Chapter 48: Patronus Curse
After a simple meal, Alexander lay down on the sofa, bored, and closed his eyes to rest.
After eating, doing nothing and thinking about nothing was strangely pleasant.
"Alex, what's our next stop?" Kate asked curiously, putting aside the comic strip she had been reading.
"The next stop is the Zombie Trail," Alexander reminded her, a bit puzzled. "Kate, you're usually not interested in horror-themed tours. I thought you'd have looked it up already."
"Ugh, what's so fun about it?" Kate grimaced.
Kate was never interested in undead creatures—zombies, ghouls, or even inferi, unless they were vampires.
"Zombies are disgusting. Not like vampires at all. Gray skin, rotting smell—gross."
"They're basically magical corpses, like Inferi," she added, looking annoyed. She clearly hoped their next destination wouldn't include such creatures.
"But Kate, I thought you liked Wakatu culture. Don't zombies originate from Africa?" Alexander asked.
"That's not true!" Kate rolled her eyes. "Zombies come from southern parts of America—mostly Haiti. Africa? You're way off!"
Alexander scratched his head. "But I read this travel journal once. The traveler always wore a turban. He said it was a gift from an African prince after helping him get rid of zombies."
"Ugh, that sounds like Quirrell! No wonder the original story was so vague about defeating zombies—it was probably made up. Great. First time I mess up in front of Kate," Alexander grumbled inwardly, though he kept a calm face.
Kate, on the other hand, suddenly beamed. "Hmph! Then let Professor Kate give you a proper zombie lesson!"
"The place with the most zombie activity is actually Haiti. It's connected to Voodoo wizards. Like basilisks, zombies are magical creatures created through spells. They're often used as laborers, and any wizard can control them verbally."
"There was even a time when it was considered trendy. Inferi are basically upgraded versions of zombies."
"Unlike Inferi, zombies don't need you to commit murder first. As long as you've got a long-standing cemetery, you can use local voodoo magic to raise the dead and make them serve you."
"They're like vampires in that they fear sunlight and are vulnerable to fire."
"The Patronus Charm works well against them too," Kate finished proudly.
"Haha!" Alexander suddenly laughed. "Kate, you're not totally right."
"Summoning a Patronus is extremely mana-intensive. I don't know about zombies specifically, but fire magic is definitely more effective than using a Patronus."
"But the Patronus Charm is way cooler!" Kate pouted and crossed her arms.
"Kate, using a Patronus on a zombie is like swatting a mosquito with the Killing Curse."
"It's really designed to repel things like Dementors or Voldemort's bat-like constructs—things that ordinary magic can't affect. It also showcases a wizard's internal strength," Alexander explained.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. The Patronus Charm can't be used by unworthy wizards. There was this dark wizard—Rachideon—who tried to cast it and ended up turning into a pile of maggots!"
"That's why wizards who can summon corporeal Patronuses often get promoted to high positions in the Wizengamot or the Ministry," Kate added quickly.
"That's just a myth," Alexander corrected. "A lot of wizards with bad tempers or arrogant attitudes can still summon full Patronuses. A wizard's personality is complex. Even terrible people can have happy memories or feel joy from doing what they think is right—even if it's wrong to us."
"The ones who turn into maggots are those who know they're evil and don't have any genuinely happy memories to draw from. But if a dark wizard has strong Occlumency, they can cast a Patronus."
"What does that have to do with Occlumency?" Kate asked, though it was clear she already knew. Ravenclaws like her did their homework. Gryffindors like Harry and Ron—well, not so much.
"Occlumency lets a wizard block emotions and thoughts—basically seal off parts of their mind," Alexander explained. "If a dark wizard is skilled enough, they can suppress all their darkness and focus only on their positive side, long enough to cast a Patronus."
"Like Snape," he added. "He was the only Death Eater in the original timeline who could cast a Patronus. Probably because of his love for Lily."
"If Lucius Malfoy had mastered Occlumency, he might've been able to summon one too—without turning into maggots."
"But most dark wizards would never try. It's almost suicidal if you fail."
"Like that pink toad, Dolores Umbridge. She could summon a cat Patronus."
"Her high government position probably had a lot to do with that spell."
"The Patronus Charm is kind of like a magical résumé. Most people who can cast it are decent... but that's not always true."
"What? That's so unfair. How can bad guys use such a noble spell?" Kate puffed up angrily.
"I want to be like Andros the Invincible! He could cast giant Patronuses without a wand!"
"Alex, you're no fun when you talk like that," she grumbled.
"Kate, the point is—it takes more than just being 'good.' You either need incredible Occlumency, be completely unhinged, or be someone who doesn't even realize they're evil."
"I just think it's ridiculous that Patronus casting is a requirement for high office or the Wizengamot," Alexander said, holding Kate's hand gently.
"Okay," Kate murmured, then flopped down onto Alexander's lap and picked up the comic again.
Alexander peeked at it, curious. Honestly, it wasn't as interesting as The Adventures of Martin Miggs, the Mad Muggle. That one followed a dropout wizard traveling the world.
He wondered if Fred and George had read this comic too. Their early departure from school might've been inspired by it.
Sure, Umbridge was a toad of a person, but their decision to leave felt planned.
Maybe this comic was written by Newt Scamander himself—after his turbulent time at Hogwarts and his travels. He'd been branded dangerous by several Ministries.
But the author was unknown and didn't even appear in the original story.
"This is so boring," Alexander sighed. "It'd be way cooler if we could ride on the back of a dragon, not inside one."
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