SnitchSeeker.com - DADA Lesson 1

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- Term 54: January - April 2020 (https://www.snitchseeker.com/term-54-january-april-2020/)

- - DADA Lesson 1 - Duelling 101 (https://www.snitchseeker.com/term-54-january-april-2020/dada-lesson-1-duelling-101-a-113810/)

That was okay then. Flynn straightened after the figurine had bowed and then stepped back behind the line as directed. The shield charm though, wouldn't be nearly so easy for him. He spent the entirety of the ten minutes practicing the.... horizontal line? And a bit down? Practicing that and also the incantation with as much firmness and intent as he could muster (and honestly, this fake bit, the part where it was basically acting, he could do REALLY convincingly) but hadn't quite gotten to actually casting when the headmaster called time.

Still he had his wand at the ready and stepped over the line, swiping it through the air in the downward horizontal movement with a flourish that any professional show dueler would be proud of, his voice projecting beautifully as though the spell was an oration for the ages, and not a single crack voice crack to be heard. "Protego!"

And............. nothing happened.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo (Post 12441108)

Oh look, the boy who had done nothing earlier had now returned. The dummy appraised him then his bow. In turn, it bowed too.

Was he ready? The moment they both straightened, the boy would find himself under rapid fire attack not unlike that of several of his classmates. Be prepared! It was happening and the dummy had no thoughts to stop. In fact, it had no thoughts at all.

Thankfully, it didn't take long for the dummy to return the bow, and Kaiser could then straighten up. He was glad for that, because his spine was not happy with the position. Not that he was too concerned about that; lack of sleep made things hurt more, and the less sleep he got, the more he ached in general. He was used to it, but preferred not to provoke the aches if he could help it.

As it turned out, Kaiser was ready. That was one thing that could be said for him; he was always... ready.

As soon as the dummy sent its first spell at him, Kaiser brought town his wand in a firm and decisive motion, and the incantation came to him easily and naturally, as defending himself - when necessary - tended to do. "Protego Duo."

Once they start, they won't stop. That was what Trent had said, so Kaiser put as much of his effort and focus into maintaining his Shield Charm as he possibly could. Not all of it, though. Never all of it. He had never been able to completely take his focus from his surroundings, and that would likely never change. But he was confident in his ability to do this. Plenty confident.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo (Post 12440849)

While the girl practice, her dummy remained beyond the line in silent patience. Whenever she was ready, it would begin.

One thing Carys was trying actively to avoid was going into anything unprepared. Plus, she’d seen the results of any small amount of disrespect for the dummies and she really wasn’t looking forward to being rammed into herself if she wasn’t careful. Therefore, she’d stayed securely where she was behind the line until she was absolutely ready and confident with her plan of action.

Starting with the bow once she’d finally stepped past the line, facing her dummy and bowing to as close to 45 degrees as she could manage without seeing herself from outside of her own body, keeping her wand held loosely in one hand at the ready. It felt both proper and accurate to her, as well as respectful. While she waited for the dummy to reciprocate, she went over her practice with the shield charm in her head. Either way, she wanted to be ready.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo (Post 12441108)

The eyes of the first year did nothing to appease nor dissuade the dummy. It was now on a war path and intended to send that wand flying one way or another. That being the case, the dummy didn’t stop. Many spells pelted against the boy’s shield charm, hammering away at its magic. How long would it last was anyone’s guess but the dummy was patient and kept at it.

Tom was eyes were still begging the dummy to stop, seriously why was this dummy such a bully, it was taking on a first year and still wanted to win. He was struggling to concentrate, he knew that was one of the things behind a successful spell, he knew because he had read up on it before coming to class.

He tried to keep the spell going but alas, he couldn't do it and soon his wand dropped out of his hand. "Professor, my wand?" Tom was shocked, seriously the dummy was such a meanie, making him drop his wand like that.

SPOILER!!: Bellchant

SPOILER!!: Lindsay

Her lack of concentration did make it easier for the dummy to eventually shatter the shield she'd cast and when that happened, it was all the more encouraged with its effort.

Spells came, one behind the other without fail, even before she'd gotten the chance to put up another shield as it had never stopped firing. Was it enough? Only time would tell, but letting up wasn't on the agenda just yet.

SPOILER!!: Grantham

SPOILER!!: Whitlock

Nothing happened? That was too bad because the dummy had already swung into action. Not in the way the others had done, but rather in the sense that it rammed itself into the boy with all its force. The only condolence? The padding the boy wore would've taken the brunt of the attack, but even that didn't save him from being knocked back behind the line.

That would teach him. Casting spells without a proper bow to begin the duel. What did he take this dummy for? No, sir.

SPOILER!!: Kaiser

What a sturdy shield, all sturdy and...shield like.

The dummy did not waiver. Spell after spell bounced off the shield but that wasn't the sort of thing that would discouraged a charmed dummy. On the contrary, it kept on casting because no shield lasted forever.

It was all a matter of which would last longer; the shield or the dummy.

SPOILER!!: Rose

It was good that she tried to be so prepared. Who knew, maybe it would work out for her in the end.

For now, the dummy returned the bow, all poised and respectful as you like. It would wait for her to rise but the moment she did, she would find herself on the business end of multiple spells being fired at once. Time to see how prepared she truly was.

SPOILER!!: Simpson

Victory! Not for the First Year but the dummy was hardly charmed to be concerned about that. With its mission complete, the dummy straightened and went still. There was no further need to attack.

And another that had lost their wand. At least Simpson wasn't trying to physically attack like some other Gryffindors he could mention. "Here you are." The Headmaster had moved to collect the wand once he saw it flying. He held it just beyond the line so the boy would take the hint and abandon the line to come get it.

But would you look at the time?

"That's it for today!" The Headmaster clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Back behind the lines, gather your things, that's enough sparring for today." He would make no comments about those who'd lost or managed to keep their wands in the mean time. No comment about the physical attack on the dummy, either. Nope. It was over.

"Homework." They didn't honestly think they'd be getting out without any, did they? "Chapter 3 of The Essential Defence Against the Dark Arts, there will be a quiz. Oh! Before I forget, stop by the noticeboard outside the arena if you're interested in signing up for the dueling club this year. There will be a sign up sheet available and a duel later on."

Just...in case this hadn't soured some of them off the idea of dueling.

"Once you've collected your things, you're free to go." And he would go have a word with Fuller-Thompson.

Ugh.

OOC: Aaaaand that's a wrap folks! Thanks for coming, I had a lot of fun reading your charries tackle the dummies ^^

Naya’s momentary lapse had cost her. She knew the first rule of magic was that you had to always keep your concentration. She hadn’t. Even though she had gotten back on track and started to repeat the spell, it was too late. The dummy hadn’t given up. Naya’s wand flew from her hand and landed on the floor. Dummy 1-Naya 0. At least she had the presence of mind to jump behind the red line once she lost her wand.

Feeling defeated, mentally and actually, Naya went over to pick up her wand. She couldn’t let it end like this. As she was heading back to take another crack at the dummy, the Headmaster called an end to the lesson. Naya would have to live with this defeat for a while. “I’ll get you next time”, she said to her dummy. This Gryffindor did not like to lose. Her loss would give her motivation for the next time. Yes it would. There was nothing left to do, but gather her things and prepare to leave. “See you next time Headmaster”, Naya said on her way out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo (Post 12441108)

Holding the bow was smart. Waiting for the opponent to return the courtesy was equally smart. It saved the girl another ramming and meant they could begin. In turn, the dummy would wait for her to straighten but once she did, the girl was sure to find herself under rapid and unrelenting fire.

Hopefully those eager reflexes will kick in in time.

Carsyn wasn't sure exactly how long she had to hold the bow but her patience was wearing thin. And just when she was ready to throw in the towel, the dummy bowed in return. Which meant ... they could begin. Begin as they did, when the second she straightened, the fifth year felt heat but not before she could cast her "Protego!" again, with shear force and determination.

Not this time, dummy.

But before anything else could be fired back and forth, time was up ... already!?!? "Awww" she said with a pout, stepping backward behind the line. She was finally getting into it. Homework. Would it be appropriate to groan again? She chewed her lower lip to refrain though stepping over to her bag and slinging it over her shoulder. "Thanks ... Headmaster." Also, dueling club? uh.... yes. Without quidditch, she needed something to attempt to keep her reflexes in check.

Cole was hugely relieved when his dummy partner on the third attempt accepted his bow with one of his own. It'd have been terrible if he hadn't then he really would have had to ask Headmaster Trent for assistance or one of the prefects. Luckily it worked so the dummy kept peppering him with expelliarmus spells without stop so he did his best to cast "Protego duo!" as fast he could to avoid getting hit. When he was out of breath he ducked and jumped to avoid the spells before he could cast the sheild charm again.

The minutes trickled by super fast and suddenly Headmaster Trent called them back behind the line and gave them homework in preparation for a quiz. Cole was definitely going to sign up for dueling club this year. He had a hard time with the dummy, but it worked out in the end. Before he left to gather his things and leave he first turned to his dummy partner "Thanks for working with me." then he turned to Headmaster Trent with a wide beam "Thanks for a fun lesson Headmaster Trent! I'll see you next time!" The Cole left to get his backpack, on the way out he scribbled down the homeowrk so he wouldn't forget.

Tom walked back behind the line to where the Headmaster was holding out his wand for him to take. "Thanks Headmaster!" He smiled as he took his wand back. "That was an awesome experience." Tom had enjoyed it, even if he had lost. Though next time would be different.

"Thanks for an amazing lesson." Tom smiled as he walked out of the classroom.

Phoebe stayed down, a hurt little nugget of shame spirals with her arms crossed over her chest. She'd broken the rules of engagement, and she hadn't even been able to protect herself. She was such a rubbish spellcaster. UGGGGGH.

The second year flopped over backwards on the mat and waited for most of the students to leave before pulling herself together and gathering her things. "Thanks for beating me up for your own amusement, sir. I learned how to take a fall like a champ." She gave him mournful eyes and headed for the door.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo (Post 12441133)

Bring it on, it would. The dummy had already gotten her back behind the line, the next step was clearly to the wand. It bowed with the girl once more, gearing up for round two.

Once she straightened, it did too and the game was on. Again, the dummy began its relentless assault, taking aim at her from several different angles in the hopes of getting to the magic stick in her hand.

But would you look at the time?

"That's it for today!" The Headmaster clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Back behind the lines, gather your things, that's enough sparring for today." He would make no comments about those who'd lost or managed to keep their wands in the mean time. No comment about the physical attack on the dummy, either. Nope. It was over.

"Homework." They didn't honestly think they'd be getting out without any, did they? "Chapter 3 of The Essential Defence Against the Dark Arts, there will be a quiz. Oh! Before I forget, stop by the noticeboard outside the arena if you're interested in signing up for the dueling club this year. There will be a sign up sheet available and a duel later on."

Just...in case this hadn't soured some of them off the idea of dueling.

"Once you've collected your things, you're free to go." And he would go have a word with Fuller-Thompson.

Ugh.

Once both she and the dummy had bowed to one another, the predictable and completely insane rapid fire spellwork started again. "Protego!" the first year called out. About the time the shield was cast, though, the professor decided it was time to wrap things up. With a second stumble back behind the line, the fight was over. Had it gone on a second or two longer, she knew the dummy would have had her wand. No way was she skilled enough to defeat the rapid fire it kept casting.

Of course there was homework. Isla made a mental note of it as she gathered all her things. No thanks for the dueling club. She'd learned a lot today, but the main take-away had been that she had a lot to learn before she threw herself into anymore duels. "Thanks, Professor," she said, on her way out the door. "Have a good rest of the day!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo (Post 12441133)

Victory!

If a dummy could gloat, it may have but as it stood, the expressionless thing looked on. It lowered both hands and went back to its prior state of stillness now that its job was complete.

Perhaps next time she could work on one strong shield rather than trying to cast multiple flaky ones.

Juuuuust a thought.

But would you look at the time?

"That's it for today!" The Headmaster clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Back behind the lines, gather your things, that's enough sparring for today." He would make no comments about those who'd lost or managed to keep their wands in the mean time. No comment about the physical attack on the dummy, either. Nope. It was over.

"Homework." They didn't honestly think they'd be getting out without any, did they? "Chapter 3 of The Essential Defence Against the Dark Arts, there will be a quiz. Oh! Before I forget, stop by the noticeboard outside the arena if you're interested in signing up for the dueling club this year. There will be a sign up sheet available and a duel later on."

Just...in case this hadn't soured some of them off the idea of dueling.

"Once you've collected your things, you're free to go." And he would go have a word with Fuller-Thompson.

Ugh.

Bernie did NOT like this whole dummy thing. Her face red, she snatched up her wand from the ground and marched back to where her bag was. She stuffed it in her bag and glared at the Headmaster.

This was all HIS FAULT. His dumb dummies, and his dumb exercise, and she was going up to her dorm to put her face in her pillow and have a ~~cry~~ yell. Because she wasn't as good at duelling as she'd thought she was going to be, and it wasn't fair, and she wasn't happy about it, and she wasn't going to talk about it right now. The end.