"A very fair question, Professor," Khaat smiled. "Most of my early training, before I went to wizarding school, was provided by my uncle. He placed a special emphasis on Defense Against the Dark Arts. He believed that learning charms was also a critical part of a wizard or a witch's education. What he taught me about charms, besides the spells themselves, was his philosophy that they should be taught, particularly from a defensive stance, with offensive abilities as secondary in importance. Magic for magic's sake, for pleasure, came somewhere down the list in his priorities. He believed our world was going to be in peril because of Voldemort long before his return, and he wanted me to be prepared to use any means available to defend myself. He did enjoy magic for the pleasure it could give him in his life, but that was far less important to him than being able to provide a safe and stable world for the people that he loved. I-I guess I inherited that philosophy.
"You see, the little village I was raised in was equally populated by muggles and wizards. I learned how to do things both ways--wizard ways, and muggles ways. I actually like parts of both. But I see clearly that many wizards, and nearly all muggles, live a life of ignorant bliss because they choose not to see how serious the split between good and evil has become in our world. I believe that our students need to be fully and accurately informed and prepared to face whatever obstacles they might encounter when they leave these halls'
Khaat's voice fell softer as she thought of her uncle's cruel murder, "When you lose someone you love,...well, it can be quite a lot more than a rude awakening. I do not wish any student ever have to face such grief again. Though I am not convinced we will be 100% effective at preventing it."
She took a deep breath to brush off the suffocatingly painful memories and said, "I am committed to try to do everything I can to try to reduce the influences of the dark arts, and to see to it that we all have a safer, more peaceful place to live. I am offering myself, above and beyond what would be typical of a substitute teacher, if I can be of service to you and if it will benefit these students."