The second Patronus lesson came faster than anyone expected.
By the time Thursday rolled around, the entire third-year class buzzed with nervous excitement.
Rumors spread wildly through all four Houses, many guessing at what each others creatures would be, some even remarking on some already established couples and wondering if they'd break up seeing each other having different patronus's.
The rumor mill was rife, though it was Cassius's class that had the greatest success during the previous class, a handful of people had managed to create white whisps from their wands, proof of eventual success even if they were failures themselves.
He arrived to class flanked by Hermione and Daphne, the rest of his girls settling in behind them.
Harry sat two rows up with Ron while draco irritatingly sat next to him as well, gripping his wand like it was his destiny to call forth a mighty serpent!
Professor Lupin waited at the front of the classroom, sleeves rolled up, a faint trace of excitement on his normally calm face.
"Welcome back, everyone," he said warmly. "Today we're continuing our work on the Patronus Charm. But this time…"
He flicked his wand.
The desks folded and stacked themselves along the walls.
"…we'll start off with a demonstation, since i'm sure you've all been practicing in your freetime."
Nervous murmurs rippled through the room.
Even Hermione swallowed, she had indeed suceeded in producing the simple shield in training back within the common room but that was when she was near others who she didnt mind exposing her happiness to everyone else to see.
Cassius leaned casually against the wall, eyes half-lidded—though his idle trainers were grinding the spell continuously in the background.
The XP blurred passed if he tried to focus on them.
I should have reached an acceptable level by now... i hope.
Lupin clapped his hands.
"Let's begin with controlled attempts. One at a time. A wisp is a success. Anything more is exceptional."
He paused.
"And remember—no shame in failure. Even adult wizards struggle with this one."
Harry's spine went rigid.
Cassius sighed internally.
Please, for Merlin's sake, do not make this into a competition—
"Potter," Lupin called. "Would you like to start us off?"
Harry jumped.
Ron slapped his shoulder encouragingly.
The room buzzed with anticipation.
Harry stepped forward, jaw tight, wand trembling slightly.
Lupin's tone softened. "Clear your mind. Focus on your memory."
Harry's eyes closed.
Cassius didn't need Legilimency to know exactly what memory Harry clung to.
That had to be the moment Lily finally confessed to him and his long felt desire for family was fufilled.
And Harry needed that fantasy badly even if the woman herself was a real piece of work.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
Light exploded from his wand.
Not white mist.
Not a wisp.
A beam—cool, silver-blue—burst outward and coalesced into the unmistakable outline of a stag.
Legs formed.
Antlers grew.
The creature stomped the ground with a glowing hoof, mist swirling around its form.
A fully formed Patronus.
The class erupted into cheers.
"Bloody brilliant, mate!" Ron yelled, nearly tackling Harry.
Hermione clapped vigorously.
Daphne gave a small, approving nod.
Even Draco muttered, "Not bad," under his breath.
Lupin looked stunned for a full second before his expression softened with unmistakable affection.
"Magnificent, Harry," he said quietly, pride slipping through his voice. "Truly magnificent."
Harry beamed—glowing more brightly than his Patronus.
But even with this jaw dropping first example, the class didnt stop, student after student was called up, but through it all Harry remained the only one to summon a corporeal patronus, making his smuggnes threaten to overtake his face.
There were some students who managed to create the basic shield just not advancing enough to summon out their patronus itself.
Draco almost had a corporeal form, but it broke down midway through creation resulting in a basic pass.
Then it came to the girls, Hermione was first up, but before she could head up to the front, Cassius leaned over quick and gave her a simple peck on the cheek, before smiling at her watching her walk mechanically towards the front of the class.
Her face was in full bloom when she reached position, and by the time she levelled her wand and near imperceptibly chanted 'Expecto Patronum' almost as if it was waiting to be called out, a lively otter burst from her wand, giddily swimming through the air as if it were doing an underwater ballet before twirling down and nuzzling against her cheek.
"Excellent, Excellent well done Mrs. Granger!" Lupins praise was even greater than for harry, her patronus wasnt just corporeal but it was full bodied and lively too, a mark of a truely excellent casting.
When it came time for Daphne's turn she leaned in expecting similar treatment which cassius was happy to deliver but not before rolling his eyes.
When her Patronus burst out the White fox that appeared looked almost regal, and as stated by Daphne herself so, so cute and huggable to bad it was almost like a ghost.
And then—
Lupin turned.
He looked right at Cassius.
"Cassius," he said gently, "you're next."
The room stilled.
Harry turned, eyebrows raised.
His expression clearly said:
Just try to do better than me this time, Snape.
Cassius closed his eyes.
Centering himself in the memory of that which he wanted to protect, raising his wand up slowly drawing out the moment until it felt, just right.
Only six girls laughing beside him in Hogsmeade.
Sirius in a ballgown.
Remus smiling softly.
Snape muttering "thank you" when he thought no one heard.
The happy memories practically overflowed with how many he had both current or future.
Memories real and unreal.
Protective and possessive.
Warm and terrifying.
Cassius whispered:
"Expecto… Pat-."
The air before him trembled.
At first some wanted to laugh thinking the genius failed to get even a whisp, but the pressure in the room now, made the hairs on everyones necks stand on end.
Then—
Cassius spoke the last word.
"-RONUM."
The world went white.
It wasn't a burst.
It wasn't a beam.
It was a detonation of pure, radiant force.
Students shielded their eyes.
Some shouted.
A few stumbled back.
But Lupin—
Lupin froze.
His face went pale.
Because what emerged was not blue.
It was violet-white, shimmering like starlight, tinged with cosmic depth.
And rather than a mist or whisp erupting from his wand, Cassius simply lowered it, when like a ghost appearing from nowhere the creature that phased into being roared.
Finally taking form enough to be recognized, and it was...