Amelia Merlin

Part Sixty Eight: Ridiculus

A/N hey guys! Comment here what you thought about the last chapter and any predictions you may have!

Lupin's class was always interesting. Today, especially so. The teacher had brought in a boggart and since Amelia already knew what it was, she ignored his explanations. She wasn't even paying attention when he told them all to form a line in front of the rattling chest.

"Amelia! Come on!" Lavender pulled her up and dragged her to the line. "Aren't you paying attention?"

"What?" She said distractedly.

"That's what I thought." Said Lavender.

It wasn't like Amelia wasn't interested in Boggarts, well she wasn't actually. She already knew what her worst fear was and she didn't want to show it to the entire class. In her mind she saw lizard bodies writhing on the ground, guts spilling out and splattering blood on her.

Yeah the class was not about to take a look into Amelia's mind right now. Especially when it was wrought with questions.

So many things were coming together and simultaneously raising more questions. She now knew who Akkedis was but had no idea how he could still be alive. That made no sense. She knew about the wolf from her dreams but didn't understand how it meant she was royalty. Amelia wasn't a queen of anything. The city and the kingdom sounded like a load of crap but she couldn't help wishing it were true. Amelia Merlin, Majka of Kal- kalish? Kalishter? Kalishya? Whatever, the point was it was a nice idea but it didn't make any sense that it could possible be true. And a red tree? Trees were green last time she checked. But apparently anything was possible in this weird place, even her being queen... What? No! This place wasn't real! It couldn't be!

But it would be sick if it was.

Amelia specifically chose the back of the line so while people took turns fighting the boggart, she was alone in her thoughts. She fantasized about a magical kingdom where she ruled as queen where no one ever tried to hurt her. A kingdom where her friends were safe and she didn't ever have to see her mother or father again.

It was a nice dream but that's all it was.

Amelia was so caught up in her thoughts she didn't even noticed when the class groaned in disappointment. Apparently Professir Lupin had stepped in and no one else got to fight the boggart. The class was dismissed and she gave a sigh of relief she didn't have to humiliate herself in front of everyone. She slowly packed up her books and by the time she was done, Amelia and Professor Lupin were the only two people left in the room.

"How are you, Miss Merlin?" The teacher said, Amelia thought he sounded tired.

"I'm fine!" she said with forced enthusiasm and a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Glad to hear it." He studied her sternly. "Are you upset you didn't get a chance to battle the Boggart?"

"Can I be honest?" She raised her eyebrows and Lupin nodded. "No."

"Why not? Brave girl like you, thought you'd enjoy this." He smiled at her.

Amelia shook her head. "I don't enjoy being afraid. And the things these people were scared of," she laughed lightly. "I mean seriously. Snakes and spiders? No, my fears are much worse than that. I don't think anyone would like to see what's going on in here." She tapped her skull.

"You shouldn't mock peoples fears." Professor Lupin said softy. "They're just as scary to them as yours are to you."

Amelia shook her head. "But they're not. Those people have never known real fear. They were able to just cast a spell and make it all better. I couldn't do that."

"You might be surprised what you can do."

"Not to be rude professor," she smiled. "But you don't really know me."

"I suppose you're right. But you should have more faith in yourself." He said.

"Thanks sir." Amelia tugged at the necklace around her throat. "But I really do mean it when I say I don't think I could face my worst fear."

"Would you like to try?" He gestured to the chest.

Amelia considered for a moment. "Alright. But if I freeze up, you'll make sure it leaves right?"

"Of course." Professor Lupin smiled encouragingly. "I'm right here."

He walked over to the chest and opened it.

Nicholas Merlin stepped out and looked his daughter in the eyes. He opened his arms and embraced her. He whispered in her ear, "I love you Amelia." She felt warm tears cover her cheeks and trickle between her lips. "I love you so much. You are everything to me." He said.

"Dad-" she choked.

"Shh. My dear. You're alright, you're safe." He stroked her hair and Amelia sobbed into his chest. Distantly she heard Lupin say something but her mind couldn't process it. Her father broke away from the embrace and raised his wand. "It's for your own safety. It's because I love you. Cru-"

"Ridiculus!" Lupin shouted and her father transformed into a paper airplane before whizzing back into the chest.

She stood in the middle of the room, shaking. Amelia knew it had been a bad idea to face the boggart. Why would anyone want to face their absolute worst fear? Obviously they had never been absolutely afraid because if they had, they would never want to experience it again.

"Amelia," Professor Lupin said softly. "Are you alright?"

She straightened up and rolled her shoulders back. "Of course I'm alright." She smiled at the teacher.

"Are you sure?" He looked cautiously at her.

Amelia laughed lightly, "Yes! It's not the first time I've had that happen." She joked.

"Amelia-"

"Really professor! I'm alright!" She lied.

Lupin looked sadly at her. "If you say so,"

"I do."

"Well then," he walked over to her. "Don't forget about the homework."

Amelia laughed again. "I don't need you to remind me. You forget I share a room with Hermione Granger!"

"She is a devoted student."

"That's one way to put it."

Lupin walked her to the door. "I'll see you on Thursday during our next class, Miss Merlin."

The professor put a hand on her shoulder and Amelia felt a sort of shock go through her.

She looked at him, aghast and said, "You're a werewolf?"