[004] Text

[thegluethatbinds]

Good morning students. I've taken a look at some of your quiz results. Some of you did great and for those who didn't, don't feel too bad about it. Instead, take this as an idea on where you stand in Defence against the Dark Arts and encourage yourselves to do better in the next quiz. Your results will be filtered to each of you along with some advice on what you need to work on.

I know Quidditch tryouts are happening this weekend so I'll try to keep the workload light, but just for this week only.

First years, I'd like you to practise the Knockback Jinx. There'll be a practical class next week and I'd like for all of you to give the spell a try in a safe environment.

Second years, revise Verdimillious Uno. We'll be learning Verdimillious Duo next week, and having an understanding of the first spell would definitely help you. You don't need to write an essay on it, but just come to class with an idea of how the spell works.

Third years, we'll be covering Boggarts in our next class. I'd like you to write about your greatest fear and how you'd attempt to dispel the Boggart if it transformed into it. Please be serious about this assignment; joke answers will have the writers locked into a cupboard with a real Boggart. You can be as detailed or as brief as you like, but in general having a clear idea on how the Boggart will react to the Riddikulus spell will increase the spell's effectiveness.

Fourth years, you get a job similar to the second years, except I want you to revise both Verdimillious Uno and Duo in preparation for the final level of the spell, Verdimillious Tria. Similar to the second years, you don't have to come to class with an essay. Just read your books and make sure you understand the spells well.

Fifth years, I'm sure most of you are tired of hearing how important this year is, so I'll spare you the lecture and jump straight to your work. Read up on the Patronus Charm from your textbook and write about its effects and why it is difficult to cast. I'd like your essay to be at least 20 centimetres long, but I've extended the deadline to next Friday, so you'll have ample time to give me a good write-up on the spell after the tryouts.

Sixth and seventh years, congratulations on making it this far. You're far from done though, so make sure to keep up with your studies. Sixth years, we're covering non-verbal spells. Read up on the theory and the history behind it and try some basic spells over the weekend. Seventh years, we're having a practical session, so if you're having troubles with non-verbal spells from Year 4 and onwards, let me know what you're finding difficult and we'll see what we can do about it.

All the best to the students participating in the tryouts.

[OOC: Turn in your homework here.]

Comments

[caresawholeawfullot]

Boggarts, huh?

[thegluethatbinds]

They're not exactly pleasant to deal with Mr Wiggins, but unfortunately we do need to cover them. Boggarts can be quite dangerous if they get too close to a person, so learning how to dispel them is quite important.

[caresawholeawfullot]

Yeah, that makes sense. I'll do my best!

[thegluethatbinds]

Good. If you have any problems, don't hesitate to ask over the journals. It's what they're there for.

[caresawholeawfullot]

Thanks, Prof!

[moveslikejaeger]

professor could i skip the essay and just perform the spell for you instead? i dont like essays they dont do anything for me

[thegluethatbinds]

A lot of wizards can cast spells, Mr Jaegar, without understanding the how or the why. I'd like to make sure my students strive for the best rather than be stuck at the average. Patronus charms are difficult to cast and if you could provide a demonstration at class next week that'd be good, but I'd still like you to write the essay if only to show that you fully comprehend the spell and its complexities.

[moveslikejaeger]

but i dont need to know how or why it works as long as it does im gonna forget it all in the end anyway

[thegluethatbinds]

I beg to differ Mr Jaegar. Knowing a spell inside-out doesn't just help you to cast it; it also helps you to figure out why sometimes it doesn't work. You don't want to be caught in a bad situation with a Dementor and stuck wondering why your Patronus charm isn't working when it should. So long as you put your mind to it, I don't see how you won't be able to remember your lessons.

[moveslikejaeger]

that would be the first time a teacher has implied that i have a mind since first year
it feels weird

[thegluethatbinds]

Everyone has a mind Mr Jaegar. It just depends whether you use it for your studies or not.

[moveslikejaeger]

[if only you could see his face, Coulson. It's running the gamut of emotions from confused to pleased to a little bit sad. He has no idea how to deal with this.]

if you say so professor

[thegluethatbinds]

I look forward to reading your work and watching your Patronus Charm in action next Friday.

[seeringlight]

Is there a Boggart present on school grounds right now? I mean, I assume so, given the nature of that threat. I can't imagine the difficulty of acquiring one though.

[Curious. She is curious.]

[thegluethatbinds]

The castle ghosts alerted me to the presence of one in one of the older classrooms. Professor Dumbledore's kindly granted me permission to use it for class, but yes, transporting Boggarts is far from pleasant experience, and most wizards prefer to just deal with them right there and then.

[seeringlight]

Do you think there will ever be a way to see a boggart's true form? I've just been curious if it'll ever be possible to subdue it into a state that would reveal it.
Although, I imagine that even if it were possible, it would be highly difficult to pull off.

[thegluethatbinds]

A lot of wizards and witches have tried, but they've had limited success. Boggarts rarely leave their hiding places and when they do they just assume a different form and crawl out.

[seeringlight]

Do you think it will be possible one day?

[thegluethatbinds]

I don't see why not. Wizards make new discoveries every day; it wouldn't surprise me if someday someone did find a way to expose a Boggart's true form.

[seeringlight]

Thank you for answering all my questions, Professor.
I hope to see it happen. It would be an exciting discovery.

[thegluethatbinds]

It's no problem at all.

I'm afraid I don't have your name or your house.

[seeringlight]

Rose Lalonde. I'm a Slytherin fourth year.

[thegluethatbinds]

It's good to meet you then, Miss Lalonde. If I hear anything further about this, I'll be sure to let you know.

[seeringlight]

Thank you, Professor. I look forward to it with bated breath.