DADA Lesson 1 – Years 6 & 7

After a long summer, Tess was happy to get back to business. Being her last year, she was determined to be the best she could be. She strived for perfection, for the sheer fear of it ending far too soon. If her parents had their way, this would be the last year of her ever learning anything in school ever again. If it was going to happen, she figured she could take advantage now. Pushing the door open, she smiled seeing Jake at the front of the classroom. She could see that he looked happy, and walked in.

"Afternoon" she greeted softly.

Standing in front of the classroom, she noticed a hufflepuff and studied him. She'd never seen him before, but she nodded his direction as a greeting, before turning back to Jake.

Lucy had had an awesome summer, she almost didn't want it to end. Because summer ending meant her never-ending responsibilities as a prefect were back in place, and she would be loaded again with work. Though, admittedly, she was happy for the challenge, she'd manage. The first class she had back was Defence Against the Dark Arts, one of the best classes. She walked into the room, and grinned at Jake "Afternoon," she said cheerily as she slung her bag by her feet.

Cassidy was grateful to be back at school, becoming increasingly bored at home, with nothing to do. She enjoyed Hogwarts thoroughly, and didn't even mind having to do schoolwork as long as it was in this environment. She walked through the class doors, seeing a few people had already arriver. Smiling at Jake as she entered, she dropped her bag to the floor "Good holidays?" she asked him.

Bag slung carelessly over her shoulder, Brooke walked into her first lesson of the year, eyes sparkling. Defence Against the Dark Arts was easily one of her two favourite subjects - with the other obviously being charms - and it helped that her teacher was able to, well, teach! A small smile lit up her face as she made her way to the front of the class. The fact that there was an absence of tables and chairs only meant that the particular class would be hands on, a practical one, which only made her smile more.

"Morning Pro- Jake," she greeted, slipping into the habit of using a formal term before remembering who their teacher was. Her eyes wandered over to the board, where she let out a tiny squeal of excitement at the topic written on it before looking around, suddenly self conscious before letting out a soft laugh at herself. Sending an apologetic smile towards her Professor, she slid the bag off her shoulder, letting it drop to the floor with a soft thud. Glancing one more time at the two words on the board, she waited rather impatiently for class to begin.

Tess looked to her side to see Josh beside her and gave him a small smile. As usually his body posture explained his impatience to get the class started. A few minutes later, Jake began his lessons and she was curious about the lesson.

She raised her hand immediately at his question. She'd read about spell resistance of creatures in a book some time ago, and was happy to give one response. Making sure to not go overboard and take over the whole answer, she simply smiled softly.

"Spell resistance is an ability to be immune to a spell, and it could be a trait that's genetic"

She always wondered how lucky people could be with that trait so innate to them. She knew creatures also had it, and some subhuman species, but what was clear that it was rare and definitely useful.

Looking around the room, she wondered when Joe would get there; although they had met up a few times during he holidays, she found she was itching to see him again. A relationship was something completely new to her, and while she didn't really understand it, she was beginning to get more accustomed to the feelings she had whenever she saw or thought of Joe.

Can anybody offer up anything they know on this branch of magic?

Pulled out of her daydream, she took a few moments to gather her thoughts. She was just about to speak up when she heard a familiar voice speak up, and waited as Tess gave her answer. Nodding in agreement, she waited a few moments before adding her own. "I'd say some spells, like Occlumency, could offer some resistance, too, although it would require lots of practice."

Being late to class wasn't something she had planned to do. She didn't want Jake to be mad at her because she was so caught up in writing a letter to Jareth that she didn't have the nerve to check the time. Alyson sighed and ran to class, she knew that you should never run in the halls but she had no choice and took the risk. When she got to the room, she took a few deep breaths and walked in. She saw Jake teaching and mentally wanted to punch herself. "I am so sorry Jake" was all she could say. She didn't want to be in trouble for loving her boyfriend but that was no excuse, she had duties here and that is what she needed to understand.

Ryan knew that being late was bad and he had been late to Jake's class once before and now here he was again. The Gryffindor didn't like being late for things because he liked to learn about things he hadn't known before or was unsure of before. Ryan walked in and gave a small apologetic smile to Jake. "Sorry for my lateness sir" he apologized, he took a random spot and waited to see what would happen in the class.

((OOC: Sorry for the length. She uh, wouldn't shut up.))

As soon as Jake began to speak, she turned back to face the front of the class. When the purpose of class was finally given, she froze, a look of horror threatening to take over her features. She had so many memories she didn't want anyone to see, so many private moments that no one could ever know. Without realizing it, she shot a glance towards the older Slytherin boy, the Head Boy, and shivered. No one could know. It would mean that the entire reason she had suffered, the very cause of her silence, would have been for nothing. She knew that, while he left her and Joe alone now, his threats were still valid.

But she didn't want to leave, either! The lesson was so valuable, so interesting, that she had to stay. All she could do was hope, with everything inside her, that the memories Jake saw were not any of those, and that she was able to counter him in time. When she was home-schooled for that year she was sick, her father had covered this topic, so she knew the theory, knew what to do. Doing and knowing, however, are on two separate spectrums.

Before she could change her mind, she raised a hand, still shaking slightly, and volunteered to be first. She couldn't wait any more or the fear would take over and she would leave the class. She took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind of any and all negative thoughts. Keep your mind blank and empty. No emotions, no feelings. Box everything away. Let nothing be felt, she instructed herself, giving a nod towards Jake.

She barely heard the spell being cast, so focused on letting nothing penetrate her mind. But she felt it the moment it hit her. It was weird, as thought she herself was going through the corners of her mind, seeking out any memories, but she knew it wasn't her. Suddenly, like a flickering of a projector before a movie, she saw something flash in her mind. She recognized it immediately.

"Honey, there's something we need to tell you."

Brooke turned, looking down at the woman who had called her. She was hovering a few meters above the ground on her broom. Landing it with a bump, the much younger girl climbed off. "Yes mum?" she asked.

Back in the classroom, Brooke was struggling to shut out her Professor, trying to push away the strange presence in her head. The scene flickered again.

Looking down at the sealed casket. Raising a hand that wiped at her eyes. Turning her head to look up at her mother. "Why can't I see him?"

"It's not something you should see, dear," a tired voice replied.

Desperately shoving all thoughts of her grandfathers' funeral aside, she continued to try and block out the intrusive person. At first, Brooke didn't recognize the next scene that began to play out, but the moment she did, panic filled her.

Her head was resting against his shoulder, her own tears blurring the walls of the hospital wing. The soft voice of Joe, "What's wrong?" A long, long pause, and then her own voice responding with, "It w-w-was before the ho-holidays."

She could not let Jake hear the next part. With the last bit of mental strength she had, she imagined placing a wall between the memory and the Jake in her head, blocking him from seeing what came next. Forcing herself to empty herself of anything other than a blank state of mind. A few moments later when nothing else came up, she opened her eyes that she didn't even know she had shut and gave a tentative smile towards her Professor. Did she actually manage it or did he stop? She wanted to ask, but didn't dare. "H-how did I do?" she asked instead, trying to ignore the fact that he had just seen some very private memories.

Occlumency? Oh this was definitely going to be a challenging lesson. It was a bit frightening to realize that someone could invade something as precious as you mind. She valued her privacy, at least in her own conscious compared to the rest of the world. And even if it was Jake, she wasn't sure if she wanted to try. No one would do excellent in this, and if they did...she'd be surprised.

Avoiding eye contact, she was grateful that Brooke went first. She wanted time to try to push things away, like if she was hiding all her secrets, insecurities, failures, everything that could taint the perspective that Jake had of her. She put herself as strong in front of people because nothing stung more than pity. She didn't feel as strong as before, she felt a bit worn, but as she heard that Brooke had ended. Before she could even question herself even further, she raised her hand.

Walking towards the center, she looked at Jake, staring right at him, wanting to remind herself that he wouldn't hold it against her. He couldn't...not in such a vulnerable position. Giving her consent she signaled him to start. Only the beginning of the spell was heard as she felt a tugging feeling in her stomach and her eyes closed tightly.

There was an echo, and darkness all around at first. She wondered if something had gone wrong, but soon enough the noises came. First came the noise of a whisper then of another person. Soon enough from darkness came a bright light. She remembered this place well, the place where Ben and her first kissed. It was an out of body experience the way her thirteen year old self was laying in the grass,  wet from head to toe from them jumping off the cliff. Her lips parted as she saw him reach over to caress her cheek, so delicately yet so memorable that she could swear she felt it herself. She closed her eyes tightly wanting to look away, but realizing that this wasn't just her own viewpoint.

"No" she whispered.

But it was too late.

"I-I'm glad to have you here with me"

"Tess...don't you see?" His eyes pleaded for her to understand. "You are my key."

She couldn't prevent it, there in front of her was her first kiss, her breathing grew heavy at the knowledge that this was the start of her own downfall. She felt so raw, a bitter taste in her mouth, feeling a bit violated at having someone push deeper into her mind than she even realized.

She closed her eyes and began to try and build a wall, trying to build anything that could prevent her and Jake from seeing this again. She hadn't thought about that in years and yet there it was for her to see, to replay her foolishness. She forced herself to begin to push out of her insecurities, flashing images of stolen kisses, fights, broken hears and lastly the broken promises of forever.

Pushing past the moments of weakness she found herself being tempted to look back at her imperfections. The baggage seemed all the more impactful when she realized how ugly she could be. From breaking her things in her room realizing the engagement of her brother, to breaking friendships and breaking her own heart in turn. She never realized how ugly she was...is.

"Get out" she whispered softly, her voice breaking.

Tears began to rise from her eyes and she looked into the darkness where she felt like she was being watched. As if her mind finally began to work once more, slowly she imagined bricks being built, her imperfection, her baggages, her mistakes began to be covered by walls, slowly pushing everything out. Soon enough, the wall came and went, and she was completely alone in her darkness.

Opening her eyes slowly, her lashes were wet from unshed tears and she looked at him, horrified that he saw so much more than she expected to even see herself. Her cheeks were red and she felt her hands shaking.

"I'm sorry" she mouthed towards him, feeling like she had disappointed not only him, but herself.

Alyson watched as other people went and did the spell, the Gryffindor sat back and waited for her turn, Alyson didn't really want anyone inside her head but the only way to pass this class was for Jake to be inside her head. When Jake asked for another volunteer she stepped forward. "I'll go" she offered. She stepped up to the plate and watched as Jake pointed his wand at her and entered her head.

Alyson was five years old running from her older sister who was playing tag with her. Alyson was laughing like a mad woman and her little legs were carrying her away quickly.

"You can't catch me" Alyson chanted over and over again.

"Alyson!" Cece shouted as she continued to chase her baby sister. Alyson didn't see the moving car coming towards her, Alyson thought that it was the end of her life but it wasn't. She felt her feet come off the ground and looked to see that Cece caught up with her. "Don't ever run out into the street again" Cece warned.

"I won't, I promise" Alyson hugged Cece.

Alyson put up a wall to block out Jake and it worked. She was breathing heavily from pushing him out. It was harder then it looked. She looked at Jake before backing away, tears slowly began to fall from her face but she quickly wiped them away so barely anyone saw them.