SlOWLy Prodigal Learner Finished

Perhaps Professor Vernatis had not expected George to bring in Cadmus the owl with him when he asked to demonstrate his ability with the Slowing Charm. He always brought in something to assist him, though - a stuffed animal, a nightlight, an alarm clock - there was no limit to what the boy would practice his charms on. Anything he could find was fair game. Thankfully, he had yet to bring in a human target, but the owl wasn't much better. At least the nature of the slowing charm meant that it was likely he wouldn't hurt the poor owl, as one of the charm's many functions included slowing objects before a damaging fall.

Besides, George and Cadmus had practiced this routine before. George took a moment to find a suitable perch for the owl, setting his cage on top of a desk before popping the front of it open - struggling with the latch for a few seconds. Already onto his second year charms, but the boy still can't pronounce 'alohomora' without stuttering. Some kids were impossible to understand. Their minds could take so well to some things, but so poorly to others. Cadmus looked ready to make a break for it, but Goerge soothed him with a few strokes of his feathers and calming shushes.

He turned on his heel and walked 15 paces, as if he were getting ready for a duel at dawn, before turning again and facing the owl. The owl waited, staring back at him, the kid's wand at the ready and pointed to the animal. It was like the calm before the storm - a picture taken moments before disaster struck. But George was determined to have this disaster go smoothly. He plucked up a single little treat from his pocket - owl treats, which Alan had given him. He enjoyed them as much as Cadmus did, so it was a shame to sacrifice one, but sometimes you needed to make sacrifices if you wanted approval from a teacher.

Cadmus took off as soon as he caught sight of the treat in George's hand, heading toward him. There was precious few moments to react, but George seized them with expert precision. "Arresto momentum!" he shouted, flicking his wand in the motion of the spell before finally striking out toward the owl in a final pointing motion. His target flew in slow motion - drifting toward him at a breezy pace, slowly sinking toward the ground as he realized he was losing height.

Thankfully, George tucked his wand away, racing out to catch the bird out of midair before he could land and hurt himself. Cadmus did not take kindly to it - shredding into the sleeve of George's robes before he caught his balance, perching there, quite frazzled - but unharmed. George raised the owl high and turned to smile at Professor Vernatis.

"Look at that!" he said proudly.

Words: 486 for the Slowing Charm, arresto momentum