Target Practice was going to be fun!! She just knew it, I mean she had gotten the spell on the firs try this time so it was bound to go well ... of course, it might just not, but whatever ... time to dwell on that later.

Stepping up in line with a target so she was ready. She brought her wand arm up. Did the right motion and once again nearly shouted "Arundo" ... and she watched with amazement that once again an icy-blue arrow shot out of the end of her wand ... it was flying toward the target!!!!!

And landed in there ground several feet before the intended target. "Well not so bad, could have been worse, at least I made another arrow." Maxine smiled at her results.

Rajesh listened as the girl mentioned it only raining AFTER he had entered and the main person currently dealing with it. Well then it certainly wasn’t something built into he enchantments of the room. Unless of course Professor Madigan had a problem with him for some reason which was completely awkward and likely untrue. Especially when he came to them to see what was the matter and was seemingly willing to help.

“Not really…” Everything was not alright. At least to the older man, like his fellow student, it had seemed obvious what was wrong. The outward results anyway. If this had anything to do with what happened before, it wasn’t just solved by a spell that lightened the rain. Oh and an umbrella type things that suddenly made it not be raining right on his head and in his vision.

Brilliant!

“Thank you Professor,” he said with a sigh of relief. Perhaps now he’d be able to concentrate at the task at hand….for now. “And thank you,” he added to Ms. McLeod, for bringing things to his full attention.

Bella had after she had successfully gotten a blue arrow to sprout out of the tip of her wand, continued to practice the spell with determination to if not master it, at least feel confident with it. She had to stop every now and then though to wave away the butterflies that kept appearing around her. It was annoying and she was wondering if she had been pranked or worse cursed. Bella didn't like thinking about that. Maybe she could ask Professor Madigan about it later?

Bella just shot the professor a glance just at the same time as he called for attention to give them the new set of instructions for target practice on trees and mannequins. Bella moved so that she stood with a clear view of a stationary mannequin. She flexed her wand arm and then she performed the curved check mark movement as she said confidently and aimed. "Arundo!" The blue arrow shot out of her wand and hit the mannequin in the left arm after a few seconds, and Bella let out a loud excited "Yesssss! I dit!" Which of course caused a new swarm of butterflies to appear around her to circle her head which made let out an exasperated sigh. "Go away! Not now."

Bella was done waving off the butterflies and was picking out her next mannequin target when she overheard Hooper's words of exasperation. Feeling bad for the eagle boy she headed over to him. "Hi Hooper, we can practice together on the stationary mannequin that I just hit if you want? It's not too far away and we can try another mannequin a little further away when we both feel confident with the spell." Bella showed with a hand gesture to the mannequin that she meant.

“You’re welcome!’’ the sixth year responded to Raj. “It’s not your fault. There have been… odd stuff happening lately.” She didn’t know how much her classmates paid attention to what was happening around them but surely they couldn’t miss all the recent mysterious activities? Now that the rain issue was sorted, and hopefully with no one else including herself causing any disruptions, practice could continue in peace.

Wand lifted in the direction of the spotted trees, Aria’s goal was to now hit one of those since a mannequin had been paralysed by her. She squinted in an attempt to make sure her wand was on the right trajectory. Satisfied that it was, Aria did her thing. “Arundo!’’ Yet again, the correct wand movement was made. The icy blue arrow flew towards the selected tree until…

“YES!!!”

The arrow had hit it with precision.

Luther smiled at the Professor's words of encouragement and said "Thank you, Professor.". Then he tried once again. "Arundo!" And the arrow whizzed towards the target. BULLSEYE. Well, not exactly, but it was on target.

While trying to get as many arrows on the target as he can, his thoughts drifted to his mother's journals. To be precise, a part about non-verbal casting. Thinking 'You miss 100% of the chances you don’t take.' Luther thought 'Arundo!' as clearly as he could. Then... nothing. Not even a faint shimmer. Then he kept trying, however, it didn't work even once for some reason. Giving up for the moment, Luther cast Arundo verbally once again. At least this was on target.

When his arm started to ache, deciding to take a break he turned to Professor, raised his hand and asked "Professor, how does non-verbal casting differ from verbal casting? Besides the whole saying the incantation part, of course."

“Got it. Thanks Professor,” nodded Lisa as she added the curve that he had described to the movement. Right. Time to practice that a few more times before she felt comfortable with the slight adjustments to the wand movement.

Target practice was next. “Arundo,” she spoke as she performed the movement aiming at a stationary dummy. The blue arrow appeared stronger than the last time she had done the spell and bam! Nice!

Next, she focused her attention on a moving dummy. Feeling confident, she took a chance and…. Well… the spell missed! Luckily it just hit a dummy behind it. She bit her lip. Welp? Happy accidents were a thing.

She refocused on the original target. Maybe she had to aim a little more in front…?

Ash was tempted to tell the professor that it wasn't an accident, that she didn't have accidents... but the first part could maybe get her in trouble, and the second part was just untrue. She was incredibly accident-prone, and in the hospital wing every other week, so she was the exact sort of person who would accidentally hit herself in the foot with an error. She sighed and shook her foot off.

When it came to the activity, Ash started out by aiming at the trees, but they were way too easy to hit and they didn't have any fun paralyzing effects. She started aiming at the mannequins, knowing she'd hit less but it was more satisfying. She eventually got one right in the shoulder, and pink flowers started growing from the ground as she smiled happily.

Now that he had no rain impeding his vision and he had managed an arrow, Raj was feeling better about the activity. “Arundo!” he cast once he had gathered himself, glad to see the blue arrow once more come from his wand and land in the magicked grass floor a few feet away. Taking that as a hint he could try a target, the sixth year moved to a spot where he could aim at one of the stationary mannequins without having to worry about anyone getting caught in the crosshairs. Thankfully his protection faithfully moved with him.

“Arundo!” he pronounced once more, aiming at his target’s midsection to start with a larger area to try for. If it had been a real arrow, there would have been a thwack sound as it hit, albeit just a tad off where the actual bullseye was. Rajesh would take it for sure, his mood lifting a bit in response.

It was refreshing for the Professor to see everyone putting their work in. Some even when unsuccessful were concentrated or at the very least displayed the amount of their investment. He nodded approvingly at each successful hit and acknowledged the students along the way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freyr

Luther smiled at the Professor's words of encouragement and said "Thank you, Professor.". Then he tried once again. "Arundo!" And the arrow whizzed towards the target. BULLSEYE. Well, not exactly, but it was on target.

While trying to get as many arrows on the target as he can, his thoughts drifted to his mother's journals. To be precise, a part about non-verbal casting. Thinking 'You miss 100% of the chances you don’t take.' Luther thought 'Arundo!' as clearly as he could. Then... nothing. Not even a faint shimmer. Then he kept trying, however, it didn't work even once for some reason. Giving up for the moment, Luther cast Arundo verbally once again. At least this was on target.

When his arm started to ache, deciding to take a break he turned to Professor, raised his hand and asked "Professor, how does non-verbal casting differ from verbal casting? Besides the whole saying the incantation part, of course."

A good question, "Ah, well casting non-verbal is on an advanced level of magic, without the words it shifts to even more mental work." Madigan explained, "As the brain develops the capability of performing non-verbal magic increases so during your sixth year in schooling is when it's required to learn and practice non-verbal magic. It's a capability that once tapped into brings another level of complex magic to study" He had a feeling on why this was asked though, "If you're curious on the further details, you're welcome to stop by my office Master Starriver," The young lad seemed to hunger knowledge and he wouldn't want to hamper that.

Especially with the lesson coming to a close at a quick look at the time, temporarily amplifying his voice, "Good work everyone," The amplifying would disappate to his regular projecting voice after, "Our time today is coming to an end, if you would like a few more minutes in hitting a target you're more than welcome to." Otherwise, "Given everyone's effort I've decided you all deserve a prize, so gather round and collect one of your choice in this box here," Where was it? Oh, it was hidden inside the very stump he sat on in the beginning of the lesson as Madigan removed the top layer to reveal the box inside. Now then as everyone was collecting their prize. "Be sure to keep a look out for the next project, have a good day everyone. Class dismissed."

--
OOC: Thanks so much for coming everyone! If you need to catch up for some more credit on the spell with the target practice, you're free to make another post. Otherwise, the thread will remain open and not close until later tonight EST.

"Thank you, Professor." said Luther and then added, "I will come and see you for my questions." 'Maybe I can ask about Occlumency too.' thought Luther and walked towards where Professor Madigan was standing.

In front of the Professor, he saw a box filled with plush toys of various colours and shapes and thought 'Leo would love the purple bear.' After asking, making sure that he could take one and thanking for it, Luther took the purple bear and put it in his bag with a mental note to write home.

Then deciding to practice a bit more, Luther went to the moving mannequins. Taking a deep breath, he said clearly "Arundo!" and whipped his wand in the instructed way. An icy-blue arrow sailed through the air and missed the target. He cast it again. And missed again. Then another miss. Then another one. Icy-blue arrows whizzed past the mannequin and it moved almost hauntingly. Luther let out a frustrated groan and then started trying again. Again. Again. And Again. Until one hit the target. Luther stopped momentarily, a half-proud and half-dazed smile appeared on his face. He continued trying until he couldn't lift his arm. He then tried casting with his left arm but dismissed that idea pretty quickly because his aim was worse. Gathering his equipment, he turned to Professor Madigan and said "Have a nice day, Professor." and left the indoor forest.

Aria looked at her watch in surprise. Indeed the time was upon them to end the class. There was a sigh of relief from her as the realisation dawned upon her that there had been no more mishaps involving mini tornadoes. Had it helped that mood had improved, that’s why there had been no more accidents? Hmmm. This was something for her to ponder about. In the meanwhile…

Ms. McLeod skipped over to the box that had made a sudden appearance. Peering at the contents, she was delighted to find the most adorable little plushies. She immediately reached for a purple {her favourite colour} bear. Then after a quick glance at those around, Aria moved closer to the box. The purple bear was discreetly tucked into her robes. Innocently pretending to go through the other contents, a pink bear was selected. “I think I’ll have this one!’’ came her declaration.

Aria backed away from the box and waved to Madigan. “Thank you for this prize, Professor!’’ THESE prizes, actually. But the man need not know that.

"AAAAAH-ROOOOOOON-DOE."

Reuben was struggling. So far, he'd managed to produce nothing. Well, nothing from his wand that resembled arrows. The only thing he managed to produce was an unrelenting stream of steam - from his ears. It seemed to get worse the more frustrated he got, not that the eleven year old was aware enough to put the two and two together.

Deep breaths. Try again. "Ah-roooooon-doe. AH-ROOn-DO." He tried again and again, practicing the wand movement, trying different inflections on the words until -

"I DID IT!" he cried loudly, before looking around a little sheepishly. Practicing a few more times (with a few more fails, and a near miss of his foot) until he was sure, Reuben turned to the targets a little while after a lot of his classmates already had. That was fine, though, he thought - forced himself to think - as he turned towards the trees with the spots on and started to practice on them.

"Ah-roon-doe!" He was getting more consistent with producing the arrows, but his aim was poor. Like, wince-inducing poor. But when he did manage to get a target, the Hufflepuff acted like he'd won the House Cup. Fist pumping the air, highfiving people who definitely probably didn't want to by high fived!

Magic was great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charely Potter

Especially with the lesson coming to a close at a quick look at the time, temporarily amplifying his voice, "Good work everyone," The amplifying would disappate to his regular projecting voice after, "Our time today is coming to an end, if you would like a few more minutes in hitting a target you're more than welcome to." Otherwise, "Given everyone's effort I've decided you all deserve a prize, so gather round and collect one of your choice in this box here," Where was it? Oh, it was hidden inside the very stump he sat on in the beginning of the lesson as Madigan removed the top layer to reveal the box inside. Now then as everyone was collecting their prize. "Be sure to keep a look out for the next project, have a good day everyone. Class dismissed."

--
OOC: Thanks so much for coming everyone! If you need to catch up for some more credit on the spell with the target practice, you're free to make another post. Otherwise, the thread will remain open and not close until later tonight EST.

Another shot and he was closer to the target. However, he wasn’t to get more chances as Professor Madigan called the class to an end. Oh well., he mused to himself as he returned his wand to his pocket and moved to retrieve his satchel. Moving to investigate the prizes, Rajesh briefly glanced inside and retrieved a rabbit that might interest Nadia before turning his attention to the man standing beside the box. “Thank you Professor…” for the class, the gift, the assistance with the rain.

Raj was about to leave when he thought back to the assistance, and the spells used. “Professor…” he started turning back to him, wondering about what he was asking. “About the spells you cast...could you teach me them…in case I need to cast them myself?” So far they were holding and he wasn’t being rained on. That didn’t mean whatever was causing his incidents with water wouldn’t act up again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holmesian Feline

Raj was about to leave when he thought back to the assistance, and the spells used. “Professor…” he started turning back to him, wondering about what he was asking. “About the spells you cast...could you teach me them…in case I need to cast them myself?” So far they were holding and he wasn’t being rained on. That didn’t mean whatever was causing his incidents with water wouldn’t act up again.

As Madigan kept a watchful eye to see who would attempt to take more than one prize, he was momentarily distracted with an important question, "Ah, yes," The occasional rain issue, "Let's set a schedule in my office and I'll teach you right away, Master Atreyu-Rehman," There was no telling how long this predicament would last, so it'd be worth it.

Giving everyone else a chance to finish up, Madigan was pleased with what he saw today with all the effort. Closing up the box once everyone vacated the lesson concluded at last.