"An animal-shaped Patronus?" Professor Lupin was clearly surprised when he saw Medusa.
After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Harley, I suggest you talk to Professor Dumbledore about your Patronus once the school year starts.
"After all, animal-shaped Patronuses are incredibly rare. Every wizard who has one has gone on to make a lasting name for themselves in A History of Magic.
"Of course, that's not the point. The point is, I remember Professor Dumbledore's Patronus is a Phoenix, one of the Fantastic Beasts, and I think he once said there was something unusual about his Patronus."
"Of course, Uncle Remus. I was already planning to talk to Professor Dumbledore." Harley nodded.
"Although I've been studying that notebook for a whole month, there are still a lot of things I don't understand."
"That's good... Wait," Professor Lupin said, suddenly realizing something. "How long did you say it took you to learn the Patronus Charm?"
"Three weeks to study the theory, five days of practice, and I cast a fully formed Patronus Charm on the sixth day. Today was my first time using it in a real situation."
Harley tilted her head. "Uncle Remus, is there a problem?"
Professor Lupin swallowed hard and tried to keep his voice steady.
"Did you know that even a genius like Professor Dumbledore failed to cast the Patronus Charm the first time he faced a Dementor?
"Harley, you really are a genius."
You're only realizing that now? Sirius glanced at his old friend with disdain, then shifted into a more comfortable position.
During the time he'd spent with Harley, he'd gone from being shocked, to doubting himself, and finally to becoming numb to it all.
The train came to a complete stop, and the noise outside rose again.
Although they'd just had a close