Advanced Studies (open-Frank that means you)

[Samantha Montgomery]

Curse her unreachable tutors. Sam was furious, and it showed by the glittering flame in her emerald eyes. She wasn't certain if she would be chosen for the Tri-Wizzard tournament, but she knew either way she would need to be prepared.

Her own books were at home of course, or still at Beauxbatons, she had gotten out of there so fast the heat was still licking up her heels. Of course this set her at a grievious disadvantage, her books, her supplies, her tutors! All. Unreachable.

She held on to her emotions and kept them boiling just beneath the surface, but ever skilled in keeping her thoughts to herself, she just appeared to be studying furiously. She had a seventh year book in front of her, the last one left in the library and she was lucky to have gotten it. She had to press and study on her own so to be competant when facing the other students.

[Frank Longbottom]

Frank sighed. Tests and homework. He didn't mind either of them, but it seemed like all the professors loaded it on at the same time. Now, he found out that he didn't have a book that he needed.

He left the common room alone and headed to his favorite place in school other than being with Alice, the library. Frank started searching the shelves for an advanced Charms book, but couldn't find it anywhere. That was ridiculous! No one ever checked out those books! No one ever found Charms too interesting! Sighing, Frank started walking towards a table to sit down with the book he had in his hand. The current book his was carrying was about magical creatures and how to protect yourself around them.

Frank arrived at a table, only to find a girl sitting there. He took a glance at the book she was reading. Prefect. The book he needed. Well, he might as well wait for it. Hopefully she wouldn't need it for long.

"Hi," he said after he cleared his throat. "Mind if I sit here?"

[Samantha Montgomery]

She hardly spared him a glance, but moved her things over for him to sit wherever he pleased. She didn't have time to chat, she was having a difficult time enough translating the stupid book in her hands. It was *very* slow going. Since it was a book used for the N.E.W.T. tests and she hadn't had her O.W.L.S yet, it was as if she was missing some key. The material itself wasn't difficult, well it was, but figuring out what was meant to said when, and then there were silent charms, wandless charms, all irritating her already grated nerves.

Slow going, she deplored slow going, she was midway through the book having been there for four hours straight. It was the weekend. She could have gone to Hogsmeade with her brother, since she hadn't made any real friends yet. She bit her lip, she had to study and get her mind out of the clouds!

[Frank Longbottom]

Frank noticed that she seemed to be into her studies, so he just took a seat at the table without another word. He opened his on book and started to skim the pages. Looking up, he noticed that she was frustrated or something. He wondered if he should say something to her, or if he should keep his mouth shut. She didn't seem old enough for advanced charms, or maybe she was just that smart. Who knew?

Although, Frank's mouth began to move before he could stop it. "If you don't mind me asking, what are you studying?"

[Samantha Montgomery]

She ignored him for all of a second, before throwing her quilL on her paper and slumping back in the seat. Raising an eyebrow in his general direction, she slowly smiled with exasperation, " It might as well be ancient runes. " she said shaking her head. She needed a break, she could understand that when her eyes began to quiver it was time to give it a rest...perhaps even get something to eat. But who needed food? Sustenance was a luxury not a requirement.

She tipped the book his way in answer to his question.

[Frank Longbottom]

Frank raised his eyebrow as the girl threw her quill on the table. Frustrated seemed to be an understatement. He put his elbows on the table as he turned her book towards him. Might as well try and help her. I might get what I need out of this book at the same time. "Hm. Charms. This was the book I was looking for, but I'll see if I can't help you with your problem. What exactly are you trying to do? Silent Charms? They're not as bad as you think." Frank gave a small chuckle. "Sure, it's a little difficult, but you'll get the hang of it. It takes a lot of concentration in order to do them."

Frank suddenly remembered his manners. "Oh. I'm Frank, by the way. It's nice to meet you..."

[Samantha Montgomery]

She laughed a little, though her irritation was still apparent she'd be a fool to pass up the help, even if she didn't want it. "Samantha...Sam Montgomery" she said extending her hand for him to shake, "I'm new..and yes Silent Charms as well as Wandless ones. I've entered my ballot for the Tournament and I'd like to be prepared if I'm chosen, but...reading about wrist movements is hardly the same as seeing them done."

[Frank Longbottom]

Frank shook her hand politely and chuckled. He thought about joining the Tri-Wizarding Tournament, but decided against it. His skills could be better put to use becoming an auror rather than winning some cup and a little bit of fame.

He gave a chuckle. "I take it that you're about a fifth year then? In sixth year you start learning the concepts of wandless and silent charms, but you don't really get to practice them until seventh year. However, Charms happens to be one of my best subjects, so I'll help you out. We'll use your quill like a wand so we don't accidentally blow something up and have Madam Prince get angry."

Frank cleared his throat as he glanced down at his page. "Okay, we'll start off easy. I know you know Expelliarmus, so we'll just start with that one. In order to use the spell, you have to picture what the spell does in your mind, as well as speak the spell clearly in your mind and flick your wand like this." Frank picked up his quill and flicked it in the air with a little bit of force. "You have to think hard, therefor your mind must be clear while you're just learning."

[Samantha Montgomery]

Samantha refrained from telling him exactly what she did know about spells and kept the adorable expression of "damsel" on her face, being rescued by the white knight. She nodded, listening to his instruction. The real problem was not being able to practice the charms in the library. Instead she had spent so much time "visualizing" and "thinking" about each charm that she would be certain the text could mean nothing else than what she had in her head to be performed.

"Uh yes, I'm a fifth year." she answered, but she could have tested for her O.W.L.S. now, she wanted to so they would start teaching her deeper magic in other subjects.

Lifting her quill she pretended deep interest in watching his wrist and mentally copied the movement before doing it in turn. Since she already knew Expelliarmus it was rather quite easy, but she wanted to have him believe he was teaching her so not to be off putting, she would get to the things she wanted to learn soon enough.

[Frank Longbottom]

"We won't go through anymore because I know that you know a lot of them. That was just an example. Now, you just need to remember that all you do is move your wand like you usually do if you were verbalizing the spell, but this time your lips are not speaking, your thoughts are. You have to be able to will your wand to do whatever spell," said Frank.

He knew that this girl was not stupid, and hopefully she would catch on and he wouldn't bore her to much. "It's not as hard as this book makes it out to be. Plus, I know that it's pretty much pointless to be practicing in a library because you are not actually practicing the spells. However, it is best to understand it theoretically first and then try to accomplish your task."

[Samantha Montgomery]

She smiled up at him, it was a breath taking smile, and when her eyes weren't glittering with anger they were deep emerald pools just waiting to enchant, but it was the innocence of the action, the way she gave off her charm without it looking as if she were trying to charm at all.

Her expression changed to one of coy hope "Madame Prince wouldn't let me check the book out because I'm a fifth year." she bit her lip. She rolled her eyes at herself, " I loathe to ask a favor.." she said smiling sheepishly, " But if you're as good at charms as you say you are...I'm looking for an actual tutor. At least until the tourney-" she quickened to add, " But if you're busy or...I mean don't want to help the competition It's perfectly understandable, I would however be eternally in debt if you could do me one...itsy bitsy...teeny weeny...small...blip...of a favor?"

[Frank Longbottom]

"She is pretty strict about the books that are checked out actually, and if you get too loud in the library," Frank said with a quiet laugh. "A tutor? Er, I guess I could help you out a little. Plus, you'll need to know this stuff later on, so it'll be helpful to know what you're doing." He reached up and scratched his head. "Plus, I need this book for a little bit of studying actually, so maybe we could help each other out."

He hadn't ever taught anyone how to do anything. Frank usually kept to himself, and no one asked for his help, until now. He hadn't to tell her no. "Er. I'll try to think of a place for you to practice. I'll have to get back to you on that."

[Samantha Montgomery]

Samantha smiled up at her new partner in crime, or the helpless man she had roped into this, "Oh you need the book?" she asked surprised. She turned to the small mess that had cluttered the table, "Erecto." she said loud enough to get things to straighten themselves out, but not loud enough for the Librarian to get angry, she did another charm this time, she glanced up at Frank. There was a sparkle of determination in her eyes as she faced the objects again and did a silent spell to make the things move into her pack.

It was one of the spells she had studied on her own meticulously and had attempted practicing with her quill, but now she was using her wand. The spell was a flop, she pressed her lips together narrowed her eyes and tried again. Abruptly the straightened objects began to file into her pack. She smiled with satisfaction and a trace of disbelief, but was smiling all the same.

When everything was inside of her bag she returned it to a smaller size using an extension charm. She turned once more to face Frank, " After you sir." she said handing him the book. "This helps us both, you can check the book out, and I can practice outdoors...the lake?" she asked him as if that were as good a study spot as ever. Then, as if realizing how pushy she was being she blushed, "I'm sorry.." she said quietly apologizing, " but too...I'm not a difficult student...if you had studying to do the lake is a lovely place to go about it don't you think?" she asked prettily, coercingly, " I wouldn't be much interruption from your own studies only to ask a question or two.."

Finally she looked up at him through her lashes, would he help her?

[Frank Longbottom]

"See, doing the spells are not that hard! You just have to clear your mind and concentrate! Excellent job by the way." Frank was right about her. She was smart, and maybe tutoring her wasn't going to be so bad. It would give him good practice as well. He needed to be the best he could be if he was going to train to become an auror. Frank didn't want to be the laughing stock of the aurors.

Frank laughed out loud, causing Madam Prince to look in his direction. Sam was persistent, he had to give her that. "The lake sounds good and I'll check this book out. I'm sure that if you could just do that spell you did, then you should be able to do just about any other spell. Oh, and you should work on Expectro Patronus as well. It may take a lot out of you, but it's something you need to know."

He took the book and flipped through the book. "You need to know it because of the fact that it can carry messages for you and help protect you."

[Samantha Montgomery]

She smiled when he laughed and then pressed her finger to her lips in a "shh" way, but winked at him all the same. She was glad that she had a tutor now in Charms.

When he had praised her she was a little surprised, her previous tutors had never a positive thing really to say, once she mastered something she would quickly be taught to master something else. Hmm, Praise... what a novel concept, but it did the trick she glowed inwardly and followed him so he could check the book out.

"The patronus, yes." she nodded, Caleb had taught her. For everything her tutors couldn't get her to do the patronus. It required happy thinking and that was something that required happy memories. Sam didn't have too many of those until her mother died and she got a new family. It was still difficult for her, and that difficulty only made her more depressed until Caleb brought more sparks of happiness in her life, encouragement, and kind words. She remembered one incident, the happiest in her life, was when he said that he'd always be there, because that's what big brothers did.

She wasn't sure if she really believed him, or if she ever would but the sentiment was not lost. Her Patronus matched her very well, and though she was only able to summon it once, she would never forget the beautiful vixen that appeared.

"I would love to learn anything you have to teach me."

[Frank Longbottom]

Frank led her to where the librarian was sitting, only to smile at her. "Hello Madam Prince," he said kindly, only to get a look but she smiled back at him anyway. He handed her the book and stamped it, then handed it back. "Thank you, and I shall see you later." Frank waved to Madam Prince as he continued to led Sam out of the library.

"She's not as bad as she acts. She is a nice lady actually." He gave a shrug. "Anyway. Talking about Charms, and if you don't mind, we'll throw a little bit of defense against the dark arts in there too. The first thing we'll work on is the simple stuff. For example Accio. We'll use that one first. Of course, we'll practice verbally first and then move on from there. Think you can do that?"

[Samantha Montgomery]

Her grin was coy, the one thing she didn't need a tutor in was D.A.D.A, but she would enjoy practicing it all the same. She knew many spells...that is, curses, hexes, and jinxes to last her a lifetime, and she had been defending herself against them since infancy. At first of course when she was able to she'd find a way to run from her mother's outrage, but when she had a wand, finally she could fight back.

In response however she just bat her eyelashes at him and nodded encouragingly. Give her time and challenge her the right way and she could do anything, at least that's what she told herself, it was what she expected from herself.

[Frank Longbottom]

Frank laughed. He wished that it was this easy to speak to Alice. Things were still awkward, but he pushed it from his mind. He had to concentrate, but she made it seem difficult, even though Alice wasn't even there in person.

"Alright Ms. Montgomery, I know that this whole training thing will sort of be like repeating what you've learned already, but practice makes perfect. If you're good at the basic stuff, then the more advanced shouldn't be that hard." He led her towards the front doors to go towards the lake. "But of course, I'm not really going to take it easy on you. I wouldn't want you to get too bored to quick."

[Samantha Montgomery]

She brought her hand up in a salute, "Aye Cap'n" she said with a stern face and then a brilliant smile, "I love a good challenge." she said when returning to her regular demeanor. Frank was easy company, and what seemed like a generally good person. Sam hadn't had too much experience with those, but she was learning.

She walked with him and thought of small talk, "Nothing but studies for the weekend?" she asked wondering why he hadn't gone into Hogsmede with the rest of the school.

[Frank Longbottom]

"Yeah. Nothing but studies. I want to excel on the N.E.W.Ts, so I need as much time to study as I can," he said. And I happen to be trying to stay away from someone Frank wanted to add, but kept his mouth shut. "Plus, I know it may sound a bit geeky, but I like to study. Learning new things is always interesting." Frank gave a shrug.

"I'll try to make it as challenging as possible. Oh, and we're going to fight by the way. At some point in time that is, meaning after you learn to do silent charms, we're going to practice it by putting it into action."