Chapter 10

Sirius could tell that something was wrong and he was proven right when not only Snivellus smirked in his direction but also when Lily came and sat next to James during lunchtime and actually had a civil conversation; not that lover boy detected anything fishy.

'Prongs is out of his mind.' Moony whispered in his ears as they made their way to DADA.

'No! His mind went flying out of his body the second Lily-flower purposely flirted with him.' Padfoot said seriously.

'Didn't you see Lily and Bella talking hush hush in Potions.' Sirius whisper continued. At the mere mention of Bellatrix Remus straightened up and started walking faster.

'Hey wait! What's got your panties in a twist Moony?' Sirius looked at his werewolf best friend with a scowl on his face and his eyes widened in realisation.

'Oh no...nonononono! Moony you can't like Bella!' Sirius whisper yelled. Moony's stance went rigid at that. 'Excuse me. What do you mean by that?'

'I mean Bella's nice and all but you two can't be together. It's nothing personal man but..but grandfather Arcturus that Bella will be married to Rodolphus Lestrange once they both graduate.' The look of pure hurt that flashed across Remus' face made Sirius' heart ache.

Suddenly Remus started walking in opposite direction mumbling something about how he wasn't feeling well and would skip the class. Sirius was left alone in the corridor all bewildered at what had just happened.

'Bastard! Should have kept your mouth shut.' Sirius yelled at himself in the now empty corridor.

Everyone was waiting for Professor Peverell to enter and start the class. In their short time they had realised that DADA this year was the most interesting and entertaining class, so no one wanted to miss it. That was until today when only three out of the four Marauders sat in their usual places.

'Good morning everyone.' Professor Peverell spoke with her usual smile. Seeing that Remus wasn't sat beside Peter she raised her eyebrow.

'Mr Pettigrew, would you happen to know where Mr Lupin is?'

'He wasn't feeling well today Professor.' Sirius answered. This took Haradah by surprise. It wasn't a full moon today and the way Sirius wasn't using his flirty tone or avoiding James' questioning gaze told Haradah that the matter as something else. The concerned face of Bellatrix who was unsurprisingly sitting beside Alice, alsio didn't go unnoticed by her.

'Very well. Though I expect you to keep him updated of what we did in class today, Mr Black.'

'Of course Professor.'

'Alright class, for this assignment I'm going to pair you up- one from each house. You'll be doing a 4 foot long essay on this, to be submitted within two weeks. I'm giving you time because practical is more important and we will focus on that. So the next topic is Patronuses.' Excited murmurs broke throughout the class and Haradah just smiled at their enthusiasm.

'Alright, so first let's get you into your pairs.' She said as she took out a piece o parchment and started calling out names-

Miss Evans and Miss Greengrass

Mr Potter and Mr Snape

Mr Black and Mr Lestrange

Miss Black and Mr Lupin

Miss (Alice) and Mr Crouch

Mr Pettigrew and Miss Parkinson

Mr Davis and Mr Brown

The list went on and on as the students got up and started taking a seat beside their designated partner.

'Who can tell me what is a Patronus?' Haradah asked.

'Mr Lestrange?'

'A Patronus is a positive force which is used to repel dementors and lethifolds. The incantation used is Expecto Patronum.'

'Very good. 5 points to Slytherin. Anyone else wants to add something to it?' when no one answered Haradah continued on her own.

'As Mr Lestrange said, it is a positive force, a projection of the very things the dementors feed upon- hope, happiness, the desire to survive, but it cannot feel despair as real humans can so the dementors or lethifolds can't hurt it.' Haradah paused making sure each student understood.

'The Patronus has two forms- corporeal and non-corporeal. A non-corporal Patronus can appear as a thin wisp of silver that hovers like a mist, whereas a corporeal one has a clearly defined form.'

'Professor what does a Patronus look like?'

'It doesn't take the shape of your favourite animal, if that is what you're wondering.' Haradah said and immediately snickers erupted. 'In fact a Patronus is intrinsically tied to a witch's or wizard's personality. Any questions so far?'

'No professor.' A chorus was heard. 'Okay then let's get on to the practical part.' With w wave of her wand, desks were moved and neatly aligned at the side of the room leaving a large area in the middle.

'Now I want you to know that I don't expect you to produce a corporeal Patronus, so don't exert pressure on yourself.' Haradah said as she moved around the class, correcting the wand movements and encouraging them. The room was filled with bursts of silver lights, indicating a hopeful future in front of her. Haradah was painfully reminded of her 5th year at Hogwarts; the year she lost so much but she couldn't think like that. Sirius wasn't dead; he was happy and very much alive in front of her. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Bellatrix struggling and clearly annoyed, so Haradah moved towards her.

'I just can't seem to get it right.' Bella muttered. She was the only one who couldn't even produce a mist. Was her life really that horrible?

'You are stressing yourself too much. What memory are you using?'

'The first time I got my Hogwarts letter.' Bella replied looking sheepish. Being born in a strict pureblood family with parents like devil's reincarnates was tough on her. Her Hogwarts letter was something that she earned because she was a witch; seeing that letter on her 11th birthday had eased up a fear, Bella didn't know she had.

'That's not powerful enough sweetheart.' Haradah mumbled gaining Bella's full attention.

'You don't just remember happy memories, you feel them. You fell all the positive things in your life- hope, honesty, family, friends, love.' At that Bella looked at her professor dumbly but Haradah gave her a knowing smile.

'You feel them in here because they are a part of you; an important part of who you are today.' Haradah took out her wand and simply said, 'Expecto Patronum.'

At once all the activity in the room stopped as a beautiful snake came out, circling the room, spreading warmth and happiness and leaving the students in awe. Bella eyes left the beautiful creature in front of her to Haradah's face and she could see the; all emotions swirling in her sparkling green eyes but the most prominent one was that of Love. Love for someone Bella didn't know about.