DADA - Lesson 2 (Years 6 & 7)

For the first time in a long time, Mary was surprised when she entered the DADA classroom. Disrupting the tradition, there were tables and chairs there. She raised her eyebrows and walked among them slowly, before taking a seat in the front.

"Afternoon, Jake." she greeted the man with a smile and pulled her wand and her notebook out of her bag. Even though most wizards and witches used parchment and quills, Mary never really got the hang of it and was more comfortable using normal pens and notebooks.

After that, she looked on the blackboard and grew excited. Occlumency was something she's wanted to try for a very long time, mostly to see if she could block someone roaming through her mind or not. And, to be honest, she was glad it'd be Jake doing the roaming, not some stranger. She's grown quite attached to the man and considered him a good friend, which was a huge improvement, seeing as she only thought of him as 'Azalea's boyfriend' for years before.

Michelle walked towards the Dada classroom. She did found this lesson very useful so she decided to go next lesson too. She soon reached there and walked in. She saw there just Mary and Jake. She smiled to both of them. "Hello," sje said and did take a seat middle of the classroom, where was already her seat. She just liked to sit there. Now she waited class to start.

This was a class that could come in handy for many things. If he was battling someone completely and utterly evil he could always use the defense spells that were taught in the room. He knew a lot of them because his mother would always teach him and his younger siblings some spells to read and look over. He entered the classroom and saw there was only the Professor and the two Wormwood girls. He knew Mary some what but not the other girl. "Hello" he greeted to the three of them.

Defense Against the Dark Arts wasn't a bad subject but she still hated the class, it wasn't really important because Henley was a smart girl and wouldn't be dumb to walk into a dark curse like most people would because they're complete and utter idiots. Henley walked right into the classroom and stood of to the side and waited for the class to begin.

Charlie quite enjoyed Defense Against the Dark Arts, it gave a student all the material they'd need for when they'd graduate and become adults. The red haired girl walked into the classroom and saw that once again there was an amazing turn out. It didn't surprise her because Defense Against the Dark Arts and Dueling were two classes that everyone should attend unless they want to be met with a horrible death but then again not everyone died young.

Diem was also excited for Defense Against the Dark Arts, it was a great class and was taught beautifully. She was still a little upset that the once Flying Professor was now teaching this class but she got over it a long time ago. The brunette girl walked into the classroom and saw a lot of people there that she either knew or heard of. She stood with the rest of her classmates and waited for Jake to start his new class.

Apollo listened to Jake begin the class and Apollo searched his brain for something to say, he had no idea how he could answer this question without making it sound like it was a definition from his book. "Occlumency is used to block someone from your brain" Apollo answered as honestly as he could. The Nightshade didn't know if his answer was going to be approved or not but it was the best he could do.

Mary smiled at everyone that entered the classroom after her and waited for Jake to start the lesson. It looked quite promising, even if they would only talk about Occlumency, rather than actually do anything. It really was an interesting subject.

After Apollo gave his answer, the Wormwood raised her hand. "If you're really, really good at it, you can fight Veritaserum with it." For the Head Girl, anything as impressive as that was worthwhile and she was excited.

Apollo was glad he got it right, this piece of magic was a little new to him but this class would teach him more about it. When Jake explained what they would be doing Apollo was a little stunned but was extra prepared for it. He waited to see if anyone else would go before he volunteered but when no one did he shrugged and raised his hand. "I'll give it a go" Apollo lowered his hand and stepped forward.

Mary watched as Apollo went ahead and had his go first. The witch observed the whole process, intrigued and nervous at the same time. This wasn't the usual deal, it wasn't just fighting against something. It was someone forcing themselves into their minds and trying to have a look around. It was fascinating, yes, but it was also frightening. Facing a Boggart in front of the whole class would be bad enough, as it showed their deepest fears, but this was on a whole different level.

Figuring she wanted to get it done as soon as possible, for many reasons that included fear, fascination and the want to see what it was like, Mary stepped up. "I'd like to go next." She took a deep breath, tried to quiet her mind and nodded to Jake.

The man raised his wand, she could hear him say the incantation and -

She was lying on the grass by the Crystal Lake, she could feel the sun on her skin, the light breeze in the air and she could feel Lydia lying next to her. The other Wormwood was talking about a book she was reading, her voice gentle and excited and Mary was thinking this was probably the happiest she could be. She leaned over and kissed Lydia, catching the girl in mid-sentence.

The conscious part of Mary told her that she didn't want anybody seeing this, that it was between her and her girlfriend and suddenly the scenery changed and she was home.

In the corner of the living room was a Christmas tree, with half the decorations put up. Mary's Mom was standing next to it and putting up the baubles. Mary herself was sitting on the couch, lazily waving her wand and watching the Christmas decorations float up by themselves. Her Mom turned around, scowled and said something about unfair disadvantage. Her Dad entered the room then, a plate of cookies in his hands and he walked over to his wife, planting a kiss on her cheek before grinning at Mary. He commented that with their daughter's magic, they'll be finished faster and have more time to watch Christmas specials. That made the woman stop scowling, but she kept on muttering to herself.

The next memory started with Oscar yelling. In fact, he was shouting out the most imaginative curses known to mankind. They were interrupted by Lydia cheering on and with Mary's laughter, but the boy kept on shouting. The two of them were playing Mario Kart and Mary was winning. She could hear him pressing the buttons on the console furiously and then the game was over with a roar of sound. The girls ignored his swearing and yelling and they kissed victoriously, while the Nightshade muttered something about getting revenge.

The memory changed and Oscar was there again. He was disheveled, his face was all dirty, with a few scratches on it, but he was grinning and calling out her name. The conscious Mary shook her head violently, never wanting to experience that particular memory again. She watched as the snake jumped up and as her best friend fell down.

No.

Mary concentrated on the presence in her mind that she knew was Jake and pushed him out, trying to block out her own screams from the memory. Next thing she knew, she was back at Salem, standing in the DADA classroom. She was breathing heavily and shaking somewhat, but thankfully she hasn't started crying.

Smiling weakly and nodding thanks to the Professor, the Wormwood went back to her table and sat down, trying to calm herself down. It wasn't like Jake didn't know what happened that particular day, he was there, but she was trying her best not to think about it, ever.