The next morning sun filtered softly through the tall windows of the Beauxbâtons charms classroom, casting delicate patterns on the polished stone floor. Rows of desks and enchanted practice dummies lined the room, ready to welcome a fresh batch of eager third-year students.
Eira stood near the front, her expression calm and focused, her white hair catching the sunlight as she exchanged smiles with her friend Marin. The classroom buzzed with excited whispers and quiet shuffling as students settled in, preparing for their first charms lesson of the year.
Suddenly, the heavy double doors swung open, and Professor Eric Chamberlain strode in with a wide grin spreading across his face. His warm eyes shining behind round spectacles as he scanned the room, taking in the eager faces before him.
"Ah, look at these little chicks!" he exclaimed jovially, hands on his hips. "In just three years, how you've grown! Welcome to your third year of charms!" His voice boomed with infectious enthusiasm.
The classroom erupted in laughter and applause. Professor Chamberlain had a way of making even the most nervous student feel at ease with his humor and easy charm.
"I see a few familiar faces," he continued, pacing slowly. "Some of you are still trying to convince me that you're as clever as you think you are. And others…" He tapped a finger against his chin thoughtfully, "…are probably just here to catch the attention of the charming Professor Chamberlain."
A ripple of giggles spread through the room.
Eira and Marin exchanged amused glances, both appreciating the professor's lighthearted spirit.
"Today," Professor Chamberlain announced, "we're going to learn something very useful: the Summoning Charm. More commonly known as—wait for it—Accio!"
He waved his wand with a flourish, and a small feather floated up from his desk and landed neatly in his palm.
"The Accio charm allows you to summon objects toward you from a distance. It's incredibly handy when you've dropped your wand—or, in some cases, when your homework has mysteriously disappeared under someone's desk." He shot a playful glance toward the back of the classroom where a group of giggling students pretended to look innocent.
"Now, a bit about its history," he continued, settling back at his desk with a theatrical sigh. "The charm was first documented in the early 15th century by a wizard named Barthélemy de Saint-Malo, who found that summoning small objects saved him a great deal of time while collecting rare magical herbs in the French countryside."
"Time is precious," Eira thought, appreciating the practicality of the spell. She could already imagine how useful Accio would be in daily life students.
Professor Chamberlain smiled broadly. "But enough history! Let's make this fun. I've devised a little game to test your mastery of the charm."
A murmur of excitement rippled through the students.
"Here's how it works," he explained, stepping into the center of the room. "Each of you will take turns summoning objects from around the classroom toward you using Accio. But there's a catch! I've enchanted a variety of objects—some obvious, some tricky—hidden in unexpected places. Your task is to find and summon them before your opponents do."
He pointed to a set of small, enchanted chests arranged around the room, each containing a different object—ranging from quills and books to magical trinkets and even an occasional rubber chicken.
"Points will be awarded based on speed and accuracy," Professor Chamberlain said, rubbing his hands together. "The student who accumulates the most points by the end of the game will receive a prize—something special from my own collection."
The students buzzed with anticipation.
"Alright, let's line up! First up: Eira White."
Eira stepped forward confidently, wand at the ready.
"Remember," the professor reminded, "Accio is pronounced 'AH-SEE-oh'. Focus on the object and call the spell clearly. Ready? Go!"
With a quick flick of her wand, Eira intoned, "Accio feather!"
A bright flash of light burst from her wand tip, and a delicate white feather flew swiftly across the room, landing gracefully in her palm.
"Well done!" Professor Chamberlain beamed. "Very clean execution."
Next was Marin, who stepped up nervously, gripping his wand a little too tightly.
"Accio quill!" he called, but the quill remained stubbornly in place.
Professor Chamberlain chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Close, Marin. You need to focus your intention and wand movement more precisely."
Marin sighed, muttering, "Why is this so hard? I thought I was good at charms."
Professor Chamberlain clapped a hand on Marin's shoulder with a grin. "Charm mastery is all about practice—and patience. Now, try again."
The game continued, with students taking turns summoning objects. Some were quick and nimble, others fumbling and laughing at their own mistakes. Professor Chamberlain narrated with humor and encouragement, teasing students gently and praising their efforts.
When it was Eira's turn again, she found herself facing a more challenging object—a tiny enchanted music box tucked behind a pile of books on a shelf.
"Accio music box!" she called clearly.
The music box leapt forward, spinning slightly before landing perfectly in her hand.
"Impressive!" the professor applauded. "You make this look effortless, Lady White."
Eira smiled modestly, feeling the familiar thrill of accomplishment.
As the game progressed, Eira's dominance became clear. She moved smoothly from object to object, summoning each with practiced ease. Her wand movements were graceful, and her focus unwavering.
Meanwhile, Marin struggled with the more complex objects, his frustration growing but tempered by the professor's gentle ribbing.
"You're getting there, Marin," Professor Chamberlain said with a chuckle after another failed attempt. "Remember, magic isn't about raw power—it's about finesse. It's like trying to juggle eggs without breaking them. And some days, the eggs just don't want to cooperate."
Marin laughed despite himself. "If only my two eggs would juggle themselves!"
The professor grinned and winked at him. "Maybe someday, my boy. Maybe someday."
Finally, after several rounds, the game reached its climax. Eira was clearly ahead, her tally of summoned objects unmatched.
Professor Chamberlain clapped his hands. "Alright, everyone! Time to tally the scores."
He handed out small slips of parchment to record points, and the students eagerly awaited their results.
"Lady White," he announced with a smile, "as usual, your charm skills are exceptional. You have demonstrated remarkable control and speed. You win the prize."
He reached into a velvet pouch and pulled out a delicate silver amulet, engraved with the emblem of the Beauxbâtons school.
"May this remind you that with great talent comes great responsibility," he said with a wink, handing the amulet to Eira.
Eira accepted it graciously, her cheeks tinged with pride.
Marin, though not victorious, grinned and gave a theatrical bow. "Congratulations, Eira. You truly are the master of charms."
Professor Chamberlain nodded toward Marin. "And you, young man, have shown great spirit. You may not have mastered Accio today, but your determination is admirable."then he said with a playful tone."Remember—may your two eggs always juggle."
Marin smiled sheepishly. "Thanks, Professor. I'll get it next time."
The lesson wound down with lighthearted banter and more jokes from Professor Chamberlain, who reminded the students that magic was as much about joy and discovery as it was about study and discipline.
As the classroom emptied, Eira and Marin lingered by the door.
"You really dominated today—like always," Marin said, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "How do you make it look so easy? Are you secretly an old witch disguised as a beautiful little girl or just cheating?"
Eira rolled her eyes. "Lots of practice, genius. And maybe a sprinkle of magic luck you'll never understand."
Marin smirked. "Yeah, yeah. You're definitely the one to beat in charms this year… if anyone can even get close without tripping over their own wand."