Call Home [Open to Adults & Students at Hogwarts]

[Deleted]

February, 2024

Harry was prepping the classroom for a special class today. All years of school were invited to tend a later class when their other courses for a later class this afternoon. He also invited the staff of Hogwarts to join too, or just observe. Harry had taken the position as dueling instructor just this term and his wife had taken a job at the school as well. Having himself, Ginny and Lily all there was a wonderful thing in Harry's eyes. Though, he was sure his teenage daughter was less than thrilled about it. Especially since she had that boyfriend.

But today's class wasn't about his family, of course. He had all the chairs stacked against the wall and the room was completely wide and free. He had a game of sorts planned, something to help with reaction time and creativity in a duel - especially in a group situation. 

Three minutes to go, and he took another sip of his Polyjuice potion before replacing the flask back in his pocket.

@open to students of all years and Hogwarts staff!
(reminder, Harry is in disguise as Jonathon Dent, once people join I'll refer to him as John in the posts to help.)

Tags and Crap In case you want in:

SPOILER: Click to show

@addilyn @adrian @ashley BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH brody christopher dubois bryelle rose goyle @cameron @claudia cordelia regan smith @crimson1 @delilah @dominic @edmund Elijah Theron Fleming @ellie @ezekiel gideon edward ollivander @lockhart @helena @hugo @iliana isabel alejandra moreno-hughes @jace JOHN ELLIOT CLARK @jacob Jameson Hera Blishwick @joseph @katie kaylee māhealani mahi'ai @kinsey lily luna potter   @lusie @lydia @madeleine @mazie @johanson maxima ruqayyah greyback Nathaniel David Forrester @nora @oona Other TJ @peytonbainbridge @piper @priscilla @riley   @river samira ali warsame @sari @sav simon sixten svendsen @steve tobias charles watkins @yvette yvonne rae de snaijer zenevieva mira novell @luke @cassiopeia @daisy @addam @chrissy @chasehunter @jazz @poppy @aisling @parker @miles penelope raisa bainbridge @mazie gideon edward ollivander parvati patil macmillan   shawn lesley ashcroft @archibald blaise leo zabini @rivcinq @lucas @jiyu Ginevra Molly Potter @laurel @clarence

[Deleted]

Zeke was thrilled that Professor Dent had decided to host a special lesson for Dueling class, which was already a subject that he enjoyed. As soon as the dragon attack and Azkaban breakout had happened and Magical Interpol (a force that Zeke hadn't known existed prior to that) had been brought in, he had decided to apply as one of their trainees at the last minute.

While he hadn't lost confidence in his ability to get into MACUSA's training program, working on an international level gave him more flexibility. He wasn't British, so he wasn't confident that their Ministry would actually accept him as an Auror, but going straight back to Atlanta or back to MACUSA after he'd met so many great people at Hogwarts didn't feel right, either.

In short, Zeke needed to hone his dueling ability as much as he could, and he was eager to see what Professor Dent had come up with. He arrived to the classroom to find that it had been cleared out, with more space in the center of the room than usual.

"Hey, Professor Dent," Zeke nodded to the older man as he entered, ready to see who would show up and what they would be doing.

HARRY JAMES POTTER

[parvati patil macmillan]

The closest that Parvati had come to a duel in recent months had been during her and Nova's attempt to subdue one of the dragons that had escaped into Hogsmeade. While it could have been even worse, Parvati knew that the outcome—in which she had found herself at St. Mungo's and barely able to breathe—hadn't boded well for her. In the event that she had to duel anyone again, she knew that she would have to do better than that.

It was strange to get used to the presence of Professor Dent. Although she was privy to the fact that the man was actually Harry disguised with Polyjuice Potion and knew how keen Harry had been to start an actual Dueling class at Hogwarts, she had kept her distance from "Dent" where it wouldn't have seemed natural for them to interact. It felt slightly callous, in a way, but Parvati had to remind herself that she was doing what she had to in order to keep from jeopardizing Harry's safety.

When the Dueling professor had put out an invitation for the students and staff to join him for a workshop of some sort, however, Parvati was happy to attend. She might not have been a teenager anymore, but she felt that she could still hold her own well enough while also having room to improve her technique.

Parvati arrived to the Dueling classroom just as some of the first students were making their way inside. She entered, too, but kept back against the wall for the moment by where the chairs had been placed, fixing her hair so that it would be up in a bun and away from her face.

HARRY JAMES POTTER

[parvati patil macmillan]

Nova was among the next to enter the classroom, giving Harry (or "John") a wave and then greeting her. "Good to see you, Parvati," she smiled at her. "How are you? Any idea what John has cooked up for this? Because any dueling instruction I can get is grossly needed."

Parvati, who had just about finished putting her hair into its updo so that it wouldn't be in her way while dueling, nodded at the Alchemy professor. "I'm fine, thanks," she answered the younger woman's question, turning her head in Nova's direction once her hair was in place. "And I haven't a clue," she laughed. Knowing Harry, she could take a few guesses at what he had planned, although she hoped that it wouldn't be too far off from the type of instruction he had given them all in their Dumbledore's Army meetings back in the day. That, she could certainly do.

"I could use a refresher course, too," Parvati admitted. Any extra practice that she could get in really wouldn't hurt, and it wasn't as though she could really go and train with her fellow Ouroboros members very easily. "And I'd love to see what the students have been learning, of course," she added. Some of the older ones were probably fairly skilled at it.

HARRY JAMES POTTER
@rivcinq

[Deleted]

if there was one thing going on in the school that could really peak luke's interest, it was duelling. since he'd been old enough to sign up he'd been involved in the duelling club and now in his seventh year he was the co-captain, second to his cousin, of the club and it was one of the few things he took really seriously. he needed to keep working on his skills, honing the talents that he had and finding out the area's that he was bad in so he'd have something to focus on when he had time to train and practice. plus there were always the chance to pick stuff up they could use in the club too, that was always a bonus.

he wasn't the first to enter the room where the meeting was being held but he wasn't the last either. he wondered what sort of things they'd be doing, or whether it was just going to be a demonstration rather than a hands on kind of thing. either one was okay with him though he hoped he'd get the chance to test what he'd been learning over the last few years in a different setting than normal. he leaned up against a stack of chair, crossing his arms over his chest, almost lounging against them a little as he watched the door to see if anyone else from the duelling club, his family or his friends were going to walk in.

[Deleted]

Adrian, admittedly, was not the best duelist. If there was a broom nearby? Sure, he could... Escape. In all honesty he preferred his fists to fight, but he also knew that the world was a dangerous place and he couldn't rely on himself as much. Plus, not that she couldn't rip someone's eyes out, but he had a girlfriend now and he figured he'd better try to be a valuable part of that team. Lily was loveable, but he had no doubt in his mind that people would be interested in Harry Potters daughter. Good and bad people. It was, of course, the bad people Adrian wanted to be ready to deal with.

He stepped into the classroom where everything was pushed aside. Usually they'd rather get a lecture in there or go to the obstacle course beneath them, but they must have been studying up here today. He gave a quick not to Parvati, his head of house, then moved to stand near Lucas. "Are you not like the accomplice or anything," he suggested.

@luke

[tobias charles watkins]

As an awkward nerd, it probably came off as a surprise that Tobias Watkins had an interest for dueling. Not only was it useful for real life, Toby truly had the thirst for knowledge, and the desire to do better. There was probably a bit more pressure knowing these kind of things these days since he was dating a Princess Lusie Windsor, admittedly. Today, he decided to come to the meeting with an open mind and try not to freak out too much about the actual getting up in front of class and demonstrating part. 

Toby slipped into the classroom quietly, keeping his head down and eyes on the ground. The Ravenclaw was never good at small talk or pointless socializing, so he lingered toward the back of the classroom, attempting to appear calm and nonchalant while he waited for things to start. He saw Adrian and Lucas, offering a nod and a dorky wave he regretted. Toby was horrible at approaching people, especially when they were already standing in groups of people, so he'd stand off to the side and see who else entered the room...and maybe count the tiles on floor in the meantime. Professor Dent start soon anyways.

 

[maxima ruqayyah greyback]

Although she wasn't enrolled in Dueling class, the sound of a special lesson or workshop—or whatever the session was officially being called—had piqued Max's interest. She wasn't someone who enjoyed fighting, but she still thought that it wouldn't be bad knowledge to have, just in case she did have to use it for any reason. It wasn't as though enough hadn't happened at and around Hogwarts already to warrant their being taught a thing or two about how to defend themselves in combat.

She came to the Dueling classroom as early as she could, but she was relieved to find that there were already a number of others in the room: Professor Dent plus a handful of students and teachers, including Adrian. Moving over to stand by him and Lucas Weasley, she offered the two boys a small smile. "Hey," she nodded to the two of them. Whatever they were going to be doing, at least she had her half-brother there to make it more enjoyable.

@adrian
@luke

[Deleted]

As people showed up, Dent greeted them as he could. Zeke, one of the American students. Greeted him first and Den offered a large smile and a small hello of his own. It was very... interesting making eye contact with Adrian Greyback, his daughters boyfriend who didn't even know who he was. Seeing Parvati anywhere in school was always a breath of fresh air.

Once the room was mostly fill at the clock ticked five, it was time to start. He cleared his throat to let the class know that he was ready to start, ”good evening all,” he greeted. Once they were all quiet enough he continued, ”today we won't be using the obstacle course below us, but we'll stay in this room for a bit of a game.” He flicked his wand, and a red dodgeball like sphere, with smoke of the same color surrounding it, spun in the air toward him from it's disclosed location aside. He let it float in the center of the room, standing near it as he spoke to those present. ”This ball has been assigned different attack maneuvers. Knock out gas may spray out of it, and electric shock, a water blast like a fire hose, and more. The key is to expect anything, just like in a duel.”

”If you'll all get in a large circle. We'll start in a circle for now, but as we got through facing obstacles the circle may break up. That's alright. The object is when the ball comes your way you must counter what it throws at you or stop it before it does anything. Don't worry about destroying it, I have plenty,” he grinned. ”I''ll be going around the room giving technique. Before we start, take a moment to prepare yourself... any questions are welcome before I begin.”

(okay, ya'll! I'll post Harry again August 4th from today with him sending the ball out, so any questions, ask now!

The way the game will work is this: I'll send the ball to someone by tagging them first, then they have to react. In your post, write who the ball goes to next and make sure to tag. Writers, you can choose what attack the ball throws at you. Any OOC questions, holla!)

(anyone else can still join)

maxima ruqayyah greyback @ezekiel parvati patil macmillan @luke tobias charles watkins @adrian @rivcinq

[Deleted]

Zeke watched and waited as more people began to enter the room. His fellow students as well as some of their teachers had also come to see what Professor Dent would be doing in the session, and Zeke made eye contact with the Dueling professor again as he explained to them what would be happening.

They wouldn't be using the obstacle course, which was a slight let-down, but they would be remaining in the classroom for a game, Dent told them. Games were fun. Zeke bobbed his head as he listened. Professor Dent summoned something that looked like either a Quaffle or a dodgeball into the center of the classroom. Were they going to be playing some sort of magical take on dodgeball, Zeke wondered? He hadn't tried that before.

"This ball has been assigned different attack maneuvers," Professor Dent said of the ball, which hovered in mid-air. "Knock out gas may spray out of it, an electric shock, a water blast like a fire hose, and more. The key is to expect anything, just like in a duel."

Zeke's eyes widened, impressed. It was a little bit intimidating, he thought, considering that he really didn't want to get an electric shock, but he would have to be up for anything if he was planning on joining Magical Interpol.

As Professor Dent told them to move into a circle for the time being, Zeke did as requested, still watching the red ball. They would have to counter the ball before it could harm them. Alright, he thought. How bad could that be?

Rubbing his hands together, Zeke waited as the professor opened the floor to any questions. He didn't think that he had any, so he waited to find out what others had to ask.

HARRY JAMES POTTER

[parvati patil macmillan]

Parvati watched as more students entered the classroom. Although some, such as Maxima Greyback, hadn't had a problem finding someone to talk to, others seemed to be struggling a little bit more. One of the latter was Toby Watkins, who, Parvati saw, appeared hesitant to join in despite having taken the initiative to come to the classroom for the session.

Not wanting to embarrass him by making a show of the fact that the young man was alone, Parvati stepped over to where he stood as Harry began to instruct them, telling them to get into a circle. "Alright there, Toby?" she asked the Ravenclaw with a gentle smile, listening as Harry explained the set-up and objective of what they were to do.

It was certainly a different take on dueling than anything that she had seen before, even from Harry, but it sounded like an interesting exercise so far.

tobias charles watkins
HARRY JAMES POTTER

[tobias charles watkins]

It wasn't long until Professor Dent grabbed the classrooms attention and ordered the students to meet in a large circle at the center of the classroom. Toby stood for a moment, hesitating as he watched as the kids start to form a circle as instructed. The Ravenclaw hadn't noticed that he was being antisocial until Madam Macmillan had asked him if he was alright. "Erm-" he laughed awkwardly, not realizing that she was watching him and mentally face palming at the idea. Well, it was her job as a counselor to assess the students.. Why did that make him feel so self conscious all of a sudden? Merlin, this reminded him of his primary school when Muggle teachers would try to force him to play with kids on the playground. Toby had always been more of an observer when it came to playground shenanigans.

Swallowing, he turned on his heel to face the nice woman, offering a soft smile. "Yes. Thank you, Madam Macmillan." he offered her a polite nod before shifting on his feet, as well as some awkward hand movements, "I will, uh, go to the circle now." he said quickly to dismiss himself,  feigning nonchalance as he walked over to the group of teens. Toby listened to the instructions with interest. He didn't have any questions yet.

parvati patil macmillan

[penelope raisa bainbridge]

Penelope didn't really consider herself a duelist; she was involved with the class or the club on the subject, but Professor Dent had opened up the lesson to anyone who wanted to attend it. That was a good enough reason to go, Penelope thought, although she had hurried through the rest of one of her assignments before making it to the Dueling classroom, where the professor had already begun to explain the object of the activity.

She entered the room quickly and quietly, attempting not to draw attention to her tardiness. Seeing that there were already a number of students from her year and the one above her in attendance, including Toby Watkins. Penelope mouthed "hi" at the Ravenclaw as she incorporated herself into the circle that they were forming. Hopefully, she hadn't missed too much of the instructions, but she listened carefully to the rest of what Professor Dent had to say.

tobias charles watkins
Whoever else; I'm too lazy to tag, especially with my own characters.

[Deleted]

Aria rushed in, panting. She didn't know if she was late or not. "I'm sorry if I'm late, Professor Dent."

The girl swallowed thickly and took her seat and bit her lip. She was sure she missed something important and she didn't like missing important details. That's what happened when one overslept for some strange reason.

Aria set her bag down and looked around at the students already there. She saw Maxima and grinned to her. One familiar face. And there was Ezekiel, an Ilvermorny transfer like her. Aria relaxed a little bit. She focused on the professor and waited to see if she would be punished.

Aria quickly tied her hair back in a ponytail and saw two other professors in the classroom. This was going to be VERY interesting.

HARRY JAMES POTTER
@anyone else who was mentioned if they want to respond to her

[maxima ruqayyah greyback]

A few more students came into the classroom after her, so at least she hadn't been the last one there, either. Penelope Bainbridge and Aria, one of the Ilvermorny transfer students, were among them, and Max smiled back at Aria when she saw the other girl grin. She motioned the American girl over to join the rest of them as they moved into the large circle that Professor Dent had asked them to form in the relatively empty classroom.

Max looked to Professor Dent and then around at the room. No one had posed any questions to him yet, so she figured that she would. "Professor Dent?" she began, waiting a moment to make sure that she wouldn't be talking over anyone accidentally. "You said that we've got to counter whatever the ball—" Max eyed it as it spun before her "—throws at us… Besides, erm… a shock or water, what happens if we haven't stopped it in time?" She didn't want to question the man too much; he was obviously more experienced than she. The more that she thought about it, though, the more grateful she was for her ability to heal people.

@jazz
HARRY JAMES POTTER