DADA: Know Your Spirit Guardian
 

The first floor was... certainly busier in a different way than Professor Schirmer's own usual haunt of the third level. Less injured children she supposed, and more Dash. She wondered if the professors of the first floor were more social as a result and made up her mind to befriend the healer. Third floor solidarity.

The classroom she'd chosen for the defense lesson had been one of her favourites as a student, and the tall blonde woman was a little bit dismayed to see how dusty and unused it was. Really, Hogwarts was it so hard to keep yourself clean? Even with elves that were off doing goodness knew what? A few quick charms and minutes later the room was sparkling.

Literally.

Unlike most of the Defense rooms, this one featured bright windows that allowed the light to stream in, diffused with colours and generally giving the room a bright and happy feel. The view looked out over the lake. There were no desks or chairs in the room and even the professor took a seat on the ground, waiting there with her feet tucked up comfortably beneath her for the students to arrive. She had a stack of books next to her and looked serene, if a bit distant.

When it was time, she charmed the doors to open, and greeted the students as they begin to file in.

ooc: the lesson will begin approximately 7.5 hours from the time of this post I'm simply opening it now so you can post arriving if you want to. The lesson has begun! Please act as if you were here all along if you haven't yet posted, latecomers will likely lose points. Please remember to follow Professor Schirmer's rules which can be found here.





Questions:
What do you know, or think you know, about the Patronus Charm?

Discuss amongst yourselves some famous witches and wizards and their known Patronus forms. Given what we know about them; their achievements, their experiences, what do you think their Patronus form indicates about their personalities?

For those of you who can cast a Corporeal Patronus and know what form it takes, see if you can match up how it fits your personality. Younger students, you can work with students who do have a known Spirit Guardian, or you can look up mine, which is a Dove, or Headmaster Tate's which is a Mountain Goat, or that of another adult you know, even some of the historical figures we were discussing.

"I want you to think of your happiest memory. Something strong enough that you can focus on it easily, maybe something that makes you smile. It doesn't have to be relating to love. If you have more than one, lucky you! You can experiment to see which is best. You don't have to share it if you don't want to, but feel free to put your hand up and share if you do.

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Levitation party activity! Click here for instructions. Read the post carefully and please take note of your classmates posts following this one too. Worth ten points!

edit: Activity still running, only please focus on the third part, AKA testing out your happy memory with a levitation potion.

The party is still going, you can help yourself to food or drink while we wait for a guest fetched via a patronus message. In the meantime the professor wants to know who can cast a patronus already and whether its corporeal or non-corporeal.


PLEASE be realistic with your character's abilities. The patronus charm is ADVANCED magic and little firsties should NOT be able to manage it. For the purposes of this class please pay attention to the following:

6th & 7th years: May be able to cast a corporeal or non-corporeal patronus, depending on character's skill level and experience. May learn how to do one or the other during the lesson.

5th years: May be able to cast non-corporeal patronus, depending on character's skill level and experience, very FEW and RARELY may a 5th year manage a corporeal patronus. May learn how to do one or the other during the lesson.

4th years: Depending on character's skill level and experience, very FEW and RARELY may a 4th year manage a non-corporeal patronus. May learn a non-corporeal patronus during the lesson.

3rd years: Depending on character's skill level and experience, may learn a non-corporeal patronus during the lesson. But its okay for them NOT to learn how yet too.

1st & 2nd years: Depending on character's skill level and experience, may learn an UNSTABLE non-corporeal patronus during the lesson. This means they might manage a slight whisp, but otherwise should NOT be able to cast a patronus. Its okay for them NOT to learn how yet too.

When we get to the spell casting aspect of the lesson, please note that anyone not being realistic may have their post edited or deleted, which I don't WANT to do but we're not all Harry Potter! For reference, Althea learned hers in 6th year non-corporeally, and managed a corporeal patronus in 7th year. Remember, just because your character might not be able to do it yet, it doesn't mean they never will!


As you saw, Professor Scabior came because I sent him a Patronus message. What do you think are the benefits of communicating via Patronus?

"Alright are you all ready to give it a go? Stand up if you are and make sure you give each other a bit of space. Wands out. The incantation is Expecto Patronum. Ecks-PEK-toh pa-TRO-num. You simply need to point your wand and focus really hard on that strong happy memory. Practice the incantation a few times to get the hang of it and then you may start. Those of you who can already manage it, please do encourage the younger ones and let them see how you do it. I have an activity for you too, that we'll start in a little while!"

Please note, I'm waiting to get an all clear regarding the recent Malware threat on SS before continuing, not because of any risk, rather because several people may be staying away right now and I'd rather be sure nobody is left at a disadvantage because they don't feel safe accessing the site. Expect that the lesson will continue on sunday. Everything is all clear :) Sorry for any trouble.

The latest instructions can be found in this post.

Jory arrived at the DADA classroom and was surprised to find there were no chairs or desks. The only other person there was Professor Schirmer and she was sitting on the floor. "Good day, Professor,'' he said politely also taking a seat on the floor with his legs crossed Indian style and placed his book bag next to him.

Jory liked the room. It looked as if it had only been cleaned a few minutes ago. But what he liked the most were the windows and the Lake view.

Kurumi walked into the classroom and instantly felt...ridiculously happy. Perhaps it was all the colors that were streaming through the windows or the fact that Professor Glass was not teaching this lesson, but she allowed her lion instincts to take over and tell her that there was something much deeper at work.

She tilted her head to the side a bit when she saw Professor Schirmer sitting on the ground, but for some reason didn't question it. Perhaps that was an indication of the strong first impression that the woman had had on the fourth year - you just don't question what she does.

"Good day, Professor Schirmer," Kurumi smiled as she too took a seat on the floor and removed her textbook from the bag.

Marilyn entered the DADA classroom slightly bewildered. Where had this place been hiding? Had she ever been here before, the Slytherin couldn't remember.

It was beautiful, though.

Hey, where was that other woman...that had docked all the points?

"Hello, Professor..."

Marie made her way into the DADA class and just looked around for a minute. Where were all the desks? What was it with professors wanting to sit on the floor in this school?

Not seeing her friends there yet she went to sit on the far side of the room. "Hello Professor Schirmer." She greeted as she passed the Charms professor. And no, Marilyn was not considered a friend.

Sitting down with her bag on her lap she waited for her friends to arrive.

Eino walked into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom ready for some practical lessons. He couldn't remember the last time he had actually learned how to defend himself from the dark arts in the class. As Eino proceeded inside he became instantly attracted to the beautiful view, so he made sure not go take a place by the window, or the view would distract him. "Good morrow, Professor." He said as he approached the rest of the students. There were no chairs, which was good. That meant they weren't going to be writing, unless Professor Schirmer was cruel enough to make them write without writing desks. Eino was inclined to believe that wasn't the case, and that they would have a practical lesson, which made him extremely happy, and a little impatient. He dropped his backpack then took a seat right next to it as he waited for class to begin.

Raven walked to DADA classroom. Thanks Merlin, the Lesson hasn't started yet. She entered to the class and... She saw Professor Schirmer. Not Professor Glass. Where is She?

"Good morning Professor Schirmer, Hopefully your lesson will be interesting." Raven greeted her calm.

Defense Against the Dark Arts. Tiffany was least familiar with this subject since she thought that it was quite difficult although somehow the teachings are great, she couldn't understand it though.

Tiffany stepped into the classroom. As she was entering, she greeted the professor,"Good day, professor!" Then she moved inside a bit, she noticed that there was no chairs actually. She started to make guesses on the topic of DADA today. "Would it be a practical lesson?"she thought to herself. She put her belongings onto the floor and stood besides the wall, acting quite uncomfortable since her friends have not come yet. So she have to wait and wait till the class began.

Orr skipped down to the DADA classroom ready for the second lesson. As she entered she looked around in awe at all the colored windows which were so beautiful. Seeing as there were no desks or chairs and people were sitting on the floor, she supposed that this would be an unique class.

She looked around for Prof. Glass instead finding Prof. Schirmer. "Hello Prof." She greeted her. "You're teaching us DADA today? I hope that Prof. Glass is doing okay. I haven't seen her around lately."

Penny walked into the DADA classroom and stopped walking - it was completely devoid of all chairs and tables... Shaking herself out of thought, she walked across the room and settled herself beneath the window with a view of the lake...

"Good Day Professor Schirmer", she said as she settled herself on the ground waiting for the rest of her class-mates.

'Hello Professor', the second year said as she walked into the classroom. Taking a deep breath, the young Ravenclaw looked a bit puzzled around. This was the DADA classroom, right? Riiight? Walking slowly towards the place where she usually sat, Gwendolyn looked around. This place was- different. Taking.... a seat on the floor, the girl waited for the lesson to start.

"Hello Professor." Violet said with a smile skipping into the room

Daichi had been excited when the new DADA lesson had been written down on the notice board. He walked towards the classroom with his school bag hanging loosely over both his elbows at his back.

The moment he entered the classroom he thought he was in the wrong room if it weren't for the other students already being there. It was a BIG space and colourful room and no desks or chairs in sight. This was certainly going to be a practical lesson.

The young Slytherin walked further, mouth a little open as he looked around until his eyes landed on the Professor. "Hello Professor Gla--" he stopped as he only now realised that this wasn't their original DADA teacher. "i mean Professor Schoe..schor..shirler?" He didn't know why but her name was so difficult for him! "I thought you teached Charms, Professor?" he asked curiously.

"I'm not in the wrong class right?!" he suddenly asked out of the blue as he actually grabbed his roster out of his pocket to check it with a frown.

Defense time.

Mordred made his way to the DADA classroom, and was taken aback when he opened the door. He double-checked the sign on the door to see if it was the DADA classroom. Yep, he was in the right room. Squinting a bit from the light, he tugged the strap of his bag and made his way inside. “Professor.” He greeted their teacher and sat down on the floor with everyone else.

''Hello Proffeser,'' she smilied and took a seat

Maxwell walked into the classroom and pulled out his chair from his desk. "Hello, Professor." He said while taking a seat.

When Alyssa entered the room, she was amazed at how different it was. There were no chairs and tables, the light was shining through the glass stained windows and...she stopped in her tracks....the Professor was sitting on the floor!! "Okay, this is definitely starting to look interesting already,"Alyssa thought to herself. She quickly walked over to the Professor and greeted her. "Good day, Professor Schirmer, this room is beautiful," Alyssa told the professor. Before walking away to join the other students. She spotted her partner-in-crime, Penny sitting on the floor beneath a window, walked over to her and sat down. "Hey girl, mind if I join you?" Alyssa whispered to her friend.

"Hello, Professor Gl--"

It wasn't Professor Glass. It's Schirmer instead.

"--I mean, Schirmer," Janice corrected herself, "Professor Schirmer. Hello, Professor Schirmer!"

The room was beautiful. As in VERY beautiful. The glass-stained windows printed the floor in different colours, right on top of Alyssa and Penny. Janice walked towards them.

"Hello, can I sit here?" she asked.

"Hello Professor Schirmer," Lilly said as she walked in admiring the room. The winodws were lovely and bright. She wondered what they'd be doing.

Daisy walked into the room. It was light and airy, much better than the dingy potions classroom... And DADA was fun, unlike potions.
'Hello Professor,' she smiled, walking in and looking around the room in awe. It was pretty awesome

Rose walked into the room, head held high, trying NOT to think about her home situation. She didn't want her Mum to die. It wasn't fair. She shook her head and smiled at the professor. 'Heya, Professor!' she smiled, before standing next to Daisy, looking at the room around her. It was amazing. 'Can I, like, go here?' Rose asked nervously.

Elise walked into the room, happily humming another one of her muggle melodies.

Beaming brightly at the professor, she greeted. "Gooooood day, Professor Gl-"

It was Professor Schirmer. Oooops!

"I mean Professor Schirmer!"

"H-hey Rose," Lilly called out. It didn't come out loudly. She felt sick. Really sick. Awful.