I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up to No Good: Lessons

[alt_terry]

You all know that Hermione and I studied as best we could in our secret classroom. I sat on the floor in the Transfiguration classroom for years, so I couldn't help but pick up things in that subject, too. And there were some teachers at Hogwarts that found ways to teach us without admitting they were teaching us things. Like Madam Pomfrey demonstrating brewing simple potions, or Professor Sprout and Professor Brutka giving us chores which were really instruction.

But this is the first time I've stood with my own wand in my hand in front of a real wizard teacher, and been expected to show what I can do with it. It's been sort of nerve wracking. Letting anyone see me using my own wand, even though I know everyone here thinks I have a perfect right to use it.

It's better doing Transfiguration (I've heard so many lectures, after all) or Potions or Herbology (since the wand isn't used much for those subjects anyway). Charms is a bit more difficult, but that was one that Hermione and me have worked on a lot together. But the most nerve-wracking is Defence. I've been learning stuff about defending yourself against a dark creature, lectures on what to do if you're facing a kappa or a hinky-punk, or a boggart. But then the teacher was talking about defensive spells if you're facing another wizard and...I just I thought I was gonna well, that didn't go so well.

The teacher and I talked about it. And I pointed out, that the thing is...if I'm ever facing another wizard, and they're trying to hurt me or capture me, and I raise a wand against him, then I have to win. Or escape.

Because if I don't, and I'm captured, then I know I'll be killed once they figure out I'm a muggleborn.

It really raises the stakes, needless to say. And knowing that put all sorts of mental blocks in my way, but I'll have to figure out my way through them.

Now that I have my own wand, I'll never go back to the way I was.

Comments

[alt_sally_anne]

It's a good idea that your Defence professor teacher had you start out with dark creatures, then, isn't it? There's less at stake. At least with something like a kappa. (Dementors would be a different story.)

[alt_terry]

Yeah. He's a really good teacher, and he knows what he's doing.

[alt_neville]

Do you think you'll ever be in the position of having to defend yourself against another wizard, for real? I mean, where you are, you said you were safe, right?

[alt_terry]

Yes, I'm safe. It's all--what's that word? Theretical at this time. (Thearetical?)

But who knows what I'll face in the future. I mean, when I grow up?

[alt_neville]

Blimey, Terry. I hope not.

I mean, you don't mean you be something like a soldier or anything, do you?

[alt_terry]

I don't know.

You know there's stuff I can't talk about.

I just know that things have to change. For people like me.

No one should have to go through the kind of shite I had to go through with Carrow.

[alt_neville]

Agreed.

But how can it be changed?

[alt_terry]

We'll just have to figure that out, won't we?