How Does This Spell Work?
Tes huffed, pushing stray strands of hair off her forehead and attempting to tuck them back under the bandana around her hair. It was snowing fairly heavily outside, which served to keep her from gazing longingly outside instead of focusing on what she was doing. Not that it was helping much, seeing as the glass in front of her was stubbornly staying a glass.Jan 31, Mid Morning, Class time
They were reviewing a spell all the way from back in first year, and Tes had gone and completely forgotten how to do it. It's not like she casually practiced the majority of spells she learned in class, especially not the ones from transfiguration. This class was always a struggle, since the instructions were usually a complicated mix of verbal instruction, drawn images on the board, reading from the textbook, and finally watching others around the class successfully cast the spell, all while trying to visualize something not immediately in front of her. They were trying to turn a glass into sand with the Quarzicum spell, and then practice un-transfiguring items as well.
It seemed as though it was supposed to serve as an easy lesson to reinforce some basic concepts, but Tes wasn't the only one struggling to remember the spell and move on. She was, unfortunately, the one struggling the most, as her glass hadn't turned into anything but a glass. She could feel a blush rising high on her cheeks as she slumped in her seat, half-heartedly waving her wand in what she hoped were the right movements. She wasn't failing any of her classes, but it was times like this when she was reminded of her short-comings in an academic sense. She excelled in whipping around the quidditch field, or running, or laughing and spending time with friends, but at this exact moment all she felt was a sinking sense of failure. It wasn't a huge problem, many people struggled in class plenty, but she couldn't help but wish that it came as naturally to her as it did many of her friends that seemed to cast spells and breeze through lessons like they were born to do it.
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Interacting with:@Mahlioz Evethisawe Wordcount: 370 Color=#7D6608
❁❀ Tesla "Tes" Stone❀❁ Hufflepuff ꧁Optimism is not ignorance꧂
Stats: Stamina: 6 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 9 | Wisdom: 4 | ArcPower: 4 |Accuracy: 7
Abilities: Werewolf and Broken Broomshaft
Trunk
Interacting with:@Mahlioz Evethisawe Wordcount: 370 Color=#7D6608
❁❀ Tesla "Tes" Stone❀❁ Hufflepuff ꧁Optimism is not ignorance꧂
Stats: Stamina: 6 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 9 | Wisdom: 4 | ArcPower: 4 |Accuracy: 7
Abilities: Werewolf and Broken Broomshaft
Trunk
Tesla Stone⭑☾☀☽⭑ ⭑☾𖣂☽⭑Basil Blackwood
How Does This Spell Work?
Gods, Mahlioz was glad to be back in Transfiguration. It had been a very long Defense Against the Dark Arts class before this, and her last period of the day before had been Flying, so it was a relief to be back in this familiar, homey-feeling lesson. They loved transfiguring so much. And the explanations, and the way it worked, and - ah, everything about it made so much sense! So much more than Herbology or Flying or DADA. It was the one part of magic that fit logic into it, and it scratched Mahlioz's brain the exact right way.
Time: Mid-morning
Mentions: X
Thoughts
The Quarzicum spell was one of those spells she didn't like as much as the others, because she couldn't stop wondering exactly how many grains of sand were in a glass. But that didn't mean they were struggling very much. They'd practiced this spell quite a few times in their own free time, and it only took her a couple of wand waves before her glass obediently turned into sand. It was, after all, a first year spell - not too difficult, right?
Though it seemed some others were having a harder time with it. Mahlioz's love for Transfiguration and logic and theory wasn't exactly shared with everyone (which probably explained why she had so much of it). Feeling sheepish for getting it done so effortlessly, they glanced around the room, wondering what to do.
And then she spotted Tes, to the side of the room. She wasn't sure how she hadn't noticed her earlier - usually the first thing she did when she entered a class was check if any of her friends were there. But Mahlioz had probably been too enthustiastic about the fact that they were in Transfiguration to do so this time.
Seeing nothing more interesting to do at the moment, she left her chair and went over to plop herself down in the empty space next to Tes.
It was only then that they realized the glass in front of Tes was still a glass, and that the girl herself was looking more gloomy than Mahlioz had ever seen her. Ah. She was having a hard time with it. Mahlioz suddenly wished she had stayed at her spot. Not because of anything Tes had done - she was an amazing friend and person and always wonderful to talk to - but because of herself. They had no idea how to help out people with spells, or self-esteem, or anything really.
And Tes had done such a good job of it last year, when she'd been struggling on her broom. When she'd broken down. Tes had been there, had helped them through it. This was the exact right time to repay her, and Mahlioz didn't know how to. Situations like this always made them nervous - there was always a right thing to do, and they never knew what it was, and one wrong move could bring everything crashing down.
But it was too late. She was here now, and she was determined to make the most of it. She was in her element - this was what she was good at. Well, the transfiguration part, not so much the interaction part, but that was just a detail. They could do this. "Hey there," they said with a smile. "You okay?"
How Does This Spell Work?
Tes was slumped in her seat, glaring at her stubborn glass when she was startled out of her moping by a voice next to her. Sitting up quickly, she turned to see that Mahlioz had joined her. Of course she'd known her friend had been in the class, considering they usually had transfiguration together, but they hadn't ended up sitting together. Tes had been torn between seeking Mahlioz out, and being relieved that they weren't there to see her struggling after she'd realized things weren't going smoothly.Sorry for the late reply!
"Oh, uh yeah! I'm fine. I'm just... taking a quick break! From the, er, glass spell," she paused to stare blankly at her desk before sighing and looking back up, "Okay, to be honest I've completely forgotten how to do this spell. I know what the glass looks like, I know what sand looks like, but I don't even remember how I'm supposed to visualize this. Heck, I can't even remember the wand movement now." Tes sighed, puffing out her cheeks in frustration as she took a breath to settle down from her crankiness over her glass. "Could we start by just going over the wand movement? Maybe that's where I'm goofing up.
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Interacting with: @Mahlioz EvethisaweWordcount: 210 Color=#7D6608
❁❀ Tesla "Tes" Stone❀❁ Hufflepuff ꧁Optimism is not ignorance꧂
Stats: Stamina: 6 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 9 | Wisdom: 4 | ArcPower: 4 |Accuracy: 7
Abilities: Werewolf and Broken Broomshaft
Trunk
Interacting with: @Mahlioz EvethisaweWordcount: 210 Color=#7D6608
❁❀ Tesla "Tes" Stone❀❁ Hufflepuff ꧁Optimism is not ignorance꧂
Stats: Stamina: 6 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 9 | Wisdom: 4 | ArcPower: 4 |Accuracy: 7
Abilities: Werewolf and Broken Broomshaft
Trunk
Tesla Stone⭑☾☀☽⭑ ⭑☾𖣂☽⭑Basil Blackwood
How Does This Spell Work?
Right. A break. Of course. Mahlioz had to try hard not to raise an eyebrow in suspicion at what Tes had said, and though she managed it, that did not mean she believed her all the way. Thankfully, she didn't need to, because Tes was quick to reluctantly correct herself and confirm that she was indeed having a hard time with this spell. Mahlioz nodded. "The visualization bit is hard. Even I mess that part up sometimes." They stopped themselves, realizing how egotistical that sentence sounded too late. "I mean, like, a lot. It's the hardest part." They cursed themselves internally. This was not going well. Talking was harder than transfiguration, in her opinion. "Do you... want help?"
Time: Mid-morning
Mentions: X
Thoughts
Tes confirmed by asking whether they could go over the wand movement with her. "Ah, sure. That could be where you're messing up, actually, because it's simpler than you might expect," Mahlioz replied, accidentally going full-on teacher mode. Oops. Welp. "All you need to do is point your wand at the glass - there's nothing too fancy in terms of movement. Which makes it easier to focus your attention on the visualizing." She paused. "Sorry. Was that too much?"
The thing was, they had no idea how to explain the visualizing part. Obviously Tes knew what sand looked like - how was Mahlioz supposed to add to that? She was just thirteen, she didn't know exactly what the Hufflepuff was doing wrong. Maybe it was that she wasn't thinking specifically of the glass turning into the sand? Or maybe she had aphantasia, that could prove to make it difficult. Mahlioz made a mental note to ask the professor what one would do if they had it. But one problem at a time. They would start with the wand movement.
ReducioAlso sorry for the late replyI got very busy and slightly uninspired! Sorry bout that
How Does This Spell Work?
Reducio
I really am super sorry for how long this took! I've just been such a busy bee lately, but I've finally got a touch more time.
Tes felt her shoulders slump in relief, glad that Mahlioz had a tough time with the visualization step, just like her. Obviously the other student didn't have quite as tough of a time, seeing as Tes had seen them do all their spells nearly perfectly all the time, at least from her point of view. She perked up at the offer for help. "Yes please!" Tes exclaimed, before explaining that she didn't even know where to start with the wand movement.
Tes blinked in surprise as Mahlioz immediately went into a clear explanation, demonstrating the simplicity of the wand movement. She waved her hands for Mahlioz to continue eagerly when they finished their demonstration. "No, no, that wasn't too much! I guess I honestly did forget how easy the wand movement was. When everyone does it so quickly, it looks like there's an actual moving component rather than just pointing at the glass. Here, let me try now! Picking back up her own wand she pointed it at the glass, cheeks puffing out in concentration.
It wasn't too difficult to imagine the glass itself turning to sand, especially now all she had to do was hold her wand in place instead of thinking about it. All she needed was to look at one of the other students that were having more luck than her and watch the way the glass spilled into a shapeless pile of sand. Wand movement, check. Visualization, probably check. Incantation... Tes blinked at her cup, tilting her head before slumping back into her chair again and looking back at Mahlioz. Okay, wand movement is easy, now that I remember it! I can even visualize the glass turning to sand pretty easily, 'cause I can just watch someone else do it across the room," her cheeks colored with a slight blush as she grumpily mumbled, "Only issue is now I'm so focused on all that that I completely forgot the incantation."
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Interacting with:@Mahlioz Evethisawe Wordcount:330 Color=#7D6608
❁❀ Tesla "Tes" Stone❀❁ Hufflepuff ꧁Optimism is not ignorance꧂
Stats: Stamina: 6 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 9 | Wisdom: 4 | ArcPower: 4 |Accuracy: 7
Abilities: Werewolf and Broken Broomshaft
Trunk
Interacting with:@Mahlioz Evethisawe Wordcount:330 Color=#7D6608
❁❀ Tesla "Tes" Stone❀❁ Hufflepuff ꧁Optimism is not ignorance꧂
Stats: Stamina: 6 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 9 | Wisdom: 4 | ArcPower: 4 |Accuracy: 7
Abilities: Werewolf and Broken Broomshaft
Trunk
Tesla Stone⭑☾☀☽⭑ ⭑☾𖣂☽⭑Basil Blackwood
How Does This Spell Work?
Going all "teacher mode" was something Mahlioz often did by accident, especially to herself, explaining tasks step by step in her mind until she'd done it. Even for simple enough tasks. It helped her concentrate and know what she was doing. But when that seeped out into the real world, when they started doing it to other people, it was often seen as condescending and annoying.
Time: Mid-morning
Mentions: X
Thoughts
They were rather thankful when Tes appreciated it. It had, after all, been what she was asking for, but doubts had a habit of creeping up even without a good reason. Mahlioz grinned, relieved. "Oh yeah, that's understandable." She watched closely as Tes got ready to try the spell once more. The girl was really staring the heck out of that glass, it was almost funny.
But then, before it could turn into sand, Tes blinked and turned back to Mahlioz. They were confused for a few moments, because she was explaining the steps she could do fine - but then, as it turned out, she'd forgotten the incantation. Mahlioz laughed, not unkindly. "Again, understandable. Your brain is stuck on the harder aspects. It's Quarzicum." She paused. "The way I like to remember it is... well, wait. Have you ever played minecraft?" If she was a wizardborn or a pureblood, probably not, but Mahlioz had no idea what Tes' blood status was. It didn't matter usually, but when it came to things like minecraft, well... Mahlioz was of the opinion that having less magic in your blood was for the better.
Only for things like that, though. Spells were just as fun.
ReducioYou're all good! It's good to hear from you again
How Does This Spell Work?
Tes took a few deep breaths, thankful that Mahlioz had so much patience with her, despite her struggles with a relatively simple spell. She nodded, mouthing the incantation to herself a couple times so she wouldn't forget it. "I haven't played, what did you call it, Minecraft? Is that a muggle game? We'll have to play it together sometime, for sure!" Before she could let herself forget the incantation, the wand movement, and the imagery all combining into a clear picture of the spell she was supposed to cast, Tes quickly pointed her wand at the glass. Imagining it crumbling back into grains of sand in a messy pile on her desk, she exclaimed, "Quarzicum!"
She almost wanted to look away, too afraid that after all of Mahlioz's hard work helping her out she still wouldn't manage to successfully transfigure her glass into sand like she was supposed to. To her pleasant surprise, the glass crumbled into a pile, just like her classmates'! Tes's face lit up with a relieved grin, and she turned to face Mahlioz. Dropping her wand on the desk she clapped her hands together in excitement, hardly resisting the urge to throw her arms around her friend's neck in an excited hug. "I did it! Oh my gosh, thank you so much. I was really starting to lose hope there for a moment. You are a lifesaver Mahlioz!" She quieted down before she could attract any more attention than she already had, rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly and sliding down in her chair as though she could disappear from any disapproving looks. "Seriously, thank you," she whispered to Mahlioz, giving her another relieved smile and a thumbs up.
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Interacting with:@Mahlioz Evethisawe Wordcount:290 Color=#7D6608
❁❀ Tesla "Tes" Stone❀❁ Hufflepuff ꧁Optimism is not ignorance꧂
Stats: Stamina: 6 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 9 | Wisdom: 4 | ArcPower: 4 |Accuracy: 7
Abilities: Werewolf and Broken Broomshaft
Trunk
Interacting with:@Mahlioz Evethisawe Wordcount:290 Color=#7D6608
❁❀ Tesla "Tes" Stone❀❁ Hufflepuff ꧁Optimism is not ignorance꧂
Stats: Stamina: 6 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 9 | Wisdom: 4 | ArcPower: 4 |Accuracy: 7
Abilities: Werewolf and Broken Broomshaft
Trunk
Tesla Stone⭑☾☀☽⭑ ⭑☾𖣂☽⭑Basil Blackwood
How Does This Spell Work?
Tes had in fact not played minecraft before, but it seemed she must have heard of it somewhere, because she knew it was a muggle game. Mahlioz nodded. "I would love that! But the main reason I was asking is because there's an ore called quartz that you can find in the nether, and -" They paused, realizing this could not be making very much sense to Tes right now. "Uhm. Well. It's just that way that I remember it - quartzicum kinda sounds like quartz. I think quartz is also a thing in real life? So maybe that could help." They laughed sheepishly.
Time: Mid-morning
Mentions: X
Thoughts
Thankfully, it seemed minecraft was not needed! Tes' incantation remembered and her wand movement understood, she tried the spell for once and for all, and her glass was suddenly no longer a glass, but sand. Mahlioz's grin reflected Tes' one as the girl turned to her excitedly. Mahlioz laughed, glad she could be of assistance. "You're all good! I'm happy to help. And I owed you, after that awful Flying lesson. Don't worry about it."
The Slytherin could not stop smiling for the rest of the lesson. Tes' joy was contagious, and it was so relieving to have helped when they hadn't been sure they would be able to. But here they were, slighly better at flying as Tes was slightly better at transfiguring. They made a good team.
Thread end :]