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:

MOONDANCE

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

TOTAL: 50

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



KELLENE

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

TOTAL: 49

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

Okay, partner... where shall we begin?

Kellene wrote: "Okay, partner... where shall we begin?"

You know with my OCD that I have to start at the beginning.

We will begin with Arania Exumai

That works for me

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

Selection Post: Spell 1-Arania Exumai

Unraveled Jennifer Estep


Task 1: Read a book with 'spider' in the text

Spell 1- Arania Exumai

Task 4. read a book where the MC does something that is forbidden (against the law)

The Real Macaw by Donna Andrews

Completion Post

SPELL: Arania Exumai
BOOK READ: The Real Macaw Donna Andrews
DATE READ: 12/5/20
TASK: 4. read a book where the MC does something that is forbidden (against the law)
HOW IT FITS TASK: Meg allows her barn to be used to harbor the animals stolen from the shelter
NEXT SPELL: 2. Brackium Emendo

Completion post:
Spell 1: Arania Exumai

Book: Unraveled Jennifer Estep
Read: 12.05.20
Task: 1-read a book with ‘spider’ in the text
How it fits: Page 4- As the Spider, I could handle myself in just about any situation.
Next Spell: Brackium Emendo

Completion:
Spell 1: Arania Exumai

Kellene

SPELL: Arania Exumai
BOOK READ: The Real Macaw Donna Andrews
DATE READ: 12/5/20
TASK: 4. read a book where the MC does something that is forbidden (against the law)
HOW IT FITS TASK: Meg allows her barn to be used to harbor the animals stolen from the shelter
NEXT SPELL: 2. Brackium Emendo

Moondance

Spell 1: Arania Exumai

Book: Unraveled Jennifer Estep
Read: 12.05.20
Task: 1-read a book with ‘spider’ in the text
How it fits: Page 4- As the Spider, I could handle myself in just about any situation.
Next Spell: Brackium Emendo

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

Moondance gets 1 point and Kellene gets 1 point.

2. Brackium Emendo
Type Healing Spell
Pronunciation Br-ah-key-um eh-men-doh
Use To heal broken bones
Etymology In Latin, bracchium means "arm" and emendio means "mend".
Magic Moment Gilderoy Lockhart uses this spell improperly on Harry Potter resulting in his arm bones vanishing instead of healing.

1. read a book with the author's first and last initials in BRACCHIUM
2. read a book where the MC has to heal from something
3. read a book that might have misspelled words (typos)
4. read a book where a character vanishes or goes missing
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page

I'm going to go with Task 5 this time and read A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. I need to read it for several other challenges, and using it here will spur me on.

I’m doing task 5 as well. I’ll be reading Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews. It works for another challenge as well.

Moondance wrote: "I’m doing task 5 as well. I’ll be reading Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews. It works for another challenge as well."

Hmmm. The book I started this morning has a misspelled word. I may change my book. My other challenge ended so I don’t need to read a PNR right now. I’ll check back shortly.

I'm changing my book to Task 3. Murder of a Botoxed Blonde by Denise Swanson

Completion post
Spell 2: Brackium Emendo

Book: Murder of a Botoxed Blonde Denise Swanson
Read: 12.06.20
Task: 3-read a book that might have misspelled words
How it fits: page 173
MAGIC MUD
GAURANTEED TO STOP THE SIGNS OF AGING
YOUR VERY OWN FONTANE OF YOUTH

Next Spell: Crinus Muto

SPELL: Brackium Emendo
BOOK READ: A Wrinkle in Time. Madeleine L'Engle
DATE READ: 12/9/20
TASK 5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page
HOW IT FITS TASK: Fantasy is 1st genre listed

Completion:
Spell 2: Brackium Emendo

Kellene
BOOK READ: A Wrinkle in Time. Madeleine L'Engle
DATE READ: 12/9/20
TASK 5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page
HOW IT FITS TASK: Fantasy is 1st genre listed

Moondance

Book: Murder of a Botoxed Blonde. Denise Swanson
Read: 12.06.20
Task: 3-read a book that might have misspelled words
How it fits: page 173
MAGIC MUD
GAURANTEED TO STOP THE SIGNS OF AGING
YOUR VERY OWN FONTANE OF YOUTH

Next Spell: Crinus Muto

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

Moondance gets 0 points and Kellene gets 1 point.

3. Crinus Muto
Type Transfiguration
Pronunciation Cree-nuss mew-toe
Use Change color and style of the caster's hair
Etymology In Latin, crinis means "hair" and muto means "to change".
Magic Moment In Half-Blood Prince, Ron winds up giving himself a fine handlebar mustache while attempting to learn this spell in Transfiguration class.

1. read a book with a title that begins with a letter in CRINUS MUTO
2. read a book where the MC changes the color of their hair
3. read a book with two or more different covers
4. read a book with a MC that wears a mustache
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page

My current book fits under 2 tasks, but I'm going to go with task 3: read a book with two or more different covers. Going to read Murder of a Pink Elephant Denise Swanson.

My first choice didn’t work so I’ll go with Task 1:
Murder of a Chocolate-Covered Cherry by Denise Swanson

Completion Post

Spell 3- Crinus Muto
BOOK READ: Murder of a Pink Elephant. Denise Swanson
DATE READ: 12/13/20
TASK 3: read a book with two or more different covers
HOW IT FITS:

Completion Post

Spell 3: Crinus Muto

Book Read: Murder of a Chocolate-Covered Cherry Denise Swanson
Date Read: 12.13.20
Task 1: read a book with a title that begins with a letter in CRINUS MUTO
How it fits: title begins with M

Kellene

Completion Post

Spell 3- Crinus Muto
BOOK READ: Murder of a Pink Elephant. Denise Swanson
DATE READ: 12/13/20
TASK 3: read a book with two or more different covers
HOW IT FITS: Murder of a Pink Elephant (A Scumble River Mystery, #6) by Denise Swanson Murder Of A Pink Elephant A Scumble River Mystery by Denise Swanson

Moondance

Completion Post

Spell 3: Crinus Muto

Book Read: Murder of a Chocolate-Covered Cherry Denise Swanson
Date Read: 12.13.20
Task 1: read a book with a title that begins with a letter in CRINUS MUTO
How it fits: book title begins with M

Next Spell: Dranconifors

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

Moondance gets 0 points and Kellene gets 2 points.

4. Dranconifors
Type Transfiguration
Pronunciation Drah-con-ih-fors
Use Turns small objects into dragons
Etymology In Latin, draco means "dragon" and forma means "shape".
Magic Moment Minerva McGonagall teaches this spell in third-year Transfiguration class.

1. read a book with small objects on the cover
2. read a book with 'dragon' in the text of the story
3. re-read a book that you first read at least three years ago
4. read a book where the MC can change shape
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page

Lanelle wrote: "

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

Moondance gets 0 points and Kellene gets 2 points."

Just 1 point for me based on the scoring above. I did task 3.

I’m going to go with Task 5 this week. Snared by Jennifer Estep has Fantasy listed on the first page.

Thanks, Kellene. I'll fix that now.

My pick can go for with 1 or 5, so I'll take Task 1: read a book with small objects on the cover. Going to read by Christy Fifield.

Completion Post
Spell 4: Dranconifors

Book: Snared Jennifer Estep
Date Read: 12.18.20
Task: 5-read a book with fantasy, paranormal or supernatural on the main page
How it fits: Fantasy is on the first page with 63 tags

Next Spell: Episkey

Switched up the book but using the same task....

Spell 4: Dranconifors

Book: Lethal Letters. Ellery Adams
Date: 12/23/20
Task 1: read a book with small objects on the cover
How it fits:

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

Moondance gets 1 point and Kellene gets 1 point.

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

I'm sure I can find a .5 book. I also need to read a NetGalley book that focuses on home improvement. Repair should be in it. I'll look to see what I have.

Since I didn't get it read for last week's spell, I'm going to go with Murder Hooks a Mermaid by Christy Fifield for task 5 (read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page).

Completion Post

Spell 5: Episkey

Book: Murder Hooks a Mermaid Christy Fifield
Date: 12/25/20
Task 5: read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page
How it fits: both the Fantasy and Paranormal genre are listed on the main page

I will post my completion post this evening. Lanelle allowed me to use "repairs" so I'm going with Murder of a Bookstore Babe by Denise Swanson. I don't have the book with me to reference the page.

Moondance wrote: "I will post my completion post this evening. Lanelle allowed me to use "repairs" so I'm going with Murder of a Bookstore Babe by Denise Swanson. I don't have the book..."

No worries.

Completion Post

Spell 5: Episkey

Book: Murder of a Bookstore Babe Denise Swanson
Read: 12.28.20
Task: 2-read a book with "repair" in the text
How it fits: Page 161 I thought they might have some repairs for you to do after the break-in.

Next Spell: Finite Incantatem

Kellene

Completion Post

Spell 5: Episkey

Book: Murder Hooks a Mermaid Christy Fifield
Date: 12/25/20
Task 5: read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page
How it fits: both the Fantasy and Paranormal genre are listed on the main page

Moondance

Completion Post

Spell 5: Episkey

Book: Murder of a Bookstore Babe Denise Swanson
Read: 12.28.20
Task: 2-read a book with "repair" in the text
How it fits: Page 161 I thought they might have some repairs for you to do after the break-in.

Next Spell: Finite Incantatem

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

Moondance gets 2 points and Kellene gets 1 point.

6. Finite Incantatem
Type Counter-Spell
Pronunciation Fin-ee-tay in-can-tah-tem
Use Terminates another spell's effects
Etymology In Latin, finite means "to end" and incanto means "having been bewitched".
Magic Moment In Deathly Hallows, Hermione suggests Ron use the spell to stop the rain falling in Yaxley's office.

1. read the last book in a series
2. read a book where the MC is called a witch
3. read a book that has been suggested to you
4. read a book where the MC uses an umbrella
5. read a book with Fantasy, Paranormal or Supernatural on the book's main page

For this spell, I am going to go with task 1. read the last book in a series. I'm going to finish up the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade series by J.J. Cook and read Sweet Pepper Hero. I really like this series and hate that it ended after only 4 books.