Getting Started

At eight that evening, Albert arranged with his roommates to practice the Patronus Charm in the dormitory.

Not long after, there was a knock at the door.

Albert opened it to find Harry, Hermione, and Ron standing outside. He asked in confusion, "What is it?"

"I told Harry we were practicing the Patronus Charm tonight." Fred winked at Albert and explained, "You know how badly Dementors affect Harry. He wants to learn from you... well, a way to drive them away and resist them."

As for Ron and Hermione, they were obviously just there to make up the numbers.

Albert shot Fred a fierce glare, glanced around the somewhat crowded room, then looked back at the three outside.

Hermione also realized Albert had had no idea they were coming and hurriedly said, "Could you teach us the spell to drive away Dementors?"

"You should be asking Professor Lupin, not me," Albert said with a frown.

"Is that not possible?"

"Fine. Since you're already here, come in!"

The already small dormitory became even more cramped with three more people in it.

Harry and the other two sat on the edges of the beds like well-behaved students preparing to listen to a professor's lecture.

"The spell that can banish Dementors is called the Patronus Charm." Albert began explaining some of the basics of the Patronus Charm to the three of them. "It's an advanced spell. A prerequisite for using it is possessing considerable magical power. That's a common issue with most advanced magic: if your magical power isn't strong enough, you won't be able to fully bring out the Patronus Charm's effects."

After saying that, Albert gave them no time for questions and had Fred demonstrate the Patronus Charm.

"Ahem, watch closely!" Fred raised his wand before everyone's eyes, cleared his throat,