Chapter 16
"Welcome to Defense," Regulus said with a smile. "My name is Hunter Black. I'm going to spend a few moments before class answering any questions you may have about me. I believe students should be able to trust their teachers. What would you like to know about me?"
Several students raised their hands. Regulus called on Hermione.
"What's your favorite book?" she blurted out.
Regulus gave her a warmly amused look. "That's a tough one; I love books." He tapped his chin. "I'd have to say my favorite book is The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien." He saw most of the Slytherins make faces and added, "Did you know he was a half-blood?"
"He was?" several people exclaimed.
"Yes. Any other questions?" He called on Tracey Davis.
"Are you related to Lord Sirius Black?" she asked curiously.
"Well, a lot of my cousins seem to think Orion cheated on Walburga with my mother, who was a Firstblood," Regulus explained, letting a flicker of sadness through. "I don't really think Orion would be with a, as he called them, 'Mudblood,' though."
"What's a Firstblood?" asked Neville Longbottom, puzzled.
"It's what I call Muggleborns," Regulus explained. "The very first wixen were Firstbloods, who married magical creatures. And in a few generations, the Firstbloods' descendants will be considered Purebloods."
The Gryffindors, other than Ron and Hermione, began whispering in surprise, which grew when they noticed that the Slytherins agreed.
"Any other questions?" Regulus asked.
"What House were you in?" asked Dean.
"I was homeschooled," Regulus explained. "In America. I only came here a few months before the war ended."
"So, what side were you on?" asked Tracey curiously.
"I was neutral," said Regulus. "I came too late to actually join a side, and I didn't know anything about either side, other than what the Light side claimed. Enemies always exaggerate their opponents' ideals," Regulus said dryly when most of the Gryffindors looked offended. "I take everything someone says about their enemy with a grain of salt, and I prefer to get the story from both sides before making a decision.
"Unless there are no more questions about me," Regulus said, "we should start class.
"Put your books away and get out your wands."
There was a flurry of movement as the students put their books back in their bags and pulled out their wands. A few of the Gryffindors -- Dean and Parvati -- looked thoughtful, while the others looked defensive. Neville was upset. Regulus understood; Bellabitch was incredibly insane.
"There are three ways to cast a Patronus," Regulus began. He pulled out his wand and tapped the blackboard.
Past
Present
Future
"The first is to focus on a really happy memory," Regulus stated. "If you think you have a memory that causes you joy, raise your hand."
Draco was the only Slytherin to raise his hand. Of the Gryffindors, only Neville and Ron kept their hands down.
"The incantation is Expecto Patronum," Regulus instructed. He raised his own wand. "Expecto Patronum!"
A doe soared out of his wand. He kept his expression neutral; previously, his Patronus had been a snake. Regulus wasn't an idiot, though; he knew the reason his Patronus had changed was because of his son.
The doe trotted over to Fawn and nuzzled him. Harry beamed.
"Try it," Regulus invited, as the doe disappeared.
The room filled with "Expecto Patronum!" Most of the students were only able to cast silvery mist. However, three people were able to cast full Patronuses: Hermione, whose form was a kneazle; Fay Dunbar, whose form was a horse; and Draco, whose form was a tiger.
"If you haven't managed to cast a Patronus, that's fine," Regulus said calmly. "It takes a very powerful memory to be able to cast one. There are two other ways you can conjure a Patronus, so let's try that.
"The second way you can cast a Patronus is to think of a person or group of people who, when you spend time with them, make you happy and at peace," Regulus continued. "Those of you who think you have a person or people like that, why don't you try now?"
The rest of the Slytherin boys and all of the Gryffindor boys joined this one. Of the girls, only Pansy Parkinson and Lavender Brown were part of the group.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Harry's form was a fawn, which made Regulus feel all sorts of warm. Neville's was a baby elephant. Ron's was a wolf. Blaise's was a black widow -- which made Ron panic and Regulus stifle a laugh. Theo's was a raven. Pansy Parkinson's was a peacock. Dean's was a butterfly (which made him blush and Seamus smirk). Lavender, Vincent, Gregory, and Seamus were unable to cast a Patronus, although Seamus was able to conjure silver smoke.
"For those of you still struggling," Regulus said, "there is one more way to conjure a Patronus. And if you still can't cast one, that is not your fault.
"The final way to conjure a Patronus is to focus on a future -- something that you really want, and the emotions you might feel if you reach it," Regulus finished. "Those of you who still haven't gotten a Patronus, try it."
The rest of the students managed to cast one this time. There were animals flying and crawling everywhere. Regulus tried very hard not to laugh at Gregory's flamingo, who was cuddling with Vincent's ostrich (the bird kept trying to bury its head into the floor).
He clapped his hands together and silence fell. The Patronuses disappeared. "There are two different kinds of Patronuses," Regulus said. "One that represents your heart, or one that represents your magic. If your Patronus mirrors your magic, the animal will represent your personality and dreams. If your Patronus mirrors your heart, the animal will represent how you act around your family, friends, or in some case, lovers." He gestured to a pile of books on his desk. "If you would like to, you can take one of these books, which will tell you what your Patronus symbolizes. Homework," he said in a louder tone as the bell rang and the class started chattering, "is optional, but you can write an essay about your Patronus and what it symbolizes. Your grade will be on accuracy, but this is more for fun than for school. And to teach you how to defend yourselves against Dementors," he added sourly, prompting muffled laughter from the Slytherins.
"Harry, can I talk to you?" Regulus asked as the others filed out.
"Sure, Dad." Harry put away his wand and walked up to him. "See you guys at lunch," he told his friends, which now included basically all the third year Slytherins except Vincent, Gregory, Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, and Helena Rookwood.
Once the rest of the students had filed out, Regulus cast a few privacy charms and gestured for Harry to take a seat.
"I found the Dark Lord," Regulus said quietly. Harry stiffened. "He's planned to return on Samhain. He's going to reabsorb all of his soul pieces, including the one in your scar."
Harry was silent for a moment. Then he said, "I'm only doing this because you like Tom."
Regulus went red. "I don't-"
"Oh, my g- Merlin," Harry exclaimed. "I meant like a friend! You actually like him!"
"No!"
Harry snickered. "Tommy and Raven, sitting in a tree-"
Regulus cast a stinging hex at him.