Mischievous-A Marauders Fanfic

5-The Patronus Charm

The weeks began to roll by, and the homework began to pile up. Halley was constantly bogged down with extra Arithmancy work, so much so that she was beginning to bring her charts with her to meals. Remus and Samantha were struggling to juggle the creation of the Animagus Potion and their everlasting pile of homework, while James and Sephy, both of whom had successfully made the Gryffindor Quidditch team, were being worked to the bone as Nashville was piling on the practices for their upcoming game with Hufflepuff, the first game of the season. Peter was struggling too, despite not having anything extra to do, but then he hadn't ever been completely comfortable when it came to schoolwork.

Indeed, they were all feeling particularly down in the dumps when they trailed into double Defense Against the Dark Arts one windy Thursday afternoon, with Professor Merrythought, a petite little witch with long, dark brown hair, and a face which reminded everyone a bit of a fox's. The Gryffindors had been paired with the Slytherins for DADA, and James smirked mockingly at Severus Snape from across the classroom, Snape himself glaring tautly back.

"Good afternoon" Merrythought greeted the class from behind her desk. "Wands out, if you please. This shall be a practical lesson."

Sirius grinned happily at Halley and the others from his seat next to James, as the whole class pulled out their wands expectantly.

Professor Merrythought cleared her throat for silence and drew her own wand, waving it, making the chalkboard behind her flip around, to reveal the writing on the other side.

"Wicked" James breathed, as the whole class read what was written.

"Indeed, as you put it, Mr. Potter" Merrythought agreed, slightly curtly. "Wicked."

The board read:

The Patronus Charm is the most famous and one of the most powerful defensive charm known to wizardkind. When performed correctly, it evokes a partially-tangible positive energy force known as a Patronus. A Patronus is the primary protection against Dementors and Lethifolds, against which there is no other defense.

The vast majority of witches and wizards are unable to produce any form of Patronus, and to create even an intangible one is generally considered to be a mark of superior magical ability. To successfully cast the spell, one must muster the happiest memory they can think of, and begin drawing circles with their wand so as to increase the power of the spell. They then must say the incantation, EXPECTO PATRONUM (ex-PEK-toh pa-TRO-num) and the Patronus should come from the tip of their wand.

"Now" Professor Merrythought snapped, over the excited chatter of the class. "I'm giving you an easy lesson today. Patronus Charms are not strictly in your syllabus, but you can collect bonus points in your practical OWL if you are able to produce one. The instructions are up on the board, but for all of your visual learners..."

Merrythought raised her wand and shut her eyes. The whole class was completely entranced as she swung it in a circle.

"Expecto Patronum!"

A sweet, silver light blossomed from her wand-tip, before it seemed to sprout wings, and the class watched in awe as a huge, silver eagle soared once around the room, before dissolving into thin air. James was grinning like a cat. Sirius and Remus were transfixed. Halley's mouth was open slightly. Sephy's eyes were gleaming excitedly. Samantha was skimming already through the textbook, seemingly looking for tips, and Peter was still staring a little dimly at the spot where the eagle had disappeared. Merrythought chuckled to herself.

"Desks away!" she snapped, and the class got to their feet, pushing the desks to the edges of the room. They then all stood awkwardly, looking at each other to see who would step up to the plate first.