Silan rose with a helpless sigh.
He had planned to find Sirius after the start-of-term feast.
He wanted to get to know Sirius and see how he could make the most of him for his own benefit.
Sirius was the strongest card Silan held right now. He had to use it well.
For now, though, that would have to wait.
Silan had barely followed Snape out of the Great Hall.
They walked one behind the other, their footsteps answering each other, one light, one heavy.
In the gaps between their steps, Snape's voice drifted back to Silan.
"The Dementors attacked the train. Are you all right?"
"Do you need to visit the Hospital Wing? Madam Pomfrey should be free now."
As he spoke, Snape slowed down. Even the hem of his robe, which had been whipping about, settled.
Silan walked behind Snape and could not see his expression, but the head of his house sounded unusually gentle today.
"Thank you for your concern, Professor," Silan replied. "I learned the Patronus Charm, and the Dementors were driven off quickly."
"The Patronus Charm? That's a remarkably difficult spell..." Snape spun around and stared at Silan in surprise. Realizing he had let his reaction show, he gave a soft snort and drawled, "For a third-year, that's not bad."
Snape looked away, then asked, "How is Miss Granger?"
"Hermione's fine too. In fact, I have her to thank. Without her, my Patronus Charm might not have worked."
"Oh? Tell me."
Silan wondered why the head of Slytherin House was so interested in this. He had never seen Snape look like this, even when presented with rare potion ingredients.
"Miss Granger and I went out together over the summer and made a lot of happy memories," Silan answered honestly. "That's why I managed the Patronus