- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 188
On the twenty-eighth day of entering the wizarding world, Saturday…
On an open field outside Hogsmeade Village, Dumbledore was teaching Leo a very ancient and powerful defensive spell.
“You need to concentrate and recall some of the happiest moments of your life. Use positive emotions to channel your magic before casting the spell. Only then will you succeed. This is a very difficult spell, and few wizards can master it, so don’t rush. Take your time and stay calm.”
Leo nodded, waving his wand repeatedly as he attempted the incantation:
“Expecto Patronum!”
Leo was currently learning the Patronus Charm from Dumbledore.
During his time at Hogwarts, Leo’s original self, Tom Fawley, had never learned the Patronus Charm, and he couldn’t find any books on the spell in stores. So, a few days ago, he approached Dumbledore to ask for guidance.
Dumbledore had readily agreed, and for the past few days, he had been patiently teaching him the spell.
Why did Leo want to learn this seemingly less useful spell?
Because through his magical studies, he had discovered that the Patronus Charm was not as simple as he had initially thought.
Previously, he had assumed this spell was solely for dealing with Dementors. After all, from his memories of the movies, the most vivid image was Harry Potter’s stag driving away a swarm of Dementors.
However, in reality, the Patronus Charm was known as one of the oldest and most powerful defensive spells, capable of much more than just repelling Dementors. Since it was a spell conjured from the caster’s most positive emotions, it could ward off any creature with dark or negative attributes. Dementors were just the most notorious due to their unique and terrifying nature.
Under normal circumstances, a Patronus could be either non-corporeal or corporeal. A non-corporeal Patronus would manifest as a silver mist, capable of driving away dark creatures, but with limited effectiveness. A corporeal Patronus, however, would take on the form of an animal, being much stronger than a non-corporeal one—though few wizards could manage to produce one.
During the Middle Ages, wizards who could summon a corporeal Patronus were recognized as powerful and often promoted to positions within the Ministry of Magic.
Of course, corporeal Patronuses also varied in strength. Most common animals were relatively similar in power, but some were particularly exceptional.
For instance, an ancient Greek wizard named Andros was renowned for his Patronus, which took the form of a giant. His mastery of the Patronus Charm made him the most powerful wizard of his time, earning him the title “Invincible Andros.”
A Patronus could fly, communicate messages, and perform certain physical attacks under the wizard’s control. However, most wizards’ Patronuses were ordinary animals with limited offensive power, easily deflected by defensive spells.
But a Patronus like Andros’s giant would be nearly impossible to block with standard defensive spells.
Aside from ancient times, there was also a notable case in more recent history. The *Book of Spells* records a wizard named Hedley Fleetwood who managed to summon a mammoth, an extinct creature, as his Patronus.
Currently, the most powerful Patronus in the wizarding world undoubtedly belonged to Dumbledore, whose Patronus was a magical creature—the undying phoenix, the symbol of the Dumbledore family.
Many wizards have concluded from magical texts that the form of a Patronus reflects the inner self of the caster. Until it’s conjured, it could take any form—even a dragon-shaped Patronus isn’t out of the question.
Leo wanted to learn the Patronus Charm for these reasons, and also because his next main mission would take him to the world of *The Legend of Zu Mountain/Zu Mountain Saga*.
In such a world filled with demons, evil cultivators, and various supernatural creatures, a spell like the Patronus Charm might provide unexpected defensive and offensive benefits.
“Expecto Patronum!”
Clearing his mind and focusing on his happiest memories, Leo waved his wand again, attempting to cast the Patronus Charm.
This time, there was a change at the tip of his wand. Silver magic began to flow out, growing in intensity. First, it formed a non-corporeal silver mist, which then gradually solidified.
Finally, it took the shape of a silver rooster.
A rooster?
Leo was momentarily stunned, staring at his Patronus. He had imagined his Patronus could be any number of animals, but a rooster? That he had not anticipated.
Why a rooster? Did it mean his inner self was like a combative rooster?
“Very good! You’ve managed to produce a rare corporeal Patronus. It seems you have quite a talent for this spell,” Dumbledore remarked, not at all surprised that Leo’s Patronus was a rooster. After all, Patronuses could take any form—rats, goats, rabbits, cats, even cockroaches.
A rooster wasn’t such an outlandish choice.
Summoning a corporeal Patronus was an achievement worth celebrating. Many wizards could never master such an advanced spell, and some, even if they did, could only produce a non-corporeal form.
“Yes, it’s good, just a bit unexpected,” Leo replied with a smile. He quickly came to terms with it; a rooster was fine. He was a pragmatist—any corporeal Patronus was a good Patronus.
He just hoped that when he eventually learned to transform into an Animagus, he wouldn’t end up turning into a rooster. Otherwise, being called “Rooster Man” would be awkward, especially since he wasn’t a dancer or a basketball player.
As Leo was reconciling with his rooster Patronus and preparing to test its effects, the Patronus suddenly began to change form.
The rooster shape dissolved back into a silver mist, which then reformed into a giant silver bear a few seconds later.
“What’s happening?” Leo gaped. Could a Patronus change forms?
Beside him, Dumbledore’s eyes widened in surprise as well. “This is quite interesting. I’ve seen Patronuses change form due to an inner shift in the caster, but I’ve never seen one change right after taking shape.”
A wizard’s Patronus wasn’t necessarily fixed for life. He had once encountered a wizard whose Patronus had originally been a dog, but after his wife—whose Patronus was a cat—passed away, his Patronus changed into a cat because of his deep longing for her.
And just as Dumbledore finished speaking, Leo’s Patronus once again dissolved into a silver mist and reformed into yet another animal—a snake!