It's been two days since the first day of classes. Yesterday, which was Tuesday the 3rd, every, most of the First Year students were Magically exhausted due their first day being the first time they've ever casted actual Magic Spells. Many of them had only used Magic accidently so their Cores were very weak and couldn't do much. They spent the entire day in sloth like movements, most at the slowest pace they have ever been in their entire life, so slow that Professor Snape docked points to the unfortunate students who walked too slow in front of him. Today was finally the day, the First Years will learn Defense Against Dark Arts.
Walking into the room, all the First Years were greeted by none other than Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Dressed in purple robes and wearing his half-moon spectacles, with his hands behind his back in a reserved fashion, he greeted the First Years.
"Greetings children, and welcome to your first ever class of Defense Against Dark Arts." It was customary for all, all of the First Years to have their first D.A.D.A. class together. "Most of you know me, I am Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Call me either Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, or just Dumbledore. Whichever you prefer." He said with a twinkle in his eyes. "Now let's begin. Please pair up with a partner."
"Harry, you want to pair up?" Historia nearly bounced over to the Bow-Who-Lived.
"Sure." Harry said, shrugging, not really caring who he was paired, okay, maybe not Ron, but he wouldn't have cared if he was partnered with anyone else.
"Gerrod, want to pair up?" Hermione asked quizzically.
"Yes, I was already planning on that," Gerrod said with a mischievous tone, "I still need to Curse you. Well, at least slightly embarrass you." Hermione's eyes widened in realization. Draco and Nermaius began to laugh at the two, unfortunately for Hermione she couldn't change her partner as everyone had just finished partnering up. Muttering incoherently, she frantically looked around for someone to switch with, pleading through her eyes with Historia, begging with her hands to Draco and Nermaius, eventually giving up and accepting her fate. "Good, you're accepting your fate, if you had struggled, I would have accidently made it worse."
"Made what worse?" Hermione asked.
"I guess we'll never know." Gerrod said playfully. Dumbledore began to give instructions once he saw everyone was paired up. They were going to learning the Disarming Spell, Expelliarmus, as well as the Shielding, or Reflecting Charm, Protego.
"You and your partner will be switching between using the Disarming Spell and the Shielding Charm. After you disarm your opponent, or, if they brave enough, disarm you. You will switch." Dumbledore announces to the eager student. "The Disarming Spell is fairly simple just point and aim, focus your Magic, and say Expelliarmus. The Shielding Charm is a simple wave or thrust of the wand in front of you and the exclamation of the Incantation, Protego. You may now begin."
"You can try to disarm me first." Gerrod said. He took his wand out and stood relaxed, the Defense Against Dark Arts room was large, and thank goodness so, else everyone would not have fit. Then there was the problem and concern of rogue Spells flying everywhere, which one student asked. Dumbledore calmly explained that Hogwarts would absorb any Magic that could hurt accidently hurt a fellow student.
"Alright." Hermione said, taking out her wand, immediately yelling, "Expelliarmus!" With a controlled flick of his wand hand, Gerrod, wordlessly blocked it with Protego. Walking up to him in shock she asked in a deathly quiet voice, "You can do wandless Magic?" Her voice was incredulous.
"Only the basics." Gerrod said. "A lot of it I taught myself, living with only House Elves and a library of books can do wonders for you skill, though all the books we had were too advanced for me and I could only do the basic Spells before I passed out."
"You passed out?" Hermione whispered vehemently. "Or you insane?"
"Why do ask? Wondering if I think of you?" Gerrod asked to a now terribly embarrassed Hermione, red faced and blushing. She looked away, not seeing Gerrod's smile and quiet chuckle. "Shall we continue?"
"Lets." Hermione said, clearing her throat and composing herself. She turned around and tried again. "Expelliarmus, Expelliarmus, Expelliarmus!" She said over and over again through random periods of time. Hermione was hoping that Gerrod would be through off guard, which he wasn't successfully blocking all three of her attempts, which frustrated her to no end.
"Switch?" He asked, amused with himself and Hermione's annoyed state.
"Yes." Hermione said curtly, the tone of her voice implied her slowly waning patience.
"Ready?" Gerrod asked, now taking a more aggressive stance. A foot forward with his wand hand, his right hand, forward as well. "Expelliarmus." He said aiming it at her feet. "Expelliarmus." Aiming the second one at her wand. While Hermione block the first one with a quick Protego, but the second one she did not see, and it disarmed her.
"How'd you do that?" She asked.
"Aiming." He said simply, "I purposely aimed the first one at your legs to throw you off and the second at your wand hand, knowing you'd be looking down and caught off guard." His explanation made much sense to Hermione. "Think outside the box Hermione." With that he sent another to her. It missed her completely, causing her to follow it, only when she her a second shout, did she turn her face, shouting Protego as fast as she could.
"Protego." Gerrod lazily uttered. His shield absorbed the Spell easily. "Expelliarmus, Expelliarmus." Two shots to each side of Hermione's arms. "Expelliarmus." The came and broke her Shielding Charm. "Expelliarmus." Hermione had been disarmed again.
"Nice try." Gerrod said. Hermione looked at him with a deadly stare and grumbled under he breath.
Under normal circumstances, the loyalty of one's wand would wane to the disarmer, but not in this case as the intent was only for practice. Many Wizards and Witches forgot this remarkably simple wand law, a Wizard, or Witch, only loses their wand's loyalty when they are faced against another wo has the intent of defeating or killing their opponent in a real situation who a life could be lost. If a Wizard's intent is to disarm and disarm only, a wand's loyalty will stay the same, mostly, a Wizards wand will be uneased from the defeat their wielder suffered and will be more receptible to changing alliances. That is, if its not the Elder Wand which is fabled to align itself with its wielder's defeater. So long as the intent of the wielder is of a pure form and has a solid objective that it learned from its connection to its wielder, a wand's loyalty will never wane from their original master.
Nearly ten minutes into disarming and blocking, Dumbledore called the mock dueling to a halt. "Everyone find a seat, where ever you'd like, the floor, the benches, desks, and sit down." The elderly man told the student who were breathing heavily. Once every student found some place to sit, Dumbledore began his lecture. "To start I'm letting you know in advance, the Spells we will be using each week will also be the ones you're going to be tested on during the later months.
"I want no excuses on why you did not learn the homework. Speaking of homework, your homework for this week is to continually practice the Disarming Spell and Shielding Charm to the point its muscle memory. Your test will start next week, I will roam the halls, and we will have a short mock duel. To pass, you must successfully block each of my attempts to disarm you.
"Now, on with today's lecture. In Defense Against Dark Arts we will learn a multitude of things, the objective of this class is to teach you how to defend yourself. Each week you'll be put through different scenarios, face monsters and Magical creatures, as well as duel one another.
"Since this is your First Year we will only be learning Low-Tier Magic, as you reach your Third Year we'll go onto teaching Mid-Tier and some High-Tier Magic, and once you begin your Sixth Year, we'll work solely on High-Tier Magic.
He paused for a moment to let the information sink in. "Though I cannot teach you everything, you yourself will be responsible for your own learning as well. If you wish to learn more advanced Spells, go right on ahead. But I warn you, if you meddle in the Dark Arts, there will be consequences, best to stick with Light Magic, hmm?
"Ah yes, you will also, during the entirety of this year and your Second Year, learn a Mid-Tier Spell and have adequate proficiency. Meaning you must be able to cast the Spell at least 5 times to receive a passing score. This assignment is yearlong, research what Spell you wish to learn, tell me and I shall write it down on a list. The harder the Mid-Tier Spell, the higher your grade shall be. But I warn and ask of you, do not go purposely learning Dark Magic, I do not forbid it, nor will I condemn it. I will, however, not recommended it, if you choose not to heed my advice and do decide to learn a Spell of the Dark Arts, I ask those who do, gather into a group and come to me, so I may supervise to make sure none of you injure yourselves. Agreed?"
The students nodded at his request. "Good. Now on to our actual lecture. Defense Against Dark Arts was created during the time of the Four Founders, though more near their deaths', I'm afraid. It was deemed by the first ever Minister of Magic, Ulick Gamp, that students at Hogwarts must learn to defend themselves. His distaste of Dark Magic lead to a subsequent ban of Witches and Wizards alike from using them later on in his career. This was due to the cruel usage of the Spells that existed and were being made. Which also, unknowingly lead to the creation and subsequent naming of the Unforgivables. Speaking of which, twenty points to anyone who can name them."
A hand shot straight up, it was Hermione's. "That would be the Mind-Control Curse, the Torture Curse, and Killing Curse." Hermione said. Lucius had taught her that when she was caught snooping, reading really, the more darker books in Malfoy Manor's extensive library.
"Correct. And twenty points to Gryffindor." Dumbledore said with a sadness to his voice. "These Curses are not the only Unforgivables, rather the most well-known ones. There are several dozen Unforgivables, and even more darker Spells, that are known, by a very few, as Forbiddens."
"What are those Professor?" Seamus asked. Dumbledore paused in silence, he took heed to look in the eyes of the students, a soft, yet stern look marred his face.
"Those, Mr. Finnigan," Dumbledore said in a low, ominous voice. "Are Spells that, in comparison to the Unforgivables, make them look tame." This piqued the interest of all the students, most, if not all were taught that the Unforgivables were the worst Spells known to Wizarding kind. Apparently, they were wrong. "For those who are wondering, the reason why the Forbiddens are called that, is because using a Forbidden Spell, Curse, or Charm can quite literally eats the Magic of the user. Know this, the only reason I tell you this, is because I wish you to know the horrors and consequences of using Dark Magic. I hope and pray that none of you dabble in it, for it will take everything from you, and leave you empty.
"Now onto a less grimmer note. Magic is a mystery that we do not fulling comprehend, some of you are still wondering, how does a Forbidden Spell eat Magic? The answer is, we do not know. The scrolls containing how a Forbidden is created were all burned, and therefore the instructions on how one is created and well as deconstructed, are lost forever. I myself am grateful, while I still am nervous of the existence of Forbiddens, I am glad that the instructions for such Spells are lost but am also saddened by the fact we cannot destroy them for good.
"But enough of that, let's talk about Magic, Magic come from an entity we Witches, and Wizards like to call, Lady Magic. An all-powerful being, entity really, that in theory, governs the existence of it, she is the reason some Muggles are born with Magic, because she wills it and blesses them with the gift-"
"Excuse me Professor, but how do we know that Lady Magic is even real?" Ronald Weasley interrypted, to which several students looked at him incredulously.
"Do you not believe in Lady Magic? You do realize that there have be documented cases done by Witches and Wizards which prove her existence, right?" It was Gerrod who spoke. "For a Wizarding Family, you are quite daft about our history. Are you sure you aren't a Muggle or some barbarian? It's okay, to be honest." Snickers were heard, it came from the other Slytherins, Hermione elbowed her Brother in the ribs trying to get him to stop laugh, obviously failing as Draco as well as his friend Theo were clinging onto an equaling laughing Blaise Zabini. Ron was red with embarrassment but summoned enough courage to strike back.
"Are you sure you aren't a Dark Wizard?" Ron his asked spitefully.
"Is that the best you can do?" Gerrod said as he stood up, some students moved out of his way. "Because that's really pathetic. If I were a Dark Wizard, I wouldn't be spending my time here, in the presences of the man who quite literally orchestrated the fall of my family's prominence."
"Gerrod," Historia said tentatively.
"That is enough." Professor Dumbledore said gravely. "Mr. Grindelwald, I will be taking ten point from Slytherin for your rudeness to other students." Gerrod rolled his eyes. "Another ten for disrespectful behavior to a teacher as well as the Headmaster, I saw that eye roll."
"That's fine, we both know, Professor, that I'll earn those points right back." Gerrod answered quickly. The two were holding a starring contest, and the tension in the air was palpable. Historia eyed her Brother's actions with caution, she could also see that the entire classroom were all nearly holding a collective breath.
"Professor Dumbledore, the lecture?" It was Harry who asked the question. The elderly Headmaster smiled joyous at the Boy-Who-Lived.
"Of course, Harry," Dumbledore said, "now, where was I, ah yes, Lady Magic." Historia was able to catch Harry's eyes and mouth off a thank you to him, smiling sadly before returning her attention to the Headmaster. Students slowly released their held breath in relief. "Now Lady Magic has been known to... intervene with the lives of a select few, those who find themselves in the presence of Lady Magic are believed to be destined for an unknown greatness. She leads them to their destiny; think of Lady Magic as a guide for those who are lost in a sense." This piqued the interest of many, Harry and Gerrod being some of them.
"Has Lady Magic been known to lead Witches or Wizards to their downfall?" The questioned was asked by one Hermione Malfoy. "I've read in my family's library that Lady Magic is also a trickster."
"Perhaps." Dumbledore answered vaguely. "We have some time before class ends, would any of you like to ask me any questions?" Several students raised their hands. "Yes?" He pointed to a boy, Ernie MacMillan, was his name.
"Professor, I was wondering when will we start doing practical application in Defense Against Dark Arts?" The rather stout, blond boy said, putting his hand down as he spoke his mind.
"Practical application meaning dueling?" Dumbledore inquired to which he received a nod. "That will be in you Second Year, I shall teach you once you enter your Second Year, to which you may also join the Dueling Club." This got several students talking and whispering.
"Professor?" Another student said, her name was Lavender Brown. "I'm wondering about my analysis from the Sorting Hat, are our results able to be changed?"
"An excellent question." Dumbledore praised kindly. "Your results from the Sorting Hat are not absolute, as the years go on, they will most certainly change. So, if you are wondering if your low scores can be improved, the answer is yes. But only if you are willing to put in the effort." This information excited all the students who received terrible scorings.
"Thank goodness," a boy said, "I got a 2 on Transfiguration." Some students laughed.
"Whew, for a minute I was scared, I have a below average rating." One student said despairingly.
"Can't be as back as others, hey what do you think Harry Potter's ratings were?" A student pondered aloud; Harry subconsciously scooted away from the student as he was near his feet.
"Don't know, but I'm willing to bet they're high." A girl said.
"What about the others he hangs around?" Another student asked, well whispered, "You know, the Grindelwalds and Malfoys? Even the Lovegood kid."
"They're probably as high as his," a student bitterly answered, "it's not fair, some people have all the luck."
"Ahem." Dumbledore feigned a cough. "Do any of you have any other questions?" He eyed them expectantly. No student said anything as they were much too enraptured by trying to guess what Harry's Magical Affiliation results were. So, Dumbledore finished his lecture, which consisted of practical usage of Spells, Charms, Curse, Jinxes, Hexes, and more, Professor Dumbledore even taught them one more Spell because they had plenty of time on their hands. The Knockback, or Stunning Spell as it was better known as, Stupefy. Defense Against Dark Arts lasted for at least half of the day due to the vast amount of information the students needed to cover and learn. One of the best parts of Defense Against Dark Art was that the students had lunch in class as Dumbledore lectured able the severity of Curses. Surprisingly the Headmaster was able to finish class twenty minutes early and dismissed them. "Class dismissed for. You have the rest of the day off. Enjoy." With that all the students rushed out, excited that they practically had the entire day.
"So what'd you guys think of Defense Against Dark Art?" Hermione said as their gang walked down the stairs, some of the First Years slowed down to listen.
"It was okay." Nermaius muttered quietly. "Not the best, not the worst."
"It was biased." Gerrod said, Historia nodding in agreement. Hermione hummed in thought of the answer.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, completely oblivious, if he had been raised by his parents, he'd know what Gerrod was talking about.
"During the entire lesson, Dumbledore was biased on what Magic should and shouldn't be used." Gerrod explained carefully. "He blatantly said that Dark Magic, even though there's no such thing as Dark Magic, should never be used, while publicly endorsing Light Magic. Half of the Light Magic Spells, are just as or even darker than Spells in Dark Magic."
"In other words Harry, bigotry." Historia simplified to the confused-faced boy.
"Oh," Harry said.
"Only thing I liked about it was when he talked about Lady Magic." Draco said. "Though I hardly doubt that he believes in her. He only acknowledges one half of Magic, and that's Light Magic, if he doesn't acknowledge Dark Magic, then he doesn't truly believe in Lady Magic."
"That makes sense." Gerrod commented.
"What does?" Historia asked her Brother, they had reached the end of the stair and were now in hallway that led to either the Great Hall or the way to the Common Rooms, whichever turn a person took.
"The fact that his Magical Aura seems," Gerrod paused, "how do I say this? Incomplete! That's the word I'm looking for."
"You felt it too?" Nermaius asked.
"Felt what?" Draco said, confused as were the rest of them. "I didn't feel anything different about his Magical Aura."
"No, but Nermaius and I did." Gerrod informed. "He and I are quite attuned to Magic, both of us do have a high Magical Connection, though I wonder, were you able to sense it Historia?"
"A little," Historia admitted. "Probably not as much as you, I mean I'm good with Magic and all but not as good as you." The group decided to walk to the Great Hall, continuing their talk as they did. "You have a theory?"
"A working one." Gerrod said. "I believe that some of us were blessed more than the others by Lady Magic, that in turn not only affects our abilities but also the potency of them. Hermione probably could if she tried hard enough, but she's more academically driven, Draco has the talent I'm betting, but you're like Hermione. You, Historia, have it, as evidently from what you told us, but most likely, Lady Magic made your Magic more suited to something else. And Harry, well you're Magically inept due to your upbringing with Muggles." Harry nodded, he thought this was the case. Ever since he started doing Magic, he found it difficult doing a Spell the first time, but then a day later, he somehow was just able to do it, as if he'd been taught it years before.
"It's plausible, but it has some holes in it." Hermione added her two Knuts.
"That's why it's only a working theory." Gerrod answered back.
"Anyone want to help me pester some Griffs?" Draco asked. Theo, Blaise, Pansy, Daphne, and Crabbe and Goyle had all come over from the Slytherin table to greet them. They had run downstairs in a blink of an eye once Defense Against Dark Arts ended, they wanted to get some afternoon snacks from the Great Hall. Hogwarts' Elves had set a spread of cheese, meats, and crackers and jams for the students, as well as beverages ranging from juice to cold milk.
"Hey," Pansy called to them as she and the other walked over. "What took you so long?"
"Talking." Gerrod answered to which the other nodded or shrugged to. "Anyways, Draco's wondering who wants to help him pester the Griffs."
"Count me in," Pansy said with smile. Crabbe and Goyle just dumbly nodded, which Theo and Blaise were indifferent, shrugging in acceptance as they had nothing else to do. Daphne on the other hand had taken Hermione to the Slytherin table to gossip.
The group, which made of Draco, Pansy, Theo, Blaise, and Crabbe and Goyle all headed over to the Gryffindor table, most likely to make fun of Ron or some unfortunate Gryffindor.
"Five Galleons say they pull their wands and threaten, nothing more." Nermaius commented aloud.
"Ten says they shot Spells from Dark Arts, and that the Griffs start it," Gerrod replied. The two looked at Harry and Historia.
"You two are insufferable. Fine, put me down for Ten Galleon, same as Gerrod but we attack first." Historia rolled her eyes at the boys' antics.
"I'll bet Fifteen, wands pulled by Draco, the red-haired Ron boy, Ronald his name I think is, shots first, and Professor Snape comes. He takes at least twenty points from Gryffindor and gives detention, for at least a week, to him." Harry confidently says. He had a feeling.
"Oh, that's how you want to play it, huh?" Gerrod remarks, quite surprised, while Historia looks at Harry incredulously. Nermaius scoffed and smiled silently. "Twenty-Five says that what you say happens, but its McGonagall and Draco getting detention."
"Deal." Harry says, the two shook hands, walking to the Slytherin table, and watched with anticipated amusement. Historia muttering at the stupidity of the bet, cursing herself for joining it.
Sure enough it begins. Draco does indeed pull his wand first, the other Slytherin's doing the same. Ron yells some incoherent words and sends an Expelliarmus at the group, missing completely, the Spell flew across the room, Gerrod quickly wiped his wand out and casted a Non-Verbal, Protego, deflecting the Spell upwards to the ceiling. Not missing a single beat, Professor Snape came storming through the Great Hall out of nowhere, disarming Ron but not Draco. Perks of being his Godson Gerrod reckoned, Professor Snape proceeded to lecture Ron, taking away thirty points in the process along with two weeks' worth of detention. The quiet words were like a yell as the entire Great Hall was silent, the altercation had surprised and shocked many.
"Damn, nice prediction, Potter." Gerrod said as he handed the counted Galleons to Harry, Historia and Nermaius doing the same.
"What was the bet?" Hermione asked, she had looked over her shoulder to see Harry smiling brightly at the money he won.
"Who draws first, attacks first, and who gets detention by who." Gerrod summarized to Hermione with a cheeky smile. Draco and the other were walking over. "What'd the Weasel Boy say?" He asked once he noticed the stern look on Draco's face.
"You don't want to know, especially you Hermione." Draco said when Hermione opened her mouth. Draco's voice was ice, cold and hard, his eyes held a flame of hatred and anger. Gerrod had a dark look on his face, he grabbed Draco by the arm and pulled him aside, asking the question again, the two talked in hushed whispers. From what Hermione could tell of their body language, Gerrod and Draco were both very angry, their fists were coiled tightly, and their facial expression were dark and menacing.
To be continued...
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[Lore Edit 05/23/2021]