Did the Professor just jumped because she was surprised to her the cymbal? HEHEHEHE.... "I'm sorry, Professor." The young lioness apologize. Maybe she should've warn her 1. That she's gonna clang the cymbal and 2. Not to use and provide this instrument coz it could cause her getting heart attack.

And the lesson had started. Lucky that Ava hadn't eaten any lollies that the professor had provided. She's grabbing some more and put it on her pocket. As the first question, she clanged the cymbal again... BANG!!!!

Oops? Maybe she should've not clang it too hard.

"I usually closed my eyes and imagine what would it be when I successfully perform the spell." Power of positive mind, that's some people said.

Professor B'York was really into sweets, eh? Not that he's complaining or anything, but she should offer something salty next time. Like crisps or something. Or Turkey Sandwich, perhaps?

Anyway, onto answering the first question of the lesson.

His classmates raised good answers, but for the sake of the majority, he'd offer a good, and very basic trick he's been using ever since he got his first wand. Ethan picked up his tambourine and hit it with his left hand. "I calm myself by taking deep breaths. It helps me to focus too."

As soon as he placed the tambourine down, he got a handful of lollies and jammed it inside his pocket.

Free food, you know.

Henric hit his triangle as always to answer,"Professor,I calm myself by thinking positively...I'll keep repeating in my head that I can do it, I guess to me it helps build up my self-confidence when performing a spell." Yup.Negative thoughts always hamper his mood to give it his all towards a goal he wanted to set for himself, not just performing a tricky spell.

"I'm just wonderful Professor, thank you." And she was. Cue the happy grin now. Pulling the wrapper off of the newly found green lollipop she placed it into her mouth enjoying it's apple flavor as she listed quietly.

No notes needed to be taken as of yet so the brunette simply enjoyed her treat. The first question was easy and Hady played a nice simple tune on her small drum with er hands to get the attention of the professor. Removing the lollipop from her mouth she gave her answer, "Slow even breaths and clearing my mind before I try to focus on what I want the spell to do." A clear mind before hand made it easier to focus on the spell. For her a at least.

One of his favorite classes. Mhm, yes. IF the professor would have placed gummy worms instead of lollies, well...she literally would have won Hugo's heart. The boy greeted her as usual and sat down, examining the weird instrument on his desk. It looked like a flute but he knew it wasn't.

The class started and he knew how to answer to this question because it was an easy one. Ahem. He raised his hand, "I write down the incantations 'cause usually I forget the names but once I'm about to cast it I try to be relax and that's it. And with my stomach full" yeah, simple. His brain hardly could function without a proper meal. "And sometimes imagining getting it right" especially with Transfiguration where you had to transform things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessiqua

SPOILER!!: Greetings

“Hello Davie,” Beatrice said as he walked through the classroom door. He didn’t immediately eat his lollies, which of course Beatrice noticed. She hoped he was okay. Would she have to keep an eye on Davie and Yoongi? Hopefully not.

Beatrice stood to her full height, which wasn’t very impressive, to check the corridor and make sure no other students were rushing down to get in. Nope. Good. She closed the door and headed to her seat amongst the students, where a pair of little cymbals sat. She clanged them together, creating a soft clashing noise. And with that, the music stopped. All eyes on her for now? Good.

“Hello everyone, welcome to the lesson. Please keep eating your lollies for the first part, and we will pack them away for the activity.” Not even looking at those who HADN’T yet eaten one.

“My first question is what do you do to help concentrate before performing a tricky spell, or a new spell? For me, I sometimes do a little stretch, and some vocal exercises before practicing the incantation and the wand movement separately.” Now for their turn. What musical instrument would she hear first?

Oh, they were allowed to eat the lollies?! Davie hadn't even thought of that, so now he unwrapped one and with a small smile at the professor, popped it into his mouth. She was nice. She'd even said hi to him, though he'd forgotten to greet her too.

Removing the lolly temporarily, Davie tapped a beat on the drum on his desk. "I like to read the incantation, either from a book or from where I wrote it down before I perform it. It helps me feel more confident that I'm not messing it up because I wrote it down correctly." IF he had in fact written it down correctly.

Angel had picked a triangle for some reason and she thought that it was so much fun though she was now thinking maybe that another instrument would have been better but well she had choose this one now. She took a lolly and put it in her mouth and then she looked and listened to the Professor as she spoke.

*ding*

Angel played her instrument which was awesome.

Angel now had to figure out what she wanted to say for the question. "I would try and relax and maybe think of something that is a happy memory, so that I can concentrate my hardest on the spell."

Smiling at Professor York, Paulina unwrapped a lolly before sticking it in her mouth. She wasn't usually one for candy, so this was a nice treat. Usually Paulina stuck with more healthy options - which was probably why she was so light.

As the first question was asked, she beat on her drum a few times. "I practice the incantation and wand movement until I feel I know them like the back of my hand. Oh, and I also give myself a bit of a pep talk because it can be easy to become discouraged. " Yeah, it was simple but it was what worked for her generally.

Blaise watched his cousin with avid curiosity. He'd only asked for the one lollipop to be traded but this worked out real well too on account of now he'd probably gotten rid of other flavours he wouldn't have wanted either. The boy grinned widely, plucking the blueberry flavoured lolly from his jar that had been previously reshuffled.

"Excellent."

Know what was less excellent? The fact the class was starting. Of course they would start with a question, it was simply what they did and even though he hadn't been back since the first lesson in September, he'd been to enough other classes to realize there was a pattern to the whole thing. That meant this was the best part of the class and he would have to enjoy it before they went to the dreaded other part.

He didn't particularly try playing his harmonica, in fact, the area around his seat was quiet. Nothing, he did nothing before a new spell. Nothing ever worked. He didn't have an answer to give.

Lollies, they could eat ALL the lollies.

Brilliant.

Zeke started to pull out his items from his bag for note taking, but it was a slow process when done one-handed, and still he popped lollies in his mouth.

The whole keeping calm and focused thing, seemed funny considering the sugar high they were going to get from this, which made him wonder if that would be part of their task? Exercising control? Nevertheless, you couldn't transfigure calm... right? So they would still be learning something else.

As for what HE did to find focus, simple, "I take a deep breath, Professor." A GOOOOD solid INHALE, and he held it for a short while to let the air flow aaaaaaaalllllllllllll around his body, ahem. "Though sometimes it might take more than one..."

Rooney was too busy with his hand in the bowl of lollies to pay attention to other peoples answers, but he rang the hell out of his triangle when he wanted to offer his own. DING DING DING DING DING DING DING. "Prooooofessssooooooooooor!!!" Yes, yes. He sounded like a foghorn today, but maybe that was on purpose. Not even he was sure. Once attention was on him, though, he smiled sweetly -- like butter wouldn't melt, although the lollipop hanging out of his mouth said otherwise.

"I usually always write stuff about a spell down," Lollipop sluuURRRRP-ahhhh!! "Stuff like what I do with my wand, how I say it, how I should feel.." Flavoured dribble being licked from his lower lip. Hey, it wasn't HIS choice to provide lollipops. "What it feels like being on the other end, just..notes.." He really was going somewhere with this. That somewhere, was his free hand diving into his bowl once more for another lollipop, because he was sure that this one would be finished with by the time he stopped talking and slurping and dribbling. "Reading something in my own words usually makes me feel a little more at ease." So did thinking about being on stage.

"Sometimes I picture people around me doing something...out of the ordinary and that would make me a little happier to be doing something new." Like being naked. He always tried that when he was nervous and about to perform.

An old wives tale, sure, but a tried and tested method for him.

SPOILER!!: Professah!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessiqua

“Ahh Reeeeeegaaaaannnnnnnn, heeelllooooooooo,” Beatrice sang to the Ravenclaw with a big smile on her face, and even a little clap!
____

Beatrice stood to her full height, which wasn’t very impressive, to check the corridor and make sure no other students were rushing down to get in. Nope. Good. She closed the door and headed to her seat amongst the students, where a pair of little cymbals sat. She clanged them together, creating a soft clashing noise. And with that, the music stopped. All eyes on her for now? Good.

“Hello everyone, welcome to the lesson. Please keep eating your lollies for the first part, and we will pack them away for the activity.” Not even looking at those who HADN’T yet eaten one.

“My first question is what do you do to help concentrate before performing a tricky spell, or a new spell? For me, I sometimes do a little stretch, and some vocal exercises before practicing the incantation and the wand movement separately.” Now for their turn. What musical instrument would she hear first?

Meep! It always warmed Reagan so, SO much to know that Professor York had remembered her name. It was a small detail, something that others probably wouldn't flail over, but she was Reagan...and Reagans had been known to get tickled at these silly little things.

...and that most likely made her an equally silly girl, but the Ravenclaw cared not if others chose to think that. She was comfortable in her own truth. Professor Myers would've been so proud.

Pulling the lollies from her own container, she began sorting them as the class officially started. She could do this and focus on an answer, sure enough. No sweat. Mmm, she had...two watermelon!pink ones...and a few green, which Reagan assumed were sour apple. She HOPED they were, anyway. Sour apple just happened to be her favorite...

MMM.

"I know for me...personally, I try to make sure I'm not too distracted with praising everyone else. I'm bad at...cheering others on when I should be focusing on my own work." That hadn't been sung. It was a lot to sing out, if she'd tried...but yes. She enjoyed watching her peers succeed, and that did hamper her from time to time. If she were being honest...

Mmmmmmmmm, the green ones WERE sour apple!

Oh oh This was a good question. Bentley actually had a whole routine he did when he was about to do a really tricky spell. He couldn't wait to show his parents....when he got home...not that he'd get to do the actual magic anyways.

Oh right..the answer.

Bentley had popped two different flavour lollipops into his mouth after he had mixed his flavours with Blaise..pulling them out proved to be tricky as juice ran down his chin..

Lolli juice! He wiped it away with the back of his hand then got to his feet.

"what I do is stand up like this...theeeeen.."He wiggled his body up and down like a boiled limp noodle in the wind.." I wiggle up and down like this while imagining myself doing the spell correctly." Ahaha always fun doing his routine.

The first year then plopped back unto his seat and stuffed both lollis into his mouth.

SPOILER!!: Responses

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Yep, Adi had no problem with continuing his consumption of the lolly. Sweets were goooood. Mhmmmm. Now that the lesson was getting started, the lolly had to share his attention with Beatrice. There was still an eager Puffer to learn here, after all.

Too busy with the lolly to sing, Adi played a few notes on the triangle. Had he gotten the Professor's attention? Yes? Goody! "I sometimes think about positive or happy stuff. Like food, music or I imagine myself back at home playing cricket.'' Yeeep! Those were a few of his favourite things and they made him extra haaaappy and positive vibes were always great for spell work in his opinion.

Ahh, the triangle. Beatrice listened to Adi’s method and nodded approvingly. “Yes, good, positive thinking definitely helps.” Try thinking negative thoughts when performing a new or difficult spell.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomRaven

Did the Professor just jumped because she was surprised to her the cymbal? HEHEHEHE.... "I'm sorry, Professor." The young lioness apologize. Maybe she should've warn her 1. That she's gonna clang the cymbal and 2. Not to use and provide this instrument coz it could cause her getting heart attack.

And the lesson had started. Lucky that Ava hadn't eaten any lollies that the professor had provided. She's grabbing some more and put it on her pocket. As the first question, she clanged the cymbal again... BANG!!!!

Oops? Maybe she should've not clang it too hard.

"I usually closed my eyes and imagine what would it be when I successfully perform the spell." Power of positive mind, that's some people said.

Oh, and another Bang. Without even looking, Beatrice knew it was Ava. But it was still music, loud bang or not. And more nods, “Excellent, Ava. Yes, that’s a very important step in performing any spell.”

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefan

Professor B'York was really into sweets, eh? Not that he's complaining or anything, but she should offer something salty next time. Like crisps or something. Or Turkey Sandwich, perhaps?

Anyway, onto answering the first question of the lesson.

His classmates raised good answers, but for the sake of the majority, he'd offer a good, and very basic trick he's been using ever since he got his first wand. Ethan picked up his tambourine and hit it with his left hand. "I calm myself by taking deep breaths. It helps me to focus too."

As soon as he placed the tambourine down, he got a handful of lollies and jammed it inside his pocket.

Free food, you know.

And to the lovely noise of a tambourine, Beatrice looked towards Ethan. “YES, being calm and focused is very important.” Nods. And… did he just put the lollies into his pocket? “I do have more lollies in my office if you need some for later.” The poor lad probably needed a stash for studying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Symphora

Henric hit his triangle as always to answer,"Professor,I calm myself by thinking positively...I'll keep repeating in my head that I can do it, I guess to me it helps build up my self-confidence when performing a spell." Yup.Negative thoughts always hamper his mood to give it his all towards a goal he wanted to set for himself, not just performing a tricky spell.

And another lovely chiming triangle. Beatrice enjoyed Henric’s answer and nodded “Yes, I certainly agree with you on that, Henric.”

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpiritWolfe Malfoy

"I'm just wonderful Professor, thank you." And she was. Cue the happy grin now. Pulling the wrapper off of the newly found green lollipop she placed it into her mouth enjoying it's apple flavor as she listed quietly.

No notes needed to be taken as of yet so the brunette simply enjoyed her treat. The first question was easy and Hady played a nice simple tune on her small drum with er hands to get the attention of the professor. Removing the lollipop from her mouth she gave her answer, "Slow even breaths and clearing my mind before I try to focus on what I want the spell to do." A clear mind before hand made it easier to focus on the spell. For her a at least.

And a drum! A good tune, too. Of course it was Hady, and Beatrice listened to her method, giving an approving nod. “Absolutely, a great method Hady.”

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeasleyGirl

One of his favorite classes. Mhm, yes. IF the professor would have placed gummy worms instead of lollies, well...she literally would have won Hugo's heart. The boy greeted her as usual and sat down, examining the weird instrument on his desk. It looked like a flute but he knew it wasn't.

The class started and he knew how to answer to this question because it was an easy one. Ahem. He raised his hand, "I write down the incantations 'cause usually I forget the names but once I'm about to cast it I try to be relax and that's it. And with my stomach full" yeah, simple. His brain hardly could function without a proper meal. "And sometimes imagining getting it right" especially with Transfiguration where you had to transform things.

There was always a few students who didn’t fancy the instruments for whatever reason. Beatrice had learned to accept it, and she looked to Hugo with a smile. “Ahh a full stomach, very important! It certainly helps with concentration. Trying to do anything on an empty stomach isn’t a good idea.” And of course the imagining the spell going right helped.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

Oh, they were allowed to eat the lollies?! Davie hadn't even thought of that, so now he unwrapped one and with a small smile at the professor, popped it into his mouth. She was nice. She'd even said hi to him, though he'd forgotten to greet her too.

Removing the lolly temporarily, Davie tapped a beat on the drum on his desk. "I like to read the incantation, either from a book or from where I wrote it down before I perform it. It helps me feel more confident that I'm not messing it up because I wrote it down correctly." IF he had in fact written it down correctly.

At the sound of another drum, Beatrice looked to Davie who, much to Beatrice’s delight, had started eating the lollies. That was reassuring. Nodding, Beatrice said ”Absolutely, and I also find writing things down helps lock it into my memory. Good method, Davie!”

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry174

Angel had picked a triangle for some reason and she thought that it was so much fun though she was now thinking maybe that another instrument would have been better but well she had choose this one now. She took a lolly and put it in her mouth and then she looked and listened to the Professor as she spoke.

*ding*

Angel played her instrument which was awesome.

Angel now had to figure out what she wanted to say for the question. "I would try and relax and maybe think of something that is a happy memory, so that I can concentrate my hardest on the spell."

Another triangle! The dings in the classroom were lovely, and this one was no different. She nodded at Angel’s suggestion, “Absolutely Angel, it’s very important to be relaxed, positive and preferably with some happiness.” Grumpiness also did nothing for casting spells.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squishy

Smiling at Professor York, Paulina unwrapped a lolly before sticking it in her mouth. She wasn't usually one for candy, so this was a nice treat. Usually Paulina stuck with more healthy options - which was probably why she was so light.

As the first question was asked, she beat on her drum a few times. "I practice the incantation and wand movement until I feel I know them like the back of my hand. Oh, and I also give myself a bit of a pep talk because it can be easy to become discouraged. " Yeah, it was simple but it was what worked for her generally.

The drums and triangles were dominating the lesson, and it was a nice sound. Turning now to Paulina, Beatrice listened to her answer. YES! “That is my preferred method, Paulina. Excellent suggestion.” And the second bit was just lovely. “Absolutely, that’s a VERY important thing to remember.” Beatrice would remember that one!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

Blaise watched his cousin with avid curiosity. He'd only asked for the one lollipop to be traded but this worked out real well too on account of now he'd probably gotten rid of other flavours he wouldn't have wanted either. The boy grinned widely, plucking the blueberry flavoured lolly from his jar that had been previously reshuffled.

"Excellent."

Know what was less excellent? The fact the class was starting. Of course they would start with a question, it was simply what they did and even though he hadn't been back since the first lesson in September, he'd been to enough other classes to realize there was a pattern to the whole thing. That meant this was the best part of the class and he would have to enjoy it before they went to the dreaded other part.

He didn't particularly try playing his harmonica, in fact, the area around his seat was quiet. Nothing, he did nothing before a new spell. Nothing ever worked. He didn't have an answer to give.

Beatrice’s eyes passed over Blaise, who seemed happy with the lollies but… wasn’t interested in contributing to the discussion. Beatrice was certainly not going to push the lad, being happy just to see him in class, but she was itching to ask him what he did when it came to spells. Well, perhaps he knew that holding the wand was the first thing to remember.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hera

Lollies, they could eat ALL the lollies.

Brilliant.

Zeke started to pull out his items from his bag for note taking, but it was a slow process when done one-handed, and still he popped lollies in his mouth.

The whole keeping calm and focused thing, seemed funny considering the sugar high they were going to get from this, which made him wonder if that would be part of their task? Exercising control? Nevertheless, you couldn't transfigure calm... right? So they would still be learning something else.

As for what HE did to find focus, simple, "I take a deep breath, Professor." A GOOOOD solid INHALE, and he held it for a short while to let the air flow aaaaaaaalllllllllllll around his body, ahem. "Though sometimes it might take more than one..."

Beatrice smiled at Zeke’s suggestion. ”Absolutely! I find a few good deep breaths help ground and relax me.”

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanners

Rooney was too busy with his hand in the bowl of lollies to pay attention to other peoples answers, but he rang the hell out of his triangle when he wanted to offer his own. DING DING DING DING DING DING DING. "Prooooofessssooooooooooor!!!" Yes, yes. He sounded like a foghorn today, but maybe that was on purpose. Not even he was sure. Once attention was on him, though, he smiled sweetly -- like butter wouldn't melt, although the lollipop hanging out of his mouth said otherwise.

"I usually always write stuff about a spell down," Lollipop sluuURRRRP-ahhhh!! "Stuff like what I do with my wand, how I say it, how I should feel.." Flavoured dribble being licked from his lower lip. Hey, it wasn't HIS choice to provide lollipops. "What it feels like being on the other end, just..notes.." He really was going somewhere with this. That somewhere, was his free hand diving into his bowl once more for another lollipop, because he was sure that this one would be finished with by the time he stopped talking and slurping and dribbling. "Reading something in my own words usually makes me feel a little more at ease." So did thinking about being on stage.

"Sometimes I picture people around me doing something...out of the ordinary and that would make me a little happier to be doing something new." Like being naked. He always tried that when he was nervous and about to perform.

An old wives tale, sure, but a tried and tested method for him.

Beatrice let out a small laugh at Rooney's enthusiastic ringing of the triangle. AND the singing. She gave him a thumbs up before he got to his answer, which was an excellent one. It got a big smile from the Professor as she nodded away. Plus he seemed to be really enjoying the lollies. "Excellent answer Rooney, I always find it helps to write things down, too. Although I've... never tried picturing others doing things out of the ordinary," but she had heard about it with things like public speaking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Govoni

Meep! It always warmed Reagan so, SO much to know that Professor York had remembered her name. It was a small detail, something that others probably wouldn't flail over, but she was Reagan...and Reagans had been known to get tickled at these silly little things.

...and that most likely made her an equally silly girl, but the Ravenclaw cared not if others chose to think that. She was comfortable in her own truth. Professor Myers would've been so proud.

Pulling the lollies from her own container, she began sorting them as the class officially started. She could do this and focus on an answer, sure enough. No sweat. Mmm, she had...two watermelon!pink ones...and a few green, which Reagan assumed were sour apple. She HOPED they were, anyway. Sour apple just happened to be her favorite...

MMM.

"I know for me...personally, I try to make sure I'm not too distracted with praising everyone else. I'm bad at...cheering others on when I should be focusing on my own work." That hadn't been sung. It was a lot to sing out, if she'd tried...but yes. She enjoyed watching her peers succeed, and that did hamper her from time to time. If she were being honest...

Mmmmmmmmm, the green ones WERE sour apple!

And Reagan! Her answer was so Hufflepuff, and it just made Beatrice beam. ”Reagan that is a good point to make. Distractions are everywhere, and one must learn to close them off. However, it is also important to praise others and give them encouragement.” It was a fine balance though, between helping others and sacrificing ones own success.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davvy_Wavvy

Oh oh This was a good question. Bentley actually had a whole routine he did when he was about to do a really tricky spell. He couldn't wait to show his parents....when he got home...not that he'd get to do the actual magic anyways.

Oh right..the answer.

Bentley had popped two different flavour lollipops into his mouth after he had mixed his flavours with Blaise..pulling them out proved to be tricky as juice ran down his chin..

Lolli juice! He wiped it away with the back of his hand then got to his feet.

"what I do is stand up like this...theeeeen.."He wiggled his body up and down like a boiled limp noodle in the wind.." I wiggle up and down like this while imagining myself doing the spell correctly." Ahaha always fun doing his routine.

The first year then plopped back unto his seat and stuffed both lollis into his mouth.

Beatrice tried not to bring any attention to Bentley with the juice running down his chin, but he seemed to be enjoying the lollies which she was pleased about. She watched and listened to what he was saying. And she couldn't stifle the chuckle that was determined to come out. She clapped at his show and said "Excellent Bentley! That's one wonderful method you have there!"

Beatrice clanged the two small cymbals together once it seemed that everyone had contributed to the discussion. Well, almost everybody. “Great suggestions everyone. I just wanted to repeat one of the suggestions I heard. Paulina made a note that it’s easy to become discouraged, so giving a little pep talk helps. And it can absolutely be discouraging. I remember being a student and having a spell that I could NOT get the hang of. It felt like I had tried everything, and I just couldn’t do it. I became so discouraged and lost confidence in my own abilities, which affected my other subjects. So I want you all to take note of that. It’s important to give yourself a little pep talk once in a while, especially when dealing with difficult things. Because YOU ARE ALL capable if you put your mind to it.” She paused, looking at all of them. “All of you are capable if you put your mind to it,” she repeated. It was important.

After another few seconds, she moved on. “My second question, leading from that, is how do you feel when you can’t cast a spell, even one you keep practicing? Do those methods you just mentioned help? Or do you have to try something else?”


OOC: If I missed your answer, please PM me and I'll edit it in.

Pep talks... he could do that, and he DID know that he was capable, kinda, though he did have his reservations about some aspects of school. Cough. History of Magic. Cough. He was never going to remember names, dates, places and THINGZ.

Spells and things though, he didn't have all that much difficulty with, but he did understand the concept of practice and trying new things.

Hand up, he offered his perspective. "I've been having trouble casting a corporeal patronus, and I know it's a matter of time before I do, but I guess in this case I just have to find a different approach, a stronger memory or you know... that self belief... because if you keep doing something wrong, then it's not working for you, and changing things up a bit could yield a better result."

Yep. So.... he needed to revisit that.

Now Angel could answer this one she took her instrument and...

*ding*

"Professor, I get angry, annoyed, frustrated and just want to throw my wand into the middle of next week." Angel had no idea why she felt that, maybe it was because she was used to succeeded and she hated failing. At her Primary School she had always been near the top of the class and she was just used to being able to achieve things.

She was listening. Hady had even pulled free a sheet of parchment from inside her bag at her feet and grabbed a quill to jot down all the ideas her mates had given. Some of them might just work! If she ever needed to try something different when she got discouraged. The next question made her stop and think if only for the briefest moment.

Hady knew the one charm that was driving her insane. It was the same charm she had been working on for well over a year now. She knew she wasn't the only one that couldn't do this and hearing Zeke a few seats away announce that he was still working on it as well didn't help at all. She was focused, always. She had tried EVERYTHING and it just wasn't working. "I feel like a failure honestly. It's rather discouraging to be able to cast other charms or something on the very first try or after a few days maybe a week even but when you can't accomplish something after a year or more it gets very frustrating." Hady had given her answer but not before playing another different tune on her drum. "When you've exhausted every possible thing you can think of that would help you with the charm there's nothing left but to KEEP trying." Even if you continued to fail for another year. Sooner or later something was bound to change. Or so she hoped. Deep down she knew she was capable of it, it was just that her mind didn't always agree.

Ethan blushed at the mention of extra lollies in her office. Did he look desperate for free food? Hopefully not. He was just taking advantage of what was being offered in this class, which was...free food. FREE. FOOD. Instead of showing his embarrassment, Ethan gave the professor a knowing grin and a nod. “Oh I just might. Perhaps you’ve got gum? It keeps me awake when I study.” Oh how convenient that would be.

Onto the next question, the Slytherin sat back and tried to remember the time when he couldn’t summon objects. It was truly frustrating and discouraging, and he found himself giving up on the spell, and not his ability to do it. Which was actually good, now that he got the chance to reflect on it.

Tap. Tap. Tap!

Ethan sounded the tambourine as he offered his answer to the professor. “The breathing still helped. Though it helped me keep my sanity, it didn’t stop me from feeling frustrated and mad. What I did was I practised other spells that I’ve mastered to help myself let go of self doubt. I guess, appreciating the spells that I can do, somehow helped me do a restart without the negative energy.”

Practice was key. Practice was everything, really.

She beamed when Professor B said that her suggestion was important. Of course it was, how could she's gonna perform the spell successfully when she didn't think about that? Hehehehe. So far, it did work on her. And what if she couldn't perform it successfully, what would she feel? Well.... It's not that hard to answer it since the young lioness often experienced it. She grabbed her cymbal again and clanged it... but not to hard.

BANG!!!!

That sounded better.

"I'm gonna be frustrated when I couldn't perform it any better, but then I'll look for some help from any other experienced students. Asking their suggestion and.. stuffs. I just don't want to quit." It sounded cliche, but whatever. It was true.

Yep. It was SO easy to become discouraged sometimes. Adi had tasted that during his first years at Hogwarts but had quickly learnt to adjust and move forwards, not letting failure stand in his way. Let disappointment walk with you and you'd be a loser for the rest of your life. That wasn't for him.

So, onto the next question! See, Adi? You weren't the only one who struggled with the failure. But he hadn't realised that some of his friends take it so seriously as he did. After listening to a few of them, he played a few notes on his triangle. "I agree with Hady. I feel exactly as her. Sometimes it feels as though those methods that we usually use don't even work and there would be nothing to do but keep trying.'' Hades had taken everything he wanted to say out of his mouth.

What was with all the hypothetical questions? I mean he respected Professor York and all but when were they going to get to the point of the lesson. He was busy doodling in his notebook and trying to not think of the smart butt answers he could say. He was smirking to himself. Well if he didn't get the hang of the spell you obviously try again, or if not he could punch something and go for a run and come back to it. "You basically have to get your frustration out somehow." he muttered to himself. He didn't feel like volunteering his answer so he kept doodling to himself.

He will let a nerd of the class take the hit for this one.

Y'know if he hadn't known any better and this lesson was being taught in Professor Baxter's class, Zander would say the lesson was about him. But he did know better and he had a gut feeling this class was all about Blaise. Which uh, no offense or anything, but Zander Adair did not think this was a good idea. If anything.... It might just push the kid away. So Zander was trying ultimately hard not to look over at the younger Gryffindor. Ahem.

He blew on the harmonica, making the worst sound ever before offering up his own opinion. Geez. Why give instruments to someone who can't play them? "Feels terrible, 'specially when you know everyone else is watching you." Aka the classroom setting. That's how it felt in that first Charms class. And everyone was trying to offer up their encouragement which only made him feel like more of a failure. "But I guess that's when you've got to get out of your own head and tell yourself that you can't give up... 'Cause when people see you give up, kinda feels worse than when they see you fail at something." Though both were horrible. And yes, Zander Adair did care what other people thought about him. So what? Sue him.

Hmm. What DID Caleb do when he couldn't get a spell down? Well, he blamed the spell of course, for being stupid. Because Caleb was very skilled and often times, if he couldn't get it down, it was just simply impossible. But he knew that wasn't the answer she was looking for. When he struggled what DID he do?

"I clear my mind. Often times I'm distracted, and then I get it right," he explained, raising his hand to chime into the conversation.

Oliver had been listening to his classmates give their answers. Well, kind of. He'd listened to a few but then it just got boring. So he absentmindedly sucked on his sucker. He had a lot of them now, considering he'd immediately jumped out of his desk when the Gryffindor boy had told him he could have his lollipops. He would have plenty for later.

Right, question-answering time. He always seemed to get distracted when it was that time. Probably because he had stopped paying attention out of boredom. But he decided he should probably raise his hand to answer, considering he had not answered the previous one. So Olly raised his hand.

"I'm only eleven, you see." ALMOST TWELVE. "So when I can't get a spell right on the first try I don't really think it's surprising."

"You should try it, Professor!" And he was going to continue eating this lollipop whilst other people answered and whilst Professor York talked some more. She did a lot of that, the talking.. But he didn't mind. She was one of his favourite teachers at Hogwarts and she taught one of his favourite subjects also. He hung off of her every word, nodding at moments he agreed and slusluslurrrping on his lollipop in all quiet moments. Probably very distracting for the Professor and for his fellow students, but he really was enjoying his little dose of sugar. Was there a reason for the lollipops, actually? He supposed that he didn't care, though.

He was just enjoying the lollipop and had enjoyed the other lollipops that he had finished already.

He supposed that Professor York also had another good question and he considered it for a moment before raising his hand (and HAMMERING the heck out of his triangle) with a grin. "I usually take a step away from it, because I don't like not being able to do things." And he usually got very angry with himself. "And then I go over my notes and think about what I should be doing a little more, probably watch some other people to see how they are doing it." And because he was always very observant around people. "Then I try again when I feel confident in myself." Otherwise it was a waste of space.