Fifth Years, Lesson One

A lot had changed since James first took over Defence against the dark arts lessons but he felt like he had started to find the right balance between his duties as professor and head of house. James stood in front of his desk and waited for the new fifth years to make their way into the classroom, his eldest daughter would be among them and he’d do everything to make sure he didn’t embarrass her…well maybe not everything.

Professor James Cade
Defence Against the Dark Arts, Year Five

The babbling curse

As had become his custom, if you could call it that after only one year, James underlined the words he had written on the blackboard channelling every professor and teacher he had ever watched and admired on screen. It was just a shame so many of his own teachers hadn’t been that cool or inspiring, but then not everyone could be Monty Pendleton.

“Welcome to Defence against the dark arts fifth years, for those that haven’t had the pleasure yet my name is Professor James Cade but please, call me James, I’m not old enough for professor to suit me just yet,” Out the corner of his eye he could see Bailey trying to make herself very small in her seat. "This will be a difficult year for you all and I suspect I don't need to tell you why, we will be going through curses in detail this year starting with the babbling curse," James motioned his hand towards the blackboard for effect. "Who here can tell me what the babbling curse does?" James waited for a student to volunteer the answer, he would point to someone if he had to but he wanted to avoid being that kind of professor if he could. "Excellent, five points to your house," Giving and taking points would be a new experience for James, he'd be generous with points but he'd be equally harsh the other way. "Moving on, can anyone tell me the name of the counter curse?" Again he waited and again a student came up with the answer. "And five points to you," He grinned at the student. "The problem with the counter curse of course is that it is impossible for anyone under the effects of the babbling curse to cast it, what with all the babbling and all," James laughed. "Next year you'll be trained to lift the curse by using non-verbal magic, but that isn't relevant right now, the good thing is the counter curse can be cast by anyone who happens to come across you babbling away, so if you do get hit with this curse try to do it somewhere public," James paused to allow anyone taking notes time to catch up.

"Vigilance is key to avoid curses such as this and as you get older and start to turn your gaze away from this place, you need to think about the potential dangers that await, constant vigilance, as a once famous British auror might have said but I think I've babbled on quite enough," James gave two near simultaneous flicks of his wand and the classroom door opened and a second sheet of parchment appeared on each students desk. Even smoother than when he'd practiced. "On your desks you will find a sheet of parchment outlining the coursework for this semester just to give you an idea of what to expect, and a second sheet with your homework, it's nothing too traumatic just something I can use to get to know you all a little better, feel free to fill them out quickly now or bring them next week but otherwise, class dismissed,"

Name:
House:
Three things about yourself that you want to share:
One activity that you can suggest that we can do in class:

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Assignment: Roleplay the lesson. Complete the homework for extra credit. Students who answer the questions will also receive extra credit.

 

[Aurora Chase]

Aura slipped into the dark arts classroom with quiet footsteps, she quickly took in the slightly unfamiliar surroundings and raised an eyebrow. It was different, but she supposed that wasn't really a bad thing so much as just odd. She quickly found her place towards the front of the room and listened intently to the professor as he introduced himself and the topic of the day - the babbling curse - appreciating his engaging teaching styles despite it's casual demeanour. When he asked about the babbling curse, Aura's hand hovered in the air for a moment before she fully raised it. “The Babbling Curse causes the victim to start speaking nonsensically, making it impossible for them to communicate coherently.” She wanted to make a good impression on her professors at this school. She took notes on non verbal casting and vigilance, snorting slightly at the impact he'd put behind it. She thought he might have been trying to be cool, but he wasn't very cool she thought. Skimming the coursework and homework details when they appeared on her desk, she quickly filled out the assignment and then placed her parchment neatly on the professor’s desk before leaving, offering a polite nod and hoping she’d made a good first impression.​

Aurora Chase
Slytherin
1- I transferred from Hogwarts Scotland, where I was also in Slytherin.
2- I'm fluent in b*tch
3- My parents both attended this school

Activity:
Working in pairs to recognise and counter minor curses. What's the point in learning how to cast them if we can't identify them from their effects?​

 

[Teddy Pirrip]

Teddy took his seat for their first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, curious about what Professor Cade would be like as a teacher having only known him as his head of house so far. His eyebrows shot up at the introduction. Professor Cade preferred to be called James? That was news to Teddy. He’d never mentioned it in house meetings that Teddy remembered and honestly, it sounded strange. Still, the offer had been made, so James it was.

Teddy listened and took notes throughout the lesson. When James asked a question, Teddy instinctively raised his hand but faulted when the new girl answered instead. Surprised, he glanced over at her wondering if he had competition again since most people had given up trying to outpace him in class. Even Audrey didn’t bother anymore. At the end of the lesson he quickly filled out the form before he packed up his things and left the classroom.

Spoiler: Questionnaire

Name: Teddy Pirrip
House: Gryffindor
Three things about yourself that you want to share: 1. I think hold the record for the most house points earned in one year ever 2. My dad's just started teaching here 3. I think I'd like to be an Auror after school but not decided.
One activity that you can suggest that we can do in class: Pop quizzes for knowledge checks ahead of OWLs

 

[Dominic Owens-Lee]

Dominic was glad to be back for his fifth year. He was mostly excited to play some more quidditch, but was also excited for his sister Marley who had earned herself a prefect badge. He knew she deserved it and was looking forward to seeing her grow with the new title. The Hufflepuff had his first week of classes for that semester to attend, so he packed everything that he needed before heading to them.

Dominic entered the Defence Against The Dark Arts classroom, nodding in greeting to the professor as he passed him. He had seen the professor a couple of times the year before, but didn't know much about him other than the fact that he was the new Gryffindor Head of House, and there were rumors that he was once a student at the school himself. The teen listened as Professor Cade spoke briefly about the babbling curse, in which the class would be focusing on. He then gave them a small task to complete about themselves and Dominic finished this up before leaving the classroom at the end of the lesson.

Dominic Owens-Lee
Hufflepuff Fifth Year
Defence Against The Dark Arts lesson #1

Name: Dominic Owens-Lee
House: Hufflepuff
Three things about yourself that you want to share: I am a chaser on the Hufflepuff Quidditch Team, I am adopted, I have a sister in the same house and year as me who is also adopted, however we aren't related at all and she is my best friend (we grew up in the orphanage together)
One activity that you can suggest that we can do in class: I would love a change of scenery, if it is possible for us to go outside or something, that would be great.

 

[Lucy Montague]

Lucy entered the classroom, wondering exactly what they'd be covering this year. Another new professor, which was strange. And he wanted to be called James? Lucy didn't quite know how she felt about calling a professor by their first name but she supposed it was only polite to do so. They got right into things, Lucy getting out a parchment and quill to take down a few notes. Curses, huh? Sounded a bit intense, but as long as they didn't revisit the unforgivable ones. She was intrigued by non-verbal magic, but that was next year apparently. Oh well. She had a look at the parchment and filled it out.

Spoiler: Homework

Name: Lucy Montague
House: Ravenclaw
Three things about yourself that you want to share: I play violin, I like going hiking, and I'm an only child (but I have a nice cousin in Gryffindor called Rosalind).
One activity that you can suggest that we can do in class: I really like class discussions where we offer up our opinions on things. I think it's illuminating to hear different points of view.

 

[Vanity Mettlestone]

Vanity didn't think the year had gotten off on a very good start. Not only did she have a new annoying roommate, she got a prefect's badge she didn't want and had to patrol with Lucy of all people. She also knew the OWL year was supposed to be a difficult one, though Vanity didn't really care that uch about her grades. She figured she could skate by with an A as usual.

The Slytherin took a seat in the back of the room and doodled on a scrap of parchment as she listened to the professor. It was a new one, and she supposed she would have to get used to that this year. This one she mostly recognized because he was the Gryffindor head of house. She listened as the professor went on about himself, then about the babbling curse. She wished Morrie was here so she could whisper to her about how it sounded like Professor Cade had been hit by that curse before class, he was babbling so much. But there was no one in her year she could joke with. Vanity rolled her eyes when Aura raised her hand and gave such a nerdy answer, it was like she was in the same classroom as June. Ugh. When the lesson was over, Vanity grabbed the two sheets and headed out of the room.

Name: Vanity Mettlestone
House: Slytherin
Three things about yourself that you want to share: None
Ome activity that you can suggest that we can do in class: You shouldn't make students do your job for you, professor.