CHAPTER 60: GUARDIANS OF LIGHT
"Welcome back, everyone," Harry greeted warmly, his green eyes sweeping over the gathered members of the D.A., or rather the reformed D.A. His voice was steady, confident, and filled with anticipation. "I hope you all spent some time practicing over the holidays because things are going to get more intense from here on out."
The room was filled with familiar faces, some eager, some hesitant. As he scanned the group, he could almost sense a quiet division among them. Some were brimming with determination, ready to face whatever challenges came next, while others still treated the meetings with casual interest, as though this were just another club. Yet, there were surprises in that mix.
Cormac McLaggen, for instance, was every bit as Harry had expected. He stood near the back, leaning lazily against the wall, his eyes roaming from one girl to the next. Every so often, Harry noticed him flashing a grin at Hermione, whose patience with him was wearing noticeably thin, her lips pursed in frustration as she half-heartedly acknowledged his presence. In contrast, Lavender Brown, who Harry had initially thought would be more interested in gossiping than spellcasting, actually appeared focused. Though she occasionally whispered to Parvati, she paid much more attention than he would have expected.
Harry cleared his throat, bringing everyone's attention back to him. "Today we're going to start something new," he began, his tone taking on a more serious edge. "Something that might take quite a while to master. But I promise, once you do, it could very well be one of the most important things you ever learn."
A ripple of curiosity spread through the room. Harry took a moment to watch the effect his words had on the club members. Dean Thomas, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor, gave a playful grin and raised an eyebrow. "You're scaring us, Harry," he teased lightly. "What's so difficult? And why's it so important for us to learn?"
Harry couldn't help but smile at Dean's usual lightheartedness, though the importance of what they were about to learn kept his own demeanor grounded. "What's so important," he said, his smile broadening, "is the Patronus Charm."
The room buzzed with murmurs, confusion, and excitement in equal measure. Half of the club seemed to recognize what Harry was talking about, their expressions a mix of awe and nervous anticipation. Others, however, looked utterly lost, as though Harry had just spoken in Parseltongue.
"Wait, a Patronus?" Neville asked from near the front, his brow furrowed in thought. "That's… isn't that one of the most difficult spells there is?"
"Exactly," Harry replied, nodding at Neville. "It's advanced magic, no question. But it's also one of the most useful defensive spells you can learn, especially against creatures like Dementors. And trust me, with everything that's been happening in the Wizarding world, it's better to know how to defend yourself now than regret it later."
Harry caught a few skeptical glances darting his way, none more prominent than Cormac McLaggen's. McLaggen snorted, folding his arms over his chest with a smug expression. "Oh, come off it, Potter," he jeered. "Are you seriously trying to tell us you can cast a Patronus?"
Harry didn't respond right away, choosing instead to roll his eyes at McLaggen's bravado. He could sense Hermione shifting uncomfortably beside him, no doubt annoyed by Cormac's constant interruptions. Without a word, Harry let his mind drift to a memory, one that filled him with an overwhelming surge of warmth—the moment he had slipped the promise ring onto Fleur's finger just before their betrothal ball. The memory glowed bright within him, like a beacon of pure joy and hope.
With a quick, practiced motion, Harry drew his wand from his pocket and raised it. His voice rang with clarity and confidence as he exclaimed, "Expecto Patronum!"
Brilliant silver light burst forth from his wand, dazzling the entire room. A majestic, ethereal stag materialized from the mist, its antlers gleaming as it galloped around the room, illuminating every corner with its radiant glow. The Patronus stood tall, proud, its hooves barely grazing the floor as it moved gracefully through the air, casting an otherworldly shimmer upon everyone present.
The room fell into an awed silence, broken only by gasps of astonishment. Lavender let out a soft squeal of excitement, while Seamus, who had been sitting next to her, nearly fell over in surprise. Dean's mouth hung open, and even Neville looked utterly entranced by the sight.
"Bloody brilliant," Ron muttered, his eyes wide with admiration.
Harry gave a small, satisfied smile as the stag trotted back toward him before slowly dissolving into thin wisps of silver mist. He turned back to face the group, tucking his wand away as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Any questions?" he asked, his tone casual, though he couldn't suppress the grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
Hermione was the first to speak, though her tone was more matter-of-fact than impressed. "Not everyone can produce a full Patronus, Harry. Even some of the best wizards struggle with it."
Harry nodded in agreement. "That's true. And it's not going to be easy. But that's why we're starting with the basics. Today, I want to focus on teaching you how to summon the Patronus charm in its non-corporeal form. Once you get a feel for that, we'll work on refining it."
McLaggen, still trying to save face, snorted again. "Yeah, like it's that simple."
Hermione gave him a withering look. "Perhaps you'd like to demonstrate for us, McLaggen?"
The group chuckled, and McLaggen grumbled something under his breath, clearly not willing to take up the challenge. Harry, however, kept his focus on the task at hand.
"Alright, everyone," he said, stepping forward, "to cast the Patronus Charm, you need to focus on a memory—something that makes you feel truly happy, something strong enough to push back the darkness. It has to be personal, something that fills you with hope."
He glanced around, making sure they were all paying attention. "Remember, the magic comes from within. You have to believe in that memory, let it fill you up, and then channel that energy through your wand. It won't work if your mind isn't fully focused."
There were nods from around the room, but also hints of uncertainty. Lavender raised her hand timidly. "What if… what if we don't have a memory strong enough?"
Harry's expression softened. "Everyone has one, Lavender. It might take some time to find it, but trust me, it's there."
And with that, Harry began the lesson, walking his friends and fellow students through the first steps of mastering the Patronus Charm. He knew this was no simple task—many seasoned wizards struggled with it—but he believed in the D.A. members. For some, this would be one of the hardest spells they would ever attempt, but it could also be one of the most rewarding.
With a steady hand and the image of Fleur's radiant smile fixed in his mind, Harry raised his wand once more. "Expecto Patronum!"
A brilliant silver light shot from his wand, coalescing almost immediately into the shape of the familiar stag. The ethereal creature stood tall and proud, prancing around the room with a grace that left the students mesmerized. Gasps of awe and excitement filled the room as the shimmering Patronus made its way around the crowd, its hooves barely skimming the ground, radiating warmth and light.
From the corner of his eye, Harry caught sight of Sirius Black, seated at the back of the room, observing the scene. His godfather had an unmistakable smirk on his face, giving Harry a thumbs-up in approval—no doubt impressed by how Harry had handled McLaggen's earlier arrogance. But what really caught Harry's attention was the slight mistiness in Sirius' eyes. Harry knew why. Though Sirius had been there when Harry first cast the Patronus back in third year, his focus then had been entirely on the Dementors threatening to devour their souls. This, however, was the first time Sirius had been able to see the Patronus clearly, up close, and Harry could tell that it reminded him of the first stag Potter he had known—James Potter, his best friend.
Sirius' nostalgia seemed to hang in the air for a moment, but it was soon broken as the Patronus shifted its attention toward Fleur. The majestic stag trotted up to her and, much to Harry's delight, nuzzled her cheek with its ghostly snout. Fleur let out a surprised giggle, her musical laughter echoing in the room, which immediately prompted a chorus of soft "Awws" from the girls, and even a few envious sighs from the boys.
Harry felt a warm flush in his chest as he shared a tender smile with Fleur, her cheeks still tinged with a light blush. With a final flick of his wand, he allowed the Patronus to dissipate into a shimmering mist that slowly faded away.
Turning his attention back to the rest of the group, Harry noticed that Cormac McLaggen stood there, slack-jawed, clearly dumbfounded by the display. Smiling slyly, Harry walked closer and said, "You should know by now, McLaggen, that I don't make any claims I can't back up. Any questions?"
McLaggen's mouth opened as if to retort, but before he could say anything, another voice from the opposite side of the room cut in.
"I've got a question," Nigel Johnson, a Slytherin member, spoke up, his voice filled with genuine curiosity. "How the hell did you manage to cast a corporeal Patronus? Isn't that supposed to be really difficult? Even for adult wizards?"
Harry glanced at Nigel and gave a dry chuckle. "Yeah, it's not exactly easy. But I had… some pretty strong motivation." He paused briefly before continuing, his voice more serious now. "Remember a couple of years ago when the Ministry stationed Dementors around Hogwarts?"
A chorus of understanding swept through the room, many students nodding. Those who had been there during the third year remembered the chilling, life-sucking presence of the Dementors all too well.
"Well, they seemed to take a special interest in me," Harry explained with a grim smile. "Professor Lupin—our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at the time—taught me the Patronus Charm so I could protect myself. It wasn't easy at first, but eventually, I got the hang of it. Now it's pretty much second nature."
The room fell silent, as though everyone was processing Harry's words. Some looked impressed, others daunted by the magnitude of the spell they were about to attempt.
"Now," Harry continued, resuming his pacing across the room, "can anyone tell me what a Patronus is, exactly?"
Angelina Johnson raised her hand, speaking confidently. "It's the embodiment of good emotions," she answered. "You summon a happy memory, something powerful, and use that to create the Patronus."
"Exactly right," Harry nodded. "The stronger the memory, the more powerful your Patronus will be."
Fred Weasley, ever eager to participate, chimed in with a mischievous grin. "So what can we use it for, Harry? Besides impressing our mates with shiny animals?"
The room chuckled, and Harry smiled, but his tone remained serious. "The Patronus Charm is primarily used for defense against certain dark creatures. Can anyone name some of those creatures?"
"Lethifolds and Dementors," George answered from next to his twin.
"Right again," Harry said, looking pleased. "The Patronus is one of the few things that can drive away Dementors or repel a Lethifold."
"What's a Lethifold?" Dennis Creevey asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Harry gave a small laugh. "Don't worry too much about Lethifolds. You won't find them around here—they're rare and usually found in tropical climates. But Dementors?" His voice dropped a little, becoming more intense. "Those are a real threat. They were aligned with Voldemort—" a few gasps and cringes followed the mention of the Dark Lord's name, as they always did, but Harry pressed on, undeterred, "—and I'm betting they will be again. That's why this charm is so important. Dementors feed on fear, despair, and hopelessness. The Patronus is a way to fight back against that."
The students exchanged nervous glances, clearly understanding the gravity of what Harry was teaching them. Harry could see that some of them were still doubtful, while others appeared more determined than ever.
"Right," Harry clapped his hands, bringing everyone's focus back. "We're going to practice the first steps today. No one's expecting to produce a full Patronus on your first try, but let's see if we can at least get some silver mist going. Remember: focus on a happy memory—something strong, something that makes you feel safe."
With those final words of instruction, the room filled with the sounds of students nervously preparing themselves, wands drawn, minds searching for the right memories. Harry moved among them, offering advice, correcting stances, and giving encouragement.
Silence followed Harry's declaration, but as he scanned the room, he could see that while some faces held expressions of fear or discomfort, most of the D.A. members were resolute, eager to learn. He hoped that determination would last. Casting a Patronus in a calm environment was already an immense challenge, but when faced with an actual Dementor, it became exponentially harder. The fear those creatures brought forth could cripple even the strongest wizard. They had to start working now, mastering both the magic and the mental fortitude necessary to repel such foul beings.
"Right then," Harry resumed, his voice steady and commanding as he stepped back toward the center of the room. "A few things before we get started. The Patronus Charm requires not just power but practice. Lots of it. And the most important part? You need a strong, happy memory to fuel the spell. If you can't find the right memory, you won't be able to cast it. So don't be discouraged if it doesn't work straight away."
He gave a knowing look to the group, sensing the mixture of excitement and apprehension swirling around the room. "That said," he continued, "I'll be honest with you: this spell is tough. Really tough. Not everyone is going to be able to produce a corporeal Patronus, no matter how hard they try."
A collective groan of frustration rippled through the room, and Harry saw some annoyed glances pass between a few of the students. He raised his hands to quiet them. "Hey, I'm not saying you won't manage something. You might not cast a full animal Patronus, but an incorporeal one is still useful. It acts like a shield. It can give you enough time to escape or call for help."
Some of the groans subsided, though there were still doubtful looks from a few students, particularly those who prided themselves on their magical prowess. Harry caught sight of Cormac McLaggen, his arms folded across his chest, looking unimpressed.
"And one last thing," Harry added, his tone more serious now. "A Patronus doesn't destroy Dementors. It drives them off. There's no known way to kill a Dementor."
"Not even with a really powerful Patronus?" Parvati Patil asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Harry paused, glancing over at Hermione, silently motioning for her to take the question. She met his gaze, then shifted into what Harry affectionately referred to as her "lecture mode."
"There are no known instances," Hermione began, her voice taking on a measured, almost scholarly tone, "where a Dementor has been killed or even injured by a Patronus, or any other spell for that matter. Dementors are not truly alive in the traditional sense—they're more like manifestations of dark energy. The Ministry of Magic doesn't exactly control them, either. They stay at Azkaban because the environment suits them. They feed on the positive emotions of the prisoners until, well, until the prisoners are too far gone to feel anything at all. But Dementors have no loyalty, no morals, no honor as we'd understand it. If Voldemort offers them a steady supply of souls—"
"—They'll join him," Harry finished, his voice grave. "Just like they did last time."
A murmur of unease passed through the group. The reality of the situation was beginning to sink in. Harry knew this was necessary, though. They had to understand what they were up against. It wasn't just spells and duels they needed to prepare for—it was facing beings that fed on despair, creatures that thrived in the darkest corners of human emotion.
"But that's why we're here," Harry said, raising his voice slightly to regain their focus. "To learn how to defend ourselves. So when the time comes—and believe me, it will—we'll be ready."
He could feel the weight of his words settling over the room, but he refused to let the tension linger for long. He clapped his hands together, the sharp sound breaking the heavy silence. "Alright, enough doom and gloom. Let's get started!"
Wands were drawn, and Harry began walking them through the motions of the Patronus Charm. As students concentrated on their happiest memories, the air in the Room of Requirement filled with a soft murmur of incantations. The room buzzed with nervous energy, but Harry could see the flicker of determination in many of their eyes.
He moved among them, offering advice, correcting their stances, and reminding them to focus on their memories. The first few attempts were shaky—small wisps of silvery mist, a faint shimmer here and there. Neville Longbottom managed a weak fog of light, and Harry gave him an encouraging nod.
"That's good, Neville. Keep focusing on that memory. Try to let yourself feel it completely."
Dean Thomas struggled at first, his frustration evident. "This is harder than I thought," he muttered, staring at his wand as if it had betrayed him.
"Don't worry," Harry said, placing a hand on Dean's shoulder. "It's normal. It takes time. Try a different memory if the first one isn't working."
Over the next hour, the room filled with the steady hum of effort and determination. Some students had more success than others, but there were no full corporeal Patroni just yet. Still, Harry felt a quiet sense of pride watching them push themselves. This was just the beginning, but it was the most crucial step.
As the session drew to a close, Harry called for their attention once more. "You all did great tonight. No one expects perfection right away. Just keep practicing. We'll keep working on this in the coming weeks, and trust me—you'll get there."
A few of the students nodded eagerly, while others looked more determined than ever. As they began gathering their things, Harry exchanged a glance with Hermione, who gave him a small, approving smile.
There was a brief silence after Harry's question, as the D.A. members exchanged glances, wondering who, if anyone, would step forward. The room seemed to hum with a mixture of anticipation and doubt, the weight of Harry's words still heavy in the air. Harry's eyes swept across the group, waiting patiently.
"I can," came a quiet voice from the back of the room. To everyone's surprise, Luna Lovegood stepped forward, her usual dreamy expression in place, though there was a hint of seriousness in her large blue eyes.
"Luna?" Hermione asked, blinking in surprise. "You've already mastered the Patronus?"
Luna nodded serenely. "Yes, a hare. My mother taught me before she... passed." Her voice grew soft at the mention of her mother, but her gaze remained steady. "She said it was important to always be ready for the things that might lurk in the dark."
There was a soft murmur of admiration from the group, and Harry smiled warmly at Luna. He'd always known there was more to her than met the eye.
"That's amazing, Luna," he said sincerely. "Would you like to show the others?"
Luna glanced around, her eyes far away as though she were seeing something beyond the room. But then she smiled and raised her wand, her voice soft but clear as she whispered, "Expecto Patronum."
A silvery mist erupted from her wand, swirling briefly before solidifying into the shape of a shimmering hare. It bounded across the room with graceful, silent leaps, earning gasps and murmurs of awe from the gathered students. The hare moved with an ethereal beauty, its form gleaming in the low light, before it finally dissolved into mist once more.
The room burst into applause, and Luna smiled faintly, lowering her wand.
"That was brilliant!" said Seamus, his eyes wide. "I didn't know you had it in you, Luna!"
"Thank you," Luna replied, her voice distant, as if her mind was already wandering somewhere else.
Harry nodded appreciatively at Luna before addressing the rest of the group. "Luna's Patronus is a perfect example of what you should aim for. Corporeal, solid, and full of light. But don't be discouraged if yours doesn't appear like that at first—it takes time, practice, and the right memory."
"How do we know if our memory is good enough?" Ginny asked, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"It's less about the memory itself and more about how it makes you feel," Harry explained. "You need to summon a moment that fills you with happiness—real happiness. It can be something simple, like a birthday, or something more profound, like a reunion with someone you love."
Ginny nodded thoughtfully, glancing down at her wand, clearly turning over memories in her mind.
"What if we don't have a memory strong enough?" Dean asked, his tone betraying a bit of anxiety. "What if... we've just never felt anything that happy?"
Harry looked at Dean, and for a moment, the room fell silent again. It was a fair question—life wasn't always easy for everyone. Harry himself had struggled to find the right memory when he first started learning the charm.
"In that case," Harry said softly, "you need to think of what makes you want to keep going. It doesn't always have to be a memory of joy—it can be something that fills you with hope, or something that makes you feel safe. The important thing is that it's personal, and that it gives you the strength to push back the darkness."
He paused, glancing at the other students, letting his words sink in. "For me, I used to think about my parents," he admitted. "Not a specific memory, but the idea that they loved me—that they wanted me to survive."
Hermione gave Harry a supportive smile, and the others nodded, clearly moved by his openness.
"Alright," Harry said, clapping his hands together. "Let's give it a try. Focus on your memory, feel it completely, and say the incantation clearly: Expecto Patronum."
One by one, the students raised their wands, the room suddenly alive with soft whispers of the charm and flashes of silvery mist. Some produced wisps of light, flickering weakly before dissipating, while others struggled to summon even that. Neville managed a faint shimmer of light, while Ginny's wand emitted a stronger, albeit still incorporeal, glow.
"You're doing great," Harry encouraged as he moved between them. "Don't worry about the form just yet. Focus on the memory—make it as vivid as you can."
Nearby, Hermione attempted the charm, her eyes tightly shut in concentration. A thin stream of silver mist appeared from her wand, but it didn't coalesce into a full Patronus.
"Keep at it, Hermione," Harry said as he passed her. "You're close."
"I'm trying," she muttered, though her determination was palpable. "I'll get it next time."
As Harry continued walking through the group, offering advice and encouragement, he noticed Daphne Greengrass standing slightly apart from the others. Her face was calm, but her grip on her wand was tense. She hadn't attempted the spell yet.
"Daphne?" Harry approached her carefully. "Do you want to give it a go?"
She glanced at him, her cool expression masking whatever was going on beneath the surface. "I will," she said softly. "I'm just... choosing the right memory."
Harry nodded, sensing there was more going on than she was letting on. He gave her a brief, encouraging smile before moving on to the others, but he couldn't help but glance back at her every now and then. She stood there, unmoving, her wand at her side, as if lost in deep thought.
As the evening wore on, some students showed improvement, while others grew increasingly frustrated. But Harry remained patient, knowing that the Patronus Charm was not something to be mastered in a single session.
Finally, as the clock ticked closer to curfew, Harry called the lesson to an end. "Alright, that's enough for tonight," he said, raising his voice to be heard over the chatter. "You all did great, and I'm proud of how hard you've worked. Keep practicing when you can, and we'll go over it again next time."
The students began to gather their things, some still chatting excitedly about their progress, while others seemed lost in thought. Harry caught Daphne's eye once more as she quietly slipped out with the others, her expression still unreadable.
"She'll get there," Hermione said quietly from beside him, as if reading his mind.
"Yeah," Harry agreed, though he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Daphne's hesitation than just the difficulty of the spell.
Harry felt a surge of pride at Professor Flitwick's words, though he tried to keep his expression neutral. He hadn't thought much about how young he'd been when he first cast the Patronus Charm, especially given the desperate circumstances that had forced him to learn it. But hearing it now, in the calm of the Room of Requirement, it struck him just how remarkable that achievement had been.
"Thank you, Professor," Harry replied, giving a small nod. "Though I have to give credit to Professor Lupin for teaching me. I wouldn't have managed it without his help."
Sirius, who had been lingering nearby, smiled and clapped Harry on the shoulder. "You've always been quick on your feet, kid. James would be proud."
Harry smiled back, though the mention of his father brought a bittersweet feeling to the moment. He quickly turned his attention back to the groups practicing the charm, watching as the students tried again and again to summon even the faintest glimmer of a Patronus.
Fleur, walking with grace and ease between the students, offered quiet words of encouragement. Her presence seemed to calm the more nervous ones, and Harry noticed that several of the younger students were particularly in awe of her. Despite her quiet demeanor, she had a natural authority that commanded respect.
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