The Patronus Charm Club

Cedric thought about it all night, so much so that when he ate breakfast the next morning, he still looked like he hadn't slept well.

"Have you thought of any ideas?" Kyle asked.

"Of course," Cedric said casually, "As long as you can lead Gryffindor 150 points for twenty minutes, the victory will still be ours."

"This is the solution you came up with?" Kyle looked at him incredulously. "A 150-point lead over Gryffindor twenty minutes? Are you still half asleep, or did you leave your brain in the dorm?"

"You did it before," Cedric said. "Remember the game against Ravenclaw?"

"That happened two years ago!"

Kyle said irritably, "Besides, it wasn't just my achievement; Harris's cooperation was also crucial... Plus, Ravenclaw's team was playing terribly, practically giving away points, which is why they were leading by so much."

"The current situation is that Harris has already graduated."

Kyle continued, "Fred and George apologized to me well after our first game, saying they would never let the Bludger leave me more than ten feet away."

"Do you understand what I mean? There are two of them, plus goalkeeper Oliver Wood. I have to get past at least three people to score!"

"But it's the only way," Cedric chuckled.

He thought about it all night and realized that the Firebolt was an unsolvable problem... Faced with absolute speed, any tactic seemed pale in comparison.

Unless the victory is secured beforehand.

"I'll get everyone on your side," Cedric said. "The rest of the tactics will revolve around you."

"Alright." Kyle nodded.

After breakfast, the group left the Great Hall and went to their respective classrooms to prepare for class.

Today marks the start of Professor Lupin's Patronus Charm Club, and many students are so excited that their minds are elsewhere from the classroom.

The professors had clearly noticed this as well, but it was obviously not a big problem for them; it could be solved with a single sentence.

"Whispering is forbidden in class, Mr. Rowle. Slytherin loses another five points!"

During the Transfiguration Class, Professor McGonagall tapped the table and said seriously, "If any of you lose more than ten points in this class, you'll be put in solitary confinement and go to the library at eight o'clock tonight to clean the bookshelves!"

As soon as Professor McGonagall finished speaking, everyone immediately sat up straight.

Eight o'clock is exactly when the club starts, but the library has hundreds of bookshelves... By the time the cleaning is finished, the club will probably be long over.

"Very good!" Professor McGonagall nodded in satisfaction. "Let's continue. The most important thing about the Switching Spell is decisiveness; there can be no hesitation..."

She then seemed to have shared this method with other professors, so much so that everyone in the following classes was very nervous, fearing they would be kept in solitary confinement that night.

And so, it finally came to eight o'clock.

People went to the Great Hall early to wait, and some didn't leave at all, staying there after dinner.

By the time Kyle and his group arrived, there were already many people there.

The long tables were moved to the side once again, and not a single cloud could be seen on the enchanted ceiling; all that could be seen above was a sky full of stars.

At eight o'clock sharp, Professor Lupin walked in. He seemed a little nervous, as it was his first time facing so many students.

"Relax, Remus," Professor McGonagall whispered reassuringly from the side. "Just treat it like a regular class."

Not only Professor McGonagall, but also Professor Flitwick and Snape came, as did Madam Pomfrey from the Hospital Wing.

This lineup is many times stronger than last year's Duelling Club.

However, Kyle soon found out the reason.

"First of all, I want to ask everyone not to panic."

Professor Lupin placed a large box on the ground. "Although some people think my approach is too risky, I must say that the fastest way to learn the Patronus Charm is to confront Dementor directly."

Everyone stared at the box in front of him, seemingly guessing what was going on. They started discussing it amongst themselves and instinctively backed away.

A large area around Professor Lupin was quickly cleared up.

"That's right, just as you guessed, there's a Dementor here, sponsored by the Ministry of Magic."

He clapped his hands, and the box immediately began to shake violently.

The surrounding chatter grew louder, and some of the younger students began to frequently turn their heads towards the door.

"Please don't worry, everyone. I won't release it during the first club meeting, and there are several professors here, enough to guarantee everyone's safety..."

Professor Lupin had to press his wand to his throat to quell the growing murmurs.

"Of course, if you want to leave, I won't stop you; that's your freedom..."

Professor Lupin waved his wand and opened the doors to the Great Hall.

Some students hesitated for a moment before leaving, but most chose to stay.

"It seems you've already made up your minds."

Professor Lupin said, "Those who wish to leave can do so at any time. Those who decide to stay, please remain quiet. We will begin learning the Patronus Charm."

First, we need to understand this spell. It's a very advanced form of magic, far beyond the Ordinary Wizarding Level. I can't guarantee that all of you will be able to learn it, but I will do my best to teach each and every one of you."

Because there were so many people, Professor Lupin did not select students to answer as he did in class; instead, he explained the answers himself.

"Patronus is a positive force, an external manifestation of hope, joy, and the will to survive... but unlike real people, it cannot feel despair, which is why Dementor cannot harm it..."

Professor Lupin cleared his throat and continued, "You must concentrate all your will on a particularly pleasant moment for this spell to take effect..."

"Do you remember my request before the holiday? Those happy memories... Now I'll give you some time to recall them."

Soon, everyone's expressions began to change.

"The incantation is..." Professor Lupin recited clearly, "Expecto Patronum!"

"Expecto Patronum..."

"Now, concentrate your mind on those pleasant memories, and then recite the incantation."

Following Professor Lupin's instructions, everyone did as instructed.

Soon, wisps of silvery-white gas began to rise from the Great Hall, like the morning mist.

They piled up above the Great Hall, growing larger and larger.

"Very good," Professor Lupin said with a smile, "It seems you have grasped the basics. Now, are you ready for further practice?"

"Ready?" Everyone held their breath, gripping their wands tightly.

Professor Lupin placed his hand on the box and pressed it gently.

The box wasn't opened, but there were several small holes in it.

The student at the front faintly heard a long, drawn-out inhale.

A biting chill began to spread, and the silvery mist that had enveloped the Great Hall dissipated almost instantly.

Some people began to tremble, unable to even hold their wands properly, and couldn't help but want to escape. Others gritted their teeth and began to chant the spells even louder.

"Expecto Patronum..."

"Expecto Patronum!"

The silvery mist kept dissipating, but new mist kept replenishing it.

"Smack!"

After an unknown amount of time, Professor Lupin closed the small holes in the boxes.

The chill disappeared as well.