Patience

Chapter 111

"Hello class and welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts 5. I will be your new professor!" A tall, lanky, man smiles, stretching a patch of skin lined with a scar.

"Hello, professor." The class choruses. 

"Now, let's get right into it. Shall we?" The class nods eagerly in response, "Splendid! Today we will be experimenting with the most invigorating, mysterious of creatures, boggarts."

Lupin walks up to a worn wooden wardrobe, shaking vigorously as if containing a bat or some other wild creature. Intricate designs engrave the frame, climbing to the oval shaped door. 

"Now, the spell 'Riddikulus' will turn the bogart from a creature of your nightmares, to one of your own imagination. Keep in mind, the one thing that weakens a boggart is laughter, so think of something of zany attributes when working with it."

We recite the spell multiple times, along with its movements, before the professor calls for a volunteer to go first. After several minutes of indecisive chatter and questioning looks of concern, I raise my hand to save the teacher from the awkward stage of calling once again for help. 

"Ah yes, do come up dear," He smiles a relieved smile and waves me forward. I walk past a group of worrisome looks and to the front of the wardrobe, "Now, what might your name be miss?"

"Emmeline Rosewood, sir." I say in a hushed, jittery tone. 

"Well, very nice to make your acquaintance Miss Rosewood." We shake hands diligently, "Okay, on the count of three I will release the boggart-prepare yourself."

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

He opens the door and something resembling an orb emerges from it. I remember reading from the textbook that 'A boggart's original form has never been taken in account and remains a mystery to those who dare encounter one.' I watch as various images shaft before me-it switches between snakes, specifically basilisks, spiders, the darkness, and clowns-then it stops on the one accustomed to me.

I stand frozen, watching what it decided upon for my greatest fear. I didn't know what to expect, myself. There, before me, was...well...me. I sit on the floor, knees locked to my chest-which is heaving unsteadily-rocking back and forth mumbling something. My hairs knotted, dark circles under my eyes, and so skinny you can see each divot provided by my bones beneath. I lean in, trying to hear the gibberish pouring from my mouth. I can't quite put it together, it's all incoherent sentences. Nothing coming together as a sane person would talk-

Then, I realize what my greatest fear is. Losing my sanity. Going mad with paranoia. Slowing slipping from my grip on reality and falling into a pool hysteria. Not only scaring myself but the ones around me and not even realizing-

"Riddikulus!" I shout as a bright light bursts from my wand to, well, me. The image turns to a seal balancing a ball on the tip of its nose. Everyone laughs except for me as I silently slip to the back of the line, processing the scene. 

"Em, you okay?" I feel a hand on my shoulder and jump, "Woah, sorry, didn't mean to give you a scare." Fred says, looking to me with concern. 

"Y-yeah, I'm fine." I force a small smile to my lips, "Just a little shocked is all."

"Yeah, that was a bit scary. Do you need anything?"

"Fred, thank you for the concern, but I'm fine, I promise!"

"But-"

"Now, get in line! I know you're dying to try it too." I smile and usher his forward, after a second of hesitation he gives in and excitedly jumps in line. I notice someone step from their place in line and walk over to me, George.