A Quiet Corner

Rachel sat down in a quiet part of campus, waiting expectantly for Selia. While she was waiting, she took out an advanced Charms book-something she had checked out from the library earlier that day.

Selia quickly went and sat down next to Rachel, grinning excitedly.

"Okay, it says here that it's a very difficult Charm, way above Ordinary Wizarding Level... Who cares we're beyond that... um, you have to focus on a happy memory to perform, and here we go-the words are 'Expecto Patronum!'... and that's about it. You can read the whole thing yourself."

"Alright, you can go, I'll read this.." Selia said, taking the book and intently staring at the page.

Rachel took a deep breath, looked up in the sky at a particular puffy cloud, and picked up her wand. "Expec-expecto Patronum!" she said, and nothing but a couple threads of silver shot out of her wand.

"Mmm... they weren't lying."

"Alright, I'll try it.." Selia stood up, closed her eyes, and pointed out her wand. "Expecto Patronum!" And a faint silvery, indistinguishable fog appeared, for just a moment, then disappeared. "Darn it.."

"You did better then me. Perhaps we need stronger memories."

"Well, what'd you think of?" Selia asked, sitting back down.

"Um, the time in my first year, when I met all my friends." Her eyes dropped to the ground, and she kicked a tiny pebble. "I didn't have many before Hogwarts-I was such a haughty and proud girl. And being accepted felt... well, good."

"I thought about this time, when Antonio- DiGandi- took me to this lake by his house.." Selia said, looking up at a tree. "And it was so natural. And it felt so good to talk to him easily. We kissed a couple times and fell asleep under a tree out there.. Then the next morning, he was gone, and it was time to go to Hogwarts."

Rachel raised an eyebrow. "Wow, you two were going out with each other before?-Really Selia. Just let that boy go. I know his family-they were big supporters of You-Know-Who back a long time ago. They denied everything of course after he lost before-said they were cursed. And now, they're siding with them again. Really, that Eric or Jake boy would be much better for you."

Selia looked a little uncomfortable. "Eric and Jake are just my friends. Good friends, they're both so nice, but.. Honestly, Antonio's the only boy I've ever really cared about. I don't want to move on. Really."

"But sometimes it's best. Look Selia, it'll be better for you in the long run if you just move on. I don't want you to be associated with that family. I mean, I'm SURE his father is a Death Eater, and Antonio will probably end up in his footsteps, I swear. Apparently, they were both awfully like when Antonio was his dad's age." She then took a deep breath, and shut her eyes tightly.

"Expecto patronum!" And a few more silver threads, and a bit of fog came out of her wand. "...At least I'm improving."

Selia looked down. "You know, I think you're right.. I just.. I'll think of something else, okay?" She pointed out her wand and closed her eyes.
"Expecto Patronum!" And, suddenly, the fog came out of her wand again, and just sat there for a few moments, not really doing anything. She opened up her eyes and stared at it, and then, as soon as she lost concentration, it disappeared. "Damn!"

"That was much better then last time!" complimented Rachel. "What was your memory this time?"

"Uh, it was just banister sliding with Jake. And, thanks," Selia said, taking the book and letting Rachel do a charm.

"Expect Patronum!" And a few more threads and fog came out. Rachel breathed a little. "This charms tires you..." And she dug in her pocket for a minute, and unwrapped a Chocolate Frog, and took a bite. "Apparently, when you're performing this Charm, chocolate helps you or something."

"Really? Hey, give it up. I haven't eaten chocolate in weeks!"

Rachel laughed, and tossed her another Chocolate Frog. "Here, you can have your own instead!"

"Nah, Serenity says I'll get fat." Selia munched on the frog, grinning. "Alright, that last time, what did you think of?"

Rachel smirked. "Oh, just something. Something that happened last year. Around Christmas time. But it was a bad choice to pick for a memory. I really regret what happened there."

"What happened?" Selia asked, finishing off the chocolate frog.

"Well, you know I have a boyfriend and all, and basically..." she went on to explain the whole story.

"...And this leads to another lesson. Selia, don't get to serious with a boy in that manner. He could just disappear the next day. Or summer, in that case. Just wait till your married, okay?"

"That's horrible. But, Rachel, if you love him, you should believe that he's still alive, and wait for him. Don't give up.." Selia said, smiling. "The whole situation.. It's really romantic."

"Romantic?! Are you crazy?! It's TERRIBLE! He could be killed!"