Who Else Could It Be But a Little Wizard Practicing the Patronus Charm?

"Don't rush, have a drink of water and calm down, Severus."

After the two sat down at the table, Dumbledore his hand, and a large jug of bubbling lemonade appeared on the table.

He poured Snape a full glass, pushed it towards him, and said with a hint of apology:

"Sorry, I just got back too, and I didn't prepare any hot tea."

Snape glanced down at the glass of lemonade. He had never liked the drinks Dumbledore provided—they were too sweet; he would only occasionally have tea.

But he didn't care about any of that now; he picked up the cup and started gulping it down.

The cool liquid slid down my dry lips and throat, finally relieving the thirst I had developed from running all the way from the basement to the Headmaster's Office.

Dumbledore remained silent, simply sitting opposite Snape, his blue eyes behind his Half-moon Spectacles fixed on him.

He noticed something was off about the man's expression—his eyes seemed slightly red.

After finishing his water, Snape put down his cup and began to speak:

"I was in the basement office, and then..."

He briefly recounted what had happened, then stated unequivocally:

"That's Patronus Charm; I absolutely cannot mistake it."

Dumbledore had no doubt about Snape's assessment.

Because Snape was highly skilled with the Patronus Charm.

only...

Snape could feel the mist emanating from the Patronus Charm even underground, and Dumbledore himself had just seen a wisp of it outside the window of the Headmaster's Office in the tower.

Isn't this area too large?

Enveloping the entire Hogwarts?

Snape took a breath and continued:

"The Patronus Charm is cast using the happiest emotions and memories. Whether it's mist or a fully formed Patronus, it's normal for the person who comes into contact with it to feel warm and positive energy, but..."

His voice suddenly lowered, "But... when I came into contact with that mist, I saw..."

As she spoke, her voice lowered further, almost becoming a murmur.

Dumbledore didn't press the matter; he simply waited quietly.

Snape couldn't help but recall the image that flashed before his eyes when he touched the mist:

The sun shines warmly on a soft meadow.

The girl sat beside him, her fiery red hair swaying gently in the wind.

She turned to him and smiled; her eyes were the most emerald green gems.

That was his first meeting with Lily Evans.

It was his happiest memory.

"That Patronus Charm," Snape said, his voice barely audible, "Stirred up my memories, my emotions? It was like... my soul was touched?"

Dumbledore's eyes flickered slightly.

Touching the soul?

So special...

"We should find that little wizard who's practicing."

Dumbledore didn't immediately answer Snape's question. Instead, he picked up his glass of lemonade, took a small sip, and then slowly asked in return:

"Patronus Charm with an extremely wide range, almost covering the entire castle. This is something that can be described as outrageous and even 'absurd'..."

"Whose 'practice' do you think it was?"

Snape fell silent. The emotions that had been stirred up at the beginning had gradually subsided, and the fatigue from running had also eased considerably. After Dumbledore's words, he instantly knew the answer.

Who else could it be?

A Ravenclaw student who unfortunately wasn't sorted into Slytherin House.

Snape leaned back in his chair, his voice regaining its usual indifference, but carrying a complex undertone:

"A wizard who can cast Patronus Charm should put your mind at ease."

"No matter how talented he is, or how obsessed or fanatical he is with magic and knowledge, he won't go astray, will he?"

When he said this, his tone was clearly pointed.

Dumbledore looked at him and nodded solemnly.

"Certainly."

Because the Patronus Charm can usually only be cast by righteous wizards.

If an evil dark wizard attempts to use it, not only will he fail to summon Patronus, but the wand will also "backfire"—summoning maggots that will devour the wizard.

This has long been proven in the wizarding world.

However, the Patronus Charm is a very special spell; if you really look into it, it involves the soul to some extent.

In particular, it reveals a deeper quality that touches the soul.

Perhaps by studying further, one can truly enter the realm of the "soul".

Ideally, someone should be able to look after them.

Dumbledore suddenly smiled and looked at Snape.

"Severus, regarding the Patronus Charm..."