Entry Three

Chapter 3

During class, we discussed two charms: The Fire-Making Charm and The Locomotion Charm. I decided to practice the Fire-Making Charm outside, in a courtyard. That way I could not accidentally set anything on fire, as the only things around me were stone. I sat on the ground and placed the small candle I had brought in front of me, before pulling out my wand. I first practiced the wand movement, which came fairly naturally to me as a music conductor. Many of these wand motions are also the same as conducting, and so I have already had much experience with them without even knowing it! Next I practiced the pronunciation of the incantation, Incendio. Upon my first attempt at putting the two together, I felt a slight heat emanating from the tip of my wand, but that was about it. I frowned and focused more intently, visualizing a small flame coming out of the tip of my wand and out to the candle’s wick. I again attempted the spell, this time succeeding in eliciting a small puff of smoke out of my wand. I supposed that was progress, I’ll have to attempt this one again tomorrow.

Then I began to focus on the Locomotion Charm, Locomotor. I took my bag from behind me and placed it a couple feet away from the candle, leaving it open. I then practiced the wand movement for the Charm, making sure the upward flick was pointing at the candle. I practiced visualizing the candle levitating into the bag as I practiced the pronunciation of Locomotor. Then it was time to put the two together. I closed my eyes, bringing my visualization to mind, and said “Locomotor!” while doing the movement. I opened my eyes and nothing had happened. I then remembered that the Professor had mentioned that verbally saying the target destination after the spell helped increase its effectiveness. I thought I’d try that, so I again visualized the candle moving into the bag in my mind, and this time I said “Locomotor Bag!” as I did the movement. Sure enough, the candle lifted off the ground and floated over to the bag before landing inside of it. Smiling, I closed my bag and headed off to my next class.