Lesson One - First Years

by **Briony Romain** Thu Feb 16, 2012 6:20 am

Briony walked into her classroom after a long and blissful holiday away with her husband in Venice, to make up for his awful choice in venue for the prior get away to America and a place called 'Disneyland'.

Sitting down at her desk Briony steepled her fingers and looked over the rows of empty desks, hoping that this year might be a little more productive than last when half the class didn't show up for the lessons.

Patiently she waited for the students to arrive.

by **Corina Lavonne** Fri Feb 17, 2012 6:12 am

Corina walked into her duelling class and noticed no one but her professor was there. Nodding to the women she moved to her seat and waited for everyone else to arrive. Dropping her bag at her feet she crouched down and grabbed her book and sat down starting to read.

by **Xander Clarke** Fri Feb 17, 2012 3:04 pm

Xander walked casually to class, obviously early. He wondered if they would start dueling first thing, or if it would be a lecture introduction, like most classes.

The only person there was a girl he hadn't met yet, a Slytherin. He took a seat next to her and offered his hand. "Xander Clarke, nice to meet you."

by **Jaycie Simple** Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:42 pm

Jaycie walked as calmly as possible into the Duelling classroom. She didn't exactly think this was going to be a subject she would excel in, but still, she was giving it a go. Dumping her bag beside a desk somewhere close to the middle, she made her way to the front of the classroom instead of sitting down.

"Professor, I - I was wondering if you could help me out a bit here. As you can see, I don't have a very big voice... and I'm not sure how well that'd go down with Duelling. Is there, um, some sort of technique that I can use to help myself out a bit? I don't really care how long it takes me to learn it, or how difficult it is. I just... really want to learn how to duel." Jaycie stared intently at the teacher. Somehow, she found it easier to talk - well, whisper - with Adults rather than classmates.

by **Briony Romain** Sat Feb 18, 2012 1:38 am

Briony walked over to the door and shut it with a small smile there were some students in this class and she was glad of that fact because people were taking on board the events of last year, they wanted to protect themselves.

Her attention was drawn by a Hufflepuff student and she raised an eyebrow slightly, she was really quiet when she spoke and Briony couldn't help but give her a quick smile.

"Of course. Here. Sonorus."

Briony pointed her wand at the students voice box and felt it work.

"Try that, it should magnify your voice a little."

Now turning at address all of the class Briony gave another swift smile and then let herself become neutral like she often was, this looked to be a promising year indeed.

"Good day Class, I am Professor Romain, your Duelling instructor. In this course we will do two lessons of physical duelling and two lessons of magical duelling, today we begin the physical aspect."

Gesturing to the wall of weapons Briony asked: "Now, name me a few different classes of physical fighting or weapons used in said fight, one example each, with a strength and weakness."

by **Corina Lavonne** Sat Feb 18, 2012 10:40 am

Corina looked at the Slytherin who approached her, "Hello I'm Corina Lavonne. Nice to meet you too Xander." She smiled and shook his hand. Putting her book away she took her time to watch and observe him. She was curious about him. He was in most of her classes so she felt as though she should at least know him.

by **Jaycie Simple** Sat Feb 18, 2012 2:13 pm

Jaycie felt the spell engulf her throat. "Oh... um, thanks." She was shocked at how loud it sounded now. Even though it sounded what would be normal to others, it felt like she was shouting.

She examined the weapons on the wall. "Well... there's archery - which is great at a distance but useless at short range." Jaycie said absentmindedly, almost to herself more than the professor or the class.

by **Xander Clarke** Sat Feb 18, 2012 5:15 pm

Xander was excited to see more traditional weapons on the walls. His father had passed on his hobby for old-fashioned sword fighting. Xander had a few scars to prove it.

He raised his hand. "Close range weapons, like swords and daggers are great for one on one fighting. Unfortunately it takes great skill to take on more that one enemy, and puts the lesser skilled swordsman at great risk for bodily harm."

Finally, something he knew about.

by **Briony Romain** Mon Feb 20, 2012 4:04 am

Briony sent a withering look at the Slytherin girl who decided that it would be wise to speak after she had begun to address the lesson, deciding to ignore it for now she just listened to the pupils giving their answers which were good.

"Well done the both of you, 5 points for Slytherin and Hufflepuff, you have grasped the two main differences between the weapon side of duelling, however there are also the Martial Arts and more physical attacks."

Stepping away from the wall of weapons Briony passed out a list of weapons and their strengths and weaknesses, making sure that the students each had one.

"This is an index of every weapon available to first year students, I will help you to find one that will suit you the most, but until then, each of you answer these questions:

• Am I good at hand eye co-ordination?
• Do I have strengths in physical fighting or strength?
• Do I possess adequete or advanced balance skills?
• Do I have good eyesight?

You must speak them aloud to me when you are done."

by **Xander Clarke** Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:27 pm

Xander raised his hand. "I feel like I've got pretty good hand-eye co-ordination, and eyesight. My father has trained me in traditional, muggle sword fighting. But I've never felt as balanced without a blade, so I don't think anything like martial arts would be as successful for me. And I'm moderately strong for my age."

Xander felt like a git for talking about himself like that, but it was all true. Although he felt rather strong for his age, he was still only 11.

by **Jaycie Simple** Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:05 pm

Jay examined the list Professor Romain handed her. It was very interesting. She didn't see anything that caught her eye, though. Looking up, she heard the next part of the lesson, and what Xander was saying. He sounded a bit full of himself... but she'd heard worse. And besides, what's wrong with thinking positively about yourself?

Jaycie raised her hand. "Well... my hand-eye co-ordination's better than average. I mean, I'm good at catching things and I have a pretty okay aim when it comes to throwing. I'm certainly not strong at all, and I've never fought in my entire life. So not there. My eyesight's perfectly normal. And well... I used to walk on a tightrope over the garden for fun. So yeah... balance is a tick too," she smiled, liking the way her voice seemed to reach everyone in the room. It was a new feeling, but a good new feeling. She decided she'd try to learn the spell sooner or later.

by **Corina Lavonne** Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:36 pm

Corina shrunk back a little at the glare sent to her. Sitting up she listened and looked at the list thinking, "My hand eye coordination is pretty good and I have some physical strength. All right balance skills and great eye site." she sighed at the list and cast the professor a quick apologetic look but then turned her eyes hard and leaned back.

by **Briony Romain** Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:51 pm

Briony nodded and clicked her fingers, a quick quotes quill immediately appeared and began ot write down everything that the students said, the next lesson they met, they would be given their weapons and which ones would suit their skills the best.

As soon as everyone had finished what they were saying, Briony nodded her head again and sighed lightly.

"Next lesson you will be getting your own weapon that will suit your individual skills outlet, now, for today that's all we have time for. Class dismissed."

Briony opened the door and she gestured for the class to get out.