🥀ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕔𝕖𝕤𝕤: ℍ.ℙ🥀

ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕤𝕖 ℂ𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕤: 𝕐𝕖𝕒𝕣 𝕋𝕙𝕣𝕖𝕖

The dying sun streams through high windows, painting Harry's face a fierce Amber-Red as he stands opposite Lupin. Ancient charts drape the walls while gleaming spheres of spun glass orbit one another silently.

Lupin paces before a large trunk.

"You're sure about this, Harry? This is very advanced magic. Well beyond Ordinary Wizarding Level."

"If Black can fight the Dementors, I need to know how too.", Lupin studies Harry -- as if conflicted -- then decides.

"Very well. The spell I'm going to teach you is called the Patronus Charm. Ever hear of it?"

Harry shakes his head.

"A Patronus is a kind of positive force. For the wizard who can conjure one, the Patronus works something like a shield. The Dementor feeds on it  instead of him.", Just then, the trunk rattles violently. As Harry's eyes wander, Lupin snaps his fingers, bringing his attention back.

"But in order for it to work, you must think of a memory. And not just any. This memory needs to be a very happy one. And powerful.

Harry thinks a bit. Then nods.

"Got something? Good. Let it fill you up. Lose yourself in it. Then speak the incantation: Expecto Patronum. Without your wand..."

"Expecto Patronum", Harry mutters the words to himself.

"Right then. Shall we?", Professor Lupin asks.

Harry nods, and raises his wand. Lupin, watches closely and reaches over to grip the lid of the trunk.

"Concentrate, Harry. Concentrate...", As Lupin flings open the case, Harry opens his eyes. In the sun's blood-light, the Dementor looks particularly horrific.

"Expecto... Patronum."

The torches on the wall flicker as a chill breeze fills the chamber. A scream echoes distantly.

Harry's hand trembles. His eyes begin to roll up...

"Expecto... Expecto.", He repeats.

"Here!", Lupin steps in.

Crack! -- the Dementor mutates into a silvery white orb.

"Riddikulus!", Lupin flicks his wand, sends the orb back into the packing case. Harry stands blinking and dazed.

Lupin fishes a chocolate frog from his pocket and presses it into Harry's trembling hand.

"Quickly."

Harry studies the frog, takes a bite and begins to recover.

"That's one nasty Dementor.", He mutters quietly.

"Boggart, Harry. The real thing would be much, much worse. Just out of interest, what were you thinking of? What memory did you choose?"

"The first time I rode a broom."

"That's not good enough, Harry. Not nearly."

Harry glances toward the window, at the bloody sun.

"There's another. It's not happy exactly. I mean, it is. It's the happiest I've ever felt. But it's... complicated."

"Is it strong?", Harry looks up into Lupin's eyes, getting emotional.

"Then let's try it.", Harry takes a breath and tosses the frog aside.

"Think, Harry, think --", Lupin urges.

"Just do it!", Harry interrupts him.", Lupin blinks at Harry's quiet fierceness. He opens the packing case. Instantly, the Dementor appears again. A chill fills the air. The hair skates off Harry's scar. He sets his jaw...