Leon had been going through a difficult semester. Concentration on his schoolwork was challenging, and he found himself more alienated from his friends. Leon still spent time with Johnny and Sable, but he never felt like himself. Johny and Sable started to refer to him as "the shell" or "Shelly" since Leon barely seemed to react to their pranks and insults at other students.

There was little that Leon could find happiness in, but he felt better after a victory over Ravenclaw in Quidditch. He also aced an exam in Transfiguration, which he thought he did poorly on. But there was one thing that made him feel the best he had felt in a while. When he saw Rollie catch the Golden Snitch in a photo finish, his lips curved up ear-to-ear. When Rollie got punched, Leon cracked up at first but frowned when he realized Rollie dropped to the ground and didn't get back up right away. The icing on the cake was Oliver getting taken away in an embarrassing fashion.

Not a bad day, Leon thought. He even had a realization that things could be all right in his life after all.

When the Slytherins went back to their common room, Professor Shacklebolt and Mr. Lancaster stopped Leon in the corridor and pulled him aside.

"Leon, Zita would like to see you in her office, if that's okay?" Professor Shacklebolt said.

Leon nodded, and they took him to the headmaster's office.

Zita and Leon's mother sat across the room, and Leon immediately trembled at the sight of his mom.

"Hello, Leon." She tried to smile.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Leon asked.

His mom wrapped her arms around him. Pulling away, they sat down together on a couch and she said, "I'm sorry to tell you this, Leon, but your father is going to be imprisoned at Azkaban."

Leon couldn't speak. His emotions had choked out his voice. Tears spilled down his cheeks as a quiver took over his body.

"I was out on a call, and your father, unfortunately, had been corrupted by your siblings and had... Well, he took another person's life. He was a Neo-Death Eater. I'm sorry to tell you all of this, but I think it's only right to be fully transparent," his mom said. Tears conquered her eyes. "It's just you and me now, Leon."

It took twenty minutes for Leon to process the information and be stable enough to ask, "What's happened with my siblings?"

"They'll be in therapy for at least ten years, but possibly less time if their behavior drastically improves," his mom said. She put her arm around him. "Leon, I'm so proud of you. You've done the right thing, and no one in your position should ever have to do something like that. You're just a student, you should be studying and having fun with your friends. But here you are handling all of this pressure so tremendously. Believe me when I say, the Ministry is very impressed with you already."

Leon couldn't bring himself to say anything. His voice was suppressed by an emotional overload. He nodded.

"Zita tells me you've been able to produce a Patronus, and you even saved a kid from a dementor. That's really impressive. Not to mention it’s magic that is unbelievably hard to master at your age. Your O.W.L. scores will be amazing, no doubt,” his mom noticed Leon frowning.

"Zita said that you didn't want anyone to know that you could summon a Patronus.” His mom rubbed his back. “But she told me. I'm so glad she did. You’re the only bright spot giving me any hope. As a kid who's been through so much, it's incredible to believe that you can think of a moment that gives you enough joy to summon a Patronus. One day, I hope to see it. I'm the proudest mother because of you." His mom gave him a tight hug, and he hugged back, still unable to say a word.

A week passed, and Leon had spent as much time as he could away from the Slytherin common room. He still ate dinner with Johnny and Sable.

"Gosh. That Quidditch match last Saturday was so gross." Sable shook her head.

"Yeah, Gryffindor is the worst, but Hufflepuff and their yankee boy are starting to get obnoxious," Johnny said.

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"I wish they could've both lost," Leon said, and the two of them smirked and snickered. Leon grinned, but deep down, he was thrilled to see Rollie capture the Golden Snitch in front of Oliver.

"Hey Shelly, we're going to patrol around the halls shooting crackles at people. You wanna join?" Johnny asked.

Leon hated the nickname, but he didn’t show any sign that it bothered him. “I should really study in the library tonight. Classes are going a little rough this semester. Sorry, I’d love to if I could.”

"You wouldn't ‘love to,’ what a load of bollocks." Johnny waved his hand dismissively and chuckled. "You've been a total sourpuss whenever we've gone around pranking people. I'm sure your grades are fine."

"I think doing homework is more mature than shooting balls of light at little kids. But hey, that's just my opinion. What do I know?” Leon rolled his eyes.

"Do you hear yourself talk anymore? Who are you?" Johnny said. "You're reminding me of that Slytherin that graduated last year, Francis. He used to be so cool and beloved in our house, and then he started dating that girl Mara and totally changed. I'm starting to think that's what's happening to you, man," Johnny turned to Sable."Whattya think, Sable, is our Shelly here snooping around with someone behind our backs?"

Leon winked. "I don't kiss and tell."

Sable and Johnny both dropped their jaw.

"Look at you Leon, you crazy bloke. What's her name?" Sable boomed.

"I'll see you losers later." Leon finished his last bite of dinner and kept his smug grin until he left the Great Hall, where his lips fell instantly. He went to the common room to grab his books and entered the library.

The library was full of students studying. Down some of the aisles of bookshelves, Leon occasionally heard a student whisper a spell to themselves, practicing “lumos,” or “wingardium leviosa.” As the hours passed, everyone left. Leon was by himself, or so he thought. When he took a break from reading, he stared up and surveyed the rest of the library. Only one other person was sitting at the row of tables. Leon recognized the blonde hair. He stood up, collected his belongings, and wandered forward. Before he left the study area, he turned back to look at Daphne.

"Hello." Daphne smiled and waved.

Leon paused. Probably shouldn't bother her with small talk, she's probably focused on something important, he thought.

"How are you doing?" Daphne asked.

"Doing all right." Leon nodded.

"What were you studying?"

"Just some Ancient Runes stuff. How about you?"

"Potions."

"But we had that last semester?"

Daphne smiled. "Even when I'm not in the class, I still like reading about it."

"Ah. A true nerd." Leon smirked.

"And proud of it. If you'd like to take a seat and chat, you're welcome to. I'm just taking a break."

"Uh, sure." Leon shrugged and joined her. "So what potions were you studying about?"

"Just been looking at how to make veritaserum. It's a more advanced potion, but I've made it before."

"Isn't that the one with the jobberknoll feathers?"

Daphne's eyes widened. "Yeah, that's exactly correct. I have to say, I'm impressed."

"Why's that?"

"I had no idea you had an affinity for potions. I mean, I know you're brilliant and all, but, didn't think potions was your favorite."

"I didn't say it was my favorite, but I find it fascinating." Leon's lips curved up. He couldn’t believe she paid him such a high compliment. “By the way, you’re the brilliant one, not me.”

“We’re both brilliant! How about that?” Daphne smirked. After a pause, she scanned the library before looking back at Leon. She whispered, "Hey, please don't answer if you don't want to, but I've been wondering what you think of when you cast your Patronus?"

Leon wasn't sure how to reply at first. It took him a moment to collect his thoughts. "Well, after I got in trouble a year ago, which I'm sure you saw the whole display." He sighed but continued. "I took Zita's advice and started practicing all summer... I always think about the same moment. It happened when I was a little kid. My mum and dad didn't have to work over Christmas, and it was the first time my immediate family was able to celebrate together. We went out to Diagon Alley and went to all of the stores. My parents and siblings were in such good spirits. My siblings always picked on me, but that day, they didn't. Maybe they were too happy because it was Christmas and all, and they were glad my parents were together for the holiday. Usually, my dad works, or my mum works. But uh... Yeah, that's what I think of, that wonderful Christmas Eve with my family. The last time I felt like we were all together and kind to each other." Leon hung his head.

"I'm sorry." Daphne held Leon's hand for a moment. "I take it things aren't the same in your house these days?"

Leon laughed helplessly. "You have no idea."

“I hope everything gets better soon. If you want to talk about it with me, you can.”

Leon nodded. “Thank you. But, I think things will improve. It might take some adjusting. Everyone has their own family issues, right? But enough about me. What about you? Does your family drive you crazy?"

Daphne smirked. "Don't even get me started."

"I have all night." Leon smiled.

"Where do I even begin?" Daphne thought for a moment. "Well, I almost forgot to apply to a potions camp over the summer, and my parents tried to embarrass me about it during Christmas dinner."

"That's rough."

"Could've been worse."

Daphne continued to talk about how demanding her parents were. Leon didn't reveal too much information about his family, but he was happy to listen to Daphne. Leon wanted to talk more about his personal life, but bringing it up would only make him sob. They kept the conversation topics light and talked until the library closed.