Chapter 15
Patronus
"They're here! They're here!" I yelled happily at the top of my lungs, as I ran into the great hall on Wednesday night.
It was dinner time and I had gone to my room to drop my books and things off, and found an extremely large and heavy box sitting on the table in my common room. There was a note from Klaus sitting on top of it saying that Elijah, Stefan, Damon, and him had already taken out their costumes. Thankfully Hermione had shown me how to use the levitating charm, so I was able to float the box in front of me, instead of carrying it. I was not going to be able to carry a 100 pound box!
I set it down on the Gryffindor table, and grinned at Remus and Sirius who came running over from the head table. I ripped open the box and we all peered inside. There were more boxes inside telling us what each costume was.
"Oh my gosh I'm so excited!" Lavender squealed.
"Ok first one is…hotdog." I said, and handed the large box over to Crabbe, who tore it open.
He pulled it out and we all started laughing. "This is wicked!" He cried, as he laughed loudly at the large foam hotdog. It had arm holes, leg holes, and an opening for his head.
I handed out the rest, and pretty soon Fred and George were sword fighting with their fake plastic Zorro type swords, and Draco had stuck his crown on his head.
He jumped onto the table and cried out in a loud voice. "I am King Draco. Bow before me peasants of Hogwarts!"
Fred and George started waving their swords at him, and Harry wacked him with his cane that we had gotten to go with his Gothic Vampire outfit. Ginny however, had placed her Angelica hat on her head, grabbed him from behind, and placed her plastic dagger in his side.
"And I'm the beautiful pirate Angelica. I don't take orders from anyone!" She cried grinning.
We all doubled over in laughter and all the muggle borns cheered, as the others looked on confused.
"I don't see Mum's and Dad's in there." Ron said frowning at the box.
"Oh Klaus said in his note, that he took them out and owled them to your parents already. Stephen and Carling's too, since they are at your house."
"Oh ok then." He grinned. "I was thinking that they hadn't come."
I shook my head, placed my black crown on my head, stood up beside Draco, and grinned. "I'm the evil Queen of the Undead. All those who do not wish to die, shall bow before me, or suffer my wrath!"
"I'd do what she says!" Draco shouted. "She's insane!" And we all burst out laughing again.
Blaise was walking around with his crazy orange Mad Hatter wig and top hat on, and Goyle was walking around, holding up his foam cheeseburger costume.
"Are you guys dressing in muggle costumes for Halloween?" Justin Finch-Fletchley, a muggle born fifth year Hufflepuff asked, coming over to the table.
"Hey Justin!" Harry cried. "Yeah we are. Since it's on a Saturday, Professor Dumbledore gave us permission to do it."
"Wicked! I wonder if I can too? It would be fun!"
"I don't see why not." Remus said, placing his Chicago Mobster style hat on. "Make sure it is ok with Professor Sprout though."
"Hey Professor Sprout, can I dress up too?" He yelled to her at the head table.
She looked a little taken back and confused, so Professor Dumbledore stood up and smiled.
"It seems," he said loudly, and everyone in the great hall settled down so we could hear him, "that dressing up in costumes is a tradition that muggles do for Halloween. Since Halloween is on a Saturday this year, anyone who wishes to dress up in muggle costumes, is free to do so."
All the muggle borns and those like Harry and I, who were raised in the muggle world, let out cheers. Those who didn't understand, started asking those that did, and pretty soon everyone was talking about what they wanted to be for Halloween. Well except a few Slytherins, who were opposed to anything muggle. Three guess on who that was!
I was once again alone in my common room, and was doing my homework for the day. Remus had left with the guys, Hermione, Lavender, and Ginny an hour ago, and now it was getting near curfew. On Monday he had started to give us all lessons on how to cast a patronus, so tonight was our second lesson. Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise were worried that if they tried to cast one, that maggots would eat them, but Salazar assured them it wouldn't happen, since they didn't have plans on becoming Dark Wizards. Harry, who already knew how to cast one, also helped. George managed to get wisps of something silvery to appear, and Hermione managed a very tiny shield one, but the rest of us hadn't quiet got there yet. I somehow managed to blast apart the coffee table, and we still hadn't figured out how that happened. That's ok though, Salazar and Remus said I'd get there eventually.
"Hey Salazar, what do you know about giant wars?" I asked, banging my head on the study table.
"Not much, because it was after my time, but I do know that if you keep banging your head, you will get a headache."
I snorted. "True." I said, and rubbed my forehead.
"You are a stupid filthy Blood-traitor!" Millicent yelled, stomping into my common room.
"Your stupid idea has got the whole House talking about dressing up in muggle costumes for Halloween!" Pansy cried, following her in. "Muggles and muggle things are DUMB!"
Daphne, who wasn't far behind them, stood in the doorway and glared at me.
I rolled my eyes and turned to Salazar. "Do you have any good hexes you could share with me?" I asked.
"Actually yes, there is one. It causes acid to spew out of your wand. The incantation is, 'Go away brainwashed child.' Feel free to use it." He said, with a wave of his hand, and he sat down in his chair.
I smirked at Pansy, and she narrowed her eyes at Salazar. "You know, my Father says you aren't the real Salazar Slytherin. I told him all about you and what you believe, and he says that you are just claiming to be him, and that Dumbledore put you here."
"My parents say the same." Millicent and Daphne said at the same time.
"Well children, I'll have you know that I am the real Slytherin, and I can't help the fact that your parents are brainless idiots." He said scowling at them. "Furthermore, it would do you well to listen to the things I have said about the muggles in today's world. You must understand that my old beliefs are no longer relevant."
"We will listen to what the real Salazar Slytherin taught and believed in. Not an imposter." Pansy said, folding her arms in front of her and scowling.
"Oh Pansy, just go somewhere else. You're starting to give me a headache." I sighed, rolling my eyes at her, and Salazar snorted.
"You know," she said glaring at me, "I'm tired of your attitude toward me, so since I'm a prefect, I think I'll give you detention." Then she smiled evilly. "For the Saturday that Halloween is on."
"You can't do that!" I cried, jumping up from the table.
"Oh but I can, and I just did." She said. "I'll also be taking points away from any student I hear talking about Halloween costumes."
I glared at her. "Well by all means take points away from other Slytherins."
"No not Slytherin students, because that will just hurt our own house. I'll leave the rest of them alone."
"Your abusing your prefect privileges." Salazar said.
"Shut up imposter." Daphne said. "No one wants to hear your foolishness."
"Lynn, you'll be serving detention with me for that day." Remus said, appearing out of nowhere. "Don't worry, I'll have you write 10 lines saying, 'This is crap.' It shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes to complete. I'll also let the other Professors know about Miss Parkinson's little plan, and we will adjust house points accordingly."
"Thank you Remus." I said smirking at him.
"Werewolf, you have no reason to be sticking your nose into my business." Pansy said.
"You forget who I am, Miss Parkinson." Remus said, glaring at her. "I'm a Professor, and a Head of House. It's my duty to make sure Prefects aren't abusing their privileges. I'll be discussing your attitude with Professor Snape and the Headmaster."
Pansy narrowed her eyes at him, but didn't say anything else.
"How did you know what was being said?" Daphne asked. "I didn't see you in the corridor."
"I have my ways." He said smiling at her.
Salazar and I snorted. You see, except for the other Professors, and those in our group of friends, the rest of the school has no idea that Remus is a Hybrid, and we want it to stay that way for as long as possible.
"Now it's after curfew and I suggest that you three head to your common room, or I'll be forced to give you detention." He said.
"I don't think it's fair that she gets her own room and common room." Pansy said, pointing at me. "Just because Greyback wants her to become his plaything."
"The Headmaster thinks otherwise." Salazar said. "And it's not your concern what Lynn gets."
Pansy and her friends glared at me and Salazar, but didn't say anything. They brushed past Remus, headed down the corridor, and disappeared into the Slytherin common room.
Remus laughed, and looked in their direction. "They are complaining about me sticking my nose where it doesn't belong, and Draco just told them to shove off."
I laughed too. "I was hoping that you were listening to what was happening here. Thank you." I said.
"Not a problem. Don't worry though, I'll have your detention revoked."
I smiled at him. "Thanks."
"Well I'm going to start my rounds, so I'll leave you now. Make sure you pay attention to chapter 5 in your D.A.D.A. textbook. I may have a surprise for your next class." He said with a grin.
"Not another test." I groaned, scrunching up my face.
Remus winked at me, and headed off down the corridor. The crow and Blue came in through the open window, so I knew they were done hunting for the night and closed it. I settled back down at the table to try and wade through my History of Magic homework. I really don't like that class.
I waved my wand in a big circle over my head. "Expecto Patronum!" I cried, and for the fourth time that night nothing happened. I sighed in defeat. "I'm never going to be able to do this."
"I think you're trying too hard." Harry said. "You need to relax, concentrate on your happy memory, and breathe. Like this." He said, and he relaxed, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. "Expecto Patronum!" He cried, and his silvery stag burst forth from his wand, and bounded around the room before disappearing.
It was Friday night, and Remus was teaching us the Patronus Charm again, but he was busy with Ron, so Harry was trying to help me. It was our third lesson, and to make things worse, Sirius, Damon, Elijah, Klaus and Stefan were there making sarcastic comments, and eating popcorn. Hermione was now able to cast a corporeal one, which turned out to be an otter, and everyone else was able to cast shield ones. I was the only one who hadn't been able to do anything yet. Tomorrow was Saturday, but we still had a week before Halloween, and I wanted to be able to cast a patronus before then. Not to mention I wanted to find out what it was.
"Harry is right Lynn. What is your happy memory? Maybe it has to do with that." Remus said walking over to me.
"I don't think so. My happy memory is the day we," I said pointing to the boys, "decided to become a family."
"Try another one Lynn. Maybe that will work." Stefan said.
"But that is a happy memory for me!" I protested.
"But it might not be powerful enough." Stefan answered.
"Well let's see you cast a patronus. Go on I dare you to try."
"Oh no, after what happed to Damon, I'm not going to." He answered.
"Chicken!"
He sighed. "Ok, but all of you stand back, just in case. It's been 75 years since I last cast one, and I don't know what will happen." He said standing up.
We backed up, but Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle mashed themselves against the back wall. Stefan closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. "Expecto Patronum!" He cried, waving his wand in a big circle. A silvery lamb burst out of it, walked over to him, and settled down at his feet. Stefan's face it up in a big smile. "It's still a lamb, and not a bunch of maggots. I can't believe it!" He cried.
"Aww he is so cute!" Lavender squealed, and walked over to it. She ran her fingers through the lamb, and it turned to her and nodded.
"Why is it a lamb?" Crabbe asked. "You're a vampire."
"Well, it's always been a lamb. Even when I was still human." He answered.
"Your patronus mostly reflects your personality." Remus said. "From what we know about Stefan, he is a gentle person, so a lamb isn't that much of a surprise to be honest."
"Damon, what did yours use to be?" Harry asked, as Stefan's lamb disappeared.
"A rooster." He said, with his mouth full of popcorn. "But you're not going to get me to cast a patronus. I don't want to be eaten."
"But that was 75 years ago. You have changed since then." Stefan said looking at his brother. "Give it a try. You're not a dark wizard anymore, and you haven't been or almost 17 years."
"Nope." He said shaking his head.
"Please Damon." I said making puppy dog eyes at him.
He looked at me and sighed. "Fine, but if I get attacked by maggots, I'm blaming you." He said pointing to me.
We all backed up again, but this time we all mashed ourselves against the wall. Damon stood in the middle of the room, and even Salazar looked like he was trying to get further out of the way.
Damon looked at me for a moment, closed his eyes for a few seconds, and cried, "Expecto Patronum!" He ducked and yelled, but instead of maggots, a large bat flew out of his wand, and he stared at it looking stunned.
"I thought you said it was a rooster." Blaise said, looking confused.
"It was. I don't know why it changed." He said dumbfounded.
"It can change for a number of reasons." Remus said. "An emotional upheaval or falling in love, are the most common."
"What was your happy memory?" Stefan asked.
Damon mumbled something, but we couldn't hear it.
"What?" Sirius asked.
"The first time I held Lynn when she was a baby." He said a little louder, as he stared at the floor.
Silence reigned for a moment, then Klaus said. "So falling in love then." He said with a smile.
I ran over to Damon and threw my arms around him. "I love you."
"I love you too Princess." He whispered, as he hugged me tight. "I changed a lot the day you were born you know, and even more so when I knew Stefan and I were going to raise you. I refused to be the person I was, because I didn't want you growing up with all that darkness."
I smiled up at him. "I'm glad you did." I said, giving him a kiss on the lips.
"Hey!" Klaus said with a grin.
"Oh hush, Mr. Jealous." I grinned back, and everyone cracked a smile and chuckled.
"So if Damon's is a bat, what will Lynn's be?" Hermione asked.
"Well there is only one way to find out." Sirius said, looking at me with a grin.
Everyone grinned as I stood in the middle of the room. "Ok Lynn," Remus said, "relax, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Talk to us about your memory. What do you see?"
"I see the five of us standing in Klaus's foyer, we are still a little sad because a week ago, their sister and brothers were killed, but then Stefan said, 'Let's become a family.' I'm laughing because I said, 'Kinda like The Brady Bunch.' Klaus is smiling at me and laughing. 'Something like that.' He said. I'm happy, because there is more people that I get to love. Elijah is grinning and nodding, and he said, "I'd like that too.' Damon looked at me, smiled and asked, 'Is becoming a family what you want?' And I said 'Yes, I want us to be a family.' "
"What are you feeling?" Remus asked.
"All I can think about is love, there are more people that I can love now, and I'm so very happy because of it." I answered.
"Let those feelings fill you up." He said. "Now try again."
I waved my wand over my head and cried, "Expecto Patronum!" I peeked my eyes open, and there floating in the air in front of me was a bat, only it was slightly smaller than Damon's. "I did it!" I cried jumping up and down in the air. I looked at my boys, and they were grinning from ear to ear.
"So Damon's is a bat, because Lynn's is a bat." Harry commented. "Kinda like my Mum's and Dad's. Mum's was a doe, and Dad's was the same as mine. A stag."
"It seems that way. Damon's must be a male bat because it's larger, and Lynn's is a female, I'd guess." Remus said. "Sometimes that happens. Patronesses can complement each other, if the two people have a deep connection."
"You're not mad about that are you?" I asked, looking at Klaus worriedly.
He looked at me as if I'd gone stupid. "Of course not Love. I'm happy, and honestly it makes sense if you think about. The two of you are so much alike, and love each other no matter how much you fight, so it's really not a surprise." He said kissing me. "Mine would probably be a bat too."
"It very well possibly could." Remus said with a nod.
"Why don't you try Klaus." Blaise said.
"Oh no. I would be attacked by maggots." He said. "Besides I'll leave the Patronesses to the goody-goodies." And I wacked him on the arm.
"But why a bat?" Ron asked.
"I know that one." Salazar said, and we all turned to look at him. "Bats are guardians of the night. They symbolize death and rebirth. Bats are social creatures, and they have strong family ties. They are also very nurturing, and are very sensitive toward the needs of the other members of their group."
"Well that makes sense." I said. "But I'm happy it's a bat. It fits our family perfectly."
Suddenly Blaise burst out laughing. "I bet they are vampire bats."
We all cracked up laughing.
"Elijah, what about you?" Hermione asked.
"Well Darling, I'd say mine would probably be maggots, so I better not even try." He said with a grin.
"All right then." She replied with a snicker. "I guess I don't need an image of you being attacked, so we'll just leave it at that."
"What's yours Sirius?" Damon asked.
"Same as my animagus form. It's a dog." He said munching on more popcorn. "This is good. I've never tasted popcorn before."
We laughed at him, and began practicing. By the end of the night, we all had managed to cast them successfully. Since we were all able to produce corporeal patronesses, Remus said that he would start teaching us how to make them talk tomorrow afternoon, so we were all excited. We decided we were going to head to the library after breakfast in the morning, to find out what the other's patronesses meant. There was also some good news!
"Did you guys hear about Pansy?" Draco whispered, as him, Hermione, and Ron sat down at our table in the library.
"No." Harry answered.
"We just got out of a Prefects meeting with Professor Dumbledore, and it seems her prefect privileges have been revoked." Hermione whispered.
"She isn't a prefect anymore?" I asked, with a large smile on my face, and the three of them nodded. "Yes!" I cried, then quickly covered my mouth, as Madam Pince shot a nasty look in our direction. "I have to admit, I've been waiting for this day."
"Dumbledore warned her that this would happen. She was already in enough trouble after she cursed your stuff, and he said that if she was caught doing anything else out of line, that he would revoke her privileges." Draco said. "Snape is not happy with her."
"Did Dumbledore say why?" I asked.
"No, we don't know what she did this time." Hermione said shaking her head.
"Well I do." I replied with a grin, and told them what happened the other night when she tried to give me detention.
"Thank you Remus!" Harry whispered loudly, and grinning. "I hope your listening."
"He probably is." I said, with a grin of my own.
Madam Pince came up to us with a scowl on her face. "If you children can't be quiet, I'll make you leave!" She cried.
I held up the book I was reading. "I'd like to check out this book please."
She eyed me suspiciously. "What for?" She asked with a scowl.
"Professor Lupin has taught us how to cast the Patronus Charm, and we want to find out the meaning of our animals." I replied.
"Fine." She said, snatching the book out of my hand. "Meet me at the checkout desk." She turned on her heel and stalked to the front of the library.
We rolled our eyes at each other, gathered up our things, and followed her. Once we got to my common room, I spread the book out on the table in front of us.
"Ok, who's was what?" I asked.
"Mine was a horse." Ginny said.
"Horse. Horse." I said, thumbing through the book. "Ok here it is. It says, the horse means stamina, mobility, strength, and power."
"That's really good Ginny!" Harry said, and her face lit up in a big smile.
"Mine was a Jack Russell Terrier." Ron said, and I thumbed through the book again.
"I don't see that specific one, but the dog means loyal, friendly, and trustworthy."
"That sounds like you Ron." Hermione said with a snicker. "Ok mine was an otter."
"Uh-huh." I said looking at the page, after I found it.
"What does it say?" She said, trying to take the book away.
"Evil, avoid at all costs, and know-it-all." I said with a grin, and everyone burst out laughing. "No seriously. It says laughter, curiosity, mischievous, grace, and empathy."
"That's our Hermione." Ron snorted, and she whacked him on the arm.
"What does the turtle mean?" Blaise asked.
"Let's see. Self contained, creative source, informed decisions, planning, and adaptability."
"That's pretty good." He said with a grin.
The fireplace roared to life and the boys came in one by one.
"Whatca doing?" Stefan asked coming up behind me.
"We are finding out the meaning of our patronesses." Hermione said with a grin, and told Elijah what hers meant.
"That sounds about right." He said, as he took a seat next to her.
"Ours was the coyote." Fred and George said together.
I thumbed to the front of the book, read it, and burst out laughing. "Figures." I said looking at the twins with a grin. "Coyote means prankster, insight, playful, clowning, humor, and perhaps sarcastic."
"That's us!" They cried, and high fived each other, and we all laughed.
"Ok mine was a dragon." Draco said.
"Dragon. It says wisdom, noble, and magical." I said, looking up from the book.
"I can live with that." He said with a grin.
"Mine was the dragonfly." Lavender said.
"It says. Flighty, carefree, whirlwind swiftness, and activity." I said, grinning at her.
"That's me!" She cried happily.
"Ok Crabbe what was yours?" I asked.
"It was a shark."
"All this flipping back and forth like this is going to make me dizzy." I laughed. "Ok shark says, hunter, survival, and adaptability."
"I like it." He said with a nod.
"It does suit you." Draco said with a grin.
"Mine was an alligator." Goyle said.
"Alrighty. Alligator is aggression, survival, and also adaptability."
He grinned. "I like mine too."
"Ok mine is a stag." Harry said. "What does that mean?"
"Well it doesn't have stag, but it has a deer so let me see. "Love, gentleness, kindness, gracefulness, and sensitivity. It also says, message of purity, of purpose, and walking in the light."
"That's definitely Harry!" Ron cried.
"And rightfully so." Salazar said with an approving nod.
"We agree." Sirius and Remus said together.
"Hey!" I said. "I didn't see you guys come in."
"We've been standing here for five minutes." Remus said with a laugh. "I'm curious though, what does it say for werewolf?"
"Hmm. Well it doesn't have werewolf, but it does have wolf, so let's see." I burst out laughing. "It says, loyalty, success, perseverance, stability, and thought. Wolves are also regarded as teachers."
"Well that's good!" He said.
"And very true for you." Sirius remarked.
"I'm not done." I said with a grin. "It also says, the wolf is a representative of the constellation Sirius, the Dog Star."
Everyone burst out laughing. "Does it really?" Sirius said, as he doubled over and laughed even harder.
I handed him the book. "I kid you not." I said with a grin.
"It's true!" Sirius cried through tears of laughter. "It says it right there." And he handed the book to Remus, who also doubled over in laughter.
"I don't get it?" Crabbe said. "Why is that funny?"
Sirius wiped his tears away and looked at him. "The Black family has always named their kids after stars and constellations. They named me Sirius, which if you know your astronomy, is known as the dog star. What makes it even more hilarious is the fact that my animagus and patronus forms are both dogs."
He looked from Remus to Sirius, and burst out laughing. "Oh I get it now!"
That only made us laugh harder.
It only took Remus about an hour to teach us how to make our patronesses talk. Turns out that Dumbledore really is a genius, because the spell is so simple and easy to do. All you have to do is cast your patronus, flick your wand at it, and say 'vocem', which apparently means 'voice' in Latin. The spell can be cast non-verbally, and you don't even have to tell it what to say out loud. You can think what you want it to say, and it will send the message to whoever you want to. Turns out it comes in quite handy.
I grinned at the two coyotes, otter, and dragon, that appeared in my bedroom. It was 1 in the morning, and well after curfew, but now that we could make our patronesses talk, we didn't have to break it to talk to each other. I had just sent my bat to the boys to tell them goodnight, and that I love them, and received messages from Stefan and Damon saying the same. Stefan's lamb ended up bounding around my room for a while, and Damon's bat decided it wanted to hang around the ceiling, but they both disappeared after about 5 minutes or so. Thankfully tomorrow is Sunday, and we didn't have any classes!
"So what are we going to do tomorrow?" The dragon asked.
"I think we should get the rest of our homework done, because we have been neglecting it." The otter said, and disappeared.
"I agree." I cast two bats and sent one back to Hermione and the other back to Draco.
"Homework is overrated." Fred's coyote said.
"We'd rather work on other things." George's replied.
Harry's stag suddenly appeared. "Well I know one thing about this new form of communication. It's hard having a conversation with twelve people!" It laughed, and disappeared.
I sent my bat back with a laugh. Apparently we were talking so much, that Remus decided we needed to go to sleep because suddenly there was a silvery werewolf standing in my room.
"If you all don't go to sleep, I'm going to confiscate your wands and never give them back." It said laughing.
I giggled, and sent my bat back with a reply. "Yes sir. Goodnight Remus."
A few minutes later it reappeared. "I just got twelve goodnights from some of my favorite students. I feel important." It laughed. "Now go to sleep, and no more replies."
I laughed at it. Maybe Remus was starting to regret teaching us how to do this!
*A/N* In case you are wondering where i got all the meanings of the Patronesses from, it is what the Native Americas believe for each form of animal. The meaning for the wolf is actually what they believe. When i read that, I couldn't help but laugh, because I gave Remus his Patronus in the last chapter with out even realizing what i was doing at the time. I thought it was funny and wanted to share it with you guys. I need you to tell me what you think about this chapter! What do you think is going to happen next? If anyone has any suggestions, or something you would like to see, let me know! I will consider all of them! Thank you to those who have followed, fav'ed and reviewed! I try to respond to all reviews, so please tell me what you think. Thank you for reading!**