The wardrobe clattering and shaking about pulling me out of my thoughts. It was a bit terrifying, having a seemingly innocuous item act as if it was possessed. Being in the Wizarding world has taught me that anything is possible. So, as Professor Lupin started the lesson, I mentally prepared myself for the worst. Always hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
"Intriguing, isn't it? Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what is inside?"
A student somewhere in the room sounded off, "that's a boggart, that is."
"Very good, Mr. Thomas. Now, can anyone tell me what a boggart looks like?"
"Nobody knows. Boggarts are shapeshifters. They take the form of whatever a particular person fears most. That's what makes them so..."
"Terrifying, yes. Yes, yes, yes."
The banging from the wardrobe was starting to irritate me. It's absolutely ridiculous that he expects us to face our greatest fears. At thirteen years old. I'm sure he had been made aware of the last several years. I'm sure had he discussed this with other teachers, my father would have definitely informed him that this wouldn't be the greatest idea. It wouldn't be the best idea for a normal group of thirteen year old students, much less thirteen year old students that have survived not one but two Voldemort attacks against Harry. One of which left half this room vulnerable to death or at the very least petrification.
"Luckily a very simple charm exists to repel a boggart..."
The wardrobe cut him off once more, but he quickly continued, "let's practice it now. Without wands, please. Repeat after me. Riddikulus!"
"Riddikulus!"
"Very good. A little louder and very clear. Listen. Riddikulus."
"Riddikulus!"
"This class is ridiculous." I heard Draco mumble.
"Very good. Now, so much for the easy part. You see, the incantation alone is not enough. What really finishes a boggart... is laughter. You need to force it to assume a shape you find truly amusing. Let me explain. Ah, Neville. Will you join me please? Come on. Don't be shy. Come on."
Everyone looked at Neville. He looked so scared; I was actually a bit worried for him. He hadn't the best track record like the rest of us. I heard that in first year his broom took off without a que to do so, and he broke his arm. Draco picked on him a lot, but the most part it was Roanna. Hermione used a spell on him that made him unable to move until someone found him. Then last year, the pixies targeted him. He always has an issue in one way or another in every class, whether that be blowing something up, but not nearly as often as Seamus, or a student picking on him. Dad hasn't really been the nicest to him either, but he treats Harry the same way. I feel it might be connected, but I don't have the guts to ask dad about it.
"Alright, now. Neville, what frightens you most of all?"
Neville mumbles something I couldn't quite catch. I assume Professor Lupin couldn't quite catch it either, as he asked Neville to repeat what he said a bit louder. I zoned out, though. Trying to mentally prepare myself for what could come out of that wardrobe. I shifted through my memories, all my life experiences. My heart constricted at the memories racing through my mind. The day my mum died, and I got these scars from being tortured as a baby. Everything Dudley's friend ever did to me while I was living there. The day we walked in a corridor and saw the message Ginny wrote and Mrs. Noris hanging on a torch holder beside that message. The second I saw the eyes of the Basilisk. Then my irrational fears flooded my mind. Clowns, the most prevalent of them all.
The clicking of the wardrobe's knob turning caught my attention and I looked up just in time to see dad clambering out of the wardrobe. Neville must be afraid of my father. I don't blame him, with how horrid he has been towards Neville. The boggart crept closer; his eyes locked on Neville. Neville cast the charm, causing the boggart shaped like dad to stumble and suddenly be dressed in God awful and absolutely ridiculous women's clothes. The whole class erupted into a huge fit of laughter.
YOU ARE READING
In Another Life
Fanfiction---Just a book idea I had after watching a Tiktok POV of the viewer visiting Draco in jail. ---- Allyson was your average eleven year old witch, or so she thought. Turns out she has deep and ancient magic in her bones and in her destiny. That doesn'...
