Term 5: Lesson 2: Year 2

Evan entered the Charms classroom and was surprised by its look. There was a lot of space in the middle and some cushions laying no the floor. Cushions? Evan left his bag near the door, as professor Fenech told him, and came closer to her. She asked the students to tell her the Tickling Charm incantation. The Tickling Charm incantation, huh? "Rictusempra," Evan said instantly. He really enjoyed the homework, as he found the charm very useful, for both beginner dueling and fun. Are we going to practice the spell today? This is going to be such fun! And I can demonstrate my dueling experience with an official excuse this time! If only I could pair up with Kynan!

Like most students, Kynan was surprised by the Charms classroom's appearance. The chairs and tables were on the side and there was lots of space in the middle. And lots of cushions. Then seeing the writing on the board, he thought, Yes! Yes! We're going to practise it! He was hoping to get back at Evan since last Charms lesson, and this lesson would most probably be the perfect excuse. Ditching his bag by the door, he took out his wand and gathered with the other students. Professor Fenech then asked a question, which Evan answered. Honestly, Kynan hadn't looked up the charm and read about it. He was sure that they'd be learning everything about it during the lesson.

Deirdre walked in the classroom, prepared to sit and observe, as she'd done last lesson, but was surprised by the room's arranging. There was an obvious empty space in the middle, all the desks and chairs moved aside, cushions laying around the floor. The Hufflepuff did as she was told to, when Professor Fenech spoke, and left her bag on the spot, then coming closer with the other students that had come in, as well. The teacher asked about the incantation of the spell they had had to read about for their homework, the ''Tickling Charm'' 's. She'd enjoyed doing that, finding it pretty interesting, and was doubting whether to open her mouth for the question or not, but Evan was faster in answering. Are we going to practice it now?, Deirdre thought. She really hoped so. She'd like to see its effects in reality.

Maya slinked into the back of the classroom, quietly, as she didn't feel like participation was high on her agenda today. The increasing workload in second year had resulted in a few late nights and the resulting bags under her eyes was evidence of her lack of sleep.

Maya stayed silent when Professor Fenech began by questioning the class and rested on the nearby wall, standing seemed too much of an effort. Maya's head also felt blurry and foggy from the lack of sleep so answers weren't on the tip of her tongue. When the professor instructed them to partner up Maya's eyes flickered towards the cushions and her heart lifted at the idea of a practical class. Although she remained passive at the mention of partnering up, moving from her comfortable position by the wall seemed to much of an effort at that particular moment.

Darcy got a bit uncomfortable when she heard they had to partner up. At the moment, she was a bit on edge with more than one of them. She sighed, and decided that she knew Evan the best and walked over to him. "Want to be my partner?" she asked, feeling more than just a bit uncomfortable.

Evan was a little surprised when Darcy walked to him and asked to be her partner, as he considered himself a real disaster for her. Every their meeting was a little uncomfortable and had some awkward moments. Great! Darcy is my partner! And not just because I'm the last available option or something like that! Despite Evan wanted to dance and scream because of delight, he replied as briefly as possible, "Sure." The less I say, the less silly I look, I guess. Every word can cost me a lot when I'm talking to Darcy. He smiled awkwardly. I hope this smile didn't look too silly.

As Evan was totally consumed by the thoughts of how lucky was and whether silly or not he looked, he missed one really important thing: soon he would have to cast offensive spells at Darcy. Offensive spells. At Darcy. The tickling charm couldn't really hurt her, but nevertheless it could become a real problem for Evan to use it.

For a moment, Kynan was actually about to walk towards Evan when Professor Fenech told all of them to partner up. But Evan seemed to immediately have partnered up with Darcy, so he turned around and ended up walking towards Maya. "Hey Maya," he greeted his friend shyly. "Want to be partners?"

"Yeah of course," Maya gave Kynan a sly smile. This should be fun. Herself and Kynan were good friends, but her competitive streak often won out in situations like this. She retrieved her wand from her robes and immediately readied herself. Awaiting further instructions from the professor.

Deirdre moved quietly backwards, and looked around. Everyone seemed to have paired up, except herself. Not finding anyone that could be her partner, she decided to step away and perhaps wait for anything the Professor could say or do to help the awkward situation Deirdre had fallen in. She took a step back, fixing nervously her robes, and tried not to point herself out while waiting.