During class, we discussed two Charms: the Mending Charm and
the Unlocking Charm. We did not really have a chance to practice them in class,
and so all of my practice came while in my Dorm Room. First was the Mending
Charm, Reparo. This was a shorter
word, and so it was not long before I felt I had gotten the pronunciation
correct. Next, I practiced the wand movement slowly at first, as this one was
more complex than the swish and flick. Once I felt comfortable with that, it
was time to attempt to repair something. I took a spare quill out of my bag and
broke off the tip. Holding a picture of the whole quill in my mind, I then
attempted to repair it. It worked on the first attempt! This bolstered me and I
searched for something else to repair. Before long I noticed that the rug on
the floor of the room had a small tear in it. I crouched down beside it,
picturing the mended rug in my mind, before attempting the charm. It again
worked, and the rug was made whole.

I then returned to my table and focused on the Unlocking
Charm. I had a couple mechanical locks with me but no magical ones; though I
figured the mechanical ones would be enough to practice on for now, since I was
just starting out. First, to practice the wand movement. The backwards “S” took
a little getting used to, but eventually I had that down, along with the upward
curve at the end. Next, to practice the incantation, Alohomora. I practiced saying the word at various speeds, starting
slow at first so that I could ensure the proper pronunciation. Then it was time
to put the two together. I placed one of my locks on the table in front of me
and attempted the Charm. My first attempt resulted in nothing, as the tip of my
wand was far from the lock when I finished the movement. The second attempt was
a success, however, as right after the movement was finished I heard a click
sound as the lock opened. I put that lock away and moved to the other lock I
had, with similar results.