Charms

‘Good afternoon, everyone,’ squeaked the little Charms Professor as the students’ talking filled the classroom.

The room’s surroundings changed from laughter and talking to silence. Olivia, Isabell and Amelia noticed that Professor Flitwick was standing on several books to be able to see from above his desk. They grinned slightly.

‘Woah, that is plenty of books,’ Isabell blurted out. 

It seemed like she couldn’t stop herself.

‘Ahem ahem...’ said Amelia, looking as though she knew what was going to happen next.

‘Isabell!’ Olivia yelled, and the whole group stared at them.

Draco’s usual smirk spread across his face as Pansy Parkinson, a Slytherin who looked like a pug, giggled quite loudly. The three Hufflepuffs (who were in Amelia, Isabell and Olivia's group) looked mad at Pansy, but were also surprised to hear the yelling.

‘Now girls, why aren’t you focusing? asked Professor Flitwick.

‘Sorry Professor, we’ll focus now,’ said Isabell looking embarrassed.

‘Good. Now, today we are taking Lumos,’ Professor Flitwick said. ‘Who can tell me what Lumos is?’

Amelia, Isabell and Hermione’s hands rose up as usual. Olivia took a deep breath and raised her hands as well. 

‘Well, that’s a first,’ jeered Draco, looking at Olivia.

‘Can’t you shut your mouth for at least three minutes?’ asked Harry, as usual made people laugh. 

Pansy looked mad.

‘Ah, let’s see, Ms. Clearwater? Will you please answer this?’

‘Ok, Lumos is a charm which when enchanted, creates light from the tip of the wand.’

‘Well explained,’ agreed Professor Flitwick, smiling beneath his bushy moustache. 

‘15 points for Ravenclaw,’ he squeaked.

Isabell and Olivia gave Amelia a thumbs-up.

‘Great job!’ whispered Isabell and Olivia.

‘Thanks!’ Amelia whispered back.

For the rest of the lesson, they read their Charms book to research Lumos, and practised it. First thing to do was to know the way the wand should be held, and how to say the charm.

‘Isabell Bluesky, let me see you try,’ squeaked the Professor after a while.

‘Ok,’ said Isabell nervously. ‘Lumos! ‘ 

A beam of light emerged from the tip of her wand. It was very bright. It lightened the room so much that the students kept wincing and covering their eyes with their hands.

‘Woohoo!’ cheered Olivia and Amelia, but Draco groaned. 

‘Anyone could do it,’ he said, rolling his eyes.

‘Sir! Draco Malfoy would like to volunteer to do Lumos!’ shouted Ron and Olivia at the same time. 

They looked at each other and grinned.

‘Oh, great. Let me see it Mr. Malfoy.’

‘Ok… LUMORS!’ Draco had misspelt it, and so the charm didn’t work. 

Instead, the tip of his wand was full of green slime

and smoke. 

Olivia, Amelia and Isabell laughed loudly, along with Harry, Ron and Hermione.

‘Anyone could do it! Except Draco Malfoy!’ yelled Olivia, laughing hard until she was choking. 

All of their ribs hurt and they stopped. Amelia looked at Draco sympathetically but still grinned. Pansy was raging on the spot. 

‘SHUT UP!’ yelled Pansy.

‘Nah, you meanie!’ Isabell yelled back.

‘How dare y-’ began Pansy, looking red in the face.

‘Enough, class dismissed,’ interrupted Professor Flitwick before anyone could argue. ‘Oh, and don’t forget to practise the spell for homework! I will be testing you on it tomorrow!’ 

The three girls went out of the classroom, with big smiles on their faces.