Paddy was just about to answer Poppy () when Beth began demonstrating the Stunning Spell. Watching the dummy stop in its tracks, Paddy glanced at her wand, wondering how to mimic the way Beth had waved her wand. The next thing she knew, she had a cup of water tipped over her fur - judging by the look on Magnus' () face he must have stunned her by accident. Standing up, rubbing her rear where she'd collided with the floor, she gave a shaky grin to Magnus, and lined up ready to take her turn.

"sorry 'bout that, Paddy," Magnus said shyly. He rumaged in his rucksack for a moment and pulled out something. "Here take this." Nothing said "I'm sorry I stunned you but still would like to be friends" like a Chocolate Frog, right?

"that's ok," Paddy replied, taking the chocolate frog and unwrapping it, "at least it wasn't anything more advanced we were trying to learn." She took a bite from the chocolate frog and felt refreshed. Unwrapping the card, she realised it was one she already had "I've already got this card - d'you need this one?"

"I don't collect 'em," he replied with a smile, "perhaps Rowan might like the card?" at least didn't seem to be holding a grudge against him for the accident.

"you could always start a collection," Paddy replied, "but if you aren't into that, then I'll let have the chocolate frog card." Paddy smiled at Magnus - she wasn't one to hold a grudge, and she'd had much worse injuries before.... although she didn't want to admit that right now.

Watching the other students take their turns, Paddy was getting more nervous by the second. "I hope my turn comes around soon, otherwise I might be so nervous I'll set fire to that dummy rather than stunning it" she said,

() "If you ever want to change your hair let me know! I will help you. I know Char () grew her hair last term! Okay remember just breathe and aim." Gaia waited for her friend to stop the dummy.

Aderyn smiled at Gaia () and nodded, stepping up and readying herself. She took a deep, readying breath and pointed her wand squarely at the dummy.

"Stupefy!"

This time, she managed to hit it with a stronger beam of light, making it stumble and finally stop as the red light hit it right between the collarbones. She'd aimed a little high, but she'd managed the spell and she squeaked excitedly.

"Yes!"

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/ewypPQR.png?1[/img]Beth clapped for Aderyn () and exclaimed, "Awesome job, Aderyn!"

She turned to , "Would you like to go next?"

"Who else would like to give it a try?"

"Rowan can have it, if she likes. If not, then I guess I'll start collecting them more. I do have a couple already," he admitted. "Don't worry Paddy, if you set fire to it then I'm sure Beth has a spell to help." He sat and watched as people took turns. He admitted he was having a good time.

Paddy stepped forwards, trying to remember everything that Beth had done. Watching the dummy step forwards, she yelled "Stupefy" and waved her wand at it. A jet of light flew from her wand, but it was blue rather than red. As it hit the dummy, it bounced off and caused several students to duck as it flew over their heads and took a chunk out of the wall. She wasn't sure what she'd done wrong, but she was determined to get the hang of this; at least she hadn't Stunned any of the students.

Rowan Gratefully accepts the chocolate frog card, then watches as Paddy stupifies the wall. Hey, that wasn't too bad!

She then turns the card over to find Severus Snape. "Poppy, () wasn't Professor Snape head of Slytherin House once? I have to learn more about Wizarding history, I know so little."

She then takes her turn, points at the dummy and waves. Nothing happens. and Paddy did much better. Okay, they were off a bit, but still, they had enough punch. Maybe she's too Mugglish. Then she considers another Slytherin, Slaverus Malfoy!

Imagining him in front of her, she flips her wand and a scarlet bolt hits the dummy squarely in a firework blast. Maybe not so Mugglish after all.

Magnus clapped happily when Rowan managed the spell. "great job and no one unconscious either," he flashed a smile.

Rowan beamed back at Magnus. "It was hard to get going, though. I almost fizzled."

Still smiling, she offered pieces of her frog to Paddy and Poppy.

Paddy watched take a couple of attempts to get the stunning spell to work, and decided it was time she tried again. Waiting for the dummy to start moving forwards, she waved her wand while making sure to pronounce the spell as clearly as possible. This time her aim was more accurate, although a little low - the jet of red light hit the dummy in the leg, but at least it successfully stunned it.

"Nobody even had to duck that time!" she said excitedly as she rejoined Magnus () and Rowan.

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/S8ReoUj.png[/img] Poppy fell silent as Beth began the meeting in earnest. She watched as her peers took turns animating and stunning the practice dummies.

"Thanks for the chocolate, Rowan!" Poppy bit into her piece hungrily. "Severus Snape was a Head of House and a Headmaster during his tenure here. He helped see this school through some very dark times, but I confess that my knowledge of more modern wizarding history isn't what it should be either."

She felt encouraged by Paddy's success and stepped onto the platform. A practice dummy shot up and began to advance toward her after she shouted, "Piertotum Locomotor," with a wave of her wand. Poppy pointed it more forcefully and yelled, "Stupefy!" The dummy froze midway down the platform from the bright arc of red.

It was a good feeling to be part of such a cozy club. She rejoined the group at her seat and said, "I'm glad Beth started with dummies instead of pairing us up with strangers. It was a relief to have a go at something we couldn't really hurt."

"You did well," he said to Rowan. .
"And you didn't knock anyone out either, Paddy." He nodded to Poppy . "You did well too."

Paddy grinned, "even though your aim was a bit off, at least you've tried the spell out on a real person, Magnus" (). "I'm amazed we're all getting the hang of this so quickly - I thought it could take ages to learn this spell. I think that just shows what a good teacher Beth is."

[img align=left]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/harper4.png[/img]Harper waited for her opportunity to give the spell a shot on one of the dummies. She held out her wand, though her hand was shaking a little, and shouted, "Stupefy!"

The jet of red light hit the dummy, and it wibbled slightly. Hm, well that didn't work too well...

"Must not be confident enough, I guess," she muttered under her breath. She took a deep breath and raised her hand a little higher, steadying herself. "Stupefy!"

The dummy knocked back a bit further this time as the jet of light hit it. Harper smiled a little, pleased with herself.

Rowan relaxed and began to feel at ease. This was such a comfy club, and she might even have three new friends.

"It's right," she told herself. "I don't fit in the Muggle world, and even the history here is much more interesting. beth's a good teacher, too!"

Magnus nodded not sure what to say. He hoped he was making friends but he wasn't completely sure since he never had any. He was too much a loner when he lived at the orphanage.