Part 3

“Now, I understand Harry here has been teaching you all very well over the last year, and so I would like to see what you have been practicing.” said Karis, eyeing the class. “So what have you been doing exactly?”

“Well Professor, we have all learnt the Patronus charm.” said Neville, beaming from ear to ear.

“Really? Well, grab a partner then and show me what you can do.” replied Karis. “Would you like to partner with me Harry?”

Harry felt terrible; he couldn’t look her in the eye. “Yeah, alright.” he replied quickly.

“Excellent, well I will go grab the cushions, I had no idea this was how you practised, I always find that duelling is always the best form of learning, you need to put it into practise!” said Karis, smiling at Harry. “I just hope you don’t find my classes boring now!” she giggled and walked to the cushion mound.

Hermione quickly strode up to Harry. “What was that all about outside?”

“Nothing, doesn’t matter!”

“Yes it does, what did you hear, what are you not telling me and Ron!” she prodded him in the side.

“I…nothing, quick she’s coming.”

Hermione let out a long exasperated sigh, and quickly rejoined Ron.

“Right then Harry, show me your Patronus.”

“OK, Hang on, just got to think of something happy, find that quite hard sometimes after some of the things I’ve seen and heard!”

“Understandably so Harry, take your time!”

Karis overlooked Harry’s second dig of the day towards her.

“EXPECTO PATRONUM” he shouted.

The tip of his wand came alight; it was so bright it filled the whole room. There standing in the middle was a beautiful stag, it nodded to Karis and then at Harry, they nodded back politely and as quickly as it came, it had disappeared.

Everyone started clapping, including Karis.

“Well done Harry, well done!” she praised

“Now, who wants to see mine?” asked Karis.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Karis with excitement, especially Harry, he was intrigued.

She stood there with her eyes closed, thinking of her happiest memory.

She held up her wand, still with a wide smile on her face and said clearly “EXPECTO PATRONUM”

From the tip of her wand came a bright white light, there seemed to be waves, they were so high, trailing through the centre of the room, and suddenly with a huge leap came the most beautiful bright dolphin. It jumped up from the waves and swan straight past Hermione’s head. She was watching in awe, then as fast as it arrived like Harry’s stag, it disappeared.

Everyone started clapping, Harry for a split second forgot about his grievances, and saluted her on the most amazing patronus he had ever seen.

“That was so cool Karis!” said Ron, with amazement.

“Well thank you Ron.” she replied, beaming. “I am very pleased she chose me, as Dolphins are the sign of peace, love and tranquillity, I am very honoured to have her.”

“You mean, our patronus chooses us?” asked Luna

“Yes Luna, they are a guide, once they walked, or in my case, swam, this plane many years before us, they are like guardian angels. Some witches and wizards oppose the idea, but I like to believe it, because it’s gives me a sign of hope.”

“I know why mine chose me.” said Harry, more thinking to himself but he said it out loud nonetheless.

“Me too Harry, I knew as soon as I saw your Stag. I saw him in pure form once, many years ago when I was a child.”

“You knew my Father?” asked Harry incredulously, his eyes open wide.

“Yes, but we will talk about that another day.” she winked at Harry and smiled, then turned to the rest of the class.

“Right, well I don’t think I need to be here, you all seem to be doing very well, so I will leave Harry here to continue with the training. Remember, not long after 8pm please, we don’t want you losing any more points! Keep your eyes and ears open, and please remember to keep this strictly between us!”

She politely bowed to Harry and the rest of the class, and then turned and excited the Room of Requirement.



Part 4

“Well that went well.” said Neville with excitement. “Did you see my Patronus Ginny?”

“Yeah, it was great, mine was alright, was a bit wispy though, still not getting a proper form!”

“Ah, it will come with time, you’ll just have to keep practising.”

“Yeah, maybe we can practice together sometime?”

Neville looked taken aback at Ginny’s invitation. “Uh, yeah..sure Gin, that would be cool.”

“Right well I am off to bed – Thanks Harry that was great.” said Ginny, sticking her thumb up.

Harry shot her a thankful nod.

Neville yawned. “Yeah, see you lads later, I’m off too.” he gestured to Ron and Harry.

They all said goodnight.

Hermione waited until it was empty. “Now, tell us what the hell is going on.” she said, with determination in her voice. She grabbed Harry by the arm and sat down next to him on the over filled sofa in the Gryffindor Common Room.

The fire was flickering lightly, projecting shadows of flames on the walls around them.

It was late and everyone had now retired to their dormitories. Except for Harry, Ron and Hermione. They were determined to find out why Harry was so rude to Karis, especially considering they had a trusting and blossoming friendship on the horizon. For Hermione and Ron it didn’t make sense, moreover, they wanted to know what he meant.

“I told you… it’s nothing.” replied Harry, keeping his head down, unable to look them both in the eye.

“Well, sorry Harry but it don’t look like that to us.” said Ron, shaking his head.

“Wow, can see you two are getting on well, your actually taking sides with Hermione these days Ron.” mocked Harry.

They smiled at his enthusiasm to change the subject, but to no avail were they going to allow him the pleasure to push them away once again.

“You heard what Dumbledore said, so did me and Ron.” stated Hermione. “We know that the Order know about the Prophecy’s containment, because why else would Voldemort take Alastor? You know too Harry and you’re not telling us!”

Harry looked up at her momentarily in surprise. She could see she hit a raw nerve.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Hermione.” he shot back.

“Ah, sorry Harry, but we think you do, and we want to know. We are in this together, and after everything we have been through, don’t do this to us, for Merlin’s sake Harry stop pushing us away!” said Ron, with a maturity of seriousness that stunned Harry.

Harry put his head down again, he knew he couldn’t steer clear of it anymore, they wanted to know and after everything they had been through, he owed them his honesty, but he knew it would hurt them both, but if they wanted the truth, then so be it!

“I think you better both sit down.” said Harry.

“I am sitting down.” replied Hermione.

“It’s just….. well, this is going to be very difficult, and whatever you do, please try to understand that I am OK, I’ve come to terms with it and I expect you to as well!”

Ron started to look incredibly concerned and quickly sat in the chair opposite the sofa.

Ron took a deep breath and smiled at Hermione, following it with a wink. He looked at his best friend and nodded in the way he always did when there was something on his mind, the nod of understanding and prolonged friendship that all three of them had always endured since the tender age of eleven.

“OK Harry, tell us.” said Ron with rising confidence. “Tell us everything!”