Target Practice

Nolan stood with the small piece of machinery lying peacefully in his hands. He looked at the handgun in mild amusement. Muggles always came up with the silliest things to substitute for their serious lack of magic.

He shoved his hand deep into his pocket, pulling out three oddly shaped bullets. The first was a smoky pewter color and shaped like a corkscrew. Another looked as if it were made of glass, but was also emitting a soft blue glow. The third was an average lead bullet.

Nolan loaded the first bullet into the gun and pointed it at a dummy set up across the grounds, "Alright, James. When I count to three, you cast a shielding spell," he said to the frightened boy standing off to the side of the dummy, "And please, James, get it right this time. I only have so many of these to waste." He smiled wickedly, "You wouldn't want me to miss, now would you?"