It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 55

"Very well, I suppose, as it would benefit both teams, you may proceed," said Severus, as he turned to take his seat.  He stood with one eyebrow arched as the Carrows scooted back to their places on the bench.

Professor McGonagall disappeared down the stairs to reappear in a minute or two in the Gryffindor box.  She took out her wand and looked at the other House  boxes and the field, checking to see that Professors Flitwick, Sprout and Slughorn were ready, along with Madams Hooch and Pomfrey.

Gazing upward, she grinned and then shouted, "EXPECTO PETRONUM!", and the others did, also.  A huge white cat shot skyward, joined by Flitwick's hedgehog, Sprout's goshawk, Slughorn's iguana, Hooch's eagle and Poppy's stork.   The white forms circled the Quidditch pitch, picking up speed and then moving higher and higher, almost like a reverse tornado cloud.  As they rose and the circle they were making widened, the grey swirling mists parted, blue sky appeared and the clouds rolled back, past the edge of the Quidditch Pitch.

Cheers erupted from the teams and they mounted their brooms to get in a little warm up session before the game started.  The students in the stands were cheering and turning their faces to the bright sunshine now pouring down on them. The winds had also dissipated, meaning extra scarves were being taken off as everyone felt a bit more comfortable.

The white Patronus forms continued their flight, pushing the clouds, spreading the patch of beautiful blue sky wider and wider.  As the two Quidditch teams drew the attention of the spectators, the eruption of another group of Patronus figures from various parts of the school went unnoticed by most.  The D.A. members in the stands, who knew this would be happening, made sure to keep the other students focused on the players, starting cheers and chants which, of course, the Slytherins had to answer, keeping them watching their team's actions, as well.

The Patronuses from the school joined the ones from the Quidditch Pitch and attacked the clouds, and the Dementors hiding in them, with renewed vigor.  It didn't take long before those former guards of Azkaban turned and left, fleeing the whites figures nipping at their heels. Soon, blue sky filled with bright sunshine replaced the sullen atmosphere had been hanging over the school for weeks.

Students who had been reluctant to come out to see the game because of the bad weather saw the change and streamed out of the school, joining their fellow students in the stands and the D.A. members who had helped send their Patronuses skyward blended in with the surge of late-comers, unnoticed.   Those residents of the Room of Requirement, D.A. members and the others in hiding, who had helped 'clear the air' were gathering on the Astronomy Tower, where they could watch the match but not be seen.

"Everyone!" called Albus, as he came onto the observation deck. "I should like you all to know that Narcissa successfully cast her first full Patronus today!  That's quite the accomplishment."  

Narcissa stood there, blushing, as all turned to smile, clap and congratulate her.

"Good one!!"  "Bravo!"  "Way to go, Mother!" "Excellent, darling!" "What was its form?"

"It was a peacock . . . because I like them so much,"  Narcissa replied, as she took a seat next to Lucius, who leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Well, it's good to know you can do that, Mother," Draco said, turning to look over his shoulder at her,from his seat beside Harry.  "Dementors Beware!"

"Indeed and I must practice, too, so I know I'll be able to conjure it, without hesitation, when needed."  Narcissa added. "Along with my other weapon practice!"

"Excellent idea," Albus agreed.  "Practice makes perfect!"

"Too bad practice won't help your team, Potter," Draco said to Harry, out of the side of his mouth, as he turned back around to watch the game.