Fifth Years, Lesson One

James couldn't believe his wife was now in the office across from him. Once she started teaching at Ilvermorny he knew it was a possibility, she hadn't been shy about her desire to end up at their former school, but actually having her there was a different matter. It was great, it had been years since he'd stood in front of his desk and waited for the new fifth years to make their way into the classroom, it was the first class for a while that wouldn't have any of his children in it and it was quite freeing.

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.

 

[Aroha Blenheim]

Aroha came to the classroom unusually early, taking her seat in the room near the middle. She listened to the professor as the lesson began, wondering if they'd get to do any wandwork this semester. Aroha liked defence against the dark arts, but only when they actually got to do spells and hexes and things. That was cool. Aroha raised her hand to answer the question and was surprised to get chosen. "I'm guessing it makes the person you cast the spell at keep on babbling without being able to stop?" she said, a little unsure but had the answer confirmed for her. She kept listening as the lesson continued, and filled in the homework she was given though it seemed a little silly to her. After all, why didn't the professor tell them three things about himself if they were going to share three things about them? She shrugged it off though.

Name: Aroha Blenheim
House: Gryffindor
Three things about yourself that you want to share: I'm the seeker on Gryffindor quidditch team (but you probably already knew that), I come from a place on the east coast of New Zealand called Tokomaru Bay, and I have two siblings (I'm the eldest).
One activity that you can suggest that we can do in class: Duelling practice is always fun

 

[Apolline Fontaine]

Apolline walked into the defence against the dark arts classroom and took a seat near the front of the room. She knew in this class she needed to be good, needed to do well, this was her head of house after all. Apolline then looked at the board as the word appeared and then the professor got started. She nodded along as he introduced himself and as he introduced the babbling curse and what it did. She felt like she knew the answer to the question but didn’t try to answer as she didn’t want to get it wrong. Apolline then nodded along to what th eprofessor was saying about it and then the lesson was wrapped up. She packed up her things and then headed out of the room.

 

[Kyousuke Kurosawa]

Kyousuke was finding the change in professors somewhat annoying to deal with. Kyousuke didn't like change. But he was finding his own ways to cope, and knew that what mattered most was the content of the lessons.

He stepped into the classroom, awaiting the lesson to begin. He listened intently, taking notes on the important things. He glared at the girl who answered the question, but continued on. He didn't actually know the answer to the second question much to his chagrin so he didn't raise his hand. Continuing on, Kyousuke paid close attention to the course outline. He took note of the homework - something easy enough - and gave it a whirl.

Name: Kyousuke Kurosawa
House: Slytherin
Three things about yourself that you want to share: I'm Japanese, I was second in top house point scoring last year, and I'm an actor.
One activity that you can suggest that we can do in class: Anything that would provide help for the exam would be useful

 

[Violet Owens-Rosemary]

Violet wasn't so happy to be back at Hogwarts. She wasn’t sure how her head of house thought her deserving of the prefect’s badge, however at least it could help her lie to her sisters about how she had lots of friends. She just hoped that she would be able to get a permanent spot on the quidditch team, and once she had that, she would be happy. The Ravenclaw had classes to attend now however, so she packed her backpack and headed to them.

As Violet entered the Defence Against The Dark Arts classroom, she felt a little odd being part of James's class. He used to date her mum when he was in school, and was very good friends with her even afterwards, at least until Aunty Maddy died. Violet didn't know too much of her, but just remembered her mother being sad about it. Now James was married to someone else and didn't speak with Violet's mum anymore. She knew more than she let on about the whole story, so it just felt odd that Violet was now being taught by him.

As James started the class, he spoke about the babbling curse and the Ravenclaw tried her best to write down notes about it. He then gave them a quiz for their homework at the end of the lesson in which Violet reluctantly filled out. She wasn't sure that James would remember her, or know of her, but she thought to mention it nonetheless.

Name: Violet Owens-Rosemary
House: Ravenclaw
Three things about yourself that you want to share: I'm the only Ravenclaw in my family, I like playing quidditch, and I'm the daughter of a friend you used to date
One activity that you can suggest that we can do in class: Anything that doesn't involve sitting down at a desk hearing you talk