Moody growled out, "Welcome to combat class. In this class I'll teach you how to fight. Now who can tell me what is the most important requirement to succeed in a fight?"
A student called out "Casting speed?" "Knowing the most spells?" "The will to win?" "Better physical shape?"
"WRONG! The most important requirement that you absolutely must know before going into a fight is to know exactly what you want to get from the fight. If you don't know what you want from a fight, why are you bothering?
"Who starts a fight, the aggressor or the defender?"
Someone scoffed, "The aggressor of course."
"Wrong again. Your arrogance just you five points. A fight is started by the defender. It takes two sides to fight. An aggressor can't fight if there is no-one to fight against. Until the defender chooses to defend themselves, an aggressor is just being violent.
"Now, who can tell me what are good goals for an aggressor?"
"To kill a target?" "No. If you need to kill the guy, assassinate him. You've fucked up if you end up in a fight with him. Try again."
"To capture a target?" "Then why are you potentially starting a fight where your target may get killed or escape in the confusion? Kidnap the target. Make sure you have a plan that minimizes the chance of fighting. Try again?"
"To acquire a piece of information?" "Steal it. Try again."
"To free a prisoner?" "Again, kidnap him out of his cell, or just assassinate the guards. Try again."
Finally, Harry stated, "When all other options have a lower chance of successfully accomplishing your primary goals."
Moody stared at Harry for a few seconds. "Well put. 5 points. That's right. Fighting is bad. Its rare that becoming an aggressor is advisable. Only when everything else has gone pear-shaped.
"Now, who can tell me what are good goals for a defender?"
Laughing, someone called out "to survive."
"That'll cost you a point. Were you not listening? As we just said, if an aggressor wants to kill you, the best way is to assassinate you. Not to start a fight. If your only goal is to survive, you're better off retreating, or if that's not possible, then surrendering. Try again."
"To kill the aggressor?" "Is that a question or an answer? One point for an acceptable reason, and you lose one point for not knowing if you're coming or going. Any more reasons?"
"To protect a person, or an item." "Good. Two points. As soon as you have to defend a person or item, combat becomes a lot more difficult. You have to keep track of them. You can't just dodge spells. This is one of the differences between fighting and dueling. Further, it may be that the goal of defending the person or item is of higher importance that your life. You may scoff at this, but never forget that. For example, most people would gladly die for their children. Other reasons?"
Hermione answered, "To gain knowledge." "Correct, one point. Tell me, what knowledge can you learn while fighting?"
"You can estimate your opponents skill level. You can potentially figure out their goals, either by their actions, or if they're particularly stupid, by talking with them."
"Good. One more point. Trying to talk with your opponent is not something I recommend. It's a double sided sword - you can easily provide as much information as you gain. Further, its easy to get distracted and killed or to miss a killing opportunity. More reasons?"
Harry answered this time, "Practice." Moody laughed. "While that's an acceptable goal while at school, I strongly recommend against it in the field. More reasons?
"No? Fine. We've covered the basics reasons. Remember, once combat has begun, you can no longer control all of the variables. I'm sure you've heard the phrase 'No plan survives contact with the enemy.' Its true. What does that mean? It means that if you find yourself in a combat situation, you've fucked up.
"So, if combat is such a bad idea, why do we bother teaching it?"
The same person repeated his earlier claim, "To survive".
"Incomplete, but true. One point. Why else?"
Harry answered, "To be able to provide the threat of force. Without the thread of force, you can't enforce your claims."
"Good. Three points. Society survives on the thread of force. Society likes to pretend that dialog and talking can solve all the problems, but in the end, force is always used for compliance. That's why in most muggle societies, only the police are allowed to be armed. Of course, in magical societies, everyone with a wand is armed and dangerous.
"Okay then. Onto practical matters. There is a schedule posted on the announcement board. You will meet with the school mediwitch and plan the potion regiment needed to bring you into peak physical health. Who can tell me why we are bothering to improve your body when magic can be used to make any of these improvements when needed?"
Harry answered "You might not have time to apply the spells before they are needed." "Correct. One point. Any other reasons?"
Hermione spoke "magic improvements can be canceled." "Correct. One point. You don't want to rely on magical effects that can be canceled at inopportune moments. Doing so cost me my leg. That's not to say magical improvements have no place - just don't rely on them. Any other reasons?"
Another student answered "Familiarity. It would easy to accidentally hurt someone if you don't know your own strength." "Good, one point. That covers the main reasons to not use magical improvements.
"The improvements that your potion regime will make are simply fueled by magic. The improvements are to your natural body, and can't simply be dispelled. But of course, just because these are natural improvements, that doesn't mean that the improvements are restricted by your natural body. Now, what type of improvements can you make?"
Different students called out answers, "Strength", "Hearing", "Speed", "Height", "Reaction time", "Stamina". "Reach", "Tougher skin", "Sensitivity", "Improved eye sight", "Smell", "Hearing".
"All of those are good answers. one point each. There are many ways you can improve yourself. The library has several books which discus the different improvements you can get. Like all things, there are usually trade-offs. You can improve your stamina so that you can run longer, but that will limit how much force your muscles can apply. Some of these trade-offs are simple biological limitations, no way around them. Other limitations are more ... flexible.
A warning: some improvements can end up hurting you. For example, an improved sense of hearing can allow you to hear people quietly muttering to themselves. But it will also improve your hearing when you don't want it. I know a guy who improved his hearing. Had trouble sleeping - too many noises during the night. Almost went crazy before he started to constantly apply silencing magic. Still, he ended up deaf due to an unexpected explosion when he was trying to to use his improved ears. Hearing is one of those improvements that I would recommend using magic to improve only when you need it. If you have any questions or want advice, feel free to schedule a meeting.
"Now, who can tell me the nice thing about using potions instead of muggle exercise?"
Harry quickly answered, "Potions are a lot faster. It would take years of muggle training to get into peak physical condition. There are also more limited to what can be improved."
"Correct, one point. Now, is there any drawbacks?"
Hermione smugly replied, "You won't be familiar with your body. You won't know what your limits are."
"Good. One point. Minus one point for attitude. But, that is why, in about two weeks we will begin one month of aggressive muggle physical training. If you've heard the term "boot camp", you'll have an idea of what to expect. I will work you to the bone, and at the end, you'll know exactly what your new and improved body can handle. You'll know how far and how long you can run without getting tired. You'll know how long you hold your arm up to cast spells. You'll know how high you can jump. You'll know how hard you can hit. If I do my job right, each and every one of you will hate me. And that will give me great pleasure. Class dismissed.