black arts // draco malfoy

chapter four

With all the study stress and with Inanna and Hermione having even more to study, because of the whole Buckbeak incident, Inanna's head was a mess. With all this, and with Khai out of the Hospital Wing, Inanna had forgotten about Draco Malfoy. After seeing that she was the least bit distracted from her studies, Inanna started focusing and studying faster and harder.

Inanna was so exhausted. She was very tired, but Inanna never complained. Anyway, today at dinner, finally, something interesting happened. Dumbledore introduced all the students to a competition named 'The Triwizard Tournament'. Three schools were to participate. Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. Only students aged 17 and over could apply. Inanna thought that rule was fair and thoughtful, seeing how dangerous the tournament could get. Students wishing to participate were to write their name on a piece of parchment, and enter it into the Goblet of Fire.

When Dumbledore introduced them to the Goblet of Fire, Inanna was instantly drawn to it. It was absolutely beautiful. It was very old, yes, but it possessed an old kind of beauty which Inanna found beyond interesting.

The Weasley twins were not happy about this age restriction, as they wanted to take part in the competition. Inanna could tell that they were instantly coming up with another way to get past the age line.

Inanna also knew that whatever their plan was, it wasn't going to work. A genius like Dumbledore couldn't possibly fooled by some pathetic ways the Weasley twins think of.

Inanna was walking to her dorm with Khai, who was rambling about how excited she was about more boys coming to Hogwarts.

"I'm bored with seeing the same old disgusting faces of the Hogwarts boys," Khai huffed. "Not to mention, more than half of them are just pure horny jerks!" Inanna laughed at what Khai said.

"Even Blaise?" Inanna teased. Even though Khai would never admit it, Inanna was sometimes too observant. Inanna knew there was something going between the pair.

"What, Zabini? Of course even him!" Khai rolled her eyes, but Inanna could swear she saw her best friend turn the slightest shade of pink.

"Sure, sure." Inanna smiled slyly, and nudged Khai playfully.

-

The next day, Inanna woke up and went on about her day like normal. Except the fact that, today was not a normal day. It was the day in which Dumbledore announces the students chosen for The Triwizard Tournament. During breakfast, The Triwizard Tournament was all she heard. Students were giggling, talking in hushed whispers excitedly about it.

Now, she had Defense Against The Dark Arts with the Gryffindors. So, Inanna, Khai and the Golden Trio walked to The Defense Against The Dark Arts together. All laughing and chatting about different topics. Unlike other days, this day was treating Inanna well. That scared her.

Just like usual, there was a new Dark Arts teacher. Inanna learnt that his name was Remus Lupin.

"Gather around, everyone!" Lupin called out to everyone, his tired looking face still filled with kindness. "We will be learning about something new today." He announced. Just then, a cabinet situated in the middle of the room rattled vigorously. Some students standing near it scurried away.

"Don't be scared," Lupin smiled kindly. "To be direct, there is a boggart inside that cabinet. Now, can anybody tell me what a boggart is?" He asked.

Inanna's hand shot up in the air.

"Yes, Miss Elsher?" Lupin asked Inanna with a knowing glint in his eyes.

"A boggart is a type of shape shifter which on it's own, has no particular form, but when encountered by someone, transforms into that person's worst fears." Inanna explained, and the whole class stayed silent to hang onto her every word. Lupin smiled, but his smile held something unknown.

"Yes, yes. Correct, Miss Elsher," Lupin said, "Can anybody now tell me what a boggart looks like before it is met with a person opposite?"

Again, Inanna's hand shot up before anyone could even blink.

"Yes, Miss Elsher?" Lupin asked, that similar knowing glint in his eyes still there.

"Nobody knows what a boggart looks like of nobody is there to see it, although it continues to exist, usually giving evidence of its presence by rattling, shaking or scratching the object in which it is hiding." Inanna said and Lupin nodded, seeming impressed and surprisingly a bit saddened even.

Did Inanna say something wrong to make Lupin seem sad?

"Correct, Miss Elsher. Couldn't have put it better myself." Lupin smiled at me, but Inanna felt like that smile hid something from her.

Still, Inanna smiled back.

"Now, class, we will learn how to fight off a boggart. It's a simple spell, but it takes concentration," Lupin explained, while walking towards the cabinet. As of sensing the human presence, the cabinet shook more violently.

"Riddikulus," Lupin said loudly. "The spell that banishes boggarts is Riddikulus! The only thing that can defeat a boggart is laughter. This spell causes your biggest fear to turn into something hilarious. But, for that, you have to concentrate hard and conjure up an image of your biggest fear to transform into something funny." Lupin explained and Inanna listened hard.

"This class is ridiculous." From behind her, Inanna heard Draco mutter. Inanna had to refrain herself from turning around and punching Draco in the face. But at the same time, his voice made something stir inside her.

The Ball he had asked her to.

"I need a volunteer! Who- Ah, yes, you-" Lupin pointed a finger at Neville Longbottom, who suddenly started to shake nervously. Neville caught Inanna's eyes and Inanna gave him an encouraging smile. He nervously smiled back.

He stood a little taller, and tried to walk confidently towards the teacher, but failed, since his hands were shaking out of nervousness.

Lupin sensed his nervousness and smiled a smile filled with warmth. A smile that was welcoming.

"Don't be nervous, Mister Longbottom. I'll be there to help." Neville nodded at Lupin's words, and seemed to be a little more confident. "Now, I will open the cabinet and watch- what's your biggest fear, Mister Longbottom?" Lupin said instead.

"P-professor Snape," Neville said quietly.

"Who again?"

"Professor Snape." Neville said, a little louder and firmer than before. Lupin nodded, satisfied. The whole class chuckled.

"Alright, Mister Longbottom. Professor Snape, it is then." Lupin chuckled. "Now, I will open the cabinet and you will be faced with Professor Snape. Think hard and conjure up an image of him in something funny." Lupin instructed and the rest of the students backed off.

With that, Neville pulled out his wand and Lupin opened the cabinet. For a moment, it was silent. Then, Professor Snape began to walk out of the cabinet. Students around gasped, backing away further. The boggart only seemed to notice Neville, though.

"R-Riddikulus," Neville said weakly, his voice trembling. Professor Snape had gotten closer than ever.

"Louder and firmer, Mister Longbottom. Think of something funny!" Lupin called out at Neville.

Inanna saw Neville furrow his brows and yell out 'Riddikulus' and the boggart changed into Professor Snape wearing a long green dress with a magnificent stuffed vulture hat. The class - including Inanna, the Golden Trio and Khai - burst out laughing. Even Neville himself snorted.

With that, Lupin pulled another student. And then another, and then another. Like that, they all made a line behind the person fighting off the boggart.

Inanna got to saw a lot of interesting things. With Hermione's being McGonagall telling her that she is a failure, with Ron's being a giant spider, with Parvati Patil's one being a mummy, Seamus's one being a Banshee.

Lupin's smile disappeared when it was Inanna's turn. He tried to stop Inanna, but it was too late.

Inanna's boggart had already transformed. What represented her boggart shocked not only Inanna herself, but also the rest of the class. But when Inanna looked at her Professor Lupin, he still had that knowing glint in his eyes, mixed with a certain emotion of sadness.