LOTS of homework for this lesson. Toby wasn't so fond of the parts where he had to read and write, so he'd not even LOOKED at all that yet. He'd decided instead to focus on the practical portion first, eager as he was to get more and more practice in on the spell he'd started to master.

Ooh boy, it sure was warm in here. The rest of the castle had fires blazing all over, but this room was way toastier than even the Hufflepuff common room.

Toby didn't really think about that for very long though, because he had a spell to practice. He was unsure if they should use anything but the most basic version of the spell, but figured it was a good idea to practice with that one first in any case. The Hufflepuff moved to a relatively free spot in the room, smiling at the others who were already here as he went, and got his wand out.

Okay, cool, now he just had to wai- SALAMANDER!

Yep, being easily distracted could sometimes work in Toby's favour. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the red creature dart across the floor, and hurriedly pointed his wand at it.

"Glacius!" Toby cast, jabbing his wand at the salamander, but missing it entirely. Moving targets... much more difficult than kettles. Good to know. "Glacius!" he cried again, jabbing his wand at the salamander once more.

This time it hit, but... nothing happened. Uhhh... dud spell? Weird, maybe it was more difficult on alive things?

Toby hurried after the creature in hopes that closing the distance might help him out in terms of both aim and spell efficiency, and tried once more.

"Glacius!"

WHOOSH! That had done it. The salamander froze in its tracks, literally. Toby grinned to himself and stooped to pick it up. He allowed himself a moment or two to look the creature over a little better, before heading to the middle of the room and dropping it in the flames from whence it came.

Now it was time for attempt number two.