After Professor Quirrell's unfortunate turn of events on Halloween night, Madam Pomfrey told him to relax for the day, just till his nerves calmed down or when he stopped fainting, which left the Defense class to Hogwart's official substitute teacher.

Professor Black, who came to class today wearing his usual classy wizard attire and a long black dragon leather glove on his left arm, pushing along a very large glass cloche which inside, reminded Harry of a swamp setting like the ones he saw at the zoo used for reptiles and such.

But it was not reptiles that were inside; but small grey bald creatures with yellow eyes.

"I'm terribly sorry if I've arrived late class, but trying to read Professor Quirrell's notes was like reading hippogriff scratch although what I was able to interpret was the beginning subject of Imps and preparation for the Knockback jinx." Professor Black said with a small smile as the students looked intriguingly at the small creatures the professor brought with him.

This was the first time the students were able to see living, breathing, magical creatures, being the fact that Professor Quirrell was nothing more then in pure horror when ever anything with a heart beat came to close to him.

"Now then, can any one tell me what a Imp is?" Professor Black asked to which Hermione shot her hand up.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" Professor Black said mildly amused by her actions.

"Imps are creature that live in swampy locations in Britain or Ireland and are defeated by using the Knockback jinx," Hermione said proudly.

"Well said, ten points to Gryffindor, but Miss Granger, there is one very important thought as to why the Knockback jinx is so effective. Can anyone tell me why? Miss Parkinson?"

"The Knockback jinx is effective to Imps is because of there own amusement in pushing and tripping anyone they can get to." Pansy said who seemed happy to know more then Hermione.

"Excellent Miss Parkinson, ten points to Slytherin. Now as what was said, Imps are notable for there sense of slapstick humor and live on a diet consisted mainly of insects. Because of there height, they are often confused with Pixies but hold two main differences. Unlike Pixies, Imps are hatched fully formed and have no wings. The Knockback jinx, is a spell commonly use on not just Imps, but a multiple of creatures such as Gnomes, Pixies, and Trolls. When the spell is activated a loud bang will be emitted when cast." Professor Black said as the class quickly wrote down the information that was written on the board.

"Now we get to the fun part. Once everyone has finished copying down the notes I want everyone to come to the front of the class and practice the Knockback jinx," He said which many students quickly got up to practice.

"Alright then I want you to practice to spell, without your wands, Flipendo."

"Flipendo," several of the students repeated as most of the class finished up writing.

"Perfect, one at a time, I'm going to release a Imp and it will be your job to preform the spell. Mister Malfoy you'll start first then then Mister Thomas remember use the spell only on the Imp in front on you."

"Flipendo," Draco said as he hit the Imp with a spell knocking it backwards as the other Imps watching began to laugh.

"Flipendo," Dean said as the Imp fell over and the others Imps laughed at in amusement.

"Flipendo."

"Flipendo."

"Flipendo."

"Flipendo."

By the end of class the Imps, along with the students where laughing in mass hysteria at the amusement.

"I want a 8 inch essay on the understanding of Imps, use 'Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them' and 'The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection' as reference points. I expect it to be done in three days time and on my desk at the beginning of class. Your dismissed"

———
"That was the most practical defense class we've had!" Shamus said practicing his wand movement in the common room, "I didn't blow anything up!"

"But we have homework."Ron moaned out in agony.

"Well I like the homework, he even told us helpful reference material," Hermione squealed in happiness already working on the essay.

"I hope we can have him teach defense again," Dean said, "Not that Professor Quirrell is bad teacher, it's just nice to have one that doesn't faint."

"Does anyone else think it's strange that he isn't the Defense teacher?" Neville question which got the others attentions.

This was a great question.

Why wasn't Professor Black, a person who is great in teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, but instead is teaching a class that is replaced every year so far with a new teacher, is teaching a class that already has a teacher and that other teacher was Professor Snape, a man who apparently hated Harry at every look.

"Well isn't that a fine question." Fred said as George and him made a beeline to the first years to promptly bother there dear little brother and not to mention at rumor and mischief to the cauldron of small talk, conveniently next to the cauldron of butting in.

"We couldn't help but hear," George said as he started ruffling Ron's hair which seemed to start sprouting feathers by the touch, although it would be better to not mention it at the moment.

"So fire away." They said in unison.

"Fred, George why isn't Professor Black or Professor Snape teaching the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class," Harry questioned.

"Excellent question."

"Lovely question truly."

"Professor Black refused the position because he said it was a curse job."

"So far, not a single person as been able to keep the job since the sixty's"

"Even mum and dad can't remember having a teacher there for long."

"True shame though."

"Professor Black knows many fantastic spells."

"Teaches us some if were persistent."

"While Professor Snape on the other hand wanted the job."

"Everyone knows that though."

"But Dumbledore won't let him."

"Although he doesn't say it out loud."

"But it's obvious." The twins said finishing there conversation.

Extra
•Regulus Black, going above and beyond using creatures for teaching.

•I checked, the Defense class has been cursed since 1960.

•Regulus teaches spells to any student he likes (the twins found that out by there second year)