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:

ADRIANA

(view spoiler)[Round 1: 1
Round 2: 1
Round 3: 1
Round 4: 1
Round 5: 0
Round 6: 1
Round 7: 1
Round 8: 1
Round 9: 1
Round 10: 1
Round 11: 1
Round 12: 1
Round 13: 2
Round 14: 2
Round 15: 1
Round 16: 2
Round 17: 0
Round 18: 1
Round 19: 2
Round 20: 1
Round 21: 1
Round 22: 0
Round 23: 1
Round 24: 1
Round 25: 0
Round 26: 2
Round 27: 1
Round 28: 0
Round 29: 1
Round 30: 0 (hide spoiler)]
Round 31: 1
Round 32: 0
Round 33: 1
Round 34: 2
Round 35: 1
Round 36: 1
Round 37: 1
Round 38: 1
Round 39: 1
Round 40: 1
Round 41: 2
Round 42: 1
Round 43: 2
Round 44: 0
Round 45: 1
___________________________

TOTAL: 45

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




DENISE

(view spoiler)[Round 1: 0
Round 2: 2
Round 3: 1
Round 4: 1
Round 5: 1
Round 6: 1
Round 7: 2
Round 8: 1
Round 9: 0
Round 10: 1
Round 11: 1
Round 12: 0
Round 13: 1
Round 14: 0
Round 15: 2
Round 16: 1
Round 17: 1
Round 18: 1
Round 19: 0
Round 20: 2
Round 21: 1
Round 22: 1
Round 23: 0
Round 24: 1
Round 25: 1
Round 26: 1
Round 27: 0
Round 28: 1
Round 29: 1
Round 30: 2 (hide spoiler)]
Round 31: 2
Round 32: 1
Round 33: 1
Round 34: 1
Round 35: 2
Round 36: 1
Round 37: 1
Round 38: 1
Round 39: 1
Round 40: 2
Round 41: 1
Round 42: 0
Round 43: 0
Round 44: 2
Round 45: 1
___________________________

TOTAL: 45

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

Hey Denise! Any preference with which spell we start off with? Maybe we could take turns picking or something?

Hi partner! :)
I was going to suggest the same thing - wanna pick the first one?

PS: This sorting hat is clearly confused. My inner Slytherin is having an identity crisis right now. 😂😂😂

Sure! Let’s start off with Glisseo! Do we need to post that we’re ready for our spell anywhere but this thread?

Haha 😂I always thought I was more of a Ravenclaw!

Good question! I'll ask.

7. Glisseo
Type Charm
Pronunciation Gliss-ee-oh
Use To flatten a staircase into a slide
Etymology In French, glisser means "to slide".
Magic Moment In Deathly Hallows, Hermione uses this spell to enable herself, Ron and Harry to quickly evade Death Eaters during the Battle of Hogwarts. (This may be the same spell used to enchant the staircase to the girls' dormitory in Gryffindor Tower.)

1. read a book with stairs or steps on the cover
2. read a book within 24 hours
3. read a book that you have been evading (putting off for a while)
4. read a book set at a boarding school
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page

I appear to have wheedled Lanelle into letting players pick their houses instead of having them randomly assigned. :D

So - Ravenclaw for you, Slytherin for me?

Yay perfect! I’ll take Ravenclaw :)

I also think I’m going to read a book for task #2 within 24 hours!

I'll have a look at my TBR and see if I can find something with stairs or steps on it... let's see. :)

Started reading for task #1 - read a book with stairs or steps on the cover. Should be able to finish tomorrow. :)

I started reading chose a shorter book so I will definitely have it done by tomorrow since my task is within 24 hours

Looks like we're off to a good start already!

Completion Post
SPELL - Glisseo
BOOK READ - Indebted
DATE READ - 1/12/20
TASK - Read a Book within 24 hours
HOW IT FITS TASK - I finished 24 hours from when I started

Completion Post
SPELL: Glisseo
BOOK READ: One Man's War: A Sci-Fi Revenge Thriller by Steven Savile
DATE READ: 01 Dec 2020
TASK: Read a book with stairs or steps on the cover
HOW IT FITS TASK:
NEXT SPELL: Geminio

I reported our first completions in the Reporting thread.
Shall we agree that the person whose turn it is to pick the next spell takes care of that whenever we've both finished our tasks for a spell? :)

Thanks Denise! Yes good idea, I was thinking the same thing :)

We both finished our first book super quick!

We weren't kidding when we said "fast"! :D

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

Adriana gets 1 point and Denise gets 0 points.

7. Geminio
Type Curse
Pronunciation Juh-min-ee-oh
Use To create duplicates of an object
Etymology In Latin, geminare means "to double".
Magic Moment In Deathly Hallows, the valuables within the Lestrange vault at Gringotts were enchanted with both this and the Flagrante curse. Anything touched inside the vault would multiply endlessly, making it likely any thieves would be crushed. (According to the Book of Spells, Geminio was invented by a pair of reclusive twin witches.)

1. read a book that you have a replacement for (for a worn-out or lost book)
2. read a book from a duology
3. read a book written by two authors
4. read a book with more than one thief in the story
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page

I’m working my way through a few fantasy novels so I think I’m going to do that task this time!

Lanelle wrote: "Adriana gets 1 point and Denise gets 0 points."

Off to a great start, I see. 😂


I think I'll go with task #3 for this one.

Completion Post
SPELL - Geminio
BOOK READ - Riot Baby
DATE READ - 1/12/20
TASK - Read a Book with Fantasy, Paranormal, or supernatural on the book’s main page
HOW IT FITS TASK - Tagged Fantasy on Main Page

Another super quick book for me only because I had already started and it fit with the task :D

Damn, now I have catching up to do! Should be able to finish one by tomorrow though, so you won't have long to wait. ;)

Haha no worries! Take your time!

Completion Post
SPELL: Geminio
BOOK READ: Sonett für eine Lady by Caryl Brahms & S.J. Simon
DATE READ: 02 Dec 2020
TASK: Read a book written by two authors
HOW IT FITS TASK: Two authors

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

Adriana gets 1 point and Denise gets 2 points.

5. Episkey
Type Healing Spell
Pronunciation Eh-pihs-key
Use To heal minor injuries
Etymology In Greek, episkevi means "repair".
Magic Moment In Half-Blood Prince, Nymphadora Tonks uses this spell to heal Harry's broken nose after his run-in with Draco on the Hogwarts Express

1. read a book that is between other books in a series, i.e.; 0.5, 2.5, 4.5
2. read a book with 'repair' in the text of the story
3. read a book where the MC's initials are found in EPISKEY
4. read a book where the MC rides on a train
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page

This will be a quick one for me, I checked and the book I'm currently reading contains "repair", so I'll just use that. :)

Completion Post
SPELL: Episkey
BOOK READ: The Counterfeit Agent by Alex Berenson
DATE READ: 02 Dec 2020
TASK: Read a book with 'repair' in the text of the story
HOW IT FITS TASK: "Then he had fallen into the trembling hands of an alcoholic surgeon whose repair efforts nearly killed him." (Loc 2473)

Wow looks like I have to catch up with you this time haha! I found a book that is in between books so working on that and should be done today or tomorrow latest!

My turn to say: no rush! :D

Completion Post
SPELL: Episkey
BOOK READ: Finding Cinderella
DATE READ: 02 Dec 20
TASK: Read a book that is in between others in a series
HOW IT FITS: Book 2.5 in Hopeless series

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

Adriana gets 1 point and Denise gets 1 point.

11. Obscuro
Type Conjuration
Pronunciation Ob-skur-oh
Use To conjure a blindfold, obscuring a target's vision
Etymology In Latin, obscuro means "dark" or "concealed".
Magic Moment In Deathly Hallows, Hermione uses this spell on the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black in a attempt to keep him from learning their location.

1. read a book where a significant character has poor eyesight
2. read a book where someone important is hidden
3. read a book where the author uses three names (Mary Higgins Clark)
4. read a book set in a unknown location (vague or an uncertain place)
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page

I found a bunch of options that'll work for #3, so I'll go with that. :)

Completion Post
SPELL: Obscuro
BOOK READ: Photographs & Phantoms
DATE READ: 03 Dec 2020
TASK: Read a book where the author uses three names
HOW IT FITS: by Cindy Spencer Pape

I'm working on a Paranormal book and should be done tonight :D

Completion Post
SPELL: Obscuro
BOOK READ: Running to the Pack
DATE READ: 03 Dec 2020
TASK: read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page
HOW IT FITS: MPG Fantasy

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

Adriana gets 1 point and Denise gets 1 point.

11. Melofors
Type Jinx
Pronunciation Mel-oh-fors
Use To encase a target's head in a pumpkin
Etymology From English melon and Latin forma, meaning "shape".
Magic Moment While avoiding arrest in Order of the Phoenix, it was rumored that Albus Dumbledore gave Cornelius Fudge a pumpkin for a head.

1. read a book with a verb in the title
2. read a book with 'pumpkin' in the text of the story
3. read a book with an circular object on the cover
4. read a book where the MC has to avoid law enforcement
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page

I just checked and the book I’m about to start contains the word pumpkin so I’m going to do that task!

I found one with Christmas baubles on the cover that'll do nicely for "circular object".

Completion Post
SPELL: Melofors
BOOK READ: Weihnachten in Cornwall: Liebesroman
DATE READ: 04 Dec 2020
TASK: Read a book with a circular object on the cover
HOW IT FITS: Christmas baubles on the cover

Completion Post
SPELL: Melofors
BOOK READ: Tools of Engagement
DATE READ: 05 Dec 2020
TASK: Read a book with pumpkin in the text of the story
HOW IT FITS: page 25 “and. Pumpkin pie scented candle”

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

Adriana gets 0 points and Denise gets 1 point.

14. Specialis Revelio
Type Charm
Pronunciation Spe-see-ah-lis reh-vel-ee-oh
Use To identify the ingredients in a potion of the enchantment on an object
Etymology In Latin, this is a phrase that means "reveal the particulars".
Magic Moment In Half-Blood Prince, Hermione uses this spell on a vial of poison during Potions class so she could brew an antidote. (Horace Slughorn also refers to this charm as "Scarpin's Revelaspell".)

1. read a book where the MC hides his or her identity
2. read a book without reading any reviews first (on your honor, now :)
3. read a book where someone gets poisoned
4. read a book that has more than one title
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page