𝑵𝑰𝑲𝑶𝑳𝑨 𝑷𝑶𝑻𝑻𝑬𝑹 ⭑ 𝑫𝑹𝑨𝑪𝑶 𝑴𝑨𝑳𝑭𝑶𝒀

SIX: The Patronus

Draco had kept a close eye on me since that night, I suppose it was his way of protection, watching my every move. Though we weren't as 'cosy' as before, it seemed he'd backed off touching me in fear I might scream and crumble again. The holidays were over and things were back to normal, besides the lingering reminder that there was a killer on the loose still somewhere. It seemed to be all Harry spoke about, and if he wasn't im sure he was thinking about it silently. He was too invested in Black finding him, he seemed to be getting impatient. It worried me, actually, that he might actually kill him if he comes across Sirius. I didn't exactly plan to have a murderer as a brother.

I walked with him to go see Lupin, who had promised us our first private lesson.

"At least this will prove useful, right? If the dementors come for us again," I said, trying to brighten the mood.

"We might be able to use it, to lead them to Black if they find us. Worst case we let the dementors have him," he replied, and I frowned slightly not entirely understanding. I noticed Harry obsesses with this sort of thing until its solved over the past three years, it was one of his bad habits. I suppose we had that in common, attracting to trouble. We pushed open the door to Lupin's office.

"Ah, Potters. I was waiting for you," he said, standing at sight of us.

"Morning professor," I said, closing the door behind me before we joined his side. The wardrobe from his first class shook beside him. "Boggart?" I assumed, he nodded to confirm.

"Good memory, Miss Potter. Not as bad as the real thing of course, but the closest thing to practise with," he explained. "Now, are you sure about this, both of you? This is very advanced magic, well beyond the ordinary wizarding level-"

"We're certain," Harry interrupted, wand already in his hand staring at the wardrobe. "If Black can fight them, we'll need to know how to as well." Lupin gave me look, clearly concerned by Harry's eagerness. I shrugged at him and he stepped forwards.

"Very well, the spell I plan to teach you is called the Patronus Charm. A Patronus is a kind of positive force. For the wizard who can conjure one, the Patronus works something like a shield. The Dementor feeds on it instead of the wizard," he explained, me and Harry nodding along in understanding. "In order for it to work, you must think of a memory. And not just any. This memory needs to be a very happy one. And powerful." We sat thinking deeply for a moment, and Harry nods again sharply to indicate he was ready, though I was still thinking about what memory I had which could hold strong emotion.

"Got something, Harry? Good, you first then. Let it fill you up. Lose yourself in it. Then speak the incantation: Expecto Patronum." Harry nodded silently one more time, before lifting his wand. Lupin gave him one last glance before setting the Boggart free. Harry thought deeply, closing his eyes for a moment to let the memory sink through him, then lifted his want at the dementor.

"Expecto Patronum!" he yelled. Nothing happend. Lights flickered around us and a chill filled the room. I watched as the horrific creature loomed closer to Harry. "Expecto.." and he dropped to the floor in a faint, as Lupin cast his wand to place the Boggart back into the closet.

It didn't take long of a wait for Harry to wake. Lupin and I rushed to his side immediately, the professor handing him some chocolate to eat.

"Are you alright, Harry?" he asked, and Harry nodded faintly grasping his head. "That's alright, I didn't expect you to get it first try, that would have been remarkable." Harry bit into the chocolate as Lupin turned to me. "You want to give it a go, Miss Potter?" I stood slowly, twisting my wand in my hand slightly in thought. There was only a few memories that came to mind that I felt strongly towards, so I turned to face Lupin and gave him a stern nod taking my place.