Porcupine Patronuses
“Patronuses has its own different charms about it.” Professor Andaires said. No one laughed at her pun but some awkwardly smiled. “For goodness sake let’s get into action.” She said with that round and droopy, boring eyes of hers which gets easily misunderstood as disinterest when she felt invigorated by lessons. “Oh before I forget, this is not an assessment, only a practice which may be or may not be helpful with your OWLs. I decided that maybe you kids need experience, of course the Ministry of Magic does not know because someone might die.” She planted her hands on her sides, “But I’m here. I’m reckless but at least I’m here. This is not cheating on your OWLs-“ She winked, “Only a small practice. But some might say it is cheating. I don’t care.”
She walked towards the eye of the planetarium and conjured a dementor. George may not study much but she knew conjuring a real dementor the size of a wardrobe must have meant that Professor Andaires was in fact a very powerful witch or she was lucky she did not die from doing so. Though no one doubted her power, but she was always swept aside by charismatic professors in Hogwarts, and the fact that misandry was always her topic to discuss do not help with her case.
Cole almost fainted at the spot. All the happiness in the whole room swirled around the dementor—not that they could see it—and disappeared forever. Some students gulped at the sight of fear.
“I have to mention to you my children, I’m quite thankful that Hufflepuffs aren’t here, ain’t ya?” She turned to the women in the room as though saying, “Ama right ladies?”
“But I’m here.” Someone said. Cole did not have to turn around—Hera Williamson’s voice was very distinct (to him at least), it was high pitch and calming, sort of a yoga instructor sort of way. Moreover, they’ve been flirting for weeks. He turned around to look at the brown-haired and doe-eyed girl with the porcupine earrings.
Cole smiled at her, his happiness returning.
“I had to make up for classes that I didn’t take in Beauxbatons.” She explained to everyone with a small and rather cute shrug.
“I’m impressed,” Professor Andaires opened her arms vaguely. “You’re a woman so I guess you’ll do fine.”
Lilith rolled her eyes at the implied sexism but didn’t argue. Hera Williamson would most likely do well indeed.
“Expecto Patronum!”
The dementor’s whole being thinned as silver light erupted from the tip of Professor Andaires’ wand. The silver thing slowly took form and it was a big hound which barred its majestic fangs to the dementor and disappeared. The happiness that ebbed away seemed to come back to people in the room when there was a collective gasp.
“That’s what you’re going to do. Who will do it first?” Professor Andaires said impatiently.
Cole and Moon raised their hands imperatively. No one doubted that anyone else would go first.
The trick was, to do perfect the Patronus Charm was to relive the happiest days of your life or the person that made you the happiest.
Cole stepped in as he was called first, not missing the thin line that Moon’s lips formed. He raised his wand bravely as he got close to the dementor which drained all the colors in his face—with them was all the good things. For a moment, George thought she had to interfere and looked at Professor Andaires frantically who looked sleepy but the way she was holding her hand suggested otherwise.
He reminded himself of the times he would study next to Hera and played the oddest of songs on her speaker. She surprisingly liked rock songs contrary to her demeanor. They loved it, he surely did. He remembered the first time they kissed and they both coincidentally leaned in and laughed then kissed. He mouthed the charm and a silver porcupine emerged from his wand, strong and blinding. Professor Andaires gave a smile. Obviously, as soon as he took his place next to George and Lilith, he was teased for it. But he only laughed at them, very satisfied with his work and gave a little smile toward Hera.
Moon stood there without much thought saved from how badly he could mess this all up and lose half his soul in the process. He pointed his wand at the hooded insanity and half-shouted the incantation and a snake appeared from the tip of his wand and snared the dementor, it almost reduced to nothingness.
“Very well, Mister Lovegood. That was good, I should say you earn a round of applause.”
How it was a snake, he had no idea. All his other mates applauded, realizing that it was probably because his house was Slytherin and his loyalty was obviously laid down for Slytherin as he always shows in Quidditch.
Hera, the only Hufflepuff tried it soon after the two top notch students. Her’s was a porcupine as well, the same as Cole’s and George’s was a very vivid replica of her late dog Bug. It tried to lick her face and floated around the room before it demolished the dementor.
The others had their turns and suddenly Defense Against Dark Arts became a matchmaking game. The lovers always would turn out to have matching Patronuses. Andromeda Bush had the same hound patronus as Professor Andaires. She glared at people who tried to tease her as the Professor’s lover. No one knew other than George that Professor Andaires was her adoptive mother. Professor Andaires’ face twitched but it seemed to George that she refused to smile.
“Ahh, well that’s it. I suppose? We’ve run out of time. Exit the room after you clean up.” She swished her wand and the dementor left. George was still rendered speechless.
“Lilith haven’t gotten her turn yet, Professor.”
Professor Andaires paused before the door. She turned to them and cleared her throat. “Very well.” She looked at Moon, her eyes saying something that he could not decipher. She walked towards the center again and summoned the dementor. She was nervous, Moon could tell.
“You didn’t have to point it out!” She whispered against Moon’s ear rashly, walked towards Professor Andaires and muttered something in her ear. She nodded easily as though she understood. Then Lilith left the room. Andaires told the class to clean up again and left afterwards. People muttered as they leave but more importantly, Lilith’s friends worried.