After waiting for what felt like forever, Sophie found herself next in line to have a water balloon fight with the professor. Well, not quite a fight. He'd be throwing one at her, and she'd be stopping it mid-air. It's too bad she couldn't just allow herself to get hit. She thought that might be kind of fun, too.

Nevermind that, though.

The kid before her finished up and stepped back in line, so Sophie looked forward, stepped ahead, and gave the professor a 'hit me with your best shot' look. She gripped her wand a little harder, all the while remembering this was her first time doing a spell in front of everybody. If she messed up now, they'd never forget it.

She blinked, and a water balloon was floating her way. She squinted at it, almost unsure if she should let it hit her or actually give it a shot. Something snapped in her at the last second, and a force she'd summoned up from somewhere kicked in. She had to succeed in front of all these people. She wouldn't settle for anything less. She stared at the balloon and pictured it coming to a screeching halt in front of her.

The balloon flew closer to her face, and just before it got close enough to hit, Sophie raised her wand, waved it in a short motion, and called out a strong "Arresto Momentum!" She gritted her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut, and a few seconds later, nothing had hit her. She opened her eyes slowly and stared at the balloon, motionless in the air, just before her.