Damon left the Room of Requirement after assigning Harry and others a task.
.
At the start of the new semester, he revisited Professor Flitwick—it was time to learn new spells.
The Apparition problem was solved. He also needed to ask Fawkes to speak to Dumbledore about lifting the Apparition restriction on school grounds. Otherwise, after October, he would have to live in Hogsmeade to access the Ministry, even though it was restricted to students in their third year or higher.
However, he was now Dumbledore's student and a favorite of Professors McGonagall and Flitwick. How could he possibly not have even this little power?
"Damon, you're here."
Professor Flitwick, delighted to see Damon, immediately offered him some sweets.
"
Professor, the new semester has begun. I hope to learn the Patronus Charm with you.
"Of course."
Flitwick stood up from his chair, watching Damon's excitement—he rarely refused anything Damon asked, and always got right to the point.
In fact, he enjoyed the feeling of exchanging spells with Damon.
He'd rarely fought anyone since teaching at Hogwarts.
The students' spelling skills were insufficient for engaging in conversations on equal terms. Flitwick sometimes missed those slightly tense days.
Being with Damon brought back those memories.
"
The Patronus Charm is advanced. You did your homework, right?" Damon nodded.
"The Patronus Charm is the most famous spell known to wizards and one of the most powerful defensive spells.
It's an extremely complex and difficult spell to cast. It
It evokes a semi-materialized positive force, a Patronus, capable of repelling Dementors and Voldemort's forces, against which there are no other defenses.
The Patronus, a reflection of all positive emotions, is incredibly difficult to cast. Many witches and wizards are unable to conjure a complete, corporeal Patronus, which often takes the form of an animal they feel most connected to. No one can be certain of their Patronus's form until they summon it.
"
Excellent! You seem prepared. I'll help you.
Flitwick clapped his hands, seeming pleased with Damon's answer.
As he should be, after all, this was Miranda Goshawk's advice.
The woman who compiled the Standard Spells from Beginner's to Seventh Grade was a treasure trove of spells.
If less distracted, she would have welcomed Damon to Godric's Hollow for study.
But there were no regrets.
Just as the old man excelled in theory, Professor Flitwick excelled in practice.
Even the simplest spell could be transformed in his hands, but the prerequisite was always to be applied in a duel.
....
"First," Professor Flitwick sat back in his chair, a hint of seriousness on his face, "you must understand the essence of this magic.
The Patronus Charm isn't pure intention and energy; it involves the emotions, memories, and spiritual power deep within.
You need to find a way to inspire your strongest and purest emotions. Have you ever felt that at certain moments, your mood was incredibly intense, as if a certain power filled your entire body?"
"Yes." Damon's expression was strange—he had just experienced extreme happiness yesterday under the influence of the emotion amplifier, so much so that he felt exhausted afterwards.
Isn't that a coincidence?
"Very well, then. Now, recall this joy. Do your best to follow my movements and shout—"
Professor Flitwick waved his hands, gently raising his wand hand and pointing it forward—"Expecto Patronum."
Damon happily recalled last semester, anticipating Harry's reaction upon seeing him at the Dursleys'. He reflected on his mastered magic and the improvements his upgraded spell talent would bring in a month. Filled with joy, he began chanting.
"Expecto Patronum!"
His voice echoed in the quiet room, calm and firm.
A silvery-white light burst from the tip of his wand, quickly filling the entire room.
However.
Despite its power, the light revealed no clear Patronus. A hazy, mist-like shadow gathered and formed a coiling, serpentine shape around Damon. Its head, however, was not snake-like, for snakes lack antlers.
Almost the moment he saw the dragon's head, Damon knew what it was—the Chinese dragon.
A look of relief crossed his face, an expression that Flitwick perceived as dejected.
"Cheer up, Damon, you're not far from success."
Flitwick, standing high above, patted Damon's shoulder. Just then, the mist suddenly trembled, as if resisting Flitwick's touch.
"
"You developed the concept of active defense before achieving physical form?" Flitwick was amazed, not angry. He pondered. Damon stroked the Patronus. The dragon, his former Chinese totem, now accompanied him in this form. After more Patronus Charm practice, he should achieve a physical Patronus. Exciting.
But just then, Professor Flitwick suddenly sighed—he met Damon's gaze and said,
"Your emotional reaction is already strong enough, otherwise it wouldn't have caused such a big commotion—according to my judgment, your unformed Patronus should already be comparable to other people's physical Patronuses—except for a lack of agility, it's even far superior in other aspects. It's just..."
Flitwick sighed at first, but then, as if thinking of something, his expression calmed down, and he continued gently to Damon,
"You lack faith right now, child."
"Faith?"
"Yes."
Professor Flitwick jumped down from the pile of books and began to walk—his fingertips waving lightly, as if organizing his thoughts.
"A Patronus isn't just an emotional reaction; it's the embodiment of your deepest beliefs, your views and decisions about yourself, others, and the world.
This belief must be firm and clear enough to give your Patronus a clear form."
He looked at Damon. "Your happiness is pure, but it lacks the conviction needed to protect others. You need a clear belief, a goal to strive for, so your Patronus can become a concrete form."
"Perhaps... um... I'll find you a Dementor next week, and we'll try again then, how about that?"
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(End of chapter)