Life As A Lovegood

Chapter 25

I woke up the next morning early. We would have our first DADA (Defence Against the Dark Arts) lesson of the year today. I had it with the Gryffindors. Today I had a perfectly normal time-table no time-travelling involved.

Friday
10:00 AM|Herbology|With Gryffindor House|Professor Sprout            
11:05 AM|Potions|With Ravenclaw House|Professor Snape
12:10 PM|Lunch|With all Houses|All Professors
13:15 PM|DADA|With Gryffindor House|Professor Lupin
14:20 PM|Charms|With Ravenclaw House|Professor Flitwick

I'm on my period this week, too, so time-travelling means I have it for a lot extra. I swung my legs out of bed, stepped into my slippers, but on my dressing robe, grabbed my backpack in which I kept a towel, sanitary items and toiletries, shampoo, soap and conditioner and I also grabbed my uniform. I started making my way to the communal girls Hufflepuff shower rooms/lavatories. I slipped off my slippers, robe and pyjamas and folded them then put them into my cubby hole. I then wrapped a towel around me, quickly just in case anyone were to come in even though not barely anyone are up at this time (I get up at 06:30 because it puts me in a more productive mood, and I can enjoy breakfast and sometimes catch up on homework) I took out my shampoo, soap and conditioner and walked over to the showers. I pulled the privacy curtain shut, took off my towel and hung it up and turned on the shower, then I set my shampoo, conditioner and soap on the ground (the soap I keep in a little box so it doesn't get dirty. Now I think about it I could probably just charm it.) then I turned the shower on and twisted the knob so it would be cold but not freezing. It's really refreshing to get a cold shower in my opinion.

Once I was out of the shower I noticed a lot more of the cubbies were full. I went to mine, got dried and dressed. I put on my underwear, then my tights, then shirt, then skirt, then tie, and finally my jumper. I then went back to my dormitory. I brushed my hair out and did it into two french plaits. I decided to let it dry naturally instead of using a spell

Later that afternoon, in the DADA Classroom.

All the third year Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors took their seats in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Ron and Harry sat together, Hannah and I sat together, Susan and Heather sat together, Seamus and Dean everyone you would expect. We all took out our books, parchment, quills and ink and waited for Professor Lupin. Then he entered and silence fell among everyone. Lupin smiled and placed his tatty briefcase on his desk. He was still looking shabby but he looked much healthier in comparison to on the train. "Good afternoon, would you please our all you books and things back in your bags. Today's lesson will be practical. All you'll be needing are your wands." Curious and excited looks were exchanged as we all followed his instructions

"Right then," Lupin said once we were all ready. "if you'd follow me, please" confused, but intrigued the class rose to their feet and followed Professor Lupin out of the classroom. He let us down a few deserted corridors.  The first thing we met was Peeves. "Loony, loopy Lupin" Peeves sang "Loony, loopy Lupin." Peeves and Professor Lupin had a brief conversation about gum Peeves had placed in a keyhole. The Professor led us on to the staff room. "Inside, please" he said as he held the door open for us all to get in. Snape was sitting in an arm chair and when we entered he turned around to look, smirking. Lupin made to close the door "Leave it open, Remus, I'd rather not witness this." He got to his feet and strode past us. Just as he was about to leave he stopped "Possibly, no one's warned you, Lupin, but this class contains Neville Longbottom. I would not advise you to entrust him with anything difficult." He shifted his stare directly on me "Not unless Miss Granger or Miss Lovegood are hissing instructions in his ear." I felt angry but at the same time embarrassed, I felt my face go red but that was nothing compared to Neville's. He was standing right beside me. His face was as scarlet as the Gryffindor quidditch robes. I glared at Snape. How dare he bully a student. There had to be some law against it. "Actually, I was hoping Neville could assist me with the first stage of the operation, and I am sure he will perform admirably." Neville's face went -somehow- even redder. Snape's lip curled but he left.

"Now then," said Lupin striding to the other side of the room where there was nothing but the wardrobe in which I assume the teachers would place their cloak, scarves, hats et cetera in, and beckoning us to follow. Suddenly the wardrobe shook. I wondered what on earth was inside. Everyone looked worried, including myself "Nothing to worry about. It's just a boggart." I relaxed but everyone else still looked worried "Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces, wardrobes, under beds, the cupboard under the sink et cetera. I asked the other teachers if they could leave it in there so I could use it for this lesson. So, the first question we must ask ourselves is, what is a Boggart?" I raised my hand, as did Hermione Granger "Miss Lovegood?" He said, nodding to me "They're shape shifters. It'll take the form of whatever will scare us most." I answered "Couldn't have put it better myself." Said Professor Lupin, I smiled with happiness, Hermione glared at me "So the Boggart in here is shapeless still because it doesn't know what will frighten the person on the other side of the door most. Nobody knows what a Boggart looks like when he is alone. But when I let him out  it will immediately become whatever each of us most fears. This means, we already have a huge advantage over the Boggart before we even begin. Have you spotted it Harry?" Professor Lupin said. Hermione flung her hand into the air and was bouncing on the balls of her feet to be seen "Err- because there are so many of us it won't know what form to take?" Harry half answered-half guessed. Hermione lowered her hand. "Precisely Harry. It is wise to have company when dealing with a Boggart."

We had the most amazing lesson. Lupin is definitely my favourite DADA teacher we've had (which wouldn't be saying much.) we all had to do it. Neville's Boggart turned into Professor Snape. I felt so sorry for him. Neville had to deal with his biggest fear every day. Ron's turned into a spider (obviously) and mine was a humongous worm. I hate worms. They're so disgusting and yucky and slimy.

Word count: 1182