Taylor raised her hand and was about to say dark wizards but instead she said, "Professor, we should defend ourselves against dark animals like dementors, trolls, and such. They can be as dangerous if not even more dangerous than dark wizards, can they not?" Tay tilted her head and looked at the professor, smiling at her.

Gideon sometimes had mixed feelings about the class they were in. Sure he felt the need to be good at what they learned for various reasons, but sometimes the memories brought to mind were far from pleasant. Not that many would understand...seeing as very few of his classmates likely had dark wizards who personally tried to harm you on several occasions. The prefect took a deep breath and worked on pushing ahead and contributing to the lesson especially as the next answer was asked.

"Certainly dark creatures," he answered after raising his hand. Those non-beings surely werent going to give you a second chance to escape if they could help it do you needed to protect yourself against them. "Too dangerous not to." Gideon almost said the unforgivables but dodging them was really the only protection against them.

Kurumi straightened her back a little, trying not to let some of the drowsiness take over too much..but this music was just a little too much. Maybe she should take a page from West's book and stand up and jog. Only...when the Gryffindor went to move her legs she was met with the uncomfortable heavy feeling followed by even more uncomfortable tingling. Fudgesicle...her legs were asleep.

So much for plan West.

As to the next question...Kurumi thought for a moment. Right, NOT going with the first thought that comes to your mind. After thinking things over again, Kurumi raised her hand. "Well, you should probably defend yourself against anything that makes you feel like you should. If your flight or fight instincts are kicking it, something isn't right. Doesn't have to just be dark arts related." Ask anyone who has had Selina came at you with a beater's bat in the middle of the night and you would know.

Or been near a chocolate frog...but that was just her and Selina that seemed to feel that way.

Alyssa thought for a few moments. 'Are we still supposed to discard the first thing that comes to our mind and pick another answer?' Alyssa thought to herself. Before raising her hand, she thought long and hard and when she thought she had what she thought was an answer, she raised her hand.

"Professor I would defend myself from anything or anyone that I think will intentionally cause me harm or hurt me." Alyssa paused as she thought out the answer to the second part of the question because it ultimately meant the same answer.

"We should defend ourselves from anything that we believe is going to intentionally cause us harm and they feel no remorse doing so." Alyssa decided to clarify her last answer.

"I mean some creatures are just trying to protect themselves and that is why they try to attack us. That does not mean that they intentionally want to hurt us. In those cases, I think we should try to avoid them if at all possible. Maybe try to scare them away or something."

Jory thought longer than usual before he raised his hand. "Professor, I would defend myself from anything that would harm me,'' he said.

He thought a bit more on the second question. "The first obvious thing we would defend ourselves from are people. Another would be animals. Mostly dark creatures.''

Like Alyssa said, some animals would not intentionally try to hurt anyone but you just had to avoid them

Kendall had been so focused on getting comfortable in the lotus position that she'd honestly missed the lesson really beginning. Well, it was getting comfortable and still trying to figure out how to deal with other things. Either way, she'd only picked up on things as the other students had been giving their explanations of what the dark arts were, and she'd stifled a giggle at the ones who had talked about paintings and stuff. That would've been her answer, if she hadn't actually liked the subject. At least, she was probably more familiar with art than half the people in the classroom. But the dark arts weren't funny, so she managed to keep herself from really giggling. Zombies and dementors and all that stuff deserved respect, and maybe a little bit of fear.

Even if Professor Romanos had laughed at the answers herself. She wasn't going to, and she was surprised as it didn't seem they were changing positions yet either. Is that another way she's making things different?, she wondered. At least she'd gotten comfortable by now, and she'd raised her hand at the next series of questions. "We defend ourselves from anything that's trying to hurt us. If it's coming at us and looks creepy, scary, or anything, we have every right to defend ourselves. Like zombies, dementors, and lots of the creatures we learned about last term. We should defend ourselves if we're confronted by them, even if our way of defending ourselves is to run away," she said. It wasn't exactly what she'd thought of first. Besides the zombie part. So she should be able to say it as her answer, even given the confusing rule the professor had set up.

Still in Lotus position, Cassia was keeping a steady method of breathing in order not to freak out from the darkness that enveloped her. She was actually forgetting about it she was trying to relax and only relax.

And the hushed voices of the students were helping actually. Wait, were they hushed or Cassia's hearing was somehow damaged? She couldn't make out all the answers and some were asking questions as well. Her eyes were fluttering and she actually started to worry about falling asleep during the lesson so for like the first time Cassia had a question to ASK!. "Um Professor, Are we supposed to relax entirely and shut down our brain? Or we're supposed to focus on not to say what we're thinking of?" Cassia asked puzzled actually. She was kinda lost about this Yoga thing.

And as for the question Cassia had already lost her concentration so she blurted out the answer that she believes in, "PLANTS! We should protect ourselves from plants. They are evil." Yup the second-year's first enemy was plants she just hated them so badly.And there was no grey or neutral areas when it came to plants. They were ALL EVIL. Well, in Cassia's opinion at least.

Sarah's was about to say that one should read books in order to identify what are dark creatures. yet then she thought again... "We should do research as to what are dark creaures and where they are found. We must make sure to have a wand with us and go to Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons"

Aww, no painting with dark colors? Shucks, that would've been kind of fun. No matter. He thought about the next question, wondering about the type of people that HE would be cautious of.

Ravenclaws. Obviously. But he had a feeling there would be backlash if he mentioned that here.

"All the creatures." Well, people had already said that but, "even the cats." But oh wait, weren't they supposed to say the opposite to the answer they wanted? Theo did not understand this exercise. "Also, shady people that creep in shady places." Again... duh.

He wondered when they will change position? Because he could hardly feel his legs.

Stiff. Stiff. Stiff.

What are some things you should defend yourselves from? Hands up. "Bogeyman!" he said bluntly. "We should defend ourselves from the bogeyman, Professor." Because they're bad, very very bad creature.

Laura looked at the Professor and smiled. "Well you would see if the creature is friendly and if it isn't then you know that the creature wants to harm you, so basically you look at the body language of the creature." Laura was hoping she was right. "Different types of body language means different things."

How did they know when to defend themselves? Interesting question. Ariadne realized she had never asked herself that before. 'If we know a person is a Dark Witch/Wizard our brain tells our body to prepare for defence, but it's quite tricky to be sure of a person's intent until it's too late. For example, an evil wizard may pretend to be your friend and then attack you when you're least expecting it.' Sounded childish, but it could actually happen. Wait! She had forgotten not to say the first thing out loud! Not good.

Since she couldn't really take that back now, Ari thought of an alternative answer. 'There are also cursed objects which could harm us, but I believe there are certain spells that can detect if an item has been touched by Dark Magic, right?' Though she had no clue as to what those spells were.

Her eyes snapped open once a new question has been given. Louisa's body tensed and all this mind clearing was void now, because she did not know the answer anymore. She did before she'd met the man in Knockturn Alley but now she really didn't know how to define the things and people that need to be... defended against. So yeah, she had no original answer to that, she actually has something else to say. Raising her hand she asked, "Very tricky, professor. Because they--" The dark creatures and items included, "--are most likely to be sugarcoated. More than tricky, actually, for they play mind tricks with you and force you to interact with them until..." Her eyes sought Daichi in the dark for a brief eye contact before they were back on Romanos, "...until they show their claws and teeth." Her voice might've quivered at the end just a bit.

"So I don't think I have an answer to your question, professor," she added sadly and a bit desperately.

Well, technically her first thought on the topic had been asking the question, so she could answer what came to mind now... right?

"Well, defense implies a reaction to an attack, so really we just fight anything that is a threat, that makes the first violent move towards us, but we shouldn't be the ones attacking first, because we can't be sure of the intentions of our opponent until they act," Vee tried. This lesson was confusing her slightly, but she liked how it kept her mind working.

Minerva thought for a moment, what would she need to defend herself from. Did family members count.. she thought and her cousin crossed her mind. She tried to think of somethings that she felt she would need to defend herself from. They were taught a few things through the years that she had been here already, but would she know exactly if she came across something. Putting up her hand, "Professor we could tell if we needed to protect ourselves if someone was trying to harm us or attacked us first." yes that would be the best way to tell and the only way even after trying to think of something else Minerva could think of.

They were still on that ditch your first answer and make up a new one scheme right? Because thinking of a second answer to the Professor's question was affecting the stability of her Lotus position...a bit. Her ribcage was starting to hurt too. Relaxing her upper body for a bit, she pondered on the query. Things that one should defend himself from. That was easy. Of course, people needed to defend themselves from persons or things that could harm their wellness. Yes, yes?

But then, she needed a new idea. Think Castell, think.

*DING!*

Oh, a little snitch plummeted inside her mind. Defend herself eh? Beezus raised her hand, grinning a tad bit.. "Professor, I believe we should defend ourselves from bludgers. Because they are VERY dangerous." Just look at how those balls are slowly killing her!

Huh? Whaat? Nope Ness was not paying much attention. She was still sitting, but her eyes were shut tight and she could barely hear a thing the Professor was saying. It was still worth a try to make it look like she was listening. She lifted her hand in the air as though she actually knew what the question was.

"Sleep!" That was her answer, and if you had to say anything to her that was all she was going to mumble. "You need to defend yourself from sleep." She mumbled some more.

Then giving up on sitting in this weird position, she lay back on the mat and used her hands as a pillow. She was too tired for anything else.

Cora thought for a moment. Some students had mentioned defending against animals, and Cora's disgust for hurting animals made it harder for her to think of something to contribute. She was going to say to defend yourself against anything scary, and then thought more.

Cora knew that she would only defend herself if her life was seriously on the line. Not like too many even cared enough to put Cora in danger. But she wouldn't just feel threatened by every magical thing that walked by, like some of the others. "You should only defend yourself against something that is one hundred percent about to harm you or kill you. Which, I guess you can't be sure of until it's almost too late, but rushed decisions could lead to bad things." Cora had enough with hot tempers causing problems. "And magical creatures are not evil. They should not be attacked." Cora said this last part quietly, wanting to speak her mind but unable to just let the others keep talking about hurting them. Protecting yourself was one thing, intentionally harming the threat was another.

Annabelle pondered the question for a minute. "Hmm how do you know what to defend yourself from?" Belle asked herself. Belle got an idea and said "Professor i think it all comes from your gut feeling. Only you know what you are scared of, not really anyone else. You should defend yourself from anything that scares you from like dementors, boggarts, grindylows and all other creatures of the dark." Belle gave the best answer she could.

Hmm... that was a really good question, now wasn't it? Sutton had never really had to defend herself against anything... mostly because she was scared of going anywhere that there could possibly be danger, but also because there were always people there to rescue her. Sutton suddenly became very nervous at the thought of standing on her own two feet and having to defend herself when there was no one else there to save her. Everything and everyone around her began receiving her suspicion now, as though she could be attacked at any moment. Her breathing quickened as she looked around at the dimly lit face of the other students.

Finally throwing her hand in the air, she said, "Professor, I think I should just always be ready to defend myself against anyone or anything that poses a threat." Yes, that seemed appropriate. Anyone could mean her harm at any time. Although, she imagined she shouldn't just attack people all the time, so maybe she shouldn't have just answered with her first thought. Raising her hand again, she thought it might be best to amend her answer. "Sorry, Professor... what I mean is really that we should be prepared to defend ourselves, but I think there's a big difference between defending yourself and attacking someone because you think they might do something to you..." err... right. Something like that.

Well that's simple really. Juliet raised her hand to answer "Dark creatures and dark wizards that does harm, are the number one to defend yourself." because A. dark creatures has a nature of destruction and B. dark wizards that causes harm. Because like she said earlier, not every dark wizard is harmful. It depends on how they are as a person. Although, generally speaking most of them are sort of bad mojos.

Now that was an easy question!

"That one's easy professor, we're supposed to defend ourselves from anything that poses a threat or is even suspected of having the ability to pose a threat--like you know, older kids raising their wands at you." Yeah, their day was coming and it was coming soon!

Oh but wait...she wasn't supposed to answer using the first thing that came to mind. Sigh. On second thought this wasn't so easy. "Uhhh...what I meant to say is..." Was their even a way to rephrase or change that? She pretty much meant what she said. If she saw someone running towards her with a wand in hand she was going to take action. Even if it turned out to be completely coincidental she was going to get the person before they 'got' her. Better them than her! "hmm...well usually people have this look on their face right before they hurt you--like the psychotic Headmistress--or that Charms Professor! Usually when you see that look you know you better defend yourself quickly." Nod.

"And then sometimes it's just kinda obvious...like seeing a dragon...common sense should kick in and tell you you need to do something before you get bar-be-qued." If common sense didn't kick in by then then perhaps you really did deserve to be outed by the dragon....but she wouldn't say that part.

As for what they were to defend themselves against... "Psychotic adults who want us to die before we have a chance to board the train at the end of the school year." She had a few of those in mind.

Hmmm. This was a good question. No one ever thought about this, it seemed. They just seemed to jump into the defense thing....so Elliot thought for a few moments. Grey area. She raised her hand, breathing a bit harder now because they hadn't switched positions in awhile....dear Merlin....

She rolled her eyes at the some of the answers....and Cora's made her laugh. DON"T HURT THE ANIMALS! Of course Cora would say that...."Professor, sometimes we have to defend ourselves from things that aren't even dark magic. Our defense isn't limited to dark magic or dark creatures." She spewed out, having her answer all planned out in her head already. She nodded at the end, and glanced around.

Hmph. "But it's hard to know what exactly to defend ourselves against....the answer can't be pinned down simply...."

"I think that you should defend yourself from anything that looks like it is going to harm yourself or someone else," Chace offered, which was perhaps too simple all things considering. "As for the grey areas, I think it takes intuitiveness and observational skills. Sometimes the dark arts doesn't always present itself in ways that you would normally associate it with, so it is important to be able to look at a situation, a person, or an object and be able to perceive that it is dangerous or means you harm. An example might be a common day item that has some kind of charm or hex on it that could poison someone."

Catching the glare the Ravenclaw girl cast her way, Sierra just smirked. How amusing. The Claw thought she could cast a glare at The Glare Queen herself? What did Sierra do to her anyway? Wound her feelings or something?

She started to comment, but then the professor was moving on...

"I pretty much agree with what everyone else has been saying," she said, raising her hand. "I don't think there's a way to list what you should or shouldn't defend yourself over. I think that's something you have to decide in the moment."

Why was West jogging? Distracted, Sierra watched him for a few seconds before turning back to Romanos.

"You don't have much time to think things over, but you do have a little bit of time to get an idea about how the dark magic makes you feel. If you have that inner feeling that tells you its wrong, it usually is," she continued. A little bit of common sense would help here, too. If you were staring a dementor in the face, it might be a good idea to just take two steps backward, turn around, and run for it.