The Challenge Factory discussion

Many exciting and thrilling events have happened during your fifth year here at Hogwarts and now it's time to prepare for the difficult and dreadful O.W.L. exams. The best way to get ready for the tests is to practice the spells with a partner.

How it works:

This is a partner challenge. Two 5th year students (aka partners) will engage in a friendly competition to prepare for their O.W.L. exams. After signing up, each pair will receive a thread, where they will compete with each other and collect points.

There will be 45 spells to choose from. Partners will need to choose which spell to practice (read for) first, and again after each match.

Each spell will have 5 tasks. Four of the tasks will receive 1 or 2 points. One of the tasks will give 0 points. You will not know the points beforehand. Points will be randomly assigned and given after the Completion Post is posted.

Partners CAN do the same task, but you will get the same points.

If a partner has not checked in after two weeks, the other partner will receive 2 points for that match and choose the next spell. If the missing partner still has not checked in after another two weeks, the remaining partner will be declared the winner. (That disappearing spell you used worked quite well :) That student can then ask for another partner and start a new practice session if (s)he desires.

Your practice session will end when both partners decide they are ready for their O.W.L. exams. (In other words, you're ready to stop :)

ϟIf you are stuck on a task, you can use a spell- (pun intended) it-out option using the letters HOGWARTS. You will not receive a point.ϟ

RULES:

* Books must be 140 pages.
* Re-reads and audio books are okay.
* Page count for audio books will be determined the first paper version shown on Goodreads. From the book's page, select “all editions”, then find the first paper edition as your guide.
* For title tasks, you can use or ignore the articles 'a', 'an' and 'the'.
* For the genre task, it must be on the book's main page.

Completion Post must include:
SPELL:
BOOK READ:
DATE READ:
TASK #:
HOW IT FITS TASK:
NEXT SPELL:

D. L.

Round 1: 1
Round 2: 1
Round 3: 1
Round 4: 1
___________________________

TOTAL: 4

HOGWARTS spell-out:
H
O
G
W
A
R
T
S




DENISE

Round 1: 1
Round 2: 2
Round 3: 0
Round 4: 1
___________________________

TOTAL: 4

HOGWARTS spell-out:
H
O
G
W
A
R
T
S

List of Spells, Charms, and Curses, Hexes, and Jinxes:

Spells:
1. Arania Exumai
2. Brackium Emendo
3. Crinus Muto
4. Dranconifors
5. Episkey
6. Finite Incantatem
7. Herbifors
8. Incarcerous
9. Legilimens
10. Morsmordre
11. Obscuro
12. Periculum
13. Reparifarge
14. Serpensortia
15. Vera Verto

Charms:
1. Alohomora
2. Bombarda
3. Cave Inimicum
4. Defodio
5. Expecto Patronum
6. Fianto Duri
7. Glisseo
8. Lumos Solem
9. Obliviate
10. Partis Temporus
11. Peskipiksi Pesternomi
12. Rictusempra
13. Scourgify
14. Specialis Revelio
15. Wingardium Leviosa

Curses, Hexes, and Jinxes:
1. Anteoculatia
2. Brachiabindo
3. Confringo
4. Crucio
5. Flagrante
6. Furnunculus
7. Geminio
8. Impedimenta
9. Langlock
10. Locomotor Mortis
11. Melofors
12. Relashio
13. Sectumsempra
14. Slugulus Eructo
15. Tarantallegra

Thanks to Denise for being willing to play the game! What spell should we start with?

I'd been contemplating a second round since it was so much fun, so I figured next time someone's looking for a partner I'd throw my hat in the ring. :D

Hmm... I randomly suggest Expecto Patronum to start with if that's fine with you! Shall we take turns picking spells?

Denise wrote: "I'd been contemplating a second round since it was so much fun, so I figured next time someone's looking for a partner I'd throw my hat in the ring. :D

Hmm... I randomly suggest Expecto Patronum t..."

Taking turns is a great idea and that's a good one to start with :)

5. Expecto Patronum
Type Charm
Pronunciation Ex-pec-toe pah-tro-num
Use To conjure a Patronus
Etymology In Latin, expecto means "I wait for" and patronus means "protector" or "guardian".
Magic Moment In Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry learns this extremely difficult charm from Remus Lupin in order to defend himself against Dementors. Harry's Patronus takes the shape of his father's Animagus form, a stag.

1. read a book with all the letters of CONJURE in the title
2. read a book where the MC needs protection
3. read a book where the MC wears a cloak
4. read a book where the MC is a father
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page

If it's okay Denise, I'd like to take #4 read a book where the MC is a father :)

Have at it! I'll check tomorrow what I can find a book for, heading to bed now. :)

Haven't quite decided which task I'll go with - I'm reading a massive brick of a fantasy novel right now that the library wants back on Saturday, so I'll either use that or see if anything else I'm reading until then works for one of the other tasks.

I finished my book, Denise, but please take your time. There's no rush at all. :)

Completion Report:

SPELL: Expecto Patronum
BOOK READ: Somebody's Baby by Annie Jones
DATE READ: 4/7/21
TASK #: 4. read a book where the MC is a father
HOW IT FITS TASK: The MC Adam finds out he is the father of young Nathan.
NEXT SPELL: Arania Exumai

You were pretty quick!

Looks like I will indeed need until Saturday - decided to use the fantasy brick, and when I say brick I mean almost 1200 pages! XD

Denise wrote: "You were pretty quick!

Looks like I will indeed need until Saturday - decided to use the fantasy brick, and when I say brick I mean almost 1200 pages! XD"

1200? Oh gosh! lol That is a lot for sure. And I'm quick only cause my read was just 300 pages haha

Completion Post
SPELL: Expecto Patronum
BOOK READ: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
DATE READ: 10 Apr 2021
TASK: #5 - Read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page
HOW IT FITS: MPG Fantasy

Got us checked in! :)

Random Scoring for the Tasks:
Task 1 - 0 points
Task 2 - 1 point
Task 3 - 2 points
Task 4 - 1 point
Task 5 - 1 point

D. L. gets 1 point and Denise gets 1 point.

1. Arania Exumai
Type Spell
Pronunciation Ah-rain-ee-ah ex-ooh-may
Use To blast or repel spiders
Etymology In Latin, aranea means "spider", while exumai may derive from exuo ("refuse") or eximo ("banish").
Magic Moment In the Chamber of Secrets film, Harry uses this spell to save himself and Ron from the Acromantulas in the Forbidden Forest.

1. read a book with 'spider' in the text
2. read a book that others thought was repelling (DNF)
3. read a book with all the letters of BANISH in the title
4. read a book where the MC does something that is forbidden (against the law)
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page

What task would you like Denise?

I'll try #3 unless you want that one :)

I think I'll go with #2, should have a bunch of options for that.

Denise wrote: "I think I'll go with #3, should have a bunch of options for that."

Okay cool. I'll go with 1 :)

Sorry, wasn't fast enough to correct that, I meant #2 XD

Denise wrote: "Sorry, wasn't fast enough to correct that, I meant #2 XD"

Oh alright, sounds good :)

Completion Post
SPELL: Arania Exumai
BOOK READ: The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki
DATE READ: 14 Apr 2021
TASK: #2 - Read a book that others thought was repelling (DNF)
HOW IT FITS: tagged DNF 19 times
NEXT SPELL: Flagrante

I should be done with my book tonight or tomorrow at the very latest. I'll be sure to check us in :)

Completion Post:

SPELL: Arania Exumai
BOOK READ: Death-Fires Dance by Janice Steinberg
DATE READ: 4/15/21
TASK #: 1. read a book with 'spider' in the text
HOW IT FITS TASK: "Leave the spider webs alone" (pg. 111)
NEXT SPELL: Denise's choice

Random Scoring for the Tasks:
Task 1 - 1 point
Task 2 - 2 points
Task 3 - 0 points
Task 4 - 1 point
Task 5 - 1 point

D. L. gets 1 point and Denise gets 2 points.

5. Flagrante
Type Curse
Pronunciation Flah-gran-tay
Use To make an object burn anyone who touches it
Etymology In Latin, flagrans means "burning".
Magic Moment In Deathly Hallows, the valuables within the Lestrange vault in Gringotts were protected with both this curse and Gemino. (In the film version, the valuables are not enchanted with this curse.)

1. read a book where the MC gets burned (your definition)
2. read a book with 'burning' in the text of the story (exactly that word)
3. read a book with something valuable on the cover
4. read a book where the MC visits a bank
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page

I'd like #3 this time if that works for you! :)

Denise wrote: "I'd like #3 this time if that works for you! :)"

It's yours! :)

I'll take 5.

Completion Post:

SPELL: 5. Flagrante
BOOK READ: Midnight Magic by Jo-Ann Carson
DATE READ: 4/17/21
TASK #: 5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page
HOW IT FITS TASK: MPG Paranormal
NEXT SPELL: 10. Morsmordre

Great, I should have mine done later today or tomorrow! :)

Completion Post
SPELL: Flagrante
BOOK READ: A Brilliant Plan by Alex Ames
DATE READ: 18 Apr 2021
TASK: #3 - Read a book with something valuable on the cover
HOW IT FITS: Diamond on the cover

Random Scoring for the Tasks:
Task 1 - 1 point
Task 2 - 2 points
Task 3 - 0 points
Task 4 - 1 point
Task 5 - 1 point

D. L. gets 1 point and Denise gets 0 points.

10. Morsmordre
Type Conjuration
Pronunciation Morz-more-druh
Use To conjure the Dark Mark
Etymology In French, mort means "death" and mordre means "to bite".
Magic Moment In Goblet of Fire, Barty Crouch Jr. casts this spell after the Quidditch World Cup with the aim of scaring the former Death Eaters who were rioting and torturing Muggles at the event.

1. read a book that has a dark cover
2. read a book with a character that has been 'marked' (your definition)
3. read a book where someone dies during the story
4. read a book where the MC plays or watches a sport
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page

Which would you like Denise? You can have first dibs lol

Hmmm... in that case, I'd like #1, got about a gazillion options for that! :D

I think I'll try #2 or #4 :)

Completion Post
SPELL: Morsmordre
BOOK READ: Blondel's Song: The Capture Imprisonment And Ransom Of Richard The Lionheart by David Boyle
DATE READ: 23 Apr 2021
TASK: #1 - Read a book that has a dark cover
HOW IT FITS: Black cover

NEXT SPELL: Partis Temporus

I am so sorry I haven't reported in yet. My book should be done tomorrow. I have had a really hectic week. Sorry to keep you waiting!

No rush, life happens sometimes. :)

Completion Post:

SPELL: 10. Morsmordre
BOOK READ: The Witches by Roald Dahl
DATE READ: 4/28/21
TASK #: 5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page
HOW IT FITS TASK: MPG Fantasy
NEXT SPELL: Denise's Choice

Random Scoring for the Tasks:
Task 1 - 1 point
Task 2 - 1 point
Task 3 - 0 points
Task 4 - 2 points
Task 5 - 1 point

D. L. gets 1 point and Denise gets 1 point.

10. Partis Temporus
Type Charm
Pronunciation Par-tus tem-por-us
Use To temporarily divide a target
Etymology In Latin, partio means "divide" and temporarius means "temporary".
Magic Moment In the Half-Blood Prince film, Albus Dumbledore uses this spell to part the Firestorm flames he had just cast to drive off the Inferi. (In the book version, Dumbledore does not use this spell but has the flames serve as a shield as he and Harry make their way back to the boat.)

1. read a book with a cliffhanger (like one book that got divided into two :(
2. read a book where the MC does some arithmetic
3. read a book with flames on the cover
4. read a book where the MC uses him or herself as a shield
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page

You can pick first again, Denise :)

I've still got a fantasy book I need to read for an April challenge, so I'll just go with #5 if that works for you. :)

Sure, that works. I'll do #3 :)

Completion Post
SPELL: Partis Temporus
BOOK READ: The Paladin Caper by Patrick Weekes
DATE READ: 30 Apr 2021
TASK: #5 - Read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page
HOW IT FITS: MPG Fantasy

How's your book coming? :)