Chapter 85: Patronus
Summer in Spinner End was hot, and the smell from the river got worse. The malhooks welcomed me home for the holidays with a nice roast dinner; they told me all the latest gossip as well: some of my old school friends got into fights, and two of my old teachers were getting married. Mrs Malhook was also telling me all the adventures Rodney got up to, like climbing onto the roof and fighting the neighbour's cat.
Henley was happy to be home too; spinners end had a bit of a mouse problem that Henley was determined to get rid of. Rodney was happy to see me as well; he sat on the kitchen window, clucking at me for a while before going back to his hens. I forgot that even tho Rodney looked like a normal rooster, he was, in fact, from the magical world and was much more intelligent than most common roosters.
The next morning, I went for a run and a workout. It had been months since I could do my morning routine, so I was pretty winded afterwards. I sat in the local park and caught my breath. It was early, so there was almost no one in the park, just a kid walking his dog; the dog looked familiar.
*Ruff Ruff* The dog saw me, barked, and pulled the boy who was walking him to me. As the dog got closer, I saw I did know the dog and the boy it was dragging. The golden lab got up to me and jumped up at me.
"yes, hello, Barney, hello" I gave him scratches and ruffled his fur.
Barney waged his tail and tried to lick my face.
"Eddie?" the boy asked, looking at me.
"How's it going, Frankie?" I said, still giving the good boy pats.
"god, it is you", Frankie laughed, "It has been two years, and you ask how it's going."
"wow, it has been that long, hasn't it?" I stopped patting Barney. "Well, give us a hug", I said, pulling him in. We gave each other a manly hug with lots of back-patting.
"so, where have you been? Mum said you went to boarding school," he asked.
"yup, up in Scotland; a good place gets a bit cold, though", I smiled.
"What happened to make you get sent away to boarding school?" he asked.
"just gifted, got a scholarship, it a bit of a private school", I said. "Sorry I didn't tell you it all happened so fast, then I got caught up with travelling and goings on in the school", I sighed "so how are you? Hows ben? How's Jill?"
"Ben and I are on the football team now. And what do you mean how Jill," asked Frankie. "She was upset when you left without a word."
"yeah, my bad; again, I got caught up in the excitement." I laughed. "Hey, but I'm back for the summer. We should all meet up in a couple of days and catch up." I smiled, giving Barney another scratch. "Anyway, I got to jog on. Got homework that I wanna get out of the way first."
"good to see you, Eddie", said Frankie.
"you too, Frankie", I said and waved goodbye before jogging home.
--
I got back home, took a shower and changed. I kind of liked magic clothing; I could wear my trench coat in the height of summer and not feel hot. I didn't because a kid walking around in a trench coat in summer would be weird by muggle standards, so I settled with a band shirt and jeans.
So I walked out of the house with the screaming zombie from Iron Maiden on my chest and headed to Mike's house.
*Knock Knock*
"master carter, a bit early?" asked Mike as he let me in.
"don't mind me. I just need to use your basement", I said with a smile.
"Sure, sure, I'll put on a pot of coffee" Mike yawned and walked into the kitchen.
I went down to the basement, looked at a blank wall, and started to practice the spell I would likely need in the coming school year.
With the Patronus charm, with my practice in occlumency, my mind had gotten sharper, and I could feel my magic growing stronger every year. I had no idea if I had enough power yet to do this charm, but I knew a lot about it. With the dementors coming to Hogwarts, I might need it, so I best learn now.
Thinking about my memories, I chose one that made me particularly happy. <Expecto Patronum> I shouted, and a white glowing shield sprung from my wand no bigger than a dinner plate. Cancelling the spell, I tried again, thinking of a different memory.
An hour later, Mike came down to see me covered in sweat, staring at the blank wall. <Expecto Patronum!> A small glowing bat flew out of my wand and fluttered about before vanishing, and I collapsed to my knees.
"holy hell", said Mike as he rushed to my side. "Eddie, you okay?" he grabbed me.
"Yeah just tired" I wheezed.
"You produced a corporal patronus. Of course, you're tired," Mike laughed. "That's a feat for a 12-year-old"
"Almost 13 just a few days" I said with a weezing laugh.
"You sure you're okay?" He asked.
"I'll have a coffee if you have made that pot" I smiled weakly.
"Sure, not a problem" he heaved me to my feet and we left the basement.
I spent the rest of the day at Mike's, practising the spell. Now I had the correct memory; I could produce my patronus bat almost every time. The more I focused, the larger it got and the longer it lasted.
Mike made me take rest breaks every now and again. When he asked why I wanted to learn it, I told him it would be bonus points on my o.w.l's in a few years. And having a defensive spell against amortal creatures would be handy.
I wondered why I had a bat as my patronus, and then I thought, 'Well, bats use sound to navigate and find prey.' Well, I hoped to get my bat to the point it was like a bat outta hell.
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