The Boy Born With Everything ✔

Year 7 Part 2

Shoto noticed that as the weeks passed, his teachers were slipping in more advanced magic into his classes. Nothing too rare that it wouldn't seem atypical for the course, but spells or jinxes or enchantments that even the greatest wizards would struggle with. This was particularly evident in DADA, where Lupin was teaching them very advanced defense spells even for NEWT level; he knew their teacher wasn't ignorant to the violence and danger of dark wizards, and so listened earnestly in every class in order to improve his magical defense.

He even saw students from the lower years practising spells in the courtyards around the castle during breaks and evenings, mostly duelling spells that would ward off or reverse offensive spells. He knew most students would read The Daily Prophet, their parents too, so they were also likely wanting to prepare themselves in case of the League making an appearance of the school. It would be a foolish move, but with every report it showed the League would go to extremes in order to achieve their goals, including the kidnap and torture of aurors like the Longbottoms. 

It made Shoto sad that children so young felt threatened enough that they practised fighting when they should be running around pulling pranks, like Sero and Denki did in their younger years, or studying about magical creatures in the warm safety of the Library as he so often did. But he knew that if the League's power was anything like what he heard from his father or history books, then it was possible that Aurors alone weren't enough to defeat them.

One day some of his friends had gone into Hogsmeade, mainly those with fewer NEWT subjects and therefore less homework, when a swarm of Dementors had suddenly descended onto the village. Of course many of the students ran back to the castle both in fear of the dark creatures that were supposed to guard Azkaban prison, and that they didn't know spells to protect themselves from the Dementors. Luckily Kirishima and Sero were there, and cast Expecto Patronum loudly to create a barrier around the village alongside several of the store owners and residents. 

The boys told them all about it during dinner that evening, about how they were glad Lupin had made them practise the spell so much in class that it came naturally, even if it was draining to maintain long enough for the Dementors to retreat. Shoto said they were very valiant in protecting the younger students, and that he wished he were there to help. 

The Patronus Charm was not one that came easily to Shoto. Where he usually excelled in class and was successful at performing spells and hexes quicker than his peers, he was one of the last to master this charm. It required the caster to focus on an extremely happy memory, to block out all dark thoughts and negative emotions, in order to cast the spell; although Shoto had made lots of good memories whilst at school his past always clung to the back of his mind. 

Lupin had talked to him one evening with a cup of tea and chocolate biscuits, and told him that it was okay for him to accept the past and move forwards, how it had taken him a long time to master the charm too considering his affliction. Shoto felt comforted that someone so great as his Professor also struggled with the charm, and with his vote of confidence, he produced his first Patronus in next week's lesson. 

"Expecto Patronum." he declared, consuming himself in the memory of his first Christmas with Bakugou, their secret and thrilling trip to Hogsmeade and the night spent under heavy blankets on the sofa, falling asleep to the soft hum of the open hearth.

His eyes widened when the silvery vapour poured like a fountain from the tip of his wand, swirling in the air around the classroom before it became corporeal in front of him: it was a Hippogriff.

"A Hippogriff, very rare indeed." Lupin explained, walking over to him from across the room. He even bowed in front of the Patronus, and Shoto's eyes widened further when the Patronus bowed back. "You have an aura that demands respect, people naturally admire you. You are loyal to your friends and care not for those who don't earn your respect. You are capable of learning to love your enemies, particularly after times of hardship."