Kerry jotted down the various definitions people gave, and giggled to herself at Headmistress Rae's speech just then..amazed she actually understood what she said.

Cecilia raised her hand. "Defence means to protect oneself from evil. Not all of the wizarding world is good, and dwe must be prepared for that fact."

Atmor nodded and wrote what she said down, right now Atmor was at a neutural belief.

Suzy was excited for this class. She could tell it was going to be a great term. She wrote down the notes and continued to listen to the teacher.

Savannah quickly closed her book as soon as the Professor started talking,
She quickly put it away and made sure she had her quill, and parchment out as she listened to what Professor Rae was saying.

She smiled at Professo Rae's responce. She whipped out her blank parchment and began to write,

' DADA- not only learning the actions to protect youself&others against evil hexes, jinxes, curses, etc, but to learn how to think. Knowlage is a big part of it. Not all wizards & witches are bad.

looking up she waited for the Professor's next instructions.

Rae could tell she's startled some students, but that many of them understood what she was saying. "Let me give you an example. There are a variety of aspects to Defense, but I know many of you are thinking about how soon you get to start hexing each other. We'll start with that idea, since I assume it'll hold your attention." She smiled again.

"Let us say that you are walking in Diagon Alley, and someone pulls their wand and threatens you. Think for a moment on what you could do. How do you decide? Do you hex them? Do you bind them? Do you run? Do you scream? Do you lay on the ground and play dead? I've done that one, by the way. Not as successful as you'd think. How do you decide what to do?"

Dinara was furiously scribbling down on her parchment everything that the professor had just stated. She did not want to miss anything.

Megan raised her had, "You act on instinct, Professor." She replied. "Say the first thing that comes to your head and hope it's a good hex or curse."

Suzy raises her hand, " i think i would scream first, then either hex them or disarm them"

"Personally, I think in that moment I would rely on instinct, which I guess I will develop from all the thinking I'll learn to do in this class. I would hope that I would respond with a spell not too drastic for the situation at hand, yet respond aptly to ensure my and everyone else's safety." Kennedy replied.

"Perhaps," Rae nodded, considering. "But very few people have natural instincts that allow them to survive. You train your instincts so you can make a split second decision. So... what would go into that split second decision?"

Kerry raised her hand, "Well, as you said - it's about thinking and sizing up the situation and the person involved. If it's someone you know is capable of hurting you, you have to do something to defend yourself such as binding them or hexing them. However, if it's someone who just thinks they can take you on, perhaps a simple disarming charm would do. You have to know your enemy and more importantly have confidence in yourself and your own magical abilities. Going around hexing people in defense all the time is not the sign of a wise witch or wizard. A wise witch or wizard knows when to use their magic and what kind to use." Kerry smiled.

"Professor you would Hex them and after you have done that you would Bind them. Screaming just gives your opponent time to hex/bind you, and most of all act fast, but think first.." Liz finished and smiled.

Torie raised her hand. "I suppose it depends on the situation, Professor. If it was someone you could take easily, you might stay and fight. Or you might try and talk it out, depending on if they seem reasonable. On the other hand, the best thing to do might be to run away, especially if they are bigger than you are. There are a lot of choices...." Torie trailed off and scratched her chin thoughtfully. "I see what you mean about needing to learn to think."

"Well, professor. I would think first, before doing anything. I would try not to act as a hero and device a plan to get out of the trouble," Vince said confidently, smiling and looking at the professor who gave another question. This one was very easy for him.

Atmor raised her hand "Bind them Professor, gives you the upper hand"

Themea listened to the arguments around him. He nodded slowly then decided to chim in with his background and experience. "Ma'am, I would act as my training has taught me. I would disarm my oppenent, then imobilize them, then question as to the idea behind their actions," he said after raising his hand.

Megan raised her hand again and suggested, "Perhaps just have one hex or curse that will allow you to survive and stick with it and practice it."

Dinara raised her hand, pushed her glasses up and replied, "Well professor, you rely on your instincts to guide you on what to do. And you also can rely on your knowledge of dueling and hexes and curses and such to guide you as well. If you know that you are not good at confrontational situations then you would react differently than someone who is."

suzy raises her hand, "well if i had to decide in a split second then i would definatly try to disarm them."

Ariana raised her hand "I would try and talk to them first. I don't rely on instinct much, it never works for me. But talking does. I would try and calm them down first, then if that doesn't work run. Normally I would fight, but I've learned to try and make peace before conflict." She replied, raising her hand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemondrop13

"Personally, I think in that moment I would rely on instinct, which I guess I will develop from all the thinking I'll learn to do in this class. I would hope that I would respond with a spell not too drastic for the situation at hand, yet respond aptly to ensure my and everyone else's safety." Kennedy replied.

"Yes, it's very important that your decision not only be quick, but also be appropriate for the situation. You wouldn't physically hurt someone who is young or frail, even if they're silly enough to raise a wand to you. Five for Ravenclaw."

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortfry

Kerry raised her hand, "Well, as you said - it's about thinking and sizing up the situation and the person involved. If it's someone you know is capable of hurting you, you have to do something to defend yourself such as binding them or hexing them. However, if it's someone who just thinks they can take you on, perhaps a simple disarming charm would do. You have to know your enemy and more importantly have confidence in yourself and your own magical abilities. Going around hexing people in defense all the time is not the sign of a wise witch or wizard. A wise witch or wizard knows when to use their magic and what kind to use." Kerry smiled.

"And it is our training that makes us wise in that way. Knowing your opponent and knowing what you can and can't do are vital in any situation. You should start doing a self inventory of what you are capable of even now. Five for Gryffindor."

Quote:

Originally Posted by CelestialLight

"Well, professor. I would think first, before doing anything. I would try not to act as a hero and device a plan to get out of the trouble," Vince said confidently, smiling and looking at the professor who gave another question. This one was very easy for him.

"You know, my dear," she smiled at the Ravenclaw boy. "I like your answer because you're not afraid to sound as if maybe the best option is to run like the wind. You don't always have to 'win'... sometimes you have to live to see another day. Five for Ravenclaw."

Quote:

Originally Posted by atmor

Atmor raised her hand "Bind them Professor, gives you the upper hand"

"And would you say it's always important to be at an advantage, Atmor?"

"Binding just keeps them from doing anything then dissarm them, so if they tried to turn the tables you have a better arguement.Hexing them might kill them depending on the power of the hex and running and screaming is just stupid, I'm sorry" she smiled

Megan smiled at the girls (atmors) answer. She completely agreed.