Fewer and fewer students arrived with time and after glancing at the time several times, James frowns at seeing how much time had passed. "I guess we better get started now," James murmured, a bit disappointed at failing to see Severus Prince appear, but not all that surprised considering his friend's countless prefect duties.
However, before he can clear his throat to ask them all to be quiet, a string of footsteps can be heard. Leading the way is Severus Prince, who breathlessly says, "Sorry about that, but we all got out late from Gobbledegook. Professor Snipe just wouldn't let us go!"
Behind him are the four additional figures of Andrew Abbott, Xeno Lovegood, Regulus Black, and Dirk Cresswell. Barty and Letitia, both happily wave at their friend as Florinda and Florentia calmly nod their heads back in greeting. The cool figure of Regulus Black unlike his brother calmly smiles back at his friends. But not before flashing his betrothed, Bethanie a gentle smile, before walking over to stand next to his group of friends.
Much like Regulus, the curly flaxen-haired, Dirk smiles lovingly at his girlfriend, Dorothy Cabot. Dorothy Cabot without any embarrassment happily trots over to where the fourth years are at and goes to stand next to her boyfriend. The Ravenclaw couple all through a year apart got along fairly well much to the surprise of the other Ravenclaws. But then again, the couple that learns together, grows together and stays together.
On the other hand, Andrew Abbott calmly went to stand next to Terry, and the other three girls. They were good friends, despite Terry's mischievous tendencies. Not that Andrew had ever been on the receiving end of Terry's boredom, but he'd seen enough to think it was somewhat funny as long as he was never on the receiving end of Greengrass's antics.
Severus nods at James, who calmly turns towards all of them and says, "Welcome to the Defense Against the Dark Arts club also known as the D.A. We'll be learning spells and practicing how to cast a variety of spells that will no doubt be needed on ones O.W.L.'s and N.E.W.T.'s."
Glancing around the room, James paused before carefully saying, "Severus and I will be leading the club with Professor Prince as the principal club advisor and Professor Flitwick as the secondary club advisor. That being said, we shall start today with a fairly useful spell that is commonly known to all 'the Stunning Spell.' When I cast the spell, Severus will attempt to properly dodge or defend against the spell."
Severus smirks a bit at James's words as he nods innocently back causing all the Slytherins in the classroom to narrow their eyes at him. James failed to notice the knowing glances of Severus's friends. The two of them automatically separate a short distance and without even a prior warning, James cries out, "Stupefy!"
Red sparks hurtle from the Mahogany, eleven-inch wand towards Severus. However, to the shock of those watching Severus had merely brought up his wand and wordlessly cast a hex deflector spell causing the red sparks to hurtle away and harmlessly crash against the floor.
James's eyes narrow pensively as he stares at the tall, slender Slytherin before him. That was not a skill, not any ordinary student should ordinarily possess, but a skill that drilled into all trainee Auror's. Then again, the Prince's were the descendants of Precussor's. It was something he had never truly thought about before, but it certainly explained the reason for Severus Snape's talent for the Dark Art's and spell work. (And if he was honest with himself, there were many things he had simply never paused to consider before until fairly recently.)
Severus flashed James a confident smirk and smugly says, "Don't worry, James, I only got this good because grandfather had Rowan and me dueling all summer long. And believe me, when I say this, Rowan is unorthodox when it comes to dueling. Trust me."
Various heads nod in understanding throughout the room especially the purebloods. They all knew exactly who the Prince family was a descendant of before they took the surname Prince, Percussors. And there were bound to be traditions that were still passed down even to this day.
"Right," James slowly said as he turned to glance at the rest of the students. "The practice dummies are out for today, but I want everyone need to pair up to practice casting 'Stupefy' and defending against being stunned."
There is a bit of a groan from the Hufflepuff at his words as James continues, "Severus and I will correct any mistakes, and there should be no worries, the floors have been charmed with cushioning spells." They all split up into groups until everyone is evenly matched with a partner.
James and Severus walk around observing wand movements, postures, pronunciation, and so forth. They make more than a few corrections, especially among the fourth years. However, for the most part, everyone is producing red sparks except for the Slytherins and the other older years. Not a single one of them failed to cast the stunning spell which came as a bit of a shock to James.
Seeing James's appraising glance, Severus shrugs and says, "I guess that you must not remember Professor Adric in our second year, but he was big on dueling. We all learned how to properly duel and cast quite a number of hexes and jinxes by the end of that year. He'd been a fairly good teacher if not for his haughty nature and views on the muggleborn's."
"I see," James cryptically said as he studied Severus again with one eye. Even if what his friend Severus said was true, he walked with deadly grace and air that wasn't natural. No this could only come from experience and not anything else. No doubt Reginald Prince had personally tutored Severus and Rowan during the summer holidays. It was fairly evident by the manner in which Severus reacted.
With those that were already confident with the spell, James split the group into two. He sent Severus to manage those still having difficulties, while he had them move on to the full body binding curse. Once again, the Slytherins were ridiculously good at it, which was a bit worrisome to be frank. If these Slytherins still joined the Dark Lord, then things would be infinitely more difficult for the Order of the Phoenix.
James is pulled away from his thoughts as the door swings open to reveal the tall, slender figure of Professor Prince. Professor Prince merely casts her eyes at the two groups and says, "Instead of wasting all of our time practicing what you already know, we shall begin practicing things that you don't. And if you are still having trouble with the spells that Potter assigned that is fine. There will be plenty of time to practice them still, but I'd rather you all learn something new. Line up!"
Every one hastens to obey as including James and Severus do the same. Professor Georgina Prince purses her lips and says, "Defense Against the Dark Arts is a tricky subject because in reality any spell be can be dark or as I term it, "deadly and fatal." The term, "the dark arts" originates and refers to the power and intentions of the created spells. It is a common mistake that many presume about the dark arts, but the dark arts are not limited to mere powerful and deadly spells. Some spells are so powerful that even in their simplest forms the spell is inherently dangerous to the caster from the very start even if the original intent of the spell is not to cause harm to others."
Whirling abruptly about, Georgine's robes make a soft rustling sound. She firmly points at neatly long-haired Ravenclaw with his hair in a ponytail with perfectly fitted robes. "Mr. Quirke, please give an example of a spell that requires intent and a commonly used spell that is originally created for attack and defense?"
The seventh-year Ravenclaw, Cadmus Quirke instantly says, "The first example is the Tickling Hex. Although a spell is mostly used for pranks if the spell is cast long enough the subject can potentially die from being unable to breathe and horrific muscle spasms."
"Correct and the other?" Georgine interjected.
"A commonly used spell that originates in the Dark Art's field is the full-body binding spell. The only reason for the purpose of such a spell is to enable the capture of said target. The spell is not necessarily dangerous to the caster or the target. As the original intent of the spell is to capture or freeze the intended target causing no real harm to them. However, it is a spell that can be used for defense or to attack," Quirke confidently replied.
"Five points to Ravenclaw," Georgine automatically said as more than a few thoughtful expressions can be seen on all their faces. "I want you to truly understand what Quirke said and make it your own. Defense does not consist of casting difficult spells but rather spells that you are already familiar with and that can use to your advantage. That being said, I do believe that it will do you all good to have a variety of spells to which to cast from."
"A useful spell to know to slow down your opponent's movements is the Impediment Jinx," Georgine explained, before turning towards her great-nephew and saying, "Impedimenta!" A turquoise light flies out of her wand and smacks straight into Severus.
Severus is frozen startled unable to move or even blink as Georgine fondly smirks at her great-nephew. Served the brat right for being all uppity during lessons. He needed to at least pretend to be learning like his sister did!
Seeing the varying expressions of unease and excitement, Georgine smoothly says, "Now return to your usual pairs, and we shall resume again." There is shuffling of the slow movement as Severus but all glared at his aunt until she removes the hex, before stomping away as far as possible from her within the room.
Georgine hums to herself as she points errors and flaws, before correcting wand postures, and hand movements. If nothing else, this little club of Potter ought to prove itself to be a good stress relief. That and she'd make sure to bring down her great-nephew's pride down a notch. It would do him so good to be a tad humbler. (Not that would do anything to correct her own arrogance.)