You Gotta Get Up and Try
Albus Potter let out a sigh. He wouldn't be able to do it. He tried, and he tried, but he just couldn't do it.
Closing his eyes, he said the spell again, "Expecto patronum!" Nothing but a silvery wisp appeared.
A frustrated shriek escaped his lips as he sat himself down on the floor.
"Albus?" a voice called out.
Looking up, he saw his dad in the door way. Harry looked at his son worriedly. "What's wrong?"
"I can't do it," Albus said, feeling rather dejected.
Harry moved and sat down next to his son. "What is it you're trying to do?"
"Cast a patronus charm," he whispered.
Harry arched his eyebrow. "You're rather young Albus; it's all right if you can't figure it out yet."
"But you did it when you were so young Dad! Only thirteen! And I'm fifteen, and I still can't do it." Albus let out a sigh, looking at the floor. "I'm rubbish at magic."
"No you're not," Harry said firmly, looking his son in the eye. "You need to be positive, think confidently in yourself. You won't accomplish a corporal patronus if you thinking negative thoughts."
Albus nodded. "I suppose you're right."
"Suppose?" Harry asked.
Albus sighed. "I know you're right. But it's just so hard! I don't know how people do it."
"Maybe change your memory?" Harry suggested. "The one you're holding onto might not be strong enough."
Albus bit his lip, but nodded. "Yeah, you might be right."
"Of course I'm right, I'm Harry Potter," he said, puffing out his chest.
"Yeah, yeah, savior of the wizarding world," Albus mumbled.
Closing his eyes, Albus chose a new memory. I need a powerful one. And it hit him. The most powerful memory he had was when he confessed to his best friend, Scorpius Malfoy, that he was gay. Albus had thought he was doomed to live a life on unrequited love, but to his surprise, Scorpius confessed that he too had feelings. Their lips crash together in a moment of excitement and passion. Albus smiled just thinking about it. That was the most powerful memory he had.
Taking a deep breath, he focused on all the emotions that he had felt that moment. "Expecto Patronum!" he cried, pointing his wand forward.
There was a flash, and all of a sudden, a silvery creature appeared. It was a seahorse. Albus grinned. "I did it!"
Harry stood, a smile on his face. "Albus, I'm so proud of you."
"I did it! I did it! I finally did it!" He had never been so happy. Albus had been practicing for months now, but he had finally achieved it.
"I'm impressed. You did this before James did," Harry said.
Albus turned. "Really? I'm the first to do it?"
Harry chuckled. "Well, I'm sure Rose might have beaten you to that, but out of my children, you are the first."
Albus smiled. "I've never been so happy."
"You should be; you've done beautifully." Harry looked at his son, a mixture of pride and love on his face.
"I need to go show Mum and Lily!" Albus cried, rushing down the stairs. He had finally done what he didn't think was possible. He had finally cast a real patronus. He had finally mastered the spell.
Written for:
The Numbers Challenge: option 11
The Latin Challenge: laetus
The Wand Wood Competition: Rowen option