DADA Class. (Hufflepuff & Ravenclaw.)

[yelena]

Professor Yelena Nikolaeva walked through the adjoining door of her office to her classroom. This was her first class since joining the Hogwarts’ staff and she was looking forward to the class. She walked into the class, the desks were all aligned and the room was a vast improvement from what it had been only days before: there had been an incident with Peeves. She walked around looking at the different pictures she had put up and some of the other things, such as skeletons of some fearsome creatures.

She walked to her desk and waited, her instruments for the day’s class were already laid out, as well as the text pages that were marked. The class was due to start in a ten minutes, so it gave her a few moments to collect her thoughts. She fixed her olive green robes and began to read a new text that had only been released that morning; it was on pigmy squirrels in Norway, a new species that had just been discovered, that seemed very aggressive and dangerous.

Yelena looked young but she was very experienced with the subject she was hired to teach, and she would prove that to those who thought otherwise. She was older than she looked almost thirty, but having a youthful appearance was a plus in her opinion, people tended not to mind the youth so much, which had made her old job easier.

[JordanCortes]

Jordan Cortes dreaded Defense Against the Dark Arts. It was always the same thing. Year after year. But a small voice in the back of her head kept saying, this year's going to be different, you're going to enjoy DADA this year. But like every other little voice in her head she pushed it out of her mind and focused on the things at hand. BUt when she realized how close DADA was, that little voice came back.

Turning right down a corridor and then another right Jordan paused before she opened the door to the defense against the dark arts classroom. She pulled a smile on her face and walked into the room. it was much more, homey then the other times she had been in there and immediatly took a liking to it. She smiled again and slid into the nearest empty seat.

[Ivy Tunstall]

Ivy walked down the corridor, anxious to reach her Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson on time. She hadn't been late for a lesson yet and she didn't intend to be late for this one. Especially since they had a new teacher and she didn't know what she was like.

'Professor Nikoleva', she thought the name was, although she wasn't entirely sure. Maybe it would be better not to use the name until the teacher had introduced herself. She didn't want to make a bad first impression.

Ivy arrived at the classroom and found that she was in fact in good time. Her watch was about 10 minutes fast. Ivy could see that Jordan was already there. She smiled.

"Mind if I sit here?" she asked Jordan in a hushed voice. The classroom was quite quiet at the moment and she didn't want to make too much noise.

[JordanCortes]

Jordan looked up as Ivy entered the classroom, and smiled as she asked if she could sit next to her. Jordan shook her head.

"Not at all. How's your day been?" She asked, as she slid her bag to her right to make room for Ivy. The room was quiet, and that bugged Jordan just a little but, she would respect it. So as she spoke these words she spoke them quietly.

[Savannah Johnstone R7]

Defense Against the Dark Arts, they really ought to change the name to "Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor" Savannah thought as she walked down the steps from the Ravenclaw tower to the floor where the Dark Arts class was. True they had a new professor this year, but what did that matter!? They'd had a new professor every year she'd been at Hogwarts and they'd had problems with them all. Savannah had actually liked Professor Quirrel, even though he turned out to be as evil as one could be, he still knew his stuff and she'd learned quite a good deal during her first year. Her 2nd year she had Lockhart, and Savannah had no respect for anyone who thought of themself so highly. Loony Lupin as Peeves used to cackle all the time was next and he knew his stuff, as did Mad Eye Moody, yet both didn't last very long. Last year was a year that Savannah simply decided to banish from her memory, Umbridge was an evil witch and Savannah actually thought she'd rather have you know who himself teach than sit through another one of Umbridge's classes.

As Savannah reached the bottom of the stairs she opened her bag and pulled out a tiny black skate board and set it down on the ground. Looking down the hallway in both directions making sure no professors were coming, Savannah took out her wand and aimed it at the small board, "Engorgio" she said which caused the skate board to return to it's normal size. Stuffing her wand into her pocket, Savannah put her right foot on her skate board and propelled herself down the hallway with her left foot. Speeding down the hallway was fun, but not nearly as fun as if she had a ramp or bar to do a trick or two on. Instead Savannah simply skated down the hallway and did manage do pull off two little spins though it wasn't that thrilling. As she neared the classroom she stopped and again took out her wand, "Rudicio" she said and her skate board returned to it's tiny size and Savannah stuffed it back into her bag.

Walking into the Dark Arts classroom she found herself surrounded by younger Hufflepuffs. Savannah had nothing against Hufflepuffs, in fact the sorting hat took it's sweet time placing her in Ravenclaw as she had many of Hufflepuff's traits. Still Savannah was not what one would call overly friendly and she rarely spoke to those she didn't know or felt she couldn't trust, or simply those she didn't like. Savannah did give each of the Hufflepuff girls a slight nod as she walked past them then nodded at the Professor "morning professor" she said plainly and then took a seat in the middle of the classroom.

[Brett]

Brett sighed as he looked at the clock and realized the time. It was almost time for Defense Against the Dark Arts. One of his least favorite class. At least, he thought, we have a different professor each year. He shrugged to himself and stuffed a few things in his bag before leaving the Hufflepuff common room and walking down a corridor. He then turned right and then another right and then pushed open a door. He smiled when he saw a few fellow Hufflepuff's, Jordan Cortes and Ivy Tunstall were sitting together and chatting queitly. He smiled and found a seat in the back. Looked up and examined the room. He shook his head and opened his bag to take out a piece of parchment and a quill. He started to write, absentmindedly. He would only do it until class started, then he would put it away and give full attention to the professor.

[Sapphire Phoenix R7]

Sapphire walked down the corridor, wondering what the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher would be like this year. Each one always seemed to have mishaps. As a result she'd never enjoyed Defence Against the Dark Arts as much as she might have done, although she was fairly good at the subject.

As she walked into the classroom, she took a glance around. The new professor was female, and young. Interesting. Was she the only one they'd been able to get to take the job? Young and struggling? Sapphire contemplated this as she took a seat at the back of the classroom, by a fifth year Hufflepuff.

She turned to him and smiled quietly, rummaging in her bag for what she might need for the lesson. He seemed quite well occupied already, so she took out her copy of 'A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; A Trilogy in Five Parts by Douglas Adams, which she was rereading at the moment. It was quite funny, as Douglas Adams had a wonderful sense of humour. Sapphire turned to the page where she had left her bookmark and started to read, wondering how soon the lesson would begin.

[Ivy Tunstall]

Ivy smiled and sat down next to Jordan.

"My day? Boring mostly. I've had classes all day and none of them have been particularly exciting. Yours?"

Ivy felt down into her bag and took out her wand, two quills and an inkpot, as well as her Defence Against the Dark Arts books and a roll of parchment. The amount of stuff they had to carry around! she mused, setting everything down on the table.

Ivy turned back to Jordan, giving her her full attention and waiting for a reply.

[JordanCortes]

Jordan nodded in agreement with Ivy. Her day was boring as well. She watched as Ivy took out an inkpot, quill, and wand and then smiled.

"Yep. Same, boringness all the way to tim-buck-two. Horrible. Spent the day drawing in between classes, and very well not paying attention during them." Jordan sighed and shook her head, remembering the looks she had gotten.

"Ah well. Can't wait until the days, over. I need some shut eye." Jordan said as she yawned. She covered her mouth and smiled.

"See?" She asked with a small giggle, she then took out her sketchbook from her bag and turned to a fresh page. She looked for something to sketch, but nothing came to mind.

[Ivy Tunstall]

Ivy smiled. "Just hope this lesson is more interesting than the rest," she said.

Watching Jordan yawn, she agreed with her just how tired she must be. She watched as Jordan took out her sketchbook, wondering what she would draw this time, but this time Jordan seemed to be fresh out of inspiration as she didn't mark the paper.

Ivy looked around the room, watching people as they had animated conversations and others who had gone to sleep. The classroom was slowly filling up with people, and the trickle of students was slowing down.

"There's no chance of you getting any sleep," she commented to Jordan, "the teachers don't care about our wellbeing when they give us all that homework." Ivy smiled slightly and gave a huge yawn.

"Looks like you're not the only one who needs sleep," she said, giving Jordan a bleary eyed smile. She lay her head down on her desk. "Wake me up when the lesson starts."

[rosewood]

Julie Rosewood’s wide forehead was creased into a frown as she opened the door of the Defence classroom. Her performance in this particular subject was always way below her expectations. One reason was her constant worrying that she wouldn’t be able to do the required task, and that made her lose her confidence in herself. She couldn't have a chosen subject that needed more confidence than Defence to do so in. Had it not been for the DA last year Julie doubted she would have managed to score the E she had in the subject. Harry had offered his help this year but if only the teacher was better than the group they had had in the previous years, she might not need it. Correction. She needed all the help she could get in Defence.

Julie sat down beside Savannah still looking worried as she looked at the Professor sitting before her. She had already greeted her with a nervous smile and a low “Good morning”. Julie placed her parchment and quill before her, then pulled out her textbook from her bag and looked through it. She had already done so previously, and had noticed the enormous difference between Professor Nikolaeva’s choice and the teacher before her. At least the book did not make your thoughts wander aimlessly to any topic but Defence. Julie tucked in a loose strand of hair behind her ear, glad Savannah had chosen this place to sit in. It wasn’t directly in front of the Professor but it was close enough so that she would be able to follow the instructions and not miss anything.

[KelseyMattie]

Kelsey smiled happily. DADA! She thought happily. They had a new teacher this year too! kelsey grabbed her bag and headed out of the Common room. She loved being in Hufflepuff, one of her best friends was in that same house1 Jordan. She walked the rest of the way to the classroom only to find a few students there. She smiled and immidiatly found Jordan talking with Ivy. She walked over and said hi to her friend.

"Hullo Jordan!" she looked to Ivy and smiled warmly, "Hullo. I don't think we've really been introduced," she said, "I do know, however that you know Amelia Richardson. She one of my best friends!" Amelia had said how shy Ivy was, but Kelsey oculd only remember how shy she as when she first came to Hogwarts. This place could be quite ruff!

As Kelsey waited for them to answer she looked around the room. bret was there. She wanted to say hi to him. And she would once Jordan and Ivy say hi to her. kelsey wanted to be friends with the ultra cute boy!

[Ivy Tunstall]

Ivy looked up cautiously at the older girl, rubbing her eyes. Amelia and Jordan seemed to have so many friends! Ivy couldn't keep up with them all; they seemed to know her because she knew one of them. She had seen the girl in the Hufflepuff Common Room, of course, talking to Jordan quite a few times, but she'd never spoken to her and she had no idea what her name was.

Sensing that the girl's attention was drifting, Ivy decided to take the initiative and reply. "Hi," she said. "I'm afraid you have an advantage on me, 'cos I don't know your name."

Ivy followed the girl's gaze to Brett. She hoped that Brett wouldn't turn out as fickle as Payton had.

[KiylaJohnson]

Kiyla walked in the classroom and went over by Ivy who was talking to an older Hufflepuff. She smiled at them both and put her things down next to Ivy.

"Hi!" She said smiling. She looked at Ivy uncertainly for a second then followed her gaze. She was looking at Brett... but why Kiyla wondered.

"Be right back!" Kiyla said to Ivy with a smile. She walked over to where Brett was sitting and sat down.

"Hey," She said with a grin. "What are you writing..."

[Ivy Tunstall]

Ivy looked up at Kiyla and smiled as she set her things down, all thoughts of getting a good nights sleep in the DADA lesson dispelled. She could see that people weren't going to let her do that. A shame she thought, with a sigh. On the other hand...

Ivy watched as Kiyla walked over to Brett. She tried to make eye contact with Kiyla but failed. Kiyla obviouasly didn't want to explain right now. With a sigh Ivy gave a large 'harrumph' and burrowed her head in her arms again.

[Sapphire Phoenix R7]

Sapphire looked up from her book as a Hufflepuff girl in the year below her walked up to Brett and greeted him. Interesting. She watched the two of them and deduced that they were most certainly mutually attracted to each other.

Sapphire gazed at the girl, and they made eye contact. Sapphire held the gaze levelly, and was not the first to look away. She returned to her book, wondering about who the girl was that had managed to attract the attention of the boy sitting next to her.

[yelena]

((All the creatures for this class can be found on this website, or by running your own searches if you wish: www.parascope.com/en/cryptozoo/predators.htm )


Yelena stood when enough students were present and the time for class had started. She stood and walked slowly in front of her desk and propped against it, looking at the students. “Good day to you all students. I am your new Professor for the Defence Against the Dark Arts. My name, is Yelena Nikolaeva.” She walked forward and began to peruse the aisles, “Now, there only a few things you need to know here for us to have a good experience this year. Number one: Do not be afraid to ask. Number two: Do not speak unnecessarily; I am sure you by now know what the consequences for this is. With me you get two chances after that…” she walked back to the front of her desk and looked at the students smiling. “Number three: Raise your hand to answer my questioned and number four: Have fun with what you are going to learn.”

Yelena walked to the blackboard, “This year we are going to be studying those creatures that the muggle world have seen, but deem as hoaxes and fakes. Creatures they do not want to believe exist, but do. We wizards have been aware of them and try our best to deal with their surfacing, but that is not always possible. You will also see how the human condition and want to disbelieve has proven a great ally to us. We hardly ever have to alter the memories of muggles who spot these creatures as most people do not believe them, and most never say a word to anyone for fear of ridicule.” She flashed her wand over the board and the picture of a smallish creature with big eyes and spikes along its back appeared. “We are going to be studying two creatures in this class today and this is the first. Now, who can tell me what this is?” she said and waited for the first hand to rise.

[Brett]

Brett smiled as Kiyla sat down next to him.

"I'm writing, well words." He said with a small chuckle. He then waved his papers aside.

"Just nonsense really." Class then began to start. As Professor Nikolaeva asked the first question Brett immediatly knew the answer. His hand shot up in the air.

"That, professor, is El Chupacabras.Which is known to be a blood sucker of ducks, goats, geese, and cows." Brett answered.

[Savannah Johnstone R7]

Savannah looked up as Julie sat down with her. "hey Jules" she said giving her as much of a friendly smile as one could expect from Savannah. It's not to say that Savannah never smiled, but it was only something that her true friends saw and in class it never happened. The professor began class and it was the usual deal as was in all classes, blah blah, be quiet, raise your hand etc. Sighing Savannah looked at the board and listened to the professor describe a creature muggles had seen. It came to her rather quickly what this creature was, she'd seen it on a TV show about mysterious creatures. Raising her hand, Savannah waited to be called on. However no sooner had her hand gone up than some boy blurted out the answer, sighing with disgust Savannah rolled her eyes and let her hand fall back down to the desk.

[Ivy Tunstall]

Ivy sat up as the Professor stood up and introduced herself. Professor Nikolaeva. She found it rather unnecessary for the Professor to repeat the rules basically every teacher had in their class, but she supposed teachers just liked to do that sort of thing. Besides, some of these rules seemed to blatantly contradict one another. If you asked a question that was unnecessary, right?

She watched as the teacher put a picture up on the board of an absurd and slightly scary looking creature, and wondered if that creature would ever turn up in Care of Magical Creatures. Reportedly the teacher had quite a liking for savage creatures. Maybe it made the lessons more exciting, but Ivy didn't think she'd like it. She might be better at it than Astronomy, though.

Ivy listened to the answer Brett gave. The teacher had said to raise your hand before you answered the question but she did think you might wait to be called on. Brett appeared to have taken Professor Nikolaeva's instructions literally. Oh well. She hadn't known the answer anyway, and no teacher would be likely to call on someone as shy and insignificant as herself. They called on the ones they noticed, unless they were looking to pick out someone shy. That was usually the only time Ivy ever answered a teacher, because her reaction times were slower than some people's.