Not Voldemort!
And definitely not a Death Eater!
Silver radiance gleamed.
The icy despair in the air was driven back considerably. A warm, powerful force surged forth—the magic that only opened its doors to those capable of feeling beauty: the Patronus Charm.
"Acolytes..."
Ian's stiff hand still hung in midair as he stared fixedly at Gilderoy Lockhart's wand. Strands of silver light continuously emerged from it, drifting like clouds and mist.
An elegant silver animal slowly took shape, only for the spellcaster to deliberately conceal it within the silver mist. From that fleeting glimpse, Ian could only sense the figure's proud bearing and powerful aura.
Even the Dementor in the cage let out an incomparably shrill cry—Ian could sense its panic, though the selfish adult wizard had not attempted to use his Guardian Spirit against it.
The Guardian Spirit deliberately obscured by silver mist merely circled around the definitively pirated Gilderoy Lockhart, gathering all its immense power around him.
For the time being, Ian would continue calling him that.
After all, he had the same face.
"The Patronus Charm is not particularly profound magic. The incantation is exactly as I just recited it, and the key is simply to focus your mind on recalling the happiest thing in your heart."
"Some say it is the manifestation of the goodness gathered in one's heart. You may certainly see it that way, but personally, I prefer to believe that we are using happy memories to obtain a response." Silver light continued to spill from Gilderoy Lockhart's wand, while his expression returned to its natural composure.
And at that moment—
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Ian seized the instant Gilderoy Lockhart met his eyes and activated the magic he had learned from Cheap Senior Sister. An incomparably strange purple light flashed through his eyes.
The spell