounced off. Presley beamed. "I did it!!!" She jumped and shouted her accomplishment. Then she calmed.
Simon had moved on to the Patronus charm. Presley knew that it was really advanced magic, and that she probably wouldn't be able to do it for years, but still, she wanted to get a good head start. "Dementors. You can use the Patronus charm against dementors," she replied automatically. What else did you use it for? She wracked her brains, and came up empty.

Nika opened her eyes widely as she saw the red that it left behind. Oof. That one must've hurt. When Jim dropped his arm Nika was sure he was going to take it down and slap her or something.

What!? No slap? Instead a "good job"?

Nika smiled happily and looked up at the much taller seventh year. "Thanks." Hey at least she was getting it. "Are you sure you're alright?" She could always run and get him ice or something... Maybe the healer would have something for him...

Now what was she supposed to do?... "Should I keep practicing this hex?" Or maybe perhaps she should go to the other group...? She was honestly just waiting for more instruction because she felt like a lost puppy. Nika was ready to do what ever Jim said she should and she honestly didn't care if it meant practicing this hex for another two hours.

Selina pressed her back further into the door and crossed her arms. She shot Simon a soft and friendly smile, leadership fit him. It always had. Now that she was removed from the situation she could see that if he was anything at all it was a natural born leader. True the sparkle about his leadership was gone, but she could still recognize that it was a good fit for him. Once he was gone next year she hoped that he continued to be someone of influence in people's lives. Selina knew at least that he had changed hers for the better.

"Really? Well that's good. Someone's gotta be teaching us defense against the dark arts. Borr's a ruddy Professor anyway. Much prefer it was anybody else. Mind if I join you... Professor?"

When he gestured for everyone to take their seats for a lesson on the Patronus Charm. She was about to answer Kurumi's hand was already in the air and answering like it was for points. Selina couldn't help but chuckle at her best friend. Of course it was part of Kurumi's charm, "Well as Kurumi already said it's used for two purposes. Dispelling a Dementor or to send a message. Kind of like a magical Pheliphone. Right? That's what it's called right?"

Violet eagerly poked her head in the door frame to see that there was a class apparently going on. She then became very intrigued by the sight but then she stopped dead in her tracks when she saw a head full of red hair that she was very familiar with. Violet gasped and then squealed with her usual energy and excitement,"SELY!!!!!" She clapped eagerly and then ran into the classroom sitting right next to her best friend saying,"Hello Sely how are yo-"

Violet then stopped herself and then looked over at Simon seeing the very confused look on his face and then she gasped a little covering her mouth. She then mouthed the words,"So Sorry.." Then she heard Simon mention how he was going to be teaching them the Patronus Charm and she gasped again,"Oh Merlin...I've been wanting to learn about the Patronus Charm since...Forever! Eeeee!" Violet clapped bouncing a little in her chair. Then took a deep breath and composed herself again trying to allow Simon to continue.

"Telephone," Presley corrected automatically. "But most people just say phone." She froze. She'd just corrected an older student. And she hadn't even thought about it first, wieghing the benefits and downsides. She turned her head slightly so she wasn't looking at the girl anymore. "Sorry." Presley mumbled, focusing her attention back on Simon.

Happy to have made it to the right place, Ariadne smiled and replied: 'Oh, ok then. Thank you. I am Ariadne Marchbanks, and you are?' That was for introduction. What did she want to learn? 'I haven't really thought about it, actually. I just want to learn what we should've done in our DADA classess if Borr wouldn't be our Professor.' the girl sighed.

'I'd rather do both, since I'm new at everything, but I suppose the logical way is to start with defense.' the girl replied. 'Thank you.' she nodded and walked over to the group who were working on defensive spells with her House's Quidditch captain, Simon.

Oh, good. She had just stumbled upon a very interesting part. The defense group had just started talking about the Patronus Charm. Ariadne had read lots on the subject, and found it fascinating. She had always wondered what shape her Patronus would take.

'The Patronus Charm acts as a protector against Dementors and other Dark forces, but I suppose now it is mainly used as a means of communication, since the wizarding world is at peace.' After all, there hadn't been any Dementor attacks since the second wizarding war.

"Riiiight." Jim eyed the two of them. "If you're just dueling, you'll have to go next door." Yeah look at him being all responsible. Weirder things had happened though.

Heh he was sure though, that those two COULD learn a thing or two if they actually wanted to participate in the lesson.

He rubbed at his arm a bit and then gave up and conjured a salve, which he stopped to apply liberally. Better. It'd do until he could pop up to see Moretti, or maybe get a potion from Lafay.

Dilemma. Both were temptingly hot as far as perving went.

"So yeah." He returned his attention to his friend.... and the head boy.

"Wouldn't want any stray hexes flying around."

"Careful." He noticed the tight grip and grinned when she relaxed a bit. "Hard to cast with much finesse or dexterity gripping it like its gonna run away any second and all. We'll start on something new now, but one of these guys can show you the nettle hex later maybe, it'll be good practice for them too."

"s'all good." Jim answered, indicating the salve he'd just conjured and applied. "It'll hold. I'll get it sorted later." And the salve was already calming the angry red weal.

"I think you know enough to practice more on your own, so we'll move onto another spell now."

Jim nodded. "Sure. Just wander back this way if you wanna try something else." He turned his attention back to the kids learning offensive stuff from him and shot a glance at Lexi before he spoke.

"So next up we'll try the antler jinx. Good fun that one." Mmmhmm. Right Lexi? "Y'all got your wands ready? The incantation is Anteoculatia." What a mouthful. "AN-tea-oh-cuh-LAY-chee-a. This one is a jinx. We'll get onto the wand movement in a second but do any of you lot know about fundamental differences between hexes, jinxes and curses?" Might as well throw a bit of theory in there and all, yeah?

"No worries... I think I will flit on back to my common room actually. Came for Yearbook stuffs. So that is done..." she said with a smile and a shrug. She was simply going to use Finn to test the hex on anyway... not duel, but whatevs.

Going to gather up her things she heard Jim say he would be teaching the antler jinx. Oh funny haha. Snorting a tad she jotted that down on her parchment and also what it was Simon was covering since you know... she could hear and all that. Smiling at Jim she wiggled her fingers in farewell and flitted right on out the door.