Joann sat in the front of the Charms classroom once again,
waiting for the class to begin. Her eyes glanced over the chairs looking for
her Ravenclaw counterpart. Maybe she was out sick like half her classmates.
Someone had introduced all the first years to Skiving Snack Boxes from a shop
in Diagon Ally. Since Midterms almost every one of her friends have used them
in at least one occasion to get out of class. She was of course the exception.

Behind Joann, a gaggle of giggling girls entered the
classroom. They stood huddled into a group, their heads in the center. Joann
opened her book, pretending to read.

“Have you heard?” one girl yelped. “Henley is dating Molly,
who just broke up with Peter, who swears he never liked her, but actually like
her twin sister Petra!”

All the girls in the group gasped. Joann shook her head at
the nonsense. How daft could girls her age be? Apparently very, judging by
their conversation.

“Did you hear about the scene that students were causing in
the Great Hall yesterday?” a blond girl with a high pitched voice screeched
over the giggles.

“It was terrible. I actually heard that someone was expelled
for the commotion and inappropriate things they said.” The girls gasped at
this. Joann shuttered. To be suspended or expelled from Hogwarts was her worst
nightmare. For people to jeopardize their education for a little “mean
spirited” fun seemed like a very stupid idea to her.

The classroom began to fill up as students made their way to
their desks. The Professor made his way to the front of the class just as Karla
ran to her desk. He cheeks read and book-bag bouncing.

“Where have you been?” Joann asked as the Professor
explained the day’s events.

“I got stuck on a moving staircase. Someone apparently
thought it would be funny to make the steps into some sort of quick sand. It
took three professors and the librarian 20 minutes to get my legs out.” Karla
said pulling out her notebook and turning to the teacher.

“Today we're going to look at a charm we first spoke about
several lessons ago. By now I would expect you all to be able to perform a
Levitation Charm on fairly light objects such as feathers, paper, or even small
stones. You can review your textbook if you need to refresh your memory.” The
Professor said to the class.

Joann grabbed her quill and began writing in her
notebook:

-The Levitation Charm
requires minimal power for lighter simpler objects.

-Heavier objects=
greater will expended

- Minimal backfire
even if you exert your will

- Visualize magic flowing through you to the
object.

“Enough on that. While we'll be getting into more proper
sealing magic next year, today we will also be talking about the Sticking Charm,"
said the Professor. Joann turned to a different page in her note book. On the
top she wrote “Sticking Charm,"

She dipped her quill into the pot of ink and continued:

- Astrictus

- a-strik-toose

- The infinity
symbol starting and ending in the center.

- Sticking Charm holds two objects, that are already
touching when the spell is cast

- Spell failure- two objects not sticking, the wrong objects sticking together, or a
backfire which usually results in the caster being stuck to the floor-per book.

- Spell can be countered with the Unlocking Charm

“Alright, enough theory, it’s time to get some wands-on
training. I would like you all to practice the Levitation charm when you get
back to your common rooms. Your beds will make great objects to try on. I have
alerted your Head of Houses so you will not get in trouble.” The Professor said
with a smirk.

“While you are here please work on the Sticking Charm. I
want you to all line up against the walls, place the paper against the wall and
perform the spell. Depending on the “will” you are able to exert will depend on
how long it stays. Hop to!”

Joann grabbed her parchment paper and headed to the
closest wall to try the new spell. Students were standing around her holding up
the parchment and muttering the spell. Most papers were instantly falling gracefully
to the floor.

With a deep breath, Joann help up the paper, holding it
steady she clearly said, “Astrictus” and removed her hand. The paper stuck, but
slowly began to slide down the wall as a student next to her caught her
attention and she lost her concentration on the parchment.

“Well darn.” She said with a slight stomp of her foot. Karla
beside her was staring intently at her paper, it had been sticking for more
than a minute.

“Mind over matter.” Joann said to herself and placed her
parchment on the wall.

“Astrictus” she said and pulled her hand away from the
parchment sticking to the wall. She stared at it intently. Her eyes never
leaving the paper. She willed it to stay still and just let the class around
her fade into the distance of her mind.

“CLASS DISSMISSED” the Professor shouted. Joann’s head
turned toward the sound and her parchment slid to the floor.

“You seriously had that paper stuck for a good five
minutes Joann.” Karla said beside her.

“Yeah. I think the trick is to ignore everything around
you and concentrate.” Joann said as she grabbed her book-bag and made her way
to the door.

“Now let’s work on sticking people to the floor.” Joann
said grabbing Karla’s arm. They giggle out the door.