A Potter Secret

Boggarts

Beautiful flowers gleam in the dawn light, then, slowly begin to wither. The dew freezes, the grass grows brittle. Seconds later, the Dementors sweep by. A tall wardrobe rattles violently as Harry, Ron and several classmates regard it warily. "Intriguing, yes? Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what's inside?" Remus asks. Isabella peers out of his pocket as he teaches.

"That's a Boggart, that is," Seamus answers.

"Very good, Mr. Finnigan. Can anyone tell us what a Boggart looks like?" Remus asks.

"No one knows," Hermione says.

Ron jumps, glances at Hermione, then whispers to Harry, "When'd she get here?"

Hermione starts to explain. "Boggarts are shape-shifters. They take the shape of whatever a particular person fears most. That's what makes it so-"

"Terrifying, yes. Luckily, a very simple charm exists to repel a Boggart. Let's practice it now, shall we? Without wands, please Riddikulus!" Remus calls.

"Riddikulus!" the students all call.

"It's this class that's ridiculous," Draco mutters.

"Good. So much for the easy part. You see, the incantation alone is not enough. What really finishes a Boggart off is laughter. You need to force it to assume a shape you find truly amusing. Neville, come up here, will you?" Remus asks. Neville eyes the rattling wardrobe, steps forward queasily. "What would you say is the thing that frightens you most?"

"Profter Snafpt," Neville mutters so no one can understand.

"Didn't catch that, Neville, sorry," Remus says.

"Professor Snape," Neville replies.

Everyone laughs good-naturedly. Lupin nods thoughtfully. "Hmmm yes. Neville, I believe you live with your grandmother?" Remus asks.

"Yes, but I don't want the Boggart to turn into her either," Neville replies.

"It won't. But I want you to picture her clothes, only her clothes, very clearly in your mind. Can you do that?" Remus asks.

"She carries a red handbag," Neville starts.

"That's fine. We don't need to hear it. If you see it, we will. Now, when I open this wardrobe, Neville, here's what I want you to do." Lupin leans close to Neville, whispers. Neville's eyes pop open in shock, considering Lupin uncertainly. "You can do this, Neville." Neville nods nervously, takes a deep breath. "Right then. Wand at the ready. One. Two. Three!" Sparks jet from Lupin's wand, strike the doorknob, and the wardrobe bursts open. Instantly, Snape appears, eyes flashing hideously as he stalks forward. Neville backs away in fright. "Think, Neville. Think!" Remus calls.

"R-r-riddikulus!" Neville calls.

Crack! Snape stumbles in a flash of light and reappears in a long, lace-trimmed dress, towering moth-eaten hat, and crimson handbag. Instantly, the class roars, except for Draco and his fellow Slytherins. Neville blinks, amazed, then slowly, grins himself. Lupin drops the needle on an old gramaphone. As a scratchy rhumba fills the room, he points to Ron. "Ron! Forward!" Remus calls.

Snape dissolves into a mad whirling mass, then mutates into a giant spider. As Ron gasps, Harry and Hermione exchange an uncertain glance. Lupin puts his hands on Ron's shoulders to steady him. Ron raises his wand. "Riddikulus!" Ron calls.

Crack! Roller skates materialize on the spider's hairy feet and it begins to shuffle crazily in place. Instantly, Ron relaxes as the class' laughter rings out. "Parvati!" Remus asks.

As Parvati steps up, the spider spins faster and faster, a dizzying blur, then reappears as a vampire. "Riddikulus!" Parvati cries.

As the vampire whips its cloak across its eyes. Swish! The cloak reopens, the class laughs, and we reverse again see that the vampire is now dressed like carmen miranda. As it begins to shimmy about, against its will, the class starts to clap. "Mr. Thomas!" Remus calls.