alt_savitha | NEWT students: discussion

From:

What could I have done better? I mistimed my spell against you. If I'd got it off half a second earlier, you'd have still been paying more attention to Smith and Bones. Or if I'd been able to cut it short and wait for the next time one of the others made a move, but it was too late for that by the time I realised I'd missed my opening.

I don't think there were any tells before I cast, though. Or did you know before you asked Bones that question?

What could those around you have done better? Bulstrode should have waited until next lesson, probably. She was too anxious, and by the time she tried it, she was so wound up, she might as well have waved a red flag to warn everyone she was about to do something major. She expected to fail, too. Not a great way to launch an attack. That's why, when you'd parried it, she hadn't thought what to do next, she was just sulking about how it hadn't worked, just like she expected it wouldn't. So, she could have had a better plan for timing her spell, and she needed to have confidence in it or not bother casting, and she needed to know what she was going to do immediately after, and how she'd protect herself from there on.

What mistakes did you see? Li's wand work was shaky--maybe she was nervous--and Midgen just flat out had the wrong flourish at the end of her cast. Smith wanted us to think he was only half-trying, having a laugh about it, but really if you think you're not going to land a hit, you won't. Better to have waited. Goyle's technique was fine. Not good enough to catch you out, but his mistake was not thinking through what would happen afterwards: I mean, it was daft to jump in so early. Maybe he was aiming for the element of surprise, but he paid a high price for that bit of boldness, didn't he? I mean, we had nearly an hour to take it out on him.

From:

alt_savitha

Excellent answers, Mr Weasley.

Regarding tells, it will be easier to explain in person; please drop by my office during my office hours and we'll go over it.

You may notice below I instructed your housemate Longbottom to seek you out for a bit of extra practice. If that will be a problem for either of you, please do let me know.

From:

alt_ron

Thank you, Professor. I'll come see you.

I'll see Neville's ready for next week. You can count on it.

From:

alt_justin

Professor,

My timing was a touch slow, as well. I've been working on non-verbal spells and it felt suddenly odd to cast aloud, besides the fact that--well, one doesn't like to interrupt. I know that sounds well daft.

Also, I allowed Zabini to land his shot when I was engaged with Crabbe and Finnigan. Obviously, I failed to block your counter-hex. Likely I could have waited until closer to the end of the lesson period for my first attempt, since the last ten minutes were more chaotic than I'd expected. Lastly, I ought to have made additional attempts after your defence held.

Our classmates who never made any attempt clearly need to trust that the lesson is worth potential failure. Or find their courage.

Other than Jones, whose misstep one need not revisit, Bulstrode and Bundy ought to have protected their wands; MacDougal should have chosen a spell she could cast without requiring multiple attempts; and Capper needs to work on his aim.

I'm sure there are other observations but those are the ones that jump straight to mind.

-Finch-Fletchley

From:

alt_savitha

One doesn't like to interrupt?

Gracious, Mr Finch-Fletchley, we'll need to work on your oversupply of courtesy.

And you are absolutely correct that you were not limited to a single attempt. Having made yourself fair game, you really had nothing to lose, and unlike some of your classmates, you'd managed to keep hold of your wand. Why didn't you?

From:

alt_justin

Professor,

I've been thinking about your question. In fact, during our lesson this morning I was able to reconstruct the progress of Wednesday's lesson. The only reason I can conclude is that, having countered my hex once, you were no longer the most immediate threat. There's a logic to continuing on the chance that one might succeed and thus no longer become a valid target for others, but the likelihood of that occurring before being disabled by someone else was remote--and, one might add, the onslaught of spells from other quarters was much more pressing, if you follow me.

Simply put: Had I remained fixed on targetting you, what, one or more of the other students would have done much more damage to me in the interim.

Rest assured I shall devise methods to protect myself in future, so that I may remain fixed on the primary goal.

-Finch-Fletchley

From:

alt_justin

Ron,

Remember that technique you were telling me about this summer? That shielding spell for times when partners aren't available. Deflecto-something, wasn't it? We ought to practise that, what.

I say, though, there's no reason not to brush up on our timing exercises for partner work in the field. Perhaps we ought to all approach the Salazar's Rules lessons as if it's a field battle, what, and each of us plan to partner one or more of the others to defend whilst the other strikes.

-Justin

From:

alt_millicent

You want us to post here, Miss?

Alright. I guess when Weasley took my wand I should have punched him. In his face. But I wasn't sure if that was what you meant by fair game.

Crabbe made himself a target too soon. So did Goyle.

From:

alt_savitha

Just as Hydra Lestrange may certainly use the advantage she gains with her legilimency, you may use whatever advantage you gain from your fists, should you in fact be so completely devoid of shame that as a Witch you consider punching someone in the face, like an animal, to be a reasonable course of action.

In this scenario, however, you would become a very special sort of fair game, should you fail at that point to regain your wand.

From:

alt_pansy

I was one of the people who held back. I was curious to see how it would play out, and wanted to see the choices everyone would make. But I realise that it could've come off as being too cautious or cowardly, which would not be an appropriate impression to make in an actual scenario where defence skills are needed.

I believe I did a good job at observing, and gathered useful information I can take advantage of in the future.

Next time, I will do better by participating actively.

People on the whole tended to be cautious when they tried to target you, and as a result, tended to over think things. Several students used this as an opportunity to get even with people they didn't like, which could make them careless due to being over-emotional, and opened them up to attacks from unexpected sources because they were concentrating on only one or two targets.

It was tricky to keep track of who was open for being a target as the class progressed, and things became distinctly more chaotic. I'd imagine that some people will really excel in that environment, and others will fold rather spectacularly depending on how skillful they are and how good they are at adjusting to new situations quickly.

From:

alt_savitha

In my classroom, we don't prepare merely for artistic duelling but for a battlefield. Battlefields are distinctly chaotic, and your allies and companions will be very appreciative if you can manage to keep track of whom you wish to target.

I was disappointed in you, Miss Parkinson. Do better next time.

From:

alt_pansy

I shall, Professor.

From:

alt_daphne

Like other of my Slytherin cohort, I focused on observing rather than throwing myself into the fray, while nonetheless fully aware of how that choice might reflect on me.

What the lesson as a whole showed me is that in most cases, people perform precisely how others expect them to--whether those expectations are based on House or personality or overall school standings. I feel that this is something all of us could improve on: versatility; adaptability; aptitude. Why, I find it remarkable that even the responses written here are entirely in keeping with the individual who wrote them!

I have composed a detailed list on each student in the class and how their actions during the lesson directly pertain to the character traits that they are known for. Because I do not wish for the other students to be aware of how I've perceived them, I shall send the list to you by scroll, Professor.

From:

alt_savitha

I have received your scroll, Miss Greengrass. Your observations were most intriguing and I am looking forward to seeing how they serve you in future class sessions.

From:

alt_neville

What I could have done better: The spell I chose had some advantages (like surprise) but some limitations, too: I had to wait until you were leaning against something wooden before I could cast it. I let several opportunities go by because I wasn't sure I could time it right. And the devil's snare didn't really erupt quickly enough from the desk to capture your wand hand, which was what I intended. I need to practise quick-acting spells.

What could those around you have done better: Dunstan needs to use more confident wand movement, which would give her greater power. MacDougal kept raising her wand as if she was going to do a spell, but then changing her mind. Since movement draws attention, that made it certain that she couldn't take you by surprise.

What mistakes did you see: Since you were in the center of the circle (and we all started out looking for opportunities to hex you), you tended to draw everyone's eye, even when others tried and then became fair game. When you moved closer to one side of the room, people tended to try to hex others on the other side of the room. But it might have made more sense to hex people closer to you, because their focus was more on you. It made me realise that the person moving is the most distracting.

From:

alt_savitha

You made an excellent choice of spell, Mr Longbottom -- genuinely creative, though the limitations you've observed make it problematic as an offensive spell.

Over the weekend, meet with Mr Weasley and work on ten quick-acting spells suitable for this sort of use. I'll be very disappointed if I don't see you try one in a future class.

From:

alt_neville

I will, ma'am. I have ideas for several and I'm sure Ron will have more to suggest.

From:

alt_seamus

I should have tried earlier in the lesson, because although things got more chaotic and distracting as more people tried, there's a clear strategic benefit to trying close to the end, and so you might have been taken more by surprise if I'd gone after you as soon as things started.

I should have expected that the moment I became 'fair game,' Weasley would come after me, and focused specifically on him.

The biggest mistake I saw was the opportunity wasted by all the people who chose not to even try.

From:

alt_savitha

That is an excellent thought, Mr Finnigan, if you truly believe yourself capable of defending yourself for the whole two hours.

From:

alt_sally_anne

Finnigan had an opening right after Ron took a shot at you. He went after Ron, instead of you, because he was focused on the opportunity to try to hex someone he disliked.

Actually, I saw a number of people make similar mistakes.

In terms of what I could have done better -- actually, I think watching was the correct decision for me. I should have taken better notes, though. I brought a dictation quill but of course it didn't record who cast what on whom.

From:

alt_savitha

You might try borrowing notes from Mr Moon. I don't think he missed anything.

I want the four of you girls in Sytherin to meet this weekend for a bit of duelling practice. It's shameful the only one of you with the nerve to try me was Miss Bullstrode, especially given how incompetent her effort was. Practice ten spells, all quick to cast. See if you can get them very fast -- non-verbal, too, so you don't tell the whole world what you're doing. Be prepared to demonstrate what you've learned.

From:

alt_pansy

I suppose we could come out of the gate firing next time around, show a bit of house pride. We shouldn't lay out all our cards, of course, but I wouldn't mind showing her we aren't entirely incompetent.

From:

alt_sally_anne

I think she's trying to provoke us into being stupid.

I'm not saying we shouldn't make some plans for next time, but letting her taunt us into doing it as soon as class starts won't end well for any of us.

From:

alt_sally_anne

Here's another thing we should maybe talk about before next time. Ron's trying to impress Desai, because she's the one who can get him into that Auror training programme (or keep him out).

I don't want to make myself a target and put Ron in the position of having to try to protect me OR having to ignore what's going on to impress Desai (because he'd beat himself up for it later). I think my best option is to keep it to the very end of class (or be the distraction to help set up someone else for success).

From:

alt_linus

You have already received my scroll, with attached charts charmed to each section, but please allow me to thank you again for a most informative and exhilarating session. Truly, these are exciting days, and we must all count ourselves fortunate to be able to learn from those who challenge us splendidly.

From:

alt_megan

"What could you have done better?"

~~Everything.~~
I did not play by the rules and that was wrong. Rules are important. Also it was stupid. And disrespectful.

"What could those around you have done better?"

People who lost their wands should have been paying more attention to defending themselves instead of trying to think of what to cast next because of course if someone takes your wand away you will have lots of time to think of what to cast next but you won't be able to DO it.

"What mistakes did you see?"

Going too early. Or not going at all.

Also some people when they cast at you, didn't do the next thing right away. Like they were waiting to see what you thought of what they did. Which is understandable in class but if it were a real battle they would be ~~dead~~ in trouble.

Also, being stupid but that was me and I said that already. And I will try not to be that kind of stupid again.

From:

alt_sally_anne

I heard some odd rumours from another class about what exactly it was that ~~Megan~~ Jones did. So for Order members who are wondering, she tried to hex Moon, who wasn't fair game. She actually muffed the hex and got HERSELF -- but of course Desai spotted it and wanted to know what she was about.

She told Desai that Moon had TRIED to hex her and hadn't gotten his spell off. Which -- I mean, as if an Auror wouldn't have noticed? So Desai was furious at her, and she made Jones get up and stand in the middle of the classroom while she told everyone what an idiot she was, and then she had ~~someone~~ ~~Ron~~ ~~a student~~ she had Ron hex her because she was impressed with how he'd done in class and this was supposed to be his 'reward' I think. She had him use that spell Luna cast on Mr Shacklebolt that time, that makes you wet yourself, only this one was a bit stronger and she had to go to the hospital wing because otherwise she'd just keep on -- yeah.

So. I think if Jones had owned up to hexing Linus, Desai would've punished her but it wouldn't have been so bad. If she'd told a lie that was less insulting, like if she'd said she was aiming for Ron and had muffed it, Desai might have let it slide.

Anyway I heard someone from fifth year who thought Jones got in trouble for going after Patil because how dare a little half-blood try to hex a Councilwitch, and that wasn't it at all. (Though Patil wasn't fair game either -- which was a shame, I'd have tried for her if she had been!)

From:

alt_sally_anne

I hope you don't mind that I told people she had you do it.

I also overheard a rumour from some firsties that Desai had you cast cruciatus on Megan. I told them that was ridiculous, you wouldn't be allowed even under the direction of a teacher because you're neither Head Boy nor a Councilwizard.

I THINK I'm right, that if she decides she wants someone cruciated she'll either do it herself or have Moon do it. (Which, ha, I wonder if he'll be able?) Or Daphne. Ugh.

From:

alt_ron

Ugh. Yeah, okay.

Worst that'll happen, Bill will try talking to me again about what it was like for him, learning the cardinals. And then he'll make Lamont write me, which is fine. I like her, but I don't see what good talking about it does, just to y'know, talk about it.

I reckon it makes them feel like they're doing something for us.

From:

alt_sally_anne

Maybe we should think of it as something we do for them. Making them feel better about the things we have to do.

I don't know, another year and we'll be out of school, how long until we're acting like proper grownups, do you think?

From:

alt_ron

What, and fussing over Evelyn and Artie, telling them what they should be doing and don't get into anything dangerous, whatever they do?

From:

alt_sally_anne

We'll be able to restrain ourselves with Ev and Artie, surely.

But you know some day I'm hoping we'll be able to recruit Gemma. It's going to be hard NOT fussing over her. (She'll be a firstie next year.)

From:

alt_ron

No way. Gemma at Hogwarts already?

From:

alt_sally_anne

Well not until next year, actually.

But yeah, next year. Arista would've started next year, too, except she's at Moddey.

From:

alt_ron

Yeah, Arista. Well, if she could come to school next year, she'd be way ahead, wouldn't she? I expect that for basic stuff, they're really getting a better start out there than we do here. Mind you, they don't have all the coverage we get, but I'd put Colin up against anybody in his year for core subjects, don't you think? I mean, maybe they don't cover things the way they turn up on the written OWLs, but the practical side's solid.

Arista's going to be sad, though, when next autumn comes and she's not starting here. She really wanted to come to Hogwarts.

I expect I should write her. Before she forgets who I am and decides it's really Malfoy who hung the moon.

From:

alt_sally_anne

That would certainly get your attention!

Anyway, yeah. Actually it probably varies by subject. I think Hogwarts is a bit better for Transfiguration (now that Brutka's teaching it and not Carrow) but it's pretty slight. We definitely do better with Creatures, just because Professor Grubbly-Plank can arrange for us to see and even handle some rather rare beasts that Moddey wouldn't have access to. If you want to learn Divination, there's no one at Moddey who can cover that, but why would you ever bother, Divination's rubbish. Arithmancy -- Professor Vector's better at Arithmancy than anyone at Moddey but I expect the Moddey teachers are better at explaining things. Runes -- Moddey wins, because it has people who've relied on Runes as their main form of magic for years at a time, all those people like Terry and my Mum who were denied wands. Charms, Moddey wins. Defence, Moddey probably wins. Dark Arts, well, they don't teach that there, officially anyway, so Hogwarts wins there. Potions, Moddey wins. I can't even imagine getting to learn Potions from Mr Snape all the time, it makes me too jealous. Professor Slughorn was fine, but in terms of teaching you how to do things by feel so you can make the really complicated potions without muffing them, if you lack the natural ability that Pansy and Draco have -- there's no way I'd have gotten the O on my Potions OWL without Mr Snape. Herbology -- I'd say Moddey, in part because no one's peering over their shoulder and they can talk about things like how to grow fluxweed.

Astronomy, it's Hogwarts because there's no one quite like Professor Sinistra at Moddey. History, it's Moddey because there's no one quite like Binns ANYWHERE ELSE for which we can all be thankful (and I'm sure the new professor is teaching nothing but official lies.)

Anyway one way or another if Colin could come take OWLs -- okay from what I've seen he'd get Os on Charms and Defence for sure, and O or E in Herbology, Transfiguration, and Potions. I expect he could even manage an E or A in Dark Arts.

Hermione, on the other hand, could've gotten an O in absolutely everything. If they'd let her take OWLs. She could probably get an O in every NEWT right now.

From:

alt_ron

Defence? You think so, really? I'm not saying they're not getting good training. Only, you think we're behind them? No way. I can totally take any of them.

And I dunno about Mr Snape. I mean, he's not very good with those of us who aren't already brilliant at Potions. I don't think I'd've gone on if he'd been the one to say who could go for the NEWT. I mean, he sort of has favourites and only really cares about them. And, well, he may be brilliant with just the three or four of you in his lab, but when we were having those OWL reviews, he was sort of tense with all of us at once. Imagine if he had two Houses worth of firsties to teach at a time. And then two Houses of second years... Yeah, I'm not seeing it.

Say what you will about old Sluggy, he was good at explaining things and calm about pretty much everything, even the surprises.

D'you remember the time the Boil Cure potion went up? And Patil got splattered? And Brockelhurst told her it looked like she had a map of Poland on her cheek! That was a great day in Potions!

From:

alt_sally_anne

Oh yeah you and Justin between you could probably put the lot of them on the ground, blindfolded and with your wand hand hexed.

But here's the thing neither of you has had just Defence classes in school, you've had those, AND CCF, AND you had your summer programme with the Aurors and Justin trained with Dolohov, AND you've had the chance to work with the Order adults.

In terms of comparing first years, a first year at Moddey is probably a little better than a first year at Hogwarts -- well, although I wonder if Mrs Longbottom is stricter about people hexing each other, honestly we learn more here by breaking the rules than we ever do in class. Hexing people in the corridors like we're not supposed to.

From:

alt_sally_anne

Oh, and I reckon you're right about Mr Snape! It's hard to know what he'd actually be like in a classroom. And he likes me -- I mean, I'm not HERMIONE, but I'm the sort of student he likes to teach.

I don't even want to think about how he'd react to something like that boil cure explosion. It wouldn't have been pretty.

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NEWT students: discussion

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