The Story of the Marauders

Seven: Harry

HARRY

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The unused classroom was converted into a storage space, filled with everything from floating metal globes to strange chests with markings scrolled around the rims. Candles shaped like human spines were alight with yellow flame that had no influence on the natural lighting of the afternoon sun. A curving staircase lead up to a small loft that was cut around the shape of the biggest globe in the room, its gold frame spinning on a track.

"Harry!" A voice greeted. Harry's eyes flicked upwards and he smiled. Professor Daelynn and Lupin stared down at him from the balcony of the loft. Lupin stood straight with his hands folded behind his back, but Daelynn was bent slightly over the iron railing with her elbows on the metal.

"I was afraid you weren't coming," Lupin told him. "We're glad you did."

"Now, are you sure you want to attempt this, Harry? The charm we promised to teach you before break is very advanced magic, well beyond the standard wizarding level." Daelynn started, watching him closely.

"I'm sure." Harry insisted. The two Defense teachers shared a glance that said, 'let's go for it then'. Professor Lupin carried himself down the staircase to position himself in front of Harry.

"Everything is prepared," Lupin stated, gesturing subtly behind him at Daelynn who stood behind a chest with complicated-looking locks. "The spell Ms. Daelynn and I are going to teach you is called the Patronus charm, have you ever heard of it?"

"No, sir." Harry shook his head. The man in front of him nodded, seemingly to himself, and shrugged.

"Well, the Patronus charm, when cast correctly, acts as a positive force...a-a shield, if you will." He explained. Lupin spoke with his hands; sorts of small movements with his fingers like he was waving his wand.

"For the wizard who can conjure one, the Patronus will protect him or her from the effects of the Dementor." Daelynn continued Lupin's explanation. "The Dementor will feed on it rather than the wizard."

"To produce one, you must use a memory," Lupin spoke again.

"Not just any memory," Daelynn interjected once more, "A very happy one, a powerful one, do you understand?" She looked at Harry for a sign to assure he got it.

"Can you do this?" Lupin added again; the two professors took turns speaking. Harry noticed they did this in class often: taking over each other's sentences. Almost like how Fred and George spoke when they were together.

Harry nodded fervently, eagerly awaiting direction from the professors. Daelynn raised her hand, holding up two fingers towards Harry. Her voice was soft, yet Harry felt he needed to do anything she instructed.

"Close your eyes, Harry. Concentrate on your memory," She told him. Harry did as told, feeling suddenly awkward in front of the adults near him. Riding a broom for the first time entered his mind; the wind in his hair, the adrenaline coursing through his veins as the broom carried him higher and faster in the sky.

"Allow it fill you up. Lose yourself in the memory." Lupin paused, walking slowly behind Harry. "Now speak the incantation: Expecto Patronum." He encouraged. Harry smiled faintly as he thought.

"Expecto Patronum." He practiced, repeating the spell over again to make sure he got it right, Opening his eyes with a deep breath, Harry watched Daelynn wave her hand over the chest's front. The locks clicked, thin bars unlatching the lid from its secure buckle. The woman opened it smoothly after a look of confirmation she gave to Harry. A black, flowy mass came with it and hovered above the chest's open compartment. The sound of wind whooshed in Harry's ears and his eyes squinted. Harry looked into the sunken holes that were the Dementor's eyes. Raising his wand higher, Harry opened his mouth to cast the spell.