Quote:

Originally Posted by Granger1814

Kourt glanced curiously over towards the older students who apparently were going to be participating in a game. It sounded fun, but much too advanced for herself and the other younger students. For now, she would settle on practicing.

She trailed after a third year Slytherin to a place near Professor Schirmer, and then raised her wand again. Expecto Patronum...Expecto Patronum....

She drew her happy memory back to her and spoke. "Expecto Patronum!!" Concentrating hard at the memory, she opened her eyes and frowned.

"Professor? If the memory worked well with the potion..but isn't seemingly working for the actual charm...what could be the problem? Concentration? Or is a happier memory needed?"

"Concentration is usually the culprit." Althea answered. "The thing about this charm is that it requires the utmost focus. It isn't just the memory you need to hold in your mind, its the intention to cast the spell. Its easy to get frustrated and that can effect your focus and your ability to hold the memory clear in your mind, which is why you simply have to work at it. I didn't manage a non-corporeal Patronus until my sixth year." She added that last part with a smile. It was fine not to get it right away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Adjusting her robes a bit, she walked over to Professor Schirmer, wand still in hand. "I am still struggling a bit professor," she said with the slightest of frowns on her face. Still, Josh had reminded her that Gryffindors never gave up which was probably more to do with being stubborn that anything in certain situations so the frown faded into a neutral expression with perhaps a small hint of a smile on the corners of her lips. "Professor Schirmer, is it possible to, um, simply not have the life experience to produce a memory strong enough to conjure a patronus?" The fourth year was seriously having doubts about her abilities in that field...but she could also not have followed Josh's instruction closely enough.

Self doubt. It was a horrible thing sometimes.

"Absolutely." Althea agreed with a nod. "But to practice and try it anyway is always going to be of benefit. Some say that you need to experience enough negative things to truly be able to appreciate the positive things and that that applies to the Patronus charm too. Focus and determination though, if you have enough of that you'll get there eventually."

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastonionNW

Nate decided to try the charm again. He thought back, scouring his mind for a happy memory. Aha! he thought, The first time I went into Hogsmeade with Faina. He focused hard on this memory and said, "Expecto Patronum!"
A silver spark flickered from his wand tip, then vanished. "Aw man... Pardon me, Professor?"

"Yes?" Althea turned to the boy and waited for him to speak up.

ooc: you can just go ahead and ask a question in the same post next time its easier.

"Is anyone else still having trouble?"

Not that she hadn't been watching. She'd seen plenty of students continue practising and help one another. It was lovely. But she was right there to answer questions (and curious about what the messages were being passed around in the game).