My Godfather

Chapter XLV: Startling Discoveries

"Good morning. Would all of you please line up here in the front?" Remus addressed the third year class that day: Gryffindor and Slytherin.

The students did as told and made a single horizontal line. The classroom had been cleared away and the only piece of furniture inside was an old, large wardrobe. It was locked, but there was something inside that kept making a noise and banging from the inside.

Some of the students looked at the wardrobe with anticipation while others seemed a bit apprehensive of whatever monster lurked inside it.

"Can anyone tell me what's a boggart?"

One hand was quick to shoot up. Hermione Granger.

"Miss Granger?"

"A boggart is an amortal shape-shifting non-being that takes on the form of the viewer's worst fear."

"Very good. Now, what does a boggart look like?"

Hermione answered almost immediately.

"Because of their shape-shifting ability, no one knows what a boggart looks like when it is alone, as it instantly changes into one's worst fears when one first sees it."

"Precisely. Twenty points to Gryffindor."

"Know it all," Draco leaned forward and whispered the words in Hermione's ear. She turned around and glared at him.

"Shut it."

Harry would never stop being amused by their banter.

He'd been released from the Hospital Wing that morning itself, right in time for Defence Against the Dark Arts.

He'd heard of boggarts before. Sirius had mentioned it to him before, saying that one of those creatures was present in that vile house, Grimmauld Place. He'd never actually seen one, so he was a bit concerned.

What would his boggart be?

"Getting rid of a boggart is incredibly easy. One word is all that's required: Riddikulus! Repeat it please."

"Riddikulus." The entire class chorused the word, stifling giggles.

They said the word a couple more times before Remus went on to explain how the spell would work. While Harry did try and pay attention, his mind was far too busy thinking about what his boggart would be.

Voldemort? Maybe. But then a more recent fear would probably be a Dementor. He'd felt truly terrified that day, during the Quidditch game.

He only hoped that he'd handle it and not freak out like he had the last time. That would be majorly embarrassing.

"Now, I'll call out your name and you will step forward and stand in front of the wardrobe. Be ready with your wands. The rest of you, please move behind. Mr. Weasley."

The other students moved away, leaving Ron standing by himself. The redhead looked rather uncomfortable with all the attention.

"Ron, are you ready?"

"Er... I suppose so, Professor."

Remus pointed his wand at the lock on the wardrobe and it unlocked with a click.

The door opened and out came the most enormous spider Harry had ever seen. It was nearly seven feet tall, hairy and gross.

Poor Ron looked like he was going to pass out, but he managed to say the spell.

"Riddikulus!"

Roller skates appeared under the spider's legs and it slipped quite ridiculously indeed.