Closed struggles of first year

[Eoghan Blyth]

As Eoghan stood in the middle of the empty duelling chamber that he'd finally be able to find after a good while searching the dungeons, he crossed his arms over his chest, debating whether or not he'd learn anything useful in his first year at all. So far most of their lessons had been introductory, getting to grips with the basic tools and equipment, books, or guidelines to make sure that when they did finally start learning proper magic, they would know how to do it safely. That was all well and good but what about people like Eoghan, who already felt as though they knew the basics, and who'd come to school prepared even if that had meant reading his first-year textbooks on the train before the semester had begun? Eoghan had come to Hogwarts to learn more than what his books could tell him, and so far he had nothing of practical magic up his sleeve and was no better off at all than he was when he joined.

Walking up toward one of the dummies in the room, Eoghan knew this was why he'd signed up to the SDA. Even if they couldn't do the duelling tournaments this year, he thought it would teach him more practical magic than he would learn while in a classroom. He didn't really care about Lumos and Nox (the spells, not the twins, although he wasn't overly fussed about them either) because they weren't going to help him get any stronger. He wanted to able to best those in his life he came up against, not shine a slightly bright light in their faces. Eoghan lifted one hand to rest it on the dummies chest, giving it a gentle push just to see how heavy it was, whether he could tell if it was hollow, or likely to fall over with a simple gust of wind.​

 

[Sayuri Edogawa]

Sayuri had been disappointed when she was told that first years weren't actually allowed to participate in duelling for the Student Defence Association. She'd been hoping that being part of the club would supplement her Defence Against the Dark Arts classes since she didn't find the professor impressive at all. While it would be good that she would be able to gain experience in duelling come second year, it meant that her being part of the club this year had questionable merit. To top it all off, she'd already finished reading the needed text for this year's DADA class, meaning school was getting very boring. And so, Sayuri decided that it was probably for the best that she do steps instead to make sure she stays ahead in classes, and that meant practicing spells. Which is how she found herself entering a duelling chamber.

In truth, Sayuri could have probably approached her father regarding her boredom, and he would have given her something to do, but it wasn't like he was originally supposed to be there. Or at least that's what Sayuri thought. All of their older siblings had gone through their first year, or the entirety of their education, without their parents around so it stood to reason that she could do it too. She was older now and attending boarding school, she should be able to manage things without her parents to hold her hand. Her musings were cut off when she noticed another boy in the chamber, one she was sure she'd at least seen in class so he must have been in her year. Maybe both of them were of the same mind that they needed to practice spells. Still, she'd never actually seen a training dummy before, much less use one. "Know how to use them?" she asked as she looked at the boy critically. If neither of them knew how to use the dummy, Sayuri would have to find another way to learn how to cast spells.​

 

[Eoghan Blyth]

Eoghan still had his hand on the dummy's chest when he heard a voice behind, practically leaping out of his skin given he hadn't heard any footsteps. "Son of a banshee," Eoghan cursed under his breath, turning to see a girl from his classes he barely recognised. It took him a second to register that she'd asked him a question, although he wasn't entirely sure why she was talking to him. He was finding the more time went on, the more that people would approach him with questions, or the assumption that he didn't mind them sitting next to him. In reality that couldn't have been further from the truth and he thought he would have been safe from that down here. Apparently, it seemed as though even in the duelling chambers he couldn't get away from it. "In theory," Eoghan replied, turning to face the dummy once more but taking a couple of steps back, arms crossing over his chest.

"They've been around at least 60 years," he mentioned, trying to remember what he'd read in his Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook. "If you try to attack it and you fail, I think it tries to attack you," he added, wondering if that was how a student would turn it on. The magic on it seemed dormant right now. Eoghan turned his head back to the girl, his focus on the task at hand rather than trying to make small talk about who she was or what she wanted with him. If she was here then clearly she cared about learning spells too and that was enough for the Ravenclaw to work with. "Have you learned Stupify yet?" he asked her, knowing that while he'd read it himself, he had yet to try it out in their class and as such, felt entirely useless when it came to being able to do anything impactful.​

 

[Sayuri Edogawa]

Sayuri placed her bag on the floor, pulling out her book. It had vague instructions on how to use some of the spells, but she supposed they were intended to be used adjacently with a teacher. Something that she currently did not have. But that was okay. Sayuri had enough determination to make up for it, and she had a lot of time and patience. She listened idly to the other kid's description of the dummy, his second statement more useful than the first. "If I fail. Not if I succeed," she said to clarify as she stared at the dummies intently. Sayuri wondered if there were any consequences should she succeed in the spell, because she kind of needed to know as well when she was doing something right and not just when she was doing something wrong. None of her classes have yet to use a spell, so she wouldn't know if she'd failed or succeeded unless there was some kind of benchmark which she was hoping the dummy would provide. But she didn't know how to turn the dummy on or off. It seemed risky and not the kind that was worth the effort either. "No, but I intend to," she says off-handedly as she takes out her wand. "Will it attack me once per failed try, or will it continue to attack?" she asks this, mostly to herself as that seemed like a very vital piece of information and a key factor on whether she should attempt to use the dummy or not.​

 

[Eoghan Blyth]

"If you fail," Eoghan confirmed, nodding as he recalled the passage he'd read. The girl had a point though, if they were to succeed what would it do then? The book hadn't exactly mentioned much in detail and the Ravenclaw could only assume that was because first years were supposed to have someone else guiding them. Eoghan looked across at the student when she told him she intended to learn the spells, glad that someone in this castle seemed to be as eager as he was to learn what he could. There were too many around here who were waiting to be spoon-fed information rather than seeking it out themselves, and even then he believed that more often than not, students weren't exactly inclined to take the information on board. They were at a magical castle, to discover the powers they possessed, and yet most of them would rather pelt dung bombs around at each other rather than make the most of the opportunity so few would ever receive.

"I don't know," Eoghan admitted. He hated not knowing, but he wasn't going to lie either. "It's a good question. I suppose if the dummy is here for us to practice how to defend ourselves it will keep attacking until we succeed. But, if it's here so we can practice how to use offensive spells, it would only need to attack us once to defend itself." Eoghan thought out loud, trying to recall any other information about the dummies that could help them uncover which version it would be before they were activated. "The dummies were designed to be as realistic as possible, down to," Eoghan pointed, "each carrying a wand, and you can disarm them." Eoghan thought for a moment, "The dummies used years ago were Foundables though, which means whatever version has been created for us, may well have its own limitations too." In short, it was useless to try and work it out because even if they did, they could have been working with something completely different from the textbooks. He looked between the dummy and the girl once more, "I suppose we won't know until we try."​

 

[Sayuri Edogawa]

Sayuri listened idly as the boy rattled off a bunch of information about dummies. She didn't know if she could trust the information the boy was providing since she hadn't found that information herself. Additionally, it would be risky to practice with the dummy if they do attack from a failed spell and not a successful one. Not to mention that they didn't even know how many times the dummy would attack. It would have been a useful tool if they'd already known how to shield. Or at least had some rudimentary knowledge. But, it being early into the semester meant that most classes were still on theory work with limited or no spellwork. It was annoying. Sayuri blamed the DADA professor.

Sayuri glared into the dummy before deciding that it just wasn't worth the risk. Especially since they didn't know as well if the spell would be bounced back or if the dummy would be using a different spell. It was all too complicated without the necessary information. She then flipped her book into another page, this one containing the shield charm. "Do you know any spells?" If he did then they could test her shield charm. If he did not, well, then he should start learning something or not bother her so she could have a productive time. "I'm going to practice the shield charm. Either fire a spell, learn, or let me focus," she said as she quickly scanned through the passage on any necessary wand movements and the spell's incantation - Protego.​

 

[Eoghan Blyth]

The other girl didn't seem overly impressed with the dummy, or perhaps like Eoghan she figured it was probably better to wait until they knew the extent of the dummy's abilities before trying anything themselves with a lack of professor around. "Of course I do," he replied, glancing across to look at her as though she'd just stepped in something similar to what a dog might leave on a path. Irritatingly, however, just because he knew of the spells from his reading it didn't mean he knew how to cast them yet given he'd not practiced them in his class. Eoghan was about to tell her this when she told him that she was going to practice the shield charm instead, and he frowned as she added he could learn or let her focus. Hadn't seen been the one to approach him when he was trying to understand the dummies? He'd already given her extra information that he debated had been better keeping to himself, as the girl seemed to suggest that he didn't know enough or that he was in her way.

The blond rolled his eyes looking away from the other student as he tossed up in his head whether or not it was even worth spending his energy on someone who was going to be judgmental rather than helpful. "If you know Protego, show me." He replied simply, crossing his arms over his chest to see whether she really did know what she was talking about or if she was just here to try to make him feel like a fool. If this girl knew what she was doing then maybe he could learn from her, and if not, well then he'd know not to waste any more time on her. ​

 

[Sayuri Edogawa]

Sayuri glanced at the boy when he admitted that he knew some spells. That was good, she could work with that. She knew he didn't have Defense this semester mostly because she hadn't seen him in class with the Gryffindors. And she would have recognized him at least if he was a Slytherin. She doubted he would know the Stunning or Shield spells. They've just covered that in class. In fact, it was the only two spells that have been taught this semester which was frankly annoying, especially since Sayuri didn't really trust the Defense teacher. Who casts offensive spells at first year students? She really wanted to tell her father about it, especially since Rose looked like she almost volunteered and Merlin forbid Jonah volunteers to be that man's guinea pig next semester.

Sayuri inclined her head beckoning him to come closer. "These are the wand movements from class," she says as she shows him, moving her hands slowly instead of the faster movements one would usually use in dueling. She was teaching. "You already know the incantation. Should I assume you read up on the theory?" He looked like he was smart enough to do that at least. Unlike her brother. At least this would be a learning experience too, annoying as it may be. Her dad did they say that one can learn from teaching others too. Unfortunately, Sayuri didn't have the long patience for it so hopefully, the boy currently with her was at least competent. If he wasn't, well he could always read the book she brought provided he wasn't an idiot.​