NEAR THE LAKE. We love you for that Professor Romanos. And she was also hoping that the yoga would help her focus a bit more and not get distracted by the surroundings. And the Giant Squid.

Lottie really liked being outside. REALLY. "Good day, Professor Romanos!" No itching powder in this lesson, right? Hopefully not on the mats...

Oh, hi, Garrick Morpheus. Lottie winked at him and gave him a smile, HOWEVER, she didn't join him this time. She had her reasons, see? ONE reason. And she was keeping an eye on said reason.

Lex.

Text Cut: Lex!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

Defense Against the Dark Arts. There was no using abbreviations right now, that's how excited she was for this class. It was her favourite, hands down. It was the only class where she felt like she completely knew what was going on--even more so after her extra bit of reading!!

SEE THAT?? SHE READ!!

Lex was in a hyper mood as she made her way to the rest of the class, the one outside yo! This time, it wasn't even the candy! NOPE. As odd as that was to believe, the candy had nothing to do with it, today was just extra good because of this class.

"Hello Professor!!!" BEAM. "I got some practising in when we got back to school! Really looking forward to the lesson." So long as that test wasn't still happening. Don't get her wrong, she was ready for it, but after looking around at everyone else present, she figured she'd be happier with a practical. Heh.

But that was completely innocent of course. Ahem. Cue more beaming as she plopped down on her mat. Yes. Her mat. Couldn't you tell?

Next thing, Lottie was sitting next to Lex. Yeah-huh, we're keeping an eye on you, best friend. "Hi Lex!" BEAM. Eyes on you. And Garrick.

Mika walked down toward the lake area and smiled as she glanced up at the sky above her. It was a clear bright day and well, she'd be a fool not to notice it. It wasn't even that cold, but she still had her robes pulled tightly against her as she made it to the lake side. It was the thing about it always being cooler near open bodies of water - and well, this was kind of an open body of water.

When she noticed the purple mats she also noticed Mo stretching and being weird. She just tipped her head to the side and chuckled. He was weird, but hey, she liked weird.

So she took a few steps forward and grabbed a mat close to the stretching and now jogging boy and the Professor. "Hello Professor Romanos" she was smiling - and maybe mentally salivating because the name Romanos always made her thing of Parmesan cheese...and that made her think of Pizza. And Pizza was good.

But this wasn't a time for Pizza. So she just set her books down and began to stretch slowly so when they began their activity she wouldn't get hurt. She was careful of these things now ever since she had tried out for the Quidditch team and all.

Susan started towards the lake where the signs are the door indicated class for DADA would be held. Susan was excited to be outside, it was a nice day today and she loved the feel the wind.

When Susan got to the lake she noticed the professor sitting on a purple mat. There were other mats in the same area that Susan assumed where for the students to sit on. "Hello professor." Susan smiles at Professor Romanos and then found a mat to sit on. She put her bag down next to a mat near the professor and pulled out her notebook.

Ethan was somewhat looking forward to having class outside today. That wasn't to say that he was looking forward to class - there were few he could say that about - it was more the fact that it was outside rather than in that drafty arena. He headed down towards the lake, spotting a gathering up ahead. That must be it, he thought as he neared.

He eyed the familiar purple mats, not quite as disdainfully as in the past. Was he just getting used to the yoga in her class or was he coming to gain a deeper appreciation of the exercise form. He didn't know, but he was glad the dumb little desks were not present. "Good day, Professor," he smiled in greeting as he passed Professor Romanos.

And now to find a seat. He saw quite a few familiar faces present already and he gave them each a nod as he passed, spotting the person he wanted to sit next to at the front of the class. Really.. the front? But he would sit up front to sit by her. Claiming the empty purple mat next to her, he gave the Hufflepuff girl a smile before lowering himself on the mat, waiting for class to begin.

Lex was looking around the area for no particular reason, just looking. That's what eyes did, you know, they looked. Nothing more there--

OHAI best friend suddenly sitting next to her on the mat she had saved for her anyway. That's right. That one had been saved for Lottie and Lex would have been very offended if the girl had gone and sat somewhere else. Cough. She liked having Lotties sit next to her, this just made the class even better.

"HAI!!!" She whispered loudly in all her bounciness. BEAM. Because they were beaming. Nodnodnod. Lottie probably had reasons for sitting there but she didn't care because her worry made her sit with Lex!! The girl could believe whatever she wanted so long as this happened in more classes.

Nerida walked down toward the lake area and smiled as she glanced up at the beautiful sky above her, wonderful blue clear sky today. So she took a few steps forward and grabbed a mat close to the the Professor. "Hello Professor Romanos, hope your summer was superb!" she gave a smile to her.

She set her books down and started to stretch.

See the funny thing was that he was just as happy to see her smiling face as he would have been to have her sitting beside him... only he was not a selfish person... AHEM... who was interested in taking all of Lotus' time. BEAM.

Seeing her wink he smiled a bit wider still. He just couldn't help it. Though, his eyes did not travel to her other side. In fact he pretty much didn't see anyone there. Funny, right?

Though, he DID see Ethan and returned the nod. Perhaps they should go ahead on with the Sticky Trainer testing. PRONTO. Hehe.

Anyway, back to watching Lotus.

Ronnie walked down to the lake, her book bag hanging loosely from her shoulder. She frowned and shifted it up. The bloody bag was always slipping off her shoulder and falling. Ever since her first year. She glared down at the bag. Hopefully, it wouldn't fall off her shoulder today. She doubted that'd happen though.

She smiled as she approached the professor. "Good day professor!" she said with a wave which caused her bag to slide off and onto the ground with everything spilling out.

Oh.

Typical.

She blushed deeply and bent down and began to quickly stuff her parchment, quills, ink, and books back in. Oh how embarrassing! She quickly stood back up and gave a small smile at the professor, then took a seat on the closest mat. She took a look around herself, hoping none of her fellow students had seen her drop her things.

Having taken some time to stand and stare out across the lake, Medea returned to her mat after awhile and waited quietly for the students, half wondering if she should be up at the castle pointing down to the grounds. The appearance of the first student however had her relaxing a bit in relief, but...

Oh dear. "Good day, Mister Turner." she smiled and nodded in return, eyeing the wet streaks formed on his shirt and hair. Oh erm, hopefully that was just from a late shower. "How vos your summer?"

And just like that, one student shows up and the rest of them follow. "Good day, Miss Hudson. Congratulations on your prefect badge." Medea greeted as brightly as a sunflower. If she wasn't mistaken though. She did make an effort to know who the year's student leaders were.

Oh, a new young one joining her class! Goodness, it seemed like there just weren't enough of them. The others were growing up too quickly. "Good afternoon." she returned the greeting warmly, smile growing slightly as she nodded. "Yes, anyvhere you like."

Speaking of students growing older, another seventh year joined them. Could they stop the aging thing? It was making her feel old. "Hello, Mister Stonewall." She smiled in return, squinting a little in the sunlight. "And it's alvays a pleasure to haff you in my class."

Oh! This certain Hufflepuff came with good news. "Good afternoon, Miss Bishop!" Perhaps the defense professor's smile grew just a bit more, or perhaps it didn't. It was hard to tell already since she was already beaming. "I had a simply marvelous summer, thank you. I hear a congratulations is in order for you though... Captain?"

"Hello, Mister Barrington!" Oh, would you look at that? He was stretching! Without her telling him to do so.

A gold star to you Mister Barrington!

Flicking off a piece of what looked to be dirt from her mat, Medea glanced up at the greeting given. "Good day, Miss Jung! It is, it is! Perhaps ve should haff more lessons outside during the end of term." An idea she would soon be mulling over, especially when the warm temperatures started to return.

Oh good, another one of their prefects showed up. She did love when they did. Give a little boost to the other students to do so, right? "Good afternoon, Miss Castell!" Medea's smile grew a little. "And it's vonderful to haff you in class again."

Ahem, one of the less enthusiastic students today...

"Good afternoon, Mister Kingsley!" Though Medea could more than enough make up for his lack of excitement today.

Medea had to give a double take to the fourth year before squinting her eyes a little. Mostly due to the sunlight, however, she had to make SURE on something. AND SHE WAS SURE! He was a new student in her class. "Hello! It is a vonderful day, isn't it?"

After flicking another piece of supposed dirt off her mat that she missed, the defense professor glanced up to see who else had joined them. Of course, sixth year Minerva was next, making Medea sigh a little. SIXTH year! When did that happen? "Hello, Miss Wheatborn! I'm doing simply fantastic. How vos your summer?"

Ahem...

When did the older students become older students!?

"Good afternoon, Mister Summers!" Fifth year wasn't he? Goodness...

Oh! Should it have been a surprise to see Gwendolyn so early to the lesson? Medea was a little surprised, though she couldn't put her finger on exactly whyyyy. "Hello, Miss Greene! How has your day been so far?"

Glancing out across the class, she noted the lack of red in the uniforms. Goodness, where were all the Gryffindors? They had a healthy dose of green however, and Ariana just added to the mix. "Good afternoon, Miss Logan!"

Was it by chance her thoughts on the lack of Gryffindors had them suddenly showing up? "Good day, Miss Edwards!" Alas, some red in the group. The young girl's question had Medea chuckling merrily however. "No, unfortunately not. Ve are far enough avay so no one vill fall in, unless they roll in there themselves."

It was too chilly to do so though, in her opinion.

Alas! Some younger students!

One right after the other, however, the Hufflepuff joined them first. "Good afternoon. It is indeed! You're right." The perfect reason to have their lesson outdoors, wasn't it?

Another Gryffindor joining them, and it was even more perfect that it was one of the new first years. "Good afternoon." She beamed and nodded to the youngster. "It's a pleasure to meet you as vell, and may I say, vot a lovely bag." They didn't see many colorful ones like those around here.

"Good day, Miss Jones! Yes, it vos rather excellent, thank you." Medea beamed, making herself a little more comfy on her mat. "How vos your summer?"

Another familiar face to join them! "Good day, Mister Branxton." Medea beamed and nodded in return. "It is, isn't it?"

Oh, this one was certainly quiet, though it didn't look as though he wasn't interested. "Good afternoon." Medea warmly greeted anyhow, perhaps a little quieter than how she was greeting the returning students.

Three prefects down, five more to go.

"Good day, Mister Keller." Medea grinned and nodded at his question. "Yes, it vos vonderful if I do say so myself. How vos your summer?"

OH! Oh this must be the most enthusiastic greeting she got today so far! "Good afternoon, Miss Cambridge!" Medea beamed in return, eyebrows raising a little. Well, that was excellent news, wasn't it? "I'm pleased to here so."

She'd been mulling over the idea of giving the girl a pop quiz after the class, though had yet to officially decide. Perhaps it was too cruel to do so? On a day like this!! There was still time to figure it out though.

Speaking of time, the professor glanced down to her watch to check the time, shaking it a little as she did so. Good Merlin, how time flew by. There was still some for the stragglers to show up though. Oh? Glancing up, Medea's gaze landed on the first year Ravenclaw. "Oh, it's very nice to meet you as vell, Miss Gallaway. I hope your day is going vell so far."

Stretching her legs out in front of her so her foot didn't fall asleep, Medea smiled and nodded to the third year Hufflepuff joining them. "Good afternoon, Miss Wisteria!" THIRD YEAR. That happened fast.

...

"Good day, Miss Johanson!"

Familiar faces were always a welcome to see!

"Hellooooo." She beamed in return, noting the notebook that was taken out. "Haff a nice summer?"

Their fourth prefect to show up. Excellent! "Good afternoon, Mister McCarthy! Congratulations on the prefect badge." If only the others would start showing up. They didn't have a lot of time to do so.

Oh? "Oh, it vos!" she said excitedly, hardly taking note on just who was talking until her gaze actually landed on the student. Oh yes, Nerida. Fantastic! "I do hope yours vos the same."

Goodness, another seventh year. Can they stop turning into seventh years?

"Hello, Miss Hawkin-" Oh dear.

Medea moved to help the poor girl, but, it seemed she had everything handled in a matter of seconds. Moving back to her comfortable position on her mat, Medea smiled and nodded in return to the Gryffindor. With another glance to her watch, the professor sighed contently and glanced towards the castle to see just who else would be showing up.

Aidan jogged down to the class by the lake. Which was an excellent place to have a lesson. Truly. It was nice outside. That nice cool almost-fall weather where you could run around and not sweat too much.

He found a free mat and plopped himself down there. Though, like Mo, he also began stretching on it. Like a habit or something. Or because he just jogged. Or..yeah.

As she laid there, she decided to see who else had shown up. She looked around and noticed Jory sitting on a mat a bit away from her. She gathered her things and moved to the empty mat next to him. She smiled at him. "Hey, Jory!" she said as she sat down. "Mind if I sit here?"

So... it should be illegal to have SO many classes all at once. A boy needed some time to breathe, sleep, flirt. The three most vital parts to living. Why did the school board not recognize ANY of these facts. Inhumane, that was what this all was, yeah?

But before he could drone on about how irritated he was with the education system in general he walked down to the lesson by the lake... and SUDDENLY the academic system was a glorious institution. Now who was this fine specimen of beautifulness? A Professor perhaps? Jeez. All of the female teachers. Thank you.

Walking over to her, he smiled and said, "Hello Professor," You're really easy on the eyes, yeah? "You look lovely today, ma'am." Bam.

Mmk, time to get all settled.

You know, you would think that one of these days he would get used to these defense classes. It was just weird, doing exercises in class. Like, he understood the whole idea, but why didn't they just have to run or something? That would make the most sense. Ehh. What ever. Joining the rest of the class, he picked a mat at the back of the area. "Good day, Ma'am." he said greeting the professor.

As quickly as her feet could carry her, Eliza finally made it to the Defense Against the Dark Arts class - which by the way, she was extremely pumped about since it was outside. Seems to be a trend lately! she thought as she went towards a mat on the floor. "Good day Professor Romanos!" She shot another look as if to say she was sorry for nearly being late and plopped down on an empty mat. Today was a beautiful day! She took a deep breath and relaxed. She knew these classes usually required a lot of moving, so she'd try to send some extra oxygen to her muscles first.

It was a nice day to walk outside so Sonea had no hurry to go to her next class, but when she was at her destination she smiled friendly at the teacher and greeted her, "Hello professor" said Sonea and noted the mat she was sitting on. A purlple mat... Purlple was not a bad color to sit on so Sonea had no problems with it, purlple was one of her favorite colors because it was look alike pink!

Sonea searched for a mat to sit on for herself and watched the teacher while she opened her bag, ready to take her parchment to make her notes for this lesson.

Classes were weird this term, but if she could count on one of them not having been affected too much by everything going on at the castle, Kendall figured that it would have been Defense against the Dark Arts. If anything, they’d still be learning about interesting stuff, and the notice that the lesson was going to be outside hardly gave her reason to worry. Except for the possibility that the faint chill in the air was going to mess with her wrist, but she wasn’t going to worry about that either. They didn’t always do yoga, and yoga was supposed to stretch their body out, not hurt them. She’d just be careful if anything started to hurt, and jogging a little as she’d crossed the grounds toward the lake did a good job of keeping her warm anyway. That and the layers she had on, between her sweater, the leggings she had under her uniform skirt just because it was safer in case of yoga, and the thick socks under her boots. She wasn’t worried about anything, and she had a grin on her face as she arrived near the lake and saw the familiar purple mats.

“Hi Professor Romanos. It’s really nice out here, isn’t it?,” she said, making her way past the professor to claim the mat next to Beezus. It really was nice out, and she did like being outside. It made her curious about what they’d be learning, but curiosity always made things that much more interesting. DADA always tended to make her curious anyway, just with trying to figure out what spells they’d learn and if it was going to involve dodging, climbing, or all sorts of activity. Odds were they weren’t going to be hanging from the trees, though. It would’ve been cool, just not likely. Mr. Firth probably wouldn’t want them accidentally hexing the trees, or the giant squid, or anything else out here.

Ah, the lovely outdoors. Benjamin took a deep breath of fresh air, and grinned. This was SO much better than being stuck inside. He glanced round at the occupied purple mats, and soon found the face he was after.

Benjy sauntered over, and after a quick greeting to the professor, plopped down on a mat of his own. "Isn't it rude to stare at girls?" he asked Garrick, as he followed his cousin's eye line. Actually, 'girl' would be more appropriate. Benjy gave Lex a wave, and nudged Garrick with his elbow. "This is a class y'know..."

*cough*

The lake. Anything was better than stuffy inside areas, she supposed.

However, there was slight concern that given the nature of this class: someone may end up in the lake. Wouldn't be her.

Scooping her hair into a loose ponytail, Elodie wandered down towards the group gathering on a purple area, and squinted. Mats? Oh, this was going to involve moving and being active and-were people actually stretching and jogging??! Els inwardly groaned and chose herself a mat where she could keep an eye on Alexa (we are watching you, little one). "Hello there, Professor! You look well." A quick finger-waggle in her direction, and the fourth year then sat down.

Comfort test?

Nah, maybe if the Professor wasn't there. Napping probably wasn't the best idea either.

She was walking casually towards the assembled crowd. That was until she saw the woman standing at the front. Next thing she knew, she was running.... towards the gathering. Aw man!

Amara slowed down as she came towards them. Panting and sighing she moved closer. Took one look at the woman...

"Erm.." PANT. GASP. "..Go-Goo-Good day.." BREATHE "Pr--Professor" She rubbed her hands on her chest and started to walk towards the students.

But, she wanted to clarify something... something that had been nagging her for quite a while.

"Uhm... professor?" She turned towards the lady. "..Erm...do you..?" Should I really ask her? What if she..?

"I heard you use dark magic on the people who...who don't answer well..." she gulped. "The wrong-doers?" Did she now? DID SHE?

Oh ho, he almost sneaked right onto a mat without a greeting from her! Granted, Medea was already looking in that particular expression, but there wasn't even a hello from him. "Good afternoooooon, Mister Stone!" The professor raised her voice a little, waving. Yes, we see you!

Oh?

Looking up to the newcomer, Medea's eyebrows raised momentarily before her usual warm smile played across her face. "Vhy thank you. Good afternoon, yourself." She'll remember his name later.

If she wasn't feeling old already, being called "ma'am" definitely did the trick. "Good day, Mister Yarborough." Medea beamed and nodded to the Hufflepuff.

Ohh! One of the more positive greetings on this fine afternoon. "Good day, Miss Dawnsel!" Medea beamed in return, not quite minding the late stragglers coming to the lesson. It was a nice day and they were going to have a loooot of fun in today's lesson. Hopefully.

"Hello, Miss Duvessa!" Medea smiled happily and even waved a little to the young Slytherin.

Taking note of the time, Medea moved her legs back under her into the lotus position, shifting a little until she was sitting upright. Oh? "Hello, Miss Quinn." The question though, having been asked plenty of times previously, still brought a bright and happy smile to the woman's face. "It is! Perfect for our lesson if I do say so myself."

"Good afternoon, Mister Barton!" Oh yes, class was almost ready to begin.

Having taken another glance to her watch, tapping it a few times to make sure it was indeed working properly, Medea glanced up as another greeting reached her ears. "Good daaaaay! Vhy thank you." She felt good too!

Just about to start the lesson, Medea paused momentarily as she noticed another youngtser running down to their general area. Another Gryffindor! A first year at that. "Good afternoon." The woman said merrily, though a bit concerned that the girl was going to keel over. Thankfully, all seemed well after a few moments.

Although, her beginning of the lesson had to wait just a few more.

Oh? Oh dear. Who in the world said that horrible horrible thing? "Oh, no dear. No." Despite the serious question, Medea still had the warm smile on her face. "I encourage creativity in this class, and if you say something vrong, than you can alvays learn from your fellow classmate's answers. Though I do hope you'll participate. Even if you may not know much about the current subject being taught."



With a final glance to her watch, and a quick tap on it again to make sure it was indeed the correct time, Medea sighed in happiness and looked up to the class. Ahem. Time to go all British accent on them, right? Aheeeeem. "Alright everyone! Settle in. I think it's about time we get started."

Shifting on her mat as she waited for the students to settle on their own, perhaps take out a notebook and quill or whatever it was that they were going to do, Medea glanced down to the other dirt particles on her mat. Good Merlin, didn't she already wipe these off? Or were these ones that she missed?

Shoo! Off her mat!

Ahem.

Back to the lesson. "Can anyone venture a guess on what we'll be learning today?"

Laura walked into the classroom. "Good day Professor." Laura smiled at the Professor. "Did you have a great summer?" Laura smiled, she was hoping that the Professor did but who knew what Professor's did in the summer, Laura went and sat down at a desk and waited for the class to begin.

Orr was excited for her first DADA class of four year. She couldn't wait to learn new things. She stepped into the classroom and to her amazement, read the announcement that the class would be taking place in the grounds.

So she headed down to the grounds and there she saw the other students with Professor Romanos. As she came up to claim a mat of her own, she greeted Professor Romanos with "Hello, Professor. I have no idea why we're here but it is a beautiful place to have a lesson in. But if I were to guess, are we going to learn about how to fight in an unusual environment, one that isn't the classroom?"

WHAT HAPPENED TO HER VAMPY!ACCENT?!?

Was she faking all along? Not cool, teach. We thought you were interesting and Romanian. Just a regular English accent. How disappointing. She probably ate HobNobs and everything. *sad!face* It was very tempting to leave, given that they'd definitely be doing yoga and there was far too much articulation, going on HERE.

Blue streeeeetched and popped a couple of joints before letting her arms swing down by her side. Might as well get ready for the yoga that was inevidtable. "Weeeeeeellllllllll, are we going to be teaching the Giant Squid some techniques?"

Yoga-ish of course.

She didn't notice Garrick staring, she didn't notice a lot of things usually but she did notice Benjy sit next to him waving. She smiled over at him and gave him a wave. The more civilized of the two. That's when she noticed him staring at...it had to be at Lottie, she figured he'd know better than to go staring at her.

"Hey, you've got yourself a stalker." She whispered, giving the girl a gentle nudge to the ribs. Oh! And Aidan! He got a wave too.

She snickered openly at Amara's question. That was classic. She should have thought that up. Ah well, the Professor was talking now. Lex sat straighter on her mat and took a look around.

They were near the lake...

Her hand rose slowly. This was in none of her books--not that it would be, she was more interested in the hexes than the actual other stuff to be learned. "The way I see it, there could be two options." Solemn nod. "We're either learning how to handle ourselves against the Giant Squid, but really I heard he's quite nice so that might not be necessary," such a good Giant Squid that she totally didn't have a near obsession with, nope, "or we could be learning about something else in the water like grindylows? Outside of those two guesses....I dunno." She did smile at the end though. Smiling made everything better.

So. Clement really didn't have any idea what they would be doing. Wasn't it really the professors job to tell them. Anyway. He didn't know. He could take a good guess though. It was defense against the dark arts after all, so wasn't like they were going to go on a job or anything. So yes. Clement could guess pretty much. After a few minutes he raised his hand. "How to defend our selves against the dark arts..." He mused, with a little grin on his face. Was kind of obvious really. And hmm...they were near the lake so maybe something to do with that. "And....maybe something about the lake...or water?" Yeah. That would do. He still didn't really have any ideas.