(Occlumency) T:III L:I

[Professor Alex Goth]

Alex walked into the classroom that had new furniture and empty desks. So he decided that the first thing he should do was put some of his belongings on his wood finished desk. He only put one or two things up before taking it all down because he couldn't distract the student. He hoped that this would be a good year, but nothing is ever for sure in this school.

[Jac Shaw]

An excited bundle lodged in Jac's chest, as it always had for Occlumency class, but this was edged with possibility and promise that she could not explain. It was going to be a good day. She stood outside the class, gave her body a quick wake up shake and then opened the door.

The first thing she noticed when she walked in was that the class was not dark. It was generally eerily shadowed to provide a mood. What mood that was she couldn’t say, she never had understood Prof Emery. And the next thing she noticed was that that professor was not the one she had just thought of. A new professor! Jac thought, finally understanding that edge to her excitement.

She smiled warmly at the new professor and strode directly to him. "Jac Biggerstall," she said cheerfully, extending a hand, "pleasure." She couldn't believe Emery had left, what luck! She couldn't hid her happiness, he had always been stern and she appreciated that but he didn't seem to want to be in the class so she was happy he had moved on.

[Professor Alex Goth]

"Alex Goth, and as you can tell I'm the new teacher here." he said shaking her hand. Soon after more and more students came in, and after what seemed to be 75% full he started.

"Can anyone tell me what Occlumency is like?" he asked pacing back and fourth looking at certain students. Some students were eager, like Jac. Some students in the back weren't paying attention, and he saw one student sleeping.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac was puzzled by the question. She knew what Occlumency was but her time with the previous teacher had proved ineffective when it came to experiencing it. But that in itself was confusing because Occlumency is the art of magically defending your mind against intrusion so experiencing it, if that indeed was what the professor was asking, would be impossible for them to know.

She looked at the professor, keeping eye contact for good measure, and raised her hand. "Professor," she said slowly, thoughtfully, "I imagine that actually performing Occlumency would be like defending yourself in hand to hand combat. After all, Occlumency is the art of magically defending your mind." She extracted her hand from the air and maintained eye contact.

[Professor Alex Goth]

The girl that he had met earlier raised her hand and spoke. She was nervous probably because he was a new teacher. "Wow, I've never heard an answer quite like that," He said taking a second to pause."but that is one of the best answers I have heard. 5 points for Gryffindor!" he said, it was actually true. "See in hand to hand combat you need to defend yourself, and where do you go? Several places, like a dojo or several places where you learn to defend yourself." he said answering his own question. "In the magic world you need to defend yourself, and where do you go? Well if you are defending your mind, you see an Occlumens or a man who teaches Occlumency." he said yet again answering his own question.


"Now, since the introduction is over, I will introduce myself. My name is Alex Goth and I'm 21 years of age. I am a trained Occlumens and Legilimens. If you don't know what a Legilimens is, it is the process of extracting emotions and memories from a persons mind." he said finally stopping his pacing. "Any questions?" he asked.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac looked very proud of herself. This teacher had paid her the highest compliment of any other. The best answer he's ever hear she ran through her head, how extraordinary! She sat a little straighter in her chair, turned her hair a little browner, turning it a light auburn colour.

Frowning, as the professor introduced himself and giving his age. She thought it strange that he would do that but even stranger was the figure itself. 21! she thought. Raising her hand again, she asked, "sir, how did you master the arts of Legilimency and Occlumency in such a short time? You're just so young. Father always said it was a very difficult thing to learn and an even harder thing to master." She was highly curious.

[Professor Alex Goth]

"Well I never went to Hogwarts, instead I was taught Occlumency from my mother. I started learnig both when I was 10 and it took until I was 18. To me that is a long, long time." He said. "But your father is right, it is tough." he added. "Also my mother did, at one time, teach here. That is probably why I am here today." he said smiling.

[rileybabe]

Andie rushed into class slightly out of breath. Her face was flushed, curly red hair was coming out of it's ponytail, and emerald green eyes were sparkling as usal. "Hello Professor. Sorry I'm late! I'm Andrea Riley." She introduced herself as she extended her hand with a smile

[Professor Alex Goth]

"I'm Professor Goth, and take an empty seat." he said. "When preforming Occlumency one has to rid him or herself's mind of emotion or thought." he said starting to pace again. "None of you right now could defend yourself from a master Legilimens, and after this class most to all of you still will not. This will be tough, but let me tell you that when you can, it'll be one of the best feelings." he said remembering when he was able to defend his thoughts from his mother.

[pun]

Adéline chewed on the end of her quill thoughtfully as she listened to the lecture. Occlumency seemed very...

Well, hard.

Letting out a soft sigh, she crossed her legs on her seat and blew some hair out of her face. She wasn't very fond of difficult things, but guarding someone's mind had to be one of the most useful tricks one could learn.

Best feelings huh, She thought to herself, pausing the movement of her quill. Then, she slowly raised her hand.

"Professor," she said a bit nervously, not forgetting their previous encounter at Hogsmeade. "Is there any exception to Occlumens? I mean," she paused, looking for the words. "Is there any possible way to read someone's thoughts even if they are performing perfect Occlumency at the time?"

[Professor Alex Goth]

Alex paused for a second, he didn't know really how to answer it. "Well," he said still thinking. "I guess if the Legilimens was more powerful that the Occlumens he could read his thoughts. I don't know for certain, but that is a very good question." he said glad that more students were beginning to speak up.

[bellatrixblack]

Bellatrix had been sitting in the front row, gazing at the professor, chin in her hands. Occlumency did sound extremely interesting.

"Would you say its true that Lord Voldemort was the most advanced legilimens the world has ever seen?" she asked.

[Professor Alex Goth]

"Well, that's a matter of opinion, and no I don't think he was." he said wondering why that this Slytherin would be interested in Voldemort. Even if he was, there were better Occlumens than his Legilimency." he added.

[bellatrixblack]

"Really, like who?" Bella asked, intrigued.

[Professor Alex Goth]

"I don't know most by name, but most of them blend in with the Muggles." he said remembering T.J. Grey. "I can only remember one," he said pausing. "his name was T.J. Grey. He was an old friend of mine, but now I don't know where he is." he finished talking and took a second for a student to comment.