Attention

Chapter Seven

Pansy could halt Draco's future with a few words, but nothing could prevent the dreaded Dementor lesson from finally arriving.

To Draco's surprise, Professor Holloway had turned out to be a perfectly competent Defence teacher. He had spent several decades travelling around the Continent as a professional duellist, and at Hallowe'en had managed to best both Flitwick and Snape in an impromptu duelling tournament. In short, he was okay.

'As I mentioned Monday, we're starting Patronuses today,' Professor Holloway said Friday morning, letting them into a dank, dusty room down in the dungeons and lighting the torches with his wand.

The class filed in after him and formed a loose ragged group on the opposite side of the room from the door.

'I understand from Mr Potter that quite a few of you worked on the spell last year about this time, is that correct?'

There were murmurs, nods, and not a few glances over at Potter, who was slouched against a wall, looking bored.

'I expect all of you already know the incantation, but let's practise it together first, without wands,' he continued. 'It's Expecto Patronum. All together now... Expecto Patronum!'

The class diligently chanted the incantation; Draco mumbled along sullenly, wishing Holloway would get on with it.

'Excellent,' said Holloway automatically. 'And of course in addition to the incantation, you have to think of a happy memory or thought--this is the key. The happiness has to be powerful but also sustainable. Solid.'

What the bloody hell does that mean? But the rest of the class were nodding again, some with closed eyes or odd smiles.

'When a Dementor attacks, you will be assailed by terrible memories. You must let these memories must pass through you. Don't absorb them--much easier said than done. It takes incredible strength of character to keep hold of the memory while all your mind wants to do is succumb to despair, to a complete lack of hope.' He suddenly grinned. 'Who'd like to go first? Mr Potter? Perhaps a demonstration?'

Draco felt his nails digging into his palms as a hot wash of hatred flooded him. Perfect Potter. Perfect, precious, Patronus Potter.

Potter stepped away from the wall, giving every appearance of great reluctance. He pulled his wand from his robes, flicked it somewhat nonchalantly and said boredly, 'Expecto Patronum.'

A gigantic silver stag erupted from the end of his wand and cantered the length of the dungeon as everyone but Draco and Millicent, the only other Slytherin in the class, applauded and oohed.

'Well done, Mr Potter, very well done!' Holloway exclaimed enthusiastically as the stag faded away. 'Who's next?'

Just as Draco was about to step forward and prove that Potter wasn't anything special, Granger's hand shot into the air, catching Weasley on the ear. There was a muffled 'Oi!' and a quick 'Sorry, Ron.'

'Yes, Miss Granger, go ahead.'

The Mudblood stepped forward, took a deep breath while she presumably imagined all the house-elves accepting clothes and asking for wages, waved her wand and yelled, 'Expecto Patronum!'

A silver otter appeared in front of her and began to roll around on the dungeon floor.

Draco caught his guffaw just before it passed his lips.

'Excellent,' said Holloway with a pleased smile. After about ten seconds, the otter faded. 'Next?'

Millicent pushed herself away from the wall, walked wordlessly to the centre of the dungeon and pointed her wand at Granger. Draco snorted. He had a strong suspicion of what Millicent's happy thought was, and wondered if Know-It-All Granger knew that there was no taboo against lesbian extra-sanguine relations. Millicent had quite the sadistic streak, too; Draco still had the scars.

Millicent waved her wand silently. A gigantic eagle streaked out of the end straight at the Mudblood, who shrieked and ducked, holding her hands over her head.

'It won't hurt you!' shouted Holloway with a laugh. 'Calm down, Miss Granger!'

Granger straightened up, flushing, as Millicent's eagle dissolved. Weasley and Potter both shot Millicent angry glares. Millicent, however, continued to gaze levelly at Granger who, after a moment, began shifting from foot to foot awkwardly.

'That was...impressive, Miss Bulstrode,' Holloway said unsmilingly. 'A silent Patronus is quite advanced. I commend you.'

Millicent turned and met Holloway's eyes. 'I've had practice,' she said steadily.

The class went very silent; Draco felt uncomfortable. Millicent had what could politely be called 'strong political leanings', and, ever since fourth year, had suddenly begun picking up countercurses with frightening ease.

Millicent flipped her gaze around the dungeon, then returned to her slumping perch by the side wall.

Holloway cleared his throat. The class shuffled their feet, relieved.

'Another volunteer? Ah, thank you, Mr Malfoy.'

Apparently Draco's hand was in the air. Now his feet were carrying him to the middle of the dungeon.

'Have you ever conjured a Patronus before?'

'No,' Draco said carelessly. It would make producing it on the first try--which he fully expected--all the more impressive.

'Wonderful,' said Holloway, sounding genuinely pleased. 'Before you say the incantation, I want you to close your eyes and clearly envision the memory you want to use. Don't worry right now about the fact that we're in a brightly lit room.... Yes, I know it's not brightly lit, but it's at least lit, quite unlike the way it will be with an actual Dementor.'

Draco obediently closed his eyes, flicking his hair out of his face first.

Holloway continued, 'Think of something genuinely happy. The first time you rode a broomstick, maybe... a favourite birthday, the first time Professor McGonagall gave full marks...'

This got a few laughs. Draco smiled politely, his eyes still closed.

'Maybe your first kiss, your first time with a girl--'

Draco opened his eyes to see everyone's reactions. A few people were looking thoughtful, including, much to his surprise, Potter; the rest appeared distinctly uncomfortable, including, much to his satisfaction, Weasley.

'Oh, yes,' Holloway said, cheerfully oblivious to the sudden awkwardness. 'Sexual memories are quite powerful. I personally use one of my earliest experiences. So far it's worked every time.' He turned back to Draco. 'Got your memory?'

Oh, right. Draco closed his eyes, dredging up his first shag with Pansy. Er... no, maybe not that one. The worst moment of the evening was a toss-up between Is it in yet? and So that's what premature means... He cringed inwardly. No, it wouldn't do at all. Perhaps that time with the cute little Hufflepuff, what was her name, Amanda. Amanda Bolton with the curly hair and double joints. She'd been a fun two weeks, and not even too upset when he'd told her, quite politely, that he had to move on. Yes, she would do.

Amanda's delightfully rounded bottom swam before his eyes.

'Whenever you're ready, Mr Malfoy,' said Holloway.

Draco thought of how Amanda had felt wrapped around him, how soft and small her body had been, how wonderfully eager to please she'd been, and how pleased he'd been. 'Expecto Patronum!' he shouted, and opened his eyes.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing. No silver creature, no formless mist, nothing, just his wand, stretched out rather foolishly, pointing at the rest of the students.

Potter's expression was smug, Granger looked pleased, and Weasley was grinning like a loon. Draco sneered at them and turned back to the professor.

'Try another memory, Mr Malfoy,' said Holloway evenly. 'That one doesn't appear to have been strong enough. Sometimes a single memory doesn't do it. Try combining several for a general sense of happiness.'

Multiple memories, right. Draco frantically riffled through girls like so many pages in a catalogue. Pansy, Amanda, Parvati, Lucia, Millicent--er, no, maybe not Millicent--Madeleine, Padma, Natalie, Kathleen, Suzanne, Ginny--no, not Ginny, most definitely not Ginny--Deirdre, Kate, Gwendolyn...

Draco pushed Ginny out of the line-up, thought of having all dozen girls on him at once, thanked the fact that his robes were bulky, raised his wand again and shouted, 'Expecto Patronum!'

There was a whooshing noise. Draco opened his eyes and saw a shining formless mist hanging in front of his face. Two seconds later, it vanished.

If he'd only got that book from Ginny Weasley night before last, this wouldn't be happening, now, would it? he thought angrily.

But Holloway was nodding, looking pleased. 'Well done, Mr Malfoy, very well done. On the second attempt, excellent! Next?'

'I'd like to try once more, sir,' Draco said quickly. He had to do it, he had to get a corporeal Patronus. If the Mudblood could, then there was no way a Malfoy couldn't.

'All right then,' said Holloway, blinking. 'Take another go.'

No one would ever know what images he had conjured. The only risk was that it wasn't a happy memory; but powerful and happy were so much alike.... The sensation of being the centre of attention deluged over him like hot water, and he felt light-headed.

'Expecto Patronum!' he bellowed.

Out of the end of his wand shot an immense silver dragon, its mouth open in a silent roar, teeth bared ferociously. Draco felt a surge of triumph, and then a stab of weakness. The dragon faded as Draco's control gave out.

Holloway applauded enthusiastically; reluctantly, the rest of the class put their hands together two or three times. Millicent gave him a solemn and somehow chilling nod.

'That was excellent, Mr Malfoy,' said Holloway with feeling. 'I'm impressed.'

'Thank you, sir.' The image of Ginny Weasley's lips still lingered behind his eyelids.

'I understand it's private,' Holloway said politely, 'but what sort of memory did you use?'

'Gi-- Just a girl.' Draco shrugged casually.

'Wonderful.' Holloway beamed. 'Next?'