"Correct." He'd been worried the students would see the environment and immediately jump to a small set of magical factors but if the first response was any indication of how things would progress then he was pleased.

"Vision is limited, especially on cloudy nights like this one. One wrong step and you could find yourself in deep trouble. Literally."



Malachi nodded along thoughtfully as the Prefect offered up her response. She'd given the obvious answer, yes, but redeemed herself with the subsequent responses. "Also correct. Any number of creatures--magical and mundane--could be lurking in a place like this. Getting lost is just as worrisome. The latter wouldn't be so much an issue for wizards who know how to apparate but for younger ones and muggles it can be a real fix."




Again, he nodded. "Yes, as the Gryffindor Prefect stated just now, hinkypunks would be something to watch out for in an area in like this." The luring bit he would wait to comment on.



"That's the idea." He said, mindblown the boy seemed to miss the point entirely, or perhaps he just wasn't used to thinking deeply enough. "Specificity limits your scope of thinking in this scenario. I want to know what you think could go wrong. If I say magical wise, you'll throw creatures at me or something along those lines and ignore the mundane things that can be as bothersome. I say mundane, you ignore the magical things. I simply want you to think. That's it. Look around. First thing to come to mind. It's an open discussion." Keep up kid.

He wasn't here to hold his hand and half give him the answer in the question.

Merlin.



Blisters. Huh. "I suppose your right on that. Particularly if you've managed to get lost as another classmate mentioned. Walking for hours and hours through a bog without the adequate sort of footwear could spell trouble sure as day." And those weren't the sort to disappear once you finally got out of the bog. There would be Healer appointments, foot therapy maybe.

Entirely not worth it.



"You're absolutely right." It was the less obvious answer but no less correct given there was no right or wrong answer in the moment. He just happened to like where her thought process was going. "Gytrash thrive in darkness and without sufficient lighting, they can pull you into it and devour you before you can strike a match or fumble for your wand."

Of course, in such situations, one would be wise to have their wand at the ready with lighting charms for days but in the event they didn't...sitting ducks, really.



"A very important point I hope everyone takes to heart. Well done." Malachi had no doubt the students would give him dangers that took place outside the individual, he expected those. The fact someone brought up internal issues left him impressed. "At times, we can be our own worst enemies and our biggest stumbling blocks. Psych yourself out enough and you won't be able to concentrate on a solid plan to get yourself out of trouble."

He looked the class over. "Keeping calm is crucial, no matter what situation you find yourself in. You have to remain focused, otherwise you're just making it easier for whatever may be hunting you."



Yes, hinkypunks. Malachi didn't comment on this as a few others had already been addressed for offering it up but he did find need to expound on the limited vision. "You're on to something there." A place like this, you'd wanna make sure you knew where you were going. "With the layout of this sort of area being what it is, limited vision is one of the quickest ways to head down the wrong path and get yourself in more problems." Something he hoped wouldn't be an issue during this lesson.



....Huh.

"That's an interesting point you got there." He conceded, thinking it over for a moment while his free hand rubbed absentmindedly at his chin. "Sometimes the light may not be your friend at all should you find yourself in a situation where you're being actively hunted and needing to get yourself disguised."



"I'm glad you've brought that up." Specifically mentioning that hinkypunks weren't the only issue. He was pleased that's the route she chose to go down. "The environment itself can be an issue. Your surroundings can take a large toll on you, leaving you unable to adequately defend yourself, let alone make your way out."

Good thinking.



...

....

......Suddenly he was relieved the one lantern cast shadows in such a way that the fact he was gaping at her response was hard to tell--but gaping he was. "......Yes......yes you could. It's very possible." Wow kid.

Bright side, it was outside the box answer....? Yeah, he'd just roll with that.



"A less descriptive way of putting the last student's response but yes. You could trip in the dark with rough terrain like this." And....break your neck, as the Slytherin before had suggested.

Would he need to ask them not to break their necks? It wasn't dying so didn't break the rules but...somehow it seemed...needed.....



He was hoping with the lesson coming to a start, the little pockets of conversation would die down. He'd give the first year a chance to grow quiet with her peers and focus on her own before deciding to step in.

For now, he'd focus on her response. "Correct. As some of your classmates have mentioned, there are circumstances that would get you stuck in a bog like this and predators don't tend to give up an easy meal--which you would become if you're not careful. Best to remain alert at all times."



Malachi eyed the Gryffindor for an exta few seconds, not sure how seriously he was meant to take her but after a moment he decided to let it happen. If that was the best she could come up with--aiming for a funny answer or truly putting brain power into it--then....he supposed that was the best she could do.

"....Yes." He said, albeit a little tentatively. "Yes, you could ruin your shoes......" Not a danger per say but there were enough students giving substantial answers that he wasn't worried there was a chance she wouldn't still learn something.



Also....an interesting point of view, especially the implication at the end. "You're absolutely right. Outside of human error and getting yourself lost, there's plants and animals that may be out to get you and your fellow travellers should things get particularly out of hand. There have been stories of travellers getting lost for weeks, months even with subsequent reports of that sort of behaviour. It's gritty stuff."



Nothing?

He may have been more concerned about the boy's silence if it wasn't at least clear he was paying attention. For now, he'd let it go.



"Nasty bites that could become infected or are in themselves an infection. Good point." The classroom didn't have any bugs in it, him not wanting to be bothered with the constant swatting and need for repellent but the point still stood. "In certain countries, bug transmitted diseases are associated with the largest number of deaths. Travelling through a bog, typically, you'd wanna make sure you to protect yourself from little biters if nothing else." Good on him for thinking about it.



Malachi nodded to the Hufflepuff's response. "Correct. As a few of your classmates have mentioned, sight can become a real issue when it becomes impaired in some way. Tree branches, sinkholes, creatures lurking in wait. All issues when you can hardly see."



Another silent one. Two for two with the Hufflepuffs. Again, he opted not to push for the sole reason the student--to her credit--wasn't day dreaming or otherwise distracted. At the very least, she was paying attention. For now he would move on.



....Trees.

.........Trees?

"Trees." He repeated, a deadpan expression settling in. As far as first impressions went, this Prefect was coming up terribly short. Trees. TREES. Right.

Moving on. He had nothing else to say.



While this badged one also gave a one worded answer, it was more to work with than trees.

TREES.

Let it go, Trent. "Werewolves can prove to be an issue anywhere you go." Macindoe...? Dooley....? Primeaux....? Merifeather? He'd get it soon enough. "However, werewolves do have normal, often productive lives outside of the full moon. At that point several take precautions to mitigate the harm they may cause. They're not quite so likely to be running around a bog on a random night." Still better than trees.

Trees.



Another to consider the internal issues one can face. Again, the man nodded. "Correct and right in line with a classmate of yours who suggested getting so worried you stop paying attention to what's around you. Anxiety. Panic. Neither things you need when in a bog--or any other situation for that matter."

Good of her to think along that line. Hopefully it meant one less screamer if the lesson came to that.



One kid on broken necks, another on tripping on jagged rocks.

Welp, never let it be said these kids didn't consider all options before answering the question. "All true things....some really specific things, but all true." To be fair, it wasn't the worst thing he could hear, neither was the other kid's suggestion of broken necks but Merlin's beard.

It was still an adjustment for him. He was used to conversations with university students. In his mind, everyone here was 12, so some answers would take some time to be accepted.



"Losing things could grow to be particularly inconvenient." Not a danger, but an issue nonetheless. "A wizard's wand is the one thing they absolutely do not want to lose. Add all the dangers that can be found in this sort of terrain and you'd be in a right awful fix."

Did he need to tell them all to keep hold of their wands? When the spell ended on the room, they'd likely find them without problem but it would be crucial at some point in the lesson, so best they didn't.



Malachi cracked an amused grin at the boy's response, appreciating he'd decided to have a sense of humour about the whole thing. The Headmaster wasn't going to dwell on it, he already knew the boy's actions were potion induced and with how awkward the teenage years could be on their own, he saw no need to rub it in.

"Another important point. Thank you for bringing it up." Here he addressed the class again. "Being separated from a group is about the easiest way to be picked off. Some predators will separate their chosen prey from the others before the take down. Make no mistake, dark creatures will do this too."



Along the same line of biting and a good point too. Malachi nodded. "Very good. It'd be rotten luck getting bitten by something while alone in a bog. Depending on what bit you, hallucinations could start, dizziness, fatigue. If you don't die instantly, that bite's sure to make the job easier for whatever wants a bite out of you."

His job was to make them not as much sitting ducks. No, his job was to make them exemplary of defense.



...

.....

".....Yes." Seemed like the answer he was meant to give after a scenario like that was presented. It wasn't wrong, on the contrary it was entirely possible and something they should all consider before going wandering. It was a bit of a ramble, but the man managed to keep up. "Yes...that...that's definitely something to keep in mind."



From one Gryffindor with....an active imagination to one that...thought....they'd fall into a portal with a creature waiting to eat them....

...

.....

"I...suppose. Yes." There was a story here and it sounded absolutely wild.



Another one he would give a moment to settle on his own before deciding he needed to step in. The class had started, he expected the chatter among the students to come to an end.

Hopefully when he settled he would have something to contribute.



"Being lost is an issue that comes with low visibility or losing your bearings, yes." He agreed. It was something some of the boy's classmates had already brought up and it fit perfectly in line there.



"Very good point. The country your in does play a part in what sort of dangers you'll end up facing. The area, really. American swampy areas have been known to harbour crocs and alligators." He was more on the implication of her answer and hoped others had taken note. Location determined threat and that was something they would need to consider while preparing.



"I like that point." He really did. Not so much for it's face value as others too had mentioned getting lost but, "Landmarks can be a real asset. Once you've gotten used to your surroundings, it becomes more difficult for you to get lost. Take note of....maybe a rock....a special tree, anything that can lead you back and help you retrace your steps. You'll give yourself a big advantage." Of course, if visibility was down, those may not be as useful but depending on the conditions, finding little landmarks was a good way to go.



Soggy feet. It was self explanatory enough that he wouldn't be stuck on it through the next few replies--LIKE TREES, REALLY SLYTHERIN PREFECT?? TREES?--but he wasn't still on that. Nah. Nope. He was on to soggy feet. "You're not wrong. I suppose if you considered soggy feet, you could consider the possibility of developing a sort of fungal infection from the persistent moisture. Add all those germs and parasites that may or may not be present, large swelling, excruciating pain and that's an amputation right there." This escalated quickly.



Done, already?

Forgive him for being skeptical but the man was in the middle of a lesson and didn't have the time to check. He would address the elf in a moment. Right now he was taking student responses and didn't want to be disrupted.



Zoryn? Was that the Gryffindor's name? He'd have to remember that. For now, he focused on the Prefect's response. It was also in line with shoes. The priorities of some of these students was a bit concerning to him. At least she didn't stop at shoes.

"That is correct. Hypothermia. Wizards can typically avoid something like that, but inexperienced ones or those who may not be as competent can find themselves in the same position as muggles stuck in a bog at night." Unfortunate, really.



Another for alligators.

One less composed than the other who'd mentioned alligators.

"Right....." He said, eyeing the girl in the dark for a moment. He could tell she was nervous, but he appreciated she hadn't bothered to start freaking out. That would've been unnecessary and inconvenient. "An interesting comment to that," the whole bacon bits, "fear's been known to change the taste of meat, not necessarily for the best either."



"Focus on the lesson." Toddles was a distraction, at the moment an unavoidable distraction but he needed his students to remain with their concentration in tact. "We'll be moving on soon, and he won't be able to ensure you don't get yourself lost."

It hadn't escaped him that she didn't answer the question either. Greeting the elf was insult to injury. As a first year, on the first day, he would avoid being harsh but in this subject, you really did need to not be easily distracted, and so far it didn't seem like a lesson she'd previously learned.



He'd already heard the suggestion of malevolent plants, but was grateful this one had gone on to give a concrete example. "That it could Mr. Hufflepuff." He'd learn his name too, with time. All their names. Just....first class....so many of them and so much else on his plate--but it would happen!

"Devil's Snare would be a nightmare at night in a bog. Without the correct lighting, you could walk right into it and never know until it was too late. Lose your wand like the Head Boy touched on and you'd really be in for it."