Something Wicked This Way Comes

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I somehow found myself in Professor Lupin's office, it was odd to be there, just twiddling my thumbs and waiting. I had received a letter earlier that day from him, he had asked me to meet in his office for the favor he asked for months ago. He never said what it would be for, and I couldn't begin to understand why he didn't feel the need to mention what this would entail in the letter, but I had to give him a bit of faith.

I sighed and fiddled with my wand between my fingers, twirling it around, "So..." I muttered, "How did last term treat you?" I asked, figuring the quiet was a bit too present in the situation. Professor Lupin gave me an odd look, he seemed stunned. As if me asking such a mundane question was strange, but he still answered, "It... went rather well..." He gave a grin then cleared his throat, "Well, for the most part, there were a few hiccups here and there."

The poor professor, even with our hiccups, he was always kind. There were only a few professors I truly liked; McGonagall, who sadly, as time went on in school, I saw less and less of, Trelawney, which I only saw her in her tower during classes, and Lupin, who oddly enough I saw the most of as he wandered around the grounds. I often saw him taking walks, gazing up at the sky. Biding his time it seemed.

"I'm sorry to hear about the hiccups, if you'd like I can always lend you my ear," If he looked shocked before, it was nothing compared to the look he gave me. In the low rose lighting I could have sworn he was becoming flustered, as if he had never had that before, or if it hadn't happened in a very long time. Though just that thought baffled me alone, "W- Thank you Oz... I will keep that in mind."

I nodded to him. The door of his office creaked open. I wondered who it was. I sat up pushing up off of the wall to see Harry walking through the door with his rucksack on his back, "Sorry I'm a little late Professor!" Harry's gaze met mine, "Oh, hello Oz," I smiled fondly, twinging with sorrow from the conversation I had heard the other day. After that moment I took the three to get hot cocoa and distracted Harry as best I could, "Hello Harry, what are you doing here?"

Harry traveled up the steps and set his bag down on the stone floor by the wall beside me, "I'm here for my lesson!" Lesson? I frowned and gave Professor Lupin a knowing look, he was planning something, "What's this all about Professor?"

He stood from his desk and came around to the front, "Harry has told me he wanted to learn the Patronus Charm," Ah, I see, he wanted me here for a few reasons that I could tell. One, because I was at that sweet spot age between the two, I could help communicate, two with my knowledge I could help him study it better when Lupin wasn't around, and three I assumed that he wanted me to completely learn it too, maybe not this time, but with watching another student do it, it could give me confidence.

Professor Lupin simpers and wanders over to a chest, "Harry, stand opposite of me," He directed. Harry listened and stood in front a few feet away from the dark, wooden trunk. I moved to the side to give Harry room. What was he planning now? Lupin paced around the trunk for a bit before asking, "Now you're sure about this Harry? This is very advanced magic. Well beyond Ordinary Wizarding Level."

"If Black can fight the Dementors, I need to know how too," Man, this kid really meant it when he said he'd be ready. He wanted to make sure Sirius Black cowered in the corner, not that I blamed him one bit. Lupin gave a conflicted look, I could only imagine what for, then again I didn't know what he was planning. I could barely make sense of the Professor at this point, but then he spoke as he decided, "Very well. The spell I'm going to teach you is called the Patronus Charm. Ever hear of it?"

Harry shook his head and looked at me, "This is where you come in Oz," He pointed to me. I stammered and gazed at Harry, I didn't know it was my time to shine so soon. I turned to Harry and spoke, "Well... The Patronus charm is a kind of positive force usually used as something like a shield. Dementors will feed on that instead of the wizard that casts it–"