Open Painful Practicing

[Emma van Houten]

Emma was very aware of the NEWTs at the end of the year, especially because her sister kept reminding her of them. She knew she was unlikely to do very well on any written parts, but that just meant she had to do well on practical bits. Instead of doing something boring like studying, Emma had decided to practice random charms today. She had wandered outside, figuring it was a good place to start. She had a list of charms with her, charms they had learned over the years. She frowned, looking at the list and then looking around. She didn't need to practice any of the very basic spells like lumos, but there were quite a few she never used anymore. Emma decided on what to do. She looked up at a nearby tree, pointed her wand at the branches, and cast a spell. "Diffindo!" She said, grinning when she sliced the branch off the tree. Her grin disappeared when the branch bonked her on the head on the way down. "Ouch."