Adrian didn't sleep that night. He was restless. He paced the bedroom and the common room for hours. At one point Sam stirred and Adrian dove back into bed. He didn't want to deal with anyone just then. But Sam only rolled over and resumed his heavy breathing.

Adrian was leaning against a bedpost, dozing, when an owl's call announced the dawn. He snapped his eyes open and stood quickly, then immediately yawned. Adrian stretched, resigning himself to a very long day.

~DetrimentalStorm~

After lunch the Slytherins went to Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Ravenclaws. Sam had been talking, and still was, since daybreak. He didn't even stop as he hurriedly scribbled down some answers to the homework that was due in only a moment. Adrian had been ignoring him for over an hour now. It wasn't like he was saying anything important.

Professor Joain entered the room, striding toward his desk. "Good morning!" he said cheerfully, turning to face the class. "What are we doing today?"

There was silence for a few moments, but at Professor Joain's urging, some suggestions, such as learning a new spell or talking about werewolves, were muttered throughout the room.

"Show some enthusiasm!" Joain laughed. "You won't get in trouble. Probably." He shrugged. "It all depends on what you say. Now think happy thoughts!"

"Patronus!" a flaxen-haired Ravenclaw shouted from the back of the room.

"Very good, Thomas! It's nice to know someone can understand my hint. I spent ten minutes of my last class trying to make them figure it out. Then I caved in and told them. Anyway," he finished, clapping his hands together, "Let's get started!"

Joain had everyone take out their wands. "Dementors, as we all know, are very terrible creatures. They suck the happiness right out of you like it's chocolate." No grin accompanied Joain's comparison. He was serious. "Each and every one of you need to know how to protect yourself. This exercise is very important, as it could one day save your life. I'm aware that this is a higher level spell, but due to recent events, I think it's necessary."

Recent events? Whispers immediately began to spread throughout the room like fiendfyre.

"Ah… You weren't supposed to hear that." Joain grimaced. "Well, it's out now, and you deserve to know the situation." He took a deep breath. "Yesterday a massive cloud of dementors was spotted over London."

The room was silent. In recent history, more than a couple of dementor sightings a year would be cause to worry. But a whole cloud?

"How many?" a small voice croaked from the far side of the room.

Joain sighed and rubbed his face tiredly. "Hundreds."

A loud clamor broke out, and the professor held up his hands. "Please. Proper safety precautions have been taken, for muggles and wizards alike. Besides, the dementors didn't seem to have any interest in the people. Your family members should be fine. Although, I must say, we have no idea where the dementors are heading." Joain glanced around the room. "Now do you see how important this spell is?"

The class nodded.

"Good," Joain said, satisfied. "And remember, no need to cause mass panic. Now go find a partner to practice with."

Adrian tensed. He glanced toward Sam, but Sam was already being dragged off by Nonim. Sam shrugged apologetically. What could he do?

"Adrian?"

Adrian turned to find a Ravenclaw girl standing behind him. Alice. "Wanna be partners?"

Glancing around and seeing no other options, Adrian nodded stiffly. Alice led a reluctant Adrian to an unoccupied corner.

"All right!" Joain called, cheerful once again. "You'll take turns. One of you attempt a patronus, then the other when I tell you to switch. First, you think. Think of the happiest item, person, memory you can imagine. Whatever makes you happy. When that has been accomplished, shout Expecto Patronum!"

"I'll go first," Alice declared. As she began to attempt the spell, Adrian watched Sam. He was enthusiastically swinging his wand and, as usual, producing little result. After a moment Adrian turned his attention back to Alice. Surprisingly, she had already managed a half-formed animal.

A few minutes later Joain called for the students to switch. Adrian stood, raised his wand, and stopped. He tried to think of a happy thought, anything at all. The week his father had taken a trip? But no, the maid had still been there to abuse him. Coming to Hogwarts? School wasn't exactly something he was joyful for.

Adrian attempted the spell for several minutes. No thought he tried produced even a wisp.