Oh oh, she needed to shoot REAL arrows? Well… Leesha really wished for the other students to be careful around her because she absolutely wasn’t the best person for things like this! Although it sounded cool to shoot with a arrow like that. Buuuut, she wasn’t expecting much of it and she would be surprised IF she would hit anything else beside the wall, the ground or, accidently somebody she didn’t liked…! But, the bright side of this whole thing was THAT she was able to do something what wasn’t completely bad during this lesson today!

Taking the wooden bow she practiced a few times but… This was really difficult! The second year old wished at times like this that she would be bigger because she was having difficulties to hold the bow in position, it was slightly too large for her smaller arms to hold. But, after a few tries of practice she decided that it was too boring to stay still like this and she wanted to try the real thing, difficult or not! So she took out a arrow and she made a silent prayer that she wasn’t making a complete fool of herself right now… She placed the arrow against the string, exactly in the middle of the cord, she closed one of her eyes to have a better view and to aim better and… Woah! This was heavy! Pulling the arrow back with the string was heavier than it had been without the arrow… And… She released the arrow! It flew up and… Fell down! Right before her feet! Making a face she quickly grabbed the arrow and tried it again and this time it actually flew but… It didn’t even made it close beside the target! Muttering something nasty she grabbed her second arrow and aimed again. And… When she released the arrow it flew actually toward…. The target and… it hit! Leesha was too stunned to actual look at her score, she only just stared open mounded at the arrow because she had succeeded! Hah! Looking up next to see where her arrow had hit the target she noticed that she had a first score of six! Not bad, not bad at all!!

Taking a third arrow she again tried to aim like she had done before and she now wondered if she actually had figured out how it worked or if she had just been lucky? Releasing the arrow she watched it fly, right… Toward the target! Whoehooo! She had done it again! Her score this time was five, what wasn’t bad either! Now she had a total of eleven points already! Hah! Taking her forth arrow she again aimed and… Again she was lucky! The arrow flew toward the target and didn’t fell to the ground of hit the wall like she had feared because she already had been lucky before. But, her eyes widened the moment she realized WHAT score she had and she almost made a victory dance because this was just… AMAZING! She had scored a nine!!! A NINE! Whoahhh! Grinning widely she noted her last score and counted her points together Now she was having twenty points! Well, this wasn’t bad! This time smiling widely she took the last arrow and aimed it, completely convinced of herself right now and she released the arrow! It flew up and… Hit the wall, only a few inches above the target… Bleh! So she wasn’t lucky after all… But, she at last had collected twenty points, what wasn’t bad for somebody who never had done this before in her life!

Char was in her element. Her secondary element, the primary one being dueling. She happily took note of the wind and eyed up the distance, and took a few practice pulls on the bow to see what the draw weight was, is she could handle it. But oh.... weird. It was quite easy. Light. Were they charmed then? That made it kind of hard to figure out all the little nuances, but she supposed that was okay. Obviously the professor wanted everyone to be able to manage without any trouble.

She took her mark with a target in front of her, selected an arrow, nocked it, neatly drew the string back, took aim and released : clearly adept at the task at hand, though the arrow drove home with an 8, which was a little disappointing. Also expected though, with a bow she hadn't ever used before.

Now to wait for her next turn!

Sweeeeet!

Brent was starting to get excited about Divination, and that as a rarity for him. Actually, it was so rare that this was the first time it had happened. He joined the professor as she detailed the instructions, and then when it was time, he immediately collected the materials and got into position.

He had actually never shot a bow and arrow before. It couldn't be that hard, though, could it?

Brent picked up the bow and positioned an arrow into place. Non-wand hand, right? Duuude. That was hard to do. He liked holding it with the opposite hand, but oh, well. This would have to do. Brent tried to aim the best he could then pulled back on the string...

5.

Great. The lowest it could possibly be. He should probably find a partner. "Anybody want to partner up?" he asked.

Etta almost dropped the bow in surprise when there was someone standing next to her, all of a sudden. "Hiiiiii!" Etta grinned at the younger boy, turning to look at him properly. "Of course! We can do this together." ........ He used the arrows to ask her? Really? She frowned but gave a small shrug of the shoulders. And whether she wanted to answer using the arrows? Pffft. The girl couldn't help but laugh. That would be rather silly. "Don't be nervous, okay?" Etta wasn't scary at all. Or so she liked to think.

SO. About the activity.. "Would you like to go first? We can take turns..." Etta looked at him curiously. What would he want to doooooo?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic Witch

Laurel had just begun to move over to the side to get a better overview over how the students fared with their bows when she heard 'Professor'. Turning her blond head towards the sound of Derfael's squeaking voice, she soon saw his flailing hand and made her way over to him.

Stopping next to badger Professor Vance responded with a slight shake of her head. "No, you don't need to ask any questions before you shoot for this activity Derfael. I think you all have enough to focus on with handling your bow in the right way and concentrating to get your arrows to hit the target."

Gesturing to the target she continued "The points on the target are just there to give you something to aim your arrows towards and to aspire to achieve like the perfect ten in the middle. In muggle archery tournaments which is was inspired by, they shoot their arrows at targets and then count together the points their arrows have hit to see how many points they can get and earn a prize which in our case is a house prize of 10 house points. If you have a match with a friend you can win some glory. I hope that helps?"

Oh. So...there was no divining at all involved in this process? Just to have a good time? OKAY! That he could do!

"It did," he nodded. "Fanks, profess-sor!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady of Light

Etta almost dropped the bow in surprise when there was someone standing next to her, all of a sudden. "Hiiiiii!" Etta grinned at the younger boy, turning to look at him properly. "Of course! We can do this together." ........ He used the arrows to ask her? Really? She frowned but gave a small shrug of the shoulders. And whether she wanted to answer using the arrows? Pffft. The girl couldn't help but laugh. That would be rather silly. "Don't be nervous, okay?" Etta wasn't scary at all. Or so she liked to think.

SO. About the activity.. "Would you like to go first? We can take turns..." Etta looked at him curiously. What would he want to doooooo?

RELIEF! The first year BEAMED as instant relief washed over him when she accepted - although his brows did knot when she told him not to be nervous because, well, it was only natural to feel a bit nervous around older more skilled housemates. Especially since he seemed to constantly be one disaster and catastrophe after another. "I'll try," he nodded with a sheepish smile.

"SURE!" he chirped, taking a bit of a false confident stride more in front of the target. Taking an extra several moments to make sure no one would be in the way....or anywhere remotely near where he was shooting, Derf took caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaareful aim and then let his arrow fly.

And fly it did. Up up up uuuuuuuuuuuuuuup and over the target and right smack into the wall with a dull thud.

So...er...that was 0 for him then.

Gaston still felt self-conscious about wearing the Santa costume, but it made him feel a little better that so far only Kay and Rosalyn had recognized him and they'd been too kind to out him. It seems the white hair and beard and disguised voice hid his identity well!

After a long hike up the stairs, Santa!Gaston finally reached the divination classroom. Jingle, jingle, jingle! He jiggled a little Christmas bell to get the students' attention as he let himself inside. "HO, HO, HO! Merry Christmas, Hogwarts!" he exclaimed, setting the big red Santa sack on the floor in front of him. "Let's see what Santa had for all the good students..."

He reached inside for a candy cane. "Here's a present for Miss Charlotte Kettleburn!" He gave the Gryffindor girl a candy cane with the attached mesasge:

Quote:

To: Charlotte Kettleburn

To the prettiest girl in school, I hope you'll look my way
Just one smile from you is the brightest part of my day

Happy Christmas!

From: Your secret admirer

He pulled another candy cane out of the bag. "Here's one for..." He paused to read the card. "Miss Juno Darcy!" He handed the candy to the Hufflepuff prefect. This one read:

Quote:

To: Juno Darcy

Dearest Peggy (Juno),

The last months have been the most amazing of my life, who would have guessed that a simple act of responding to a call for a partner in Astronomy would have led to this?

You have forever changed me, for the better. And I looked forward to the rest of the time we have together.

Let's try to find that happy ending that they didn't get in the movie ehh?

Always,
Captain America, (Leon)

From: Leon Kennedy

Santa!Gaston blinked confusedly at that message, but he assumed it must make sense to the recipient. Oh well, never mind. He reached into the bag for one last candy cane. "And here's something for Miss Olivia Holden!"He gave the former Beaubatons student-turned Gryffindor a friendly smile as he gave her a candy cane that said:

Quote:

To: Olivia Holden

You're so pretty you make veela jealous.

From: It's a secret

Santa!Gaston picked up the big red sack and slung it back over his shoulder as he headed for the door. "Enjoy your candy!" he called out as he left. "Merry Christmas!"

Etta smiled as she watched the arrow zoom.... and hit the wall WAY over the target. Oh. She tried to stop herself from giggling as her eyes flicked towards the younger boy. Not laughing AT him, obviously buuuut he was so adorable.

"Well.... that wasn't bad. Your aim just needs to be better." Etta explained. "You'll have to focus on the target first." .... although she really was one to give advice when the girl couldn't even hold the bow properly. Ahem. She walked over to stand in front of her target, making sure she stood at the right distance. Holding the bow with her left hand, she picked an arrow with the other and carefully took aim. She concentrated for a few seconds and hoping that her aim was precise, Etta released the arrow.

..... and watched it hit the number 6. Uh, well. That was rather disappointing. "Wasn't very good, was it?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady of Light

Etta smiled as she watched the arrow zoom.... and hit the wall WAY over the target. Oh. She tried to stop herself from giggling as her eyes flicked towards the younger boy. Not laughing AT him, obviously buuuut he was so adorable.

"Well.... that wasn't bad. Your aim just needs to be better." Etta explained. "You'll have to focus on the target first." .... although she really was one to give advice when the girl couldn't even hold the bow properly. Ahem. She walked over to stand in front of her target, making sure she stood at the right distance. Holding the bow with her left hand, she picked an arrow with the other and carefully took aim. She concentrated for a few seconds and hoping that her aim was precise, Etta released the arrow.

..... and watched it hit the number 6. Uh, well. That was rather disappointing. "Wasn't very good, was it?"

She was kind and it made the first year's insides pleasantly knot up. "I'm better wiff a quaffle," he said in his defense. Which was making him miss his broom at home and just being able to play quidditch in general. He wondered if he could work out something with the groundskeeper to set up just a friendly match of sorts with some people. He would even take just one-on-one practice. The first year was not obsessed with flying, but he did enjoy it quite a bit and there was just not nearly enough of it at Hogwarts. Not to mention that flying lesson had been beyoooooooond disappointing.

"I fink that was plenty good!" he chirped just as.....Santa came into the room handing out candy canes. His blue eyes FLEW towards Olivia as she received one, trying his best to look inconspicuous but also trying to see her reaction. "S-S-Six to zero," he said a bit distractedly as he took aim once again. Attention completely split between the candy cane handing out and the target.

Right. Focus. F O C U S. He needed to at least HIT the target this time.

STARING at the target with unblinking eyes - which was a bit of a mistake because now his eyes were starting to water - the Hufflepuff released his second arrow aaaaaaaaaaaaand...OH OH OH IT HIT IT HIT!

"FOUR!"

That was better than zero at least!

"Fwoopers-s-s repres-sent the number four."

"You're better at Quidditch, are you? That's cool! I used to play a bit back at home.." She said, remembering the days when her family formed a quidditch team and played just for fun. Etta had never really been that good. She was alright.. but yeah. The girl did enjoy casual flying though.

.... Plenty good? He was joking right? Etta noticed his distraction and looked slightly amused as she followed the direction of his gaze. Oooooh, people were getting candy canes! How exciting. ..... But did Derf want a one? It looked like he did, she assumed. "If you like.. I'll send you a candy cane once, don't worry."

-----

"Hey, you did it!"

The girl grinned cheerfully, happy that he didn't repeat his previous performance. See? Practice always makes perfect. And fwoopers... yeah. She nodded, a little surprised he said that. "Yes. The four colours of the fwooper represent the number four."

It was her turn now! Etta carefully took aim and in a couple of moments, released the arrow aaaaaaaaaaand it hit an EIGHT! 8! That was so awesome! "Better now, isn't it? Better than a 6, at least."

Jacob looked around as everyone was partnering up, wondering whether he wanted to go it alone or try it out with somebody. Well, he guessed that depended on if there was anyone he'd want to be partners with in this class. Hmm...

He glanced around, trying to spot a familiar face, when he saw Etta from across the room. It looked like she had already partnered up with a younger blonde boy, but Professor Vance had said groups of two or three, hadn't she? And he didn't think they would mind him joining... Worth a shot asking, anyway. If they didn't want him, he could always do it alone, he guessed. Eep.

He made his way over to the pair, who had already begun the activity. "Hey, Etta," he said as he approached them. "How's it going? I'm Jacob," he directed to the younger boy, who he'd only seen in class but hadn't talked to before. He was pretty sure his name was... Derf? "Do you two mind if I join you? I can always go it alone if you're too crowded here..." he added quickly, not wanting them to feel like they had to let him join.

Whoah wait there is another activity. And it involves shooting bows and arrows asfdasdfadfasdf!!!

The Curly Top practically leapt out of his seat to grab a bow and a quiver full of arrows. These have to be good to shoot straight see? Yeah he got persnickety like that.

By the time he finally settled on an archery kit, most of the targeting positions have been filled. But oh hey look at Char letting 'er rip! "Char I'mma join you ok?" Because it looks like she knows what she's doing and he'd rather have someone who knows what they're doing than someone who might accidentally shoot him with a blunt object. And given he is Tenacius Salander, that actually happens pretty often.

Ok so now it was his turn. He drew a deep breath, held his bow and arrow at position, then let it flyyyyy-- oh its also an 8 "YES!" Fistpump! Can he get a high five?

Janelle did not have time for anymore questions because it was time for the activity. As instructed, she grabbed her quiver of arrows and approached the professor. Janelle listened while Professor Vance explained what they would be doing. The activity sounded like it was going to be a lot of fun. She had shot a bow an arrow a time or two, back in her old muggle summer camp days. Hopefully, it would all come back to her now.

Janelle went over and picked out a bow and then found a spot away from the group of students. She positioned the bow properly and put her fingers on the string. Then Janelle took a deep breath and focused on the target. She knew that archery required a steady hand, concentration and relaxed body. Trying to keep her breaths even, she pulled back the stings, aimed and let the string go. After the first try, she repeated the motions several more times......sans arrow.

Finally, Janelle felt ready to give it a try for real. She made sure that she was approximately ten feet from the target and went through her breathing ritual. When she felt calm and focused, Janelle removed an arrow from her quiver. Placing it into the bow, Janelle pulled back on the string. She tried to line the arrow up with the center of the target, took a breath and let it go. The arrow flew toward the target and she got........a seven. Not too bad for her first try. Anxious to try again. Janelle prepared herself once more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady of Light

"You're better at Quidditch, are you? That's cool! I used to play a bit back at home.." She said, remembering the days when her family formed a quidditch team and played just for fun. Etta had never really been that good. She was alright.. but yeah. The girl did enjoy casual flying though.

.... Plenty good? He was joking right? Etta noticed his distraction and looked slightly amused as she followed the direction of his gaze. Oooooh, people were getting candy canes! How exciting. ..... But did Derf want a one? It looked like he did, she assumed. "If you like.. I'll send you a candy cane once, don't worry."

-----

"Hey, you did it!"

The girl grinned cheerfully, happy that he didn't repeat his previous performance. See? Practice always makes perfect. And fwoopers... yeah. She nodded, a little surprised he said that. "Yes. The four colours of the fwooper represent the number four."

It was her turn now! Etta carefully took aim and in a couple of moments, released the arrow aaaaaaaaaaand it hit an EIGHT! 8! That was so awesome! "Better now, isn't it? Better than a 6, at least."

Derf nodded his head a bit vigorously in response. MUCH better at quidditch, definitely. "Really? What pos-s-sition?" He had ambitious backup plans to being a professional chaser someday. If magizoology didn't work out for him that is. Although he did not see that happening.

*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

Did she...had she...oh wow...WOW...HOLY FLAMING SALAMANDERS WOW!

Feeling every shade of sheepish now - because he wasn't about to admit to having a bit of a vested interest in a candy cane gram on top of being a little flustered by her offer - the first year waved his arms a bit panicked. "You don't haaaaff too," he squeaked.

Selecting his next arrow, the first year nodded at Etta. "My wand has-s a fwooper feather core!" Although he STILL did not know what that meant...but Dora was helping him figure all that out.

OOOOOOOH 8! Derf dropped his arrow, not thinking, to give her a proper round of applause. "Very impres-s-ss-s-sive!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by awakemysoul

Jacob looked around as everyone was partnering up, wondering whether he wanted to go it alone or try it out with somebody. Well, he guessed that depended on if there was anyone he'd want to be partners with in this class. Hmm...

He glanced around, trying to spot a familiar face, when he saw Etta from across the room. It looked like she had already partnered up with a younger blonde boy, but Professor Vance had said groups of two or three, hadn't she? And he didn't think they would mind him joining... Worth a shot asking, anyway. If they didn't want him, he could always do it alone, he guessed. Eep.

He made his way over to the pair, who had already begun the activity. "Hey, Etta," he said as he approached them. "How's it going? I'm Jacob," he directed to the younger boy, who he'd only seen in class but hadn't talked to before. He was pretty sure his name was... Derf? "Do you two mind if I join you? I can always go it alone if you're too crowded here..." he added quickly, not wanting them to feel like they had to let him join.

ETTA'S CANDY CANE'S WERE ALL HIS!

Okay. Unnecessary snap reaction. Nothing to see here.

"I don't mind," Derf replied with a shake of the head. The sort of shake that didn't mean 'no, go away' but rather 'no, please stay' because those two types of 'no' were kind of confusing.

Wait...where was his arro---oh right. He had dropped it. Crouching down, Derf plucked his arrow from the floor and quickly set it in his bow to take his second shot. Pulling back on the string, Derf took a few loooooooooong and deeeeeeep breaths as he focused his stare on the target and tightened up his arm muscles so they wouldn't jolt back or anything like the last time - which had been what had caused his arrow to go soaring up and over the target entirely. Holding his breath, a bad idea, the first year continued to focus until he started feeling a little dizzy and then released his arrow...

"6! Salamander!"

He could keep getting 6's the rest of the lesson and be completely content.

Carlton was excited for the use of arrows. So that was why healer Reed was there. Not just for the tea and biscuits we see you. Hoping he wouldn't accidently hurt anyone he grabbed a bow. Yas. Robin Hood now became Carlton Hood. In da Hood.

When Brent asked for a partner, Carlton shone up. He liked Brent. He walked around calling people 'dude' and actually pulling it off. Plus he was friends with Olivia and was in Slytherin. So it would only make sense for him to partner up with another snake in order to get those 10 house points. Even though the snake was a first year.

Right?

Carlton decided that was the case as he walked over to him. "Hi." He said looking aaaaall the way up at the fourth year. If he didn't want to partner up with a first year, he should have been more specific about his requirements for a partner. Because he got a first year. Deal with it. "I know who you are." Just FYI. He had his eyes on him. "I'm Carlton!" There. Introductions done. Now they were friends.

Okay, so she had six points. Janelle was definitely ready to take things up a notch. She reached and grabbed her second arrow, rolled her shoulders, stretched her neck and took a deep breath. Hoping that her second shot would be better than her first, Janelle raised her bow. She inserted her arrow and pulled the string back. Breathing in slowly, she concentrated and aimed. Janelle closed one eye, exhaled and let the string go. Following the arrow with her eyes, the Ravenclaw almost shouted out loud. "Ten!"

On a roll now, Janelle took her third arrow out of the quiver. She had sixteen points so far and was determined to keep the mojo going. She had developed a little routine now and didn't want to mess with what was working. She repeated her relaxation movements and took her deep breath. Trying to do everything the same way, Janelle put the arrow in place and pulled back the string. Breathe in, breathe out and let the arrow go. Come on ten, come on ten. Unfortunately it was not to be. Janelle got a six. Not exactly what she was hoping for. Total after three arrows - 22.

Rooney had spent a little more time than others on the mini activity as every answer had been something that he did not want and so he was annoyed and huffing as the class moved on. He was listening and paying attention enough to be able to do two practice shoots as the first few students were doing their first official arrow shooting. He figured that he had it down, especially as arrow shooting had been a thing a few years ago at school. And he'd kind of gotten a knack for it by the end. Or maybe his memory of it was a bit worn...

Pushing his hair back, the Ravenclaw sought out the face of his favourite person. "Oliiivia Philliiiiiips. Come join me in holy matrimony!" Please and thank you.

Before Skylar was ready to do the main activity, which seemed to be just straight up archery and not much divination to it, the third year figured she might as well finish up her questions first. Just three yes or no questions, pull an arrow from the quiver. Nothing too challenging, really.

Well except for thinking up the questions, to which, Skylar decided to do write them all down first and then she would think about each one as she drew an arrow ...

SPOILER!!: Notes

1. Will I be successful at Hogwarts and make a name for myself?
2. Will I ever get to experience quidditch at Hogwarts?
3. Will I be able to produce a corporeal patronus this by next year?

Okay, questions pre-written out, now time to draw arrows. Will I be successful at Hogwarts and make a name for myself? Closing her eyes, she drew one of the arrows and then peeked a look at the note she'd jotted down and attached. MAYBE. MAYBE?! What was THAT!? She didn't want just a MAYBE. She wanted a DEAD YES. Stupid arrows.

Shoving it back into the quiver, she shook them around again, as she considered her next question: Will I ever get to experience quidditch at Hogwarts?. And drew the arrow. MAYBE. UH. What!? This was stupid.

Tempted to throw the arrow, she resisted and jammed it back into the quiver with force that she nearly poked it through the other end. Will I be able to produce a corporeal patronus this by next year?, she thought of her final question, hoping to not draw the same arrow AGAIN. She mixed them around, she swore. YES. Finally, a different answer, which was reassuring, but still upsetting that her other two questions were maybes. This wasn't for reals anyway, was it? LIKE the accuracy wasn't 100% proven?

Sighing, she stood up and practiced drawing her bow, as Professor Vance demonstrated, RELIEVED to be away from these stupid questions. And admittedly slightly eager to get some frustration out over the questions (and responses she received).

Standing up straight, she found this wasn't too challenging to assume the correct posture, but then again, as someone who'd grown up around sports, posture came naturally for the most part. Once she was ready, she pulled the string back and released the arrow .... please land in the yellow or red area she thought desperately, hoping for at least SOMETHING to go right. Opening her eyes, she smiled at seeing it in the 7 area. Not too bad, but she still had four more shots to make.

It was time to ty again and Janelle was determined to do better. Funny how a six was acceptable for a first try, but not so much by trial number three. Janelle paused for a moment and tried to decide whether or not to change her routine. After giving it some thought, she decided to stick with her routine. And so it went. She rolled her shoulders, stretched her neck, did her breathing thing...... blah, blah, blah. Everything was as close to the same as she could make it. She positioned her bow, placed the arrow, pulled and let it fly. Annnnd, it was a five? What? Her score was supposed to be going up not down.

With a sigh, Janelle tried to regroup. It was time to mix things up a little bit. She put the bow down for a moment and practiced the motions without it. She focused on the target and where she wanted the arrow to hit. Then Janelle did her best professor you-know-who imitation. Meditating. Yep, she went there. She needed to have her mind completely focused, but at the same time stay as relaxed as possible. After a minute or two, Janelle thought she was ready to try again.

Janelle picked up her bow and took a moment to get comfortable with it in her hand. Then she took and arrow, placed it and raised the bow. Slowly she pulled back the string and closed one eye. Locking onto the target, Janelle let the string go and watched the arrow take off. She was confident this time and she was not disappointed. Whatever she did this time, it worked. Arrow number five had hit her intended target. It was another ten. That made Janelle feel a little better. Her total score was now 37. Could they do more? Ravenclaw could use all the points they could get.

What was... OHHH. HEeeeeEE! Charlotte read the candygram and immediately got the giggles. And of course smiled hugely, the face hurting kind of smile that apparently her ... secret admirer liked so much.

If it was who she thought it was, then he wasn't in this class to see her receive it, but EEEEE that was okay, she'd find him later and make sure she brightened his day ten billion kajillion times over.

But oh, back to it, and of course Char didn't mind working with Ace. "Sure! Nice shot!" A high five for Ace, and, she pocketed her candygram but her brain was still filled up with all the ROOOMANCE of it so when she stepped up for her next turn she imagined herself shooting an arrow like cupid. Teehee. But still, concentration. She could do this, and after having taken that first shot, it would be easier just knowing the feel of the bow a little more and the distance and everything.

And pull back and.... the arrow hit the target with a twang - a perfect ten! Well. Not a PERFECT ten, but in the centre circle at least! For LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE.

"I loooove archery." Char informed Ace. "I go to archery camp every summer!"

Peeking around the classroom, Olivia thought she might ask a few more questions... But opted instead to observe her classmates in a bored sort of fashion. Her head was starting to ache a little, and she idly wondered how much longer she'd have to deal with aches and pains. Ugh. At least her "predictions" had been good. Even though, no, the Gryffindor did not believe in the practice. Which was hilarious, given that she'd been on top in this subject last term.

In her boredom, she traced out a small heart in the corner of her parchment page.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanners

Rooney had spent a little more time than others on the mini activity as every answer had been something that he did not want and so he was annoyed and huffing as the class moved on. He was listening and paying attention enough to be able to do two practice shoots as the first few students were doing their first official arrow shooting. He figured that he had it down, especially as arrow shooting had been a thing a few years ago at school. And he'd kind of gotten a knack for it by the end. Or maybe his memory of it was a bit worn...

Pushing his hair back, the Ravenclaw sought out the face of his favourite person. "Oliiivia Philliiiiiips. Come join me in holy matrimony!" Please and thank you.

Oh.... Okay, yes... Olivia was going to work with her boyfriend, because hopefully he wouldn't get too frustrated with her being the definition of SUCK at archery. Yes, she'd had SOME practice in DADA, but it simply wasn't enough consistent practice to make her feel confident (or proficient). "In a few years? Is this an official proposal? You can do better." Rooney made her feel better. So, it wasn't difficult to tease him back.

Toddling off to grab two bows for them, she joined him and their professor with her quiver of arrows. "Did you want to go first?" Honestly, she didn't mind either way. "I'm going to be terrible at it."

With Liv at his side, Rooney grinned. "You know it'll be the best time of your life. I already have it planned." But that wasn't a surprise to her, was it? Rooney had everything planned out and not having things planned gave him headaches. Having a planned proposal wasn't news to either of them, though. They'd had that one discussion about childrens names, hadn't they? Gavroche and Eponine. Planned, planned, planned. With a big kiss on the top of her head, Roo stepped forward and got into position with his bow and arrows.

He gave a look back over his shoulder at the Gryffindor blonde and smiled. "You could never be terrible at anything. You're pure talent, love." The truest of truths, that was. He looked back to the target and took a deeeep breath to calm himself and get things lined up as best as possible. He was going to knock this out of the park and impress Olivia so much that she would want to be his girlfriend. HAH. Like she wasn't more than that already

On an out breath, Roo released the arrow into the target and punched the bow into the air when he saw that he'd gotten a solid 7. Right in the middle, yaaaaaah.

JACOB. Etta gave him a smile, happy to properly see him after such a long time. It had been a while since they'd talked, hadn't it? "Hey. This is Derf and Derf, Jacob." She introduced them, wondering how Jacob was doing how. Was he making friends? Was he less shy? What was he up to? But all the chatting could wait until later, yes?

"Of course you can-- as long as Derf is okay with it too." Etta gave him another quick smile before looking at the younger Puff expectantly.


What position? "A chaser, of course!" Etta replied enthusiastically, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Always. I tried being a beater for a few games but I didn't like it much." Plus, she wasn't that good at it either. She wondered why there wasn't any quidditch at Hogwarts though? She could have played, maybe. "How about you? What position?"

She rolled her eyes, shaking her head slightly. "I know I don't have to but I want to. Unless you're not interested..." She asked teasingly, raising an eyebrow. If he REALLY wasn't, she wouldn't send any. Obviously.

"Really?" Etta asked, in mild surprise. Oooooh. "That must be really cool. Mine is a Phoenix core." She said proudly, tying her hair up in a ponytail. Her wand worked perfectly for her, thankfully. AAAAAAAHAHAHAH. A round of applause? Etta felt kind of special, to be honest. She flushed and bowed properly, smiling almost non-stop. "Thank you, kind sir." Derf was officially the nicest boy. He really was.

The girl watched him aim, pretty sure he could do it better than her this time. Derf was smart ------ and it was a 6! Hey, that was good. She beamed at him, moving to pick an arrow. "You like lizards, Derf?" She asked curiously and stood in front of the target. She carefully took aim once again, focusing on the target clearly and after a few moments, released her arrow.

------ and it was a---- 10? How did that even happen? WHAT WHAT.

Brent didn't have to wait long for a partner. Carlton had come up and offered to pair up, which was cool by Brent! "What's up, Carlton?" he greeted. "You want to be partners?" he officially asked. Carlton was one cool little dude. He was a good housemate, too. "Cool activity, huh? I've already got five points."

Never mind the fact that 5 was the lowest a person could get and still be on the target. Brent turned toward the target and raised his bow a second time. Using the hand the professor had directed him to use, Brent pulled back on the bow. Eyeing the target and hoping for something bigger than a five, Brent released the arrow.

"9!" he called out.

"You know how to do this?" he asked Carlton.

He gets a highfive awwyea! "Thanks!" he beamed at his fellow Gryffindor, and her candgram didnt escape his notice too. She seemed to be getting a lot of those. And really he can see why.

And look at that second shot "Bullseye haha!" Another high five for you Char. "You go to archery camp? That's awesome! I do this stuff at my grandparents' farm mostly, they got firearms there and a crossbow!" Which is his favorite for some reason.

Oh so its his turn again. He stepped up to position and notched his bow. Char was able to get a bullseye, and he was hoping for the same....

9 "Ohhh so close!"

"Its so fun! I really like it!" And it was nice to discover they had an interest in common. And excuses for high fives were all good in Char's books.

She watched Ace take a go then applauded him when he got a nine! That was good, it would all go toward Gryffindor's total in the end, right? And ooooh a crossbow! That was intriguing!

"Perhaps we can do more of this somewhere later! I've always wanted to go ask the centaurs for extra lessons... want to come petition them with me?" Yes, fellow Gryff, that was a challenge!

And she was up again!

Char knocked another arrow ready to go. Third time's the charm?? She went quiet, calmly focusing on the target, steadying her breathing. And release.....

.... the arrow sailed across the open space and with a THWACK it hit the target. Another ten!

"I REALLY want to get a perfect one!" Char told him. He could help cheer her on in between his own shots!