DADA-101 Lesson 1
I am Professor Severus "Thorne" Gount, and I'll be teaching you what is often considered as the most interesting and spectacular subject at Hogwarts. But you will find out that there is much more to Defense Against the Dark Arts than showing off. Overall, this course will teach you how to defend yourself against the Dark Arts on a basic level. After an introduction, you'll be exploring the three main categories we'll be studying throughout the seven years. For example, we'll do History of the Dark Ages, Doxies and poltergeists, the three different types of spells, plus practice lessons on a few, and, finally, an introduction to dueling. A fair warning: there is no time for daydreaming in my class. It is my belief that you will find it highly rewarding if you are motivated. I look forward to meeting you in classroom 3C.
Year 1, Week 1
Classroom 3C was located down the Serpentine Corridor, on the third floor of Hogwarts' Turris Magnus - the Great Tower. It was one of the places many a student was most eager to go to. The door stood ajar as it awaited the students for their very first lesson. For now, the impressive room seemed unoccupied, with its monumental chandelier, the skeleton of a dragon and its little stairwell that led to the still unseen teacher's private lodgings. Everyone instinctively kept their tone low.
When no one else walked in anymore, the door was suddenly pushed shut and, next to it, stood a wizard in black robes bearing a Hogwarts crest on the left breast. A leather belt was tied to his waist and, at his right-hand side hung a leather wand case. He looked like the perfect man for the job, with his austere, swarthy features and cold black eyes.
"Good day", he said politely, before producing an attendance list. He called the students one by one, taking the time to commit each face to memory as he slowly walked down the aisle and onstage, behind his desk. His voice was deep and calm, naturally enticing to attentive silence. Then he dropped the parchment on the desk and looked up at the group.
"Those of you who've joined my class thinking they'll walk out instantly transformed into heroic duellists by the end of their first year are sorely mistaken. If you are prepared to accept the fact that learning about the Dark Arts requires patience, dedication..."
He paused a little and his dark eyes scanned the room as though attempting to capture a direct eye contact from someone.
"... and a fair amount of practical experience, then you will find my teachings profitable. Otherwise, you will be wasting your time and mine."
He collected a tattered black book on his desk and held it up. It would have looked quite nondescript, had it not been violently punctured right in the middle. "Can anyone tell me what this is?" he asked.
"Tom Riddle's diary!" a Ravenclaw chestnut haired girl nearly shouted in awe.
"Correct, Miss... Linde, is it? Good. Most of you have heard of the unfortunate events in which this book was involved. It illustrates perfectly one of the many forms the Dark Arts can take - how one simple object such as this can harm, control, and even kill."
He gave the diary a small dismissive shake before dropping it back down on his desk.
"The themes we shall be studying in my syllabus can be divided in three main categories. First, a more technical than historical approach of some events such as those that have occured with the diary; second, curses - defensive and offensive - and their counter-spells; and third, a certain category of beasts that won't be presented to you in Care of Magical Creatures... Dark Creatures. as such, we won't exactly want to take of them, now will we?"
One corner of his lips curled into a light smirk, somewhat granting a bit of warmth to his otherwise severe features. He stepped toward the clean blackboard.
"Here is your assignment for this first lesson. You may begin."
A flick of his dark drumstick-like wand made some text in agressive, spiky penmanship appear on the blackboard, below the name "Professor Gount".
Your Assignment
This lesson is divided in two parts:
- write your arrival in class and impressions in RPG form (past tense, third person)
- Write an introductory essay on Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Required Questions for the Essay
I. The basics about your character (name, age, interests, and anything else you might find relevant).
II. What subjects do you want to explore more in Defense Against the Dark Arts during your time in my class?
III. Name something that you do not look forward to learning, if any.
IV. Describe, if applicable, something you have personally witnessed or experienced about the Dark Arts.
Requirements:
Writing style listed above.
Creativity and details are encouraged.Take your time to read, feel the lesson and don't hesitate to interact with its contents.
Answer all required questions.
State your sources, including your own imagination.
Copying is frowned upon and will result in a "Troll" grade.
LESSON 1 TEST: https://forms.gle/Pd9jawq6nShqDEE38
