Alexa giggled at his excuse. "I bet it's got more to do with who you are though." She said, sticking her tongue at him playfully. Yeah he was a Hufflepuff, but so was Lottie and Laura and a whole host of others that were mis-sorted if you asked her, including her late mother. "It's good and...hm, refreshing I'd say." Definitely. She was far less inclined to raise a wand at him. FAR less.

"No no, no 'but's," There was a wide grin across her face. "I don't want to tell you that points aren't important," 'cause they kinda were. They were the difference between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff's positions, "but they aren't the end of the world. Remember that 5 points I lost? I lost another 50 within the next month....then another 10." That had been an odd year for her. "Point is, I earned 'em back and no one in my house was upset." And they were violent Gryffindors! She was sure he'd get hugs and cookies if he told his house how bad he felt--er...she wanted cookies.

"There we go! Laughing makes you feel a lot better. If something upsets you, laugh at it. It makes you feel better than the situation or the person, for me anyway." Laughing was thera...therapeutic? Was that the word? Best not use it in case it wasn't. He'd get the idea.

She nodded at his agreement. Good. Nothing overly reckless to start with. "Show me that you've really improved by the end of term and I'll teach you a little something for people who pick on you." Again, he'd have to prove that he wouldn't hurt himself. She wouldn't have been able to live with herself knowing it was her fault he ended up bed ridden for his summer or spent his last night at school with the Healer.

"Relax." Giggle. "I meant once you have the spell down I'll remove the charm and let you try." She rested the butterfly on the dock and led him away from it so they wouldn't squish it. "First, the words. Repeat after me. Petrificus Totalus. Pe-tri-fi-cus To-ta-lus." This was the easiest part of any spell. The words.

Forrest giggled when she stuck her tongue out. "I suppose so," he conceded. Surely Alexa knew more about houses and personalities than him. In fact, he was sure she knew everything.

He gasped loudly again--she had lost sixty five! points and she was so casual about it! She was his hero. Definitely. She was the bravest person on earth--SIXTY FIVE POINTS!--and she didn't even flinch because she managed to earn them back! He looked at her in wonder with his mouth open and all. He wished she was like her. Forget about professors, he was searching HER when he was in trouble.

Compared to sixty five, five looked like a prize.

"I will try." After he had cried his lungs out, because that was bound to happen. He couldn't walk cold-blooded after losing sixty five points.

His face lit up over that promise. He wasn't sure about the 'improving' part of his own, but he would try. He could at least touch his wand now, and that was a huge step. Maybe he could do this... who knew? If Alexa had so much faith in him, he would do it.

"Oh." He blushed. Hehe. Of course she would let him learn the words first. He put his wand next to him. Didn't wanna study the words holding it. "Petrificus Totalus." Easy enough. Or was it easy because he had some confidence in himself, for a change? "Petrificus Totalus. Petrificus Totalus. Petrificus Totalus."

She was still grinning but only because for once it seemed that she didn't say something to make him feel worse. FINALLY! She was getting better at this cheering up thing. Quite a surprize too seeing as she typically sucked at it. The obvious was always her favourite thing to point out.

Her eyes widened a bit at his loud gasping. Was it...was it really that shocking? Sixty five wasn't all that bed...it was kinda worth it but seeing as clearly this news took him aback she'd just...not mention that she got suspended too....yeah...she'd leave out that bit just in case. Besides! He seemed really impressed now and she didn't want to ruin it so instead she nodded and kept smiling. Losing sixty five points was a trophy or a shiny medal for her.

"You bet you'll try and you know, if it's too bad to laugh at I could probably try helping you see the humour--especially if it's someone." But she might need to get help from Lottie with that. Hexes were her thing, transfiguring things was her best friend's. They'd even put the person normal again if Forrest felt too bad about it to laugh...but she'd probably be giggling her head off first. Just saying.

Hehehe, look at his face lighting up like that. She'd have to teach him something cool and she would.

"Good! Look at that! You've just learned the incantation!" BEAM. "I'll admit the wand movement is just as easy so that should be good too. All you do is jab your wand at the target." Yup, that simple. "You'll really have to mean it though. To preform spells like these and well any spell you'll need intent. You're gonna have to want the object paralyzed." Something she'd come to learn and found no problem with.

If she wanted you hexed then of course there was intent. It had to work or she wouldn't' be happy.

Someone? Whoone? Forrest looked confused for a moment, then shrugged it off. Now that he had impressed her, he didn't want to ruin his profile by admitting he didn't understand something.

Hmm, yes. Back to hexes and body freezing.

Intent, intent, bloody intent. That was the second most frequent phrase he'd heard here--the first one was 'We'll raise money for our school'. And frankly, both of them worn old long ago. He puffed his cheeks. He didn't want any intent! He just wanted to perform spells easily like every other student could do here. He had to close his eyes and visualise for intent--what would he do when it was really necessary, then? Ask for a moment's dreaming and then perform the counter-spell at the offender?

There. His enthusiasm had vanished. When it came to intent, he had never succeed--why would it be any different now? Still, he nodded at Alexa--though less enthusiastically, he raised his wand to fail. Then they could go to her common room and get the books.

The spark in his eyes had gone out. She could tell and she knew when too. It was with the talk of intent. Probably not something he wanted to hear but it was true. She paused and looked at him, not sure what to say but then, she started talking without really knowing what she was saying. "I used to hate that word, intent." She slipped her wand back into its holster. "It use to be the reason I never got any spells right. You should have seen me in my first year, it was either my wand was deaf or it deliberately chose to ignore me. Everyone told me 'you need intent' and I would scowl wondering how much more I needed."

It was only after she'd done speaking that she found the point she was trying to make. "It used to annoy me that everyone could flick their wands and flowers and daisies would come out but all I ever got was smoke, then I learned a neat trick. All you have to do is really want the spell to work, you can't second guess yourself." Like she guessed he was doing now and he was doing back in that first Astronomy class of the year.

"The wand chose you so you get to boss it around because it already likes you. Now come on, lemme see you jabbing like you mean it." GRIN.

That probably didn't help and she'd probably failed at cheering him up again but it was the only thing she could think of at the moment. NONE of her spells worked in her first year without a few threats to her wand or the object she was trying to charm, she could see how it would all get a bit frustrating. More than a bit actually.

Forrest was expecting the butterfly to fly again and he had even directed his wand at it, so he blinked in confusion as Alexa put away her wand and started talking instead. Blinking at her, he lowered his arm too and listened intently to what she was saying.

He really had to want it... But he wanted it alright! It was magic that didn't want him--he was a mudblood! How could he ever succeed in his first try anyway? If he was born to a strong line of wizards, he wouldn't ever second guess himself, but everyone around him used to cower from him only a few months ago. His own father had even thought of sending him to some 'special' treatment centre! His lower lip trembled and he quickly looked away. She was Alexa, he was Forrest. She was pureblood, he was mudblood. Of course she learnt how to boss her wand! He, on the other hand...

I must not cry. I must not cry.

"I can't. I don't want to. I'm tired. Let's return back to castle."

She was beginning to get the idea that her talk just now was counter productive. He was over there looking like her after she'd eaten the last of her chocolate frogs and you know, he wanted to leave. Great going Lex, you chased him away. She could have almost hit herself. One day she'd learn to make people feel better if only for Forrest's sake. But for now...

"We can, but if you're backing down from this then at least do one thing for me?" It wasn't said in a demanding voice. More like one where she was trying not to make him any more upset.

Lex nodded toward the butterfly. "I don't think he wants to get stuck like that." She tried giving him a small, encouraging smile. "The spell to make him better isn't difficult, much easier than the one you were so eager to learn just now. All you need is a pointing motion and the word 'Finite'. Think you can give that a shot before we go?"

He didn't have to if he didn't want to but she wanted to show him that not every spell was hard and that he had the ability if he'd only try.

Forrest looked into the brown eyes and nodded ever so lightly. He could do something for her, yes, as long as it wasn't magic related--oh, yeah. His eyes fell on the poor animal and he shifted uncomfortably on where he sat. He frowned first, considering his options. Would she lose all her faith if he failed? Would she back out of giving him the book? Should he get the book? No doubt he'd fail at every spell in it... He sighed and shrugged. Whatever. He knew he would never be a top wizard anyway. Maybe he should just drop out and be a muggle. Could he cure from magical ability? He had to ask it to someone. Who, though?

Without giving it much thought or vision--he was done visualising--he just pointed his wand at the butterfly and said "Finite." There. Done. He didn't even look whether it worked, because he was sure the poor thing still lay there motionless.

Could they leave now?

By the look on his face she was almost sure he would have said no. It was a wonder he hadn't simply gotten up and walked away from her with all the useless things she'd been saying all day but he didn't! He sat there looking at the butterfly, the one that couldn't move.

A part of her wanted to mumble the spell the moment he tried, that way it'd be sure to work, but then they'd never know his ability and he would have been cheated so she held her breath and waited.

It seemed she was the only one of the two actually waiting--he wasn't even looking.

Pity. He missed the moment the butterfly's wings slowly began flapping again. It took about three slow flaps before the thing fluttered up and was airbourne once again. The grin was back on her face and she was beaming proudly at him, even if he really hadn't seen. "Forrest! You did! I told you you could!! Just look at it, as good as new! Not a wing out of place!!!" Heeeey. "And on the first try too!!!"

What? He did it?! His eyes searched for the butterfly and soon enough he'd found it flying again, leaving his face bright with wonder. He did it? He blinked. On the first try. But she said it was an easy spell, his logic snarled, no need to make a huge deal out of it. Of course. It was an easy spell. Probably the easiest ever. His expression of wonder got dull, and the small smile that had formed vanished soon after. It didn't mean anything, but seeing Alexa so excited and happy was contagious.

"I didn't even visualise," he explained as if that was the only reason he had failed so far. "It's... I did it, yeah?" His negative logic and positive logic was battling inside his head. "Maybe I should try that body binding spell." Positive logic had won, and he was hopeful again.

For now.

She was about to clear her throat and begin her excited yelling again because it didn't seem like he'd heard her the first time. He'd gotten the spell right. She nearly flooded the potions class because she couldn't do it and here he was on the first try but she wasn't going to mention it. He had a knack for taking every story she told him and turning it into something that made him feel even worse.

Instead she continued grinning and sure enough the excitement caught hold of him and he was being positive again! Oooo, he didn't want to leave anymore either! Now all she had to do was be careful so he didn't go back to being in a slump.

"Definitely! I see no reason why you shouldn't!" He was doing good so far and she wasn't about to discourage him even though she was slightly panicking on the inside because she didn't want his spell not working and him crying. "He looks like he's still trying to catch his bearings. You could give it a shot now before he comes to his sense or do you want me to freeze him again until you get a better handle on the spell?"

Either could work.

Forrest relaxed in his seat again as he grinned a little. He was pleased that he wasn't very cold in this weather either. Either his six heavy pieces of clothing kept him warm, or the weather decided to play nice today. With his positive logic in charge, he liked the second idea better. He could even fantasise it was to let him grasp this spell. Yeah. Definitely. He was that important of a boy.

Back to the reality.

He? Oh. The butterfly. Of course. His positiveness had its limits though, of course, and he knew he would never get the spell on his first try regardless of his handling of the spell. So, offering her a shrug to indicate he didn't really know, he pointed his wand at the butterfly and said "Petrificus Totalus," clearly. Waiting... Did it get slower? It certainly got--don't fool yourself, his negative logic snarled again and he sighed, shaking his head hopelessly.

Lex sat again. No more blowing things up so she figured she'd sit and wait. The butterfly was still within reach, just in case it tried getting away before they were done with it and by the looks of things, they weren't done yet. "That's fine. All spells require practice, some more than others." She said with a casual shrug of her shoulders. It really wasn't all that big a deal. She would have been shocked if it had worked on his first try.

"Go ahead, try again, the butterfly's still playing nice for us."

Or was she thinking too far ahead? He wasn't gonna let that failure stop him, right? This was practice. She was teaching him the spell. If he could already get it perfectly on the first go then he wouldn't have asked her so there was nothing to worry about.

She would sit with her feet in the water again and wait patiently. He could take as long as he needed, really.

Of course all spells required practice. He sighed to himself and wondered whether he could ever be a great wizard that got every spell on first try without visualising.

'Guess never. Who said wizards had it easier than muggles?

He raised his wand and opened his mouth to cast the spell again but--her feet was in the water and it distracted him. He frowned, hesitated, decided against saying something, but really, she was his friend.

"It's--you'll--you'll get cold--the water must be freezing." Hadn't she said she was eating excessive ice-cream? With those feet in freezing water, she was bound to have a bad stomach.

Even with her feet kicking in the water and her gaze out toward the lake she was still acutely aware of the fact that he was just sitting there and hadn't made any moves related to freezing the butterfly. He might have needed more time and she had plenty. There was a reason she was sitting out here in the first place; she was bored and had nothing else to do. He was her company so she was fine now.

From the corner of her eyes she saw him raise his wand but looking over at him, she could tell that he was more preoccupied with her feet than his spell work.

Lex tilted her head and gave him a curious look. If it was distracting him then she'd stop. "You're absolutely right." Offered him a smile before pulling her feet from the water.

"Truthfully, it didn't feel all that cold, but enough about me. The spell, remember?" She wasn't rushing him but she couldn't help but think he'd gotten distracted.

It didn't feel cold? Forrest frowned. It was winter, how come it didn't feel cold?! Had he grown that soft to cold in two years Saudi Arabia? He tried to shrug at himself but really. She was going to vomit all over the place. It was the worst form of illness.

He offered her a shy smile that didn't quite touch his eyes. He was still worried about her, but she wanted him to go on with the spell and what could he say to someone who had lost sixty five points and didn't even flinch? Turning to the task at hand somewhat reluctantly, he searched for the butterfly and found it sitting on somewhere not very far. He pointed his wand on it again and said "Petrificus Totalus!" It didn't quite move, but that may well be because it was still sitting. Hmm. Should he try to move it? Would it bite?

Yeah, there was that look again. She tried not to think about it this time because she didn't have an explanation to give. She'd been spending a lot of time around ice-cream and chasing her Kneazle around the grounds. Of course it was cold but just...not that cold, you know?

So eyes on Forrest. This time he didn't have that dejected look as he tried casting. New determination maybe? Whatever it was, she kept her gaze on him until the spell had left his wand, then it was eyes on the butterfly. Umm...it wasn't doing anything...had it worked? Probably. The wings weren't flapping even a little so...maybe?

"Try poking it with your wand, see if it moves."

That was one way of finding out. It wouldn't sit there and be prodded unless the spell was effect and if it wasn't, the bug was right there and could be cast on again. For what it was worth, she was already proud. It might have worked on his second try. See that wand, cooperation, you should try it some time. Some time outside of hexes because she was already good at those, thanks.

Poke it with his wand?! He looked at her incredibly. Was she CRAZY? If there was one thing he had learnt about magic here, it was that he should NEVER EVER USE HIS WAND UNNECESSARILY. And right now, it would be the most unnecessary act ever. It could blast the poor animal, and he could do with one nightmare less.

Touching it lightly with his HAND. That was what he did. Touching its wings lightly so it couldn't beat him whatever. Hmm... although it wasn't dead--thankfully--or fully frozen, it was... confused. Yeah. It flipped its wings, but not as quickly as before. It was slow, yes, that was the easiest explanation. This meant the spell worked with 50% efficiency? Forrest would like to think so. He glanced over Alexa to see whether she was watching. She was the expert here, so maybe she could enlighten him about the efficiency of his spell.

Nerida walked over to the swimming dock and awaited the comrade who was supposed to be coming...Lets see if she came. She sat down on the dock and waited for Laura. She looked towards the entrance waiting for the Hufflepuff. She leaned back and waited, she better be in one too. If not she brought a cover up to quickly put on. Though she did not doubt Laura at all.

Laura walked over to the Lake she had a towel with her and she was a bit scared about doing this but she at least had a friend doing it with her and it wasn't like they were doing anything wrong, they were just having a water fight, she suddenly saw Nerida. "Hey Nerida, so you ready for this?" Laura giggled looking down at her yellow Bikini. "I must say I look stunning today." Laura giggled.

Nerida smirked as she sa Laura. "Yellow? Hufflepuff even now." She giggled she couldn't talk she was wearing a blue Bikini. She stood up, "I must say that we are the best looking ones here." She glanced around, yeap most definitely. "Am I ready for this? Are you ready for this?" Laura had no clue what she was getting into a water fight with this girl was crazy, she loved getting water everywhere and she always won with her siblings. She smiled a big grin before picking up her towel from the floor.

Laura giggled. "Yeah, I'm always a Hufflepuff." Laura smiled. "Your a Ravenclaw now as well." Laura smiled as she looked at Nerida. "Oh I'm more than ready." Laura was sure that she could beat Nerida easily, she picked up her towel and put it somewhere safe before looking at Nerida again. "Come on then." Laura giggled. "give me your best shot."

Nerida smiled, "Always Hufflepuff, eh. What if we smuggled you into the Ravenclaw common room, then you would be like part Ravenclaw." Her smile grew, yeap she couldn't resist wearing Ravenclaw colors, they were having a battle she had to show her colors. She set her purple towel next to Lauras making sure it would not get wet. Nerida giggled, before saying okay...She took Laura's arm and pushed her into the water. "Was that a good first shot? You are soaked."

Laura suddenly realised that she was in the water, she looked up at Nerida. "That was awesome." Laura smirked, "why don't you join me?" Laura grabbed hold of Nerida foot and used it to pull her into the lake. "Next time you should do something a lot better." Laura smirked, she was loving the water it felt refreshing.

Nerida didn't realize she was in the water until she was in the water. She chuckled "The water feels good!" Do something a lot better, hmm mission accepted. Though what should she do??? Hmm she smiled she started to splash Laura like crazy not stopping until her hands willed her to stop.