The Patronus Charm was an ancient, high-level defensive spell.
After studying Snape's notes in detail, Liam gained a much deeper understanding of how the spell actually worked.
A Patronus was more than simply silver light.
It was the manifestation of a wizard's inner self.
A magical projection shaped by the soul.
For most witches and wizards, the Patronus took the form of an animal, reflecting their deepest nature.
The reason so few people could produce a fully corporeal Patronus was simple.
First, the spell required significant magical power.
Second—and more importantly—it demanded an exceptionally powerful positive memory.
For most people, that requirement was the true obstacle.
Yet the more Liam studied the theory, the more puzzled he became.
Because the logic didn't entirely make sense.
Dementors fed on happiness.
They consumed positive emotions.
They devoured joyful memories.
Yet the Patronus Charm used those same emotions as its fuel.
According to conventional theory, the silver animal repelled Dementors because it was a magical construct lacking emotions for them to consume.
But if that was true...
Why was happiness necessary at all?
The contradiction bothered him.
He spent hours examining Snape's notes.
Eventually, another possibility emerged.
What if happiness wasn't the true source of power?
What if it was simply the easiest substitute?
After all, powerful positive memories weren't the only thing capable of shaping a person's soul.
Willpower existed.
Determination existed.
Conviction existed.
A person could possess an unbreakable spirit without necessarily living a happy life.
And if that theory was correct...
Then perhaps a Patronus could be fueled by something far more reliable than happiness.
Liam's eyes narrowed.
It was worth testing.
Even if he failed.
The worst outcome would simply be another unsuccessful experiment.
Compared to modifying ancient forbidden magic, altering the Patronus Charm wasn't particularly intimidating.
The spell's structure itself didn't require major changes.
Only the source of its power.
That was all.
Five hours later, Liam stood alone in his hidden classroom.
Sheets of parchment covered the floor.
The revised spell model had been completed.
Now came the dangerous part.
Testing.
He took a deep breath.
Raised his wand.
Magic surged through his body.
But instead of focusing on happy memories, he concentrated on something else.
The Death Eater who had enslaved him.
The countless battles fought in Knockturn Alley.
The struggle to survive.
The refusal to kneel.
The determination to stand above anyone who sought to control him.
His dignity.
His pride.
His will.
The emotions crystallized into a single thought.
I will never lose to anyone.
"Expecto Patronum."
The wand immediately began shaking violently.
Liam's eyes widened.
This wasn't normal.
The only time he had experienced something similar was while testing forbidden magic powerful enough to drain his entire magical core.
Yet despite the instability, he could still maintain control.
The spell wasn't escaping.
Not yet.
So he continued.
The next moment—
BOOM!
The entire classroom exploded.
A section of the thick stone wall vanished instantly.
Chunks of masonry flew outward.
Cold air rushed into the room.
Beyond the destroyed wall lay the evening sky above Hogwarts.
And within that sky—
A dragon appeared.
Not a normal dragon.
A silver dragon.
A colossal creature nearly a thousand meters long.
Its scales gleamed like liquid moonlight.
Four massive claws stretched beneath its body.
Its eyes overlooked Hogwarts with an emotionless majesty that seemed capable of judging the world itself.
The clouds parted around it.
The castle trembled beneath its presence.
Liam stared.
For once, even he was shocked.
The connection between himself and the dragon felt instinctive.
Natural.
As though it were an extension of his own body.
More surprisingly, he sensed abilities beyond simple defense.
With sufficient intent, he felt capable of influencing the weather itself.
Storms.
Wind.
Clouds.
The dragon could affect them all.
A grin appeared on Liam's face.
This was far beyond his expectations.
The experiment had succeeded.
Spectacularly.
Unfortunately...
The entire school had noticed.
Before he could react further, another silver figure burst from Hogwarts Castle.
A phoenix.
Elegant.
Radiant.
Ancient.
The silver bird ascended rapidly until it faced the dragon in the sky.
At the same moment, a swirl of grey magic appeared beside Liam.
Dumbledore stepped out.
The Headmaster looked upward.
Then toward Liam.
Then back toward the dragon.
His expression was genuinely astonished.
"Did you make that?"
Liam coughed awkwardly.
"Well... yes."
Dumbledore stared.
For perhaps the first time in years, he seemed uncertain what to say.
The Patronus floating above Hogwarts exceeded anything he had ever witnessed.
Not merely in size.
In presence.
In nature.
"This Patronus is... unusual."
"That seems fair."
Liam couldn't exactly disagree.
The dragon radiated something entirely different from ordinary Patronus magic.
Traditional Patronuses felt warm.
Protective.
Comforting.
This one felt cold.
Dominant.
Merciless.
Not evil.
But utterly focused on conquest and victory.
There was no kindness within it.
Only absolute certainty.
Dumbledore studied the creature carefully.
Then he looked at Liam.
"You modified the Patronus Charm."
It wasn't a question.
Liam immediately chose the safest response.
"I think you're overestimating me."
"Am I?"
Dumbledore smiled slightly.
"My own phoenix Patronus was modified decades ago."
Liam's eyes narrowed.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"Our approaches seem different."
The Headmaster's smile deepened.
"I assure you, I'm not criticizing your work."
Liam remained silent.
He had no intention of discussing magical research with Dumbledore.
Not after their previous encounter.
Meanwhile, another problem was becoming obvious.
Everyone in Hogwarts was staring at the dragon.
Students.
Professors.
Ghosts.
Probably several owls.
The last thing Liam wanted was even more attention.
The Voldemort incident had already become exhausting.
Without hesitation, he acted.
The massive dragon spread its wings.
Then soared away from Hogwarts.
Faster and faster.
Until it vanished beyond the horizon.
To everyone watching, the Patronus simply disappeared into the distance.
What nobody knew was that Liam maintained control the entire time.
Once it was far beyond sight, he compressed the dragon's form.
The colossal creature shrank rapidly.
A thousand meters.
One hundred.
Ten.
One.
Until it became a tiny silver wisp.
Then it disappeared into his wand.
Only after confirming nobody could see did Liam finally relax.
"Reparo."
The destroyed wall rebuilt itself instantly.
Stone returned to its original position.
Within moments, the room appeared untouched.
Dumbledore watched the process with interest.
"You don't want anyone to know."
"Knowing what?"
Liam replied immediately.
"That my Patronus accidentally destroyed part of a classroom?"
"Fair point."
The Headmaster chuckled.
The atmosphere eased slightly.
His phoenix descended and settled beside him.
Then Dumbledore spoke again.
"You know, Liam..."
His voice became gentler.
"I truly am pleased that Hogwarts has produced someone like you."
Liam's expression became cautious.
"Are you threatening me?"
The question made Dumbledore blink.
Then laugh.
"Good heavens, no."
"You aren't the sort of person who responds well to threats."
"That much is obvious."
Liam didn't disagree.
"Please remember something."
The Headmaster's gaze became serious.
"I am not your enemy."
"As long as you don't walk Voldemort's path."
For several moments, silence filled the room.
Then Liam finally answered.
"I hate people who control others through fear."
His voice was calm.
"You know what the Death Eaters did to me."
Dumbledore nodded.
"I do."
"I want Voldemort dead."
The statement contained no hesitation.
No uncertainty.
Just simple fact.
For once, Dumbledore found himself believing every word.
And for the first time since their confrontation in the Headmaster's office, the distance between them seemed just a little smaller.
....
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