Defence Against the Dark Arts ((6th-7th years))

[Professor Julius Foxcroft]

There was a strange look in Julius' eyes as he awaited the arrival of his oldest students that day. One of Julius' worst failings was his constant fretting over every decision that he took; he obsessed too much about the details and the possibility that he might be wrong even after there was no turning back. And today he had a feeling his experiment might not work out, or that he would have been safer relying on something that might be easier and require less creativity. But these were his NEWTs students, and this was there first class, and Julius wanted to know what level they were at. However, that was not the strangest thing about his look, that is, the indecision, but it was something very different. The strangest thing was that there was a look in his eyes that made him seem more alive and spirited than he had since he'd first come to Hogwarts, defeated and unwilling to come out of his shell.

Julius looked over the list of students, smiling to himself as he saw some of the names, and wondering what the personalities of the people with the names he didn't know were like. Anybody taking the class had scored at least an E, so Julius presumed they were all quite adept and familiar with the work of the five years before, and today would be a chance for them to demonstrate how much they had mastered during the past five years. It would be different working with these students than the others, and Julius was looking forward to this class even though he doubted his decision on what he was going to do with them today.

[dawn]

Dawn was walking the grounds of the castle. it was a beautiful day. Soft white flakes fell from the sky an landed ever so delicately on the ground in front of her. Dawn was dressed in her school uniform, since it was only morning break. With her Slytherin scarf dressed around her neck, She walked with her hands comfortable in her pockets shielding her porcelain skin from the cold temperature. Standing st the foot of the stone stairs Dawn was talking to a few of her friends. Dawn actually adored to talk, she didn't much in classes. She thought it was disruptively but once she was found around her close friends; Cole Waters, Leland Astor; Pansy Parkinson; Or Melanthia Aridea, she was a chatter box per say. Talking about the latest news in the Daily prophet, Dawn smiled as another one of her friends joined the conversation. Even though the blustery cold was setting in on the castle grounds, the lawns were full of students running around, building things, playing games, or merely conversing.

The school bell rang as a few students began to run up the stone stairs. Dawn was one of a few people from her own group that separated. Dawn held classes as a second in school. First, to her was Quidditch just a hobby; but Class work was always important. She wanted to know all she could even if she thought she knew all she needed to know, she still went to the class to stuff certain information in the back of her mind.

Pushing through the oak doors, Dawn made her way up the stairs to her Defense Against the Dark Arts Class. Dawn of course had opinions on the class, but it was always fun. Dawn adored how it was mostly hands on. She liked trying things when they are first brought to her attention not think about them for a week then try them. Turning the corner directly before the class Dawn stepped into the room. "Good Day Professor." Dawn greeted as she took her seat. She felt being nice to the teacher was key if you wanted to learn something. Not 'Sucking up' which many people would call it, but Dawn had no reason to. Sitting in the second row, int he middle of the class Dawn rung her scarf over the back of the chair and unbuttoned her cloak slightly until she would get cold again, which she would button it back up.

[Edward Summers R6]

For once in his life Edward had had a stroke of genius before an accident happened. Usually Ed got in trouble when he tried to carry his books, and ever since the his 3rd year his number of books carried at one time had never fallen below 5. No matter how many times he had fallen into this disaster he never thought to place a featherweight charm on the books. Or to just levitate them behind him. Not today! Ed walked down the hall humming happily. A stack of books floating close behind him. He was on his way to his first DADA lesson. He had heard rumors that Professor Foxcroft had taken over the post as the new DADA instructor.

Ed easily found the door to the classroom. 7 years at Hogwarts went a great way when you were looking for a certain room. Stepping through the doors he looked about the classroom. It seemed that not a lot of students had shown up yet. That was to be expected. Ed had alway shown up early for most classes. Ed enjoyed DADA, at least when it came to the textbook and writing essay part of it. When it actually came to physically performing the spells and battling the creatures, he wasn't to good. He groaned when he noticed one of the students that had already shown.

Dawn McGrogan. A student that Ed knew very well. Dawn was a very well known Slytherin, not only was she a slytherin, she was a Queen of Slytherin. In all 7 years here at Hogwarts Ed had never had a friendly run in with Slytherins. The fact that they all looked at him as an easy bully target, even the 5th years thought this, didn't make for a fun time for Ed. He chose to sit far away and took a seat on the opposite side of the room. His books slowly landed on the table beside him.

[dana]

Dana sauntered down the hallways while drinking a cup of cappuccino. Yesterday had been a long night. And a long Transfiguration essay. All together that meant that Dana had not gotten much more than 4 hours of sleep taking into account the early quidditch practice. Dana would have glandly grumbled about the time of the practice, if it hadn’t been she herself who put together the times for practice. At least she had paid for it with a slightly bruised left shoulder from a loose bluddger. Happens when your beaters are too sleepy... or a bit irritated about the practice time as well. At least coffee made everything better. Cappuccino at this case actually, but the point stayed the same. Dana might have closed her eyes to enjoy the taste of the bit bitter, but rich and strong drink properly if she hadn’t had to walk right now.

Making some non-commital sounds at some acquintances and friends she passed Dana grinned at a fellow Ravenclaw and a good friend as she reached her. „Morning, Sapphire,“ Dana took one more sip of her cup of cappuccino, before taking it into her left hand and snatching the apple away from Sapphire’s fingers, „Thanks for the apple!“ Raising the mentioned apple in a greeting as she walked forward down the corridor Dana bit into the apple, feeling rahter certain Sapphire had an other one with her. The only reason why Dana had so... skillfully... taken this specific apple.

Transfiguration... that meant Transfiguration books were needed. Sapphire grumbled inaudibly to herself as she got out of bed in a rather trance-like state. Her wand came out immediately, as well as one of her mugs, and hot chocolate was soon filling that mug. Taking a sip, she grimaced. Not the best she’d made. Still tasty… but she preferred as perfect as possible and that wasn’t. Well… it was early morning. Speaking of that… she didn’t usually allow herself hot chocolate in the morning. No self-discipline at all this morning evidently. She pulled on a pair of jeans and a black cotton top with a v-neck, her Ravenclaw jumper and her school robes going on over the top. It turned out in her morning stupor she had forgotten she’d packed her Transfiguration books the day before. Just as well she could rely on herself.

It was a cruel world, she decided later, where you couldn’t trust your friends. A rather pleasant breakfast ended in her taking a selection of fruit. She was about to bite into scrumptious looking apple, red on one side and green with tinges of red on the other when Dana Coran appeared and snatched that apple out of her hands. Sapphire gave the sixth year a smile, before, having ascertained there were no Professors in the near vicinity, withdrawing her wand. “Impedimenta” was quickly cast and Sapphire smiled to herself as it took effect on the Ravenclaw prefect. She quickly caught up with Dana and pointed her wand at her with a smile on her face. “I wouldn’t suggest you eat the red side, it might well be poisoned,” she said, referring to the Muggle fairy tale Snow White, whether or whether not Dana was familiar with it. “Since you evidently find taking my fruit gives you a far tastier result than getting your own, might I suggest you try the pear? Not poisoned.” Sapphire pulled the pear out of her bag and tossed it to Dana, releasing the spell completely in time to allow Dana to have free movement to catch the pear. “Have a pleasant day,” she bid her friend, before disappearing off to her own lesson.

Dana grinned as she felt her movements slow down until he stood calmly as Sapphire approached her again. Laughing at her words Dana reached up to catch the pear while calling out after the 5th year: “Poisoned? Now I really DO have to eat the apple. Maybe I’ll find my Prince Charming when he comes to rescue me. Unless of course he has already been roasted in that metal armour.”
Shifting her bag on her shoulder, Dana took one more bite out of the apple before leaning it on the window-sill for a moment as she drowned her cappuccino and with a wave of her wand banished her coffee-cup. She dind’t have a clue what Foxcroft was going to be teaching them today, buts he was rahter sure he dind’t want tos ee coffe-cups in the classroom. Finding out who was the professor had taken just a simple act of thinking. Hardy had taken over Muggle Studies, but as Foxcroft hadn’t left the school – he was the only candiate for DADA. Chewing rather happily on the apple and throwing the pear Sapphire had given her in her hand Dana pulled open the classroom door and entered the calssroom, to her surprise being the first student here. „Good day, professor Foxcroft,“ Dana greeted calmly as she chose the first desk on the left of the classroom for herself to be seated.

((The paragraphs in Italics were actually written my Sapphire, so no god-moding has taken place.))

[kris]

Kris moved trhough the hallways of Hogwarts quietly and not very quickly, but with a straight direction. Morrigan was very awake on his hsoulder, making quiet noses in her throat as she jumped on Kris’s left shoulder upon which direction Kris turned smoothly. He had learned to get around the school witht he help of his walking cane and Morrigan had more or less learned to rely on his other senses but eyes as well as instincts. It was rather easy really. If every cell in your head started screaming loudly about that there is something very wrong with where you were going, then there was a 99% chance that there was a wall or a hole in front of you.
Someone ran into him and wihtout saying a word Kris raised his black ebony walking-dance and pushed the young bo out of the way, with the tip of the cane firmly placed on the boys shoulder. Ignoring the ’hey’ being shouted as the boy crashed into a suit of armor Kris reached the DADA classroom with no further interruptions.

Kris smirked as he pulled open the door as Morrigan had extracted her calws at the right moment. At least NEWT’s class would hopefully be packed with less action than the OWL’s class he had been too. Which reminded Kris that he was yet to get his revenge on Dana for charming his and Cleo’s wrists together. Using the celtic-knot spell had been a clever idea really. But the wings and tunic Kris had been forced to wear – he wasn’t completely sure the outfit did him honour.“
Steppign into the room Kris shiftde his head slightly, already knowing from previous experiences who the professor was. „Professor,“ was the only acknowledgement Kris gave before hearing a quick, short whistle. Without any hesitation Kris made his way forward following the whistle before slipping gracefully into the bench next to Dana as morrigan once again extracted her claws.
„Dana,“ ris said smelling the apple Dana was eating. Reaching out his hand Kris found a pear on the table as well into which he easily bit in as he leaned back in his chair, reaching his legs out and crossing them at the ankles calmly, while his right hand rested calmly on the back of Dana’s chair.

((OWL's class and NEWT's class aren't at the same time, so Kris can be in both. Or at least in both up to the point where you do something about him in OWLs.
If it comforts you, professor, then I only give trouble to the teachers I like.))

[luna]

“Re-ka-ki-ke-ki-ke-ki-ke-garumba-re-ka-ki-ke-ki-ke-ki-ke-garumba- re-ka-ki-ke-ki-ke-ki-ke-garumba- re-ka-ki-ke-ki-ke-ki-ke-garumba-rumba!“ Luna sang out happily as she waved the red tomahawk around her in ryhthm to the song. Dancing down the hallways happily Luna waved at a young first year Hufflepuff girl who seemed to be admiring her outfit. “Hey!“ Luan greeted the girl happily as she hopped over to the Huffelpuff girl and gave her a tight hug. “Here have a tomahawk. And a feather. Your tomahawk and feather are still white because you have not conquered any envemies yet. But not to worry. I know for a fact that there are little red manchies in the Transfiguration classroom that you can fight. I’m sure a brave knight like you will have to problems conquering them!“ Luna beamed at the Hufflepuff who seemed a little surprise someone actually reqocnized her potential as Luna handed her a small white rubber tomahawk and tucked a white fluffy feather behind her ear before skipping forward.

Pushing over the door to the Defence Against Dark Arts classroom Luna hopped in letting out one more war-cry before she ran to the front desk right in front of professor Foxcroft who was standing in front of the classroom. Hopping onto the desk Luna kneeled on the desk and smiled brightly at professor Foxcroft.
“Good day professor. I was afraid someone who might not be able to lead us to vicotry would be giving Defence Against Dark Arts this year. I know from a very certain resource that the red manchies in Transfguration classroom aren’t expecting an attack today. I have brought enough jelly to help us all to raid the classroom and banish them through a suprise attack. I’m sure professor McGonagall would be extremely thankful for such help!“ Luna handed professor Foxcroft a big pot of Jelly that had been floating after her so far before she went to a seat at the side where Luna coninued to sing her indian song shaking the tomahawk form time to time threateningly.

[Lavender Brown]

Lavender looked around the common room. It was empty. Her mid-morning break had given her enough time to look over her homework and attempt to start some of it. She wasn't much in the mood to do it, but she figured she would try anyway. Lavender looked out the window of the common room and smiled at the white flakes that fell past the window. It was snowing once again. How she simply adored the snow. Lavender shook her head and stared at her homework. "No more distractions," Lavender told herself out loud as she started reading through her transfiguration book. Professor McGonagall had assigned a lot of reading before the next class. Lavender loved Transfiguration, but sometimes too much homework was just that too much. Her attention span began to wonder and her eyes stared into the fire that was burning brightly. The flames were so beautiful and the coals looked warm and inviting. Lavender sighed as she looked back at her homework. There was no way she was getting any done right now. Her mind was wandering too much to think about anything let alone homework.

Lavender stood up and stacked all of her books together. The tower was larger than she thought it would be. Turning she grabbed her bag and took out her wand. "Rudicio," she said and her books shrunk to a small size. She picked up the books with one hand and placed them in her backpack. She loved using magic to make things easier. Most people like things to be complicated and difficult. She didn't. She liked order and ease. It helped her stay ahead of the game of life. Lavender looked down at her schedule for her next class. DADA. She loved that class now. Ever since her 5th year at Hogwarts when she was in the DA. She hadn't really understood DADA before that, but thanks to Harry she had become very good at it. Which was a good thing. She was debating on whether to actually become an Auror. It was difficult for her to decide. She wanted to do several things, but she wasn't sure where her path was going to lead her.

Lavender stooped down and picked up her backpack by the strap and threw it over her left shoulder. She adjusted her school robes and headed out the common room door. "Have fun in class," the Fat Lady called as Lavender left. "I will," Lavender replied. She smiled. She would surely miss the Fat Lady when she left. She had grown quite accustomed to her little speeches. She won't ever forget them. They had helped her a few times when she had been crying in despair. Lavender walked down from the Gryffindor tower and headed to the DADA class. She was glad she knew where all the classes were now. She remembered getting lost a few times in her first few years at Hogwarts. Now she knew the school like the back of her hand, well for the most part. She still couldn't find all of the secret passage ways, but she didn't really care at this point in time.

Lavender made her way through the crowded corridors and smiled at a few people she knew. She stepped into the doorway of the DADA classroom and smiled as she entered. She was greeted by Professor Foxcroft. She had forgotten that he had replaced the last DADA professor. She hoped it would last longer than one year, but it was unlikely. She just hoped he didn't die in the process of this class like Professor Quirrell had. Lavender took a seat away from the other students she didn't know very well. She smiled at Dana as she passed her, as well as Luna. They were the only two she knew in the class, but she didn't mind. She was used to just sticking with her immediate friends. She socialized a lot, but not so much with those outside her house. Lavender pulled her DADA book out of her bag, "Engorgio." Her DADA book returned to it's normal size. She pulled out parchment, a quill, and ink and waited for class to begin.

[padma]

Padma walked out of the Ravenclaw common room with her heavy Defense Against the Dark Arts book in her bag. She had only one course today but it figured to be an interesting one, this year it was Professor Foxcroft giving the class a go, in her years at Hogwarts she'd had more D.A.D.A. professors than all the other subjects combined, she first had Quirrell, then Lockhart, from there it went to Lupin, then a false Mad Eye Moody, then very briefly the real Mad Eye Moody, from then the professor became the horrible Umbridge, and then last year Professor Nikolaeva and then Professor Vector at the end of the year.

Much of what Padma had learned about defending herself came from studying the text, a few things she picked up from here and there in class and of course the D.A. Now in her final year she had diligently read her text and studied defensive spells and a few hexes she learned from the dueling classes, she knew she had to be ready at any moment from all the recent attacks. Padma absentmindedly walked through the halls thinking things over until she reached the classroom and entered. Already a few students were present with a few minutes to go before class.

As she walked in she took in the others for a brief moment before deciding to go and sit next to Luna, despite the fact that she was swinging about some sort of war hammer. Setting her books down on the table Padma sat down next to Luna, "so, Luna., umm, how's the good fight?" She knew of course she'd opened the floodgates but class would begin soon and Luna surely wouldn't talk over the Professor.

[leland]

Wrapped up in his Grey Jersey sheets and covered in a think cotton blanket Leland was fast sleep. It was mid-day but Leland didn't care about half of his classes. He was too worried about more important things; for instance, Girls. Hogwarts was utterly annoying to him. He found no need to go to classes he already knew he could ace. He did go to a few. He had too, if he didn't he would be kicked out. Leland dreaded the school but being kicked out, that would be the icing on the cake in the Astor Family. Rolling over to his side, he was laying facing the door, when suddenly his seventh year dorm door opened and slammed off of the opposite wall. His eyes flicked open as he gazed upon Draco Malfoy's body. "What in the bloody hell is this school coming too? Dumbledore is such a buffoon he is brainwashing everyone here! My own sorted house isn't safe from mudblood lovers." Malfoy steamed as he went across the room to his bed. Leland closed his eyes tightly as he heard Goyle and Crabbe walk into the room after Malfoy. Draco went on about Dumbledore and all of his nonsense gibberish.
Finally Leland was up. Looking up wards to the clock on the wall it read, 12:34. 'You must be kidding me.' A thought went though his mind. He was up 30 minutes before his normal call time was. Shaking his head, Leland sat up. He was wearing pajama pants, and no shirt. Stretching, his back was toward Draco as he started to retort a comment. "Draco, in all facts this isn't 'your house'. Your father may have the money to buy out the school but a true Slytherin is something you will never be." Leland spoke in his normal tone; which was a proper voice laced in a cold meaning. He never raised his voice unless it was a last resort, he was too well mannered to do so.

Placing his feet on the ground, he made his way towards his closet and began to dress. A few minutes later Leland was dressed in his normal Hogwarts, Slytherin attire. His dark blue eyes seemed to cascade over the room as he searched for anything he might need. Grabbing his wand from his pillow, Leland turned to leave the dorm room as well as Common room.

As several minutes pasted as well as several looks of carelessness Leland Astor made his way to his first class of the day; Defense against the Dark Arts. He hadn't been to this class all year, and decided to make his first appearance. Walking into the class room, it was covered in students from different houses. Only two Slytherins; but only one of the two worth talking to. Dawn McGrogan was a dear old friend of his. They have been friends for as far back as he could remember. Of course she was stubborn, but not nearly as self-centered as Leland was. That was probably the reason why the butted heads so much. But they were always there for each other when the time was needed, which made them very good friends. "Good Afternoon Darling." Leland greeted as he massaged Dawn's shoulder's slightly as he walked behind her and took a seat next to her. "I am thrilled to have Defense against the Dark art's today, Aren't you?" Leland commented as he showed a smile of witty sarcasm. "If you don't mind me saying, You look gorgeous today." Leland nodded, honestly to his friend as he turned to face the front of the class and leaned back in his seat.

[payton]

So far the year had been going well, something he was a bit worried about at the when he first returned to Hogwarts with his memory being in the awkward state that it was. He had decided the year before to take a full load of classes, even if the future career he was still planning involved no magic other than a few charms to make life easier on himself. Maybe it was the fact that he had grown up as a muggle, and didn't know if he would work in the muggle or magical world after he graduated that made him feel like he needed to learn everything he could about wizardry while he could.

Todays class was Defense Against the Dark Arts. He didn't mind the class, and he was well aware of the state of the wizarding world, even more so after he was in injured in the Diagon Alley attacks this summer, and knew that learning how to defend yourself was something everyone should know about. He was also thankful at the start of term that he had done well the year before, because his memory felt like a blank slate the first day of class. Now though, with half the year almost over, things seemed to be falling back into place, and he settled himself down in one of the seats near the front of the room.

[Parvati Patil]

Parvati Patil scrutinized her appearance in the mirror with a frown on her face. Turning to the side, she sucked in her stomach. " It doesn't get any better than this, does it?" She turned around to look at a younger housemate, Emily Wade, shrug. " You look fine. It's only class. Nobody care what you look like that much." Parvati's frown deepened. Picking up her brush, she stroked out her thick, black hair one last time, and then headed out the dormitory door.

Emily chattered away as she followed Parvati down the stairs. Parvati wasn't paying attention to her, and she absent mindedly nodded her head in fake acknowledgment of her words. With NEWTS approaching, her time at Hogwarts was coming to an end. The thought terrified her. It wasn't that she had been isolated from the world at school, but the idea that she would have to venture forth into a dangerous one is what frightened her. "...You know what I mean, Parvati?"

Parvati snapped back to the conversation as they entered the common room. " Yeah, Emily. Crystal Clear." Emily gave her friend a quizzical look, but was soon distracted by the appearance of Neville Longbottom. " Hey Parvati, Emily. You heading to Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Emily nodded enthusiastically and chattered away to Neville. Their conversation jumped from topic to topic, and Parvati was unable to keep up. She was lost in her own thoughts anyway. Parvati was starting to feel a strain between her and her family. The twin's parents had stressed to the girls about the importance of staying safe, and it seemed that Padma was taking their preaching to heart. Even though both of the twins had been in the D.A., Padma had not answered the call earlier this summer about the meeting at Grimmauld Place. It seemed that Padma's fervor to fight the Death Eaters had died while Parvati's had intensified.

Parvati was roused out of her thoughts once again as the group entered the DADA classroom. The group quickly found Lavender Brown, and say down by her. " So, you coming back to the real world?" Susan Bones smiled broadly at Parvati. Parvati looked at her, confused, " When did you get here?"

[julia]

" Parvati, are you ready?" Emily's hand rapped against the door for what seemed like the hundredth time. She had been waiting for what seemed like forever, but in reality it had only been a few moments. Getting worried, Emily bit her lip in apprehension. Parvati had been in such a bad funk lately, and it was beginning to effect everything Parvati did. Emily had watched her own father sink into a deep depression that he never escaped, and she wasn't about to let that happen to any of her friends. " Parvati, if you don't answer me, I'm coming in!" Silence. Fed up, Emily turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.

Parvati stood in front of a full length mirror with a very sad face. Staying relatively quiet, Emily sat on Parvati's bed and waited. After a few moments of silence, Parvati began to speak rather low of herself. " You look fine. It's only class. Nobody cares what you look like." Parvati's face frowned back at her from the mirror. Clenching her teeth, Emily instantly regretted her words. After a brief touch up with the hair brush, Parvati left the room.

Emily followed after her. " You know, Parvati, I think your dorm room is bigger than mine. That would make sense though. It would only be fitting for the older students to have the biggest dorm room, You know, Parvati?" Emily's statement were blown off by a short reply. The two-some met Neville at the bottom of the stairs. After a brief inquiry on where the girls were going, Neville joined them.

Neville soon brought up the eternal question at Hogwarts. " So, who do you think is the DADA teacher?" Emily shrugged her shoulders, but before she could answer another familiar voice answered. "I'm not sure who it is going to be, but it should be interesting." Susan Bones' smiling face poked around Neville.

The four friends soon mad their way into the classroom and sat near Lavender Brown. Emily eyed the teacher at the front of the room. " Isn't that Professor Foxcroft? Wasn't he the Muggle Studies teacher last year?" Neville nodded and stated, " Yeah, he apparently doesn't value his life."

[Professor Neville Longbottom]

" I'm done, Heath. I've got to go to class," Neville stood up from the chess board as his king sliced through the boy's rook. Frowning, the second year put up the chess board and went up to his dorm. The game had taken way to long, and he knew that almost everyone else had gone to DADA. Retrieving his book bag that lay beside him, he stood and began to leave. A familiar voice caught his attention. Knowing they would be going to DADA as well, he waited for Parvati and Emily to descend the staircase.

After the girl's acknowledged they were going to class, they headed out the door. Emily seemed in a cheery mood, rattling off as she normally did. Parvati seemed rather down, but before he could ask what was wrong , Emily asked if anyone knew who the new DADA teacher was going to be.

Susan announced her arrival by thumping Neville on the back, hard. " I'm not sure who it is going to be, but it should be interesting." Neville snorted, but kept his comment to himself. Hogwarts had never been able to keep a DADA professor fore more than a year. Neville knew for a fact that over the past six years every Professor in that position had something horrible happen to them.

The group rounded the corner into the classroom. Many students had already arrived and were now waiting anxiously for class to start. The first DADA class was usually exciting, and this one was already proving eventful. Professor Foxcroft was there, and Neville never would of guessed that he had gotten the post. Neville heard Susan ask Parvati something over the roar of the students. Deciding it was too loud to start a conversation, he sat down beside Emily and waited for class to begin. He only opened his mouth once to acknowledge her question about Foxcroft.

[susanbones]

" Hannah! Hannah!" Susan rushed out of the bathroom calling her friend's name to no avail. She found the dorm empty as she heard her cat meow. Going back into the bathroom, she caught a look of herself in the mirror. " Gah!" she cried. Susan had only put eyeshadow on one eye. " Now, that would of been embarrassing!" Susan said to the stone walls as she fixed her face. After a few extra minutes of primping, Susan rushed out of the bathroom, kissed her cat goodbye, and grabbed her DADA book.

It was a short walk to the DADA classroom from the common room. Many students were flooding the hallways trying to their individual classes. She soon overtook Parvati, Emily, and Neville, and announced her arrival by giving Neville a slap on the back. Walking in on the conversation, she quickly gave her thoughts on the new DADA teacher. Everybody in the group seemed to acknowledge her response except Parvati, whom seemed trapped in her own little world.

Susan poked Neville in the side. Catching his eye, she discretely pointed at Parvati. Neville shrugged his shoulders in an ' I don't know' fashion. Susan sighed as they entered the classroom, frustrated that she didn't know what was going on. Sitting with the gaggle of Gryffindors, Parvati soon came out of her stupor long enough to put her books away. Susan caught the girl's eye and said, " So, you coming back to the real world?"

Parvati gave a confused stare back at Susan. " When did you get here?" Susan was taken aback. Normally very perceptive, Parvati looked like she was floating. Susan inquired, " Honey, are you okay?" Parvati merely shook her head ' no' and turned away.

(( Just so everyone knows, the last four posts were done by characters that are all played by me. So, all the vast amounts of god moding is allowed.))

[Samantha Driscoll]

Samantha let her long, lank hair cover her face as she made her way into class. At the back she found Kris sitting beside his cousin, and she strode over to where he was and sat down without looking at or talking to anyone. What was the point of her coming to classes anyway? She did out of habit she supposed – or maybe she was clinging onto some desperate hope that someone would help her get over her fear of her wand? Well, whatever it was, she was here for some reason, and the man at the front of the class would soon she had know no business coming to an Advanced class when she couldn’t so much as summon a piece of parchment.

She looked at the middle-aged professor. Samantha knew this man vaguely from somewhere, but she couldn’t quite remember where. Well, if he was going to manage to make her do anything she would be surprised. Her wand lay far away from her, and Samantha was looking determinedly at anything but it, too ashamed of what she would have to say when she would be required to perform magic. She hadn’t even told Kris that she couldn’t do magic anymore – and somehow no-one had found out yet.

[rosewood]

With undisguised curiosity in her light brown eyes Julie stared at the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, wondering what he was like. Rumour had it that this job was jinxed, so why had this professor suddenly decided to stop teaching Muggle Studies and suddenly teach Defence? Julie wondered if he was any good. Defence was not her strongest suit, but she had improved greatly after all she had been through last year. She was actually looking forward to this class, yearning to learn and master new curses and jinxes, and hoping to acquire new skills as well.

She was sitting next to a boy called Edward Summers. She couldn’t remember having spoken to him before, but Julie wasn't shy, and she liked getting to know people, though she wasn't planning on doing that right now. She wanted to understand everything the Professor said and get the most out of what they were going to learn, and planned on giving Professor Foxcroft her undivided attention. Her wand and textbook and stationery lay before her at the ready. Julie continued her study of Professor Foxcroft's face as she waited for class to start.

[Professor Julius Foxcroft]

Julius nodded at the students who greeted him, watched Luna Lovegood go to the back of the class with an amused glance, and accepted the pot of jelly without comment, wondering what Minerva would say when Luna would try and warn her, and thinking she would say more than enough. He then addressed the whole class when everyone had settled down. "Good evening all. To anyone who does not know, my name is Professor Foxcroft, and I will be teaching you Defence Against the Dark Arts this year. First of all I would to congratulate you all on achieving the grade required for the N.E.W.T.s Defence class, and would like to welcome you back. You will find the next two years to be tiring and at times you will feel like giving up, however I assure that since you are sitting here before me, you have what it takes, and perseverance and patience are the key to success, so keep at it." Julius surveyed the students before him for a few seconds before continuing.

"Today's class will require some creativity, and I'm sure you've all returned from the summer quite refreshed and ready to do no less than your best, so I expect to be surprised by the end of the class. You will be learning something new but that it is mostly a combination of many old things you have done already, so the real difficulty lies in your working together to achieve the most out of the combination. They can end up having some disastrous results, Combinatory Jinxes and Charms, which is why they must be approached with caution; however their effect is incredible when performed correctly. At times like now they can prove very useful." Julius didn’t expand on his last statement; all the students in the class were old enough to understand the gravity of the impending war with all the deaths and strange occurrences that had become a part of their everyday lives.

"As you all know, each house represents an element of nature; Ravenclaw, air; Gryffindor, fire; Hufflepuff, earth; and Slytherin water. The spells I want you to think about are the ones involving these elements so you can then divide into groups and start experimenting. Please point you wand at the board and blast the name of any spell that comes to mind. I will proceed to remind you of those you cannot remember and add some new ones if I feel you might need them."

((For this class I just thought you should unleash your imaginations everyone. From what I've seen on the boards, I know we all can.))

[dawn]

Dawn sat with her arms in front of her. Professor Foxcroft was a calm teacher. She didn't understand him much and that disturbed her. She wanted to get the class rolling. Soon, one of her friends walked into the room and took a seat next to her. Leland Astor, he was an American who came over to England for schooling. Heritage, she guessed. She didn't understand why his family all wanted him to go to Hogwarts when Salem was a perfectly good school. Leland was always the flirt. He was defiantly the only one she knew who had a sensual side which was as strong as his temper. Dawn grinned at his comment as he took a seat. "Good Morning. Always the one to flatter aren't you?" She slipped to Leland just as class started to begin.

Professor Foxcroft went on, as he named the elements which went with each house. Dawn's eyes flickered as he mentioned Slytherin's were water. Dawn was actually intrigued by fire- but the Gryffindor house held that power. But water was hardly tamed, Dawn smiled at that fact. Taking out her wand she pointed it to the front board. Appearing on the black background, cursive white writing appeared.

• Aguamenti
  
• Relashio
  
• Incendio
  
• Pousikus
  

Pausing for a moment, she put down her wand and raised her hand into the air. She actually had a question about a spell. And if it was considered under one of the categories.

[dana]

Dana sent a bit hesitant glance at Kris as he took a seat next to her and stole the pear Sapphire had given her. “You are way too calm,” Dana commented calmly while closing her book and repositioning it in her bag, “I’m still expecting a payback for the handcuffs charm.”
“I was in Foxcroft’s class with it, you know. If you weren’t expecting revenge you would be an idiot,” came the slowly drawled response before Kris bit into the pear once again, apparently feeling completely at ease despite sitting in the first bench once again.

Dana turned her head and simply looked at Samantha Driscoll as she came and chose a seat next to Samantha. She didn’t despise the girl – if Kris liked her, then there had to been reason – and she wasn’t shying away or staring at her in amazement because she had been in jail either. They had never really talked, nor did they even socialize with the same crowd with the sole exception of Kris being both of their friend. Thanks to Kris Dana even knew more or less what had happened to Samantha, though naturally Kris hadn’t shared all the details he knew. So it was mainly for Kris that Dana nodded her head in acknowledgement: “Driscoll.”

Turning her head calmly back at the professor Dana clicked her tongue as she thought about spells. Combining old with new? And about air. Twirling her wand lazily Dana pondered about it, before adding ‘Accio’ and it’s opposite ‘Exterminatio’ to the blackboard. To summon something you manipulated that item and air surrounding it, so it could be counted as an spell meant for air. Just as ‘Effodio’ that Dana added to the earth spells manipulated earth, because you needed to replace dirt in order to dig something out. Not bothering to lower her wand Dana added ‘Wingardium Leviosa’ and ‘Mobilicorpus’ to the blackboard, as levitating was clearly a matter of air. After some pondering Dana added ‘Point me’ to the bottom of the blackboard. It was about air in a little, though it could also be counted under earth spells. Actually most spells contained more than one elements, so tilting her head thoughtfully Dana refrained from adding anything else for now.

[kris]

Kris half-grinned at Dana’s comment before turning her head as Morrigan made a voice deep in her throat. Not that it was necessary because Kris had already caught the slight smell of shampoo Samantha seemed to prefer and had identified the girl sitting by him quickly. Dana greeted the girl with a collected ‘Driscoll’ which was to be expected, because she didn’t know Samantha and greeted mainly because of Kris.
“Samantha,” Kris greeted, his own voice holding for once more emotion than Dana’s as he rather cheerily greeted the girl, “Good to well, hear you in class. Or should I say smell because you have washed your hair with the same shampoo again. Rather unique and therefore extremely recognizable aroma really.” His fingers finding Samantha’s shoulder Kris gave it a slight friendly squeeze before listening to Foxcroft’s question with half a mind.

Hogwarts houses symbolizing the four elements of nature? Kris had heard such thought before as well. In fact he had learned water spells, going to an overly-charged elemental-camp one summer. It had been for the selected pureblood elite, because no one else could afford it. Besides the camp looked at the name as well while selecting out students from the few applicants. Kris had been one of the only water-students during the months at camp and though he had learned a lot, he would have to go back. It was too much of a war-camp with daily schedules precise and rather back-breaking with magic and physical exercises thrown together.

Raising his wand Kris hesitated for a few moments, before dropping his wand again. He could always excuse hismelf with not knowing what had areayd been written on the blackboard if questioned why he dind't asd something. At a random though Kris added ‘Impedimenta’ - this way he even participated in the class which was more than someone could usually say about him.
Not bothering much more Kris turned his head back towards Samantha, shifting in his seat as he bowed closer to Samantha’s ear, “Do you think Foxcroft will manage to stay around for longer than a year?”