𝖁𝖊𝖓𝖔𝖒 || 𝕯𝖗𝖆𝖈𝖔 𝕸𝖆𝖑𝖋𝖔𝖞 !𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐃!

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞

After all the catching up that was due we finally made it to DADA- or defence against the dark arts if you'd rather. First thing I noticed, stepping into the class, was the absence of my father. We found seats and sprawled across the desk whatever We deemed necessary for class. Fortunately for me I already knew what would be taught today so I simply didn't unpack anything from my bag. Draco raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Just wait and see."

It was only a moment more before professor Lupin walked in with a smile on his face. He flashed me a wink in which I returned before he placed his briefcase atop his desk.

"Good afternoon. Would you please put all your books back in your bags. Today's will be a practical lesson. You will only need your wands."

I smirked triumphantly and Draco rolled his eyes. "Hate to say I told you so."
"No, you love to." he scoffed, putting away his books.
"Yeah, especially when it's you." I say while standing from my seat.
"haha." he mocked.
"It's just the truth!"

"Right then, if you'd follow me."

Professor Lupin led us through the halls only to be met with Peeves the poltergeist who was stuffing gum in a keyhole.
Once he saw my father he started to sing, "loony, loopy Lupin, loony loopy Lupin, loony loopy Lupin-"

I, personally, rolled my eyes but dad still had a smile upon his face. "I'd take that gum out of the keyhole, if I were you, Peeves. Mr. Filch won't be able to get into his brooms." he said. Peeves just blew a raspberry, causing my father to sigh. He took out his wand.
"This is a useful little spell. Please watch closely." He instructed.

With his wand raised he said 'Waddiwasi' while pointing it at the poltergeist. The gum zoomed out of the keyhole and into Peeves's nose. He dashed away spouting curses.

"Cool, sir!" I heard someone say.
Draco scoffed from beside me.
"Thank you, Dean." said my father, "shall we proceed?"
And off we went, professor Lupin leading us to the staff room.

"Inside, please." he said, opening the door for us. As we trickled in I noticed professor Snape sitting in an armchair. Right as professor Lupin was about to close the door Snape interrupted. "Leave it open, Lupin. I'd rather not witness this." He said, rising from his seat. His long onyx coloured robes fluttering as he walked. He stopped at the doorway only to say, "possibly no one's warned you, Lupin, but this class contains Neville Longbottom. I would advise you not to trust him with anything difficult. Not unless Miss Granger is hissing instructions in his ear."

Damn. And this isn't even his class.

Draco stifled a laugh. I elbowed him. "Shut up mr. favoritism." I said under my breath, but he just rolled his eyes.

"I was hoping that Neville would assist me with
the first stage of the operation and I am sure he
will perform it admirably." my father said. I swore Neville looked as if he could just melt into the floor right then and there. Professor Snape, on the other hand, scowled and left, slamming the door.

"Now then," said Professor Lupin. He motioned us closer to what seemed to be an ordinary wardrobe. Of course, I knew it was the very opposite. For what was inside was what made it not so ordinary.
The wardrobe shook. "Nothing to worry about." my father said. The students before him didn't believe so, jumping in fear or inching away. All but me of course. "There's a boggart in there." He continued. I looked over to my side to find that Draco had shyed behind me.
"Scaredy-cat." I laughed.
"No im not!" he hissed.
"Are too," I sung.
"My father will hear about this."
"About you almost pissing your pants?"
The grey eyed boy smacked my arm as he went red in the face.
"Awe, why so embarrassed." I cooed.
"Shut up!"

"Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces. Wardrobes, the gap beneath beds, the cupboards under sinks- I once met one that had lodged itself in a grandfather clock. This one moved in yesterday afternoon, and I asked the Headmaster if the staff eould leave it to give my third years some practice. So the first question we must ask ourselves is, what is a boggart?" Professor Lupin said. Hermione and I both put up our hands, but my father gave me a look. I sighed and lowered my hand.

My father always taught me about creatures like the boggart ever since I had shown an interest in them back in first year. In the summers he taught me about one creature each night. He even got me a book on beasts for Christmas last year. Soon enough I had it memorized.

"It's a shapeshifter. It can take the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten us most." she answered.
"Couldn't have put it better myself." the Professor said.
I rolled my eyes. I could've.
"So the boggart sitting in the darkness within has not yet assumed a form. He does not yet know what will frighten the person on the other side of the door. Nobody knows what a boggart looks like when he is alone, but when I let him out, he will immediately become whatever each of us most fears." said Professor Lupin. " This means that we have a huge advantage over the boggart before we begin. Have you spotted it Harry?"

I mentally facepalmed. Why ask Harry of all people. Poor guy looked intimidated by the bushy haired girl, basically vibrating, with her hand outstretched into the air.

"Er- because there are so many of us, it won't know what shape it should be?" he answered slowly.
"Precisely." said my father.

"It's always best to have company when you're dealing with a boggart. He becomes confused. Which should he become, a headless corpse or a flesh eating slug? I once saw a boggart make that very mistake- tried to frighten two people at once and turned himself into half a slug. Not remotely frightening." Explained the professor.
"The charm that repels a boggart is simple, yet it requires force of mind. You see, the thing that really finishes a boggart is laughter. What you need to do is force it to assume a shape that you find amusing." he said, "We will practice the charm without wands first. After me, please... 'riddikulus'!"
Soon there came a chorus of, "Riddikulus!" from the students.
"This class is ridiculous." grumbled a certain blondie, rolling his eyes.
"Good." my father said.

"Very good. But that was the easy part, I'm afraid. You see, the word alone is not enough. And this is where you come in, Neville." he continued. Neville walked forward uncertainly, taking one shaky step after another.
"Right, Neville. First things first, what would you say is the thing that frightens you most in the word?" asked the professor. Neville replied inaudibly, to the class as well as Professor Lupin.
"Didn't catch that, Neville, sorry," said Professor Lupin.
Neville whispered something that I couldn't hear.

Draco tugged on my sleeve as the class laughed.
"Did you hear that?"
"Why? Are you listening to what a Griffindor has to say?" I teased.
"Nevermind." he scoffed.

"Professor Snape... hmm... Neville, I believe you live with your grandmother?" asked Professor Lupin.
"Er- yes, but I dont want the boggart to turn into her either."
"No, no, you misunderstand me. I wonder, could you tell us what sort of clothes your grandmother usually wears?"

Neville explained what ridiculous fashion choices his grandmother makes but I was too busy anticipating what came next. I've been looking forward to seeing Snape in a grandma dress.

"If Neville is successful, the boggart is likely to turn his attention to each of us in turn. I would like all of you to take a moment now to think of the thing that scares you most, and imagine how you might force it to look comical..."

I realized I never actually thought about my worst fear.

When I was little I thought I was scared of death. I layer realized it was the pain of that death which I was scared of. But what about now? I guess I'll just have to hope for the best.

"Everyone ready?" questioned the professor.

"Neville, we're going to back away. Let you have a clear field, all right?" said my father, "I'll call the next person forward... everyone back, now, so Neville can get a clear shot." he instructed. The class backed away as far as they could while Neville had rolled up his sleeves.
"On the count of three, Neville." said Professor Lupin.

"One... two... three- now!" exclaimed Professor Lupin, casting a spell and opening the wardrobe. In all his greasy glory, Snape stepped out of the wardrobe. His eyes were trained on the boy in front of him. Neville scurried backwards. Snape (or should I say 'the boggart') fished inside his robes pocket.
"R-r-riddikulus!" Neville stuttered.

There was a loud snap and all of a sudden Snape was wearing a dress, a hideous hat, and a red handbag. The class erupted in laughter and 'Snape' halted.