Eleven-year-old Anthony sat in front of the fire, with Standard Book of Spells Grade One stretching over his knees, sighing loudly. He had read exactly what to do and had even seen Professor Smith perform this charm perfectly, but he just couldn't get the spell to hold for more than a fleeting second.
He was thankful that his parents were both of magical ability so that he was able to practice magic at home. His father explained to him that the Ministry wasn't able to tell who exactly performed the spell, meaning that Anthony definitely had the advantage of practicing at home.
Andy picked up his wand, determined not to let this simple spell get the better of him. He was a Ravenclaw after all! He placed the textbook on the ground and proceeded to turn out all of the lights he could find around the house, leaving only the light of the fire to brighten the room. He smiled and held his wand firmly in his grasp.
"Lumos," he incanted and watched as nothing happened. A sound from behind him caused Andy to turn around.
"Blast! Why is that even there!? And why is it so bloody dark?!" a voice called from the kitchen. Andy grinned. His dad wasn't the most balanced, coordinated person about.
"Sorry, dad! Practicing Lumos, and obviously failing at it!" Andy called from the living room. Frederic walked into the Living Room, rubbing his elbow as he took in the scene before him. Andy could make out his expression from the flickering light from the fire.
"Don't laugh!" Andy exclaimed. "It's hard. I wish I could see you when you first tried to learn it!" Andy was slightly fibbing there, as this wasn't his first attempt.
Fred tried to smooth his facial expression to show interest as opposed to amusement. "Sorry," he said. "Why don't you ask your mother for help. She's good with this kind of thing; Parenting."
Andy rolled his eyes at his father. "I didn't actually ask you for help dad," he said dryly, regarding his father. He couldn't go to his mum anyway, she helped him last time. She'd think he was inapt if he came to her again, looking for help. "But... Can you help anyway?"
Frederic clapped a hand on his son's shoulder. "Yeah, okay. Well for starters, you've got your wand grasp all wrong for Lumos. Should be... That's better. Okay, now stand with your feet shoulder width apart and don't look so petrified."
Andy listened to his father, and adjusted his body the way he was told.
"Okay! Better?" he asked and received a nod from his father. Once he was ready, Frederic showed him the incantation with his own wand. Andy regarded what his father did carefully and nodded when he thought he was ready.
"Got it. Okay," the Ravenclaw said, and set his shoulders. He'd make the room bright if it was the last thing he did.
Andy spoke in a loud clear voice, focussing his mind on the task at hand. With his hand grasp as his father showed him and his mind set, Andy said, "Lumos!"
His wand shone for a fraction of a second, before the room was cast in semi-darkness again.
"Daaaad!" Andy groaned, his shoulders deflated. Frederic laughed at his son's reaction. "Try it again, son."
Andy repeated his actions, steeling himself and focusing his mind. He tried once again and a second time, when finally on this third time, his wand kept the light for at least five seconds before fading into darkness again. This was good enough for Andy. He fist pumped and wooped with joy.
"Did ya see that!? Did ya!?" he exclaimed, grinning. Anthony's dad laughed, nodding.
"Practice some more, Andy. I want to see at least ten seconds of full strength light before you head off to bed."
Andy nodded and continued to practice well into the night, despite his mother coming in from time to time to tell her eleven year old son, that enough was enough.
"Gotta master this, mum," Andy said sleepily, rubbing his hand over his eyes. Andy's mum shook her head at her son, and took his wand, which was emitting light without Andy even realising it. "Nox," she said, and Andy's wand ceased it's light.
"You already have, love. Time for bed."
