Roster (May be missing some new students, if so apologies and post anyway)

6th Years

Michael Jaymez G (P+0)

Delilah Maddox R (P+0)
Devlin Matthews  R (P+0)
Walker Nolan R (P+0)

Fauna Blake H (P+10)

Ava Grosvenor S (P+5)
Atticus Pennyapple S (P+0)
Alexander Snark S (P+0)
Gavin Snark S (P+0)

7th Years

Kyle Gibson G (P+0)

Nicola Hames S (P+0)


 Professor Mainwaring waited for the NEWT class to take their seats wondering how they would get on today. Many of their younger compatriots had had difficulty concentrating these last few days which had irritated him no end even if he understood the reason. Gibson’s murderous attacks were surely a reason to concentrate more on Defence Against the Dark Arts not less.

 “Settle down! Right today we will move back to a more practical part of the syllabus, namely that of dementors. All of you with even a passing interest in recent history should have heard of dementors and know that they are truly loathsome entities.
 Dementors are parasites that feed off emotion, draining all the hope and happiness around them and exult in the despair and decay that they cause. That however is not the worst thing about them. They possess an even more vile method of attack which is the reason that they are so feared. Can any of you tell me what that is?”

If Fauna didn’t know better she might think there were Dementors at Hogwarts these days- floating along the corridors, appearing behind staircases, and invading dreams. People’s hearts were heavy, especially the student’s. It had only been a week and a half since the Memorial Ceremony and the two murders. Now that things were going back to “normal” and they had exams to stress over, Fauna somehow found the time to feel upset over what had happened. The shock was wearing away and the truth of it was finally sinking in.

She stared at the empty seat where Kyle usually sat. Even those who didn’t know him very well knew that he'd loved this class and that he excelled in it. Sometimes, she couldn’t imagine him being capable of something so horrible, and yet the pieces all fit. This was the same guy she’d talked to in the middle of the cluster of trees he’d burnt down about a month ago. He’d been nice to her, sure, but she couldn’t deny that he had a habit of lashing out at things (and people) in anger.

Fauna shuddered and looked back at Professor Mainwaring when silence fell on the classroom. He’d just asked a question and it took her a moment to recall what it was.

“It’s the Dementor’s kiss, isn’t it?” She raised her hand and spoke quietly, hoping she wasn’t mixing up her information with something else. “It’s… like a death sentence. They take away your soul, make you feel empty. You’re not really you, anymore.”

It sounded like the saddest fate to Fauna. She fell quiet again because she couldn’t remember if people actually died from it, or if they just became an empty shell. Fauna had a good idea of which outcome was worse, though.

 Miss Blake had answered first. The Professor was pleased that she had the confidence to do so. Perhaps her recent decisive action in that disgusting food fight had shown her her potential. Regardless it was something he wished to foster,

 "That is correct Miss Blake. Take five points for Hufflepuff. The dementor's kiss is indeed the reason these creatures are so feared. There are many dangers out there that can kill you:  many beasts, various beings, our fellow witches and wizards, even muggles and don't smirk there at the back. Muggles have some weapons so fast and indicriminate that you could be killed before you are even aware that you are in danger.

 When fighting any such battle your life may be on the line but of all your common adversaries only the dementor can threaten your soul. Those who suffer the kiss do persist in a fashion but only a fashion. They lack self , memory, emotion, everything in short that makes them human. There is no recovery from such a fate in this world and among those of our scholars who believe in an afterlife it is feared that the dementor's victims are denied passage there as well. Belief in an afterlife or not is of course a matter for your own hearts and as such, this topic will not be examined except in passing, however it is certain that one so afflicted has never become a ghost after their deaths.

 The dementors to our great shame were once employed by the Ministry of Magic to guard Azkaban. On more that one occasion I regret to say they were also given permission to use their kiss as an ultimate form of punishment. During the war of course they naturally found more scope for their indulgences with the Death Eaters and they flocked to Voldemort's side.

 Where are they now you might (and should) ask? Unfortunately they are still out there and still breeding. You cannot kill a dementor. You can only repell them. The spell to do such is called the patronus charm which is what we will be studying today.  It is an advanced and difficult form of magic.  Many are incapable of doing it and many more lack the training to do such. As a result if you can master it you will have a rare weapon that is invaluable if your nearest and dearest are threatened by dementor attack.

 Before we go on though I do not wish you to be left with the impression that we are doomed to be swamped by an ever-growing army of dementors although such an eventuality is one possible future. Do any of you know how we can avoid such a terrible fate?"

Fauna answered the first question posed by the professor. She answered it well, in Ava's eyes, and the professor was clearly impressed too. She gained five points for Hufflepuff. Ava flashed her a grin across the room from her seat at the back - she always sat somewhere near the back, as there was less chance of the teacher picking on you as a demonstration or to answere a question.

Ava pulled out a pencil and started to doodle hearts on the corner of a scrap piece of parchment.

"On more that one occasion I regret to say they were also given permission to use their kiss as an ultimate form of punishment."

Ava lifted her head up from her doodles. "It was almost like the muggle's use of capital punishment, wasn't it? Only worse. At least with capital punishment, you're no longer there...you can't feel any more pain, because you're dead." She paused and looked down at the parchment. "With the dementor's kiss, you're a shell of your former self, and the Ministry saw that as a fate worse than death, didn't they?" Ava found this aspect of life interesting - not just wizarding life, but all life. She found it interesting that a person's fate could be decided by another person, that every individual didn't have complete control over their own life. Just ten years ago, Ava could have had the life sucked out of her at a single command, should the ministry have wished it.

She gave an involuntary shudder.

"Do any of you know how we can avoid such a terrible fate?"

Ava's eyebrows furrowed as the thought. Nobody else answered, and she wasn't too sure on the answer either, but she thought she'd at least give it a go. "By making sure that all children in school are taught how to create, use and utilise their own patronus?" She shook her head. "No...I don't think that's right...that wouldn't stop them from taking over the world..."

 The professor turned to Ava. Her answer was flawed but not without merit and he was pleased to see that she was concentrating on the issue at hand,

 "That is not the correct answer Miss Grosvenor, as you have recognised, but as answers go it is not a terrible one either as certainly the more witches and wizards that can confront them, the better our chances of ultimately conquering them. Your suggestion though, while a prudent one, is not one that can grant us victory as the patronus charm, although powerful, lacks the ability to actually slay a dementor.

 It should also not be forgotten that dementors do not only prey on witches and wizards. The misery of muggles and certain other beings can sustain them. We at least have the potential ability to drive them back. Muggles have no such defence and the more the dementors are able to prey on them the more they will be able to flourish and multiply.  If we are to prevent their ascension we not only must be able to protect ourselves but we must be able to deny them such resources.

 How then can such a feat be accomplished?"

Dementors. What terribly pleasant topic to think about. Jasper thought wryly.  Especially considering the recent events. He was sitting, as per usual, rather near the front but not in the front row, either. Professor Mainwaring had never had a spit problem to date, but... he could always start. And Jasper didn't want to get professor-spit on his robes. Gross!

So, dementors. He dipped his quill in the inkwell, carefully taking notes as the professor lectured. Fauna, the Hufflepuff who he was always wondering if she was tipsy, chipped in and earned Hufflepuff five points. Jasper scowled, the Slytherins were far behind the Hufflepuffs in terms of House points and that was...irritating. Ava, a fellow Slytherin, attempted to answer but apparently it wasn't enough for any points. Jasper fixed his sights on the prize; points. The professor could ask the most ridiculous question ever and Jasper would answer - because Slytherin could not afford to fall more behind. Really, it was ridiculous.

"...how then can such a feat be accomplished?" the good professor (think positive!) asked and Jasper's hand shot up eagerly. He would have felt embarrassed normally, but this was different. It was May, and school was almost out. Slytherin desperately needed to catch up.

"Dementors flourish on sadness, sorrow and negativity, correct?" Jasper looked to Professor Mainwaring for affirmation, but didn't wait more than a few moments before continuing, "So in order to completely eradicate dementors, you would have to get rid of their source of energy - or negativity in the world. That's what makes them so difficult to study and from there be able to find a solution to their existence in the first place. So in order to accomplish denying them resources, people need to become happier."

It sounded so ridiculous and Hufflepuffish. Jasper hoped Mainwaring didn't think Jasper was mocking him - he wasn't - but he did think his own words sounded fake. Still, dementors were a frightening and very real threat. Jasper was glad there was none near where he lived (so as far as he knew). He didn't know the patronus charm, though, had never tried it before. Jasper supposed they would probably be learning it in class.

Dementors were one of those creatures that the world could do without. They were similar in nature to the cockroach - annoying as anything and near impossible to get rid of. Unlike Nina's least favourite bug, though, Dementors were deadly. Being kissed by a hooded, floating... thing was not on her list of things to do before she died. Especially because said kiss would literally kill her.

She did admit that she had never really given much thought to said creatures. All she knew was she could cast/summon her Patronus*... hers was a horse, when she produced it correctly. The art, and even success, of casting a Patronus clearly wasn't the answer to solving the problem of Dementors. It was merely a temporary fix to a seemingly permanent problem. There had to be a way to kill them - wasn't there?

The Kiss was so awful because it didn't really kill you. You just became a shell of a person. That was, perhaps, worse than death. At least after death you were, well, who knew, really? but hopefully happy and peaceful. And if not you were dead, which trumped pain or whatever. But being a hollow empty being seemed like a fate much worse than death. No family, no friends, no energy, no emotion. No feeling. She shuddered involuntarily at the mere thought of it.

Nina listened to the three responses that were spoken as to finding a solution. Perhaps it was Jasper's response that prompted her to think aloud, "Happiness in a jar...".  Blushing at her words, she felt compelled to elaborate. "I mean, you can't bottle happiness. But there has to be some way to eventually 'capture' all the feelings and elements of happiness, and the Patronus, into a tangible... thing... that can be placed or spelled throughout the world," she stammered, sounding like a four-year-old. And this is why she chose to sleep through discussions in this class...

---

* This might not be accurate. I do not remember when students learn how to cast the Patronus charm... I think it's Sixth Year and, seeing as it's the end of the year, it makes sense for them to know how to use one. If I'm wrong and they learn it Seventh Year, well, disregard whatever I wrote about 

  The Professor nodded as Mr Quinn spoke. About to respond when Miss Morales added her throughts he was listened to her suggestion with interest. It was very optimstic. Men had wasted many years on attempting such a feat without the slightest hint of success and Theobald had little hope that it could ever be accomplished. Still that did not mean that such research was not worth trying.

 "Mr Quinn is quite correct and may have five points for Slytherin. Improving people's sense of well being, strange as it may seem, is the only means at present to ultimately weaken the dementors. Thus for those of you who believe that improving your neighbour's lot is a moral imperative you may rest assured that doing s0 will also serve to combat the dementors. Those of you who do not should also take this point on board. Voldemort did not, hence during his time in power the dementors were able to flourish and their numbers are still not back to what they were prior to the last Wizarding War. Had he maintained his grip for longer the number of dementors we would now face would be terrifying indeed.

 Miss Morales your hope is laudable but as yet it has never been accomplished despite the best efforts of many of the brightest witches and wizards. Such study is a worthy goal though and whoever accomplishes it successfully will go down in history.

 Now on to practical matters. Today we shall we practising the patronus charm. The words of the spell are straight foward. They are 'Expecto Patronum!'. We will practice them now together without wands.

 On the count of three,
 
 one,
 two,
 three,

 Expecto Patronum!"

 Satisfied with the effort by and large Mainwaring continued,

 "The words of the incantation are easy enough. In order to cast the spell however you must first focus on a very happy memory. No ordinary remembrance will suffice, it must be very strong, a pleasant day at the beach for example would not do. Only if that day was the day a father or brother had come back from a harsh war alive would it be suficient.

 In the actual presence of a dementor you risk being overwhelmed by despair. Focus can be difficult. This  is another reason why you need to think on something close to your heart . Such memories are easier to recall at times of stress and harder for them to drive from you.

 Take a few minutes to consider what memory you wish to use as we clear the desks away. When you are ready we will begin, directing our spells to the back of the classroom only."

Thinking of a happy memory, a strong one, was more difficult than Fauna had thought it would be. She had plenty of happy memories, but conjuring up a powerful one on the spot wasn’t easy. Fauna distractedly flicked her wand and pushed her desk away, jumping when it knocked hard into the wall. She looked around at the other students, feeling silly and awkward and imagining that everyone else already knew exactly which memory was their happiest.

There was the first time she’d ever played the piano. She smiled a little. It wasn’t as if she’d touched the keys and immediately knew how to play, but it was just the joy of making noise and creating something that had thrilled her. Fauna also thought of the many Halloweens she’d spent dressing up with her sister, who was much older than her but still loved to go trick-or-treating. It was one of the few times her mother put aside work and focused completely on them, making their costumes perfect and helping them with their hair. She loved dressing up and pretending to be an exotic, mythical, or scary being. Her fondest memories involved her family, especially her grandpa, who’d introduced her to music. Thinking of her grandfather made her suddenly sad. They’d had a very close relationship since she’d been little. Though he was gone, he was still a part of the family and colored her memories in a bittersweet way.

Fauna frowned. She couldn’t focus on her sadness- that was the opposite of what they were supposed to do! Fauna glanced anxiously around the room, concerned with keeping up, and racked her brain for another memory. She thought about Hogwarts, about how important the place was to her, and then thought of the one person who was always there for her at school- Ollie. A goofy grin spread across her face. She was her best friend and possibly something more than that. Now to choose a memory.

Concentrating for a moment, she pointed her wand at the back wall and said, “Expecto Patronum!”

The wand did nothing. Fauna sighed, a bit annoyed, and concentrated again. She focused on that time a few years ago when she’d given Ollie a silver necklace, only to get upset because she never wore it. When Ollie had taken her aside and explained that she was a werewolf, Fauna had felt trusted, like a true friend. It was the day they’d become inseparable.

Thinking of how her friendship with Ollie made her feel, she raised her wand and attempted the spell a second time.

“Expecto Patronum!” A sliver of white steam came out of the wand, only to vanish seconds later. Fauna’s eyes widened, excited that it had done something, and then disappointed that the form hadn’t solidified. She glanced around the room for the professor, hoping he’d have some tips.

Jasper scowled as Nina spoke - she was stealing his potential points - but was pleased when Professor Mainwaring awarded him five points after all. That's something, he told himself as he wrote 'expecto patronum' in all capital letters on his parchment and underlined it several times, But not much. Five measly points. Surely I can do better than that.

"Expecto Patronum," he muttered with the rest of the class, but Jasper wasn't quite sure why they were going about saying it aloud without the wand movements. It was the wand movements that were difficult, he figured, after all. They had been learning bits of latin since first year - surely the pronounciation wasn't that difficult?

The professor went on and Jasper listened attentively. He was going to get this spell done properly. If it was the same one he was thinking of, Harry Potter had done this at the young age of thirteen according to his biography. Jasper was nearing seventeen - surely, surely he could do it? But then again, Harry Potter had been, well, Harry Potter. Jasper had no plans for emulating him any time soon. Finally, they cleared their desks away and Jasper froze, thinking of his happy memory.

There was the first time he'd come to Hogwarts, young and innocent, filled with delight at seeing the utter beauty of the castle. That was a good memory, he supposed. Jasper cleared his throat, moved the wand in the intricate required pattern and said quite firmly, "Expecto Patronum!" Nothing happened and Jasper felt disappointment swell in his stomach, which quickly hardened into resolve. He was going to do this. He was going to do this if it killed him. "Expecto Patronum!" A whisp of white smoke slipped out of his wand.

A stronger memory. Okay, he could do that. There was- or maybe- Jasper didn't know. He chewed his bottom lip, thinking hard when it came to him. The first time he knew he was really in love, the first time he'd kissed her. It was a funny thing, this whole year later, him saying and mostly despising her but sort of missing her when - just a year ago, really - Jasper had been completely and utterly in love. It wasn't entirely her fault that she'd been with Trent, that their relationship had been doomed from the start. The memory of the first time he'd kissed Ainsley Gairden - her sweet, soft lips, the look in her eyes - floated into his mind's eye and he could see her just so clearly as a smile slipped onto his face. He had his happy memory. "Expecto Patronum!" To his delight, the white mist quickly gathered into an animal, but quite quickly Jasper was bewildered.

His patronus was...a toucan? He gaped at it, blinking fiercely with surprise. But no, there is was, fluttering around the classroom with its large beak and...toucan-ness.

"Professor," Jasper asked in a strange voice, turning his head towards the man but unable to take his eyes off the shape his patronus had taken. "What decides the animal of your patronus?"  It was symbolism, right? What did a toucan symbolize, then? And why the hell did a toucan sum up him? "And is it ever, you know, wrong?" He hoped so. He really hoped so. A toucan, really? Not anything majestic like a wolf or sneaky like a snake or...anything?