CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── "Watch where your going Gryffindork!"
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─── Y/N POV ───
The rain pattered against the windows of the castle, blurring the view of the grounds outside. It was the kind of afternoon in February that called for thick blankets, hot chocolate, and a good book, but instead, I was trapped in an empty classroom with Professor Lupin. The room was dim, lit only by a few flickering candles that cast long shadows on the stone walls. The chill from the rain outside seemed to seep through the castle itself, curling into the corners of the room and nipping at my fingers.
"Try it again," Lupin said gently.
I sighed, gripping my wand tighter. My reflection in the window revealed my furrowed eyebrows and tired eyes.
"I don't even know how I did it the first time," I admitted. "It wasn't on purpose...it was like...instinct."
Lupin crossed his arms, leaning back against his desk with an easy confidence. "Instinct is often a sign of untapped power, y/n. It's not something to fear. If anything, it's proof that you're capable of more than you realize."
I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "You make it sound like I'm some sort of prodigy. I'm not. I was scared out of my mind. That's all."
"Fear doesn't diminish your ability," he continued. "The fact that you succeeded despite fear shows your strength. But now, let's see if we can replicate it."
The pressure of his expectations settled on my shoulders like heavy boulders. My instinct was to protest again, to tell him I wasn't ready. But instead, I nodded, raising my wand, determined not to let him down.
"Think of your happiest memory," Lupin coached. "The kind that makes your chest feel warm, like nothing bad could ever touch you."
I closed my eyes, searching for any feeling of happiness. My mind shuffled through fragments of moments, but none felt strong enough. It was like trying to catch sunlight in my bare hands.
"I can't," I whispered, lowering my wand. My voice cracked, frustration growing. "I just...can't."
"You can," Lupin said, stepping closer. "It just takes practice. You're not supposed to master this overnight."
Before I could reply, the door creaked open. Harry Potter stood there, damp from the rain, his hair messier than usual. He hesitated when he saw me, his green eyes narrowing slightly.
