The students had been told this morning that long hair should be neatly up or safely stowed, that any ribbon embellishments to either hair or robes should be omitted. They should make their way to a designated patch of the grounds away from the classroom because today the first and second years would be playing with fire. The area in question was a half circle with a dozen individual stations each pointing towards a row of small unlit pyres.

”Good morning students, I know it's cold, but if you are up to the task today that will be rectified quickly.” The charms professor stepped forward to one of the stations with her wand in hand and stopped short of the centre pyre so the students could see her clearly. A couple of prefects that she had recruited milled about, wands at the ready and with extinguishing charms on the tip of their tongues.

”Today we will be casting Incendio, the fire-making charm. It is a spell that could have been the difference between life and death for many of your forebears and should you get caught in a blizzard like we suffered last winter, you shall be glad you mastered it. We will cast in groups, please remain behind the rope at all times and if you do catch fire, try not to panic, someone will extinguish you.” She glanced at a couple of the students, Miss Pendergast and Miss Wallace might require extra attention with this particular spell.

Professor Bowen encouraged the first batch of twelve students to the posts. She lifted her wand and made the correct movements a couple of times, checking that the students were watching and mimicking her movements.

”Incendio”

A small puff of flames shot from the tip of her wand to the pyre, instantly igniting it into a warming fire.

”If nobody has any questions please begin when ready, cast the spell until the pyre in front of you ignites and then practice until I tell you to switch over. If you are having problems please raise your hand. Again, do not cross the rope even if you drop your wand.”

Please add the following code to your first post, situations may or may not come up where it matters in this thread, but it will also be used to build a long term opinion of each student by the professor. Also let me know if you want something specific for your student.

Fire was not the friend of Miss Wallace, having had several unintentional magic incidents since she was a small child. It wasn't that she had an inherent fear of flames, so she hoped she could get through this class without too much discomfort. She thought she caught eye of the professor looking at her, judging her for her otherwise terrible performance in charms so far this year. She had intended to be a second row student and let the others go first but in the jostling for position the girl found herself standing at the front. She huffed a bit to herself and pulled out her wand. "Incendio!" she cast, mimicking the actions of Miss Shacklebolt next to her.