28 May 2018, 22:38
What Went Wrong?
Ami had no idea how her duel had gone so horribly wrong. She knew, from listening to the spiderweb of gossip weaved throughout the school, that Natasha was a beater... was she that accurate? Was Ami herself that inaccurate? But no... her spell had hit Natasha, sending her backward a few steps, but the Ravenclaw had simply dusted it off, and stood back up. With herself, however... the second the flames had touched her robes, she froze. There weren't any other words for it, she just froze, unable to move, unable to do anything to protect herself- and she hated it, she hated that feeling with every bone in her body, that feeling of absolute, utter helplessness.
Thus, after her horribly miserable duel, all Ami wanted to do was just punch something, or someone- preferably something that could fight back, as physical activity was the seemingly sweet Hufflepuff's anger outlet. That's why she sparred, that's why her deceivingly thin frame could manage twenty pull-ups without a single break. But, a longing for a fight wasn't why she knocked on the door to the History of Magic professor's office two days after her duel, and it wasn't why her palms were sweating and her heart racing as she waited for a response- a yes or a no, an invitation or a rebuttal. She wanted to get better, she wanted to get stronger... so she'd ask her referee at the duel for help- and that meant talking to Professor Cazarez. After all, that's how you got better, wasn't it? You went up to the judge after you'd lost, and asked, "What went wrong?"
Thus, after her horribly miserable duel, all Ami wanted to do was just punch something, or someone- preferably something that could fight back, as physical activity was the seemingly sweet Hufflepuff's anger outlet. That's why she sparred, that's why her deceivingly thin frame could manage twenty pull-ups without a single break. But, a longing for a fight wasn't why she knocked on the door to the History of Magic professor's office two days after her duel, and it wasn't why her palms were sweating and her heart racing as she waited for a response- a yes or a no, an invitation or a rebuttal. She wanted to get better, she wanted to get stronger... so she'd ask her referee at the duel for help- and that meant talking to Professor Cazarez. After all, that's how you got better, wasn't it? You went up to the judge after you'd lost, and asked, "What went wrong?"
Last edited by John Johns on 1 Jul 2018, 23:02, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Thread Runner exited thread.
According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly.
stamina: 7 | evasion: 15 | strength: 21 | wisdom: 6 | arcane power: 3 | accuracy: 25
martial artist | spell spread | animagus
stamina: 7 | evasion: 15 | strength: 21 | wisdom: 6 | arcane power: 3 | accuracy: 25
martial artist | spell spread | animagus
9 Jun 2018, 18:42
What Went Wrong?
Reducio
Oops. I didn't know you made this
Sitting in the office after class usually meant silence. Nobody came to the History of Magic professor for tips of recent spells taught in class or the material. It was something Sebastián wished more would do, but History was not much of a 'go see your professor and ask questions' subject. You studied and wrote down the information while adding some thoughts. His class was too simple and did not often teach spells. When a knock came on his door and a student came in, he was a bit surprised but happy nonetheless.
"Miss Procoppio," he said slowly, a smile on his face for remembering her name. "What can I do for you?"
Sebas was curious what class questions she had, but all he heard was 'what went wrong?' which made him wonder. He honestly did not remember if he gave her a bad grade recently or not. Had she even turned in something recently? Why would she be asking him this? He needed context. Just as he was about to ask further, it dawned on him. She had done a duel under his moderation just recently.
"You mean the duel?" The Spaniard couldn't help but laugh a little at that one. "Most duels for first year students end in a single round. Sadly, not everyone is built to withstand a single spell. It isn't what you did wrong, really. Being defensive is a good plan but it doesn't mean you'll avoid an attack. You did everything correctly but your body couldn't handle the spell as well as hers could. Eat more cookies perhaps?"
London Quidditch Stadium Security Specialist
Ex-Deputy Headmaster at Hogwarts
10 Jun 2018, 01:28
What Went Wrong?
Reducio
That's okay! Probably my fault anyway, I should've sent an owl or something...
Her body couldn't- really? Really? That was it? Ami's tense stature immediately relaxed at the simple explanation, although a part of her was disappointed in herself. All that physical activity, the training for when she'd turn 18... was it really all for nothing? Never mind that, she'd get better. The Hufflepuff couldn't help but laugh a little at Professor Cazarez's suggestion of eating cookies, although she didn't bother to explain that she couldn't, not with her dietary restrictions.
"Well..." Ami said hesitantly, grasping at straws for an excuse not to leave. Personally, she adored the History of Magic professor, even if he was utterly terrifying and a little hard to understand at times. But it was clear that he loved teaching, he loved the students, and his lessons were always fun and easy to understand. Plus, she didn't want to go back to her common room and her homework- where was the fun in that?
"If it's not me that's the problem, can you teach me another spell that would work better?" Ami asked quickly, tapping her back pocket to make sure that her wand was still there. "You know, instead of flipendo? Something that could be used both offensively and defensively?"
According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly.
stamina: 7 | evasion: 15 | strength: 21 | wisdom: 6 | arcane power: 3 | accuracy: 25
martial artist | spell spread | animagus
stamina: 7 | evasion: 15 | strength: 21 | wisdom: 6 | arcane power: 3 | accuracy: 25
martial artist | spell spread | animagus
10 Jun 2018, 21:31
What Went Wrong?
The Spaniard sat for a moment in thought after hearing the girl ask about more spells. He wasn't against the idea of instructing students but he didn't want to give the wrong one a tool they didn't deserve. Sebas had a hard time with the idea but he knew this girl had a good heart. She lost a duel and came to him hoping to get better. This wasn't something that he was familiar with, mentoring students one on one, but he considered it briefly while she spoke. What spell would even help her more than she already knew? Likely nothing really.
"Teaching more powerful spells is dangerous for both the one casting, and the one you duel," he started to explain simply, looking to Ami with curiosity. "There is nothing I can teach beyond what your other classes teach to get you an edge in combat. As you get older, you'll gain more skill and grow. All I can teach you now is to have patience."
Sebas motioned to a banner in his office that showed a duel between two great Wizards. It appeared like it could possibly be Dumbledore and Grindelwald. There were sparks everywhere and the scene was crafted to show their raw power. It moved to show one wizard eventually becoming triumphant after a lot of fighting. Truly an amazing duel unlike a first-year practice in dueling club.
"You can aspire to great things. I assure you neither of these wizards were amazing duelists at your age." The Spaniard hoped he was being reassuring here. "If I tried to teach you advanced magic, I'd be afraid of you breaking your wand before the basics are mastered. Give it time."
"Teaching more powerful spells is dangerous for both the one casting, and the one you duel," he started to explain simply, looking to Ami with curiosity. "There is nothing I can teach beyond what your other classes teach to get you an edge in combat. As you get older, you'll gain more skill and grow. All I can teach you now is to have patience."
Sebas motioned to a banner in his office that showed a duel between two great Wizards. It appeared like it could possibly be Dumbledore and Grindelwald. There were sparks everywhere and the scene was crafted to show their raw power. It moved to show one wizard eventually becoming triumphant after a lot of fighting. Truly an amazing duel unlike a first-year practice in dueling club.
"You can aspire to great things. I assure you neither of these wizards were amazing duelists at your age." The Spaniard hoped he was being reassuring here. "If I tried to teach you advanced magic, I'd be afraid of you breaking your wand before the basics are mastered. Give it time."
London Quidditch Stadium Security Specialist
Ex-Deputy Headmaster at Hogwarts
12 Jun 2018, 02:33
What Went Wrong?
Ami couldn't hold back a disappointed frown that burst forth upon hearing the professor's words, but she could most certainly hide it by ducking her head and pretending to sweep her hair back and away from her face. Damn, so he couldn't give her an edge in dueling... what was there to do?
Well, the man had brought up the importance of patience, which Ami had precisely none of. But she'd work on it- she had to. Dueling... hadn't the Ollivanders employee said that her wand was a duelist's wand? Well, nevermind all of that, Professor Cazarez insisted that she needed to learn patience, and with time, surely she would conquer the crucial skill. Huh, using patience to learn to be patient; would you look at that?
"I understand, Professor," Ami said, rather glumly, her eyes downcast. "I certainly wouldn't want my wand to break this early on," she added with a small smile. She knew the serious risks of breaking wands, and considering it could possibly also cause harm to the caster, it was a serious consequence of a spell gone wrong- a consequence the Hufflepuff didn't want to be on the receiving end of.
Fiddling with her thumbs and deciding it was time to leave the Professor to his peace and quiet, Ami finished with, "Thanks for your time, Professor. You've been really helpful." With another pleasant smile, Ami turned tail and fled gracefully, making her dignified exit from the professor's office.
Well, the man had brought up the importance of patience, which Ami had precisely none of. But she'd work on it- she had to. Dueling... hadn't the Ollivanders employee said that her wand was a duelist's wand? Well, nevermind all of that, Professor Cazarez insisted that she needed to learn patience, and with time, surely she would conquer the crucial skill. Huh, using patience to learn to be patient; would you look at that?
"I understand, Professor," Ami said, rather glumly, her eyes downcast. "I certainly wouldn't want my wand to break this early on," she added with a small smile. She knew the serious risks of breaking wands, and considering it could possibly also cause harm to the caster, it was a serious consequence of a spell gone wrong- a consequence the Hufflepuff didn't want to be on the receiving end of.
Fiddling with her thumbs and deciding it was time to leave the Professor to his peace and quiet, Ami finished with, "Thanks for your time, Professor. You've been really helpful." With another pleasant smile, Ami turned tail and fled gracefully, making her dignified exit from the professor's office.
Ami exits Professor Cazarez's office, and thus the thread.
According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly.
stamina: 7 | evasion: 15 | strength: 21 | wisdom: 6 | arcane power: 3 | accuracy: 25
martial artist | spell spread | animagus
stamina: 7 | evasion: 15 | strength: 21 | wisdom: 6 | arcane power: 3 | accuracy: 25
martial artist | spell spread | animagus