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Chapter 251: Patronus
Chapter 251: Patronus
"Have you managed to conjure a corporeal Patronus yet?" Fred instinctively asked, noticing Albert's reaction. "I recall you've been practicing the Patronus Charm lately. It shouldn't be long before you can summon one, right?"
"Umm..." Albert hesitated as he noticed the curious gazes of Fred, George, and Lee Jordan. He wasn't sure what to say.
"Give it a try," George suggested, leaning in with a mischievous smile. "I bet your Patronus will take the form of an eagle."
"Well, I haven't been successful yet," Albert admitted, slightly embarrassed. "So far, it's just a cloud of smoke."
"I don't believe you, Albert," Lee Jordan interjected, his face close to Albert's. "As a true Gryffindor, your Patronus should be a lion. How could it be an eagle?"
"You guys are impossible," Albert said, pushing away their prying hands. "Why does it have to be a lion or an eagle? Can't it be something else?"
"Just give it a shot," Fred urged, their curiosity getting the better of them. "Even if it's just a mist, we might be able to make out a vague shape."
After all, the Patronus Charm was an intricate and ancient spell, and who knew if Albert had secretly mastered it already?
"Okay, Expecto Patronum!" Albert took a deep breath, searching his mind for happy memories. He brandished his wand, swished it around, and uttered the charm. A stream of silver gas erupted from the tip of his wand, but the smoke failed to take on a physical form.
"See, the shape of the smoke doesn't resemble an eagle at all. It seems to be on the larger side, more like the Gryffindor lion," Lee Jordan happily declared his victory.
"No, that's just your guess. We won't know for sure until a corporeal Patronus appears!" Fred and George immediately refuted, but Albert was already frowning. It was odd that his Patronus skill had reached Level 2, yet he still couldn't summon a physical Patronus.
According to records, casters of the Patronus Charm must concentrate on their happiest memories, and the more intense the happiness, the stronger the spell's effect.
Perhaps he should try evoking a different, happier memory. After all, the strength of his Patronus was linked to the joy of his recollection.
Albert closed his eyes and recalled the day he discovered the system interface—perhaps the happiest moment of his life. That was the day Albert realized he was no longer ordinary.
"What's wrong?" George noticed Albert's unusual expression and asked with a hint of concern. However, before he could say more, Albert raised his wand again, swished it around, and whispered, "Expecto Patronum!"
This time, a silver lion with an eagle's head burst forth from the tip of Albert's wand.
The three friends froze, staring dumbfounded at the lion-eagle hybrid that swooped over their heads. "It's beautiful!" they exclaimed.
"Hahaha!" Fred burst into laughter, turning to Lee Jordan. "We win, we were right!"
"You jerks, you clearly lost!" Lee Jordan retorted, his face reddening with anger as he pointed at the hybrid creature. "You said it would be an eagle. How is that an eagle?"
"Eagle head, didn't you see it too? Eagle head!" Fred and George looked at each other and said in unison, "Say it with us: eagle head. It's related to an eagle, so we win!"
"Stop making excuses! A griffin is not an eagle! Admit defeat and eat these Jelly Beans!" Lee Jordan's face was flushed with anger as he realized he couldn't argue with Fred and George. He leaped from his seat and pounced on Fred, intending to make his point through action rather than words. The compartment erupted into chaos.
Upon seeing that his Patronus took the form of a griffin, Albert's expression darkened.
"Is something the matter?" George asked, noticing Albert's scowl. "You don't seem too pleased."
"Of course, there's a problem!" Albert exclaimed, causing Fred and Lee Jordan to pause their scuffle. "A griffin is a magical creature, right?! And supposedly, a witch or wizard's Patronus is the same as their Animagus form. Does this mean my Animagus form could be a griffin?"
"What's an Animagus?" Fred asked, puzzled.
"Duh, it's an animal transformation!" George reminded him. "Remember when Professor McGonagall turned into a cat on the first day?"
"You actually remembered that!" Lee Jordan exclaimed, looking surprised.
"An Animagus is a witch or wizard who can transform into an animal while retaining their magical abilities," Albert explained to the trio.
"Oh, is there a problem?" Fred asked. "What about that... what was it called again?"
"Animagus transformations are usually limited to non-magical creatures," Albert explained helplessly. "Transforming into magical beasts like phoenixes or fire dragons could lead to unforeseen consequences."
"Apparently, there's a fundamental difference in the way wizard magic and magical beast magic work," Albert added after a moment's thought. "Take house-elves, for example. They have their own brand of magic, separate from the wizarding world, yet they can still use wands. It's the same with fairies."
The three friends exchanged glances, clearly not understanding much of what Albert was saying.
Albert continued, offering an example, "House-elves, for instance, can apparate at will, even within Hogwarts grounds, where it's forbidden for wizards to do so. This prohibition only applies to wizarding magic and not to the magic of other beings, like house-elves. That's the difference in magical systems I'm talking about."
"Wow, how do you know all this?" The three friends stared at Albert, astonished.
"Keep this under wraps, alright?" Albert urged.
The trio nodded in unison.
"But what does this have to do with that... Ani-thing?" Fred scratched his head, still confused.
"Professor Dumbledore used to be the Transfiguration teacher," Albert continued, aware that they might not understand. "I've looked into the records of Animagi in Britain for this century, and there are only seven. The last century had nine. Dumbledore's name isn't on either list. Of course, there might be illegal Animagi, but when I asked Professor McGonagall about the headmaster's Animagus form, she told me his Patronus was a phoenix."
"A phoenix is a magical creature, so you're saying Dumbledore isn't an Animagus?" Lee Jordan asked, seeking confirmation.
"That's right," Albert confirmed. "Transforming into magical beasts is not within the scope of Animagus transformations. I'm sure Dumbledore was aware of this, so when he discovered his Patronus was a phoenix, he probably gave up on becoming an Animagus. Otherwise, with his talent and abilities, how could he possibly fail to master the Animagus transformation?" Albert's expression turned glum as he considered the implications for his own task list.
The trio now understood the issue. Albert's Patronus was a griffin, a magical creature, which meant he might have to give up on becoming an Animagus, just like Dumbledore. After all, who would risk unpredictable consequences, or even death, just to achieve a transformation?
"Even if you can't become an Animagus, it won't stop you from becoming a great wizard like Dumbledore. The headmaster gave up on it too, didn't he?" Fred offered consolingly.
"No, I still have a chance," Albert said. "Apparently, Patronuses can change. All it takes is a significant mental shock or an emotional upheaval." Albert recalled the information he had come across regarding Patronus charms. As far as he knew, there had been similar cases in the Harry Potter novels, where a person's Patronus changed.
"Whoa, that's a bit extreme, isn't it?" The three friends were stunned by Albert's determination. "Is it really necessary to go to such lengths?"
"I just don't want to give up on the possibility of becoming an Animagus," Albert said after a moment's thought. "I need to write to Professor McGonagall and seek her advice."
"You'll need an owl for that," Fred pointed out.
"Just open the window, and Sheela will appear. She always comes back to me when I need her," Albert said as he retrieved a piece of parchment from his trunk and began writing a letter to Professor McGonagall.
(End of Chapter)
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