Delight

"Focus on your thoughts," Severus instructed his seventh-year class. "Follow that feeling and trace it back to its source, like following a river to its headwater."

It was the same for all his students since he succeeded Remus as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He had made it his goal to have everyone, from their first to last day at Hogwarts, to study the Patronus Charm. Alice-Marie had, naturally, excelled at the charm during her final year and produced a raven; Neville and Hary had, respectively, formed an incorporeal and stag Patronus. And now, two years later, Marley was attempting her own along with her classmates, having had three years of prior practice before today.

"Expecto Patronum!" Astoria Greengrass chanted. A plume of white smoke shot out from the wand.

"You did it!" Marley said excitedly.

"It's just smoke, Marley."

"Better than me." Marley's cheer dimmed before she'd finished her sentence.

Severus hesitated, but eventually decided to step forward. "Miss Snape, if I might ask you a few questions."

"Yes, professor?" Marley replied.

"What memory did you choose?"

"... I don't really have a specific one..." Marley's cheeks reddened.

"Do they all have something... or someone... in common?"

Marley didn't answer; instead, she furrowed her brow in thought and crossed her arms. It lasted very briefly, because a look of epiphany washed over her face, and her eyes softened. Tracing her wand in the air, she whispered, "Expecto Patronum!"

A bright light shot out from the tip of her wand, the smoke twisting and forming an animal in the air. Severus watched as webbed feet formed around a rounded body, a paddled tail jutting out from behind and propelling the animal forward.

"A beaver!" Miss Greengrass cooed, a wide smile appearing on her face as she laughed.

Marley looked wide-eyed at the beaver as it swam and paddled through the air. She covered her mouth and let out a laugh as her eyes grew damp, and she turned to Severus and Miss Greengrass. "I did it!"

"What were you thinking about?" Miss Greengrass asked in an almost-teasing manner.

"... whom," Marley corrected the other girl as she fought and failed to contain her smile. "I'll introduce you after we graduate." She turned to Severus and said, "Thanks, D- thanks, professor!"

Severus nodded, containing his pride. "Of course, Miss Snape. Of course."