Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ama 
Nervously, she tucked a blond strand behind her ear, lower lip trapped helplessly between her teeth. Really? Had she done it? Well, certainly, she didn't think it was beyond her! And as the thought ran through her mind, her hip cocked to side, one hand flying to accompany her hip movement. After all, she wasn't a squib and she did hear the lock click--however--something didn't sit right with her.
Confused, and feeling quite dumb, Daphne looked at Celandine a slight look of pathetic helplessness lost in her eyes. "I...did," hesitated to admit the third year Gryffindor. "Didn't I?"
Fishy, like the market Davis frequented to buy items for dinner.
"We," I, began Daphne with a frown. "Are not done!" Realizing her tone had been perhaps, a bit harsh, Miss Hopton cleared her throat. "I mean--I..."
Well, go on. We're all here to learn, right? "I might....be having a bit of..."
Oh, for Merlin's sake, woman!
"I can't quite get it!" exclaimed the little woman exasperated, with clenched fists before taking a deep breath. "I just need a few more tries."
Having seen that the Professor agreed, Daphne felt quite--ridiculous. Turning scarlet, she walked closer towards Celandine, placing one hand on her elbow as she had taken a tendency to do when nervous. "I'm going to do it again."
Asking for a few more minutes to practice had proved to be a stupid thing to do. Whether it was the truth or her paranoia surging, Daphne Hopton could feel several eyes on her, judging her character solely on this performance. Swallowing with some difficulty, she squinted at the chest, trying to appear as menacing as possible.
Just as she had begun chanting the incantation, she sucked her teeth and stopped to swipe her wand with her other hand. Palm flat against her robes, Daphne attempted to regain her composure back along with the dryness of her hands which had begun to inexplicably sweat. Again, she aimed at the lock on the chest but the sudden quickening of her herbeat was even managing to drown out the din in the classroom. It made her believe that she truly was being watched struggle with such an amateur charm.
Again, like a lost puppy, she allowed her round eyes to search for Celandine's face. Right. Take it back? I don't want to try anymore!
Cela smiled in encouragement and nodded at Daphne. Why was she getting nervous? Classes were supposed to be for learning, not showing off what you already knew... Celandine chewed on her lip thoughtfully and decided to try a different approach,
"Hey, Daphne it was so
generous of you letting me borrow that herbology book; there is so much in there about planting gardens and being
organised and I know I could never learn how to be as
great as you are at keeping things straight and tidy. And you know what? It sort of just occurred to me about how much trouble Garret and I would get in if you weren't always so
conscientious and
cautious where we just rush in without thinking things through. It's very
smart of you to
take your time with this too, because it means that
you will get it perfectly right." Celandine paused and smiled brightly, her eyes flicking around at the rest of the class, hoping someone else would figure out what she was trying to do and tell Daphne she was awesome and distract her from being nervous.
"And, you are
such a good friend helping me with the saddle thing, and
you have so many good ideas and my brother really
likes you and keeps telling me that I'm really lucky to have a friend who
knows how to present herself and is a real lady. Actually he won't be quiet about it when I talk about my friends. He says that
you have potential to be great. But you know what Daphne? I think you already are
great, really great." Celandine chattered on, complimenting Daphne in every possible way she could think of and finding it not to be a stretch at all.
Celandine stroked her ebony wand, watching the chest and hoping Daphne would manage the spell.