Harry hummed. "There were two more Dementor attacks on Muggles in Nottingham," he said quietly.
"What? B-But that's just - just -"
"- less than twenty kilometres from here? Yes," said Harry. "I'm going to teach you the Patronus Charm. It's actually not as difficult as people say it is. It might take some time but you'll be able to do it. Like all forms of magic, it needs intent. You need to want to conjure a guardian to help you against the Dementors. Also, this also requires an emotional component like most complex spells based on ancient magic. The Killing Curse, for example, is very difficult to cast because you need to feel the amount of hatred needed to kill. The Cruciatus Curse, on the other hand, would work only when you want to cause pain, you want the other person to suffer. Similarly -"
"Wait, if these curses have such properties, then why do you believe that magic should not be classified? I know that you don't put much into the theory of light and dark magic," said Dylan.
"Good question," Harry praised him, nodding in approval. "Tell me, Dylan. What if you have a patient in front of you who has been bitten by a snake and you can't identify the source? The poison is spreading through the patient's nerves and you need to know where it is originating from so that you can contain it. This technique was used before the more modern healing spells and magical technology were invented. Or what if a patient's heart stops beating due to unnatural means? The Crucaitus Curse can help save the patient's life in both cases."
"The Imperius Curse would greatly help in cases of healing patients who need to guide the healer to the place of injury. It was used primarily in cases of brain surgery and healing. The Killing Curse is a quick, painless death for animals which people use for food or maybe a quick death for patients who are suffering constantly. It may sound harsh, but if my parents had been tortured into insanity like Frank and Alice Longbottom, if the final decision-making power had been vested in me, I would not have let them suffer like that. I would have authorised a medically induced death so that they could be in peace. I wouldn't want them to suffer just because I was selfish in not wanting to let go. Augusta Longbottom never really understood the effect that had on Neville, having to see his parents in that state over and over again since the time he was a baby."
Dylan stood up and walked closer to the lake, dipping his ankles in the water. "You were saying about the Patronus charm?"
"Similarly, the Patronus Charm requires positive emotions to power it, backed by a strong positive memory. Joy, serenity, happiness, love… these emotions would help you create the perfect Patronus backed by a strong memory. Think of a time when you were the happiest. Let the emotions flow through you and you will be able to cast it."
Dylan nodded. Lifting his wand upward, he chanted, " Expecto Patronum!"
A lot of silvery mist flew out of his wand, but there was no distinctive animal like Harry's. Dylan tried, pushing more magic into it but it didn't work. He collapsed on the ground, panting.
"That was bloody exhausting!" he said loudly.
"It is," said Harry. "You were already drained after practising for so long so you couldn't concentrate. Come on, let's play some Quidditch."
A week later, Harry and Dylan were in the family drawing room of the castle. Harry was sitting on the sofa with Daphne next to him as they observed Dylan. The boy was close but something held him back.
"Expecto Patronum!"
The silvery mist appeared again but just as a creature was about to form, it disappeared. Dylan groaned as he sat on the couch opposite to the couple. "Why wouldn't this work?" he shouted in frustration.
"Your memory is not powerful enough; maybe you are not letting the emotions flow through you or you are just not connecting with the memory," said Daphne, frowning slightly. "Come on, Dylan. Try it again," she said encouragingly as Dylan got up and walked to the centre of the room. They watched as Dylan raised his wand and said, " Expecto Patronum!"
The silvery mist appeared again but Dylan's eyes rested on Harry and Daphne. He thought about how much he loved them, he thought about his Uncle Sirius, Aunt Amelia, Astoria…
The silvery mist contorted as a creature began to form. Powerful wings emerged along with sharp talons and a beak. Dylan watched in awe as his Patronus took the form of a golden eagle… a very familiar golden eagle - right down to the scar above the right eye.
"That's you," whispered Daphne as she looked at Harry. She smiled as she saw the happiness that was shining in Harry's eyes when he realised what his brother's Patronus took the shape of.
"I don't know what to say," said Harry softly. "I'm touched, Dylan. Thank you."
"I didn't choose it but if there had to be someone to protect me from soul-sucking demons, it would have to be you," said Dylan grinning.
Harry chuckled. "Alright, now let's start with your Animagus training."
Daphne and Dylan's eyes lit up when Harry said that. Sitting down opposite to them, Harry began explaining the process to them. Hopefully, they would be able to master the transformation within a year.