Defence Against the Dark Arts: Lesson Three (All Years)

"But whyyyyyy do you have to go?"

Usually before DADA classes, Mimosa could be found either in her own common room or meeting up with Mercy. Today however, the brunette witch was in the dormitory of one Lyra Fletcher, helping the young Hufflepuff pack. Well, "helping" as only Mimosa could, by asking questions and watching Lyra stuff random things into bags.

"I told you Mary-Kate, its the law. All American citizens have to go back now. We were the lucky ones because we got permission for me to at least stay and finish out the term."

"But I'm an American, and so is Dia. We don't have to leave Hogwarts."

For a moment, Lyra's eyes glittered strangely, as if she was mad. But then the expression turned to one of sadness. 'I guess all Americans aren't created equal," she breathed out and it looked like she was about to cry. Hopping off her bed, Mimosa went to hug her modelling twin.

"You know, it's funny," Lyra begin, sniffing slightly into the hug. "At first I didn't want to come here, I missed Cali so much. Now I don't want to leave."

"Oh please don't be sad Ashley, I'll come visit you all the time. And so will Dia. And all our other friends too. And now with your awesome Quidditch record, you can easily play in the minor leagues."

It took nearly twenty minutes to console the Hufflepuff seeker but finally Lyra was sitting down on her bed, drying her eyes and drinking some water. Mimosa didn't even ask her if she wanted to go to class, her friend was clearly in no mood. So telling Lyra to rest up, Mimosa herself left the cellar like common room with a morose air about her person.

Only to find her mood resonating across the DADA classroom in the face of their teacher. the usual, cheery Jake appeared to have been replaced by a thoughtful, absentminded one who hardly even noticed her enter. Usually Mimosa would have skipped on over to him but today she only walked normally, reaching his desk and giving a small wave.

"Hey," she called out, looking around to classroom to see any signs of what they would be doing today. Nothing came to mind. "Are you okay? Why is everyone sad today?"

The energy of the castle had been subdued lately, and Mercy hadn't failed to notice. It seemed everyone she knew was affected somehow by the departure of the American students. Mercy thanked her lucky stars that Mimosa wasn't one of the ones leaving, though of course she was sad to see Lyra go along with so many others.

Mercy knew next to nothing about American politics, nor did she care to, but for what it was worth, she thought the current government must be exceptionally stupid. She knew her parents liked to make fun of the last American president, and that they'd been hopeful for change during the most recent election, but it seemed this one wasn't much better. For all their talk of democracy, her dad had commented over the break, Their government sure doesn't like resistance.

Mercy knew Mimosa wanted to spend more time with Lyra before she left, so she decided to meet her in the classroom to give her some space. The generally melancholy mood of the school was taking its toll on Mercy's own attitude, making her feel sluggish and unmotivated. As she entered the DADA classroom, it was clear this class would be no different. Jake looked just as depressed as the rest of them.

Right, he's American too, she suddenly remembered. She hoped against hope that that didn't mean he was leaving. Apart from Mimosa leaving, that would be the worst possible news. She glanced at the professor with concern as she wordlessly took up her place beside Mimosa, slipping a hand in hers.

Biting his lip as he walked to class his normal energy levels absent, the boy didn't know what to do. Sometimes he felt like his energy would explode to make up for the lack of it in others, while there were times such at this that it seemed like everyone else had sapped him. It was driving Jurian crazy. Tugging at the cuff of one sleeve, the Ravenclaw student couldn't help but wonder what would happen if someone decided to stay and not return to America. Or what if they decided to go to a different country or couldn't they just give up their citizenship and get a new one? "Argh!" He let out a frustrated breath and after breathing a few times decided that he'd pick at it again after class.

Stepping into the classroom, he silently made his way to a desk and set his bag atop it. Crossing his arms he dropped his head atop them, and stared first at his professor then at the other students with a thoughtful frown. If there was one thing that Jurian knew was that you couldn't admit defeat right away. But to him, it had seemed that aside from confusion there was a bit of defeatist attitude and mood. It was a bit stifling and itched at him since that was the complete opposite of how he was. While he wasn't sure that his professor would care for him trying to alleviate the mood since he wasn't sure if the man would address the not so invisible elephant in the room. Sighing, he wrapped his legs around the stool he sat on and decided to see what would happen. It seemed that the professors reacted two ways; either they carried on as if nothing untoward was happening and the other was that they would just dismiss the class or have a free period. Or his last class had.

Shoulders relaxing now that the professor was getting back into a normal rhythm, he felt as if he could breathe easier. It just wasn't natural or in his wheelhouse to be depressed and sad. When those around him were, his inclination was try and lighten the mood which generally led to hijinks and/or him getting into trouble. At the mention of getting into dueling spells, he sat up straight, eyes never wavering from the man as Jurian practically vibrated with eagerness.

The boy was happy to know this one. He hadn't ever used it before but it sounded interesting. It would be fun if you were playing around and trying to do the slow motion stuff they had on television or in movies. Jurian's hand shot up as he answered, "It slows you down! Like you're trying to move around in jelly or molasses!" Personally, Jurian thought jelly was gross and didn't like the wiggly dessert treat.

Jake's reassurance came at about the same time as Mercy's warm touch, lifting the young Sanhedrin's spirits quite a lot. When they had made sure their teacher was alright, the two girls turned to the desks, taking their seats behind Karan and Gaspard who had also opted to sit together.

"Today, we're going to go back to duelling spells, more specifically, the Impediment Jinx -- sometimes referred to as the Impediment Hex. Does anyone know what this spell does, or the incantation for the spell we will be working on today?"

Despot the sluggish mood, hands tentatively rose in the air. Loni answered first because she was super smart. then a kid Mimosa wasn't sure about answered and finally, her gray eyes fell on Lilac Capulet who looked to be in the process of raising her hand. Beating the younger Slytheirn to the punch, Mimosa raised her own despite knowing very little about the spell in question.

When Jake mentioned for her to speak, the child had to think. All she really knew about the jinx was that people other than her were rubbish at performing it. Wasn't it something Squid Boy had tried to use in a duel against her and failed?

"Umm, it doesn't work all the time and can bounce off surfaces. It needs to collide with skin or soft tissue to have the proper effect."

Yes, that was good, that sounded right. 'And I can do it the bestest in this class,' she added for good measure. She could do it the bestest in the whole school but Mimosa was too modest to say that out loud.