A strange Patronus

Jerry looked into the mirror in front of him, studying the Patronus perched on his head with a peculiar expression.

Most wizards' Patronuses were connected to what they loved deeply. Severus Snape's Patronus, for instance, was a doe because he loved Lily, while Nymphadora Tonks's was a wolf because she loved Lupin.

Did I really like Tom that much?

Even Jerry felt a chill as he stared into the raven's blood-red eyes. He could not understand why the Patronus Charm, such a wholesome spell, would summon a Patronus with such terrifying eyes.

Professor Flitwick was also examining the eyes of Jerry's Patronus closely, finding them just as strange.

Flitwick had never seen a Patronus with such a frightening gaze, and it left him feeling a little uneasy.

Yet even after some discussion, he and Jerry could reach no conclusion. In the end, Professor Flitwick ventured that this, too, might be a result of Jerry's talent.

After all, Jerry had successfully cast the Patronus Charm on his first attempt, already surpassing many older wizards.

"Professor Flitwick, what would you summon if you cast the Patronus Charm with malicious intent?"

Rather than answer directly, Professor Flitwick turned to Jerry with a smile and asked, "Jerry, what do you think magic is?"

Jerry thought for a moment before saying, "Professor Flitwick, I think magic is a mysterious power that can grant people's wishes."

"Whether it's Transfiguration or any other kind of magic, wizards use their wands to harness that power and change the things around them as they please. Spells are like wizards telling that mysterious power their wishes, hoping to get the results they want."

Deep admiration shone in Professor Flitwick's eyes at Jerry's answer. "What a wonderful analogy, and so apt," he said appreciatively. "That is precisely why no one can cast the Patronus Charm with malicious intent. It would contradict your 'wish.'"

Jerry nodded. The same principle explained why casting dark magic required a wizard to harbor intense malice.

Although he had never resolved the mystery of his raven Patronus's eyes, Jerry had gained a great deal from the visit. When he opened his system panel, the spells section now read: Patronus Charm Lv1, 37.6%. With a teacher guiding him, his progress was swift. A few more practice sessions would probably be enough to level it up.

After leaving Professor Flitwick's office, Jerry headed straight to the lawn outside Hogwarts Castle instead of returning to his dormitory. Hermione, Harry, and Ron had already been waiting there for some time.

Since the previous week, Harry and Ron had been talking Jerry's ear off about how eagerly they were looking forward to soaring through the sky on broomsticks.

To be honest, however, Jerry had little interest in such an uncomfortable means of flying. He could not understand why wizards, who possessed such wondrous magic, had so few forms of entertainment. Aside from that dangerous sport—Quidditch—they seemed to have no other sports at all.

"Jerry, you're back! How did your lesson with Professor Flitwick go?"

Jerry answered with a confident look, "Hermione, are you questioning my talent?"

At his words, Hermione grabbed his hand excitedly. "You've learned it already? Hurry up and show me!"

"I'll show you some evening. It comes with a light show."

Harry, Ron, and even Neville thought Jerry and Hermione were terrifying. Classes were already over, yet they still sought out professors for extra lessons. They were far too competitive.

They sat on the grass and chatted for a while, then the Slytherin students began arriving, Malfoy among them.

Perhaps because he saw Jerry sitting there, Malfoy did not approach Potter to provoke him. Instead, he boasted to his friends about frightening Muggle helicopters while riding his broomstick.

Hearing Malfoy, the nearby students from wizarding families began sharing their own childhood broomstick experiences. Even Ron could not resist boasting that he had once nearly collided with a Muggle hang glider.

As Harry listened to everyone around him, a look of longing crossed his face, and he began imagining what it would feel like to fly through the sky.

Hermione and Neville, on the other hand, were rather worried about their flying class. Neither had ever attempted such an adventure.

Jerry was utterly fearless. His faith in his own extraordinary talent was absolute, and right now, his attitude was very much, Do whatever you like. I'm invincible.

All around them, students eagerly discussed broomsticks and Quidditch. A few even started arguing over the merits of Quidditch versus Muggle football.

The children from wizarding families thought football was boring, with only one ball that could not even fly, while the students from Muggle families thought Quidditch was not a sport at all—it was practically risking your life.

"Jerry, Harry, have either of you ever ridden a broomstick?" Hermione asked anxiously as she listened to the jumble of conversations around them.

Jerry shook his head and told her, "No, and I don't like riding broomsticks, either."

Unlike Jerry, Harry was full of anticipation at the prospect of flying on a broomstick and playing in a Quidditch match.

"You don't understand," Ron said. "Riding a broomstick and playing Quidditch for my house—that's what I dream about. Ah, it's just a shame first-years aren't allowed to play in Quidditch matches. Otherwise, I'd definitely sign up."

"What are you all doing? Get into position! Class is starting!" A stern voice interrupted their conversation.

Everyone turned to see that their flying instructor, Madam Hooch, had arrived.

"All right, everyone, form two lines with a broomstick beside your feet. Then listen carefully to my instructions. Hurry up, we haven't got all day."

The students quickly took their places as Madam Hooch instructed, each with a broomstick lying beside their feet.

Madam Hooch surveyed the group and nodded in satisfaction. "Now, hold your right hand over your broom handle, and say with me: 'Up!'"

Everyone followed Madam Hooch's instructions and shouted, "Up!"

A few students' broomsticks promptly flew into their hands, Harry's among them, while others, such as Hermione's, merely rolled over on the spot.

Only Jerry's and Neville's broomsticks showed no reaction at all.

After a few more attempts, almost everyone had succeeded. Even Neville's broomstick gave a couple of faint quivers. Jerry's alone remained completely unresponsive.

It seemed that Jerry disliked broomsticks, and broomsticks did not like him either. Hopefully, when the time came to take off, his broomstick would manage to fly.