Always Space for Improvement

[Ulysses Viteri]

Just after the last class of the day, Ulysses headed to the abandoned classroom with Doriana Strati. He had told her everything about the practice dummy he had found yesterday and had hid in that classroom that was no longer used for lessons. After their late night encounter with that slytherin guy, it was obvious that they needed to hone their dueling and spell-casting skills. Mostly Doriana who had a terrible aim and almost stunned him instead of the other guy. He was aware that the session was most possibly going to end with him falling out with her when she wasn't really obedient to follow instructions but he had the patient to at least try and help her.

They had rolled the dummy from behind that pile of chairs and had set it at the middle of the room. They were standing close to the entrance at the opposite wall. He thought that they should begin with a stationary target but have some distance separating them from it. As it was Doriana turn to cast, he eyes his watch and turned his attention at the door. He was hoping to see Alana today. She liked the girl and during yesterday's brief encounter he had invited her to join them and why not, even bring a friend too. His attention was drawn back to Doriana who was trying to hit the dummy. Her spells were missing it most of the time. "Okay, first of all stop waving your wand like you're directing Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra." he lowered her wand arm as her last stunning spell actually hit the ceiling. "Gentle, smooth motions. Like this. Stupefy!" with a single flick the scarlet jet of light jolted out of his wand's tip and struck the head, forcing the dummy to wobble violently on its base. "Aim for the chest or head. That's where offensive spells are more effective." He pointed out and let her try again. Ulysses checked again his watch. Perhaps they were going to be just the two of them.

Sorry for the slight godmmoding.

 

[Doriana Strati]

Doriana was so looking forward for the practicing sessions that Ulysses had suggested. She wasn't ashamed to admit she was a really bad spell-caster and since that Slytherin guy was targeting her, she had to improve her aim and be able to defend herself. She barely paid attention to the day's classes. Her mind was at the abandoned classroom where she was noted their sessions were going to take place. She was the first student to leave the classroom of her last class. She found Ulysses at the corridor and they marched together for the classroom.

Ulysses was generally very organized. Still it was a pleasant surprise to find out that he had found a dummy to facilitate them. In addition, there was a variety of objects they could use apart from it. They started from basics, facing the dummy while casting stunning spells. He demonstrated once for her and then she took over. Her stunners kept missing their target as if the dummy was protected with a repelling spell. Red jets of light were flying out of her wand, raking the wall at the other side of the room. She even sent one stunner, rocketing up to the ceiling when Ulysses stopped her to instruct her again. She wasn't planning to tell him but it would suit him to become a dueling instructor or something. She snorted as she tried to stop herself from laughing at the sound of his jest. "Don't be afraid. As long as you remain somewhat behind me, I think you're going to survive the day." She jibed back as he demonstrated again. "I wish it was that jerk's head there." She referred to that Aras guy as Ulysses' stunner rammed the dummy straight on the head. Doriana was about to follow his tips when she noticed that the Ravenclaw was looking at his watch.
"Am I such a basket case? Looks like you're looking forward to get rid of me as soon as possible." She asked in a jokingly manner as she shot her next stunner. The jet of red light narrowly missed the dummy's head, forcing her to curse loudly.

 

[Alana Finch]

Biting on her lip, Alana reached for the door knob. She could hear faint noises inside and knew that Ulysses and his friend were in there, already practicing. Alana was late. She knew she was because she'd almost decided to not go. The invitation had been a genuine one, Alana didn't doubt that at all. She was just nervous about showing how terrible she was at spell casting. She was fine when she focused, but these days that was difficult for her to do. The teen wondered what Ulysses' friend was like. What if they didn't get along? What if his friend stared at Alana's eyes? She hated when people did that.

Turning the knob, Alana pushed the door open. She needed to get out of her comfort zone. If she was ever going to stand up to her father and get out of this dreadful agreement, she would need to learn to stand up to him. And that would start by empowering herself. Entering the room quickly, Alana shut the door and leaned her back against it. Spells were flying and she didn't want to get hit. Alana spotted Ulysses helping the girl who was vaguely familiar. She was also beautiful, and Alana couldn't help but feel self-conscious by comparison. She tugged at her purple hoodie before finally quietly greeting the pair. "Sorry, I'm late."