Jack could tell the first year (Danielle) was really upset. Last thing he needed was an upset reporter, so he snuck over and crouched down by her and whispered. 'You did really great. Fantastic for a first year.' Gave her a pat on the back and snuck back to his seat.

Dani gave a half smile to the boy. "I'm Dani." She said quietly. She had never really liked people trying to comfort her. That was why she had stopped crying, but right now she barely noticed.

When the girl walked over Dani turned her head. "I'm fine." She said, wiping away a second tear. She looked down at her desk feeling awkward.

Dani attempted to smile at the others that were trying to cheer her up. "I'm fine really." She felt dumb letting her emotions show like that. Maybe volunteering had been a bad idea.

"Nice to meet you , Dani. Hope to bump with you again next time." whispered Daniel, then he went back into his seat. He was not wet at all and his eyes was done with. I have done well he thought.

Dani smiled at the boy and then turned back to the professor, holding back the rest of her tears. She ended up dripping ink onto her parchment, but he couldn't get upset with her it was his fault. Everyone had good ideas, too bad she hadn't thought of them.

Jule couldn't help but back away and laugh under her breath. It was predictable but at the same time unpredictable. Maybe this teacher was preparing them for something bigger.

Lyra looked at her , something was not right, she wasn't fine. Lyra could tell that, if she was the ravenclaw girl she wouldnt have cried when the teacher had given her a compliment no she would be proud specially as a first year, no something much darker was going on. Lyra decided to not ask the girl what really was going on, knowing how she hated it when she had to answer questions after that.....moment. Lyra shivered a bit and tried to be strong "i'm Lyra" she said with a small smile.

"Yes it was a good idea but unfortunately they took a little too long in coming up with it. Don't be fooled into thinking that the person who is holding a hostage is not thinking about how to get out of the situation as well." Marcus smirked slightly at her comment. "I would have made a poor auror if I didn't take into every consideration. Most often people will actually copy what someone else has done for the reason you just said."

"With a hostage standing in front of me? I made sure that I chose a hostage that was roughly the same height as myself so that I would be completely covered behind her. If you had of cast a spell it would have it her as Daniel demonstrated."

"Excellent. Yes spells can ricochet off a wall and with four of them against only one they probably should have tried that." Marcus nodded at the Hufflepuff.

"Well Daniel, already tried that and it didn't work. Like I said I was shielded by the hostage so a direct attack was not going to work. But thank you for your input."

Marcus looked down at Jake and gave him a look as if to say 'keep it up and I will keep you like that forever.'

"Ah but you have to because it is someone else's life that depends on it. They are relying on you to keep a clear head and save them from the situation. You have to learn to shut down your emotions and get the job done." Marcus glanced at Jake again and raised an eyebrow.

"Exactly. Distractions were what were required here. Enough for me to either loosen my hold on the hostage and give her an opportunity to make a move of her own or for the heroes to move forward and take advantage of the situation." Marcus gave Karma a smile, which turned into concern at young girl who seemed to be crying. Hmm...he would get back to that later.


"So what else around the room could have been used as a distraction?"

Dani raised her hand. "I've only noticed now sir, there are suits of armor all over the room. We could have made them fall or make a loud noise to distract you." She was determined to prove she was fine, only her eyes betrayed her.

Dooooon't youuuuu givemethatlook.

Seriously, if Jake could have stomped his foot, he would have, and by George he would manage it... he wouldn't be stuck like this... right?

Something about human rights.

...

...

Maybe the nurse would help him.

Jake looked around and tried to make eye contact with the nurse, practically BEGGING with his eyes to be let go so he could finish the job.

And was everyone conveniently forgetting the 12 year old all trapped?


... And... and... and... what's wrong with showing emotion?!


In answer to the question, Jake would have been a good distraction... hmpf!

Satine raised her hand, "The chairs that the students had vacated to come participate could be used and probably would be unexpected..." she was proud of this thought.

Raising her hand, Anna asked, "Wouldn't you have been prepared for us to rattle the suits of armor in some way, though? Last school year we were taught to always be aware of our surroundings, as anything can and will be used against us," she suggested. "I suppose not everyone would always be prepared for something like that, though. There are charms we could have casted on the suits of armor to cause them to provide a distraction of some kind."

Karma listened to Anna and the first year as they began to give their thoughts on distractions. Suits of armor - perfect!

"Going with that," she said, looking at the girls. "Spells can ricochet off of almost anything if they are not destructive. Even animating the suits of armor using Piertotum Locomotor would provide significant enough distraction, because then the suits would be moving around."

Marcus nodded at the young Ravenclaw. "Yes Dani, that was why they were put there."

He gave his wand a quick flick towards Jake and releasing him from the body bind curse. "See me after class Mr Upstead."

"Yes they certainly could have. It's best to use whatever is at hand to cause as much distraction as you can." he gave the girl a nod.

"Yes I would have Anna, but at least I would have known that they were using their heads and thinking outside the box. Just because I was expecting doesn't mean anyone else would have." Marcus nodded in agreement with the Head Girl, "Exactly."

"Yes you are correct Karma, thank you for your input."


"Okay class I am going to wrap it up now. Be sure to check the announcement board for your homework. As much fun as this class was don't expect them all to be this easy." He grinned at them and gestured with his hand that they were all free to go.

"Oh could Plymouth Morgan, Jacob Upstead, Danielle Devouche, Celandine Toussaint and Anna Greingoth please meet me in my office. Thank you."