Professor Tabitha Hawthorne
September 28, 2018 10:11 AM
Beginners! Time to learn how to hold your own. by Professor Tabitha Hawthorne
Tabitha liked her Beginners class and as three o’clock in the afternoon rolled around, she felt upbeat and energetic. They were her last lesson for the day and before dinner and, with this in mind, she had planned something practical in the hopes that it would stir up their appetites and give them something fun to do for the last lesson of the day. She was also hoping that time might pass a bit quicker if the lesson was fun as dinner was an opportunity to sit with Mary and laugh and chat and secretly hold hands. Tabitha would’ve, of course, been proud and delighted to declare their relationship in front of everyone but she was finding herself enjoying the secrecy that filled her days. She felt, sometimes, like a teenager again with a vibe of ‘I know something you don’t’.Tabitha waved her wand one final time in the direction of the remaining chairs and desks and they obediently moved out of the way against the wall. Now, the room was more or less a big wide space which would be needed for the lesson. Perfect.
She turned her eyes towards the doors at the back of the room, smiling brightly as the first and second years started to trickle in. “Good afternoon, class! Please put your bags safely out of the way at the back and get out your wands! Then, get into two lines, one on either side of the room!”
There was the sound of footsteps and bags thudding to the floor as her students followed her instructions. When everybody was suitably lined up, Tabitha smiled and stood in the middle at the end of the two lines, an excited energy rolling off her. She knew that generally, her students enjoyed the practical lessons as and when they came about. She wasn’t sure if they knew that she enjoyed them just as much - there was only so much people could learn out of a book. Learning also had to involve practical work and how could one perfect a spell if it was never cast?
“Today, we’re going to be looking at duelling," she grinned, looking around at each of the faces, hoping to see some eagerness. “So, who can tell me what a wizard’s duel is?”
She nodded when she received the right answer. “Spot on, perfect. A wizard’s duel is when two or more witches and wizards engage in combat but only by magical means. At least, in formal situations like we’ll have here today. I hope this doesn’t become the case for many of you but one day, you may find yourselves mixed up in a duel that doesn’t follow the rules of combat and, in which case, physical, non-magical violence could be necessary.”
She paused, a couple of memories coming to mind where she’d been disarmed and had to settle for simply punching her opponent on the nose. They weren’t exactly her proudest moments but she had to admit, it could be effective.
“You do not need to concern yourselves with that today. We are going to be looking at duelling as a sport - some of you may have attended a duelling competition as a spectator? So, duelling etiquette and the rules of the competition dictate that, before starting the duel itself, you are to face your opponent, bring your wand straight up in front of you and bow - though you do not need to bow particularly low. It is considered to be a sign of respect and that you see your adversary as a worthy opponent. To not do so, is an insult.”
She demonstrated the procedure, with clean cut motions. It felt strangely relaxing to be going through the motions, the whole thing being as familiar to her as the back of her hand. She straightened up again and surveyed the room. “When you pair up to have your own small duels in a moment, I expect each and every one of you to bow to each other. Following that, you then adopt one of the accepted combat positions. They be as simple as simply pointing your wand at your opponent or, you might choose to have a bit more of a flourish to your movements, having your wand raised behind and above your head with your other arm straight out in front you, for example. Your feet must be shoulder width apart.”
Again, she demonstrated the positions before continuing. “Then, on the count of three, you can then throw your first spell. Now, over the last few weeks, we have been practising some basic jinxes, such as the Knockback Jinx, Flipendo and the Tickling Charm, Rictusempra. You also know the disarming charm, Expelliarmus and the Shield Charm, Protego. A duel ends when your opponent is either disarmed, surrenders or can no longer reasonably defend themselves. Today, your duels will end if you manage to disarm your adversary or they surrender. Do not go out of your way to severely harm each other.”
Tabitha performed each of the spells in turn as a reminder, firing only at the back wall where the spells hit and disappeared harmlessly. “For this lesson and in this room only, you have my permission to use these spells on each other but only these four. Anybody who uses anything different will, at minimum, receive detention. Am I clear?”
She looked around the room, her features arranged into a challenging and stern expression. While Tabitha was all for learning how to defend oneself and how to throw back a hex or two, she had to remember that she was dealing with young teenagers and that safety was paramount. She wanted to keep casualties to a minimum and the fewer students she had to send to the hospital wing, the better. She nodded to herself when satisfied that the students had understood her.
“Now, you may pair up and find a space in the room. I will be circulating the room if you have any questions and correcting your stances and your wand movements if you’re having trouble. Once you’re ready, you may begin.”
OOC note - Okay! Here you go, Beginners. Remember, site rules apply to posts at 200 words minimum. You have complete freedom as to who you choose to partner up with and how your ‘mini-duel’ goes. Tabitha has said that no other spells are to be used but, if you wish to incur her wrath, feel free! If you need her for anything else, just tag her. Have fun!
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