[First Year 2/6] Practice Makes Perfect

A filling dinner and a nice bed put Damien into a good mood the following morning. It was a feeling he wasn't quite used to, and it begged an excellent question... what would he do over the summer? Would he have gotten too used to this sort of life? Would by the time he went back to living on the streets, he'd be like a fish out of water, floundering around trying to get back into the hang of things?

But for the time being, he was content. At least he was until rudely woken up by a kid he recognized from the sorting as Keiran Sullivan.

"Get up; we've got class. And I'm not letting you ruin my image."

A scowl took control of Damien's expression as the boy walked out of the room, leaving him to get dressed. He could already tell he was going to hate him.

He took a few minutes to get dressed in one of the few robes he had before walking downstairs to the common room.

A prefect had explained the night before where everything they needed was, so they wouldn't get too lost. So, as Damien was walking through the castle, he had some idea where he had to go, but that didn't make anything easier when the school was a HUGE FREAKING CASTLE.

After almost half an hour, he managed to make his way to the charms classroom. He was the last one to arrive, and of course, with his luck, the only seat left was next to the boy who had woken him up earlier. He glanced over towards Echo as if hoping that she had a chair available near her. It would be easier to sit near a... sorta friend than to someone he already hated after knowing for one day.

There were no other available seats. So after a sigh of hesitation, Damien walked over to the empty chair. He sat down, where in front of him, there was a feather on the table.

The tall man standing at the center of the room smiled patiently at them before finally speaking.

"Normally, there are several chapters of required reading before you do any practical work. I believe this is hogwash. There is no better way of learning than by doing."

The man drew his wand before flicking it in a practiced motion. "The wand motion is a swish and flick. The proper incantation is 'Wingardium Leviosa.' Familiarize yourselves with these before you practice."

Without a second's hesitation, the class began to get into motion, practicing the spell. By the time Damien had finished practicing the word's movements and phonetics, other students had already started to levitate their feathers, even if only a tiny amount.

He pointed his wand at the feather, performing it precisely as he should. "Wingardium Leviosa."

Nothing Happened. Not even a wiggle.

He cleared his throat before trying again to get the same result. Attempt after attempt, and nothing changed. The feather didn't float; it didn't move. Nothing happened. The class was almost over, and Damien was getting really frustrated.

"Magic isn't for everyone, it seems," Kieran scoffed, staring at his failed efforts, his own feather floating by a foot. "Are you sure you're magical?"

There was a flash of red anger, or was that his wand, as he practiced the spell again, and this time he finally saw the fruits of his labor. The feather lifted a centimeter above the desk, and Damien let out a cheer of success.

"Well done, Mr. Thorne, but perhaps you should tone it down."

His face flushed with embarrassment as he leaned against his chair, suddenly exhausted by the whole ordeal. He had to figure out whether magic was supposed to be this taxing.