Harnessing the Wind Prodigal Finished

It seemed that extra studying had finally paid off, for Thora had been allowed to attend yet another Charms lesson along with the third years. Though modest about it all, she couldn't deny that she was proud of the fact. Not often were students allowed access to lessons--and therefore spells--before they were supposed to, according to curriculum and such. But though she'd learned to hold her head up high as she allowed herself to be swept through the door amongst the sweeping robes and taller third years, it was still daunting, this second time around. Even if others paid her no notice, she felt incredibly out of place in the Charms classroom, which she'd only known by herself or with students her own age.

She took her customary seat--well, the one she'd selected a couple weeks ago, the first time she'd joined the third years--in the back row. In a way, insisting on taking a back row seat was almost as noticeable as wanting one in the front, as the neat little row of desks farthest away from the professor and his watchful eye (typically so, at least) seemed to normally seat those trying to be unassuming, like Thora herself, or the troublemakers. Well, she supposed if someone really wanted conversation, Thora could offer it, but keeping to herself suited her much better.

As the thoughts continued to dart around her head, she glanced around, as if thinking about people talking to her would make it actually happen. Hopefully not. Her green eyes scanned the room, almost wistfully, as she watched everyone talk, seemingly carefree and enjoying themselves. Thora had quickly learned to enjoy being alone, but like any other human being, she did occasionally wish for company. Well, maybe not when she was with her few friends, but rather when she was amongst mostly strangers, like now.

Ventus seemed like a handy charm in many aspects--in duelling, perhaps, or for annoying people, if nothing else--and fairly simple to cast as well. It brought Flipendo to mind, though perhaps more of a milder variant. It could supposedly blow away people, as well as stationary objects, if casted correctly, with the gust of wind generated by a cast of the jinx. With the mention of people possibly being the target of the spell being discussed, concern hit the girl. They--If they had to practice, would they have to pair up and attempt to blow people away?

Thora, for one, didn't exactly feel in the mood to be at the mercy of some random third year, who would have the joy of blasting her around the room with gusts of wind. Of course, if this were the arrangement, she would supposedly get to do the same to a third year, which would admittedly be quite fun. But even that wouldn't be enough satisfaction in return for whatever injury she might suffer from bouncing off the stone walls, or whatever would happen. And of course, that wasn't to mention her dignity.

It was a very good thing that Thora's imagination proved much more fanciful than the pragmatic planning of the professor, as they simply were to take turns practicing producing the wind and knocking over (or, off a vacant desk) a clay pot. To be exact, there was a designated table with three identical clay pots on top, behind which was a few meters of space--a smart arrangement. A clay pot hitting someone certainly was not pleasant, was it?

Wand in hand, Thora arose with the others, standing near the back of the queue as some tried to jostle their ways forward. As she waited, she went over the incantation and wand motion. It would be awfully embarrassing if she were to fail, after all. Swirling motion of the wand. Grey light. Supposedly. Before long, the second year found herself standing before the pots.

"Ventus," she chanted, twirling her wand at the first pot. A little wind was emitted from the tip of her wand, only noticeable by a faint grey light, and the clay pot shifted backwards ever so slightly, though it slid to a stop when it had moved just a few centimetres. Disappointing, but at least there were still two. Two more attempts for this round. "Ventus!" she said a little louder, still swirling her wand in the same way. To her satisfaction, the second clay pot slid quite a ways away, though it stopped right before the edge of the table. Thora cringed as she remembered how easily some of the people before her had sent gusts of wind so fast that the pots were whisked straight off the table and smashed on the floor. She wanted to be able to do that too. Desperately so.

"Ventus!" Thora incanted even louder, twirling her wand around in a few circles once more. Wind was generated almost immediately, a greyish light along with it, and the wind quickly hit the third pot. The clay container slid across the surface of the table as if it were but a sheet of ice, and fell off of the edge, hitting the ground with a resounding crash. "I- sorry-" she couldn't help but whisper as she observed the tiny brown pieces on the ground. Of course, it could all be mended with a Reparo, but seeing the damage she'd caused still made her feel just a little bit badly.

Quite frankly beaming with her success, Thora ducked out of the front and out of the judgmental stares of the older students (well, it seemed so, at least). It hadn't been her best performance, maybe, but she hadn't done too badly, either.