victory_road | SMASH THAT WALL

*that gets a slight chuckle*

Like I said, I imagine it must work rather differently in your world from mine.

*that's an interesting explanation though...*

So it's a matter of focus and maintaining the right state of mind?

*that part is similar to the sort of spellcasting he knows*

There's so much knowledge here from different worlds. I wish we were able to see and experience each other's home world.

[For a moment Hermione looks wistful before focusing back on the question.]

For a normal spell, that's the case. However this spell really relies on the strength and happiness level of the memory. If the memory doesn't have the right kind or level of emotion behind it, it won't work.

At least, that's what all the books I've read say.

I'm so close. I can cast a patronus two out of five times now but it's not a corporeal patronus and the spell isn't lasting as long as it I need it to. A few seconds at most.

I don't know if I can recommend that one visit Menoris right now, but Ryner and I have been working on writing down what information we can to add to the gym's library, at least.

*his world's kiiind of in the middle of a massive war, after all. but on a (hopefully) more pleasant topic...*

I see... Do you think it's a matter of not finding the right memory, then, or just the difficulty of focusing on it and the spell at the same time?

What a wonderful idea! If everyone writes down information about their own worlds and submits it to the libraries to keep a record, then everyone would have access to the information. Of course, you'd have to trust that the person writing it down was providing factual and accurate information.

[Hermione gnaws on her bottom lip as she thinks.]

I think I've got the right memory, or the spell wouldn't work at all, but I do think you're right about the focus.

[She sighs.]

I really need to master this as soon as possible. Who knows when or if I'll get another chance while I'm here...

Exactly. And that's certainly true, but if we can acquire accounts by more than one person from the same world, I imagine that would help in finding any discrepancies that could arise.

*whether accidental or intentional, of course*

Still, though, I can't imagine any account would be bad to have, really.

*as for the subject of that spell, however, Sion considers for a moment*

I don't know if it would be any help, but one of the first steps where I'm from in learning magic involves various meditation exercises to properly attune the right areas of the mind. Perhaps something similar may be worth a try?

That's true although from what I've seen there seem to be only a couple people here from each world at most, and some from different time periods at that.

[Hermione considers the idea for a moment before lighting up.]

That's an excellent idea! Many forms of martial arts use meditation exercises before and after training to help practitioners remain calm and focused.

It certainly can't hurt to try.

Although...well I've never really done meditation before. Have you got any advice or could you show me the kinds of exercises you had to do?

That does seem to be the case, but it certainly wouldn't hurt any to collect whatever information we can.

*if only because these guys are nerds*

Let me see... I doubt the exact ones we use would be appropriate, as the way your spells are cast is entirely different, but perhaps taking some of the basic ideas...

*give him a moment to consider that!*

Well, to begin with, do you already know all the steps of the spell you're trying to cast well enough to do so by memory?

*he might possibly have an idea here*

Of course. I always make sure to memorise the spell requirements, pronunciation and wand movement before attempting to cast.

*nods*

All right, in that case... Try beginning with just focusing on the memory you plan to use. Focus on that and that alone, bringing it to mind so completely that you're experiencing it rather than simply reminiscing about it.

*if his guess is right, this should help in achieving and maintaining the appropriate mindset for casting the spell... though of course those steps come next*

[Hermione takes a deep breath. You can do this. It was easier to close her eyes while concentrating on the memory.

[She tries to more solidly recreate the memory in her mind - the smells, the background noises. It takes a while - she keeps getting distracted by small things like an itch or the sound of a bird. Finally, after what seems like half an hour, she's managed to actually recreate the memory in as much detail in her mind, and then hold the exact moment she realised she had friends and the feelings that had come from that in her mind.

[She opened her eyes, grinning at Sion triumphantly.]

I think I've got it! I never realised I could remember so much about one moment in my life. I'm sorry, that took longer than I thought it would. I really think that this is helping! What's the next step?

*that reaction gets a smile out of Sion, though he quickly returns his attention to the task at hand*

Now, try to go through the motions for the spell while you're thinking of the memory like that. Don't try to cast it yet, just do the motions while focusing on the memory. Once you feel you can do that without losing your focus, try starting with those motions, instead, and calling the memory to mind as you do them.

*if his guess is right, not only should this help her maintain her focus on the necessary memory while casting the spell, but possibly start associating the memory with the actions, in a way that would mean merely the act of casting the spell itself will help call it to mind*

[Hermione's brow furrows as she concentrates on Sion's instructions.]

So focus on the memory first, then practice the wand movements while holding the memory in place. Got it.

[She swishes her wand a few times to make sure she gets the correct movements before taking a deep breath and focuses on the memory again. It was much faster to fall into the same feeing than before, but harder to focus on both it and the wand movement. It takes a fair few tries before she her body relaxes into the wand casting automatically without her needing to focus on it. She smiles brightly at Sion.]

I think that with this particular spell, this format works best, as you need to have the memory firmly ready before you can cast the spell. I think I need to practice being able to pull up the memory faster so that I can cast fast in an emergency.

[She mutters the actual spell to herself while practising the wand movements a few more times. They're much more fluid and automatic than when she first started.]

Okay I think I'm ready to try a full cast this time.

[She sets up the memory in her mind in a few moments before flicking her wand to cast.]

EXPECTO PATRONUM!

[To her delight, a small silvery otter bursts forth from her wand, cavorting around for a moment before disappearing.]

It worked! Did you see it? A proper corporeal patronus! It was only for a few seconds but it worked!

[She'd have hugged him if it wouldnt have felt awkward.]

*Sion can't help grinning a bit at her excitement ~~though not hugging is probably for the best, he's not used to hugs and has very little idea how to respond to them~~*

I saw it. I'm glad I was able to help.

[Hermione beams at Sion as the rest of her pokemon congratulate her on her achievement in their own way.]

I never would have been able to make so much progress without your help - you're a wonderful teacher! Did you teach magic back in your world?

Ah, no. I was just copying from some of the techniques I was taught. Like I said, in Menoris, to learn magic one first has to spend a good deal of time with meditation exercises so that the brain can properly perceive and manipulate the energy for spells in the first place.

Edited 2018-07-18 05:36 (UTC)

SMASH THAT WALL

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