A dark secret

Boggart

We had a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher this year, seemly as our last teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart, was sacked for some reason. Apparently, there was some rumours going around saying he was a fraud. And I heard he was sent away because he forgot who he was. Our new teacher was Professor Lupin. He has light brown hair which is flecked with grey. He was wearing a shabby set of wizards robe which looks like it's been darned in several places and his face looks ill or exhausted like he hasn't been sleeping properly, which I can relate too.

We was all standing in front of a wardrobe with a dirty mirror hanging off it. Now and then it would shake making everyone jump out of their skins. I was standing in the back with Draco and his goons, Crabbe and Goyle. I didn't like them very much, they always followed him around like a lost puppy.

"Would anyone like to adventure a guess as to what is inside?" Said Professor Lupin as the wardrobe rapidly shook.

"That's a boggart". One of the Gryffindor answered.

"Very good. Now can anyone tell me what a boggart looks like?"

"No one knows" Hermione said appearing out of nowhere. I don't remember her walking into lesson, just like I don't remember her walking into Divination. "Boggarts are shape shifters. They take the shape on whatever a particular person fears the most. That's what makes them so terrifying" she explained. Hermione always knew everything which makes me in some way admire her.

"Luckily a very simple spell can compel a boggart. Without wands please" Professor Lupin said while the wardrobe was still shaking. "Riddikulus".

"Riddikulus". Everyone copied him.

"This class is ridiculous" Draco moaned. A big weight of air escaped my mouth as I rolled my eyes at him. He always has to moan about something.

Professor Lupin called Longbottom up for the demonstration. He asked him what he fears the most and Neville stuttered "Professor Snape". Everyone laughed. I mean Snape is pretty scary. Luckily they don't have to deal with him as much as I do, being a Slytherin. Professor Lupin was whispering something in his ear and before I knew it he opened the door to the wardrobe.

Stepped out was Professor Snape. You can see Longbottom was terrified at this point.
"Riddikulus" he said clearly. And right in front of us was now Professor Snape wearing a dark green dress,  a oversized hat with some type of bird on it and in his hand was a red handbag.

"Merlin I'm never going to look at Professor Snape the same way ever again" I giggled to Draco. He nodded looking very amused.

"Everyone form a line please" Professor Lupin ordered us, as he played some funky tune on the record player which was in the corner of the room. I rushed in between Hermione and Harry. Ron was up first, his boggart took the form of a giant spider. "Riddikulus". The spider started falling around the place as now it's feet had roller skates on. Everyone was laughing, enjoying this moment.

Padma Patel stepped forward. She was in Gryffindor. And once again the boggart started shifting, until it formed into a giant cobra. It's hissing made the girl freeze on the spot. "Riddikulus" she bravely shouted and like that it turned into a jack-in-the-box.

Hermione took a deep breath as it was her turn. I rubbed her back trying to comfort her. Except of a giant creature, it was Professor McGonagall telling her how much of a failure she was. I felt bad for her, knowing that she is the brightest witch of our year and she still feels like she isn't worthy. I was so busy in my own thoughts I didn't realise it was my turn.

"Don't worry" Harry leant over me whispering in my ear.

"I'm not scared Potter" I smirked at him. I stepped forward facing the boggart as it was transforming. My mind was scattered, thinking of what it could turn into. But my mind kept going back to one memory. My very own nightmare. A tall figure with a black cloak was stood in front of me now. I couldn't see the face but just a creepy smile shining through the blacked out figure. As the figure opened its mouth I heard the screaming . The ones from my dream but sounding much worse. It felt like they were in more pain. My breathing became heavy and my hands started shaking. Another sound came out of it.

"Y/n" it was hissing my name. My hands became sweaty and my body was frozen. This was worse then my nightmare.

"Y/n" Draco sounded worried as he rushed over to me. I felt his hands intertwining with mine and in that moment I felt safe again.

"Riddkulus" I finally said making the boggart change its form into my cat, Midnight, who was dancing around. My legs started moving to the side so Harry could go next.

"Do you want to get out of here?" Draco said still holding my hands. I nodded slightly which made him drag me out of the classroom.

We headed into the girls lavatory which no one ever goes into because of this ghost called Moaning Myrtle. Draco's hand let's go of mine as I rushed to the sink to splash water on my face.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Draco shyly asked as he wasn't good at the whole emotion thing.

"It's fine" I snapped. I breathed in the air slowly feeling it expanding my lungs and once I reached my max I let it out. "I'm sorry. It's just embarrassing that everyone saw me freak out like that" I added.

"I know. ... You were sweating like mad" he joked. "So who was the figure?"

"Someone from my nightmares. And so was the screams" I closed my eyes trying to block it all out. I haven't told anyone about my nightmares. Except my mother.

"They were painful to hear" Draco shuffled closer to me. His arm wrapped around my neck pulling me into a warm hug. I've never seen him being this nice to anyone. I liked his comfort.

"The scarier part was when the figure hissed my name" I muffled into his chest. He then pulled away from me, making me frown.

"Y/n. It's didn't say your name. It was just hissing".