Begin Again (Severus Snape/OC Love Story)

Chapter Twenty: The Horrible Gregory Goyle

"Today's lesson is going to be a bit different than the others."

I was back in Snape's office a few days after passing my Apparition exam, which I'd announced to him enthusiastically as I flipped the door shut and dropped my bag to the floor in my usual way. He'd been unimpressed and informed me that with the advanced magic I'd been hoping to master, Apparition should be as easy as child's play.

"Oh?" I said curiously. I'd been prepared for another session of our typical mock battles, where we peppered in a new skill or spell each time.

"Yes, I am going to teach you how to conjure a new and rather unique type of protection spell. Have you ever encountered a Patronus before?" he asked.

"No, sir," I said. I'd heard the word a few times, but never actually saw it in practice.

"The Patronus charm is exceedingly difficult. The vast majority of wizards are far too incompetent to cast one properly, thus it is not even discussed during a student's seven years of education," he said seriously, then drew his wand. "Expecto Patronum." He uttered the cast in an almost singsong whisper. From the tip of his wand drifted a delicate twirl of silvery smoke that cascaded to the floor. The silky substance built upon itself, brightening the room until, standing in front of me, was a celestial-looking doe. She shined and glimmered as though she was made of starlight.

"She's beautiful," I said as I stared wide-eyed at the creature.

"Yes," said Snape simply from behind me.

Mystified, I stretched out to touch her. She tilted her head down at my reach, but my hand passed right through her, leaving behind a cool, wonderful sensation in my fingertips – and then, she vanished.

I gasped and turned questioningly towards Snape, who wore an almost-smile on his lips. Flipping his switch back to emotionless at once, he went on. "That was a full-bodied Patronus. It can protect you and fight against dark creatures, such as Dementors, which happen to be a particular favorite weapon of the Dark Lord. Oftentimes, a wizard is only able to conjure a partial Patronus, taking the form of a translucent beam of light. While not as strong as a corporeal Patronus, it will still serve as protection. The charm takes absolute focus and diligence to perform, which is why, unlike in our previous lessons, you will be permitted to speak when attempting this spell."

Nodding, I drew my wand. "Okay, I'm ready," I said.

"Not so quick, Pierce," Snape said dully. "A Patronus is not a spell to just be cast at your whim. You must ready your mindset, acuminate the energy – not just any magical energy, but a very specific kind. Patronus' are constructed from the power of the caster's most potent happy memories and require unequivocal concentration on those memories. Now, I need you to search your mind and reflect on a time when you were filled with happiness."

A happy memory? Up until my mom died, I'd lived a generally content life, but it was just that: content. I didn't think I had ever experienced anything so powerful that I could title it my "happiest memory." Still, I flashed through some options in my mind: the time I'd first shown my magical abilities (I was a very small child, and had accidentally blown up my neighbor's lychee garden), my first day at Ilvermorny, the family trip we took to Bora Bora in the summer after my second year (mom casted the bubblehead charm on us one afternoon and the two of us spent hours in the crystal clear Pacific, swimming with tropical sea creatures), one night in my fourth year when Katie and I snuck out of the castle and soared around on our brooms (it had been exhilarating), when I'd received the letter showing that I'd earned O.W.L.s in nearly all of my subjects (my parents were so proud), when I saw Hogwarts castle for the first time, my first date with Ernie out by the lake...