Something Locked Just Needs To Be Unlocked, Right?

Eleven year old Anthony had struggled with this spell during class, and although he had practiced to his wits end, he never seemed to manage it 100% effectively. Sitting at home, he had his textbook and wand out waving it unenthusiastically about trying to get the chest that was also in front of him to open. Luckily the chest had only been locked by hand, so he'd be able to open it easily, if he could.

He had several unsuccessful attempts before he threw his wand down in frustration. The sound caused his mother, Christine, to look over at him with concern, from the kitchen.

"What are you having trouble with?" she asked him, leaning over his shoulder to see the textbook and it's title. "Ah. Well, practice makes perfect. Let's see you try it, alright?"

Andy groaned, having spent the last half an hour trying and failing at this stupid spell. What matters worse was that people in his class seemed to get it on like their second try. He never did take failure well.

"Right," Andy said, focusing his mind as he picked up his wand again. "Alohamora," he cast, giving his wand a flick. Nothing.

Andy looked feebly up at his mother for help. She ruffled his hair affectionately and told him how it was to be done, and using her own wand, she opened the lock as though it was the easiest thing ever. Andy keenly watched how she did it and tried to mirror her actions. Nothing still.

Andy sighed, quite ready to throw both his wand and the textbook, along with the bloody chest, out the window. His mother laughed at his facial expression.

"Looks like you've got the wrist movement a little skewed. Try it like this," she said, showing him the action at a much slower pace this time.

Andy nodded, and repeated the action for his mum until she nodded with satisfaction. "Looks good. Now, say your incantation nice and clearly. And remember that pronunciation is very important in spell casting."

The Ravenclaw was determined to have this chest open by the time he was done. He flicked his wrist a couple of times before he added the incantation along with it, careful to pronounce the word clearly and fluently. On the third time, he was successful.

He heard the clicking sound from the chest in front of him, and threw his arms up in the air, causing his mother to lean back so she wouldn't get hit by his flailing arms.

"Well done, love," she commended him, very proud of her son and what he achieved. Andy locked the chest once more by hand so that he could be sure that what he did wasn't pure chance. He repeated the action again, grinning from ear to ear that it opened again on command.

"Yes!" he exclaimed, fist pumping. He truly was excited that he finally managed to accomplish something worthy of him being a Ravenclaw. He continued to lock and open the chest several times that night, just to prove to himself that he could indeed do it.