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Tazenhani · 05-15-2015, 12:46 PM

DADA Lesson I
Your Greatest Protection

Being October already, this is hardly the first DADA lesson that students have been subject to, ~~assuming none have played hookie~~. But where the former lessons were basic spells, review and practice, this is the first time the room has looked so different.

Walls and crates of varying sizes have been carefully placed and positioned throughout the practice hall in a labyrinth-like design. The shortest wall stands a good seven feet, preventing any curious students from peeking over. The tops of trees and tall bushes can be seen poking over the walls as students file in, as if curious as to their presence.

At the entrance to the labyrinth, Professor Dakest has perched on top of a crate, his legs crossed under him as an otter patronus darts this way and that, sliding and frolicking along the open floor between the Professor and the Practice Hall door with unbound glee.

File in, take a seat somewhere on the floor and feel free to interact with the otter patronus as you wait for the rest of your classmates to arrive. The lesson will begin shortly.

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OOC: Hi all! While this is our first offical class, please remember that it is already October IC, so there would have been several DADA classes thus far.

Feel free to RP your student arriving and settling down

We will move along in about 12-13 hours. Lastly, please read the Rules before posting.

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Class Progression:

Class is open, students are arriving
First Question: Intrigue of the Dark Arts
Second Question: What do we Know about Patronuses?
Small Activity: Looking for Memories and Trying out the Charm
- Responses to Small Activity - halfway through
Main Activity: The Labyrinth or More Practice

Wrapping Up
End of Lesson: Closed

Class is now closed. Thank you all for your awesomeness and participation!

WhittyBitty · 05-19-2015, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenSnake

Finally! It was time for the main activity, which sounded a lot more interesting than the first one. For the first time practical magic could be used instead of just standing idly at one spot and practice a charm that no one could possibly produce fully yet. This also meant that Nat, who had decided that she would not attempt the patronus charm until it was ABSOLUTELY necessary, would be able to get about the problem using another method. *AHEM* Not cheating.

Maze, maze, maze! Natalia loved puzzles, riddles, mazes, and all of that sort. The fourth year did not hesitant to step into the labyrinth and started her adventure.

The eager Lioness was met by cloak of darkness enshrouding over her vision. It wasn't dark to the point that she could not see what was in front of her, but it was dark enough to extract most of her initial excitement. Uhh...

Columns of thick trees and dark bushes guided her in an uncanny dirt-like path. There was not a single feeling of merriness about the place.

"Lumos!" The tip of her wand lit up obediently, brightening up the small are of space around her. The air appeared to be a lot luminous on the end of the path if only she could run down there without tripping over a branch or falling into the hostile-looking bushes.

So, step one: RUN. RUN FOR YOUR LIIIIFE.

Professor Dakest was laughing, but Lux knew that he wasn't making fun of her. Nope, he was still praising her. She was so happy at her accomplishment that she wanted to hug him. He was so nice and encouraging and he liked s'mores. She missed Professor Romanos, but Dakest was awesome!

It was finally time for the main activity, and the sound of a little maze was very appealing. Lux would have a chance to try her patronus out on a Dementor and Lethifold. Even though they weren't real, trying in the heat of the moment might give her spell power the boost that it needed.

Stepping in the maze, she saw a wand shining in the semi-darkness. Well, this wasn't TOO bad - at least it wasn't total blackness. The super dark passage must be further along. Lighting her wand tip with Lumos, Lux joined the other person and was happy to see that it was Nat. "Hey! How are you doing with your patronus so far?" Hopefully good!

Weasley174 · 05-19-2015, 10:40 PM

Angel know had to try and practice the spell, she was thinking about something big... she was thinking about something important to her... she was thinking about her boyfriend and the first time she met him. "Professor! would meeting someone important in your life for the first time be a good enough memory?" Angel hoped that it would be good to figure it out because at the minute she was eager to try but couldn't think of a memory at the minute, where was Benny when you needed him.

ArianaBlack · 05-19-2015, 11:04 PM

Wait. What. A maze? But no, NO he hadn't even practiced yet. He was still trying to collect happy thoughts for his memory. It wasn't even fair. So instead of making his way into the maze like most of the others, Zander stood around where he had been previously sitting on the floor. He needed more time to practice. Though, wait a minute. He wasn't going to be able to get the patronus to work in the first place, so what was he doing taking more time to practice?

Maybe it was just seeing Sophie patronus that gave him a little bit of hope? Maybe. But whatever it was, he wasn't going into the maze yet. He had to at least try first. Even if he was completely against it at first. Anyways, speaking of Sophie's patro-- huh? Where'd it go?...... Where'd she go?

The Gryffindor looked around the room for a few seconds, brows furrowed. He was a bit confused.... But maybe she had already ventured into the maze like the others? Maybe. Either way, Zander was going to stay out here for a bit longer. He needed at least some practice if he didn't want to look like a fool ~~too late~~. Taking a few deep breaths, the Gryffindor tried to dismiss all his fleeting thoughts. Thoughts about firsties beating him, thoughts about where Sophie's patronus went, thoughts about failure... All dismissed.

Instead he tried his absolute hardest to concentrate on the one isolated memory: the memory of being called a best friend.

"Expecto Patronum!" Nothing. "Expecto Patronum!" Again, nothing. "Expecto Patron-ugh!" Zander Adair hated Defense Against the Dark Arts. Officially.

Hey Ju · 05-19-2015, 11:44 PM

Text Cut: HAHA Cutty

Agatha was startled by the otter Patronus now sitting in from of her looking... like it wanted something. The Slytherin blinked and gave it no other type of reaction than just... stand there staring at it. What did it want? Why was it there staring at her? How CREEPY was THAT??

The sixth year side-eyed the professor and wondered what he was trying to do or say. Was that some sort of encouragement? What a creepy way to do that, making an animal stare at you so intently. Agatha looked back at the otter and... again, did nothing.

She was startled once again when something else approached her. Someone even. Cutty Mordaunt, leaning in to... whisper...

...

.......

Huh.

Agatha's expression started as confused then changed to grossed out and eventually settled in a mix of amusement and disgust. She looked at her housemate and studied him a bit, wondering why he had said that and most importantly, what detail she thought was most disgusting. ...Well, she knew the answer to the first thing. This class was going nowhere with all of these people failing - she could SO NOT SEE those people who managed to get their Patronuses already ~~TOTALLY NOT SEEING THAT FLIPPING ETHAN MORDAUNT WAS ONE OF THOSE KIDS, URGH~~ - and obviously he wanted to kill some time.

Interesting mind, Cutty had. "You shouldn't get involved with such things." And by things she meant person. "It won't take you anywhere." See, Agatha Hapgood was being a friend. You're welcome, Cutty.

The girl started to do the required wand movement. A circle, wasn't it? She did it very absentmindedly, frowning every once in a while as the image of what Cutty had just said replayed in her head without her permission.

Ew.

GoldenSnake · 05-19-2015, 11:44 PM

SPOILER!!: Luux!

Just when Natalia was about to sprint toward the tiny speck of light at the end of the path, she heard a familiar voice accompanied by a small range of light. With squinted eyes, she recognized the figure beside her as... LUX!

"Hai Luxyyyy!" Luxy? It was so good seeing another human being in the dark and desolate labyrinth! A little exaggerated, but, it was still a pleasant feeling having a friend beside the journey.

"My patronus?" Natalia held her luminous wand high. "Not baaaad..." A lie. "I can't do anything yeeeeeeet...." Yep. Hopefully Lux would be able to save both of their lives when the come across a 'fake' dementor or lethifold, because Nat had already decided that she would be completely useless in those situations.

While having the conversation with Lux, the path continued on toward the small speck of light at the end. It appeared increasingly large as their footsteps echoed about the empty route. What was to greet them there at the end? Surely, not a dementor so soon, right?

VRSCIKA · 05-20-2015, 12:14 AM

SPOILER!!: Henric

When Henric looked at her and smiled encouragingly, Ilia knew she had chosen the right memory. She knew that this would work and maybe more than smoke and mist could come of it, if she was lucky. She saw Henric's wand leak a silvery mist and she smiled, he found something happy at least and for that she was grateful. She wondered what it might have been, but she doubted that she would be his memory as he would hers.
-------------------------------

Activity time? Her reverie and practice would have to wait. A labyrinth with illusory dangers and creepy darkness you say? An anything you have to cast to make it rule set? Sounded like a win to her. She was a goddess in name and confidence, as soon as a challenge was thrown at her she would determine to conquer it. Freya stood up and walked over to Henric with a smile and a glint in her eye. She extended her hand to him , offering him to come with her. "Want to show that labyrinth who is boss?" Yes, she was rather convinced she could beat it without troubles. Maybe it would be like an obstacle course too? How fun would that be! She could think of no one else she would rather go through it with than her best friend.

*PhoenixRising* · 05-20-2015, 12:33 AM

Tia had been contemplating lots of things, including Dakest's response on confusing power with responsibility. What? Who said anything about that? But her ears were definitely open to learning new magic which would be intriguing and powerful. Even if she wasn't quite convinced she could perform said magic. Especially as Dakest went into greater depth on the difficulty of such a spell.

Happiness was vague, most certainly. But there were some definite things in her life that gave her comfort. Her mind wandered off as her honey eyes found themselves on Sophie's ferret - as it went off to twist around Zander and then Tobes before disappearing (along with Soph excusing herself shortly after). Instead of focusing on her happy thoughts, Tia found herself tinged with envy and unable to focus on practicing her happy memories.

It wasn't until Dakest broke her focus and readdressed the class and said they were going to go through a labyrinth where they may meet lethifolds and dementors (whom weren't real which meant what? She could use a confringo charm on them?)

Oh they could stay and practice just a little longer. The fifth year bit her lip as she heard Zander practicing the incantation and felt a twinge of bittersweet longing as she looked on at his desperate attempts. And offered him an encouraging smile.

She closed her eyes then, picturing her happy, grounding moment. Something that made her feel safe and secure. Her family. Their dinners. The teasing and jokes in which they shared and suddenly she felt herself warming. "Expecto Patronum!" she cast clearly. Only a small mist escaped her wand tip, but evaporated almost as quickly as it came.

Expecto-Penguin · 05-20-2015, 01:14 AM

As he kept practicing the Patronus charm, he heard Professor Dakest's comment and he nodded and smiled. Least he kept encouraging him and was helpful. I guess he needed to keep trying with his memory and be more confident. I mean this memory could work! He dug deep and brought back his confidence. He took a deep breath and held his wand in his hand and circled it a little bit to get the feel. He wasn't gonna go into the maze without knowing the patronus charm.

He said the charm, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" and did a little circle with his wand and nothing came out so far but he saw a little whisp.

Hmmm....he was getting there. He just needed to think of a stronger memory because his family one wasn't doing it. He dug deeper and thought of more.

Symphora · 05-20-2015, 01:19 AM

SPOILER!!: Let's Goo!

Henric turned to llia who came up to him and offered him a hand. He grinned broadly at her, he was so glad he had someone to rely on whenever he needed it the most. Henric nodded,"Yeah, you bet!" He would show her who was boss in this game! Besides he wanted to get it done with quickly so there wouldn't be any complications later. He loved adventures,right...why not try imagined himself in one.

Henric took her offered hand without much thought of it and led through the maze. It was pretty dark inside so he light up his wand with a simple torch-like spell,"Lumos!". He looked back, making sure that llia was behind him in case he lost sight of her.

"Get your wand, ready..llia...its really dark in here and also watch your step,"Henric spoke, stepping carefully in front of her. While they were walking, they encountered two pathways, he couldn't decide on which way to go.
"Left or right?"he asked.

VRSCIKA · 05-20-2015, 01:40 AM

SPOILER!!: Onward to Battle!

Ilia beamed back at Henric when he enthusiastically accepted. He was the Clyde to her Bonnie, the peanut butter to her jelly, the cheese to her sprinkles.....okay maybe not everyone would get that one.....but still he was the other side of the same coin.

She followed behind him closely, not letting go of his hand. She held his hand with her left, and her wand in her right, which was her dominate hand. "Lumos" She cast her light as well and together they made a beacon. The white blue light danced off of them and through the darkness.

Whether it was her natural disposition , her knowledge that this was still Mr. Dakest's class and that he would not cause them any harm, or that she was with Henric, the darkness held no terrors for Ilia. This was a walk in the park practically, though she held her wand steady and ready when needed.

When they came to the proverbial fork in the tunnel, he asked left or right. She paused casting her view both left and right, surveying the tunnels. Both appeared identical in every way. She breathed in deep and decided. "They both seem identical....and maybe they are but.....perhaps right?" Right might be the right way, was she right?

kayquilz · 05-20-2015, 01:50 AM

Eden didn't want to try her patronus again. She wanted to do the obstacle course--and she would get to try her patronus again anyways? So...yeah. She might even perform better under the pressure....~~lol no~~

But she waited a second. Mental pep talk, again. She needed to focus and not freak out and stay....calm. And rational. And actual THINK about things.

OKay, McGee.

The Wexford born Ravenclaw stood up and made her way over to the obstacle course..okay. She was taking deeeeeep breaths and trying not to panic. At least he had told them what to expect? That was nice. The dark room was first, right? Right. She would try hr patronus, and if that didn't work ....she could always use lumos? Or...something.

Entering the labyrinth, Eden felt a lot safer than she knew she should. It was because this wasn't a surprise. And it made her feel...hmm. Like right now, she might be capable of this stuff, but would she be...if this were a surprise obstacle course? She just didn't think so. "Expecto Patronum!" she cried, once, without thinking. Obviously nothing happened because she hadn't been thinking any happy thoughts...but...she'd try again, thinking of what she had thought of before...about meeting her grandparents...and how much Iwin BELIEVED in her abilities to impress them. It was comforting.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" she cried, and a veeeeeeery faint wisp of smokey substance shot from her wand, and Eden quickly followed him before it ran out--but she didn't make it to the other end of the room. It was so FRUSTRATING. WHY wouldn't it STAY long?! She just wanted a MIST like she had done last term--WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HER THIS TERM?

Eden knew. Oh, she knew. But she was being rhetorical with herself right now.

"Lumos..." she said, in a mildly unamused voice, her wand tip glowing and showing her where to go. She wasn't looking forward to the dementor...or lethifold...no matter how fake they were.

AlwaysDance · 05-20-2015, 02:00 AM

It was exciting that they got to go into a maze, and Emma Joy had some mixed feelings. Maybe it would be fun, but it might also be scary. The only part that would be scary was the fact that she had to work on her Patronus charm, she couldn't seem to get it down.

Before even considering going into the maze Emma decided that it would be best to practice the charm a couple more times. She knew that she had to think of a really strong happy memory, but she was having troubles with that. It wasn't that her life was bad or anything, it was just a mediocre existence. Nothing extremely good or extremely bad, a nice in between.

Thinking hard she came up with a memory of when she first explored a cave, after all being adventurous and exploring was one of her favorite things to do. Closing her eyes she simply stated, "Expecto Patronum." Nothing happened, not even the slightest wisp. Maybe it was because she wasn't being assertive enough, maybe it was because she couldn't think of a happy enough memory. This time she decided to say it much stronger, "Expecto Patronum!" There was a small silver wisp, but it wasn't much. Either way she was ready to go into the maze, the Patronus spell seemed like a lost cause at the time. But Emma Joy Ross was known for coming alive when in the wilderness exploring.

She stepped up to the edge of the maze and lit her wand, "Lumos!" Looking around to see if anyone else was entering, she stepped in, lit wand raised.

kayquilz · 05-20-2015, 03:03 AM

SO Eden made it past the extremely dark room. Her ego wasn't....in any worse shape than it already was, so that was a good thing. She was nervous of whether...the dementor was coming or...the lethifold. What even WAS a lethifold? She was trying to rack her brain to remember--

OH.

Eden had gotten a little lost in her thoughts when suddenly what LOOKED like a dementor appear--OH MERLIN. OH SWEET BABY MERLIN-

Eden panicked and backed away, forgetting, for a minute, that the thing wasn't real--and she felt paralyzed---until...she realized she wasn't crippled with fear. She didn't feel cold--in fact, when she wiped the back of her hand across her forehead, she was sweating slightly. NOT. REAL. Right. She took a deep breath--

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" she rushed forward when she cried out the spell, too, wondering it if would work--and when it didn't, she just squeaked and tripped over her feet--MERLIN'S PANTS.

Eden was dead.

DONE FOR.

Not really, but she just scrambled up and sent a stunning spell at the thing--whatever it really was-and run past, doing her best to be poised(which was not working) and panted as she slipped onto the next......part of the labyrinth thing.

OH MERLIN.

Expecto-Penguin · 05-20-2015, 03:04 AM

Kace was trying to figure out a better memory, he remembered the feeling he felt with the first kiss he had with Emmy. He held onto that memory and smiled and casted his patronus and said, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" with a circular motion. Then he saw something come out of his wand for the first time and was that his patronus?

Woaaaaahhhhh it looked SOOO BLOODY COOL.

He grinned with delight and was beaming. It was even in the shape of a Panda. He smirked to himself and he knew what that reminded him of. I guess his concentration paid off after all. Now he was ready to go off into the maze. He wondered who would go with him? He began to look for someone to go with him. He was prepared now.

WhittyBitty · 05-20-2015, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenSnake

Just when Natalia was about to sprint toward the tiny speck of light at the end of the path, she heard a familiar voice accompanied by a small range of light. With squinted eyes, she recognized the figure beside her as... LUX!

"Hai Luxyyyy!" Luxy? It was so good seeing another human being in the dark and desolate labyrinth! A little exaggerated, but, it was still a pleasant feeling having a friend beside the journey.

"My patronus?" Natalia held her luminous wand high. "Not baaaad..." A lie. "I can't do anything yeeeeeeet...." Yep. Hopefully Lux would be able to save both of their lives when the come across a 'fake' dementor or lethifold, because Nat had already decided that she would be completely useless in those situations.

While having the conversation with Lux, the path continued on toward the small speck of light at the end. It appeared increasingly large as their footsteps echoed about the empty route. What was to greet them there at the end? Surely, not a dementor so soon, right?

Luxy? People seemed to like gigging her nicknames, and Lux had no problem with that; the more the merrier!

Keeping in step with her friend, she made her way through the semi-darkness. Too bad the light from her wand wasn't brighter, because it would suck if she ended up twisting her ankle or something. "I'm sure you will be able to do it. I started off with just wisps of smoke, but I'm getting there." It seemed that the main issue was focus, because her memory was DEFINITELY happy enough. Lux knew what made her happiest.

As they walked, Lux noticed the growing speck of light in the distance. "I wonder what that is," she added conversationally while figuring that Nat probably was just as clueless as her. Keeping her eyes glued on the light, she wasn't paying attention to where she was going; her foot got snagged on a tree root, and she fell forward.

"OUCH!"

*Holmesian Feline* · 05-20-2015, 03:49 AM

Benny was doing his best to focus solely on his work and not what was going on around him. Especially not dwelling on the fact that other students were either already at the full corporeal patronus stage or well on their way there. Was that a willowy, wispy, playful dragon patronus he saw? But it wasn't easy, and as the professor made his way around the class, the older Gryffindor boy registered the scrutiny on him...and the silent nodding in acceptance of his work.

So they were moving on, each of them having the choice to be a little hands on in their trial for a patronus within the maze or to simply practice working on it some more outside the labyrinth of trees, darkness, fake-dark creatures and whatever else might be inside the specially created walls. Benny kept glancing between the challenge and the regular classroom, debating his choice in the matter. Was he really having any luck just practicing already? When the negative response resounded in his head, the sixth year realized he should really try the other approach.

Wasn't like he would try or be harmed in the process if he failed...right?

But first...he was going to try his spellwork all together once before entering the maze. So Benny took a deep breath to ground himself, gathered the chosen memory with all the focus he could muster(the excited dragon flight from last term) and raised his wand to cast. "Expecto Patronum!" The words came out clear and he made the circle correctly, yet all that came out was a puff of smoke.

It was something. Something to grow on.

Now for the challenge, the sixth year moving from his seat and heading towards and through he entrance of the labyrinth.

lazykitty · 05-20-2015, 03:54 AM

A dementor and a lethifold like creature? Yeah, Heather wasn't so sure about those. What if, in the moment, she forgot they weren't real? That made her hesitate to go in that thing. But, she was Gryffindor. Gryffindors were known for their bravery, so in she went. And almost immediately was met with darkness as she encountered the first hurdle, so to speak.

"Lumos." Had she forgotten that a patronus was bright? Possibly. Or maybe she just wasn't ready to try it yet. Either way, Heather carefully made her way down the dark path, the only light coming from her wand.

Felixir · 05-20-2015, 03:58 AM

Okay, so like...

Toby was exhausted. Which really was saying something. This was a boy who could run and frolic and bounce around the school and grounds all day and still be an impossible ball of energy right up until the moment he went to sleep (at which point he would still be constantly moving and even talking and yeah), and some nights he didn't even do that. Toby didn't get tired. Not like this.

He was just mentally and emotionally drained. It had been a surprisingly difficult lesson, especially considering he'd not done anything. Dealing with emotions was tiring work, putting up walls was draining, and trying to seem unbothered when you really actually were affected by stuff was just straight up hard. But necessary.

Toby, who had started to slump a little where he sat on his little section of floor, now leaned back against the wall. Did he still look like he was thinking of his happy memory? Hopefully. Though sooner or later he might have to get his wand again and actually go through the motions of saying the words and emulating the wand movement. But even that seemed too risky in his irrational state of mind.

Blue eyes roved about the room, taking in the others entering the maze or practicing the spell, before Toby looked down at the space of floor near him, so very tempted to just lay down right there. Don't do it Toby. Don't. Do. It.

He didn't. Instead, he looked up again, gaze going automatically to the door, and then on to the professor where his gaze lingered for a moment, and then back to his classmates. He continued to watch them creature silvery animals or whisps or puffs of smoke with that same unreadable expression.

sarahlooo · 05-20-2015, 04:06 AM

Evangeline had been silent the entire class. She had felt like a steaming pile of poo all day and of COURSE they had to work on the LAST thing she wanted to work on in class. It was like Professor Dakest was telling her "No, REALLY, you DON'T belong in the MLE," because it wasn't cool or fun and she couldn't produce a corporeal patronus. This wasn't her thing and she was bummed and discouraged.

Even so, Evie didn't want to be left out or kicked out of class. She participated silently and half-heartedly tried to focus on more happy memories. She did pay attention to the part where he said it had to be something lasting and that made Evie think harder.

Begrudgingly, Evie got up and headed towards the entrance of the labyrinth. Holding her wand in front of her, she entered, not excited at all about what was ahead of her. Soon, she was encompassed in darkness. "Lumos," she muttered and the tip of her wand lit, lighting the pathway a few feet in front of her. She veered away from some other students and went down one pathway. It wasn't cold, but she rubbed one of her arms with her palm. She felt goosebumps just from thinking about the dementors...

Sararara · 05-20-2015, 04:18 AM

Norah held her breath and crossed her fingers on BOTH hands and hoped it was the end of class so she could go hide in the butterfly garden. Except apparently it wasn't, and she was left immediately feeling bad that she'd hoped such a thing after how nice Professor Sabel had been. She looked up and smiled at him before getting the last bits of sparkles off her fingers by dotting shimmering prints on her shins. All gone.

She pushed herself off the floor and watched students go towards the maze. Was she going to follow them? Nuh uh. Nope. No way. No matter how grown up and mature fourteen year olds were supposed to be, she was not going in the scary maze full of dark things and dementors even if they weren't real. Norah Lillian Kittredge did NOT do darkness. It was a rule. Cart her off to the teenager police, this fourth year was still scared of the dark. She looked at Professor Dakest again before taking a deep breath and staying right where she was with wand in hand. This was when she tried again, yeah? With a few deep breaths, she opened her mouth again to whisper the incantation. "Expecto patronum. Expecto patronum." Breathe in, breathe out. The air tickled her nostrils and a little grin flickered over her face before disappearing. "Expecto patronum." Breathe in, breathe out. The air tickled again, and a soft giggle escaped her. Her eyes flew open. A GIGGLE?! There was HOPE, peoples. Probably.

feeheeheeny · 05-20-2015, 04:43 AM

Text Cut: Zander

Sophie Brown reentered the classroom with a cool, confident air about her, but for anyone who looked really closely, there was a subtle, red puffiness around her eyes. That was the only trace that she had been crying for a little while, but she had managed to pull herself together before her skin tone gave her away and her eyes went completely bloodshot. No, she figured only three people would notice - Dakest, who seemed to notice everything, then Tobes and Zander. But, as she stole a glance toward the Hufflepuff when she crossed further into the room, he seemed to be totally in his own world. So... he probably wouldn't notice at all either.

She was fine now, though, and smiled as she bounced toward Zander, who was undeniably stressed over this whole thing. She'd missed Dakest's spiel about their next activity - she saw people headed into the maze, but she didn't know the details of it - and for the first time upon returning to class, she acknowledged and gave Dakest a salute. Yes, she was back. And she was okay. Surely he knew she didn't need to really use the loo... but he seemed like an all right guy and she didn't expect him to question her brief absence. She'd come BACK, at least, which was probably most important.

"You're overthinking this, Zan," she nudged him, approaching just after he had let out a noise of frustration and defeat. "And you're underestimating your abilities, which is just a rotten combination, y'know?" She was speaking very, very quietly to him, so only the two of them would hear. No need to make him feel any sort of embarrassment - he was putting enough stress upon himself. "Don't let your grades get into your head. Don't let it define you. You're more than that letter, than what the examiners saw that day."

Sophie tugged lightly on his arm encouragingly and gave him a soft, friendly smile. "Because I know that you're a great wizard. Pure of heart. Powerful, even - maybe y'don't show it so much, because y'don't know y'have it in you. But I've seen how powerful your emotions are, and how passionate you are - with a boost of confidence coupled with your pure heart and passion, I bet y'could be one of the most powerful wizards in this whole room." She was playing with the fingers on his hand now, trying to calm him down and clear his thoughts of all the frustration and discouragement he was facing.

"I don't care if you produce a patronus or not right now. Because I know you can, and I know you have it in you. If not today, you'll do it some day, there's not a doubt in my mind." Was he taking her seriously? "You're still my super cool, super nerdy, super great best friend, no matter what. You're not a failure if you can't do this today." A gentle hand went up and cupped his cheek, encouraging him to look her straight in the eye. "Okay?"

FearlessLeader19 · 05-20-2015, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizasaurus

He nearly jumped when Adi spoke to him. He was a tad nervous and jumpy now thinking about what it was they were going to encounter in the maze! He looked up with relief showing "Hi Adi." he said softly but beamed at him when he asked if he wanted to go in together. "Could we?" he asked "I can at least make a puff of silver stuffs come out at them but...." He really didn't want to go in alone!

"Of course we could!'' Adi said. He was leaving no badger behind when they needed help. Nope, nope! "There's no need to be nervous.'' He gave Torie an encouraging smile which somewhat faltered in surprise. What, what, what?! Torie was already having some progress with the spell? Don't get him wrong, the older Puff was VERYYY happy for his younger friend but he wished he had had even that amount of luck with it. "Hey! That's awesome, Torie! It's better than what I've done so far.'' So how about a high five? Don't leave him hanging. Hehe.

Adi looked towards the entrance again, shifting from foot to foot. "Ready?" With another encouraging smile in Torie's direction, he led the way into the maze. They were only a few steps in but so far, everything seemed to be normal. "Keep your eyes wide open,'' he said, already on the look out for that fake Dementor or Lethifold and any other obstacle in their path.

He hopped over a pile of rocks, dodged out of the way of a boulder while all the while keeping an eye on Torie. Maybe that was why he failed to notice to notice a shadowy figure up front, about two dozen paces from the duo.

Tazenhani · 05-20-2015, 05:25 AM

With his hands in his pockets, Sabel took a few moments to watch what students went in and what stayed out. Some were surprising, others...really weren't.

What was surprising, was that few students tried for the patronus charm upon entering the dark section of the labrynth. He stuck his head in the entryway, just to see, pulling it back out with a smile and a shake as a 'Luminos' after 'Luminos' was heard echoing back.

Perhaps next class, they would work on creativity and resourcefulness. But, they were doing well. No screams of terror yet, though there was one particularly energetic 'Expecto Patronum' that had him glancing back over his shoulder at the trees peeking over the walls. No big burst of light though. Well, it was a good effort.

SPOILER!!: Henric

"Trying, is all I ask for." That was all that really mattered here. All he cared to see. It meant they were at least processing and storing the knowledge. Which meant that, hopefully, when they needed it they would have it. Or they would blank. There was always that.

And try the kid did. An quite a good job too, though the disappointment was hard to miss. Shaking his head, Sabel waved at the area where the white mist had been. "Remember to be patient. Good things come with time, and practice."

SPOILER!!: Eden

And yet another one, who was getting it. Step by step, they were getting there. Bit by bit. Really, it was quite the accomplishment for each and every one of them.

Miss McGee got another encouraging smile. One that said 'don't give up'.

SPOILER!!: Angel

Sabel's attention was captured by Miss Valentine, and he turned to her. It was hard to keep himself distanced from how relatable the young girl's question was to his own experience with his patronus, but he did his best. Hopefully, there weren't too many students good at reading people just yet.

"Of course it would be. It is a fantastic memory. And you can group all the happy moments and memories you have with that person, into that meeting." A domino effect, if she wished. If she could connect all the dots, she would have a strong memory indeed.

SPOILER!!: Zander

Yet another dejected, and rejected, appearing student. Such high hopes and such low falls. It made Sabel sigh. Admittedly, it also made him grateful for the circumstances under which he had learned his patronus. There was nothing quite like the pressure of class to make the difficult even more difficult.

"You're doing a fine job, Mr. Adair. Give it a chance." As in, give yourself a chance.

SPOILER!!: Agatha and Cutty mention

Sabel paused in his wandering to eye the two students across the class. He didn't mind breaks, discussions or encouragements, but from the way Hapgood's lips twisted he had the sense that whatever was going on between the two of them may not have had much to do with such things.

But for now, they weren't causing trouble. So they'd just get his eye going over to them every now and then.

SPOILER!!: Tia

For those that had decided to stay, Sabel continued to circulate. He passed by Mancini as her wand produced the faintest of the patronus charm, earning the biggest grin from him. "Very well done!"

In case she thought about questioning herself and getting moody that it wasn't immediately a graceful swan or frolicking doe.

SPOILER!!: Kace

And there was another coporeal patronus! Sabel grinned broadly at the boy, walking over and holding up his hand to give the kid a high-five. "Excellent work, Mr. Lecium."

Ready for the maze yet? Cue annoying, pressing Professor internal eyebrow wiggle.

SPOILER!!: Benny

It was heartening to see the progress the students were making. The determination to succeed, which he was sure in another class and at another time would drive him up the wall and back down again. But for now, it was more than welcome. And the results were starting to show.

Atreyu seemed to have gotten the grasp of the spell enough to convince himself to go into the labrynth. Sabel watched the sixth year disappear into the dark maw of the entry way, his ears straining to hear how things might be going in there. So far, no death screams.

Always a good thing.

SPOILER!!: Norah

It seemed that humming and glittery things did wonders for moods. Personally, Sabel had never tried the glitter, and he wasn't about to ask right now. Maybe later. If he was having a really bad day.

Because apparently it produced giggles. And more giggles. Shaking his head, Sabel chuckled to himself as he moved past the fourth year. Merlin. What went on in the minds of kids.

SPOILER!!: Miss Brown

It was hard to miss Miss Brown returning to class. Her absence had been dully noted, just as her return was. And that look she had about her, he saw it. Even covered by a salute, he still saw it. She got one arched eyebrow and a nod, but no other words. Wasn't his business really, as long as it didn't become a habit.

And she was back, for now, as she had promised. So really, in the end, that was as far as his need to know went.

SPOILER!!: Mr. Fuller-Thompson

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixir

After managing to make himself feel worse and worse for all sorts of reasons that he was, by this point, refusing to even think about, Toby was focusing on something else entirely. In previous years he'd gotten better about not putting walls up, and dealing with things in the way he'd been since been taught, but it was becoming increasingly clear that the old ways were the best ways. Partly because he'd realised he was dangerously close to crying in the middle of the class, and if THAT ever happened he would drop out of school that very same day, and to heck with NEWTs or what his parents had to say about it.

So the walls had gone up, and Toby sat there with an uncharacteristically blank expression on his face, pushing all that negative energy down down down, except the happy energy wasn't coming to replace it like it was SUPPOSED to, so the negativity was sneaking back anyway. Now it was getting frustrating, and it made Toby nervous. He WASN'T a negative person, not under normal circumstances, and yet here he was, being just that. Conjuring a patronus had been like... a question he didn't need answered, regarding things. But one that he now felt like he had the answer to, and... No. Nope. Ignoring it. Pushing it all away. Not happening. Conceal don't feeeeeeeel. Don't let them knoooooooooow.

... ahem.

Toby had been hoping against hope that Professor Dakest would call an end to the lesson soon, even though the big walls there were obviously hiding something relevant to the remainder of the class time. Obviously something they'd need to use a patronus for, too. So when the next activity was introduced, well...

The labyrinth hadn't sounded SO bad when Dakest mentioned just getting through it, and then the dark passage, 'cause you could just use Lumos for that. But then the word 'Dementor' was mentioned, and any possibility of Toby going in there was immediately snuffed out, regardless of the rest of Dakest's words. No. No. Not happening. No. He didn't care if he was being a literal anti-Hufflepuff today, what with not even trying and with being all... whatever... Toby was not going any place where there would be anything resembling a Dementor. Not a chance, not today, not ever.

He cast a look towards the door. He could just... leave. Just go and not hang around here and go back to his dormitory and hide under his bed for a few days. Was there any point in staying? Because he wasn't willing to attempt to practice either... No... no, he should stay, it would be really rude to just leave, especially when Professor Dakest was turning out to be a real awesome professor. He couldn't, wouldn't, disappoint him more than he likely already had.

Toby would just... watch the others and look like he was thinking of a memory. Or keep taking that break, mhmm. He stayed sat where he was, and left his wand undrawn.

***

Okay, so like...

Toby was exhausted. Which really was saying something. This was a boy who could run and frolic and bounce around the school and grounds all day and still be an impossible ball of energy right up until the moment he went to sleep (at which point he would still be constantly moving and even talking and yeah), and some nights he didn't even do that. Toby didn't get tired. Not like this.

He was just mentally and emotionally drained. It had been a surprisingly difficult lesson, especially considering he'd not done anything. Dealing with emotions was tiring work, putting up walls was draining, and trying to seem unbothered when you really actually were affected by stuff was just straight up hard. But necessary.

Toby, who had started to slump a little where he sat on his little section of floor, now leaned back against the wall. Did he still look like he was thinking of his happy memory? Hopefully. Though sooner or later he might have to get his wand again and actually go through the motions of saying the words and emulating the wand movement. But even that seemed too risky in his irrational state of mind.

Blue eyes roved about the room, taking in the others entering the maze or practicing the spell, before Toby looked down at the space of floor near him, so very tempted to just lay down right there. Don't do it Toby. Don't. Do. It.

He didn't. Instead, he looked up again, gaze going automatically to the door, and then on to the professor where his gaze lingered for a moment, and then back to his classmates. He continued to watch them creature silvery animals or whisps or puffs of smoke with that same unreadable expression.

His wanderings were taking him ever closer and closer to Fuller-Thompson. He made a point of taking his time, of making his passes through the students. Why? He was waiting to see if the kid's mood would change, if something would change. But the boy seemed to be a ball rolling downhill. No breaks, nothing.

When he finally reached the wall Fuller-Thompson had latched onto, Sabel turned about and rested his shoulders against it, watching the students as they practiced and listening to the distant muffle of activity in the labrynth. After a few long, silent moments, he crouched down next to the boy.

"I'd like you to help me with something." As in, there was little chance he could say yes or no to the matter. Sabel nodded at the labrynth. "If you hear anyone calling for help, or needing a guide out, I'd like you to go in and get them. Bring them back out."

Because the best way of getting out of one's own head, was doing something for someone else. Regardless of personal reservations or fears. And there were a few other students he could pick out that would benefit from such an exercise. But given Fuller-Thompson looked like he was about to melt through the floor, he was his first ~~victim~~ charge.

-----------------------------

Heya! You are all doing amazing!

Still got about another 24 hours to go, so keep having fun!

If you need me/Sabel, just grab and tag us, and I'll do so when I can.

Also, I got asked a good question today, as to what exactly the Dementors and Lethifolds are (physical, illusion, smokey...etc). They would be illusions/mirages charmed to appear to students at random points throughout the maze. They will disappear or retreat at spells cast at them, and anything physical would pass through them as if they were mist. Hope that helps!

Please RP the Dementor/Lethifold encounters yourselves. As much as I would LOVE to be able to do it for each of you, we are short on time

Have fun!

Ginevra · 05-20-2015, 05:34 AM

Cilla decided to keep on practising her patronus conjuring. She had not produced a fully corporeal patronus and knew that the labyrinth might sent her into a bit of a meltdown. Her little breather had invigorated her and she felt more confident. She had the wand movement and the incantation down pat so she thought it would be prudent to focus on maintaining her happy memory. Cilla really did not have the energy to once again over exert herself.

Presley Black · 05-20-2015, 06:38 AM

So it was like a haunted maze. Except instead of clowns with chainsaws, there would be dementors and...what was a lethifold? No matter, apparently it couldn't hurt him, so Xavi wasn't frightened.

No hesitation he headed right into the maze. Quickly he found the completely dark passageway. No problem. He would just walk straight, hands out in front of him, and if they hit anything he would go around it, right?

That idea was quickly crushed when he tripped over a rather large rock and fell on his face. He cursed in Spanish and stood up to try again. Xavi hadn't learned very many spells yet, but it was apparent to him that he needed a spell to create light. Thinking quickly he reasoned that most spells were latin words of exactly what the caster needed. He didn't speak Latin, but he did speak two latin-based languages.

He tried his native one first. "LLum!" for 'light' no? Nothing. Now in Spanish. "Luz!" Still not a thing. He would have to resort to stumbling through wishing he'd brought a torch to class with him.

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