During class, we discussed two charms: The Fire-Making Charm
and The Locomotion Charm. I decided to practice the Fire-Making Charm outside,
in a courtyard. That way I could not accidentally set anything on fire, as the
only things around me were stone. I sat on the ground and placed the small
candle I had brought in front of me, before pulling out my wand. I first
practiced the wand movement, which came fairly naturally to me as a music
conductor. Many of these wand motions are also the same as conducting, and so I
have already had much experience with them without even knowing it! Next I
practiced the pronunciation of the incantation, Incendio. Upon my first attempt at putting the two together, I felt
a slight heat emanating from the tip of my wand, but that was about it. I
frowned and focused more intently, visualizing a small flame coming out of the
tip of my wand and out to the candle’s wick. I again attempted the spell, this
time succeeding in eliciting a small puff of smoke out of my wand. I supposed
that was progress, I’ll have to attempt this one again tomorrow.

Then I began to focus on the Locomotion Charm, Locomotor. I took my bag from behind me and placed it a
couple feet away from the candle, leaving it open. I then practiced the wand
movement for the Charm, making sure the upward flick was pointing at the
candle. I practiced visualizing the candle levitating into the bag as I
practiced the pronunciation of Locomotor.
Then it was time to put the two together. I closed my eyes, bringing my
visualization to mind, and said “Locomotor!” while doing the movement. I opened
my eyes and nothing had happened. I then remembered that the Professor had
mentioned that verbally saying the target destination after the spell helped
increase its effectiveness. I thought I’d try that, so I again visualized the
candle moving into the bag in my mind, and this time I said “Locomotor Bag!” as
I did the movement. Sure enough, the candle lifted off the ground and floated
over to the bag before landing inside of it. Smiling, I closed my bag and
headed off to my next class.