Patronus

For some inexplicable reason, the Dementors grew closer to the castle.

Two students were rushed to Madam Pomfrey after being exposed for too long, both a shaking trembling wreck. They had been outside, testing the Black Lake for possible ice skating when the Dementors swept in like ravenous hounds.

Adrian was in the hallway, watching as Professor Sprout hurried in with both of her students levitating behind her.

That information in itself easily paid off the cost of Walter.

Since the Dementors were growing closer and with more numbers, students began to sell to one another home remedies to bite off the chilling cold. Pepper-Up potions were passed around by the twin Weasleys in the Gryffindor house. ("Better hurry up, Selwyn, they're running you out of business!" Pansy had snickered over Potion's class one day).

Ravenclaws cast warming charms and traveled in groups, Hufflepuffs always skirted behind and watched around nervously. The entire dilemma was a fiasco, teachers couldn't be everywhere at all times.

Aurors were brought in, though only a dozen. They were stationed on patrols around the castle, each observing and casting shielding spells, warming charms when necessary. The House Elves went so far to skirt around the castle with mugs of hot Chocolate just to thank them for the work. The aurors made it much harder to smuggle goods in and out of the castle, forcing Adrian to send Hedwig away just to make sure Walter safely made it to his Father. It wouldn't be too difficult to find the parcel that contained Walter, or to find the company eagles carrying the hawthorne box.

Sirius Black was back at the castle, as well as James Potter (who the Slytherins all groaned about), joining Professor Lupin with entirely optional classes for learning to perform something called a Patronus Charm. The spell was difficult, high level magic that only upper year students were seriously contemplating.

The spell was something Adrian hadn't ever heard of. A charm that could deflect Dementors, prevent them from even getting close? It seemed suspicious to Adrian how his rather detailed book didn't mention the charm once. Not even in passing.

Adrian couldn't quite understand the fear, to be completely honest he didn't understand it at all. He could see why some people were uncomfortable or hated Dementors, why they disliked them, but shouldn't you combat them in a fair fight? Attack them when they have a chance to attack back? Make it a fair fight? Yet the Patronus charm did none of that, it simply deflected the dementors. It formed an impassable barrier like a ward, where the Dementors could still leave you with a fate worse than death.

It baffled Adrian that no wizard had ever constructed a spell to outright hurt or even kill a dementor, instead wizards hid behind a simply barrier. Then again, the books he had read seemed to delve so far in depth on the topics they outright ignored information that appeared very basic. Perhaps the Patronus Charm was simply an oversight; the book did have an entire chapter that speculated the origins of the cloth like fabric dementors wore.

Adrian figured the cloak he had at his house was hemmed with a Dementor's cloak. The material was cold to the touch, silky smooth like touching smoke.

Adrian wondered if touching a real Dementor would be like that.

He wanted to meet one.

(Given that Dementors were important for the cause, his father may actually let him learn to speak or deal with them. Under direct supervision of course)

Meeting a Dementor would have to be done carefully, under the supervision and security of something stronger than an invisibility cloak.

But first, learning a Patronus Charm could help, no matter how unfair he felt the tradeoff was.

The classes would be held before Christmas break, mostly to weed out those who wanted to learn and those who didn't.

The first class was huge, the room filled with upper years with the occasional fifth year. Adrian was there nestled behind two sixth years who were either kind enough or arrogant enough to ignore him. It offered Adrian the prime viewpoint to watch as none other than Skylar Potter and Hermione walked in, Ron Weasley trailed further back and seemed grudging to actually join the other two. That was a surprise, when had the famous trio fought or broken up?

Whispers started, low mumbles about how it was ridiculous for a third year to cast a patronus, or how if anyone could do it, Skylar could.

"Settle down!" Lupin shouted, clapping his hands loudly. James Potter nodded in greeting to Skylar, who smiled back. Sirius Black shifted his weight from side to side, looking around eagerly.

"Today will be a demonstration of the Patronus Charm. The Patronus is a piece of very complex magic, and very few people are capable of performing it. It creates a guardian that acts as a shield between you and the dementor. Thankfully, we have my friends and assistants who will demonstrate for us today."

Sirius whipped out his wand excitedly, James Potter following with a wink as they both spoke the charm at the same time.

From the ends of the wands, a silvery mist expelled, solidifying into two animals which pranced around on the ground. A large silver dog ran around with a slobbering tongue, drool vanishing the moment it left its long tongue. A proud doe jumped around, tossing her head daintily before she playfully kicked at the dog with careful precision.

The upper years cooed excitedly, females laughing at the adorableness of the dog and how beautiful the doe was.

"Thankfully, to show that the spell is achievable by others, I have already been teaching Mr. Skylar Potter how to perform it. If you would," Lupin nodded with a professional smile, beckoning with one hand towards an open area.

The room hushed and Skylar awkwardly stepped forward, brandishing his wand and shouting the spell.

From his wand, sluggishly compared to his father and Sirius, silver mist formed into the shape of a deer, some sort of blurred fawn which was much smaller than Sirius' dog.

No, not quite right. It had antlers, a strange shape and a unique pelt splattered with darker shades of silver. An antelope? Or a Gazelle?

The deer-like patronus ran and jumped right into Sirius' dog, knocking it over and playing on the ground. The doe slowly lowered itself to the ground, watching the two animals playing with affection.

Potter could already perform the Patronus.

Adrian's jaw clenched in agitation, of course Skylar had been receiving lessons already.

The class went on to describe the properties of the spell, and how it needed to be fueled by the happiest memory one had. The happier the memory, the stronger the patronus.

They weren't allowed to actually perform the spell yet, instead they all watched and learned more.

Adrian didn't know what his patronus could possibly be, not to mention what could be his happiest memory.

He couldn't stand to be in the room any longer. It was stifling.

The other students began clearing out, everyone talking about what animals they hoped they would form or their best memories to use. Adrian was almost out before he heard a stiff and cocky voice call his name.

"Mr. Selwyn!"

Adrian twitched but turned silently.

James Potter had a smirk, arms crossed over his chest cockily. "Did you like the presentation?"

Adrian's jaw twitched. Of course, James Potter would have remembered him.

He did leave a rather memorable impression his first year, not to mention James Potter had a rather infamous stigma for singling out children of death-eaters.

Skylar floundered, shaking his head and looking ready to interupt and stop his father in his tracks. Adrian felt his hands twitch and his nerves rise up. Did James Potter know something? Had he slipped up somehow?

"James, none of that," Lupin scolded, stepping forward with a small frown, "Mr. Selwyn is my student, not a child to patronize."

Sirius' jaw dropped, "But Remus-"

"None of that!" Remus rolled his eyes, "Go find the Weasley twins, or take Skylar out to Hogsmeade."

James laughed awkwardly but clapped Lupin on his shoulder before heading out. Skylar paused, looking at Adrian with an unrecognizable expression before he turned and walked out. Hermione and Ron were waiting by the door, looking stiff and uncomfortable with each other but somehow still friends. They must have had some fight.

Soon it was just Professor Lupin and Adrian alone in the room.

"I noticed when you came in, Mr. Selwyn." Professor Lupin divulged calmly, settling on a nearby chair to lower the height difference, "You were the only third year to come to my lesson today."

"Besides Skylar and his friends." Adrian coldly pointed out, "I should have guessed that he was getting lessons."

Lupin nodded, pursing his lip thoughtfully, "That's true, but then again he did have a bad reaction to the Dementors. He needed it for protection more than just to master advanced spellwork. You don't seem the type to learn such difficult spellwork for the thrill of it."

Adrian shrugged and avoided eye contact on the offhand chance that Lupin was a Legilimens.

"So what is it?" Professor Lupin asked kindly, crossing his ankles together, "Is it for information? Quite a business you've started." He winked and once again smiled encouragingly.

Adrian blinked, taken aback by the conversation. It was weird to think of this as a teacher and not a gentle uncle or some sort.

Adrian felt a shiver of deja-vu.

"Thank you, has its uses." Adrian cautiously agreed

"Yes, yes, financial I assume." Professor Lupin added, starting to chew on his lower lip, "It worries me, not as a teacher but as a person, that a student as young as you has to go through such means for finances."

"It's useful-"

"Yes yes, I know, you can purchase all sorts of treats with a few sickles of change." Professor Lupin smiled reaching into his pocket to find a few cauldron cakes, offering one nicely, "Merlin knows I snuck over to Honeydukes when I was your age, James, Sirius and I were quite the rule breakers. I'd be a hypocrite to scold you. Would you like a pastry?"

What was going on? Did the man not realize that Adrian had long since moved on from bartering sweets?

Professor Lupin opened one of the cakes, biting into it carefully and addressing Adrian once again, "Do you have sweets often? At your home?"

Adrian paused, "Sometimes. My father isn't…I have them on occasion."

"Oh, yes." Professor Lupin smiled, "That would be the man your boggart turned into, It concerns me why your father is your greatest fear, Mr. Selwyn."

"That's what this is about?" Adrian blinked, nibbling on the cake with dainty bites, "My father just has high expectations."

"Right, right," Professor Lupin soothed, pausing before his expression became incredibly concerned, "I couldn't help but notice your upper left arm."

Adrian's hand flashed to his arm where he knew the thin white scar was located. Bellatrix had always said it was an accident.

"Would you mind if I took a look?"

Adrian knew he couldn't refuse or it would look worse. He shrugged off his outer robe, sliding up the partial sleeves to show the white line against the outer edge of his upper arm. Professor Lupin took his arm very carefully, calloused fingers touched his skin.

"This is a mark from a cutting curse, Adrian." Professor Lupin exhaled shortly, "...Do you have anymore marks, or scars from your father?"

"What?" Adrian's jaw dropped in shock, "What... no, no. He didn't..."

"Mr. Selwyn, I know normally you'd go to your head of house, however I felt the need to intrude. If you would like, I'd gladly speak to Professor Snape about this, or I could not. Nothing you tell me will be told to others, unless you intend to take legal action." Professor Lupin sighed, "I only want to help you."

Adrian stared, swallowing before looking at his feet.

He was in a rough situation.

He could deny everything, which would bring more attention to his father for suspected child abuse. He could tell a lie, some sort of constructed nonsense about who had hurt him, but then they would be investigated for legal purposes.

He'd have to construct a story, a parental figure who was already in prison or arrested under charges where child abuse wouldn't be that outrageous.

Oh.

"Everything I say will stay private." Adrian repeated, obviously looking skeptical.

"Of course," Professor Lupin smiled, "I can involve my friends if you would prefer aurors when you return-"

Adrian lifted his eyebrows in disbelief, causing the other man to wince, "Alright, perhaps not. Are you in any danger at this time?"

"No."

Professor Lupin looked relieved. "Who caused that scar, Adrian?"

"My aunt," Adrian paused, "Bellatrix Lestrange."

Professor Lupin flinched away in shock, growing pale as one hand covered his mouth. For some reason, Professor Lupin's eyes seemed to flare golden for a brief moment.

"No wonder you wanted to learn the patronus charm," Professor Lupin shivered.

Then his arms reached out and gently tugged Adrian to his chest, hugging him closely against his low quality brown robes. A chin rested on Adrian's head, tucking him further in.

Adrian froze.

What was this. What was going on.

"I'm so sorry," Professor Lupin exhaled sadly, "But here on Hogwarts, you're safe. You won't be hurt here. It wasn't your fault."

Adrian was getting hugged. He was being hugged by Professor Lupin.

'Oh, no Harry, none of this was your fault. You don't have to be sorry for anything.'

'I'm so sorry.'

Adrian flinched away in a jerk, stumbling back into the open area of the room. His chest heaved back and forth quickly, his eyes stung with the confusion.

"No, no i'm Adrian." He muttered under his breath, shoving his emotions behind his occlumency shields quickly, "I'm Adrian."

"Alright, I've been keeping you too long," Lupin blinked quickly, trying to compose himself quickly, recovering after Adrian's jerk away "I'm so sorry, that was terribly unprofessional."

"No, no it's fine." Adrian paused, uncertain on how to convey when he felt, "I'm not used to it."

"To being hugged?" the golden eyes softened like melting metal, "Oh, Adrian."

Adrian bowed his head and ignored it, looking out the window. It was starting to get darker out, the nights were longer than the days now.

No, there was something else.

Remus Lupin, Adrian remembered Remus Lupin. He was, he was Harry Potter's godfather.

He took him to an expo, an animal showing. He took him and there was a manticore... there was a snake. It had all been a disaster, flashes of screaming and of broken doors. The shrill death throes begging for mercy.

Remus Lupin was a werewolf.

"I like magical creatures." Adrian blurted, not aware that he had spoken at all. Lupin nodded slowly.

"That's common. Abused children tend to empathize with creatures and animals more."

"I'm not abused." Adrian protested with a scowl, "People are just all…"

Lupin's knowing look made him cut off his terrible excuse.

"Where do you go?" Adrian blurted, shifting and looking uncomfortable, "You're a werewolf."

Lupin froze and his skin paled. His hands trembled slightly and he curled them into fists, lowering them to his sides to try and stop any physical signs of distress.

"Why do you want to know?" Lupin's voice was strained, he stood and started pacing wildly, running one hand through his hair, "You're not-?"

"No," Adrian blinked, "I'm not."

Lupin's smile was strained, thin and somehow in the lighting Lupin looked more wolf like than ever before. "I think I've taken enough of your time tonight, Mr. Selwyn."

Adrian returned home for Christmas break with the intentions of retrieving his secret cloak, as well as to make sure Walter was settling in okay.

Hedwig had apparently returned to the manor with Walter's shipment right during morning tea. Not only did Walter awake and eat an entire slice of toast, but he also indulged himself with his father's tea before the Dark Lord realized that what was occurring was actually real.

Nagini loved having a pet. For some reason Walter enjoyed nesting in Nagini's coils, and reacted equally to Parseltongue as it did to English.

"This isn't going to be the only pet you bring home, is it?" his father sighed, looking at how Nagini fussed over how Walter's shed was getting slightly stuck. His father couldn't argue, especially with how happy Nagini seemed to be.

"Would you be surprised if I got a dragon?" Adrian asked jokingly, only to receive a glare.

"No dragon."

"Yes father."

"Expecto Patronum." Adrian muttered, sitting on a chair outside, looking over the forests and the gardens of the house.

His wand made a faintly silvery mist, but that was it.

"Expecto Patronum." Adrian tried again, speaking through gritted teeth.

There was a pathetic spatter of sparks before once again, nothing.

Adrian shouted angrily, nearly throwing his wand across the yard, "If Potter can do it why can't I!"

The door behind him opened loudly, causing Adrian to scramble backwards and look over his shoulder in surprise.

His father stood in the doorway, arms crossed with the most unimpressed expression.

"Maybe that's because you're not a spoiled brat."

If Adrian wasn't so angry, he would have known better than to rant.

"But I can cast any spell better than him!" Adrian seethed, fist clenching in anger as rage rose, "It's not fair, I should be able to cast it!"

His father rolled his eyes, "You have anger problems. Control it before I make you."

Adrian grumbled but looked down resigned, frustration and the starting sting of tears burning his eyes.

"The Patronus charm," His father started, "Is a difficult spell. I only learned to perform it in my sixth year, of course, I was self taught."

"Is this supposed to make me feel better?" Adrian sighed, sliding over a seat for his father to sit next to him, "Why don't you lower the warming charm? Make the temperature as cold as you are."

His father gave a sigh before he drew his own wand- pale white and intimidating yew.

"Expecto Patronum..." From his wand a large snake jumped out, thick and powerful, Nagini rearing and glowing silver in the cold air.

"How-" Adrian scrambled upright, looking at the ghostly serpent in awe as he ran his fingers through her intangible bulk.

"Adrian, come here." His father ordered, red eyes smoldering in the light, "I'll show you a trick."

Adrian complied, sitting as close to his father as he could pulling out his wand and waiting. "I grabbed my Holly Wand- I figured that it would make it easier."

His father hummed a sound and beckoned for Adrian to try again.

"Expecto Patronum." Adrian started, motivated by his father's company. His wand spluttered and only a faint mist formed, he groaned disappointed.

"What are you thinking of?"

"Lutain, meeting him." Adrian felt a smile form on his mouth, "And just the general impression."

His father clicked his tongue, "Not specific enough. It has to be a very specific moment or memory."

Adrian's jaw dropped, "but I don't have a single memory better than that."

"Neither did I. I invented one."

Adrian looked at his father in awe, "You can do that?"

"With enough self control and motivation, you can create any memory. Allow me..."

Adrian felt the pressure in the back of his mind crack- the black eyelid sliding open to grant access to the creeping mist through his head.

Adrian whined, starting to slump backwards as his eyesight looked so far away. The black coils of something with no start or ending was twisting around his body, suffocating and caressing.

"I've got you." His father spoke, the sound entirely inaudible and yet somehow understandable. Vibrations from his speaking went through Adrian's back, warming his chest and body.

He could hear the whispered 'oh' as it found something that it was so carefully probing, searching for something.

Adrian's mouth moved without his control. His words were velvety smooth yet undeniably his own voice. "Expecto Patronum."

Adrian felt his magic move and from his wand a silvery beast emerged, much larger than he had expected but still smaller than Nagini. It crawled, scraping scales and belly plates as its protruding teeth flowed ethereally. It growled lowly, a reverberating warning noise which was felt through the air itself- morphing into a guttural hiss as it opened its mouth slowly. The jaws snapped shut violently.

The coil in his mind retreated, slithering through the open eye before it closed gently without a trace. The patronus evaporated.

Adrian snapped back into his body with a groan, twitching as he regained movement in his hands and feet.

"You back with the living?" His father asked, voice thick with amusement.

"Warn me next time," Adrian grunted, raising a hand to rub against his eyes, hardly believing that the crocodile-esq creature was real.

The next thing Adrian realized was the he was reclining firmly against his father's side, one large arm wrapped around his midsection to keep him upright.

"I implanted false memories in your head," His father spoke again, this time Adrian could feel the vibrations through his back, "They were sufficient enough with your personality to conjure the patronus."

Adrian straightened, rolling his shoulders to try and remove all of the fogginess. "What memory?" Adrian mumbled, wincing at the post possession tremors.

His father only looked at him, a side glanced look with ruby eyes; the Dark Lord said nothing and instead ruffled Adrian's hair once before leaving. Adrian practically melted at the touch.

The air was much colder without a warm body near him. He ached to have that warmth back.

Adrian blinked, then tried to recall what possibly could have been implanted.

"Harry I- I know that we haven't been the best, but you have to understand-"

"Skylar is the Boy-Who-Lived and needs extra protection because dark wizards still are angry with him. I know mum, Skylar is more-"

"Harry, I- how about tomorrow we head over to the expo. Just you and me? I thought there was something about a baby hydra there. I know your father isn't fond of reptiles, except Merlin knows he has a problem with dragons, but-"

"I think I'd like to go. I mean, It's okay if we need to clean up, or if Skylar wants to go somewhere else. I don't have to go, I can always-"

"We're going"

The moment was ruined when a witch called out for Lily loudly, having her grandson timidly hiding behind her large green frock coat. Lily looked torn but ultimately made her decision as she hurried over, leaving Harry alone on the porch once again.

Harry glanced back at the white paint on the deck and scraped his nail across the path of a particularly adventurous ant.

"What did the ant ever do to you?" A drawling dry tone caused Harry to glance up in surprise, a smile spreading unbidden.

"You came!" Harry smiled, trying not to look as excited as he actually was, "I didn't think you'd come since it's Skylar's-"

Adrian's father chuckled, settling down awkwardly on the porch next to Adrian, slinging one arm around the young boy's carelessly, "As far as i'm concerned, this is your party."

"Really?" Adrian asked sadly, exhaling and slinking downwards, "It seems like nobody notices me."

Adrian's father scoffed, "because they're ignorant morons. They can't see the raw potential, they're stuck with their heads too high; the brooms help with that."

Adrian cracked a smile before looking down, fiddling with his shirt.

"Head up," Adrian's father snapped suddenly, causing Adrian to jerk his head upright and sit straighter.

"Now, listen to me," His father started, red eyes locking to convey how serious he was, "That mudblood and blood traitor don't know what they're tossing away. They don't see how much better you are, they're too captivated by that rotten boy."

Two long hands cupped his jaw, angling his head upright to make sure everything was heard, "You are going to be the best, they'll come to regret every glance they've given you."

"Why?" Adrian's voice broke, his eyes were welling against his will, "Why help me?"

Tom Riddle's eyes softened and he smiled something gentle, "because you're my son. And because I-"

Adrian snapped his head up, feeling the wavering warming charm keeping out the holiday chill.

The night was dark, and Adrian's cheeks were wet.

"Ex-Expecto Patronum."

The patronus lumbered out, dragging heavy scale plates over the ground with the lethargic grace of a predator.