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Ever since the recent events in the Forbidden Forrest, you’ve felt like something was missing. Perhaps it was the memories the dementors fed off from. As if the International Tournament wasn’t draining enough, now a part of you was gone. Your friends tried to cheer you up but you missed this part that would remain gone. The memory of… of…
While you walked the halls, you sensed that people were talking about you. People looked your way and then immediately turned to speak to their friends.
"Did you hear about the recent dementor attack?"
"I hear it was ... who snuck out."
"A dementor?! I thought they were only located in Askaban!"
"Serve them right for sneaking out at night and heading to the forbidden forest."
Heading into charms class you spot a letter on your desk, you know only one person who used this type of high-quality envelope and paper. The two of you had exchanged so many letters that the writing style had become familiar. Meet me in the courtyard after classes, and after reading the letter you stuffed it in your cloak pocket. Your day went by fast, your attention focused on something else aside from your nosey peers.
Later that evening, you head to the courtyard, where Cassandra sits on the edge of the fountain. The moment she hears your footsteps, she turns toward you, her expression a mixture of disdain and concern.
“Tell me, are the rumors true?” Her emerald eyes seemed to pierce straight through your soul.
Knowing she would ask this question, you had rehearsed an answer in advance, but when the moment arrived. “I…”
“You look a mess.” She remarks, her eyes scanning your appearance. Standing there, she exudes a looming sense of intimidation.
“Um…” Now aware of your appearance, you realize your uniform is a mess. Your clothes are wrinkled, with some parts tucked in while others aren’t. Dark circles shadow your eyes, poorly concealed by smudged eyeshadow that had faded hours ago, and strands of your hair stick out in disarray.
“So you did sneak out over curfew, what could possibly make you want to do that?” She crossed her arms and placed a hand under her chin, tapping her foot impatiently.
“Fisher snuck out and I didn’t want him to get hurt. Before I left the castle there was a hooded figure, I lost sight of him. I tried to focus on finding Fisher but I couldn’t. Then I felt this presence behind me, everything started to grow cold. I fired a vermillious charm into the air before I completely passed out. I was mere moments away from the dementor’s kiss. ” The feeling of having your memories taken from your soul resurfaced, everything felt cold and hollow.
“Why are you always so worried for others when you can’t even look after yourself.” She pondered for a moment, eyes looking at the ground then back up to you. “Is that why you’ve been so mopey lately?”
“I feel as if something is missing. That memory the dementor stole.” You crossed your arms, holding your chin in your hand trying to remember what exactly was stolen.
While searching for the missing memory a more painful one resurfaces. One that has been creeping in the back of your mind, a certain memory you replayed while you slept in the hospital. A memory that you kept under lock and key, assuming you had simply gotten over it. It doesn’t help that this specific incident happened in the same Forrest. The searing pain of green magic, the heartbreak of seeing someone you care about lying injured on the ground, and the unforgivable curse that escaped your lips.
When did this pressure surround your head as if you were deep underwater? There was this ringing in your ears and the air was thin like when you fly too high. Why was your scarred arm shaking violently? Why did you feel scared? What happened to your legs? Who is pushing you down to the ground? Were you falling? Cass…
“Hey! Eyes on me!” Cassandra was on your right, lifting your upper body off the ground. Your eyes met hers, were those tears? Since when was there a cut on the side of her face? “Can you hear me!”
Your focus was entirely on her, a sharp pinch tugging at your heart. You lift your hand to the side of her face, tracing the cut that was once below her eye. You moved your thumb and traced the corner of her eye, wiping the tear that was about to fall.
“Remember your breathing technique. Inhale. Exhale.” She took a deep breath in and exhaled in a pattern for you to copy. Eventually, your breathing returned to normal and you could hear her normally. No longer did it sound like you were underwater. “You’re in the courtyard at Hogwarts. Your friends are safe. I am safe. You are safe.”
“I am safe.” You wrapped both our arms around her neck, fingers tangling in the curls of her hair. The two of you stayed in this position for a moment. For being the Slytherin Princess she was quite warm compared to your cold body. Eventually, the two of you made your way inside, moving to the Room of Requirement. The two of you sat in front of the fireplace, a bit of space remaining between you two and an awkward silence lingering in the air.
“Has that been happening recently? I think you should talk to someone other than me.”
“I can say the same about you.”
“I’m serious… You could have…” There went the barrier, when she turned the tears had fallen. She was removing her gloves to wipe the tears and not let her mascara stain them.
“Cass, please don’t cry.” You shifted closer, sitting on your knees and placing both your hands on her shoulders. Her eyes shimmered from the light of the fire.
“It’s your fault you know.” Reaching into her pocket she pulls out a necklace and places it into one of your hands. You gently hold the jewel in your hand. It’s a diamond-shaped green moss agate, on the top half was a crescent with black gems, and a V holding the gem in place. The pendant hangs from a silver chain.
“When did you get this? It’s beautiful. Thank you.” Your heart fluttered at the thought of receiving such a well-thought gift from someone you, respected. You felt happy, a feeling you hadn’t felt the past few days ever since the attack.
“There’s no need, I saw this a while ago back in Diagon Aly.” A warm smile on her face surfaced. She took the two clasps and connected the necklace to your neck.
Wishing for a cup of hot conflate to enjoy a cup magically appeared to the left of you. Shifting into a more comfortable sitting position with your legs crossed you speak first, “I’ll speak to the Headmistress about that night. I can’t let the fear control me any further.”
“No more going into the Forrest alone. Since you are so keen on saving others at least bring someone to keep an eye on your back.”
Knowing the spell to keep yourself especially others protected, there was a fire of determination within you to learn the patronus charm.
After foolishly entering the woods by yourself and many close calls later, you miraculously haven’t gotten injured yet. Thankfully you ran into Harry Potter again, saving you from the wave of dementors. He instructed you through the process of summoning a Patronus. You were missing an important key, a very happy memory. His words echo through your mind while you search deep within your soul.
Silence runs and silent gazes. A gentle silence soothes your mind…
Let it all end. But remember the little things that keep you going…
Pain, fear, and loneliness. Deep in your memory, you faintly remember the sound of their voices…
Take a big breath. Your perseverance represents hope. Heroes are simply mortals, but their secrets is to never give up…
Use your most important memory to focus the last of your conscious thoughts. You are perfect the way you are, beautiful and strong.
“Expect Patronum!” Holding the necklace in one hand you wave your wand with the other and speak the incantation.
Power surges to the tip of your wand. You are surrounded by warmth. In the darkness, you make out the silhouette of a patronus.
A pale blue light dances through the air, transforming into the shape of an animal. The creature circles itself around you and makes its way into the night sky.
A wave of dementors makes its way down, along the shore you hear multiple familiar voices. The creatures focus their attention on your friends, they raise their wands ready for battle.
“Expectino patronum!” You shout the spell and wave your wand but feel nothing, no spark of light leaves your wand. Panic begins to surface and you try to look for Harry but can’t in the sea of dementors coming from all directions. Your gaze shifts to the frozen lake beneath you, its surface glistening like a sheet of glass, reflecting the world around it. Searching your mind for any remaining memories, the voice of the boggart also echoes through your mind.
You are weak.
Happy memory.
You’re going to fail.
Happy memory.
You can’t even keep yourself safe
Happy memory…
Something glimmers in front of you, catching the moonlight in a way that makes it difficult to look away. Your eyes take a moment to adjust and focus on the delicate pale jewel with veins of green hanging on your neck. Suddenly, as if deep within your mind has clicked open, a vivid memory begins to unfold before you, drawing you into its depths. The details were so clear like they had just occurred yesterday.
“I guess a thank you is for taking care of my rose while I was unconscious.” Cassandra steps closer to you, placing a kiss on your cheek. Flustered she quickly leaves you alone in the greenhouse.
You quickly glance at the necklace and back to your friends, multiple beams of light firing from all directions. “EXPECTO PATRONUM!” A surge of powerful light erupts from your wand, sending multiple beams rippling across the entire lake. Each wave pushes back dementors in the vicinity, creating a protective barrier around you and your friends. Once the area was safe you made your way to your friends who were unharmed on the shoreline.
“Was that the patrons charm?” Keven wiped his glasses clean.
“Yes, that’s quick the difficult spell.” Ivy commented.
“Woah, I want to learn that spell as well,” Robin asked Kevin about the instructions to summon a spell.
“Can you summon it again so I can paint it?” Lottie asked, quickly pulling out her sketchbook.
“I knew you could do it, now can we please get out of this cold?” Daniel pointed in the direction back to the castle.
“Let’s all get inside now.” Harry Potter cast his patrons to lead the way back, the group now filling the deer.
Walking side by side with Cassandra she whispered, “You continue to impress me, though next time do so in a less dangerous situation.”
You knew this wouldn’t be the last time you’d encounter those creatures, luckily you were now equipped with the skills to defend yourself. It’s a shame your memories were taken once again, now that your friends are safe there will be many new memories to flourish.