Lesson One - The Full Body-Bind Curse (Year II)

"That is exact, and deserves five points for Gryffindor. For those of you who are still unfamiliar with it, as Miss Hazel explained, a nonverbal spell is a one which is performed without saying the incantation out loud. This branch of magic is indeed very difficult to master as it requires an impressive amount of practice, and tremendous concentration and mental discipline. Therefore, you will only be learning it from your sixth year at Hogwarts." Ambrosius pointed out. He glanced at the clock, and pursued: "Well, if you do not have any questions about the Full-Body Bind Curse, I would like to quickly go over the Immobilus spell before letting you practice what have learned today."

"The Freezing Charm, whose incantation is Immobilus, is relatively similar to the Full-Body Bind Curse, as it stops things from moving. However, the main difference is that it is not used on human opponents, but rather on objects, plants and even some magical creatures. For example, if you recall the practical task that I gave you during our second lesson last year, we saw that one way to defeat Devil's Snare is to use a Lumos Solem spell. Casting a Freezing Charm would be another solution to get away from the plant's tendrils."

"Well, that is all you need to know, and if you would now please join me at the front of the classroom, so that we can move on to the practical part, that I am sure you have all been expecting with impatience." After a series of creaking sounds as the students were pulling their chairs, they all approached Ambrosius's desk. As during his two previous lessons, the professor swished his wand twice, causing the desks and chairs to line up at the back of the room, while a set of cushions appeared on the vast empty space in the middle. "You know what you have to do. You will work in groups of two, casting the Full-Body Bind Curse alternately. Please first make sure that your pronunciation of the incantation is correct, and that your wand movement is precise before trying to perform it." he advised, showing them the blackboard, where all the information about the spell was indicated. "Do not worry if you are unsuccessful at first, this is a quite difficult spell. One more thing: if you do "petrify" your partner, use Rennervate to undo the curse's effects. If you have difficulties with it, call me and I will come to help you." He gazed at his students, then finished: "If you have nothing to ask about the task, you are free to start."

The boy's unsuccessful performances during previous tasks had apparently left a more profound mark than Ambrosius had thought. Aware that his student wouldn't be able to cast another charm correctly until he had regained some self-confidence, he knew something had to be done to help him, and suddenly had an idea.

"You cannot let your emotions hinder your abilities. Panicking in the face of danger can happen to anyone, you must not let that block you." he said to the Ravenclaw so that only he could hear. "I want you to try one more time. Just one more." Standing behind his student, he watched him prepare to cast the spell, looking as unsure as the previous time. Discretely shifting his wand and pointing it at Lucy Malfoy, Ambrosius waited for the exact moment James Riddle uttered the incantation to pronounce it in his mind himself. The Slytherin's arms and legs instantly stiffened, and as her whole body became rigid, she fell on her back, the impact softened by the magical cushions. This should solve the problem, Ambrosius thought, glancing at James Riddle to gauge his reaction.