The Adventure That Lies Ahead | PJO x HP

CHAPTER 78

The next day Isa heard that Harry got a Firebolt, the best-of-the-best broomstick there is, only for it to be confiscated by Professor McGonagall. Hermione reported it to the professor, suspecting that it was a 'gift' from Sirius Black.

"They're gonna strip it down!" Harry exclaimed.

As much as Isa hated snitches, she knew Hermione meant well, and sort of agreed with her. Who knew what Sirius Black could do? Harry and Ron started to ignore their friend, so Isa decided to spend some more time with Hermione with Nolan joining them. They'd take refuge in the library researching for Hagrid and Buckbeak.

Unfortunately, classes had to start again. Right after Defense Against the Dark Arts, Isa walked up to Professor Lupin asking when they could start their lessons.

"Ah yes," Professor Lupin said. "Let me see... how about eight o'clock on Thursday evening? The History of Magic classroom should be large enough... I'll have to think carefully about how we're going to do this... We can't bring a real dementor into the castle to practice on..."

"Alright," Isa agreed. "See you there, Professor!"

At eight o'clock on Thursday evening, Isa left Hufflepuff basement for the History of Magic classroom. Surprisingly, she wasn't alone. Harry was inside, apparently also taking lessons. They had waited only five minutes when Professor Lupin turned up, carrying a large packing case, which he heaved onto Professor Binns' desk.

"What's that?" Isa said.

"Another boggart," Professor Lupin said, stripping off his cloak. "I've been combing the castle ever since Tuesday, and very luckily, I found this one lurking inside Mr. Filch's filing cabinet. It's the nearest we'll get to a real dementor. The boggart will turn into a dementor when he sees you, so we'll be able to practice on him. I can store him in my office when we're not using him; there's a cupboard under my desk he'll like."

"But⎼" Isa said. Her boggart wasn't a dementor.

"Let's hope that with Harry around, it will remain a dementor," Professor Lupin said, also noticing the problem.

"Okay," Harry said, trying to sound as though he wasn't apprehensive at all and merely glad that Professor Lupin had found such a good substitute for a real dementor.

"So..." Professor Lupin had taken out his own wand and indicated that Harry and Isa should do the same. "The spell I am going to try and teach you is highly advanced magic, Harry, Isa⎼well beyond Ordinary Wizarding Level. It is called the Patronus Charm."

"How does it work?" Isa asked, confidently while Harry looked the exact opposite⎼nervous.

"Well, when it works correctly, it conjures up a Patronus," Professor Lupin said, "which is a kind of anti-dementor⎼a guardian that acts as a shield between you and the dementor."

Isa suddenly thought about camp, and how the borders protect them. Professor Lupin continued, "The Patronus is a kind of positive force, a projection of the very things that the dementor feeds upon⎼hope, happiness, the desire to survive⎼but it cannot feel despair, as real humans can, so the dementors can't hurt it. But I must warn you two, that the charm might be too advanced for you. Many qualified wizards have difficulty with it."

"What does a Patronus look like?" Harry asked curiously.

"Each one is unique to the wizard who conjures it."

"And how do you conjure it?"

"With an incantation, which will work only if you are concentrating, with all your might, on a single, very happy memory."