Chapter 8

Grace became more interested in Potions class after making some plans on how to start a business. Even though Snape always targeted the Gryffindors, his knowledge in potions is real.

The last of the third-years file out of the Potions dungeon, chattering about their upcoming Hogsmeade weekend. Grace lingers behind, carefully wiping down her cauldron and organizing her ingredient jars, something Snape had once snapped at her for not doing properly. As she turns to leave, she finds him standing at his desk, sorting through a stack of graded assignments.

Snape said without looking up, “Miss Ashworth, Parkinson complained you were ‘distracting’ her during the Beautifying Potion demonstration. She claims you were muttering about ‘incomplete cellular alignment’.”

Grace tenses slightly but steps forward. ‘ Is Pansy an angel? I was thinking how to approach Professor Snape. I need to get his interest ‘

” I wasn’t distracting anyone, Professor. I was just thinking Beautifying Potion smooths skin, but it only lasts a few hours. It doesn’t actually strengthen the skin’s own magical barriers against dryness or irritation.”

Snape finally looks up, his dark eyes fixed on her. “And what, pray tell, do you know about ‘magical barriers’ in skin cells, Miss Ashworth?”

Grace straightens her shoulders. “Professor, I’ve been reading about it in Advanced Magical Physiology, the way external magic interacts with the body’s natural aura. I was wondering if there’s a potion that addresses the root of it, not just the symptoms.”

Snape walks slowly around his desk, his voice low and sharp. “You mean you want to learn the Philtre of Eternal Radiance? How… ambitious.”

After that Snape leaves, leaving Grace standing alone.

“Wait, that’s it?” Grace is shocked.

Grace frowns, feeling a little frustrated with herself.
‘ Miscalculation. Professor Lupin and Dumbledore are both easy to talk to because they both favor Gryffindor. I got carried away thinking it would be the same for Professor Snape.’

Grace calms herself as she walks on her way to Lupin’s office.

*knock* *knock*

“Professor,” Grace greets.

Lupin nods. “Please come in.”

Grace sees Harry alone with Professor Lupin and gives him a nod.

“Professor Lupin, do you need our help?” Harry asks.

“No, Harry. You two follow me.”

Lupin leads them to the History of Magic classroom. He sets down his case, closes the door, and turns to Harry and Grace.

” So, the spell I am going to teach you both today is highly advanced magic, well beyond ordinary O.W.L. standard. It is called the Patronus Charm. Grace, I know we’ve been working through defensive theory and basic counter-charms these past weeks, this is the next step.”

” I’ve read about it in Defensive Magical Theory, Professor. It’s supposed to be one of the most difficult defensive spells to master.”

” That it is. Harry, you asked me earlier how it works. When it is cast correctly, it conjures up a Patronus, which is a kind of anti-Dementor, a guardian that acts as a shield between you and the Dementor. 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.”

Harry asks, ” And what does a Patronus look like?”

” Each one is unique to the wizard who conjures it. I expect yours will both take the form of some creature. I don’t know what, just as no one knows what form their Boggart will take until they face it. Grace, your progress with Protego and Stupefy suggests you have good control over your magical focus, that will help here.”

Grace asks about her concern, ” What if we can’t find a memory strong enough?”

” That’s the greatest challenge. With an incantation, Expecto Patronum, but that is only the beginning. You must also focus, with all your might, on a single, very happy memory. Not just any happy thought will do, the memory has to be so powerful that the Dementor can’t drown it out with its cold.” Lupin pauses, looking seriously at both students.

” I don’t pretend to be an expert at fighting Dementors, quite the reverse… but I know enough to be able to help you practice. We’ll start with something simpler than a real Dementor, something we can control. I’ve got a Boggart in here.” He taps the case. ” I’ve been combing the castle for it. If I let it out, it will become a Dementor. We can practice on that. But I want you both to remember, if the spell works, the Patronus will drive the Boggart back into its case. If it doesn’t work, and the Boggart manages to overpower you, I’ll step in and use the Riddikulus spell to drive it away. Harry, you will go first later.”

” Okay,” says Harry, gripping his wand very tightly.

” Now, we’ll go step by step. First, just try to produce the beginning of the spell, a thin wisp of silver vapor. Concentrate on your happy memories… and say the words Expecto Patronum.”

Harry and Grace both close their eyes and start to remember their happiest moments.

Grace can only think of her childhood. Although the image of her parents in her memory is already blurred, it’s still the most precious memory of hers. With a clear voice and firm tone she chants, ” Expecto Patronum!”

A thin wisp of silver vapor streams from her wand at first, then thickens and brightens. It coils upward, expanding rapidly until it takes shape. Sharp talons extend, wings spread wide, and a magnificent silver eagle bursts forth with a cry that echoes through the classroom. It was a majestic silver Eagle

“Excellent work Grace, the same with you Harry,” Lupin says, giving them both a piece of chocolate to recover.

Grace sees Harry’s Patronus before it disappears. She thought it would be smaller, but contrary to that it is actually bigger, almost at their same height. She is amazed again by her own world.

Harry and Grace are taught by Professor Lupin until they both manage to defend themselves against the Dementor form of the Boggart.

On their way to their common room, the two talk, and maybe because they have fun learning the Patronus Charm they become closer.

“That was fun,” Grace says while walking in the hallway.

“Yeah,” Harry agrees with excitement written all over his face.

Grace looks at the young Harry. “By the way, are you ready for Quidditch?”

“Of course, the team have been preparing.”

“Then be more careful, there’s a lot of Dementors outside… I’m not scaring you,” Grace says quickly as she sees how Harry turns pale.

“Harry, I’m just reminding you so you can be prepared just in case. Since Dementors eat positive emotion, and with people gathered around in one place full of excitement, the Dementors would definitely be attracted. There’s a 90% probability that it would happen.”

“9-90%? So high?”

“Yes, think about it. If you were them, running around each day without eating, then suddenly your favorite meal showed up, would you be able to control yourself not to eat it? The answer is obvious. But, there’s also a 10% that it won’t happen. Meaning, although Dementors might actually attack, with professors around it might be prevented.”