Devotion (Snape × Student OC)

28

The moment we had all been eagerly anticipating finally arrived, Defense Against the Dark Arts class with the kind Professor Lupin. His slightly tattered attire didn't detract from his friendly demeanor. I couldn't help but notice the faint scar on his face. Lupin signaled for us to follow him as he led us to the second corridor behind the staff room door. I recognized the room immediately, recalling a past visit.

Lupin gestured gently, his voice warm, "Please enter." Ron, ever the first one to act, opened the door. As Ron opened the door, his face paled instantly. The other students' expressions mirrored his shock and fear. They didn't need an explanation to know why, the room was empty, except for one person, Professor Snape. He sat on a comfortable chair, a devilish smile playing on his lips. With a single glance, my cheeks flushed involuntarily, but I quickly reminded myself not to interact with him.

Professor Lupin attempted to close the door, but Snape interrupted with a firm command "Open the door, Lupin! I'd prefer not to keep observing this class." He rose briskly from his chair, his cloak billowing behind him as he approached the door with long strides. Unable to control my reaction, my heart skipped a beat as his presence passed by me. I found myself stealing glances in his direction. Snape turned back before exiting, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm sure nobody warned you, but there's Longbottom in this class. I advise you not to give him any difficult tasks unless Miss. Just. Sue once again helps him or discreetly rewrites the instructions."

Lupin simply smiled, briefly looking at me and Neville, before responding with confidence "I'm sure he will do his best." With an annoyed smirk, Snape slammed the door shut behind him. I couldn't help but feel downcast as he brought up the incident again. He just wanted to reprimand me further for my past actions. As Professor Lupin pointed to an old wardrobe where the professors kept their extra robes, the wardrobe suddenly shook, causing the students to gasp in surprise. However, Professor Lupin calmly reassured us "Don't worry, it's just a boggart."

Professor Lupin continued, "Boggarts like dark and confined spaces."
He then addressed the class "Now, can anyone tell me what a boggart is?"
No surprise there Hermione raised her hand as usual, confidently answering the question correctly. Professor Lupin continued his explanation and we practiced the spell without a wand a couple of times. Next, Professor Lupin called upon Neville, signaling for him to face his greatest fear and picture it in a humorous manner.

My mind was racing, trying to identify my greatest fear. Nothing particularly terrifying came to mind. In a slightly foolish manner, I whispered to myself with a giggle "I'm afraid of nothing." Neville summoned the courage to shout, his voice trembling a bit "Riddikulus!" My attention was drawn to his boggart, which had taken the form of Professor Snape no doubt due to the many times he had been reprimanded by him over the past two years. To my astonishment, everyone burst into laughter when the image of Snape morphed into an older woman wearing a large hat and outdated clothing.

As the students practiced one by one, I observed the various fears of my classmates, a banshee, a spider, a mummy. My turn approached, and Professor Lupin asked "Are you ready? Just concentrate." I took a deep breath and prepared to face what the boggart would become. What if it turns into Snape like Neville? The thought flickered through my mind, but I disregarded it. The boggart transformed from its earlier form to something that felt eerily familiar yet somehow forgettable, like something from a distant dream. Those blood colored eyes, those sharp fangs, and the way he had stalked me in the forbidden forest.

Feeling my knees tremble, I struggled to focus on anything humorous. My heart pounded in my chest, as if reliving that nightmarish encounter once again.
With a shaky hand, I managed to exclaim "Riddikulus!" The vampire now donned Filch's clothes, wielding a broom, and his awkward walking style amused the students. Professor Lupin looked at me with a concerned expression, his eyes searching my face. He likely sensed the genuine fear this boggart stirred in me.