The Great Hall was decorated as usual with hundreds of candle-filled pumpkins, a cloud of fluttering live bats, and many flaming orange streamers, which were swimming lazily across the stormy ceiling like brilliant water snakes.

Calvisia Diggle, a Slytherin fifth year, stood in the middle of the Great Hall, a determined look on her face.

“Accio Bat,” she muttered quietly, pointing her wand at a nearby live bat.

The bat suddenly lifted into the air, fluttering around Calvisia as she stepped backwards, gesturing more grandly.

The students all around were watching her now, some impressed, some amused. the Bat, having escaped, darted toward the Head Table and got tangled in Dumbledore’s beard; everyone was laughing, including the Headmaster.

Calvisia, embarrassed, tried to get her composure back. she wanted to try to prove everyone that it just wasn’t a fluke, that she could do it! she raised her wand again and gestured dramatically.

“Accio, bat! Accio, bat!” she cast the charm again and again, but all she could seem to manage were a few sparks from the tip of her wand. she gritted her teeth, frustration and embarrassment getting the better of her. A few students were still watching, but most were continuing their meals. Dumbledore was now trying to detangle the bat from his beard.