Chapter 401: Patronus Charm Club
Chapter 401: Patronus Charm Club
Cedric had been thinking all night, so much so that by the time he finished breakfast, he still looked half-asleep.
"Have you thought of a solution?" Kyle asked.
"Of course," Cedric replied casually, "As long as you can lead Gryffindor by 150 points in twenty minutes, the victory will still be ours."
"Is this the solution you came up with?" Kyle looked at him in disbelief, "Lead Gryffindor by 150 points in twenty minutes? You're either not fully awake or you've left your brain in the dorm."
"You've done it before." Cedric said, "Remember the match against Ravenclaw?"
"That was two years ago!"
Kyle huffed, "And it wasn't just me, Harris was also cooperating... Plus, the Ravenclaw team was so bad that they were practically giving away points. That's why we were able to lead by so much."
"Now, Harris has graduated."
Kyle continued, "Also, Fred and George apologized to us after our first match, saying they would never let the Bludger get within ten feet of me."
"Do you understand what this means? With them and the Keeper, Wood, I have to get past at least three people's blocks!"
"This is the only way." Cedric chuckled.
He had thought about it all night and realized that the Firebolt was an unsolvable existence... In the face of absolute speed, any tactic seemed pale.
Unless the victory was secured in advance.
"I'll have everyone cooperate with you." Cedric said, "The upcoming strategy will revolve around you."
"Alright." Kyle nodded.
After finishing breakfast, the group left the Great Hall and headed to their respective classrooms to prepare for their lessons.
Today was the start of Professor Lupin's Patronus Charm Club, and due to their high anticipation, everyone's minds were elsewhere.
The professors had clearly noticed this, but it didn't seem to be a big issue for them, as they could easily address it with a few words.
"No whispering in class, Mr. Flitwick, Slytherin loses five points!"
During Transfiguration class, Professor McGonagall knocked on the desk and spoke seriously, "If any of you lose more than ten points in this lesson, you'll be confined to the library at eight o'clock tonight to clean those bookshelves!"
As soon as Professor McGonagall finished speaking, everyone immediately sat up straight.
Eight o'clock was exactly when the club was supposed to start, and there were hundreds of bookshelves in the library... By the time they finished cleaning, the club would likely be over.
"Very good!" Professor McGonagall nodded in satisfaction, "Let's continue with the content from earlier. The most crucial aspect of the Transfiguration Charm is decisiveness, no hesitation..."
After that, she seemed to have shared this method with the other professors, as everyone in the subsequent classes appeared tense, fearing they would be kept after school for detention.
...
And so, finally, it was eight o'clock.
Many people had already gone to the Great Hall to wait, and some had simply stayed there after dinner, waiting all this time.
By the time Kyle and the others arrived, there were already many people.
The long tables were once again moved to the side, and the magically enchanted ceiling revealed a starry sky.
At eight o'clock sharp, Professor Lupin walked in right on time. It seemed like it was his first time facing so many students, and he appeared a bit nervous.
"Relax, Remus." Professor McGonagall whispered reassuringly, "Just treat it like a regular class."
Not only Professor McGonagall, but Professor Flitwick and Snape had also arrived, along with Madam Pomfrey from the hospital wing.
This lineup was several times more impressive than last year's Dueling Club.
However, Kyle soon understood the reason.
"First of all, I ask that you all remain calm.
Professor Lupin placed a large box on the ground. "Although some people think my approach is too risky, I must say that the fastest way to learn the Patronus Charm is to face a Dementor head-on."
Everyone stared at the box in front of him, seemingly guessing what was inside, and began to murmur among themselves, subconsciously stepping back.
A large area around Professor Lupin quickly cleared out.
"You're right, it's just as you thought. Inside is a Dementor, courtesy of the Ministry of Magic."
He clapped his hands, and the box immediately began to shake violently.
The murmurs grew louder, and some of the younger students started to frequently look towards the door.
"Please don't worry, I won't release it during the first club meeting. And there are several professors here to ensure everyone's safety..."
Professor Lupin had to use his wand to amplify his voice to overcome the increasing noise.
"Of course, if you want to leave, I won't stop you. This is your choice..."
Professor Lupin waved his wand, opening the doors of the Great Hall.
After a moment of hesitation, some students left, but more chose to stay.
"It seems you've made your decision."
Professor Lupin said, "If you want to leave, you can do so at any time. Those who decide to stay, please remain quiet, and we'll start learning the Patronus Charm.
First, we need to understand this spell. It is a very advanced form of magic, far beyond the ordinary wizard's level. I can't guarantee that everyone will master it, but I will do my best to teach each of you."
Because there were so many people, Professor Lupin didn't pick students to answer questions as he would in a regular class, but instead provided the explanations himself.
"A Patronus is a positive force, a manifestation of hope, happiness, and the will to survive... but unlike a real person, it doesn't feel despair, so Dementors can't affect it..."
Professor Lupin cleared his throat and continued, "You must focus all your will on a particularly happy moment for the spell to work...
"Do you remember my request before the holidays? Those happy memories... Now, I'll give you some time to recall them."
Soon, everyone's expressions began to change.
"The incantation is..." Professor Lupin clearly said, "Expecto Patronum!"
"Expecto Patronum..."
"Now, focus your thoughts on those happy memories, and then say the incantation."
Following Professor Lupin's instructions, everyone began to do so.
Before long, the Great Hall began to fill with silvery-white mist, like a morning fog.
It gathered in the air above the hall, growing thicker and thicker.
"Very good," Professor Lupin smiled, "It seems you've grasped the basics. Are you ready for more advanced practice?"
"We're ready," everyone held their breath, gripping their wands tightly.
Professor Lupin placed his hand on the box and gently pressed it.
The box didn't open, but several small holes appeared.
The students at the front could faintly hear a long, deep breath.
A bone-chilling cold began to spread, and the silvery mist that had gathered above the hall quickly dissipated.
Some began to tremble, struggling to hold their wands, and couldn't help but want to escape. Others gritted their teeth and began to chant the incantation louder.
"Expecto Patronum..."
"Expecto Patronum!"
The silvery mist continued to dissipate, but new mist kept forming.
"Snap!"
After an unknown amount of time, Professor Lupin closed the holes in the box.
The cold disappeared with it.
(End of Chapter)
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