Chapter 65: Your Type

                                    

                                          





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"That's it! See? You're doing great! I knew you could!" Sandy cheered, clapping at the younger Black with a wide smile. They were currently in a classroom, practicing the Patronus Charm, as they had done a few times that month. Tonight would be the full moon, when Regulus would complete his Animagi ritual, if all went well. 
Unfortunately, Regulus was not all that gleeful over his progress. It was simply not enough in his eyes. Not yet. He wanted to know what animal or creature it was supposed to take form into, however, he was not there yet. "It's still just mist thought." He had managed to achieve that for the first time, last week. However, he had not gone beyond that point.
"Most people can't even get that far. Adults. This is more than enough to ward off dementors, send messages across distance, and more. A non-corporeal Patronus, and at fourteen years old, is incredibly impressive! Remember, this is Ancient Magic."
He crossed his arms, not fully convinced. "Oh, yeah? And when did you get your full corporeal Patronus? I bet you were younger than I am."
There was a pause, as she pondered over being honest or not. Seeing the look in his eyes, however, made her rethink attempting to trick him. Regulus trusted her, and with the many secrets she was already keeping, this seemed far too unfair. "In my 3rd year, right after the Christmas break. I was 12. But, that's besides the point. Mastering a charm sooner does not mean it will be more potent than someone else's. Your determination, practice, and the development of the skill matters more."
As he went to nod (albeit not completely convinced), something occurred to him. A slip up. "Wouldn't you have been thirteen by then? Your birthday is in December."
"Right... Sorry, I meant during the break, right before my birthday, but those details don't matter much. Twelve, thirteen, same thing." She let out a nervous chuckle inevitably. Indeed, her true birthday was in August, but with time-travel, that had changed. "Anyways, your Patronus is more than perfect right now. But, if you do want to try to get to full corporeal I think it's the memory itself that you should be focusing on. Your wand waring and pronunciation of the charm are on point. The potency of the glow is more so related to the memory. The current one your using works, but perhaps isn't as happy as it could be."
Regulus narrowed her eyes, choosing to not forget the slip up, but pretending otherwise. With a small smile, he nodded. "Well, I was thinking a very happy memory. You know, the day you came to the Potter manor. It was with you, Sirius, Kreacher, and a new family. Free of my parents, safe, and with people I love. Should that not be potent enough? You said the best happy memories for this charm are those with people we love."
She pondered about it, thankful that he was not pressing on her slip up. "Well, maybe... Okay, so, technically you're not just supposed to think about the happy memory. Maybe it's my fault for not explaining this right. You're supposed to fully allow the feeling of joy from this memory to fill you up. Give that a try. Allow it to fill you up for about a minute in silence. Only once you're ready, you cast it. Go on."
Hesitantly, he did as she instructed, while she sat at one of the desks. Regulus took a deep breath, closed his eyes, cleared his mind. Once he had achieved that, he went on to recall the instance at the Potter manor. How he had only been able to get there thanks to his very good friend (whom he considered a sister), as he had provided him with a secret charm to protect himself. He recalled how welcoming Monty and Mia had been, fighting for him and Sirius, bringing them in incredibly warm hugs. How they had accepted Kreacher too. How James had spent the day showing them around the house, helping them move into their new home, and cracking jokes to lighten their spirits. How the Potter's signing the adoption papers. How the McKinnons, including Coral, had both testified against Orion and Walburga. And that Sandy arrived, checking in on them after they had run away from Grimmauld Place. He had never felt so loved, protected, and safe, until then. It was his happiest memory. "Expecto Patrus." He muttered, eyes still closed, with a small smile dancing across his lips.