The one with the sisters - Year Six [COMPLETED]

Chapter 16 - The one with the Patronus

"No, James! For the last time..." Iris laughed as the boy groaned. "It's Ex-PE-lliar-mus. Say it again. With conviction."

"I am!" He protested.

"No, you're not." She rolled her eyes. "If you were, I wouldn't still be holding my wand. Come on. Try it again."

James glared at her, but shook his head. He lifted his arm and pointed his wand to Iris, before crying out the correct incantation and, for the first time, managing to make Iris' wand fly from her hand. She watched with a smiled as the piece of wood stopped somewhere in between the two of them. She crossed her arms.

"Better." She said walking over to her wand and crouching down to pick it up. "But still you need practice. You need to make it fly over to your hand."

"That's not possible, Little Evans." He scoffed. Iris smirked as she got up.

"Expelliarmus!" She yelled, as she pointed her wand to James in a swift and fluid motion.

His wand flew all the way from his hand to her and she smirked in victory as he gaped at her.

"Oh, burn." Sirius laughed, as he, Peter and Remus watched the both of them train together a few steps behind their friend.

"Oh, shut up, Padfoot." James mumbled, fixing his glasses.

Iris laughed and Remus smiled. It'd been a while since he had seen that smile. She was about to say something else, but she stopped as she felt a hand against the small of her back.

"Hey, there."

Iris looked up just in time to see Daniel smiling down at her with those pearl white teeth of his. She blushed slightly as she noticed how close they actually were. Remus frowned at them, but decided to ignore it, walking away from the two.

"Hey." She whispered.

"Can you help me now?" He asked, as if it was nothing, but Iris knew better. "I can't seem to get it right."

"Can't Helen help you?" Iris asked trying to be gentle. Daniel's smile faded for half a second.

"She's been trying." He chuckled, before pointing at the blonde girl trying to disarm Dorcas a few feet away from them. "But she's not doing much better than I am."

"Right." She giggled. "Right, I'll help you."

"Great." He smiled. "So maybe we can..."

"The door!" Someone yelled. Everyone froze, turning to the exit. Iris took a deep breath and was barely aware of Daniel's hand still on her back as she hoped with all her might that the person outside was just Dumbledore paying his usual surprise visit.

"I've already told you not to worry." The voice of the old Professor rang on their ears and they all relaxed in an instant. "You're all safe in here."

"Professor..." Dorcas breathed relieved, as she visibly loosed her grip on her wand.

"Dorcas." He nodded toward her, before his eyes travelled all around the room and shined with pride as he saw all the students so focused on learning and improving each day more. "How are things?"

And as in cue, everyone started talking at the same time. It was clear that Dumbledore wasn't understanding a thing, but, even so, he kept smiling and nodding at every student that finished telling an impressive story of how they finally managed to do this spell or breed that potion. When the frenzy stopped, Professor Dumbledore's clear blue eyes said all the students needed to know. They all were to sit down. And without hesitation, they did.

"Very well, now." The Professor said as everyone settled down by their friends. He smiled. "I was planning on teaching you this in a few weeks, but all seem so committed with the Phoenix Class that I've decided to advance this work."

There were some whispers of both, fear and excitement. As Dorcas leaned over to Camilla to say something, Iris' eyes never left her Professor, eagerly waiting for him to keep talking.

"Quiet down, please... Quiet down..." Dumbledore pleaded and, even if his voice wasn't loud or severe, everyone stopped talking as soon as he'd started. "So... What I'm about to explain is very difficult and advanced. Students such as yourselves shouldn't be learning this, but then again... You shouldn't be learning half of the hexes some of you already know." He threw an amused look at Iris, who blushed as her friends laughed. "So... What I'm going to teach you, is how to form a Patronus."

"A what?" Daniel asked.

"A Patronus." The Professor answered calmly.

"Is it dangerous, Professor?" Darling asked, and Dumbledore shook his head, with a smile.

"Oh, no, Darling. It's not dangerous at all. It's just very, very difficult. Advanced magic at its finest."

"And you think we'll do it, Professor?" Jessie asked.

"No, Jessie. I know you will."

At those words, no one could argue anymore. Noticing the students didn't have any more questions, Dumbledore returned to his speech.

"A Patronus Charm is a defensive spell that evokes a partially-tangible positive energy force known as a Patronus or spirit guardian. It is the primary protection against Dementors against which there is no other defense."

At the mention of Dementors, some people flinched. Iris was one of the few who didn't. Instead, it lighted up a sparkle of curiosity in her chest.

"Professor?" She called, raising her hand, very used to doing so during classes.

"Yes, Iris?" He nodded and, when he used her first name, she realized all the formalities were left behind and that was a casual space.

"Is there a particular reason why you are teaching us already how to cast a Patronus?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because... The Patronus only defends us against Dementors, right?" She asked. Dumbledore nodded, but his usual smile faded, as if he knew where she was getting with that conversation. "Then why waste time on this if it's with You-Know-Who we should be worried? I mean... The Dementors are in Azkaban, right? There's no need to fear them."

"You're right, as usual, Iris." He said lowly and at that tone, the girl bit her lip. "But, we ought to realize that at each passing day, Voldemort grows stronger and stronger." And that time, even her flinched when the Professor so casually mention the wizard's name. "And I'm afraid that he's convincing every type of creature he can think of to join his side. Giants, Banshees, Werewolves... And even Dementors. So yes, Iris, you shouldn't worry with Dementors in normal situations, but we are in war, and therefore, we need to worry with everything."

"I see." She gulped and Dumbledore nodded.

"Well..." The Professor said, as everyone fell silent. "So... Who wants to learn how to cast a Patronus, then?"