The Dueling Club was completely handed over to Professor Flitwick, which freed up considerable time for Aiden.
Preparing Polyjuice Potion required a full month, and Aiden found himself constantly busy helping Lupin brew Wolfsbane Potion while simultaneously managing his own complex brewing project.
Equally exhausted were Hermione and Astoria. Hermione was juggling Hagrid's legal defense alongside her regular studies.
Both girls, attempting to manage twelve courses simultaneously, frequently relied on Time-Turners, compressing their actual rest time to nearly nothing.
Harry and Ron, by contrast, had been remarkably idle during this period—attending classes and spending their free time sneaking off to Hogsmeade.
On Saturday, Harry sought out Professor Lupin, hoping to learn how to defend against Dementors. He happened to encounter Aiden delivering medicine to the professor's office.
"Aiden?" Harry looked puzzled, recognizing a familiar scent from the potion in Aiden's hands.
"Is this the same potion Snape gave Professor Lupin before?" Harry asked with growing confusion.
"Yes, Professor Lupin's health requires ongoing treatment," Aiden deflected casually.
"Then I shouldn't disturb him," Harry said, his kind nature making him want the professor to rest undisturbed.
"It's fine since you're already here," Aiden said, grabbing Harry's arm.
"Whoa!" The door swung open as Aiden brought Harry into the classroom.
"Aiden? Harry? How did you two end up together?" Professor Lupin asked, looking up from his desk with surprise.
"Professor, your potion," Aiden said, handing the Wolfsbane Potion to Lupin.
He then patted Harry's back, gently pushing him forward. "And Harry came here to learn the Patronus Charm."
"The Patronus?" Harry asked with genuine curiosity.
"An ancient and highly advanced form of protective magic. Are you certain you want to learn it? This is completely beyond the scope of ordinary wizard examinations," Lupin said, making one final inquiry.
"Absolutely," Harry replied with unwavering determination.
"Very well. The Patronus Charm creates a force that protects the wizard who summons it, acting like a magical shield," Professor Lupin explained, settling onto a nearby wooden box.
"To successfully cast it, you need a memory—a happy, powerful memory."
Lupin glanced at Aiden expectantly. "Anything to add?"
"Of course. Happy memories are just one component. Most importantly, you need determination—a heart that truly wants to protect can multiply the Patronus's power exponentially."
Aiden traced patterns in the air with his finger, and several silver-white butterflies materialized, dancing gracefully around Harry.
"Is this your Patronus?" Harry asked in wonder.
"No, his Patronus is actually a dragon—a magical creature like the headmaster's," Lupin interjected.
"Will mine also be a magical creature?" Harry asked with obvious envy.
"Not necessarily. A Patronus's form is closely connected to one's inner self, and it's also said to relate to one's potential Animagus form," Aiden shared with a hint of gossip.
"Ahem, let's stay on topic," Professor Lupin reminded them gently.
"Right, let's try it. Remember the incantation: Expecto Patronum."
Professor Lupin stood and opened the box he'd been sitting on. A Boggart immediately escaped, quickly transforming into a Dementor upon sensing Harry's greatest fear.
"Concentrate," Professor Lupin instructed.
"Expecto Patronum... Expecto... Patronum... Expecto..." Harry cast the spell three times, but nothing happened. Overwhelming darkness struck his mind, and he collapsed unconscious.
"Easy now, sit up and breathe deeply," Professor Lupin said, helping Harry to his feet.
Lupin retrieved chocolate from his pocket and offered it to Harry. "Eat this—it'll help you feel better. No one succeeds on their first attempt."
But Aiden's expression suggested otherwise.
Professor Lupin caught his look and asked, "Did we succeed on our first try?"
Harry turned curiously to Aiden, who nodded with a slight smile.
"Just curious—which memory did you choose?" Professor Lupin asked, rekindling the flames that had been extinguished around them.
"The first time I rode a broomstick," Harry answered.
The three settled together, and Aiden produced coconut ice from his pocket, sharing pieces with Harry as they talked.
"That's not powerful enough, really not sufficient. What about you, Aiden?" Professor Lupin inquired.
"The moment you helped me escape from Death Eaters," Aiden replied, his words slightly muffled by the ice in his mouth.
"What?" Lupin choked, nearly spitting his tea back into his cup.
Harry's ears perked up—this sounded like incredible gossip.
"You actually remember what happened then. When I saw you in the car, I thought Arthur had told you about it," Lupin said with genuine surprise.
"I've never lied to you. Escaping death's shadow, the pure joy of survival combined with the determination to protect myself."
Aiden drew his wand, and butterflies gathered in the air before forming into a magnificent silver-white dragon that regarded the three of them with wide, intelligent eyes.
"Amazing," Harry breathed, his envy mixing with increased anticipation for his own Patronus.
"Alright, Harry, let's continue," Professor Lupin said, clapping his hands and helping Harry to his feet.
"Do you have any other memories?" Aiden asked thoughtfully.
"There's one..." Harry began hesitantly.
"Very complicated," Aiden finished for him with understanding.
Harry nodded, and Professor Lupin opened the box once more.
The Boggart transformed into a Dementor and emerged menacingly.
Harry raised his wand with renewed focus. "Expecto Patronum!"
This time, white smoke erupted from his wand tip, successfully pushing the false Dementor back into its container.
"Excellent work," Lupin praised warmly.
Professor Lupin retrieved butterbeer and handed bottles to both Aiden and Harry.
"That's enough for today. Let's celebrate with some butterbeer."
"Oh, this stuff... I've had it before. Hermione and Ron brought some for me," Harry said, immediately revealing his unauthorized Hogsmeade visits.
Harry attempted to change the subject, and Professor Lupin, in his good mood, chose not to pursue the matter.
"I think you're every bit as talented as your father. That's quite high praise," Professor Lupin said, settling onto the sofa.
"I was thinking about him during the spell," Harry admitted quietly.
"Your parents had good friends at school, though Gideon and Fabian often didn't see eye to eye with James and..."
Lupin suddenly paused mid-sentence.
"They frequently clashed and occasionally had serious conflicts, but after graduation, everyone joined the Order of the Phoenix to fight Voldemort," Lupin continued, his eyes distant with memory.
"Could you tell me what my father was really like?" Harry asked with genuine curiosity.
"James?" Lupin raised an eyebrow thoughtfully.
"He was remarkably gentle, always helping those of us who were more withdrawn. He was exceptional on a broomstick, and you're very much like him in that regard."
Lupin spoke while glancing at Aiden, who was casually enjoying his ice.
"Gideon was similar. He was Ravenclaw's Seeker and once James's most respected rival on the pitch. But I heard that you, Aiden, don't seem particularly skilled with broomsticks."
Aiden's hand froze halfway to his mouth.
"What Quidditch? I don't know anything about that. It's not that I'm bad at it—I'm a dragon, I have my own wings! I don't need to ride any broomstick..."
The dragon began his stubborn protests, filling the office with laughter and warmth.