"I wonder what will show up." Percy whispered as he entered the Defense Against Dark Arts classroom. They'd heard from people who'd had the class before them that they'd be dealing with Boggarts, creatures that turned into your worst fear when you saw it. Percy didn't know if Harry Ron and Hermione knew about the lesson surrounding the creatures.
The trio entered the classroom quietly and took their seats, making sure that they were reasonably close to each other. Professor Lupin wasn't in the class when they arrived, so they took out their books, quills, and parchments and talked quietly until Professor Lupin arrived. Slowly the classroom started to fill until all the seats were filled.
As soon as Lupin entered the classroom, he made his way to the front of the classrooms and to the old desk that sat there. He sat his old, worn, briefcase onto the desk and smiled vaguely at his students.
"Good afternoon," he said. "You can all put your books and things bac into you bags, you won't be needing them today. Today will be a practical lesson so all you will need is your wands."
Percy didn't need to be told twice, and his books were back in his bag as soon as the words left Lupin's mouth. The others were somewhat reluctant, but they did put their books away.
"Right then," Lupin said when everyone was ready. "If you would all follow me."
The class was confused, but still interested. They all rose to their feet and followed Professor Lupin out of the class room. He led them down a long-deserted corridor, where the first thing that they saw was Peeves the Poltergeist, who didn't look up at the group until they were two feet away from him. Peeves seemed to be doing something that he wasn't supposed to be doing, Percy didn't know what, but it seemed to involve Mr. Filches door.
"Loony, loopy Lupin," Peeves sang. "Loony, loopy Lupin, loony, loopy Lupin —" Peeves sang as rude and unmanageable as always. The smile on Lupin's face didn't waver though, almost as if he was used to the taunting.
"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."
Filch was the caretaker of Hogwarts. He was also one of the most bad tempered, bitter men that Percy had the pleasure of meeting since he had met Zeus. And his uncle had thousands of years to be bitter about things. Peeves paid Lupin no mind though, and instead blew him a raspberry.
"This is a useful little spell," he told the class over his shoulder. "Please watch closely."
He raised the wand to shoulder height, said, "Waddiwasi!" and pointed it at Peeves.
With the force of a bullet, the wad of chewing gum shot out of the keyhole and straight down Peeves' left nostril; he whirled upright and zoomed away, cursing.
"Cool, sir!" said Dean Thomas in amazement.
"Thank you, Dean," said Professor Lupin, putting his wand away again. "Shall we proceed?"
He led them to an old staff room, where he stood outside with a gentle smile.
"Inside please." He said opening the door and standing to the side.
The staffroom, a long, paneled room full of old, mismatched chairs, was empty except for one teacher. Professor Snape was sitting in a low armchair, and he looked around as the class filed in. His eyes were glittering and there was a nasty sneer playing around his mouth. As Professor Lupin came in and made to close the door behind him, but Snape stopped him.
"Leave it open, Lupin. I'd rather not witness this."
He got to his feet and strode past the class, his black robes billowing behind him. At the doorway, he turned on his heel and said, "Possibly no one's warned you, Lupin, but this class contains Neville Longbottom. I would advise you not to entrust him with anything difficult. Not unless Miss Granger is hissing instructions in his ear."
