Holiday Advent Story 15

Malcolm was excited to be home from school for Christmas break. It was nice to spend time with his brother and sister. He loved school, but they didn’t use some of the technology he was used to from growing up with his family.

Malcolm had always been unusual and there were things that had happened around him that couldn’t be explained. That was until just before his eleventh birthday when the owl with the letter showed up. Malcolm’s whole world changed after that.

He was sixteen now and had learned some amazing things over the years. Still, it was nice to come home and play computer games and watch movies with his siblings. They had spent all morning playing one of his favorite online games and now they were walking to the shop for some lunch.

“I don’t know why you were playing a ranger,” said Bethany. “I’d expect you’d be more at home as a mage class.”

“It’s not like that,” said Malcolm. “We don’t learn to hurl lightning bolts. At least I haven’t.”

“It might be sixth year,” said Bertram turning to cut through the park.

“Mom said we shouldn’t go through the park,” said Malcolm.

“She’s just being Mom,” said Bethany.

“There’ve been a couple of disappearances,” said Bertram. “She thinks we’ll get nicked if we go off the roads.”

“Besides,” said Bethany, “we have a mighty wizard with us. He can obviously protect us from all mere moogle threats.”

Malcolm was about to correct her but decided to let it go. He slumped his shoulders and turned into the park with his siblings.

The park was quiet. Normally there would be skaters at the pond and kids launching themselves down the hill on sleds. However, it had been unseasonably warm this year. Malcolm had only needed a jacket when they left the home. It was only 15c out, nice autumn weather.

They were just passing the pond and a large corpse of trees when Bertram began talking about the new dungeon they could run after lunch. That’s when the cold wind blew in.

All of the siblings pulled their coats in closer. Malcolm felt something…odd. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. His fingers twitched to take the wand from his inside jacket pocket. He wasn’t sure why he’d brought it other than habit. He’d felt silly carrying it away from school and now he was quite glad he had it with him.

Bethany yelped. Malcolm and Bertram turned to look at what had startled her. A dark cloaked figure emerged from the trees. It floated off the ground with an ethereal appearance. As if it were submerged in water.

“What is that?” asked Bethany.

“Dementor,” said Malcolm yanking his wand out. “Get behind me.”

“Can you stop it?” asked Bertram.

“There’s a spell we’re learning,” said Malcolm. “I haven’t been able to cast it yet.” Malcolm cried the words for the spell. Nothing.

A second and third Dementor joined the first.

“I feel so sad,” said Bethany. “So cold.” Bethany slumped to her knees.

“I can…I can’t feel,” stammered Bertram before falling over.

Malcolm took a deep breath and tried to remember what Professor Longbottom had told him. He pushed darkness from his mind. Tried to picture something that made him happy. Something that brought him real joy. He tried to think of his friends at school, the wondrous animals and amazing plants he was surrounded with every day. Flying on a broomstick. With each new thought he tried the spell again. Each time it failed.

He could feel the monsters closing in and felt despair wash over him. He looked at his siblings and thought of the last few days. Being with them, talking, and going for walks. His mind drifted to the game they had been playing. Thinking of the game, the fun, all of the time they’d spent he clutched his wand and tried one last time.

“Expecto Patronus!”

Bright light burst from the tip of Malcolm’s wand. It gathered in front of him and formed a massive warrior. No, a paladin. The Paladin glowed with a bright light. He was covered plate armor with a grand tabard bearing his heraldry. Only his head was unprotected. He turned to look at Malcolm with a sharp grin and gave a sly wink. He then turned to face the Dementors.

He drew his sword, let out a scream, and charged while yelling, “Leeerooooooooy Jenkins!”

The Dementors turned to flee. The patronus caught them and sliced into each with its sword. He dispatched the first two quickly as they attempted to flee. The third was caught against a tree as the patronus stabbed the monster, pinning it to the tree.

After the Dementors dissolved before his eyes Malcolm watched as his patronus turned and gave a sharp salute before fading away itself. Knowing that the young boy and his siblings were safe but with a look that said he would be ready to come again; if needed.

end

The Christmas Spell
*Note* Some elements of this story belong to J.K. Rowling or Blizzard Interactive and are used here as a way of paying tribute.