Roster:

Gabriella Dagon G (P -5)
Joshua Harcroft G (P +5)
Arielle Snark G (P +5)
Faelyn Bancroft R (P -5)
Olivia Foley H (P +5, excused absence)
Jordyn Dimbleby S (P+6)
Neely Woolfolk S (P+3)

Professor Mainwaring stirred from his desk as the fourth years trailed in,

   “Hurry up! Take your seats! Good.

  If you remember at the end of our last session, I demonstrated to you the use of the Shield Charm, Protego. Although not as powerful as some other defensive spells, a number of which you will learn should you take Defence Against the Dark Arts to NEWT level, the Shield Charm is fundamental  for you to know in order to be able to defend yourself and others from minor and moderate hexes. It will not of course help you though should you face an unforgivable curse.

 For your homework you were to practice the Shield Charm. Some of you may have mastered it, some of you may not. If you have not yet been able to produce an effective shield do not worry as it is a spell that even some adult wizards have difficulty over. It is a spell however that is vital for you to know both for your OWLs and, more importantly, for real life. As a result we will be spending more time practising it today.

 Right, wands out and pair up! Move the desks to the sides of the room! You will each take it in turn to use the Disarming Charm, and the Disarming Charm only, on your partner while your partner attempts to use the Shield Charm in order to block it. You may begin.”

Dragging her feet as usual when class was involved wouldn't have been much of a stretch for Arielle. However she secretly enjoyed Defense Against the Dark Arts and preferred going to the class over skivving it. In fact she wasn't even in the back of the line when the professor rustled them in, she was in her seat waiting for instruction.

Today her hair was done up in a twist, she wore her usual class uniform with only a pair of colored sneakers making her stand out.  Letting her legs rock back in forth as she listened to Professor Mainwaring describe the goal of the days class.

Standing she looked to find a partner, curious to who she would match up with today for the shield charm. It wasn't like she needed NEWTs to make it to the job she really wanted, but a little effort in the class didn't mean she wasn't any less dedicated to her future career. Or at least that was how she justified the excitement she felt in her heart hopping up to practice a spell.

Arielle pulled her wand out and held it to the ready...


Arielle''s Outfit

Jordyn enjoyed Defense against the Dark Arts.  It was a subject that one had to practice and master through work.  Some people were naturally gifted, yes, but if one really tried, it became an art in its own way.  Jordyn was terribly fond of practicing, especially from the hours of seven to eight fifteen at night, where it was written into her schedule.  Then, from eight fifteen to ten, she would complete the rest of her homework, depending on the amount, her schedule could adjust, but generally, she felt she had enough time (since she streamlined everything), to get it all done in the allotted time span.  Some nights, when she was especially productive, she managed to finish early and then could do some reading or some advance work to save time later.

It was with all of this practice under her belt that she walked to class, ready for another lesson on the Protego charm.  She was a little early, she noticed, and assuming her seat, she looked about the room.  A few people were here and there, trickling in until Professor Mainwaring began to speak, explaining the goals of the class and the overview of what happened in the last class.  He wanted them to practice, excellent, Jordyn thought, and stood, looking for someone else without a partner. 

Glancing, people were already pairing up, and it appeared that the closest person to her was Arielle Snark.  Jordyn knew that she had important family members (her parents continually told her of all the important sons and daughters who came to Hogwarts), and she didn’t seem that bad.  It was only spell practice anyway, and Jordyn assumed a position across from her.  “Care to practice?” she asked, twirling her wand in her hand.

If it were ever to be pointed out to Arielle that her family was seen as well-known or influential it would most likely come as no surprise. For one her father was a well known as a famous former Quidditch player, now a coach for the Falmouth Falcons. Her Aunt worked for the ministry, and her cousin and uncle were particularly well known by the female population. Who for as far as she had seen hadn't been worthy of their attentions anyway. That was of course bias, because being as close to them as she was she considered them her brothers and Arielle was protective of them.

School was for networking and making friendships and connections for a life time to come. So to think that the parents of children going to the school would encourage proper bonds wouldn't be a far stretch. After all they just wanted what was best for their offspring. Arielle never connected anyone with wanting to be around her with a good social move. Her tunnel vision and naivete to how things really worked outside the safety of Hogwarts was a bit of a problem.

School itself never troubled her. She was far more interested in furthering her Quidditch career after school ended. Arielle had big dreams of being a chaser for the Falcons, the very team her father coached. That was her goal so getting a proper wizarding education seemed so secondary.

When Jordyn, a Slytherin, crossed her path to practice she didn't think anything different of it. She was just another student. A female, her age, but from Gavin and Alex's house. Not seeing anyone else wishing to step before her she shrugged, "Sure, that would be fine." Arielle waited for the professor's instructions to start practicing. It seemed some people were still moving about and she didn't feel like shooting a spell at a passerby, not again. Not after last time at any rate.

Joshua was one of those people that are never late to class. and so it proved today, Josh turning up before class started, and heading for his seat. he sat down.

 looking around he could see Arielle Snark and Jordyn Dimbleby. his eyes narrowed briefly when he saw the Slytherin, since he didn't get along particularly well with her.

It was surprising, since the old pure-blood families were still usually civil towards each other, but Dimbleby never seemed to think Josh worthy of much notice.

Arielle, on the other hand, was a friend. they both played Qudditch together, Josh a beater, Arielle a Chaser. not top mention both were Gryffindor 4th years, and ultimately, while inter-house friendships were muhc more common, inner-house friendships were even more common. in fact, it was a rarity not to be at least cordial with your housemates.

Even if she wasn't crazy about her lessons, Neely usually tried to be on time to all of her classes. She had to keep the Woolfolk name nice and fluffy, didn't she? But the more immediate incentive was the fact that her B.W. for life, Miss Jordyn Dimbleby, was a very diligent student, and Neely usually wound up tagging along with the girl to whichever class was next on their schedule. Jordyn was like Neely's human watch-- way cuter than those ugly, gaudy watches her crazy Aunt Tilda was always owling her.

Today had been different. Neely had taken a detour to the lavatory to fix a broken earring, and to secretly check her planner to make sure she hadn't forgotten to bring some essay or something. The semester was nearing its end, and Neely had to start paying more attention than usual if she wanted to survive her exams. It was really quite sad that the professors had measures against sneaking pocket-sized tutors and special quills into the testing rooms. Neely didn't need them for all of her exams. Just some. But those old people were terrible at compromise.

When she finally skirted into class with thirty seconds to spare, Neely was forced to sit near the door, away from her beloved and closer to Mainwaring than she might have liked. The small, self-satisfied smirk that had been plastered on her face since she'd realized she had indeed not forgotten to complete any written assignments faded quite quickly. Neely thumped her school bag onto the table a little harder than usual, and heaved her shoulders quite dramatically before she went about pulling out quills, parchment, and her wand.

Shield Charms? Neely could definitely use the practice. Maybe she should have put a little more work into it before class, but now was as good a time as any, right? At least they would be doing something practical and not reciting things from the textbook. Neely pushed her school supplies carefully to the side of her desk and climbed to her feet, smoothing her skirt and whipping her head around to look for her partner in crime. But...

That Snark had stolen her best friend. Lame! Neely pursed her lips and looked around for a second option. Perhaps it was just as well. She was actually pretty decent at Disarming, even if she couldn't cast a Shield Charm (the day's intended subject). She didn't fancy having to mock "duel" her good friend. And she knew there was probably no way in the name of Rowena Ravenclaw's ghost child that she could disarm Jordyn, anyway.

Neely's eyes finally settled on that Gryffindor boy, Joshua Harcroft. She supposed he was as good a partner as any. And she probably wouldn't even feel guilty if she managed to disarm him or block his spells. Glass half full, Cornelia! "Harcroft," she said civilly, approaching him with her petite wand clasped behind her back. "Can I disarm you?" She smiled a very Neely-ish smile, and waited for the inevitable yes.

 Theobald watched with some interest as his pupils paired off with one another. It was always useful knowing which circles they were all mixing in. It helped to keep tabs on the miscreants.

 This class was certainly not the worst though. It had its share of wastrels, of course. Miss Woolfolk for one needed to buck up her ideas and start applying herself but she was not yet future Azkaban fodder like Devlin Matthews and his ilk. Still he hoped that she would not prove a bad influence on Mr Harcroft.

Josh watched as Woolfolk came in, and headed over to partner with him. this would be interesting. he had been practising his shield charms. stifling a laugh when Woolfolk asked if she could disarm him. "you can try, Woolfolk. juts as long as you'll let me try too." Josh replied, standing up and bringing his wand around to point at Woolfolk, the Shield Charm at the tip of his tongue.

Neely could feel the professor watching her. Yes, she was that special.

...But it was a bit unnerving, and kind of a annoying, because Neely had the distinct feeling that the man's stare had little to do with her adorableness, and probably more to do with the fact that her homework sometimes wasn't as thorough as it could be. When she did do particularly well, it was often because Neely copied the assignment over from whomever she had paid that week to complete it.

Keeping her eyes focused on Joshua, Neely beamed a glassy, faux starlet's smile and managed that customary bow-to-your-opponent bend of her torso that all good little Purebloods learned... only hers was not so much a drab and formal bend, as it was a quick shoulder shimmy. Neely mightn't be the world's greatest dueler, but she was going to duel in style, Merlin dammit.

Taking a few measured steps backward, like a rogue ballerina, Neely kept her wand clasped behind her back just as surely as she had been hiding it when she first asked Harcroft to partner up. She stared at him impishly, as if attempting to slyly trick him onto his bum without any charm-work, despite the boy's apparent Gryffindor-readiness to duel. After a slow and measured glance toward Mainwaring, Neely suddenly flourished her wand and sang out, "Expelliarmus!"

Josh bowed when Woolfolk did, his bow a proper bow, however. he recognised that she deliberately didn't bow properly, and decided not to call her on it. it wasn't a formal duel, anyway.watching her like a hawk, he saws the moment she cats a Disarming Spell ta him. " Protego" he yelled, the Shield Charm, working, and reflecting the curse back towards Woolfolk.

Neely's eyes narrowed considerably when the boy reflected her spell. Unfortunately, she didn't have much time to hiss and moan about it, because her own Disarming Spell rebounded from the invisible forcefield that was Harcroft's Shield Charm and shot back in Neely's direction like a muggle bullet. She had not even crossed her arms before she was forced to toss them overhead and duck. It was a very lucky thing Neely was barely tall enough meet the height requirements of a carnival ride. She squeezed her eyes shut and muffled her own inappropriate squeal.

After the spell zipped past her hair, nearly altering her honey locks' delicate spray-potion hold, Neely popped back up, hands on her hips and tiny wand bobbing at her side. "You didn't have to scream it so forcibly! That wasn't very nice," she informed her opponent, despite the fact that he had done exactly what he was instructed to do. If she were two years younger, Neely might have stuck out her tongue. She resisted. She had a reputation to keep. Ahem. "You're protecting yourself, not disarming me with my own charm." Defense Against the Dark Arts, hello! "You're lucky I won't ask the professor to take points from Gryffindor." Sweet Salazar knew those pesky lions should be in the red (no pun intended).

When Neely came in, Jordyn was a little upset she had jumped the gun with a partner – but she had to make a decision.  At the time, she wanted to make sure she had a partner that was worth having, and if she didn’t pick quickly, she was going to end up with someone on the bottom of the barrel.  It would make her look better, of course, but she didn’t want to have to look good as compared to someone mediocre.  She’d rather be impressive against someone who was actually talented.  That always won favor.

“Excellent,” Jordyn responded, returning her attention to the dueling partner she was supposed to be practicing with.  She glanced at the professor for a moment and thought that he gave them sufficient time to start and get going.  “I’ll try to disarm you first,” she instructed, taking charge of the situation immediately.

She liked to be in control, particularly when it came to school and important things.  She considered this to be important if only for the fact that the professor was watching.  It wasn’t as though she felt she would ever need to really use this kind of magic, but her grades would really show what she was made of, and it sharpened skills.  Jordyn always wanted to be the best, and practice helped. 

Lifting her wand to her opponent, Jordyn’s voice was clear, “Expelliarmus.”  She waited eagerly to see how Arielle would do, and had the shield charm poised on her lips, her fingers clutching her wand tightly – just in case that might stop the wand from flying out of her hand (as if).  She liked to think so, however, and was ready, glancing at the professor to see if he was watching – she hoped so.

Who was to say that even though you enjoyed a course, you paid attention in it always. Though she tried her hardest to be studious in Defense Against the Dark Arts, it wasn't always easy for her.

Standing there still wand at the ready, Arielle zoned out. Perhaps she was looking for her own best friend in the classroom, or thinking about the last Quidditch match. At any rate she was a few seconds two late to fire the spell back and her wand went flying out of her hand like a shot. "Whoops," she muttered cussing under her breathe as she dropped to the floor looking the damn thing.

Just great, looking like an arse in front of other people was not exactly what she had in mind for the day. Letting her mind snap back to reality she found her wand laying not too terribly far from where she was once standing. Walking over to her defeated weapon she lifted it from the floor wiped it off and strode back to her place. "Alright then, so how about I fire away at you now?"

Annoyance hidden in her voice she held her wand up. "Ready then?" With a slight pause, Arielle waited for a que from her partner, "Expelliarmus!" The cry was not as dramatic for her as one might think but the spell worked just the same as it circled towards it's target.

Jordyn felt a moment of inward pride at disarming the Gryffindor.  It wasn’t a personal thing; of course, she had no problem with Arielle, but the fact that she was able to do it, well; it just made her proud of herself.  Now, she had to do the second half of the whole thing.  She had to block successfully.  Now, for all of her practice, she usually didn’t have a partner – so this was putting money where her mouth was. 

Nodding to Arielle, she waited for her to cast the spell, not wanting to even change the shape of her mouth, lest she mess up the first syllable.  But, as the spell fired toward her, Jordyn froze for a moment.  She actually forgot what she had to say.  A second of brain silence until she remembered what she had to say.  “Protego!”

She emphasized the wrong syllable, however, and the shield only half realized, the spell ricocheted upward, right into Jordyn’s forehead.  The impact caused the young woman to trip backward and fall onto her bum with a yelp and echoing thud.  Shaking her head, her vision was a little blurry and she felt lightheaded.  “Good one,” was the lame response she could manage as she swayed sort of in a circle, sprawled on the ground in confusion.

Josh didn't dignify Woolfolk with a reply. watching the other pair, he noticed Dimbleby had been Disarmed. "Good one, Arielle" Josh called. " expelliarmus" Josh called next, pointing his wand at Woolfolk. lets see how her shield charm was.