Thomas bit his lip slightly as he went up the stairs towards the Headmaster's office. His mum had been busy again, but mentioned she owed a favour to Headmaster Cooper, so to go ask him about learning spells. He was pretty anxious about it, but he really wanted to learn this charm... It could have possibly been seen as having bad intent, but he supposed it could also be seen as something to be used as self defence. He hoped Headmaster Cooper would see it that way at least. He was about to knock on the door before remembering that he was meant to give a password instead. “Puddlemere United” he said, before stepping through with his eyes looking around everywhere, before remembering why he was here, and went towards the Headmaster's desk. “Headmaster Cooper, Professor Celare said you would be willing to teach me a spell, she said to consider it a favour sir.” He said. The Headmaster nodded and inquired as to which spell he wanted to learn. “Locomotor Mortis sir. The leg-locking curse.” Thomas replied. The Headmaster nodded, and instructed for Thomas to follow him downstairs to the Duelling Arena, and once he was there, he felt slightly alarmed, there were a couple other students there too. The headmaster said he was thinking of having a few students try the spell through practical application, and that a few had been asking about being taught the spell. Thomas bit his lip without thinking, he had to do well at this, otherwise he'd feel quite the fool and that wouldn't work out at all.
The Headmaster put them into pairs, spacing them out around the duelling Arena, and said that the first one to perform the spell successfully would win the round, and they would do a few miniture tournaments until they had all got the gist of the spell. There were eight students, so it would work rather easily. Thomas tried to get into a decent stance for duelling, but he had no idea what to do.
The Duel started.
Thomas gave up on trying to figure out a stance, and pointed his wand at the girl he was against. “Locomotor Mortis!” He chanted, only to leave himself open for the same to happen to him, he felt his legs snap together for half a moment, before going back to their original state, but from what he had seen, the girl hadn't been effected at all. He aimed at the girl again and shouted “Locomotor Mortis!” only to have nothing happen yet again. He was hit again this time, and had his legs stay stuck together this time, and he fell to the floor. He was frustrated with himself after the Headmaster had dispelled it. He was the first to be beaten.
He watched for a few moments, taking in how the other people were performing, they acted a lot quicker than him, that was for sure. He knew he wouldn't be as quick as them though, only one or two of them were his age, the others looked to be at least a year older. After a few moments, three others lost, which set the stage for the next round. He was paired with someone who was his age this time, which he was thankful for, it meant it was someone who was the same or similar skill level. He changed how he was standing this time, keeping his legs further apart so more strength would be needed to lock them together. It didn't do much luck though, within a couple of minutes he was beaten, again. He sighed, at least he wasn't the first this time, one other person had been beaten before him. He felt like he was getting more proficient with the spell though, as he was sure his opponents legs had almost snapped together a couple of times. He watched the others again, trying to remember as much as he could about the spell and what he had learnt from his lessons with other Professors. He had to put all his mental strength behind it, and will it to work, not for it to just fizzle out on him. He was going against his last person. If he didn't get it right this time, then he would likely have to wait a while and do a lot more to try and learn it properly. He was determined to get it right this time though, so went against his last opponent with a steady grin. He waited for the duel to start...
And it did.
Thomas was able to be quicker than his opponent this time, the guy being the same age as him again, he aimed his wand and chanted “Locomotor Mortis!” He chanted, smirking slightly when it hit and the guy wobbled slightly. He was hit himself, but willed himself to not let his legs snap together, and it worked. He fired the Leg-locking spell again, and it finally worked. His opponents legs were stuck together and he wasn't able to move them. “Finally.” Thomas muttered to himself, sitting back on the sidelines and watching the other duels. He had won at the end and had a better knowledge of how to use the spell now. Not perfect by any means. But better by far, and he was confident enough to use it if he needed to.
((OOC: Permission given by Tai Cooper for GM-ing.))
