Restoration

Chapter 37

Your Patronus is linked to him.

As she ran behind her Patronus, a magnificent snake, Elara began thinking about what she had learnt about the Patronus charm. There were many explanations as to why a wizard or a witch had its specific animal protecting them. It could be as simple as their affinity for a certain pet, or more complicated - the animal taking the form of something that explained their inner spirit.

She had been taught very little about them at Hogwarts, and when Bellatrix took over her teachings, she belittled her, telling her she'd never be able to call a Patronus as it is a positive and bright spell- and a weak one. And either she had been stupid enough to claim that, or simply jealous that she'd never be able to summon one, Elara believed her words. Until her Patronus charm jumped out of her wand one afternoon. She'd never seen Draco call a Patronus, either. Some said he never had been able to call it, others claimed his Patronus was a dragon, but she had never asked him about it. It was somewhat of a sensitive topic for people like them, connected to the darkness.

And my guess is that his Patronus is linked to you, too.

As she jumped two steps at a time, now catching her breath, she quietly kept calling onto Draco's Patronus. She hoped that her Patronus sensed it as it slid even further up the tower, nearly reaching the top. And then the snake laid still, right in front of the centuries-old wooden doors, shut tightly with chains. But Elara could smell the magic reeking off of them and the snake slowly reached one of the chains, winking back at Elara.

"Alohomora," Elara quietly cast an unlocking charm. It gave in instantly and the chain would have fallen to the ground and cause a loud bang, had she not caught it.

Holding onto the door handle, she hesitated for a moment. She felt sick as her hair stood up, almost alarming of danger that laid ahead. Bracing herself, she lifted her wand as flames danced inside her eyes. She slowly pushed down on the handle, walking into complete darkness.

The evening breeze brushed against her cheeks, letting her know she had walked on the tower's top. She hadn't recognized any of the clutter that laid in front of her, as she used the light beaming from her wand to make way past it. What are you doing here, Draco?

A hand covered her mouth and another arm gently but quickly pulled her back into the pits of darkness. She bit against the palm that now held her hostage, ready to kick them in their stomach, as they let out a shallow cry.

"It's me, Elara, be silent," Harry whispered into her ear as he pointed to the wooden ceiling. Confused at first, Elara sensed movement coming from the floor above them - footsteps and some quiet conversation. She nodded with her head in understanding and Harry let go of her. As she waved with her hand around her, she recognized that a spell had been keeping them safe from whatever and whoever had lurked near them. And as she traced the magic, assuming it would have been Harry's protective charm, shivers went flying down her spine. It was Professor Snape's charm.

Turning around to study Harry's concerned eyes, she couldn't quite understand what she had just walked into. Knowing full and well that he had been trained in Occlumency like her, she knew it would be in vain trying to send a message or a question into his head, which was barricaded with multiple walls. Instead, she mouthed Who?

But Harry bit his lip and shook his head, as if too afraid to say who else was there on the tower top with them. Judging by the multiple footsteps echoing above, there must have been a larger group of people.

The same tingling sensation hit her temples, as her Patronus playfully swiveled beneath her feet, slithering to the bottom of the staircase. Harry noticed her intentions as he jumped in front of her, pushing her back, and mouthing "No, it's too dangerous!"