Defence Practice ((Jason))

[Tommy Bryce]

Tommy closed the door of the empty room quietly behind him, clutching the book in his arms that he had just checked out of the library. It wasn’t too large or heavy, but did contain the information he wanted for the next hour or so. It was the weekend, so no lessons, and he had decided to attempt some of the spells that Keaira had mentioned that time he’d met her upon the astronomy tower. Drawing out his wand, he looked about the room a little cautiously to check there was no one else in there. It was a disused classroom as far as he could tell, with the occasional out-of-date textbook littering a desk, all of which were covered in scrawls and graffiti and, usually dust. No wonder it was no longer used if it was in this state – at least compared to the classrooms he currently went to, which were immaculate.

Setting the library book on the nearest desk, Tommy checked behind him to see if anyone was there, having entered without him noticing. No one was, so he was soon flicking quickly through the pages of the book, looking for the spell he wanted. Perhaps start off with the easy spells, like the extra arresting one... what was it called? Arresto Max... Maximum? Maximus?[/i] Ah, there it was, about halfway through. Arresto Momentum. Bracing himself, he whispered the locomoter charm so that the spellbook hovered in the air. Backing up so it was a few metres away, he flicked his wand a little and the book closed its pages, swivelling to face him – so to speak. Now then, time to try this... he motioned his wand once and without a second thought the book came flying at him at high speed.

“Arrest-“ He began the defence charm needed but was too slow, and before he could finish the book had struck him in his stomach. He let out a restrained ‘oompf’ noise and released the locomoter spell so it dropped to the floor. He didn’t think of what the librarian might say when he returned the book after putting it through this trial, but she would likely be less than happy with him.

Setting the spell up again, he stood a little further away so he would have time to speak all the words and tried again. “Arresto Momentum,” he said, still in his quiet voice but with a degree of force behind it. The book slowed, but didn’t stop and still barrelled into him. At least this time it was slowly so he could catch it in his hands before it caused any pain. Once more he set it up, not thinking of how much easier it might be to have someone actually throw an item in his direction. At least this way he could control the book to some extent. About to start for a third time, he heard something to his right and turned quickly, his wand outstretched in surprise and pointing it at the door, whose handle was turning rapidly as someone entered.

[Jason Cruz]

Lunchtime. Jason was starving, but then he was usually hungry if it had been more than a couple hours since he'd eaten. His metabolism was just like that. Of course it left him in something of a conundrum now that the great hall would be filled with students. Jason had been trying to avoid interacting with people in any meaningful way, and meals often proved the trickiest times. Beginning to consider himself cursed, he'd decided that it was best if he just avoided becoming attached to people even if he weren't really the cause of all the disappearances that had occurred throughout the school year thus far. It still left a horrible empty feeling inside him, no matter how much food he crammed into his thin frame.

Rapidly filling a tray he'd 'borrowed' from one of the house elves, Jason dashed from the communal eating place before anyone could call out to him or invite him to sit. It was an exercise in paranoia however since Jason knew very well that no one would anyway. Was there anyone left at the school who would even be able to put a name to his face? Hurrying up the marble staircase, Jason kept moving up until he reached . . . he didn't even know what floor. He hadn't been paying attention. He knew he was several floors up, and that was good enough. Heading down a desolate looking hallway, he tried a door that he assumed would lead to an empty classroom. Unfortunately it was locked. Picking up the tray he'd set down to open the door, Jason tried three more doors before he found one that would open. By that time he had adjusted his strategy, merely balancing his tray in one hand rather than taking the time to set it down and then pick it back up.

Eyes on his tray of food, Jason had the door open and had stepped in before he realized the room wasn't empty. Looking up half a second after he'd entered, he saw a young boy with a startled expression pointing a wand his way. Of course in his surprise and quickly rising panic, the wide eyed expression on the younger boy's face looked as much like homicidal rage as simple surprise. And just like that the tray was in the air, Jason was facing back toward the door, and his feet were already attempting to carry him away. The door however had begun to swing closed behind him, and with his current lack of balance, the small collision was more than enough to knock him on his bum.

Lying there on his back, Jason contemplated the strange array of shapes and colors coming toward him. Then the various food items and flatware hit, splattering all over his prone form. Breathing hard, he accepted his fate, knowing the murderous little boy must be nearly upon him. It was probably better this way.

[Tommy Bryce]

Despite having heard the door open, Tommy still jumped back in surprise when an older student entered through carrying a tray of food, but kept his wand up the whole time. He vaguely recognised the other boy from a few classes and the Gryffindor common room, but not well enough to put a name to him. He seemed as shocked as he himself was at seeing someone already in the room. The book he had been levitating crashed violently to the floor with a load knock as he lost his concentration and he jumped away from it, inadvertently in the direction of Jason.

Reverting his attention back to the other Gryffindor, it was only a few seconds after he has first heard the door open – just enough time for the door to swing shut again – although it seemed longer to him. He watched as Jason turned rapidly, letting go of his hold on the tray and eventually ending up on the floor. Taking a cautious step forward, he flinched back as the tray came down with its contents, all over the boy now lying on his back.

At first Tommy was frozen, still leaning back instinctually. After a few moments though, he took that step towards Jason again, wondering if he’d hurt himself. Worried that the solid tray might have hit him, he wasn’t sure what to do if he really was injured. He’d tended to his own hurts plenty of times before, but had never had food thrown at him before – that would just be a waste. Hearing hard breathing, he approached and dropped to his knees next to the 4th year. “Um... are you okay?” he asked softly, looking down at him. Surprisingly, he found it difficult to stop a grin coming to his face at the image of the teenager covered in food. There were all sorts of objects splattered... had he really been planning to eat all of this?! Why wasn’t he in the Great Hall to eat, anyway? Tommy had gone there just before going to the library to get this book, so his stomach wouldn’t be growling at him while he was practicing. He definitely wasn’t going short of food now he was at Hogwarts – another plus of living at the school. He wasn’t looking forward to the summer holiday, at any stretch of the imagination.