The Role of the "Guide"

"Shield Charm?" Colin Creevey and his roommates looked at one another.

"When practicing alone... I've succeeded..."

"Same here..."

"Peeves was too fast... I..."

Hearing Colin Creevey and his roommates, Wizet summed it up. "You know the wand movement, and you know how to say the incantation..."

"You can successfully cast the Shield Charm while practicing, but you feel you can't use it in actual combat. Is that right?"

At Wizet's words, Colin Creevey and his roommates nodded repeatedly.

"Inner hesitation makes the Shield Charm unstable," Wizet analyzed. "But as you saw, I can cast a fairly effective Shield Charm..."

He pointed at Peeves, who was tossing chalk stubs through the air. "If you're willing to trust me..."

"Of course we trust you! We promise!" Colin Creevey and his roommates hurriedly assured him.

"Thank you for your trust..." Wizet smiled faintly. "Then cast the Shield Charm at Peeves. Don't think about the final result. Focus on the casting process."

Colin Creevey and his roommates repeated doubtfully, "Focus on the casting process?"

"That's right..." Wizet explained. "Since you know the wand movement and know how to say the incantation, that's enough. You don't need to think about anything else..."

"Just do what you normally do in practice. Point your wand at Peeves, draw a '1' in the air, and say the incantation: 'Protego.'"

Colin Creevey asked, "Do we need to do it together?"

"When I count to one, you start casting," Wizet said. "Don't deliberately synchronize yourselves. Just as I said before... this is an ordinary practice session."

Wizet stopped maintaining his Shield Charm. Peeves keenly noticed it and grinned in mockery.

"Ha ha ha! The little chicks don't want to protect the little kittens anymore! Now it's Peeves's turn! You little brats! Watch this!"

After speaking, Peeves opened his mouth wide,