The Science of Magic
Year Three: The Prisoner of Science
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Patronus Charm
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The Return to Classes
After the warmth and festivity of the Christmas holidays, the bitter cold of January settled heavily over Hogwarts. The once-decorated halls were now stripped of their holiday adornments, leaving behind the usual towering stone walls and enchanted torches flickering against the drafts.
Snow still coated the grounds, thick and untouched in some areas, except for the well-trodden paths leading between the castle and the greenhouses, the Quidditch pitch, and Hagrid's hut. The Black Lake had begun to freeze over, its surface a dark, glassy mirror reflecting the overcast sky.
Students grumbled as they trudged back to classes, bundled in scarves and cloaks, their breath turning to mist in the cold air.
Senku, however, had no time for complaints.
He had work to do.
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Defense Against the Dark Arts - The Patronus Charm
The first Defense Against the Dark Arts class after the break was one that everyone had been anticipating.
Professor Lupin had promised to teach them about the Patronus Charm.
The classroom was filled with an air of both excitement and apprehension. Students whispered among themselves, exchanging nervous glances. Many had seen what Dementors were capable of, and none of them wanted to be defenseless if they encountered them again.
Lupin smiled warmly as he stood at the front of the room, his eyes scanning the eager faces before him.
"As some of you may already know," he began, "the Patronus Charm is one of the most powerful defensive spells against Dementors. Unlike most hexes or jinxes, the Patronus isn't simply a barrier or an attack-it is a form of positive force, driven by one's happiest memories."
Senku leaned forward slightly, intrigued.
It was a spell rooted in emotions-something he wasn't particularly good at controlling. But it was also logical in its own way: it required a strong mental image, a memory of unshakable joy, to fuel its strength.
Lupin continued, "A fully-formed Patronus will take the shape of an animal unique to each individual. However, casting it is extremely difficult-even many skilled wizards struggle to produce a complete, corporeal Patronus. The incantation is Expecto Patronum."
He demonstrated by raising his wand.
"Expecto Patronum."
From the tip of his wand, a brilliant silver mist swirled, forming into the shape of a wolf before bounding across the classroom. Gasps of amazement filled the room as the silvery creature padded around before vanishing into mist once more.
"Now," Lupin clapped his hands together, "we'll be practicing the charm. Everyone, find some space and think of your happiest memory."
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Senku's Attempt
Senku exhaled sharply and adjusted his grip on his wand. A strong, happy memory...
Easier said than done.
It wasn't that he didn't have happy moments in his life-he did. He had moments of discovery, of victory, of proving something once deemed impossible.
But joy? True, overwhelming happiness?
He frowned.
The first time he built a rocket with Byakuya? No... too bittersweet.
The day he proved the concept of a space elevator? Too practical.
The moment he was sorted into Ravenclaw? He didn't really care about that.
Then, like a flash, a memory surfaced.
That time when Byakuya had pulled him onto his lap and pointed at the night sky, explaining in excruciating detail all the stars, planets, and galaxies beyond their tiny existence on Earth.
Senku closed his eyes and focused on that warmth, that exhilaration of knowledge shared-
"Expecto Patronum!"
A faint mist curled from his wand... then sputtered out.
Damn.
Nearby, Kohaku tried. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" A thin silver mist shot out before fizzling.
Chrome, too, struggled. "Expecto-! Gah, what the hell am I doing wrong?!"
Ryusui, ever the confident one, grinned as a burst of silver almost formed into something before flickering away. "Hoho! Now this is a challenge worthy of a captain!"
Sai managed a strong mist, while Ukyo's came out steadily controlled, but not yet a full Patronus.
Gen, predictably, waved his wand lazily. "Ah, this requires too much positivity for me."
Lupin chuckled. "You're all doing well for a first attempt. But remember-the emotion behind the spell matters just as much as the incantation. Believe in your memory. Feel it. Let it fill you."
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Weeks of Practice
Senku wasn't satisfied with failure.
Dementors were a problem he needed to solve.
If they were after that mysterious black dog-and by extension, him-he wasn't going to be left vulnerable again.
So, over the next few weeks, he began working closely with Professor Lupin.
Late nights in the classroom, Senku focused on refining his technique. Each time, he narrowed in on different memories, trying to find the one that sparked the strongest reaction.
Byakuya's encouragement.
The moment he discovered a new chemical reaction.
The day he realized science could overcome magic.
Each time, his Patronus grew stronger, but never fully corporeal. It remained a thick mist, unable to take form.
Lupin watched his progress carefully. "You're incredibly close, Senku. You just need to trust the feeling completely."
Senku scoffed, rolling his shoulders. "Tch. Easier said than done."
The professor smiled knowingly. "It's not about logic this time. It's about letting go."
Senku frowned at that but didn't argue.
He wasn't satisfied. But he was getting closer.
And that meant it was only a matter of time before he cracked this scientific puzzle.
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𝚃𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚎