Entry tags:

! journal, henrietta gray

October 18, 2013
Okay ladies and gents, let's talk personal safety. The sparkles are to get your attention, not because this isn't serious. What the prefects and teachers are saying about buddy systems and staying indoors after dark is all well and good, but the truth is, no matter how many preventative measures you take, it's impossible to avoid danger entirely. However! You can prepare for it, and that goes a hell of a long way.

• Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, that's because it probably isn't. Your brain is very good at picking up on subliminal signals, and that gut feeling you get about certain people or situations? That's your subconscious trying to tell you something. Listen to it.
  
  
• Always be aware of your surroundings. I don't just mean keeping an eye out for masked assassins lurking in bushes, but consider your exit routes. Be aware of dead ends, and areas with low or no lighting. Think about what you could duck behind if someone fired a curse at you. And on that note...
  
  
• Don't wait to be attacked. If you feel threatened, attack first and ask questions later. Be on the defensive. If you're mistaken about someone's intentions, you can always apologize. But in case they do want to hurt you, make sure you get in the first shot. It could make all the difference. No need for fancy hexes -- your basics will cover you. Think Stupefy, Flipendo, or Expelliarmus. Even Protego can knock someone off their feet if you cast it with enough force.
  
  
• Practice, practice, practice. You want the above spells to be as natural as breathing. You need to react without thinking. If you do something enough times, it becomes a muscle memory. This is also true of spellcasting.
  
  
• Keep your wand somewhere accessible. It's your greatest asset. Make sure you can put your hand on it within seconds. But...
  
  
• No-maj self-defense moves are also helpful. I think we all know how effective kicking a guy in the nuts is, but don't forget other weak points: eyes, nose, ears, throat, knees. Don't be afraid to do as much damage as possible. Your aim is to incapacitate your attacker so you can get the hell out of there.
  
  
• RUN. This sounds like an obvious point, but it needs saying. Don't stick around to try and fight an attacker if you don't need to. Your ultimate goal should always be to get yourself to safety. (Also, I'm sure as hell not going to tell anyone they shouldn't wear tight skirts and high heels, but make sure you can run in them. Hopefully it will never be necessary, but just in case.)

I still think this masked assailant is just some asshole who got carried away by the thought of Halloween, but knowing how to protect yourself is something that everyone should learn. Chances are you'll never be in a situation where you need to use this information, but at the very least you'll feel more confident.