[181] Echoes of the Deep

"Expecto Patronum. Recite the incantation precisely while concentrating on your happiest memory."

Lupin emphasised the key points. Most students could say the words, but not a single wand produced even a glint of silver light.

"Harder than it looks," Ron muttered, still waving his wand. He'd seen Hall cast it before. Draco had too.

"Hall." Draco's eyes brimmed with anticipation.

"Small group, two hundred Galleons. No guarantee. Guaranteed learning — one thousand."

Draco's face contorted. "One thousand? Robbery?"

"Lupin's explanation is slightly inaccurate. The Patronus Charm is extremely advanced for the magical world." Hall looked to Lupin for confirmation.

"That's true..." Lupin sighed. But wasn't Hall a bit arrogant, charging for lessons in front of him?

"Deal." Draco slammed his hand on the table. "I'll pay in the common room. You teach me."

Some Gryffindors whispered about Snape. "That old bat..."

Hall stood and tapped his wand on the desk. "I'm not begging you to learn from me. But Headmaster Snape is your professor. Gryffindors should show some respect."

The Gryffindors went quiet.

"And if anyone doubts whether I can cast a Patronus — "

Hall raised his wand. "Expecto Patronum."

Silver light burst from the tip, forming a winged tiger. It circled the classroom once, then landed on Hall's shoulder, padding through the air.

Everyone stared. Absolutely brilliant.

"Perfectly executed," Lupin said sincerely. "Slytherin, ten points. But charging for spells — "

"I didn't force anyone. Mutual consent."

Hall scratched the winged tiger's head. "Draco's guaranteed course is one thousand. Anyone who wants to audit is two hundred each. No individual instruction. First come, first served."

Slytherins exchanged excited looks. Two hundred for a thousand-Galleon course was a bargain.

"I want to learn too..."

"Two hundred doesn't seem expensive."

Everyone turned. Harry Potter adjusted his glasses awkwardly. "Hermione, do you want to learn together? I can pay."

"Learn? Absolutely. Pay?" Hermione shook her head. "Hall and I have a business relationship."

Harry stared at her. You call that a partnership?

Hall's mini-class was in session.

Lupin stood at the front of the classroom, watching a group of students crowd around Hall. Draco sat closest to him. Then Harry, Ron, Hermione, Zabini, and Pansy — spreading outward in circles.

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Lupin wondered how it had come to this.

Hall had offered a deal: anyone who paid two hundred Galleons to audit could bring one person for free. Buy one, get one free. For Hall, teaching one or two made little difference. But he wouldn't lower the price — paid knowledge couldn't be undervalued.

The Gryffindors couldn't afford it. So they ingratiated themselves with the Slytherins.

"We're in the same classroom. We're classmates."

"I'll cheer for you in the Quidditch match."

"Bring your brother along!"

The Gryffindor lions chose diplomacy over pride. Saving two hundred Galleons with a few nice words was worth it.

Slytherin students were swayed. Gryffindors, when they wanted to be charming, were very charming.

"So, happy memories..." Draco said. "I like peacocks. Dad keeps some at home. Mum's desserts are delicious. I'm always happy eating them."

"All of those count. Small joys accumulate — that's your happiness."

Ron whispered to Harry. "I thought Malfoy's happiest moments would be trampling Muggles and half-bloods."

Harry coughed. His thoughts were the same.

Zabini glanced at them. "We're human too. Please don't demonise us."

The Gryffindors coughed collectively. In their eyes, Slytherins were monsters.

"On the surface, at least learn to cover it up," Zabini muttered.

"Immerse yourself in those memories, then recite the spell."

"Expecto Patronum."

A silvery cloud condensed at Draco's wand tip. Gasps from around him. A sign of success.

The cloud dissipated instantly. Draco's face fell.

"Nothing to be angry about. Normal." Hall's expression was calm. "The hardest part isn't just happiness. The Patronus also requires a lot of magical power. Stronger magic, more happiness — more powerful the Patronus. But if your magic isn't enough, it disappears in seconds."

"But last time — your Patronus lasted over an hour."

The others didn't understand. But Draco did. Hall's magical power was terrifying. Far beyond his own.

"Hall is the most powerful!" Ron said proudly.

Draco glared. That damned Weasley.

"Let's continue." Hall guided Draco through details. "Focus on the foundations first. Summoning the Patronus won't be a problem. As for how long it lasts..."

Hall smiled kindly.

"Draco, you don't want Gryffindor to laugh at you, do you?"

Hall's instructions were detailed. By the end of class, Hermione could conjure a silvery mist at her wand tip. Even Zabini produced wisps of silvery thread.

"It's a protective spell," Zabini said, stroking his chin.

Hall ignored him. He didn't communicate with riddlers.

"Class dismissed," Lupin said. If he didn't leave soon, he'd doubt this was even his classroom.

"Let's continue elsewhere. You've all learned the key points — practice when you get back. Summoning your Patronus is just a matter of time."

The Gryffindors wore reluctant expressions.

"Weasley, you should be in Gryffindor!"

Silence.

Pansy stepped forward. "Hall Weasley is Slytherin now. Trying to steal him? No way."

Draco gave her a satisfied look.

Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw second-years arriving for the next class froze. They opened the door, closed it, opened it again. The scene didn't change. They began to question reality.

"Next class is starting," Hall said. "Clear out."

He left. Draco left. The Slytherins fled.

The Gryffindors sighed, then looked at Ron. "Why don't you bring your brother to Gryffindor?"

"Hall likes Slytherin." Ron shrugged. "As long as he likes it."

"You're such a hypocrite."

The story spread.

Dumbledore smiled kindly. "Hall always manages to do something unexpected." He looked at the Slytherin table. The younger ones were interested. The older ones looked grim.

"That brat has talent." Sirius snorted. "Remus, you're too good-natured. Letting him take over your class."

Lupin chuckled. "Sirius, even you would — "

Sirius couldn't be happy. He still needed Hall's help. He chopped at his lamb chops aggressively.

"Is this Black's etiquette?" Snape gave him a disdainful look.

"You disgusting — " Sirius stood up.

Lupin grabbed his robes. "Padfoot. There are children."

Sirius paused. He saw Harry. James's face, James's eyes. If his best friend were still here...

Then his gaze met Hall's. A half-smile, wary. Sirius's heart skipped. Was that little Weasley protecting Snape?

"Snape is Hall's Headmaster. Hall respects him greatly."

Sirius's expression shifted. He sat. "Hmph. Consider yourself lucky, Snape. You have a good student."

Snape's lips curled. "Then I'm honoured. Unlike some people."

Professor McGonagall looked at Dumbledore helplessly. "Aren't you going to do something?"

Dumbledore blinked. "Oh? Minerva — aren't you all getting along well? I have a feeling Hogwarts will only get better."