The professor smiled. "Very good. When you are sending a hex, jinx, or curse, the magical energy is directed toward your victim from your wand, much in the same way as these beams of light are directed at me-- in a direct line issuing from the tip of your opponent's wand. As you can see, the malicious energy is therefore directly concentrated in one region as it approaches you. A large, generic shield can block everything coming at you." He moved his wand, casting a broad shield charm. Instantly all the beams of light deflected off his shield instead of lighting on his body. "However, as I said, it is more difficult to sustain and weaker than simply directing your shield into the only the area where it is needed. When your opponent has cast, if you pay attention to the angle of his wand, you can anticipate where the spell will hit and focus your energy and motion into that one region, giving you a much better chance of blocking a strong, malicious or potentially fatal curse. To focus your shield, you merely need to concentrate your intent and use a twist of your wrist as you cast, like so."

Professor Kazimeriz cast his shield again, this time focusing the protego charm. With swift, agile moves, he repelled the lumos charms one by one. "Obviously, with a lumos charm, is a constant flow of benign, simple magic. Hexes, jinxes and curses strike you as a single burst of magical energy; therefore a short, intense, focused shield charm is the best and most efficient defense against them, giving you time to block whatever your opponent -- or opponents -- are sending your way next."

Professor Kazimeriz looked to his volunteers. "Finite totalum." He cast, ending their lumos charms for the moment. "We have used the lumos roseus charm to illustrate how the magical energy travels visually. However, the best way to learn the use of accurate, focused shielding is through practice, using actual hexes, jinxes and curses. Thank you for your help, volunteers; you may be seated."

He turned to the board, waving his wand.



"Your homework: two inches of parchment on hexes, jinxes and curses, as well as defense and what you have learned. Your practical homework is to log a duel in the dueling arena to work on your focused shielding charm. I encourage you to get this done as quickly as possible, for within the next three days you are to wear your DADA badge again and you will be attacked by a 'dark artist'. You are not to attack one another, however. Simply be on guard, aware and alert. When you are attacked, utilize focused shielding to block your attacker's spell. Do not retaliate; your task is merely to act defensively. If anyone needs a new DADA badge, you may get one from the baskets on my desk. Are there any questions?" He looked around the room at his students.



ooc note: Two inches of parchment = 2-4 paragraphs. Please wear your DADA badge again if you intend to do homework and PM me your name so I can be sure that your character is, in fact, attacked. Once you have been attacked by our 'dark artist' volunteers, PM me the post(s) where you blocked the attack for points. Also, don't forget to log a duel in the dueling arena to show you learned how to do a focused shield charm! If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

Jack put his hand up "Who are the dark artists?" Jack asked curiously

Professor Kazimeriz smirked. "Now, that would spoil the element of surprise, wouldn't it? Suffice it to say that I have enlisted the help of several individuals. Be aware and on the defensive, practice your focused shield... and you might survive your homework in one piece." Mwhahaha. He looked at the students, a devilish glint in his eye. "Any other questions?"

Jake made his way back to his seat, thankful that there had been nothing to worry about, but resolving to not let his guard down until he left the classroom.

And then, he could have groaned. Even when gone from the room they had to stay on guard? Ah well, at least Kazimeriz was teaching them kind of real world stuff.

Jake noted the homework down as the professor answered a question, and shook his head to signal that he had no questions. He couldn't help but feel a little miffed that on top of all the things he had to worry about with people, he'd have to defend himself from magic in the next few days as well.

William couldn't help but shiver as he listened to the homework. Dueling? That was something he'd have to do well in if what the professor had said about the dark artists people was true. Writing the homework down on a piece of parchment he gulped slightly as shook his head at the last question hoping to get out of their quickly.

Herminny took her seat and happy that that was all the lesson was and but thought it was so cool of the professor to present it in that manor. Then she took out her parchment and copied down the homework waiting to see what intresting questions her classmates could come up with is any before the professor would dismiss the class.

Evangeline quickly copied down the homework, shaking her head at the prospect of having to duel with any of her classmates. Goodness, that was a bit extreme, really. After she was done copying it down, she noticed something was missing and raised her hand. "Professor, I'm sorry but you didnt seem to include the due date for this assignment.." Oh god, she hoped Kazimeriz didn't hex her now.

But well, if he did, it'd be a good time to practice the shielding charm.

"Excellent point. The homework is due two weeks from today. That should give our dark artists ample opportunity to see to you all. And remember- you are not to hex each other, nor are you to retaliate against those who attack you. Your task is to shield and defend yourself, and only that."

Kazimeriz smirked. "If there are no further questions, class is dismissed. Do not forget to wear your DADA badges, or you risk being unable to complete your homework... this would displease me greatly." He sat at his desk, making notes in his class book.

Jake packed his things into the bag and nodded at the professor. "Thanks for a great lesson, Professor Kazimeriz," he beamed. "It was really useful!"

Despite the fact that I was BLAMED for something and BULLIED half way through it.

"Have a good remainder of the day, sir," Jake nodded, leaving the classroom and immediately being sure to look out and keep his ears open for a hint of attack.

After having seen Professor Kazimeriz deflect her Lumos Roseus spell, Cela listened carefully and copied the homework down. When he dismissed the class she packed up her things and went over to him.

"Professor Kazimeriz?" Cela asked uncertainly, "I'm... sorry I was being a coward." She spoke in a hushed tone, "Thank you for the neat lesson."

Barry quickly wrote down the homework. What was wrong with an essay? Now he`d have to be on his guard all the time. At least he was already wearing a badge, he then got up as class was dismissed gave Cela a smile and the professer too just so he didn`t seem odd and then left,

Freya raised a brow at what the Professor had said, 'Wonder if the 'dark artists' will be our other professors...that would be fun.' She finished copying down the assignment and headed out of the classroom, her senses were going haywire already...and she hadn't even left.

Ludo was quite content now that he'd seen a demonstration as to how to direct attacks rebounded from the Shield Charm.

Professor Kazimeriz magicked the homework onto the board, which Ludo immediately copied down out of force of habit.
"Well..not bad. Little bit of writing...practical sounds fun.." he thought, and then read the last bit again.

YOU WILL BE ATTACKED

"Great. I'll be thinking someone's behind me all the time now." he thought with a smirk.

He stood up to leave and smiled to the Professor from his desk. "Great lesson Professor Kazimeriz. See you soon." he said, and headed for the doorway.

Daniel took a seat. That was a relief. I thought we will be cursed

He then copied the homework and listened to the Professor about the activity.
Wwwwwhhhhaaaaaatttttttt???? we are going to be attacked again? But this time no attacking back? his thoughts pondered his brain.

When he heard the words your dismissed. He grabbed his things, took a badge and left the room saying. "Thank you very much, Professor for that nice lesson."

Kayla wrote down the homework and then packed her stuff into her bag, all except her wand of course. That she would carry with her from now on. Kayla, eyed Tobi for a moment and decided that he would be a good duelling partner, she would have to catch up with him later. Hoisting her bag onto her shoulder, she made her way to the front of the class. "Excellent lesson Professor" Kayla hesitated a moment on the verge of asking him a question and thought maybe she should ask him in his office, she didn't want any of the other students knowing.

The professor nodded politely to the students as they thanked him and left the room, raising an eyebrow at Miss Toussaint's comment. "I appreciate your apology, but the points deduction still stands. Students who show themselves to be strong, outstanding witches and wizards have a responsibility not only to their own education but an obligation to lead by example. I will not allow students, especially those in a leadership role, to shirk their responsibility to fully participate in every learning opportunity; it sets a poor example for students who do not have the same level of dedication to learning their craft." He met her eyes. "Is this perfectly clear?"

"Yes, Sir." Cela agreed quickly. She lifted her chin slightly and nodded. Wait...
Leadership? But she was only the Navigator... not the Captain of the pirates. How did this leadership business apply to her? Did he mean house points? Cela thought about it for a moment before deciding she'd at least try to be a good example.

"Clear, Sir." Celandine breathed, "Thank you."

cedric packed all his things and his wand was on his pocket because from now on he will carry it everywhere he went so he can get rid on the dark artist
by the way cedric raised his hand,"professor,Thank you for all the lessons you teach to us especially the interesting and exciting homework you gave to us

Twilight made alot of notes. ANd then she carefully copied down the homework. Her respect for this Professor was growing by leaps and bounds. As she got up she carefully checked to make sure she had turned in the classwork, it wasnt on her desk so she was sure that she had. SHe softely gathered up her things and then walked to the desk and picked up her badge and pinned it back on.

"Thank you for the very excellant lesson, Professor," she said in what seemed like a whisper. *I shall try my hardest to learn the wand work."