The Kind Hufflepuff

Chapter 60: Petrificus Totalus

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The Kind Hufflepuff - Year Three

Chapter Sixty: Petrificus Totalus

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"The Full Body Bind Curse that temporarily paralyzes the opponent," Professor Erkhurst began explaining. "The curse is actually quite handy, and can potentially be your best friend if you were in a duel which may be helpful with this war, though I hope that it ends before you graduate from Hogwarts." Professor Erkhurst walked towards the board at the front of the room, drawing the wand movement under the pronunciation he had written out for them of the spell itself.

"I would like everybody to choose a partner," Professor Erkhurst finally said when he was done, "Everybody will be practicing the curse on their partner. Do not worry, it is harmless and will simply prevent you from moving," he reassured the group before the classroom began to break off in pairs.

"Cal," Greta hissed. "Partners?"

"Absolutely," Cali giggled, nodding dramatically causing Greta to laugh.

"No fair, now I have to find a partner," John sighed as he stood up to look for a partner.

"Do you want to try first?" Cali asked her, and Greta shrugged in response.

Greta took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment before opening it and pointing her wand at the girl. "Petrificus Totalus!" Nothing happened as Cali succeeded to move her fingers.

Greta narrowed her eyes for a moment, "Petrificus Totalus!" This time when Cali tried to move her fingers, she failed and wasn't able to move her head to look at her fingers either. "Wait! Did I do it?!" Greta cheered when Cali was unable to do anything.

"Congratulations Miss. Catchlove," Professor Erkhurst complimented the girl. "10 points to Hufflepuff," causing Greta to smile wildly as she turned back to her best friend, waiting for Cali to be able to move again.

"Thank you professor!" It was almost the end of class when Cali found herself able to move once again and wiggled her fingers wildly before cracking them and her neck as well.

"Oh, it feels good to move again," Cali sighed. "Nice job!"

"Thanks," Greta giggled. "Now it's your turn."

She had tried to perform the spell three times - the first time she pronounced it wrong, the second time she mistakenly used the wrong wand movement, and the third time she couldn't even figure out what she did wrong - before class was over. "Are you coming to dinner?" Greta asked the girl but Cali shook her head.

"I'm going to visit Regulus," Cali sighed. 

Regulus Black was still in the hospital wing. He had woken up the following day after the incident during the Quidditch Match but his parents had been badgering him like crazy, worried that their precious son was permanently damaged until Madam Pomfrey kicked them off the Hogwarts grounds with the reassurance that Regulus would be fine with some rest. Which was true, Cali genuinely believed, despite the fact that Cali had found that the boy had broken a few ribs and his right arm during the fall with a small concussion. Thankfully, Madam Pomfrey was one of the best healers around.

When Cali got to the hospital wing, she saw that Regulus was sitting up, eating hospital food that seemed a bit more elevated than regular hospital wing food. "Are the house elves spoiling you?" Cali giggled, and Regulus laughed in response.

"They found out it was me they were feeding, and suddenly the food became this," Regulus shrugged, and Cali smiled as she sat the edge of the bed.

"I am so glad you're ok," Cali remarked. "You seem to be doing better." 

Regulus nodded his confirmation, "I feel a lot better too. Madam Pomfrey said I should be able to leave in the morning, even said I can play in the next Quidditch match if I feel up to it," Regulus informed her and Cali nodded. 

"I'm glad to hear that, do you have somebody bringing you your lessons?" Cali asked the boy, and he nodded his confirmation. 

"Slughorn said he'd get it taken care of."

"Very kind of him," Cali nodded.

"How's your lessons going?" Regulus asked the girl, and she groaned in response as she flopped onto the bed, her head laying just beside his chest as she curled into the boy. "That bad, huh?" Regulus laughed softly, despite his reddening cheeks.

"I tried to perform the full body bind and completely failed," Cali whined. "I mean, Greta did it after the second try."

"Try it on me," Regulus shrugged.

"You're in the hospital," Cali rolled her eyes.

"I'm sure Madam Pomfrey wouldn't mind if I couldn't move," Regulus defended. "Come on, you need to practice on somebody. Who is better than the cripple?" 

"Maybe letter," Cali compromised. "I'm too worried about you, plus what if I hurt you worse?"

"Then I end up right back in the Hospital Wing, oh wait, I already am!" Regulus joked.

"Oh hardy har har," Cali replied dryly. 

"I'm a riot," Regulus defended and Cali laughed, cuddling into the boy more.

They stayed silent for a few moments, Regulus playing with the girl's hair before he asked her, "Do you have a date to the upcoming Hogsmeade trip?"

"No," Cali shook her head into the boy's side. "Nobody has asked."

"I'm surprised to hear that," Regulus remarked. 

"Why?" Cali asked the boy, craning her head to see his face. "Would you ask me?"

Regulus looked down at the girl, his grey eyes meeting hers as his cheeks turned red. "Guess we'll have to see," Regulus shrugged after a moment, as Cali scooted up to see his face properly- overly aware of just how close she was to his lips.

"I'm glad you're okay," Cali admitted. "I was so distraught."

"I'm glad I'm okay too," Regulus agreed, and Cali rolled her eyes.

After a few moments of them staring into each others eyes, Cali decided to bury the urge to let their lips meet as she curled back into the boy, one of her arms draped over his body as she laid on one of his arms. "You're my favorite person Regulus Black."

"You're my favorite person too, Cali."