"Before you begin, have you looked into the origins of the Patronus Charm?" Professor McGonagall asked.
A wizard's spells were not baseless things. Wizards with a deeper understanding of magic possessed greater magical power.
This point was so easily discovered, yet not widely applied.
Only some profound wizards possessed a clearer understanding of this.
If it were any other professor, they might have started teaching the incantation by now—because young wizards often found it difficult to realize this, let alone utilize it. But her child was always different.
Dumbledore was right; for children like him, they needed to provide a more special education.
"I found some woodcuts in the library. According to ancient woodcuts and scrolls, the Patronus Charm was already in use in ancient times.
Therefore, it is unclear who invented it, or exactly when it first appeared.
However, this spell has long been associated with wizards fighting for noble causes—those capable of summoning a corporeal Patronus are often elected as high-ranking officials in the Wizengamot and the Ministry of Magic."
Sean recalled the knowledge in his mind.
He didn't just recite the contents of the book; instead, he offered his own insights and summary.
"A surprising answer."
Professor McGonagall paused, revealing a satisfied smile.
"Have you heard the story of Raczidian?"
She picked up a cup of black tea, the curling steam climbing up to her eyelids.
"Yes, Professor. Legend has it that Raczidian was a dark wizard. He believed a witch named Eliana would be his ideal wife, so he wrote to her parents, hoping they would support the marriage.
However, Eliana's parents rejected him. Raczidian threatened to send Dementors to destroy the village unless they handed Eliana over to him.
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The villagers decided to resist bravely, and a battle broke out.
The villagers' Patronuses, including bears, wolves, and wild boars, held off the continuous attacks of the Dementors, but they were gradually outnumbered. The Patronuses grew weaker, and the casters either collapsed or fled in all directions.
At the final moment, a shy, young orphan stepped forward.
He hadn't participated in the battle earlier because the village elders thought his Patronus was too weak to be of any use.
But when his mouse Patronus sprang from the tip of his wand, all the Dementors were held back..."
At this point, Sean seemed to have a realization.
These were stories written in The Book of Spells, a practical book with a purple cover and gold borders.
Sean had memorized the entire book.
"The power of a Patronus is unrelated to its form; it stems solely from the wizard's strength. You must always remember this, child," Professor McGonagall said with satisfaction. "Have a sip of pumpkin juice, then continue."
Sean picked up the pumpkin juice beside the silver cat figurine and took a sip.
He knew Professor McGonagall didn't much care for such sweet drinks, but he didn't know when candies and juice had started appearing on her desk.
"So, Raczidian was enraged and decided to join the battle himself.
He attempted to summon his own Patronus to withstand Illyius's mouse Patronus.
However, he forgot that only the purest of hearts can summon a Patronus.
Thus, people witnessed for the first time the result of a wizard unworthy of summoning a Patronus using this spell:
Maggots spewed from Raczidian's wand and quickly devoured his body."
After finishing, Sean fell into thought.
"This is actually a misconception.
Many people with negative personality traits are also capable of summoning a full-fledged Patronus. However, once a dark wizard uses this spell, most of them will indeed be devoured by maggots spewing from their wands.
This is also why it is difficult for dark wizards to learn the Patronus Charm. Of course, they don't really need it either," Professor McGonagall said slowly.
For a long time, very few dark wizards had been able to use the Patronus Charm.
And Sean knew that among the Death Eaters, only Professor Snape could use it.
"Love brings redemption, child.
This is the root of the Patronus Charm's power. To successfully use this magic, the caster must concentrate on recalling the happiest memory they can think of.
The stronger the joy the memory brings, the more powerful the spell's effect will be."
Professor McGonagall's voice was low and powerful. "Are you ready to learn the incantation?"
Sean nodded quickly.
"Concentrate on your memory. The incantation is—" Professor McGonagall raised her wand. "Expecto Patronum!"
A silver cat appeared once again.
Happiest memory...
Sean thought back.
What is it?
The moment I escaped death? The moment the owl crashed through the window? Or the moment I fled the orphanage?
"Expecto Patronum," Sean repeated silently. "Expecto Patronum!"
Unfortunately, nothing happened.
Sean stopped chanting, and his wrist stopped circling.
These memories were profound, but they didn't bring him intense joy.
He wasn't a wizard who dwelled too much on past suffering.
So, what constitutes a beautiful memory?
Minerva McGonagall didn't interrupt Sean's recollection. She stood quietly aside; the silver cat had already vanished.
Or rather, it was right here.
During the first Herbology lesson... when I brewed my first perfect potion... when I received Christmas gifts...
"Expecto Patronum!"
Sean shouted.
A wisp of silvery-white gas or smoke sprang from the tip of his wand, resembling no animal and having no specific form.
[You practiced the Patronus Charm at an Apprentice standard. Proficiency +1]
"An incorporeal Patronus. Very good!" Professor McGonagall praised.
The process of casting the Patronus Charm was fascinating. The wizard would recall their past memories.
When Harry was learning, he recalled vague memories about his parents.
Now, in Sean's mind, the past played out like a film projector.
A special, particularly happy memory...
Do I have such a memory? A memory that allows me to conjure a strong and powerful Patronus—do I have one?
Of course he did.
White mist shrouded his consciousness... He recalled a warm feeling that once came from the witch before him.
"Expecto Patronum!"
He waved his wand, drawing circles.
A silvery-white cat gradually formed, but something still seemed missing.
Finally, his memory settled on a grey-and-white photograph, the hospital wing bathed in moonlight, and Professor Quirrell's tear-streaked face.
"Expecto Patronum!"
He repeated silently.
This time, a silvery-white cat leaped out.
[You practiced the Patronus Charm at an Expert standard. Proficiency +50]
Minerva McGonagall was momentarily stunned, while Sean thought:
The difficulty of the Patronus Charm doesn't seem high.
Outside the door.
An old wizard with a long white beard withdrew his gaze with satisfaction and turned to leave.
In those eyes, he didn't see much—only a ball of light, a natural sun.