Quote:
Originally Posted by
Macavity 
Simon had gone silent after he had finished his explaination of the incantation and wand movement and it was probably a good thing to. For as he let his gaze pass over the group as he waited for them to get what he was saying and possibly ask any questions the spoken spell was heard. With a reaction much tuned by playing quidditch his wand was out and he turned to act upon the mis-spoken shield charm that had caused the magic to continue going rather then form into a shield infront of his castor.
"PROTEGO!" he cast with a simple point of his wand as he had directed. Letting out the breath he hadn't know he was holding when it dissipated for he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to find out what it was actually gonna do.
"Now that is an example of what not to do," he said lowering his wand back down to his side with a soft sigh. "Though it also provided me with an example of the correct way to handle things. " he added calmly looking to the Hufflepuff who had acted out of turn.
"Theres a reason why when learning a spell especially in a group setting like in class that one practices both the wording and wand movement individually a few times before putting them together for you can catch your mistakes. The shield charm is thankfully a spell that doesn't do too much harm when cast wrong but there are others that if a variation is used can cause dangerous consequences so you should keep that in mind....all of you," he explained looking over the group, turning to pace slightly in front of them all.
"Now the correct pronunciation is protego. How about you all try it---with no wands," the seventh year instructed, reminded them of his warning. "Proh-tay-goh."
Protaywhat? Zara blinked as she tried to make this sink in. Proh-tay-goh?
She whispered softly to herself, trying to get the words out right.
"Prow-tey-gow." And she shook her head, and continued.
"Proh-tey-gow. Pro-te-gou. Prohhhh-tay-gow." Beginning to feel frustrated, she began to enunciate each syllable slowly.
"Proh. Tay....Goh."
And the light bulb in her head turned on. She smiled to herself and said aloud.
"Proh-tay-goh. Protego." Looking at Simon, she looked at him with an awkward smile, as if to confirm if what she had been doing was right. Really, Zara, saying a word is so simple. Why can't you just copy it right?