"Angry because of what my father was?" Paul asked, "Darlin' he made his choice. Just like my mother made her choice to try to turn me into her revenge. Yes, his reach was farther than I think most people realised. In my experience, if you go seeking something--eventually you will find it. However, he didn't reach my family from America. Mother moved me there two months after my father was kissed." He noticed she didn't seem fully there so he asked in a whisper, "is there something you want to talk about, Darlin'? Something I can do for you?"

The girl looked away, her cheeks turning pink. She seemed to be struggling to find the right words. "I don't...I'm not very good," she said at last, frowning at her knees. "At connecting. Being open...saying how I feel. ...Trusting people to listen. Things like that." Katsumi hesitated briefly. "I knew what was coming, I thought I was ready, and I wasn't. Maybe it's not easy like a writing assignment or a test, and maybe I did better than some people, but I failed. I'm not used to that." She bit the inside of her lip. "It's not a good feeling. And...I froze. Couldn't think, couldn't act...." The Ravenclaw's voice became even quieter, wavering slightly. "What I dread most and it wasn't just a boggart, it was real."

He considered her words carefully. "there's nothing wrong with being reserved. You are who you are and I for one wouldn't ask you to change. From what I've seen of you, you are a very bright and inquisitive girl--one who does her house very proud." He put his hand on her shoulder. "No, facing your fears never feels good. But you did act, you did create the streamers. You are strong darlin' and I know it probably doesn't change how you feel but I believe that any challenge you face you will meet with heart, determination and bravery. Its my thinking that because you fear being helpless you will rise to that and make sure you are not helpless."

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” said Elise as she walked towards the cupboard. She turned pale as her worst nightmare appeared before her. The evil clown pointed a dirty finger at her and laughed showing his rotten teeth. She froze in fear when she made eye contact with the clown's yellow eyes, forgetting that at the moment she was at a Defense club meeting.

She closed her eyes wishing her grandma was there to help her. She took a deep breath and let it go. She opened her eyes and with the proper wand movements shouted out “Riddikulus!”. The clown transformed into a smiling baby sloth.

Fade relaxed a little when Magnus ()handed him the sketchbook. Although the relief was quickly replaced by guilt. “But I don’t have anything for you.” He bit the inside of his lip while his hair turned a yellowish green color. Shaking his head his hair returned to normal, but a distinct blush remained on his face. “I mean, thank you.” He cracked the cover and started to sketch Katsumi () because her silhouette against the large charms room windows was a very nice distraction from his terrible nightmarish mother monster. Even if he did end up adding a few extra eyes, in the end.

Looking up from his work, Fade watched as Elise () went to take on the Boggart. A chill ran down his spine when the creepy clown emerged, and it lingered even after the adorable smiling sloth was summoned.

Magnus gave his friend a smile. "Don't be, I ain't ever 'ad a mates to shop for. I was so 'appy to find 'em for you." He had not even thought of anyone giving him something anyway.

Elise had her go Paul watched as the clown appeared and then disappeared replaced with a sloth. He stood in front and said “Riddikulus" before the bogart had much chance to change--all it had become was a black cloak. It changed quickly into a kitten playing with a ball of string, then it cracked and exploded. Boggart gone, Paul smiled at the students. "You all did very well, I am proud. Now, I am happy to tell you, I am coming back to assist with the Patronus session. So until then, I bid you all a fair well."

Foe Glass Probity Probe Secrecy Sensor Sneakoscope

"So a foe glass let's you know your enemy is nearby when you see the white eyes. A Probity Probe can detect concealment spells and hidden magical objects. The secrecy sensor vibrates when it detects concealment and lies. And a sneakoscope is lights up, spins and whistles if someone is donin' something untrustworthy. Now, the secrecy sensor don't work too well 'round 'Ogwarts cos too many lies and stuff. We're meetin' down 'ere in for less interference. I got a remembrall me mum gave me and I thought we could 'ide it and see if the Probity Probe can find it. And we can put the disillusion charm on and see if the Sensory sensor and sneakoscope can pick it up, or just tell lies to the sensory sensor. Not too sure 'ow to get the foe glass to work since we ain't got any enemies about. So grab one o' them and lets 'ave some fun."

((tentatively thinking this will end on 11 September unless we have exhausted the items lol))

(( Dunno if I have any ideas for this...BUT YAY PATRONUS! I sorta imagine that Katsumi learned the basics of that already, but a corporeal one is probably not something she's achieved. I look forward to more Paul, too~))

(( hopefully I can think of something to help you with this one XD, lol I thought you might like more Paul xD. If you have any ideas for a lesson lol lemme know. Magnus wanted a hand of glory but lol something tells me even if his father could get a hold of one, he'd never let the boy use it :P let alone have others use it))

(( pffft. Yeah, no hands of glory. We could do various curses, countercurses...maybe body bind? Or stunning? I mean, students might know the spells, but not how to use them in an actual fight. ...Haa, now I'm seeing a wizard's version of laser tag, with basic curses and stuff, in...Iunno, an obstacle course or a maze? ^.^;; ))

(( did Paul's last statement help her at all? -nods- I do have something like that planned for later in the term. Similar to Lupin's final exam. But the body bind and such aren't bad ideas xD))

(( Awesome! I was just going off stuff I saw in the books, mostly Dumbledore's Army. And yeah, I think it did. Certainly she appreciates it. Part of the problem, of course, is that failing to act, even briefly, makes her /actually/ helpless in a sense instead of it being a boggart. Paul's point that her desire not to be helpless will lead her to become better is dead on, though, and probably the best thing he could have said. Certainly I can't think of better. ^.^ My guess is she demanded to be allowed another go at the boggart. =P ))

(( XD awesome. I'm glad, He really did take a few moments in my mind to think of what to say XD. lol if she asks next time he comes, he'll get her one so she can try. He's that type lol actually he might actually already have asked where one was so he could offer the chance if she wanted it.))

(( I meant this time. ^.^;; I know we didn't see it, but I think it happened. HEADCANON SAYS IT DID. >.<; I'm not sure she'd ask...she might just try to find a boggart on her own. That's the sort of foolishly determined thing she'd get into her head. ^.^;; ))

(( well I'm good with "behind the scenes" things lol so he could've given her another go even if it wasn't actually written :) haha that's why I and Paul like her. I think Paul sees a bit of himself in her xD. ))

(( D'aww~ I like Paul so much))

Millie was running late for the defense club. She had wanted to finish her Arithmancy homework before she left the common room. She rushed out to the Forbidden Forest and saw everyone had already gathered. Today's lesson was Patronuses. Even though she could already cast a corporeal patronus, it was her favorite charm to cast. And she loved seeing everyone else's.

"Hi everyone. Sorry I'm late. Homework"

((Sweetie, its not patronus' its defense items. Patronus will be later in the term. Which brings me to asking everyone if I've screwed up and picked something just not fun, too hard or... has life just gotten in the way.
If its my fault, I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry and I can think of something else to replace it. Shy I know said she wasn't sure where to go with this one so I'm not sure if its the same for everyone else as well. I feel like I'm letting everyone down. ))

(( Oops! Sorry, Raven and I got talking about a future lesson -- the current one is actually Dark Detectors, like sneakoscopes and stuffs. Sorry! ^.^;;

EDIT: No you hush your face , it's a fine topic even if no one has ideas and there's no apologizing because you have so many good ideas if you never had one that was unpopular we'd all be horridly jealous.

Lemme see if I can think of something...honestly I just wanna duel but I think you guys already did that and I just missed it. =P ))

(Whoops, that's a my bad. I just kind of scanned the post. I should I read it more closely. Don't feel bad on my behalf. You're doing great! And I understand. The Patronus charm is supposed to be very difficult. Make sense you would hold off on it.

And I'm sorry I haven't been as active. Trying to find a job and studying for the GRE and learning Russian is stressing me out.)

(( I get life being well, life. For myself though I try not to talk about it, pain has been at an all-time high lately. today I literally woke screaming because my back was hurting so bad I couldn't move. Then the weather and my allergies combined for a lovely headache. I haven't been able to do much at all today.
But that aside, I want everyone to have fun. So, yes, Shy there is a Santa Claus there will be more duels. In fact, I have an idea for a hilariously fun duel, which we'll do next one. ))