- Timeskip: Next Morning -
The next morning, Harry woke up from the best sleep of his life. His groin was sore, and felt more than a little sticky, but it was negligible compared to how relaxed he was lying in bed.
Curiously, he noticed a weight resting on his chest. Looking down, he spotted a mass of black hair was spread out on his chest as a pale hand gently caressed his stomach.
Feeling his breathing change, the head tilted up to reveal two black orbs shining from between the ebony strands.
It took Harry a second for his mind to catch up, the events of last night bringing a slight blush to his cheeks.
Giggling, Death stopped caressing his stomach to reach up and gently cup his cheek. "Good morning, my love." Her voice was soft, and carried a surprising amount of affection with it.
Smiling down at her, Harry replied. "Good morning, Death."
Taking the chance, he leaned down to place a small kiss on her lips; her lips spreading into a grin at his new-found confidence.
Pulling back, he wondered, "I'm surprised you stayed. I thought you would have left after I fell asleep."
Sighing at the loss of his lips on hers, Death explained. "Normally, I would have. The presence of Death on Earth for extended periods of time can cause…problems. But…as long as I keep to only a few of these types of visits, the effects are easily managed." Smiling, her smudged black lips drew him in as she added, "And truthfully…I wanted to spend more time with you."
That had his heart beating a little faster. Sometimes, it was hard for him to know what she was thinking when she was with him. So to hear that she wanted to be with him longer was fantastic.
Wrapping his arms around her, he squeezed her body against him. Feeling her large breasts pressing into him caused a stirring at his sore groin that he chose to ignore. "That…really makes me happy to hear." Leaning down, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead, taking the chance to breath in her intoxicating scent.
The two laid there quietly for a moment, enjoying the comfort the other's presence gave. Reluctantly, Death broke the comfortable silence. "That's not the only reason why I stayed…"
Tilting his head down to face her better, his eyebrow raised, "It's not?" He asked, confused at what else there might be.
Shaking her head, Death replied. "No…As wonderful as our night was, that was only part of your reward. You returned to me a soul fragment, and a Hallow…While they were both one item, it is still two tasks you have completed for me."
"Oh…" Harry replied. "I mean, I won't say no to more rewards." Personally, Harry felt that losing his virginity to Death was more than worth two rewards. But if she wanted to give him something else as well, who was he to complain?
Placing her hand against his chest, the pale flesh shone with black energy as Harry felt a slight warmth enter him. "You will soon be facing creatures that cannot be killed by mortal means. The only protection magicals have discovered that works against them, is a spell designed to keep them at bay."
Blinking, Harry could guess what she meant, "You're talking about dementors."
Nodding, Death continued as she went back to caressing his stomach, "Indeed. Those abominations are nothing more than failed attempts at summoning and binding Death to mortal form. These, Dementors, are foul things. They take the souls of others, and keep all of the souls they steal within their decayed bodies…souls that should have returned to Death, long ago." Her statement had a noticeable bite to it.
Death truly despised all of the ways in which mortals tried to escape her. The selfish desire to live on forever, stemming from an arrogant belief that they had a right to live on when everything else died. Yet never understanding that something cannot come from nothing.
For there to be life, there must also be death. Upsetting that balance had far reaching consequences that mortals seemed to not spare a thought towards in their fevered pursuit of immortality.
"Those souls have suffered long enough within those beasts. And so…my second reward to you, my love." Death spoke.
"Learn the spell that mortals use to keep them back, and you shall find that it does more than that. Now, when you use the spell, it shall kill them and return the souls to their rightful place in the afterlife."
That was going to be extremely useful. Being able to kill dementors, and rob Voldemort of more forces to his army?
Mmmm
Instead of thanking her, Harry leaned down and kissed her passionately.
Unlike last night, Harry's tongue was the aggressor and eventually dominated Death's. Drawing her tongue into his mouth, he sucked on it, tasting her as she moaned.
Pulling back from the kiss panting, Death laughed breathlessly. "I take it you are satisfied with your reward then?"
Chuckling, Harry nodded. "Definitely." Pausing, he asked. "And what happens if I succeed in killing them all? Will I get a reward for it?"
"Of course," she leaned up to his ear. "Do this for me, and you will be…suitably rewarded." She purred, biting at his ear gently before pulling on it
He was really curious what she meant by suitably, his mind racing with erotic ideas.
Pulling his thoughts away from his mind's hormonal ideas, he needed to plan out how to even go about learning the Patronus Charm. He'll have to look through his mother's journals later and see if she had any notes on casting the spell.
The amount of information he discovered in her journals blew him away. Minerva had told him that his father was talented in Transfiguration, but no one really knew what Lily's talent was beyond saying that she had a knack for charms.
Reading through her journals, he found out what it was.
Runes
Lily had been a master at Runes. Deconstructing runic arrays, studying ancient runes from dead civilizations lost to centuries past. Practically everything one could learn about runes was in her notes. And the more he read, the more Harry could see why.
They were simple, primal, but most of all…Powerful.
It wasn't until he reached the end of one of her journals that Harry learned just how powerful.
His scar, shaped similarly to a lightning bolt, and the wand-motion for the Killing Curse; was actually the runic symbol Sowilo. Which Harry found meant Sun and represented Victory and Protection.
It was through a prepared ritual, and the use of this rune, that Lily was able to protect him from Voldemort's spell.
This made far more sense to Harry than just being protected by an esoteric concept of a mother's love. After all, had there never been a mother who tried to protect their child from the Killing Curse before?
In the centuries since its creation, no one tried that? Doubtful.
Hearing Death sigh, he turned his thoughts away from his mother's journals and back to her.
Watching as she reluctantly got out of bed, unentangling herself from his embrace. "As much as I wish to stay, my love. It is time I left."
Getting up out of bed with her, Harry ignored their shared nudity as he hugged her. "I love hearing you call me that."
Stepping up to him, Death raked her hand down his chest as she replied. "I should hope so. Becoming intimate with a being like myself is not without meaning." Bringing her hand up, she traced his jawline with a finger, sending pleasant shivers down his body. "You and I share a bond that exists beyond this world. Beyond any of your future lovers. Do not be afraid to seek out their love, or worry at my jealousy. For I know that you will always return to me. For you are my lover, my chosen…" Leaning in, she softly spoke into his ear lovingly, "My Hero."
Placing one last kiss on his cheek, Death created a portal behind her. "I'll see you soon, my love."
Watching her disappear, he couldn't help touching his lips. Her taste lingering as he slowly walked into the shower to clean up.
He really was sticky from last night, and it was getting uncomfortable.
- Timeskip: End of Summer -
After losing his virginity, Harry thought he would feel different. More mature maybe. But nothing seemed to change. Outside of grinning every time he remembered Death calling him her love, everything felt the same.
Going through his mother's journals and old school books, Harry did eventually find her notes on the Patronus Charm. Casting it for the first time unremarkably did nothing. Several attempts after that proved just as terrible. He tried using memories of times with Cho, Marietta, and Minerva to power the spell, but the most he could get was mist.
Deciding to try and use the memory of his night with Death, he was amazed to see the spell begin to take shape.
Watching as the silver mist coalesced into form, his mouth stretched into a boyish grin as the shape of a dragon flew around the living room.
Unlike what was in his mother's notes, his Patronus looked far more solid than it was supposed to, almost to the point it looked alive.
Having to research a Magizoology book to determine what breed of dragon it was, Harry tried to see what dragon had bat-like wings, a rigged spine, and arrow-shaped tail.
After looking over the different types, he finally determined that it was a Hebridean Black, known as one of the largest breeds of dragons.
Experimenting with it, Harry noticed he could increase or decrease the size of the dragon depending on how much magic he put into it through the wand-motions; the less movements he used, the smaller it was. And if he didn't use the incantation, Harry found that the most he could conjure was the shield.
He had just gotten through practicing without the incantation when Minerva finally declared him ready to begin his preparations for the Animagus form.
- Flashback -
"The Animagus form is one of the most complex magical talents a witch or wizard can learn. It requires skill, dedication, and luck to achieve it." Minerva began.
Confused at that last part, Harry asked. "Luck?"
Nodding, she replied. "Yes, luck. It is not uncommon for you to perform every step in the process perfectly, and it will still fail." That dimmed some of his excitement. "It is what makes the ability so rare. Many a magical have attempted the process, only to quit after their first or second attempts failed."
"The first step, requires you to keep a single Mandrake leaf in your mouth for an entire month without swallowing it, or letting it ever leave your mouth." she said.
"…seriously?" That was the first step? What kind of nonsense was this? What madman even figured this out in the first place!
"Seriously, Harry. It is difficult, incredibly so, but doable." She added. "Even your father and his friends were able to do so."
Blinking, he stared back at her. Wasn't their Animagus forms a secret?
"How did they do it? Did they come to you for help too?"
Chuckling softly, she shook her head. "No, they did not come to me for help. In fact, I believe they never revealed it to anyone else, besides your mother." Exasperated, she continued, "Had they done so, I could have guided them through the attempt without taking on unnecessary dangers. The first time transforming can be terrifying, and accidents are known to happen as a result of that fear."
"Then, how did you know they actually did it?" he asked.
"Because I too, am an Animagus." Seeing he was confused as to why that mattered, Minerva explained. "One thing most do not realize about an Animagus, is that elements of our animal side carry over to our human forms."
Using herself as an example, she continued. "For instance; as a cat, I have enhanced senses that allow me to smell scents that others cannot, even the Headmaster. Scents like those of your father and his friends after completing the transformation. They began smelling like different animals one day without a reason, and continued to smell that way every day after."
"And you never revealed it to anyone?" Harry asked, confused as to why she wouldn't revealed it since they never registered.
Her face turned grim at his question. "By the time they accomplished it, the Civil Blood War had already been in full affect. Had I revealed their secret, it may very well have led to their premature deaths. The ability to transform into an animal can provide someone a useful tool to escape, if others are not aware they can do it." Sighing, she muttered, "Like the escape of Sirius Black."
Ashamed, she said. "I fear it is because of this ability, that he was able to escape Azkaban. Perhaps…if I had told someone sooner, he would not have broken free."
"You couldn't have known what he would do, all you wanted to do was give your students a chance to survive a horrible situation." Placing his hand over hers, Harry tried to offer her some comfort.
Smiling, she lifted her other hand to pat it. "Thank you for your kindness, Harry. But we are not here to talk about my mistakes, we are here to start you on your own training."
Reaching into a hidden pocket of her robes, she drew out a single Mandrake leaf. "Here, place this in your mouth."
As he did, Harry noticed that the leaf tasted incredibly bland, but carried with it a strangle tingling sensation.
"It will be difficult to practice magic and eat with it in, but your first month at Hogwarts will include very little actual spell casting beyond review. Everything you will be reviewing, are spells that you can already cast silently, and the reason behind why I have waited until now to guide you through the process." She revealed.
"In fact, after speaking with the Headmaster and your Head of House, we've agreed that you have performed remarkably well in your classes." Minerva smiled proudly at him. "Therefore, we've decided to present you with a unique opportunity. I've set it up for you to be tested at the start of the second month; after you've finished the Animagus preparations, on your knowledge of the Third-Year course material."
"Should you pass, you will be joining your friends as a Fourth-Year, effective immediately."
Harry was incredibly happy to hear that, and reached over to hug Minerva, who chuckled at his exuberance. "There is one caveat, though…" Pulling back, he looked up at her confused.
"Your electives begin this year. Unless you can learn enough over the next month to pass those exams, you will have to continue taking the Third-Year courses for them until the start of next year, when you can take the test for them again." She said as he settled down.
Wanting clarification, she asked him, "I understand you've chosen to take Ancient Runes and Arithmancy, correct?"
Nodding, Harry tried to reply without swallowing the leaf. "Y-Yes."
"Those are fine choices. " She nodded approvingly.
"But…they are also some of the most intense electives to take at Hogwarts as a Third-Year. If you wish, I can place you in different electives to help ease your burden." she offered.
Shaking his head, Harry refused.
He wasn't going to take the easier path. He wanted to take those electives, and if it meant having to study every moment of every day for the next month, he would.
Starting to make preparations in his head on how he was going to get through all of the material in time, his thoughts drifted back to something that could help. Ravenclaws Diadem.
Unaware of his thoughts, Minerva replied. "If that is your choice, then I will respect it. I trust you will take this opportunity seriously. Good luck, Harry."
Making her goodbyes, she left his apartment.
Waiting a few minutes to make sure she didn't come back forgetting something, Harry walked over to the closet in his bedroom where his ebony and silver trunk sat.
Opening the second compartment, Harry pulled out the Diadem.
'If I remember correctly, this is supposed to enhance the wisdom of its wearer.' Slowly, he placed the diadem on his head, waiting for something to happen.
'…nothing's happening.'
He didn't feel wiser. In fact, he didn't feel any different at all. 'Dammit.'
Taking it off, Harry moved to put it back in the trunk before pausing. 'Wait…'
Placing the Diadem back on his head, he opened one of his Ancient Runes textbooks. Turning to one of the pages he hadn't gone through yet, he began reading.
With a start, Harry realized that he was understanding the material easily.
It seemed that the Diadem didn't give him knowledge, but helped him see the connections between certain runes and understand the material faster.
'Nice.'
Keeping the Diadem on, Harry began reading through his Runes material with his mother's journals and textbooks to help. The rate he was able to get through it all was astounding.
If he kept going at the rate he was, he'd be able to take the exams to get into the Fourth-Year material.
It wasn't until he took the Diadem off, that Harry realized it wasn't without consequences.
The minute he removed the Diadem almost 3 hours later, he nearly collapsed to the floor.
Every muscle in his body ached, and he felt as if he couldn't even cast a simple Lumos.
It turned out that the Diadem worked by using his magic to power its abilities. A concerning thought, because if he wasn't careful, he could potentially kill himself by wearing it too long.
*Sigh* Looks like he was going to have to make a slight change to his plans.
- Flashback End - Hogwarts Express -
For the rest of the week until the start of term, Harry used the Diadem for a few hours every day to study before taking it off to rest.
Every time he took it off, he gave himself at least 12 hours to rest before putting it back on. Any less than that, and he feared it might take too much from him.
Making his way onto the train, Harry quickly headed towards the usual cabin. Glancing through the window of the door, he saw Cho already sitting there waiting. Knocking on the door, he waited until she noticed him before opening it.
"Hey, Cho!" It took him forever to get down how to talk with the Mandrake leaf in his mouth, and even longer to figure out how to eat with it.
Jumping up, Cho quickly pulled him into a tight hug as she exclaimed, "Harry! So good to see you!"
"You too, Cho." Pulling back, Harry took in her appearance.
Shiny long black hair falling down her back, a cute button nose, and full lips stretched in a warm smile.
Glancing lower, Harry cursed puberty again as he paid extra attention to her body. Underneath her skintight blue t-shirt, he noticed her boobs weren't very large. A handful at most, but wonderfully perky. As she looked him over, he spotted her nipples poking out excitedly from underneath the shirt.
When she lifted her arms up to hug him, he had caught a glance at her stomach. Flat, and incredibly toned, her thighs underneath her black skirt where just as toned.
As she turned back around to sit down, he stared at her tight, firm butt that had him subtly adjust himself. It wasn't the typical hourglass figure most guys went for. More of an athletic body that really showed her dedication to Quidditch, and he found himself increasingly attracted to it.
As they sat down, they made small talk for a few minutes before Marietta showed up.
Stepping inside the cabin, Harry once again had to adjust himself at the sight of her.
Marietta wore her reddish-blonde hair in its usual braid down her back, somehow making her look prettier than he had noticed her being. Her face was slightly fuller than Cho's, and her pink, plump lips made him wish he could taste them. S
he wore a cutoff shirt of some magical band, but he was too focused on her chest to notice. If there was one thing that Marietta had over Cho, it was her chest size. Her breasts were larger, fuller, and stretched the material of her shirt.
Going lower, her stomach wasn't as toned as Cho's, but her hips were wider and her butt larger. She couldn't be called fat, but she was more full-figured than Cho's athletic frame.
Trying to ignore his raging hormones, Harry got up to hug her. "Hey Mary." Pulling her into a hug, he felt her breasts squish against his chest as she hugged him back.
Hearing the sound of the train's horn, the three moved to sit down after helping Marietta put her trunk in the overhead luggage racks.
Sitting down next to Marietta as Cho sat on the opposite seat from them, Harry said. "Mary, Cho, I've got something to tell you both."
Curiously, Cho and Marietta listened as he explained what Minerva told him about moving up a year.
Gasping, Cho congratulated him. "That's amazing, Harry!" Jumping across the seats, she practically fell into him as she gave him a hug.
"Yeah! It'll be great to have you with us, Harry…But, are you sure you can do it? Do you need us to help you study?" Marietta was just as happy for him as Cho, but she was also worried he was putting a lot of pressure on himself.
Chuckling, Harry replied. "Thanks Cho, Mary. And I appreciate the offer, but I'm already set." Smiling slyly, he added. "Though, I wouldn't say no to spending more time with my two best friends. Especially when they're as gorgeous as you two are." That caused both girls to blush.
Harry mentally congratulated himself after seeing them glance at him desirably.
After losing his virginity to Death, he had finally started feeling more confident in himself. With that confidence, came an interest in flirting with other girls, especially these two.
He hadn't realized before just how attractive they were, but now that they were all growing older, it was becoming painfully clear.
Cho playfully slapped his shoulder. "Nice try, Harry." Cho giggled.
Marietta leaned over to bump herself against him. "You finally realized that your best friends are beautiful, eh? It's about time!" she teased.
Instead of getting off him, Cho shifted to sit on his lap with her arm around his neck. The feeling of her firm butt accidentally grinding on his lap made him shift slightly, trying to hide his growing erection at her movements.
Unfortunately for Harry's blood pressure, it wasn't successful.
A few minutes into their conversation, Cho noticed something poking her butt. Confused, she paused in her conversation, shifting her hips for a moment before realizing what it was that was poking her.
Flushing bright red, Cho turned to look at Harry with wide eyes. "Is that…?"
Blushing, Harry silently nodded.
Marietta looked on confused at their byplay before Cho nodded down at their seated form. It took her a second to figure out what Cho was trying to get at, before she burst out laughing. "No way!"
Clearing his throat, Harry tried to move Cho off his lap, feeling embarrassed.
Sensing his discomfort, the girls quickly calmed down before trying to comfort him. Reaching a hand up, Marietta treaded her fingers in his hair, "It's okay, Harry. Don't be embarrassed." She said softly.
Cho placed her hand against Harry's chest. Feeling his faster heartbeat, she whispered. "It's alright…We always knew something like this would happen."
Taking his hand, she placed it gently against her own chest. His blush reached his neck at the feel of her bra-clad chest under his palm as she placed it over her heart. "See…we have the same reactions to you as you do to us. We find you just as attractive, it's just easier for girls to hide it."
Feeling her own heart beating faster, Harry's blush started to fade.
Seeing him start to calm down, Cho let go of his hand and returned her arm to its place around his neck as Marietta continued to play with his hair.
Putting his hand back down, Harry noticed his erection had started to calm down.
The three continued sitting there quietly, Cho snuggling into his lap as they relaxed.
Outside the window, the scenery became wilder and darker as the clouds overhead thickened and rain fell, lightly tapping against the window. Outside the cabin door, people were chasing each other back and forth down the corridors of the train, laughing and having fun.
- Timeskip: Hours Later -
The rain thickened as the train sped farther north; the windows were now a solid, shimmering gray, which gradually darkened until the lanterns flickered into life along the corridors and over the luggage racks.
The three had changed into their robes by now. Harry was laying down with his head in Marietta's lap as she continued playing with his hair. Cho laid out across the opposite seat reading from a book on Quidditch as Harry and Marietta conversed softly with each other.
The train rattled as it raced across the tracks. The rain hammering against the window, and the wind roaring as they continued speeding towards Hogwarts.
Feeling the train start to slow, Harry and Marietta stopped their conversation as Cho put down her book. "We can't be there yet…" said Cho, checking her watch. Sure enough, they still had a few hours left until they reached Hogwarts.
As the train got slower and slower, the noise of the pistons fell away. The sound of the wind and rain grew louder than ever against the windows.
Harry sat up as Marietta stood to go look into the corridor.
Heads were sticking curiously out of every compartment as the students looked around in confusion.
Suddenly, the train came to a stop with a jolt, and distant thuds and bangs told them that luggage had fallen out of the racks. Without warning, all of the lamps went out and their cabin was plunged into total darkness.
Drawing out his ebony wand, Harry quickly cast Lumos before sticking it to the roof, filling the cabin with light as the three looked at each in confusion.
Cho turned to look out the window, only to gasp at its appearance. "The window! It's…frozen?" Harry and Marietta turned to see that the window had indeed frozen. Ice was creeping up the glass as they noticed their breath becoming visible.
Hearing several students try to walk down the corridors only to stumble and fall, Harry spoke up. "Let's stay here for now. We don't want to go bumping into people and end up getting hurt."
Nodding, the girls joined Harry in sitting back down on the seats.
Suddenly, all sounds coming from the corridors stopped.
Staring at the door, they watched through the door's window as a hand pulled it open. The hand was glistening, grayish, and the skin looked decayed.
The door opened slowly. On the other side, was a cloaked figure that towered to the ceiling, it's face completely hidden beneath its hood.
An intense cold swept over the cabin as the figure drew a long, slow, rattling breath. As though it were trying to suck in something more than air from its surroundings.
Instantly, Harry stood up from his seat before pointing his ebony wand at its form. "Expecto Patronum!" Clearly speaking the incantation despite the leaf in his mouth, silver light poured from his wand into the shape of a dragon the size of a dog. He could have made it larger, but the cabin was too small to fit anything more than that.
The Hebridean Black dragon rammed into the Dementor, knocking it out the door into the corridor. Suddenly, the dragon breathed out a silver flame at the creature.
The moment the flames touched it, the Dementor screeched out with a sound like nails on a chalkboard.
Watching as it flailed around for a moment, the silver flames quickly consumed the Dementor, burning it to ashes. As it did, small white lights seemed to float out of its form before fading away.
"W-What the hell was that?!" Marietta shouted.
Sighing, Harry replied. "That…was a Dementor."
Before he could continue, something moved in front of the doorframe. Harry's wand arm sprung up to point at it, expecting to see another cloaked figure.
Instead, a stranger in an extremely shabby set of wizard's robes that were patched in several places stood looking at them. "Is everyone okay?" came the stranger's hoarse voice.
With a start, Harry realized who the stranger was.
Remus Lupin, werewolf, Marauder, and one of his father's best friends.
Shakily, Cho replied. "Y-Yes. Who are you?"
"My name is Remus Lupin, the new Defense professor." Glancing back at the ashes, he looked around their cabin before focusing on Harry, his eyes widening when he spotted the scar. "What happened to the Dementor?"
Not wanting to reveal too much, Harry chose to plan dumb for now. "No idea," He shrugged. "I used the Patronus, but the Dementor seemed to burn and then just…died."
Confused, Lupin looked back at the ashes again. "That's…not possible." Sighing, he turned back to them. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out an enormous slab of chocolate. "Here, eat this. It will help with the aftereffects of being near a Dementor."
After passing out the chocolate to them, he placed his full attention on Harry. "I need to get the train moving again. When we reach Hogwarts, you'll have to come with me to meet the Headmaster, Mr. Potter." Lupin stated, leaving no room for argument.
Nodding silently, Harry watched as Lupin stepped out of the doorframe before closing the cabin door.
In the silence following his departure, Marietta spoke up. "Okay, seriously. What the hell?"
Dropping his head, Harry sighed as Cho added her own comment. "Dementors aren't supposed to just…die like that. Hundreds of magicals have tried, and no one's ever succeeded."
Shrugging, Harry groaned out his reply. "I don't know what happened, but I'm glad it's gone. Who knows what it would have done to us?"
As the lights came back on and they felt the train start moving again, the trio sat back down.
This time, instead of sitting separately, they were all on a single side together. Harry was snuggled in-between Cho and Marietta as the girls nibbled on the chocolate, their heads resting against his shoulders.
- Headmaster's Office -
"And then the Dementor burned, you say?" Asked the aged voice of the Headmaster.
Standing in the Headmaster's Office, Harry finished explaining what happened to him, Minerva, Flitwick, and Lupin. "Yes, sir. Somehow, my Patronus was able to kill it."
The adults glanced between each other before Dumbledore spoke up. "May we see your Patronus, Harry?"
Nodding at his request, Harry drew his wand before casting the spell.
Watching silently as the silver form of his Patronus took shape, Dumbledore observed its unique features. "Your Patronus seems to be far more solid that one usually is…" Lupin nodded in agreement as he circled the dragon, taking it in.
"You're right, Headmaster. It's almost lifelike…if it wasn't silver, I would have mistaken it for the real thing." Glancing back at Harry, Lupin asked. "And you said it breathed flames on the Dementor?"
"Yes sir, but it's never done that before." Harry replied.
"I must admit, it's surprising that a Third-Year knows how to cast a Patronus." Lupin observed.
That drew curious nods from the other adults.
Shrugging, he replied. "I found the spell in my mother's old journals. It took a lot of practice before I figured out how to cast it."
Humming approvingly, Minerva looked at him in pride. "Well done, Harry. That's quite the achievement, to learn such a powerful spell at your age."
Smiling, Harry watched as the others turned back to his Patronus, observing as the small dragon breathed silver flames in the air.
Sticking his hand into the flames, Lupin added, "It's warm…" Moving his hand experimentally, he checked for any signs of burns, but there were none.
Looking at the Headmaster, he asked. "Any theories?"
Shaking his head, Dumbledore leaned back in his chair. "None at the moment." Stroking his beard, he continued. "It is quite fortunate…many, including myself, have dreaded the Dementors very existence and tried to destroy them. Alas, no one has ever discovered a way to kill one of their kind."
Smiling towards Harry, he added. "Until now."
Standing up, Dumbledore stepped around his desk. "For the moment, I will need to speak with the Minister regarding these unique circumstances." Walking over to Harry, he smiled warmly. "With that said, I must commend you on your quick reaction, and excellent skill with the Patronus. It seems our belief in your abilities is not misplaced. Well done, Harry."
With that, everyone followed the Headmaster out of his office and down to the Great Hall for Welcoming Feast.