Watching Headmaster Trent’s reaction it was clear everyone had said something wrong – not just her. Everyone was going to die today – not her….and why was that a relief? ”right, i meant to use the charm in case I wasn’t able to get the bridle on before it attempted dragging me underwater. That way I could use the placement charms without worrying about drowning at the same time” she hoped that explained where her mental state had been. The whole be one step ahead incase the worse comes bit of it all. “thank you for your concern, sir” she added with a kind smile.

fixate okay, she could do that. Maybe she could fixate something somewhere else – place a painting on the wall and leave it there so no one could remove it – no, no we aren’t doing anything stupid this year she thought as she looked forward and watched Headmaster Tate as he demonstrated the wand movements. She took her hand drawing her hand in the shape of a bridle at first.

Okay, okay she could do this. When Headmaster Tate asked them to be careful, she just smiled, “yes, sir…I’ll try at least” at least the kelpies weren’t real kelpies yet – right? Looking at the wooden horses Islay just squared her shoulders and selected a bridle.

“lets do this,” she murmured as she pointed her wand at it and began to practice the spell, “fixate” she tried casting as her wand moved along the shape of the bridle – but nothing okay…she could do this, just breathe. She’d try again in a bit.