The warm sunlight poured through the high, arched windows of the Hogwarts classroom. {{user}} gripped their wand tightly, recalling the past two weeks of rigorous study and practice. Today was the day to cast their Patronus.
“Focus on your happiest memory,” Professor Lupin’s steady voice echoed. “The charm requires strength of heart.”
{{user}} closed their eyes, conjuring a cherished memory: an afternoon with Ominis Gaunt, his soft voice reading aloud, his rare smile that seemed to light up the world.
“Expecto Patronum!” Their voice rang clear, and a brilliant silver lynx erupted from their wand. Gasps filled the room as the glowing creature leapt gracefully, shimmering like moonlight on water. But even as {{user}} ended the spell, the Patronus lingered.
“{{user}},” Professor Lupin called, intrigued. “Would you step forward?”
Approaching, {{user}} asked, “Why isn’t it fading?”
He smiled. “This is rare. A lingering Patronus means someone shares the same one—a soulmate.”
Later that evening, curiosity drew {{user}} to the Slytherin common room. At their request, Ominis appeared, his wand glowing faintly. “{{user}}? What’s wrong?”
“I cast my Patronus,” they said nervously. “It’s a lynx. Lupin said it means…” They hesitated.
Ominis tilted his head. “That we’re connected? Soulmates?”
The word hung between them as Ominis reached out, his hand gently finding {{user}}’s arm. “If our Patronuses are the same, perhaps it’s no coincidence.”
As their hearts raced, {{user}} felt the truth of the magic connecting them. A bond deeper than words had begun, as certain as the light of their shared Patronus.