Re:HP-A New Life

I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.

https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon

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Chapter 50: A Patronus Awakened

The night was calm and clear, the stars twinkling above the Hogwarts grounds. Harry sat cross-legged on the floor of the Astronomy Tower, Hedwig perched beside him. She hooted softly, tilting her head as Harry joked about how she was the only one who truly listened to him.

"Honestly, Hedwig," Harry said with a chuckle, "you're the only one I can count on to keep my secrets. You should charge a consulting fee for being my therapist."

Hedwig nipped his finger affectionately before puffing up her feathers, clearly pleased with the attention.

The peaceful moment was interrupted by the sound of the tower door creaking open. Harry turned quickly, wand in hand, but relaxed when he saw a familiar figure.

"Nymphadora Tonks Black," Harry greeted with a grin, watching as his cousin stepped into the moonlight.

"Ugh, don't call me Nymphadora," Tonks groaned, wrinkling her nose as she approached. "You sound just like my mum when you say it."

Harry laughed, standing to greet her. "What are you doing here, Tonks? I thought you'd be busy training at the Auror Academy."

Tonks smirked, leaning casually against the stone wall. "I tagged along with Moody. He's here investigating after the dementor incident on the train. You know how paranoid he is—keeps going on about constant vigilance and all that."

Harry rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. "How's it going? Have you found anything?"

"Not a thing," Tonks admitted, shaking her head. "Moody's been regularly checking in on the school like a man possessed, but whoever's behind these incidents is covering their tracks well."

The two cousins settled on the stone floor, catching up as they often did when they found time. Tonks shared stories about her Auror training, including a particularly funny tale of her accidentally tripping over her own feet during a stealth exercise. Harry laughed until his sides hurt, grateful for the levity.

After a while, Tonks grew more serious. "Harry, I actually wanted to ask you for a favor."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Anything, Tonks. What's up?"

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "I need help with the Patronus Charm. I've been trying to master it for ages, but all I can manage is a misty shield. Moody says it's good enough, but... I don't know. I want to get it right."

Harry smiled. "Of course, I'll help. Show me what you've got so far."

Tonks stood, rolling her shoulders as she prepared. She pointed her wand and took a deep breath. "Expecto Patronum!"

A thick silver mist poured from her wand, forming a sturdy, shimmering shield that hovered in front of her. While it was impressive, it lacked the distinct form of a corporeal Patronus.

Harry nodded thoughtfully. "That's not bad at all, Tonks. Most people can't even do that. The fact that you're producing a shield means you've got the power. The problem isn't your magic—it's your intent."

"Intent?" Tonks repeated, frowning.

Harry gestured for her to lower her wand. "Yeah. Casting a Patronus is more about how you feel than anything else. A lot of people focus on the memory itself, but that's not the point. You need to focus on the emotion the memory gives you—the joy, the warmth, the happiness. Let that feeling guide your magic."

Tonks bit her lip, nodding slowly. "Alright, I'll give it a shot."

Harry stood beside her, speaking softly. "Close your eyes. Think of your happiest memory—not the details, just the feeling it gave you. Let that feeling build up inside you, like it's radiating from your very core. Now, when you cast the spell, let that emotion flow into it. Now let the joy, the happiness, give shape and form to the spell."

Tonks took a deep breath, her hand tightening around her wand. She closed her eyes, and Harry could see the faintest smile tugging at her lips as she focused.

"Expecto Patronum!"

This time, the silver light that burst from her wand was blindingly bright. When Tonks opened her eyes, her jaw dropped. A fox, shimmering and elegant, leapt gracefully from her wand, its silver form glowing against the darkness.

The fox pranced around the tower, its movements fluid and playful, before returning to Tonks and nuzzling against her hand.

"I... I did it," Tonks whispered, her voice filled with awe.

Harry grinned. "Told you. You had it in you all along."

Tonks turned to him, her eyes shining with gratitude. Without warning, she threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. "Thank you, Harry. I've been trying to do that for so long."

Harry hugged her back, chuckling. "It's no big deal. You would've figured it out eventually."

Tonks pulled back, still smiling as she watched her Patronus dissolve into silver mist. "You know, you're pretty brilliant for a kid."

Harry smirked. "And you're not so bad for an Auror-in-training."

They both laughed, the sound echoing in the quiet night. For a moment, all the worries about dark wizards, dementors, and mysterious attacks faded away, replaced by the simple joy of accomplishment and family.

As they descended the tower together, Tonks couldn't stop glancing at her wand, a newfound confidence shining in her eyes. Harry, meanwhile, felt a sense of quiet pride. In a world full of uncertainties, moments like these reminded him of the good he could do.