" The Patronus Charm is a very high-level spell, far exceeding the level of ordinary magic. If executed successfully, it will summon a Patronus, acting as a shield to protect you from Dementor ' attacks."
Lupin looked at Harry and Hermione, who were seated, and continued, " The Patronus is a positive force; it comes from hope, joy, and the will to survive. I must warn you, this spell is extremely profound; many skilled wizards have not been able to master it."
"Everyone's Patronus manifests as an animal, representing a hidden, unknown, yet essential part of your personality. Its form changes with your state of mind. To successfully cast a spell, you must focus on your strongest, most joyful memories."
Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance.
Harry's first thought was of the moment he first rode a flying broomstick, the exhilaration of soaring through the air making him lose himself in the moment. Hermione's first thought was of the moment she achieved her desired results on her final exams, proof that all her hard work had paid off.
"Ready?" Lupin cleared his throat. "The incantation is— Expecto Patronum!"
Hermione was the first to utter the spell, and the instant her voice fell, she had a vague feeling that she would succeed on her first try, because the happy memories in her mind began to replay, and she even had a feeling of floating on air.
Unfortunately, she didn't succeed.
"I have a feeling," Hermione said, skeptical. "Just like when I cast other spells, my magic flows perfectly, but I don't know why it didn't work."
When it was Harry's turn, he couldn't help but swallow hard. He imagined a Firebolt lodged under his buttocks, and the spire of the castle tower was left behind him in an instant.
" Expecto Patronum!"
Harry roared, and a flash of silver light appeared on the tip of his staff before disappearing instantly.
"At least it shows that your pronunciation is fine," Lupin chuckled. "It's just that your emotions aren't focused enough. Only intense, joyful memories can solidify into Patronus. These smoky magical traces show that the joy in your minds isn't intense enough."
"But even in its smoky form, it has a significant suppressive effect on Dementor; we can give it a try."
Lupin opened the trunk he carried with him, which contained the Boggart, and explained the origin of the second Boggart. He told Hermione to stand aside and wait for the right moment. Once Harry was standing in front of and behind the trunk, he suddenly flipped it open.
The air suddenly turned several degrees colder.
A Dementor slowly emerged from the box, its hooded face slowly raising its head, and a scabby hand reached out to grab Harry.
The classroom lights flickered, and the Dementor emerged from its box, silently and rapidly approaching Harry. A low, hoarse breathing sounded, and a bone-chilling cold enveloped Harry.
" Expecto Patronum!"
Harry and Hermione shouted at the same time, but the silver light only made the Dementor pause for a moment before they attacked Harry again.
His head throbbed with pain, and a jumble of sounds filled his mind. The strange noises accentuated the woman's pitiful voice as Harry heard his mother's desperate screams once more.
When Harry woke up again, he found himself lying on the sofa, with Hermione diligently waving her wand beside him.
Seeing Harry wake up, Lupin kindly handed him a piece of chocolate. "Are you alright? If you're not feeling well, we can practice again later."
"No," Harry said firmly, "I have to learn it."
Harry and Hermione spent the afternoon trying to recall all the happy things they had experienced: winning the House Cup, drawing the right cards, topping the leaderboard, and seeing Draco make a fool of himself. Harry even remembered how Director Lorne had secretly signed him up for a Hogsmeade permit and then suddenly pulled it out in front of him before everyone left.
The situation is not too bad. Although Harry and Hermione have not yet formed their own Patronus, their Patronus Charm is enough to weaken the Dementor and prevent it from causing Harry to faint again.
That's why Harry saw the Patronus that Professor Lupin released to completely subdue the Dementor.
It's a wolf.
"Actually, I used to hate this kind of animal," Lupin explained. "I always used the misty Patronus Charm because I was afraid of being exposed in front of people, but now, it's just an ordinary animal to me, and I have no worries about it."
Lupin's Patronus was very solid at this moment. After using the Patronus Charm so often, he was almost fixed in his mind recalling the memory of when the Marauders accepted him. But this time was different; he encountered something even more delightful.
Reunited with Sirius after thirteen years, he was not even the murderer who framed James; he would never become Werewolf again and would no longer have to live a life of wandering.
Everything should have been this way.
Before leaving, Harry handed the Firebolt to Lupin, Lupin was startled, thinking Harry had somehow found out he was the Firebolt, even though he had kept it anonymous. But thankfully, Harry had only asked him to help determine if the Firebolt was cursed.
Lupin really wanted to say, "Just take it. He gave it to me; how could he not know?"
He held back and let Harry come to pick it up the next day, and sure enough, he received a string of praises from Harry.
"You're very efficient, Professor Lupin. I thought the examination would take another week. Hermione can finally relax, right, Hermione?"
After saying goodbye to Lupin, Harry practiced the Patronus Charm every day.
Having studied so diligently for the first time, Harry finally experienced the joy of gradually mastering knowledge. His enthusiasm was so great that even Hermione had to urge him to take a break.
"If you put this much effort into your studies, you might even get an O in Potions Class," Hermione said, shaking her head in amazement.
Harry wiped the sweat from his brow and took a sip of water. "He won't. No matter who gets an O in Potions Class, it won't be me."
"Take a break, Harry," Hermione advised. " Professor Lupin said that for a thirteen-year-old wizard, being able to use the Patronus Charm is already quite a talent. Do you think Ron will be shocked when he comes back and sees that we can both use the Patronus Charm?"
Harry leaned against the table, drinking water and opening his Magic Mobile Phone to check for messages. His tired eyes suddenly brightened the moment he opened Cuckoo, and he turned to look at Hermione.
"I think we might be shocked too," Harry showed Hermione his phone, "There's a Ron friend request on my Cuckoo."
"What?" Hermione rushed forward. Sure enough, on Harry's phone screen, someone named " Red-Haired Minister for Magic " was adding Harry as a friend. In the request, he had his own name in the contact information— Ron Weasley.
Hermione immediately pulled out her phone, and sure enough, there was a friend request. What was even more surprising was that Ron's profile picture wasn't the default simple line drawing of a male and female wizard, but a handsome red-haired man.
Hermione's lips twitched. "Where did he get all this?"