Harry Potters Twin Book Three

Confused Boggart

Professor Lupin wasn't there when we arrived at our first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson.

We all sat down and took out our books, quills, and parchment when he entered.  Lupin smiled vaguely and placed his tatty old briefcase on the teacher's desk. He was as shabby as ever but looked healthier than he had on the train, as though he had had a few square meals.

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

"Yes!" I cheered along with Dani, who had sat on the other side of the room.

A few curious looks were exchanged as we put away our books. We had never had a practical Defense Against the Dark Arts class before, unless you counted the memorable class last year when our old teacher had brought a cage full of pixies to class and set them loose.

"Right then," said Professor Lupin, when we were all ready. "If you'd follow me."

Puzzled but interested, the class got to its feet and followed Professor Lupin out of the classroom. He led us along the deserted corridor and around a corner, where the first thing we saw was Peeves the Poltergeist, who was floating upside down in midair and stuffing the nearest keyhole with chewing gum.

Peeves didn't look up until Professor Lupin was two feet away; then he wiggled his curly-toed feet and broke into song.

"Loony, loopy Lupin," Peeves sang. "Loony, loopy Lupin, loony, loopy Lupin —"

It took all my might not to burst out laughing, but I refrained myself, though I think it caused one of my ribs to burst.

Peeves was always rude, though he usually showed some respect toward the teachers. We looked quickly at Professor Lupin to see how he would take this; to our surprise, he was still smiling.

"I'd take that gum out of the keyhole if I were you, Peeves," he said pleasantly. "Mr. Filch won't be able to get in to his brooms."

"We're supposed to call him Mr. Filch?" I asked Hermione in astonishment. "Is that why he hates me so much?"

"No," Hermione said soothingly. "He only hates you because you tracked mud after every Quidditch Practice down his corridors."

"Oooh," I said, nodding as though I just understood a very difficult problem. "That explains it."

Filch was the Hogwarts caretaker, a bad-tempered, failed wizard who waged a constant war against the students and, indeed, Peeves. However, Peeves paid no attention to Professor Lupin's words, except to blow a loud wet raspberry.

Professor Lupin gave a small sigh and took out his wand.

"This is a useful little spell," he told us over his shoulder. "Please watch closely."

He raised the wand to shoulder height, said, "Waddiwasi!" and pointed it at Peeves.