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DaniDiNardo · 09-05-2021, 01:51 AM

As promised, you find yourself heading to the Defense classroom bright and early the morning after the feast. Hopefully, you've made use of the hearty breakfast the elves provided because there's a good chance you'll need it. This likely went without saying as this class tends to be on the more...physical side.

When you enter the room, you find it's not any sort of room at all. On the contrary, for those who've been to this school from prior years--particularly those a little hard of hearing--the place resembles the one and very same Forbidden Forest. The sudden change to night may be a bit jarring to some while others may be pleased to return to the illusion it isn't, in fact, morning.

The Headmaster stands just inside the door, waiting for everyone to join him among the trees. An ominous full moon hangs low, seeming to touch the tops of the towering trees. A chill sweeps through the forest and in the distance, there is the sound of rustling.

Step lively, this is one class the Headmaster would rather miss.

OOC: Welcome to the first DADA lesson!! Don't forget to read the classroom rules before posting. I'll have the first question up in 24-28 hours

Please note: The students are not in the classroom, please do not RP them coming in and taking a seat. Thank you

The lesson hasn't started yet!

CLASS HAS BEGUN!!!

Class progression:
Greeting and Question 1
Question 2
Mini-Activity
Main Activity

Spindly path:
Claudine Blaze

Jordyn Guidry

Charlotte Rivers

Open clearing:
Evan Nam

Phoebe James

Valentina Nichols

Riverside:
Ashley Fox

Victoria Gellar

Ivy Grimm

Eden Tilly

Lisa Nam

emjay · 09-11-2021, 06:51 PM

Their group was pretty big now and there were so many suggestions being thrown around. Not that it was a bad thing to have plenty ideas to choose from, but without a solid plan, Morgan was getting a little confused. They couldn't possibly do them all, so he was glad when Phoebe spoke up and took charge.

Lacing his fingers with hers, Morgan nodded as Phoebe laid out the general plan. "Sounds good to me. And we're already partners." He glanced around at the younger members of their group. "Make sure everyone has a buddy." That part was important. And if there was an odd one out, they could probably join a pair to make a small group.

He spotted one of the younger Gryffindor twins (was it Atlas? was it Aries? he didn't know) looking awfully grouchy holding onto another little Gryffindor who was clearly terrified. "Don't worry, guys," he said cheerfully. "They're not real acromantulas. They can't actually hurt us." So why not have some fun in the mean time with fire and explosions? Clearly that's what the little Gryffindor dude was having issue with because why would Morgan think he was making stink eyes at him? Everyone liked Morgan.

He turned back to Phoebe. "So what should we use as our distraction method? Fire or explosions?" One was clearly superior, but both were cool and very much in his wheelhouse.

siriusblackliveson · 09-11-2021, 11:29 PM

Charlie had been watching as the group grew and grew, well that put her at ease. With the first four people in the group she really did begin to think that they might die because there weren't enough of them that they could actually distract them and get away. She smiled at Gracely upon joining the group. She was so relieved to have a familiar face that she was friend with to go on this deadly adventure Trent thought was worth.

Her head bobbed at Heath's idea about using a basilisk but she didn't think that the idea would go over well because if she saw the thing she was most afraid of she'd want to run the other way. Claudine had already handled letting him know that might not be the best idea but using a different diversion might not be a bad idea.

She noticed that Bella couldn't understand why Kinsay Would want to put herself up for bait. Honestly Charlie couldn't understand why someone would want to do that either but it wasn't her life or her choices so she just kept her mouth shut on that. Apollo sure didn't want to be bait and that made her smile.

Finally coming to some what of a decision she spoke up, Just to make sure I have this straight, we're going to cast protection charms. Then we'll take our pre-built person diversion along with us and once we get to the nest we'll charm the rocks... Do I have that right?" Clarification on the plan was a must, one wrong move and she'd be dead. No Thank you.

DaniDiNardo · 09-12-2021, 01:56 AM

Could he leave them in this planning phase? Could he pretend he'd lost all track of time and forgot to get the activity going before the bell signaling the end of the lesson?

...Probably not.

"Alright, everyone, time to put your plans into action." While he offered up several prayers that it would be nothing like a certain other lesson. It needed teaching, there would be an exam, he didn't want them to fail...but the man had his doubts.

"You've got your maps, go ahead and follow the path. I'll see you on the other side. If you find yourself in trouble, please send off red sparks. I'll again remind you all....none of this is real. Let's not panic and lose our heads." If worst came to worst, he had measures in place.

"If there are no further questions, let's get going."

OOC: Sorry for the delay guys. Headed out for a little family trip. But the main activity is up!! I will be sending in the Acromantulas! so please don't RP for them. As a team, you will have to make your way through acromantula territory using the spider repelling spell mentioned earlier in the lesson. You have until around midnight Sept. 14.

astrocat · 09-12-2021, 02:44 AM

Ash was freaking out a little bit. She didn’t have an answer to any of her questions so... she’d have to answer them herself. He was abandoning her to acromantulas. Again. Were Lisa and Eden... jeez, they were all gonna die. ”They aren’t real acromantulas. You can’t harvest your venom. And if they were real, you’d have more important things to think about.” She did NOT wanna die here. At least Vice President was here. They could trust him with defensive charms. They could also trust him to brag about it, but that didn’t matter as much. “I say we should put up a few defensive charms, then cast the arachnid spell thing. And maybe a wall of fire. But don’t let the fire cut you off from the rest of the group. And if we can, we should run from them through to the end. No need to go into the nest.” Look, Ashley Fox might be reckless, but nobody could say she didn’t learn from her mistakes(and she had made a LOT of them). Was there anything else? “Spiders have tons of eyes. Try blasting them with the strongest version of lumos you know. That might hurt them, I don’t know.” She had just thought of that on the spot. It might not work. We’re they ready? IT DIDN’T MATTER. THEY HAD NO CHOICE. They were being abandoned and forced into an acromantula den RIGHT NOW. She headed off in the direction of the river, making sure her group was coming too.

**ACROMANTULAS!** · 09-12-2021, 12:32 PM

The acromantulas laid dormant in their lairs, waiting, listening. The forest around them remained silent. Maybe they weren't there at all, the familiar clicking is nowhere to be heard. Perhaps this is more a test of nerve than actual fighting.

Regardless, they laid in wait.

FearlessLeader19 · 09-12-2021, 03:36 PM

Oh no.

They had to get started. Claudine purposely moved closer to Heath. “Acromantulas scare me. Friendly reminder.” In other words, please always have her back in case she needed it, Heath. Right. Time to put this show on the road. Claudine took a deep breath. “I’ve got the rock person.” The scents of pumpkin pastees and and jelly slugs {thanks to Bella} had been rubbed against the rocks. The girl looked over to Charlotte. “That’s right. Remember to have your wands at the ready, everyone.”

What she needed to remember was exactly what Trent said: none of this was real. “Who has the map?’’ Not that she needed it at the moment for she’d had a glimpse of it earlier and knew where their path began. “Let’s go.” She took a small step further, hoping her group would follow closely.

kayquilz · 09-12-2021, 04:19 PM

V nodded the more Ash spoke and thought she had good ideas. After their recent talk and tea party!!! ideas, she thought the slightly older girl was super smart. AND Ash wasn't a procrastinator, so. That made her extra smart in her book.

"Got it. FIRE. LUMOS. Go for the eyes! And get them behind the wall of fire into the river!" she draw her wand aloft, preparing, since Trent was suddenly shouting that they were getting started. She got in the front, and she didn't know why, perhaps from nerves. But she was leading! If anything, she'd be good bait since she was lousy at magic. "Team Riverside, let's gooo!"

ArianaBlack · 09-12-2021, 10:28 PM

Kins deflated a bit, everyone was so quick to turn down her plan. And none of them did it very nicely either. ”The spiders won’t be real,” she answered Bella, Apollo, Jordyn, and Claudine all at once. If she couldn’t be the distraction, then there wasn’t much else she could do. No matter how much help Heath offered, her shield charms wouldn’t work. She already knew. It was useless.

Kins was officially checking out. Even when Claudine tried to include her, Kins had already decided she wouldn’t try to help anymore. Also. She didn’t smell like kettlecorn. It was a silly idea, she knew Claudine was only trying to make her feel less lousy and that it wouldn’t actually help them. So she shook her head, continuing not to engage.

Kins wondered to the back of the group, not bothering to pull her wand out. It didn’t like her much anyway - probably preferred staying in its holster.

natethegreat · 09-13-2021, 01:21 AM

Their group was a decent size. It would certainly be suitable for the task given to them, granted, there aren't too many acromantulas. Hopefully, at least. The Headmaster wouldn't do something like that would he? This thought alone had Kayne trying to basically plan for the worst case scenario instead. Looking towards no one in particular, he nodded in agreement to the several ideas being tossed around, saying "Once we get close we should split up into two groups, one as 'bait'" He used his fingers as quotation marks for the bait. "And the other hides above the lair, where they can cast the wall of fire, and repel the spiders around the other group and into the river."

Starting to walk towards V now, Kayne said to her directly, "Oh, believe me, I know it won't be that easy. However, anything we can set our minds to, we can do. Also, you don't necessarily have to be good at charms to help me out, it's just preferred. I might need someone to actually be able to cast other spells, just in case I need to keep casting to uphold the defenses." After mentioning this potential idea to the second year Slytherin, he called up ahead towards Ash, "If we do split into two groups, which one do you think you'll be in, your majesty?"

Still walking while talking, Kayne spun around, now, very carefully, began to walk backwards. Speaking to the entire Riverside group, he stated "If anyone wants to join me in helping to cast the protective circle, feel free to do so. Also, does anyone oppose splitting into the two groups? If so, we don't have to." The boy, who normally would be making jokes out of this, seemed to actually be taking it somewhat serious; as their was a sincerity in his voice to reassure everyone that they really didn't have to split up if they didn't want to. "Worst case scenario, if we go through with that plan, we'll have to somehow come together so we can all be as one then."

With everything that Kayne wanted say being out of the way now, he was ready to face some acromantulas.

Chelliephone · 09-13-2021, 02:25 AM

Evan's head turned towards the Headmaster when he released them all to proceed with the plans they had come up with. He wondered briefly if they were going to get docked points to begin with anyways since the group had decided to pretty much break off and do things in pairs anyways. And given the fact the plan was still not that clear to him, he supposed they were just going to be making it up and winging it as they went.

Giving a soft sigh, eyes turned back to the group - Remy and Atlas already paired off together, and the seventh years going together. Were it real acromantulas, he supposed the grouping's would have been different but... as the older Gryffindor male reminded them, this wasn't real. So might as well just get the practice in anyways given the fact they couldn't really get hurt. Though points and disappointment could certainly still be a consequence to their poor performance. Turning back towards the rest of the group, Evan glanced at the unpartnered numbers. "Well... I guess we're off. Who wants to go with who?"

As in really, who wanted to go with him. Because he was pretty ready to get started. Pulling out his wand from it's holster, he cast a quick feather-light charm on himself -- still thinking Atlas' idea was genius -- before turning to start down the path. He assumed whoever wanted to go with him, if anyone, would catch up as he started at a slow pace, intent on being as cautious as possible.

Lady of Light · 09-13-2021, 03:48 AM

.... Right, they were partnering up.

Valentina quickly followed Evan as he walked away, would very much prefer to be paired someone she knew. Atlas had teamed up with the younger gryffindor and Phoebe with Morgan.. right? Wasn't that his name?

"Hi, Evan! You don't mind if I come with you, right?" Unless he preferred someone else, which was fine too.

MadMadamMalfoy · 09-13-2021, 06:13 AM

Heath had no idea how his mini rock person idea would be received, though if his last idea was any indication, probably not well. He was pleasantly surprised when Jordyn agreed with him and returned her nod with an appreciative one of his own. He considered Bella’s suggestion for a moment. Although he doubted that acromantulas ate any of those things, he supposed it could be useful to throw the spiders off their scent. It looked like Claudine was way ahead of him there, though. He watched with a slight smile as she built the rock person and rubbed the pumpkin pasty and jelly slug scents over it. “Good thinking,” he said.

He heard Charlie’s question, but he let Claudine answer it. It was only fair, as the diversion had been her idea. Besides, Headmaster Trent said they were starting. Claudine’s quiet words got a sympathetic look and a reassuring smile. No, he hadn’t forgotten about her fear of acromantulas. “I know,” he whispered back. “You’ll be okay.” They all would. He’d make sure of it!

Drawing his wand, he walked alongside Claudine, periodically looking back to make sure the others were nearby. He noticed Kinsay at the back of the group and gave her an encouraging nod. Oh, that reminded him of something! “If anyone gets scared or confused in there, get behind me,” he said to the group as a whole.

Daydreamer11 · 09-13-2021, 08:05 PM

Ok, they had a plan. This was good because the Headmaster said that it was now time to start. Jordyn was a little nervous. She had given zero input into the plan and for this reason, she was not feeling helpful. One thing that she was pretty good at though was the Shield Charm. She held her wand tightly and as they began to walk toward ~~their doom~~ the acromantulas. She was prepared to throw some serious “Protegos” at a moments notice.

Jordyn noticed that Kinsay had drifted toward the back of the group. She seemed bummed that no one wanted her to be a human sacrifice. Slowing her pace, Jordyn pulled up aside the Gryffindor. “Hey there. We fourth years have to stick together, yeah?” Yes, they were some of the younger members of the group, but they didn’t have to be the weakest links. Jordyn kept her eyes out for any movement that didn’t belong to the group. In her head, she practiced Arania Exumai. She was determined to be prepared.

MadAlice · 09-13-2021, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

“...Does anyone have anything, actually? Food? Perfume?”

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic Witch

"I've got some pumpkin pastees and jelly slugs and I've got a sample of some new shampoo that smells like mint and milk. I'm not sure if it'd help attract any spiders though."

"What about blood?" Violet added, entering the conversation abruptly. "Because that's what they're really interested in." Violet had met the Acromantulas before, in that disastrous class in the Forbidden Forest, and she was pretty sure she knew what they really wanted.

"I don't mean loads of blood, of course," she added, lest anyone get the wrong idea. She was a Slytherin, after all, and some people always assumed the worst about you. "Someone--me, I don't mind doing it--could prick their finger and add a few drops of blood to the fake when it's ready. They'd smell that, even if it wasn't much, and that would get their attention for sure."

Though, remembering what had seemed vast numbers of the spidery things rushing out at her before, she was not sure one fake person would hold the attention of a whole group of them for very long. Still, it was the best idea going. And she had practised the Arania Exumai spell extensively since that fateful year.

Sorry if I push myself into the group at the last minute, I just got back from a week away from internet and am desparately trying to squeeze myself back into this class.

FearlessLeader19 · 09-13-2021, 08:54 PM

The Snakette felt reassured that Heath had her back. That sort of support did wonders for a girl’s confidence. Now if only she could will the negative thoughts of her being chomped on by an acromantula away. It was difficult because she had had first hand experience with real acromantulas, ones that had been more than happy to rip her apart - literally. Just involuntarily reminiscing about that made her limbs ache. “Um… no, no blood, Violet. I don’t think that is really necessary? I’d like to think they would be able to smell our sweat too.” Because she was sweating. Anxiety about confronting your fear did that to you.

Claudine paused to look back at the group {also with the aim of escaping from her current thoughts}, squinting at Kinsay. “Keep the lead?” she whispered to Heath. Because she noted that Kinsay was at the back of the group, and it just might be Claudine’s imagination but did the Gryffindor look dejected? She sidled up beside Kinsay and nudged her lightly. “Hey. You okay?” Was the fourth year afraid of acromantulas too? And there was Jordyn comforting Kinsay too. Teamwork was key in all aspects.

Chelliephone · 09-14-2021, 12:59 AM

Hearing Val behind him and questioning if he was good with her coming with, he offered her a small smile and a nod of his head. "Of course." Actually Val would be the perfect partner, since same year and they did know each other. Plus he felt much better about the fact she'd also been practicing the spell, like he had.

He glanced back at the younger years as well, before dropping his voice a little lower. "You okay if we go pretty slow too? I still want to keep an eye on them as well." Splitting up was fine, but that didn't mean he couldn't figure out how watch the others too. And by others, he primarily meant Ollie and his sister - given they were the other two of the group he was the closest to. Attention back to her, "I used the featherlight charm as suggested. Do you know it and want to as well?" It was certainly okay if she didn't.

**ACROMANTULAS!** · 09-14-2021, 02:58 AM

Spindly Path

It was likely the clicking that first alerted the students to the presence of the spiders. They had been snug in their lairs but the sound of the students approaching drew them out.

They crept ever closer, pincers snapping in anticipation. It looked like it was time for their next meal. The made their way down the pathway, unapologetically bold in their movements.

Riverside
Ever get the feeling you're being watched? That was likely the feeling creeping up the spines of the students. You don't see them yet, but they see you and they're watching...waiting for the right moment to strike. Just a bit closer, just a little further.

Come along children.

Open Clearing
Sure was a lot of space out in the clearing, enough that any hope of cover was dashed. These giant spiders didn't try to hide, they lounged about in wait. They heard the children, they knew they were coming. There was really nothing else they needed to do for now, just wait for their meal to come to them.

ArianaBlack · 09-14-2021, 03:51 AM

Kinsay caught Heath's looks, but she wasn't scared! The spiders were fakes, the Headmaster already said. She also didn't like that people were giving her so much attention after they had all turned down her idea so quickly. So when Jordyn slowed down to walk by her, Kins just shrugged. "I guess," she answered quietly. She didn't really think so though and Jordyn didn't either because if she did, she wouldn't have been so quick to disagree with her earlier. She didn't want Claudine's attention either, she really didn't. "Yeah," she replied to the question with a shrug, trying to slow down some more so that she didn't have to walk next to either of the girls.

Kins also didn't care very much for Violet's suggestion of blood. What made that so different than human distractions?? This whole activity was silly. She didn't want any part in it.

So when Kins heard some clicking she didn't really react much. They were fake spiders and this activity was silly! She'd just be dragging her feet through this spindly path until class was over.

FearlessLeader19 · 09-14-2021, 12:15 PM

“You’ll be alright,’’ Claudine whispered to Kinsay encouragingly. She hoped she herself would be okay too. The Snakette was nervously looking around this way and that - which was how she hadn’t yet noticed that Kinsay had slowed her pace and had fallen away from her. But soon enough, even Claudine was stopping, her heart pounding. That clicking… she recognised it easily. Oh no, no, no, no, no.

“Can you guys hear that?’’ she asked urgently, still whispering. “The acromantulas are nearby. Wands at the ready.” The seventh year worked silently - with the exception of whispering her needed spells - to organise the rock person, enlarge it and levitate it ahead of the group, towards the oncoming spiders. Yes, they were so loud with their approach that she had no difficulty in figuring out where the arachnids were.

Hopefully that would distract them and then the group would be able to attack using the spell Trent had shown them.

sweetpinkpixie · 09-14-2021, 01:35 PM

STINK EYE FOR YOU MORGAN MCCARTHY BECAUSE IT WAS UNCEREMONIOUSLY DECIDED THAT YOU WERE NOT LIKED!

At much as he would have liked to keep making dagger eyes at the seventh year, he did have a Remy on his arm and as the resident arachnophile a duty to make sure that she got through the lesson at least mostly emotionally unscathed. "Just remember, they're not really real acromantulas," he somewhat parroted THAT older Gryffindor. It was a valid point, which was also a little disappointing for himself, and she may want to make a little mantra out of it so her brain remembered it too.

It was Atlas who took the first stride between the pair of them towards the clearing along with the rest of the group...and when they had been told about a lair...the last thing the Gryffindor had expected was to basically see the beasts sunbathing...and they were beautiful while doing so.

So...there went the novelty of using a Featherlight Charm, that much was for sure.

"Stay close," he whispered to her as they pressed on, though he would rather like to have his hand back for balance and all that. "Keep calm...and Arania Exumai."

*Kolyander* · 09-14-2021, 02:16 PM

Dahlia wasn't the oldest in her group nor was she the youngest. Neither was she the leader or second leader or even probably a third, which didn't even matter. The whole point of this was that they worked together as a team. Which meant that even though her suggestion didn't seem to be heard or taken into consideration.. wait.. nope.. it hadn't even been a suggestion at all. All she had done was say what acromantulas were afraid of. No ideas using that fear had been given. So.. that was her own fault. Therefore, she would be going along with what her group had come up with already.

Protective charms, Lumos, Fire.

Huh? What was this about splitting up? Lia blinked. "It might be a good idea to see how many of them there are before we consider splitting into groups? We wouldn't want to make ourselves to vulnerable?" Shifting a bit from foot to foot she glanced around once more. "I've been getting a lot better with my defensive and protective charms so I can be wherever I'm needed most, I guess." Summer tutoring sessions were paying off but so was practicing on her own constantly.

Lia kept a firm grasp on her wand as she followed her group towards the riverside. Blue eyes continuously looked around on high alert. It all seemed much to quiet for what was meant to be an acromantulas lair. "Something doesn't seem right.. it's much to quiet.." she barely whispered. "Protective charms might be a good idea right now." Better to be safe than sorry, right?

iBeJenn · 09-14-2021, 02:41 PM

Maya was hoping to go with Evan into the clearing but it seemed like Evan had a partner already. Her heart sunk as she looked at the rest of her groupmates with large brown eyes... It would make the most sense for her to go with someone older and knew more spells but this was a simulation right?

No one would actually get hurt. She she looked over at her fellow Slytherin, Ollie, and gave her a small smile. "Partners?" she asked, before looking over to see how the rest of the group was doing.

*Nordic Witch* · 09-14-2021, 02:42 PM

Bella heard Headmaster Trent's call to start and started walking alongside the others, her wand in left hand and the map in the other. "I've got the map." She answered Claudine, holding up the map as she did so. Nobody else had grabbed a map for their group so she had done it. It felt cool that Claudine used her candy to rub on their rock person as scent. It felt like she was contributing. Bella heard from behind when they started walking along their path that Kinsay was feeling down. Jordyn and Claudine had the encourging and comforting covered so she headed up to walk alongside Heath in the front.

Suddenly she heard the loud clicking sound, which could only mean one thing, the acromantulas we're close. Feeling instantly nervous Bella stopped to look at the other's in her group asking as she heard Claudine's order. "Shall we all cast Protego now? Lumos too maybe? Spiders don't like light right?"

MadAlice · 09-14-2021, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

...Because she noted that Kinsay was at the back of the group, and it just might be Claudine’s imagination but did the Gryffindor look dejected? She sidled up beside Kinsay and nudged her lightly. “Hey. You okay?” Was the fourth year afraid of acromantulas too? And there was Jordyn comforting Kinsay too. Teamwork was key in all aspects.

Violet, too, was hanging back to the rear, but not to comfort Kinsay. Someone needed to keep an eye out for predators, because Kinsay certainly wasn't paying attention and neither were the students preoccupied with comforting her. This was no time for a togetherness moment.

Violet gripped her wand and walked at the rear, her head moving from side to side, trying to peer through the darkness, her ears alert to any sound. And then she heard it--that clicking, clicking sound that she had hoped never to hear again. "It's show-time," she murmured softly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

“Can you guys hear that?’’ she asked urgently, still whispering. “The acromantulas are nearby. Wands at the ready.” The seventh year worked silently - with the exception of whispering her needed spells - to organise the rock person, enlarge it and levitate it ahead of the group, towards the oncoming spiders. Yes, they were so loud with their approach that she had no difficulty in figuring out where the arachnids were.

Hopefully that would distract them and then the group would be able to attack using the spell Trent had shown them.

Violet prepared herself to cover Claudine while she set the decoy, though she had no confidence that the thing would actually work. They should have taken her suggestion, but most people were so squeamish about blood, it was ridiculous. But Violet was afraid that a conjured rock with a lot of carnival smells on it would not be as enticing as real live red-blooded students.

Emzily · 09-14-2021, 10:05 PM

Pleased that Atlas was not arguing with their automatic and obvious partnering, Remy clutched his hand rather tight as they started to move into the open clearing. His words were very calming, actually, and she felt safe with him anyway.

It didn’t take long for her to notice the spiders in the clearing, and she stopped in her tracks and squeezed him even tighter, her wand shaking by her side in her other hand.

Arania Exumai. Arania Exumai.

“They’re waiting for us.” THEY KNEW THEY WERE NEAR. Ooops… should she have kept her mouth shut?

There was no way she would be the first to cast the spell, so she looked at her friend with terror filled eyes and waited for him to ~~get eaten first~~ take the lead.

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