Cedric pondered all night, so much so that the next morning at breakfast, he still looked as if he hadn't woken up.
"Thought of a solution?" Kael asked.
"Of course," Cedric said casually, "As long as you can be one hundred and fifty points ahead of Gryffindor in twenty minutes, the victory is still ours."
"That's your plan?" Kael looked at him incredulously, "A hundred and fifty points ahead of Gryffindor in twenty minutes? Are you still asleep, or did you leave your brain back at the dormitory."
"You've done it before," Cedric said, "Remember? Against Ravenclaw."
"That was two years ago!"
Kael said irritatedly, "And it wasn't just my effort, there was Harris' collaboration... besides, the Ravenclaw team was so bad it was practically handing us points, that's how we got ahead by so much."
"The situation now is Harris has graduated."
Kael continued, "Besides, Fred and George apologized in advance after our first match this season, saying they wouldn't let the Bludger be more than ten feet away from me.
"Do you understand what that means? I have to get past their interference, along with Keeper Wood and those two!"
"But it's the only solution," Cedric said with a wry smile.
He thought about it all night and realized the Firebolt is an invincible existence... In the face of absolute speed, any strategy seems pale.
Unless the victory is secured beforehand.
"I'll have everyone cooperate with you," Cedric said, "The upcoming strategy will revolve around you."
"Alright then," Kael nodded.
After breakfast, the group left the auditorium and headed to their classrooms for classes.
Today is the day Professor Lupin's Patronus Charm Club starts, and because many people are too excited, their minds are not focused on the class.
The professors evidently noticed this, but it wasn't a big problem for them, as a few words could solve it.
"No chattering in class, Mr. Flörl, five points from Slytherin!"
In Transfiguration Class, Professor McGonagall tapped the table and said seriously, "If any of you lose more than ten points this lesson, then you'll have detention. You'll clean those bookshelves in the library at eight tonight!"
As soon as Professor McGonagall finished speaking, everyone immediately sat up straight.
Eight o'clock is precisely when the club begins, and there are hundreds of bookshelves in the library... By the time you're done cleaning, the club will likely be over.
"Excellent!" Professor McGonagall nodded in satisfaction, "Let's continue with what we were doing, the key to the Switching Spell is decisiveness, no hesitation..."
Afterward, she seemed to have told this method to other professors, so much so that in the following classes, everyone remained nervous as if afraid they'd have to stay for detention at night.
...
Finally, it was eight o'clock.
Some people had arrived early to wait in the auditorium; some simply didn't leave, remaining there since dinner ended.
By the time Kael and the others arrived, there were already a lot of people.
The long tables were once again moved to the side, and on the enchanted ceiling, not a single cloud was visible, only a sky full of stars when you look up.
At exactly eight o'clock, Professor Lupin walked in punctually. He seemed a bit nervous, possibly because it was his first time facing so many students.
"Relax, Remus," Professor McGonagall comforted him softly at the side, "just treat it like a regular class."
Not just Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick and Snape were also there, along with Madam Pomfrey from the hospital wing.
This lineup was far superior to last year's Dueling Club.
But soon, Kael understood the reason.
"First, I'd like to ask everyone not to panic."
Professor Lupin placed a large box on the ground, "Although some think my approach is too risky, I must say that the fastest way to learn the Patronus Charm is to confront a Dementor directly."
Everyone stared at the box before him, seemingly guessing what it was, and began to discuss it, instinctively backing away.
Soon, a large space cleared around Professor Lupin.
"That's right, as you guessed, inside is a Dementor, provided free by the Ministry of Magic."
He clapped his hands, and the box shook violently.
The discussions grew louder, and some younger students began frequently glancing toward the door.
"Please don't worry. I won't release it during the first club, and there are enough professors here to ensure everyone's safety..."
Professor Lupin had to press his wand against his throat to suppress the increasingly noisy discussions.
"Of course, if you wish to leave, I won't stop you, it's your freedom..."
Professor Lupin waved his wand and opened the doors of the auditorium.
Some students hesitated briefly before leaving, but more chose to stay.
"Looks like you've made up your minds."
Professor Lupin said, "Feel free to leave anytime; those who decide to stay, please keep quiet as we begin learning the Patronus Charm.
First, we need to understand this charm; it's a highly advanced magic, far surpassing ordinary wizard-level spells. I can't guarantee you'll all master it, but I'll do my best to teach each of you."
Because there were too many people, Professor Lupin did not randomly select people to answer like in class, opting instead to explain himself.
"A Patronus is a positive force, the manifestation of hope, happiness, and the desire to survive... but it doesn't have feelings like a real person, so Dementors cannot affect them..."
Professor Lupin cleared his throat and continued, "You must focus all your will on a particularly joyful moment for the spell to work...
"Remember my request before the holiday? Those happy memories... now I'll give you some time to recall them."
Quickly, everyone's expressions began to change.
"The spell is..." Professor Lupin pronounced clearly: "Expecto Patronum!"
"Expecto Patronum..."
"Now, concentrate your thoughts on those pleasant memories and speak the spell."
Following Professor Lupin's instructions, everyone did as he said.
Soon, the auditorium began to fill with wisps of silvery-white mist, like the morning fog.
They gathered and accumulated in the auditorium, growing denser.
"Very good," Professor Lupin said with a smile, "it looks like you've basically grasped it, now, are you ready for more advanced practice?"
"Ready," everyone held their breaths, tightly gripping their wands.
Professor Lupin gently pressed his hand on the box.
The box didn't open but now had several small holes.
The students in the front heard a faint, long inhaling sound by their ears.
The piercing cold began to spread, and the silver mist enveloping the auditorium dissipated dramatically.
Some started trembling, unable to hold their wands firmly, feeling the urge to flee, while others gritted their teeth, chanting the spell louder.
"Expecto Patronum..."
"Expecto Patronum!"
The silver mist continuously dissipated but was simultaneously replenished.
"Clap!"
After an unknown amount of time, Professor Lupin closed the small holes on the box.
The chill vanished accordingly.