The Fox And Her Troublemakers

Fireflies

Cécile's P.O.V.

I stormed into Defence Against the Dark Arts, and slammed my books down on the desk that Cody has saved me a seat at.

Everyone was looking at me, but I didn't really give a shit right now. Cody was looking at me concerned. "I'm fine," I whispered to him, trying to reign in my anger, "I'll tell you later." He nodded at me, and then the professor came out of his office and stood at the front of the room.

"Hello class, I'm Professor Lupin, and I'll be your Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher this year."

I liked him. He seemed nice enough, and he didn't warn us about our OWLs in his first sentence.

"Now, can anyone tell me what a boggart is?" I looked around and noticed that no one else raised their hand, so I raised mine.

"Yes, Miss..."
"Clourier, sir."
"Ok, Miss Clourier, what is a boggart?"

"A boggart is a creature that forces you to face your biggest fear." I told him, also explaining it to the rest of the class.

"Very good, Miss Clourier, ten points to Hufflepuff." He said, turning back to the class.

"Now, can anyone explain to me how they do this?" Cody raised his hand.

"Yes, Mr..."

"Collinson sir," Professor Lupin nodded, and Cody continued, "A boggart makes you face your biggest fear by becoming the thing you fear most."

"Very good, ten more points to Hufflepuff. Now, does anyone know how to repel a boggart?"

One of the Gryffindors raised their hands. It was one of the ginger twins I keep seeing everywhere.

"With a spell?" He asked, wth a smartass tone. I expected Professor Lupin to get mad at him, but he just chuckled.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley, with a spell." Lupin chuckled again, and then continued, "does anyone know what the spell is?" He asked us. I didn't know that one, and apparently neither did anyone else.

"The spell," he explained, "is a simple charm."

"However, if you really want to finish a boggart, you need laughter." He explained. That was interesting.

"Saying the enchantment alone will not do you any good. You must think of something funny." He continued his explanation.

"The enchantment is 'Ridikkulus.' Can everyone say that with me?"

"Ridikkulus," the class chorused. Lupin smiled.

"Now, who wants to try it for real?" There was a huge outburst of excitement. Even me, being totally pissed off, got excited about it.

"Come, follow me," Lupin instructed, walking out the door. We followed him down the hall to a big empty room with a wardrobe standing in the middle of it.

"Now, a boggart can be found in dark places such as wardrobes and cabinets. Can I have a volunteer to come up first please?"

I stayed silent, not saying anything. I didn't want to go first. "Miss Clourier, if you will," he said to me, beckoning me over with his hand.

I hesitantly walked over to him. He smiled at me encouragingly when I got there. "Now, tell me, Miss Clourier, what is your biggest fear?"

I thought for a moment. I didn't actually know what I was most afraid of. Then it hit me. I was afraid of being alone ever since my parents... but I couldn't use that. It needed to be something physical.

"I don't know," I told him.
"Come on, there's got to be something."
I shrugged my shoulders, wracking my brain for something I'm afraid of.

"Ok, an can you think of way to make it funny?" Professor Lupin asked me. I nodded at him. "Can you repeat the incantation for me again please?"