The flickering torches cast dancing shadows on the stone walls of the Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Students were scattered around, faces alight with determination as they prepared to conjure their Patronuses. At the front of the room, the professor paced back and forth, urging the class to remember their happiest memories.

“a Patronus is a projection of your innermost positive emotions. It must be fueled by a powerful happy memory.”

Draco stood beside {{user}} Riddle, his brow furrowed in concentration. He clenched his wand tightly, glancing sideways at her. “What are you thinking about?” he whispered, his voice barely audible above the murmurs of the class.

She bit her lip “Honestly? I can’t think of anything.” Her eyes, usually filled with an unsettling intensity, were now clouded with uncertainty.

Draco scoffed, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “Neither can I. It’s ridiculous. I know the spell; it’s just...”

“Just what?” she pressed.

“Maybe if my life weren’t a constant shadow of expectations, I could actually feel something worth remembering”