Forced laugh

Evan was observing people in the Middle Courtyard, trying to find some first years. Oh, come ooooon, I was at the Sorting Ceremony, I know that there is a lot of first years at Hogwarts now. Where are all of them now, when I need them so much? Then he spotted a Hufflepuff girl, who would probably be a perfect choice for today's practice. Evan walked quickly to her and started his speech, trying to sound as official and serious as he could, "Hello, young lady! Would you like to take part in my brand new study project? Trust me, you won't be disappointed, I even guarantee a lot of laugh."

Lyrica was sitting in the court yard, when suddenly a Ravenclaw second year walked up to her Ravenclaw and asked if she would like to participate in a new study project Lyra sensed that the boy was up to no good and said "[no thanks, but i have some studding to do"

Evan was a little surprised by girl's refusal. In his first year he would gladly sign up for anything, if he had a chance. "Yes, I expected students to doubt safety of participation in my project, so I have some contract papers with me." Evan opened his bag and got some documents from there. "Read it. I'm sure you'll change your mind."

Contract - click to open:

Evan gave his broadest smile to the girl, handing the contract to her. "See, everything's nearly official, I can't do anything bad. Well, I don't insist. But you risk to miss the greatest opportunity in your life," he said. And after a short pause he added, "And seven Knuts, you know. Good money. You probably can't buy anything with them, but it's still money."

The boy gave Lyra proof that it wasn't a joke, She read it and thought "hm, seven knuts".

She looked up from her the paper he gave her and said "ok, um Evan, what is it that i have to do".

Yes! Yes! I knew that Knuts would work! Evan was really happy, he smiled and answered to the girl, "For now everything you should do is to put your signature here." He pointed to the empty place next to "Project assistant" words in his contract. "Well, actually, this is the only thing you need to do. Just relax, have your fun, and have your money."

Lyra took the paper and placed her signature on the Project assistant space;

Charms Homework Practice Assistant:
Duties: none
Responsibilities: none
Safety: guaranteed
Salary: 7 Knuts

Signatures
Project manager: Evan Williams
Project assistant: Lyrica Hexem

"Here you go Evan, so when do i start?"

From across the courtyard, Selwyn watched the know-it-all Hufflepuff getting paid off by a Ravenclaw student. Hmmmm. Was this how she knew so much? Some Ravenclaw was giving her lessons. But then, why was he paying her? The mystery just got deeper and deeper.

Although the Ravenclaw had got her to sign something. Maybe he was doing this for more than one student. Maybe he had a whole first year coaching empire and needed to claim the money back as taxes. MAYBE that seemingly innocent Hufflepuff had some dirt on him and was blackmailing him into helping her. Selwyn always knew Huffles were way more devious than anyone gave them credit for.

The only way he'd find out is if he got his hands on that paper, though. He launched himself off the sill he'd been sitting on and began running across the courtyard, directly toward the duo.

"Okay. You're in. So, a few words about my project first. I think you would be interested in some information. I call it "The Homework Project", because I started it as a homework practice. Charms class, you know," but then Evan stopped as he spotted a Slytherin, probably a first year too, running towards him. What's he up to? Did my glorious speech inspire some more people to join my practice? "Oh. Is that your friend?" Evan asked his new project assistant.

Lyra was listening to Evans instructions, until she saw Evan get distracted by someone behind her, She looked back to see Selwyn, A first year Slytherin from her potions class running up to them. She then looked at Evan when she herd him ask her a question.

"No, he's in my potions class, do you know him?"

The bluebird said something. The badger turned. Nobody moved out of the way. Well, sucks to be them.

Selwyn continued running, skipped around the girl right at the last minute to tackle the older boy and make a grab at that incriminating bit of paper.

Lyra couldn't believe her eyes, the slytherin boy tackled Evan to the  ground trying to get the paper that she signed. I have to stop this or we'll get in trouble, now what was that stupid spell i read about, oh yeah.

She took her wand out of her cloak, pointed her wand at the paper and said "Carpe Retractum"

The paper flew out of Evan's hand and into Lyra's, she then put the paper in her cloak looked at the slytherin boy and said "what is wrong with you?"

The next thing Evan realized is that he was laying on the ground for some reason. What? The Slytherin boy tried to take the contract, but the Hufflepuff retrieved it with some magic. Come on, guys, this contract has no date on it, it's legally useless piece of paper. But then the realization stroke him. This course of events was even better for his practice session. He had some excuse to practice the tickling charm without caring about his target's condition. I don't know who you are, Slytherin guy, but thanks a lot!

But Evan's happiness didn't last long. Now, when he was laying on the ground and his potential target was too close, he couldn't perform the spell. He had to wait some more seconds, and he decided to think about the situation a little. This first year takes Potions classes with my 'assistant', but he's not her friend. Rivalry? Possibly. Or maybe this boy is just charmed or intoxicated? Well, whoever he is and whatever his reasons are, he will be just a spell target in the next few moments. Evan took a grip on the wand in his pocket, ready to act in any moment.

Before Selwyn had time to snatch it, the paper squirmed out of the boy's hand and zipped over to the girl. He couldn't even recognise the incantation she'd used to make it do that. Yep, something weird was going on all right.

"What did you just say?" he demanded as he leapt to his feet to confront her.

Lyra didn't like being in confrontations, heck, she didn't want to be in this confrontation, all she wanted was for this slytherin boy not to get her and Evan into trouble.

suddenly, the slytherin boy got on his feet and demanded to know what she said.

"I said, what is wrong with you?"

Selwyn laughed.

"Me? What's wrong with you?" he said. "Walking around doing advanced magic and knowing everything ever. You're either a total freak or..."

He let the sentence trail off to wherever her mind took it.

"Who are your parents?"

The Slytherin leaped to his feat and started talking to Evan's 'assistant'. Now Evan could started his spell practice. Sorry, little fella, but you asked for this. Still laying on the ground, Evan pointed his wand at the boy and shouted, "Rictusempra!" "The Homework Project" was officially started. "I hope my 'assistant' won't mind if I interrupt her conversation with the Slytherin with some magical tickling."

Lyra was to angry to cry at the total freak comment, He was about to continue but stopped, Lyra couldn't help but look at this boy in utter confusion, then he asked some thin she didn't expect.

"my parents, why do you want to know who my parents are?"

Suddenly Evan heard familiar voice. Aylee! Aylee told the Slytherin boy to leave them alone.Oh, snap. He'd better not to listen to her, as I need people to practice. And excuses for my practice. And this boy totally matches all my requirements. Nevertheless, Evan was a little glad that Aylee was on his side now. He didn't like it when they had different opinions.

There was a shout from behind him and a spell glanced off Selwyn's knee, causing a tingling sensation.  He looked down, distracted for a moment and didn't see the older girl striding towards them until it was too late.

"Huh?"

It wasn't really a question.  More like her words did not compute.

"Yeeaah," he replied slowly.  "I can see how showing interest in people is bullying whereas walking up to strangers and screaming abuse at them is the sign of a friendly person whose judgement everyone should trust."



((sorry Evan, but the thread got carried away, otherwise Selwyn would totally have been hit by that spell))

Lyra did not like where this is going, She had to stop it somehow.

"Everyone please calm down, Selwyn, why do you want to know who my parents are?"

Selwyn rolled his eyes.

"Because I want to know who you are."

Evan noticed that his spell didn't have a desired effect. Note: the tickling charm is quite inefficient when it hits knees. He found this observation useful for upcoming Charms lesson, as now he knew where not to aim at.

Impressed my Slytherin's remark about Aylee's words, Evan smiled. This guy can be funny sometimes. But I need practice, as I want to show Kynan who's the boss at Charms. Evan pointed his wand at the boy again and muttered, "Rictusempra." I know it's not quite polite to backstab with spells like that during conversations, but I can always explain myself later.

Evan knew perfectly that firing spells after someone asked him to calm down wasn't a good thing to do, but this time he was nearly sure that spell wouldn't do any harm. "It will probably hit his leg again, or even missed completely. I need to work on my accuracy from this position."

((( OOC: You can RP spell effect as a couple of giggles from Selwyn even with a direct hit, because Evan hasn't mastered the spell yet. So the results of Evan's casting is totally your decision )))

"oh for pete's sake, you wanna know who i am?, ok here it is, my dad's name is James Hexem, he married a muggle named Emily, i have an older sister named aria,  when i was five my mom was murdered, everyone in my fathers side were sorted into Ravenclaw, except me, Now is there anything else you would like to ask?"

She then looked at Evan trying to do his spell and said "Evan stop, this is not the time to do your homework"