19 Thursday

Noelle looked down at her book, studying the bird-conjuring charm, Avis. Besides the possible side-effects, the spell itself seemed rather interesting, summoning a flock of yellow birds controllable by the caster. It seemed interesting to her that there were some magics which could be used over any number of occasions and then there were some like this which had a more specific purpose. This was a charm that could not be used in a multitude of different ways but only in one, to summon birds.

"When students are ready, they may try and perform this charm. However, aim your wands away from other students, and keep in mind that a successful spell will produce a sound much like a small explosion. Please keep from startling." Professor McGonagall instructed.

Noelle raised her wand, still reading over the possible effects it would have if not successful. "Severed heads, unidentifiable stumps, terrifying frog-rabbit mutations..." She frowned. Potentially terrifying creatures was not a goal she was aiming for.

Sliding her book to the edge of her desk she scooted closer to Kade. "Have you read this?" She showed him the passage.

In the middle of being about to cast the spell, he stopped and looked over, skimming the page. "Oh, that's lovely."

"I particularly like the part about birds with severed heads." Noelle raises her eyebrows.

Kade laughed. "Severed heads. Yeah, that's not good."

Noelle nodded in agreement and then pulled her book back after receiving a stern look from the Professor. Kade and Noelle briefly looked at one another in resignation and began trying to cast the charm once more.

Focusing soley on the outcome of yellow birds, Noelle pointed her wand at the ceiling as instructed. "Avis." Nothing happened. Still, she thought that better than the alternative option of screwing up the spell horribly. It seemed, as she looked around the room, that everyone was finding similar results to hers.

Professor McGonagall went to the front of the room after about twenty minutes of this, once everyone had stopped in defeat, and stood in front of her desk. "That'll be all for today students. Don't fret, with practice, you should perfect this charm in no time."

Books in hand, Noelle walked towards Divination class. Sunlight streamed through the stone-arch windows in the hall. Though she hadn't gotten the bird-conjuring charm earlier, she planned to practice as McGonagall had said. In fact, she planned to practice all the spells she had been learning, in hopes that she would be able to cast them non-verbally, and perhaps, even without a wand. Once she finished some of her classes, or freed up her Saturdays once again, this would become easier.

Turning a corner, she almost collided with a familiar face. "Oh! Azraeyn! Sorry, didn't mean to nearly kill you there." She blushed and focused on straightening her books.

He smiled lightly. "No problem. I actually was hoping to run into you today."

She looked up. "You were?" Outside of DnD and their letters, Noelle hadn't really talked to Azraeyn face-to-face much aside from a "hello" here and a "how are you" there.

"Yeah, I had a question for you… Do you like swimming?"

She nodded slowly. "I do."

"I was planning on swimming in the lake tomorrow after classes, and before dinner. You interested? You could invite your friends to join."

Internally processing, Noelle stared at him for a dumb moment and then nodded. "Sure, that sounds like fun."

"Great! Then I'll see you around four tomorrow after class with Hagrid." He smiled and turned on his way.

Noelle stared after him stunned, until Brooke walked by on her way to class and stopped. "Hey, there you are." She noticed Azraeyn leaving. "What did he want?"

Collecting herself, Noelle turned to her friend. "Oh not much… How do you feel about swimming tomorrow?"