Light in the Darkness

Later that evening, Ezekiel Cassian Malverne stood in an empty classroom, waiting. The torches on the walls flickered, casting long shadows.

Professor Remus Lupin entered with his usual composed demeanor, carrying an old silver case.

"You're the only one I've invited for this lesson," Lupin began, setting the case down. "Because you have the best chance of learning the Patronus Charm quickly."

Ezekiel tilted his head slightly. "You're not training Potter?"

Lupin's lips twitched. "I will, but Harry struggles with advanced magic. You, on the other hand, have far greater control over your magic. That, and..."

His gaze flickered to Ezekiel's hands, where an icy mist curled around his fingers before vanishing.

"I believe your elemental affinity may influence your Patronus."

Ezekiel crossed his arms. "Then let's begin."

Lupin opened the silver case. Immediately, a Boggart burst out, shifting into a looming Dementor. The classroom temperature dropped, and a wave of despair pressed down.

Ezekiel's breath misted.

"The Patronus is fueled by your happiest memory," Lupin instructed. "Something so powerful it drowns out the Dementor's despair."

Ezekiel raised his wand. He had many achievements—his first Quidditch victory, his Wizengamot seat, his wedding with Daphne—but none of them came to the forefront.

Instead, he thought of something simple.

Celeste's laughter as she ran into his arms.

Alys beaming when she received her Hogwarts letter.

Daphne's hand slipping into his under the stars.

A warmth spread in his chest.

"Expecto Patronum!"

A thin mist of ice-blue light erupted from his wand, forming the faint outline of a creature before it dissipated.

Lupin looked thoughtful. "It has potential. Again."

---

For the next hour, Ezekiel practiced, fine-tuning his magic. Each attempt brought stronger results, until finally—

"Expecto Patronum!"

A burst of icy-blue light erupted from his wand. Unlike traditional silver Patronuses, Ezekiel's glowed with a pale, frozen shimmer, almost like crystallized mist. The light condensed, forming the elegant figure of a snow leopard—its piercing eyes glowing bright silver-blue.

The Boggart-Dementor recoiled before collapsing back into the case.

Lupin exhaled in awe.

"A corporeal Patronus on your first lesson… impressive."

Ezekiel studied the snow leopard, which prowled in a slow circle before vanishing into icy mist.

"Fitting," Lupin murmured. "Snow leopards are solitary, calculating, and lethal hunters. They thrive in harsh, unforgiving conditions—much like you, Lord Malverne."

Ezekiel simply nodded. "This will be useful."

Lupin hesitated before speaking again. "Ezekiel… Dementors don't just feed on fear. They also prey on regret and guilt. Your Boggart showed you frozen to death by your own magic."

Ezekiel's jaw tightened. "It won't happen."

"Maybe not," Lupin said gently. "But be careful. The strongest wizards aren't the ones who suppress their emotions. They're the ones who learn to face them."

For a brief moment, Ezekiel felt unsettled.

But he shook it off. He had control. He always did.

---

Meanwhile, inside the Slytherin common room, Alys Malverne sat cross-legged on a velvet couch, flipping through a book.

Across from her, Daphne Greengrass leaned back, arms crossed.

"Ez is keeping secrets." Alys's voice was light but knowing.

Daphne smirked. "When isn't he?"

Alys rolled her eyes. "He was pulled into a private lesson with Lupin. I doubt it was just another Defense Against the Dark Arts class."

Daphne tapped her fingers against her knee. "You think it's related to the Dementors?"

Alys hummed thoughtfully. "Probably. Whatever it is, he's not talking about it."

Daphne wasn't surprised. Ezekiel had always carried things alone, preferring to handle problems without burdening others. But now, he wasn't just a lone heir. He was a husband, a brother, and a leader.

And whether he liked it or not, he didn't have to carry everything by himself anymore.

"Leave it to me," Daphne said, a slow smile forming. "I'll get him to talk."

Alys smirked. "Good luck. You'll need it."

Daphne just laughed.

---