Defense Against the Dark Arts Class

“Well, students,” Professor Lupin clapped his hands and drew all the 4th year students’ attention, “as you know, dementors have been stationed around the campus to patrol and keep away intruders. Therefore, the Headmaster has requested me to check if your Patronuses are up to mark. Yes, I know-” He smiled, “-it was part of your third-year curriculum. But for your safety, it doesn’t hurt to check, does it?”

The Gryffindor students had their Defense Against the Dark Arts class with the Ravenclaw students. And since all the students had practiced this particular charm the previous year, they weren’t too nervous. With relaxed expressions, their eyes followed Professor Lupin.

The Professor looked at the students, “Let’s see - there are one, two, three… twenty-four of you. Twelve in each house. Perfect! Please make four rows of six students, three from Gryffindor and three from Ravenclaw in one row.”

The students began to shuffle at the Professor’s command. Sol was pushed to the first row, one of the first to cast his spell. He looked beside him: it was Cho Chang! He leaned closer and whispered, “Hey, Cho, how’re you doing?”

She glanced at him but didn’t say anything. Just as he opened his mouth to ask her what was wrong, Professor Lupin spoke, “Mr. Balor, if you have the time to chat, please demonstrate the Patronus Charm first, won’t you?”

“Right away, sir.” Sol exhaled deeply. “So, that’s why she wasn’t saying anything.” He glanced back at her only to see her smiling like a minx. Taking out his wand, he made a swooshing motion and chanted, “Expecto Patronum.” A silvery light appeared from the tip of his wand and flew to the ground, transforming into a large feline. It was a panther. The panther pranced around the room, inches off the ground, and came back to Sol’s side.

“Excellent, Mr. Balor. Five points to Gryffindor for the quick cast!” Professor Lupin praised. “Please, a round of applause for him.”

A symphony of applause rang behind him and echoed throughout the class. Sol put his wand back into his robes, and his patronus disappeared. Sol smiled and returned back to his row. Next to him, Cho congratulated him, “I knew you could do-”

“Miss Chang!” Professor Lupin cut her off and smiled. He gestured for her to come forward, “If you would, please.”

Sol barely hid his laughter as Cho went forward, but not before glaring at him. One by one, just like Cho, the rest of the students cast their Patronus Charms, and soon, the class was nearing its end. Professor Lupin offered his closing remarks, “Excellent work, everybody! It was a joy to see all of your patronuses, but I do think some of you could do well with your casting time. A dementor’s horrid appearance may or may not stun you, but I guarantee you that should you see a dementor, the first and quickest thing you should do is run away. However, if it’s attacking you or blocking your way, use a Patronus Charm to drive it away. A powerful enough charm can also kill it.

So, students, since this was a revision class of sorts, I will not be assigning you any homework.” As soon as they heard this, the students’ faces began to beam. However, Professor Lupin cut their celebrations short and said gravely, “However, I still have to inform you that in our next class, we will be learning the theory and application of the three Unforgivable Curses. Please be prepared. Class dismissed.”

The students gathered their books and left the classroom in columns, with the Gryffindor students in one column and the Ravenclaw students in the other. From behind, Katie tapped Sol’s shoulder. Sol leaned back a bit to listen to what she had to say.

“Will they really teach us the Unforgivable Curses?”

Stolen novel; please report.

Sol chuckled, “Oh heavens, no! They wouldn’t do that in a million years. Too risky.”

“Risky?” Katie frowned.

“Well, the Unforgivable Curses aren’t called that just because they harm whoever faces the tip of your wand, no. Used right, some spells can achieve the same result too, often in a more bru-” Sol caught himself and continued, “Well, the three curses are your usual dark wizard’s tools. So, the ministry banned them sometime during the start of our first year. It’s a life imprisonment without parole in Azkaban if you get caught using them. With the exception being that you were under the effects of the Imperius curse. Well, you’d know all that if you read a book.”

“I...-” Katie yelled out but eventually got quieter, “-read books. I do. But you still didn’t tell me why they’re risky.”

“I’ll tell you later. But just know that the Wizarding World doesn’t like the Unforgivable Curses after the First Wizarding War.”

“O-Okay then,” she didn’t seem to be satisfied with his explanation but still stopped asking questions.

“Come on, let’s get to Transfiguration classes. McGonagall doesn’t like it when we’re late.” Cormac came from behind and put an arm around each of their necks.

“No rush, we still got time,” Sol walked forward leisurely.

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Transfiguration Class

“Now, if you’d direct your attention to me,” Professor McGonagall waved to gather the students’ attention. “Today, we’ll be learning the Bouquet Charm. A simple charm that will conjure flowers from the tip of your wand. Now, there are many variations of the Bouquet Charm, but the one I’ll be showing you today is Orchideous.”

The Professor waved her motion in a circular motion and instructed, “Just like this, you have to wave your wand in a circle and chant ‘Orchideous’!” A bright pink glow emitted from her wand, and a bouquet of Orchids sprouted from it. Professor McGonagall took the bouquet and showed it to the class.

“Now, once again. Wave your wand in a circular motion,” her hands followed her words and twirled, “and chant ‘Orchideous’!” Another bright pink glow and another bouquet of orchids were conjured. “So, now, we will move on to individual practice. Successfully conjure bouquets at least five times.”

And so began a series of chants and bright pink lights emitting throughout the classroom. Sol got his five chants down quickly and set his wand aside. They were attending the class with the Hufflepuff students, most of whom, surprisingly, were quick with the task. As he was watching the Hufflepuff students, he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around.

Katie was holding a bouquet of orchids in her hand and pushed it towards Sol. He looked at the bouquet and then back at her, slightly confused. She said, albeit a bit shyly, “Hold this while I cast another one.” Sol took the orchids half-confused yet smilingly.

“Why are you smiling like that?” Katie glared at him.

“I’m not.” He was. Katie grumbled but decided to go back to casting. However, her subsequent few attempts ended in failure. Sol, who was watching, asked her, “Is there something on your mind? Casting spells become harder when you can’t focus.”

“There isn’t, and I’m trying to focus,” Katie cast the spell again, but this time, a sickly dark green light emitted, and withered flowers sprouted from her wand. “Ugh.”

“Kate, look at me,” Sol snapped his fingers and made her look at me. “After me, inhale-” he inhaled deeply, and Katie followed. “-exhale through the mouth-” he exhaled from his mouth, and she followed once again. “Now, cast.”

“Orchideous!” She cast once more, and a seven-colored light began to emit. Much less the class; even the Professor looked surprised at the suddenness of the situation. The light calmed down, and orchids bloomed from the tip of her wand. Except this time, they were of different colors, like a proper bouquet.

“Ms. Bell?” Professor McGonagall walked over. “What’s…how?”

“I don’t know…” she admitted sheepishly.

“That’s a marvelous way of casting the Bouquet Charm. Are you able to replicate it?”

“No, professor.”

Professor McGonagall looked at Sol, who seemed as surprised as her, “Mr. Balor?”

“Professor, why are you looking at me? I didn’t do anything.”

“Well, I saw you chatting with Ms. Bell here before the spell was cast. So, I assume you’d know.”

Sol smiled wryly, “Professor, I really don’t. If I did, I’d be able to replicate it, right?”

“Oh, no, no. I am perfectly aware of your capabilities. But I do wonder if you’re able to extend it to your friends,” Professor McGonagall smiled slyly.

“Does she want me to teach them?” Sol thought. He shook his head and said, “Professor, I think you’re reading into this too deeply. Sure, she conjured a new bouquet charm, but that’s really it. In the first place, the charm is just used to present a romantic interest with flo… wers.”

The pieces inside his mind clicked. “Oh.”