✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. PATRONUS CHARMS

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

The next D.A. meeting was by far the most exciting one. Luckily for Evangeline, she didn't miss much in the last two meetings that she had missed, they had only been reviewing what they had learned the previous term. This meeting would consist of the group of teenagers learning how to produce the Patronus charm.

This one was one of the most difficult charms to produce. Even the most skilled wizards and witches had trouble producing the charm. Harry was currently explaining it to them and what they needed to do in order to be successful. They all broke up into smaller groups, taking turns on saying the spell. "Make it a powerful memory, the happiest you can remember. Allow it to fill you up," Harry was saying as he walked about the room.

Evangeline was still trying to think of a memory, one that made her happy. She didn't have too many of those and was having trouble producing a Patronus. "Expecto Patronum," she tried again, waving her wand as she did so. Once again, nothing had happened. She let out an aggravated sigh as the next person in her group tried. "Don't worry, you'll get it. Just keep trying," Harry said, patting her shoulder.

She watched as a few people were successful in producing their Patronus. She began wracking her brain for a happy memory of when she was a child, coming up with nothing. Vivian, who was stood next to her, closed her eyes and thought. A smile came to the older girl's face and she attempted the spell once more. "Expecto Patronum," Vivian said, waving her wand. Evangeline watched as a burst of silvery blue escaped from Vivian's wand, taking the form of an Arctic Fox. The fox ran around them in circles before running around the room.

Vivian smiled triumphantly as she watched the fox run before it dissipated. Evangeline frowned at the older girl. She would never admit to the envy she was feeling in that moment and hoped that it didn't show on her face. "What were you thinking about?" She asked the older girl. "That time we had a water fight when I was ten and you were nine. Luther and Matilda were not happy at all. But it was fun," Vivian answered.

"Gemma and Barry were mad that we didn't include them," Evangeline said with a small smile. She then looked down at her wand, her frown returning. "Aw, don't feel discouraged. This is a difficult spell. But you'll get it, I know you will," Vivian said, sending her a smile before walking over to George and Fred who high fived her. Evangeline sighed, thinking of a random memory with Vivian before lifting up her wand and trying again.

Wisps of silvery blue spurted out of her wand but that was it. Another sigh. "No luck?" Ron asked, coming to stand next to her. "Does it look like I've had any luck?" She asked him. A light blush formed on his cheeks and Evangeline smiled when she saw it. "You blush a lot," she commented. His blush deepened and he cleared his throat. "You're having trouble with a memory, aren't you?" He asked

She sighed and nodded her head. "I don't have too many happy memories. I mean, I'm sure that I have some but, I don't remember them," she said. "What about with your sister?" Ron proposed. Evangeline shrugged her shoulders, looking defeated. Ron had never seen her like this before. His hand went to touch her lower back, an action he hoped was comforting. Evangeline stiffened under his touch, which he noticed. He went to pull his hand away when she relaxed, turning to look up at him. He was rather warm, something that she liked.

"You're gonna get this. It might not be now but, you will. I know you will. I mean, you're Evangeline Caspian. You're amazing, you know? You can do anything," he told her quietly. There was something in his eyes when he said those words that made Evangeline believe that he meant what he said. She smiled at him, turning her head away when she felt her cheeks heat up. "I can't do this," she muttered.

"Hey, why don't you try again?" He suggested. She sighed again, "What's the point?" He gave her a look that made her comply with his words. She raised her wand and he started speaking again. "Now, close your eyes and clear your mind," he began. "How am I supposed to think of a memory if I'm clearing my mind?" She questioned. He gave her another look and she rolled her eyes. "Fine," she said, closing her eyes and attempting to clear her mind.

She relaxed her body, focusing on her breathing. Ron stepped up behind her, his hand ran down her arm only to meet her own hand. Evangeline suppressed a shiver. His hand took ahold of her own. Her breath hitched slightly, her mind going fuzzy for a moment. Her heart rate picked up in her chest and she took a breath to calm her growing nerves. What is happening to me? She didn't know that Ron was feeling the exact same, his heart thudding loudly in his chest. He was surprised that she couldn't hear it.

"All right now, I want you to think back to a time when things weren't so complicated. Think about when you weren't worrying about your future or all the dark things in our world. A time when the only thing that mattered to you was being happy or having fun. Just being a kid," Ron whispered. She could feel his breath tickle the back of her neck and it was getting harder for her to concentrate.

She took a deep breath and released it slowly, doing as he told her to do. He released her hand and stepped away from her, taking his warmth with him. She barely noticed though, her mind thinking back to a memory.

She had been five years old. It was Christmas Eve and the Caspian family had just finished eating dinner. Evangeline and Vivian, who was six at the time, were in the living room, building a fort.

It was something that Vivian's friend had told her about. The girls were pulling out couch cushions and had bed sheets ready for use.

"What are you two doing?" Eliana Caspian had questioned, walking into the living room. Her eyebrows were raised, though an amused smile graced her features. Vivian looked up at her and smiled. "Building a fort," she answered, turning back and continuing with what she was doing.

"A fort?" Nathaniel Caspian asked, stepping up beside his wife. "Yes," Evangeline nodded enthusiastically. "Now how exactly do you build a fort?" He asked, tilting his head to the side. The two girls' eyes lit up. "I can show you!" Vivian squealed. "Well, what are you waiting for?" Eliana questioned, squatting down and running into the room.

She went straight for Evangeline, wrapping her arms around her torso and picking her up. Evangeline giggled like a madwoman, her mother sending kisses to every inch of her face.

That night, the four Caspians had built a fort. It was terrible and lopsided but making it was a blast. That was the most Evangeline had ever laughed in her life. She didn't remember being that happy before.

Evangeline opened her eyes, a newfound determination in them. Her grip on her wand tightened and she raised it a little higher. "Expecto Patronum," she said. The silvery blue color burst out of her wand again. This time, it warped and formed into a great polar bear. Evangeline's head tilted to the side in wonder. She stared at it in awe as it flew about the room.

The large animal caused a laugh to bubble up out of her throat. She broke concentration, the animal disappearing though she didn't care. She whipped around to face Ron, a large smile on her face. The smile on his face mirrored her own. "I did it!" She practically squealed, jumping up and down. "You did it," he breathed. She rushed over to him, throwing herself into his body.

Evangeline wrapped her arms tightly around him, squeezing him into a hug. Ron was shocked for a moment, stumbling backwards at the impact before wrapping his arms around her waist. His smile softened, his head falling into her hair as he held her tighter. "Thank you," she whispered. "Don't thank me. That was all you," he replied, just as quietly.

She pulled away from him, much to his dismay. Her smile didn't fall, especially after seeing the blush that coated his cheeks. She lifted up her hand a poked his cheek with her finger. His blushed deepened. "You really do blush too much," she said quietly. "I-I can't help it," he said, his blush deepening even more. She laughed, "You stutter a lot too."

Ron looked down, trying to hide his face. "W-well, you make me nervous," he admitted embarrassingly. Evangeline stared at him, her smile turning endearing. Her heart was racing in her chest, a blush beginning to form on her own cheeks. Before either of them could say anything more, a low booming sound was heard, shaking the chandelier above their heads and causing the lights to flicker.

The two looked up at the chandelier as it shook. Evangeline's eyebrows furrowed. She turned to look at Ron, her eyes wide. Another boom. Everyone turned toward the door, the lights flickering again. Another boom, the lights flickered again, and the chandelier jingled as it shook. Vivian came to stand beside Evangeline as Harry walked toward the door. Another boom.

Evangeline involuntarily took ahold of Ron's hand, fear beginning to course through her veins. Ron didn't mind, squeezing her hand reassuringly. With the next boom came the shattering of the mirror. Evangeline released Ron's hand, quickly lifting up her wand in a defensive manner. Harry and Nigel stepped closer to the wall, peering through the small hole that was now in it.

Harry suddenly pulled Nigel backwards, the two running away from the wall as it exploded. Pieces of rock flew toward the students, dust flying everywhere. Evangeline ducked, covering her head. When it calmed down, she looked back to the wall. Standing on the other side of the room was Professor Umbridge and her inquisitorial squad. Draco came into view, pulling Cho Chang along with him.

Evangeline stared at the girl in shock, turning to look at Vivian whose jaw was locked in anger. It was quiet for a moment, the students staring at Umbridge in shock. The woman looked at them with a sinister look in her eyes.

"Get them," she hissed.