Chapter 63: Sixty-Three

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Although the goal of education had been achieved, Senna couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss.

When she saw Lys once again with a pale face, clutching that book while gulping down a vial of magical stabilizer, she stopped Lys from continuing such self-destructive behavior.

To pull her out of this state, she decided to teach her another seemingly impossible skill.

"Alright, this is something I hope you'll learn someday, but you're still too young. For now, we'll practice something else—the Patronus Charm," Senna said, continuing after noticing Lys's face looked slightly better.

"I've always thought the Black family members are all mad, except for your father. Their inherent madness makes it almost impossible for them to conjure a proper Patronus."

"The most important elements of a spell are magic, intent, and emotion. I believe your teacher must have mentioned this to you. However, the Patronus Charm is unique. It doesn't rely on the wizard's magical power, so there's no need to worry about lacking magic for such advanced spells. What it requires most is joyful emotions and a strong will to protect. Either one will suffice, but it must be joyful enough, strong enough!"

"Mom, what does this spell do?"

"Do? Not much. A regular Patronus can only repel Dementors, but they're all locked up in Azkaban. More advanced ones can deliver messages. That's all I know. However..." Senna glanced at Lys, who seemed a bit distracted.

"You little lunatic, this spell is tied to the soul. It's a taboo area of research, and Merlin knows what other functions the Patronus Charm might have. Regardless, learn it. Let me see the resemblance between you and your father as a Black, rather than just a little lunatic."

Leaving behind a spellbook on the Patronus Charm, Senna returned to brewing her potions.

Left alone, Lys muttered "Expecto Patronum" twice, but her mind was still filled with the images from that research notebook, and her wand gave no response.

Standing on the staircase, watching this scene, Senna's lips curled into an ambiguous smile.

This was exactly right. A challenging goal would pull her out of her previous emotions, just like it had for herself.

Her amber eyes glanced at the stirring rod in her hand, and Senna's expression turned blank.

Even if there's no hope, so what? Without struggling, without deceiving oneself, where else would one find the strength to keep living?

As the holiday drew to a close, Senna took a batch of potions to Diagon Alley again. Knowing what kinds of potions would sell there, this time they brought ones that were more appealing to the general public.

"Yes, ma'am, this is an excellent Draping Potion. Just a tiny spray on your beautiful robes will do. It's more elegant and extraordinary than the Draping Charm, isn't it?" Lys still couldn't help gesturing with her hands as she quoted prices.

Senna, meanwhile, stood in the back, munching on cookies made by Lys, sipping mint water mixed with dental-strengthening potion, and looking completely uninvolved. The rare coolness of August was a blessing, though this damned black robe was unbearably hot.

Watching Lys quickly sell off the potions and even buy herself an ice cream during a break, Senna took the nut-sprinkled treat and asked, "Have you ever had ice cream?"

Lys adjusted the dark green mask on her face, hiding her confusion. "No, Miss Lam," she replied, then continued collecting money and packaging goods.

After finishing their sales, instead of Apparating back to the shop, Senna dragged Lys to the ice cream shop and let her pick one. Lys chose the same flavor as Senna.

Back at the shop, Lys couldn't wait to lift her mask and take a bite. Earlier, she'd seen her mother fanning herself with her robe, staring longingly at others' snacks, so she had bought her a portion.

But as for what this thing actually tasted like, Lys had never tried it before.

That evening, Senna drank again, finishing the remaining half-bottle of wine. The next day, she grabbed Lys by the collar and took her to the old house to retrieve her wand.

By the time she brought her to the train station, the train was almost departing.

Carrying even more books than last year, Lys squeezed into the nearest compartment. When she turned back to look at the spot where her mother had been standing, she was already gone, having Apparated away.

When Lys tried to find a compartment to settle in, the only one she found available was occupied by a Ravenclaw student. After knocking on the door, she felt uneasy under the piercing gaze of his azure eyes.

Ever since reading that book, Lys always felt like someone was about to knock her unconscious.

She turned to leave and look for another compartment, but the student opened the door and invited her to sit.

"Ravenclaw, Lovegood," he introduced himself. Lys quickly responded with her own surname, though it felt strange. "Slytherin, Black."

It sounded like that silly dog.

The boy, holding a book on magical creatures, stared at her without blinking. "Oh, you must have a lot of troubles lately. Wrackspurts are swirling around you," he said before lowering his head and ignoring Lys.

Confused, Lys glanced at the top of his blonde head. This senior was odd. Were all Ravenclaws this engrossed in their books?

Settling Gubang, she picked up a book and began reading as well.

"You shouldn't bring it out. It will cause you to be ostracized. Being different is the root cause," the boy suddenly looked up and said to Lys.

Lys glanced at Gubang in confusion. "Are you afraid of snakes?"

"No, I don't discriminate against any pet preferences, even Crumple-Horned Snorkacks." Having read extensively, Lys couldn't help but ask again, "What kind of Snorkack?" How had she never heard of it?

But apparently, that wasn't the point. "It's okay. If you don't mind, Gubang is very important. More important than others' opinions."

Seeing him nod in agreement and then return to his book, Lys wiped her forehead. What a strange senior.

When they got off the train, he hadn't even changed into his school uniform, stepping off in his bright purple outfit with his book in hand.

Lys hurriedly changed into her robes and boarded the last carriage.

It was raining when they got off the train. She waved her wand to cast a Drying Charm and a Waterproofing Spell on herself.

Seeing a nearby Hufflepuff looking at her with wide eyes, she cast the same spells on him as well.

The carriage ride was bumpy and unsteady. At one point, it jolted so hard that the little badger next to her almost fell out.