Hidden In The Shadows Part 1- Harry Potter Story

Riddikulus

Tracy banged her books on the table with a thump, startling Estella's dinner. "Guess what?" She chortled, not waiting for an answer. "Malfoy got himself attacked by a Hippogriff, the idiot."

Estella's eyes widened and she pushed her plate aside. "What happened?"

"Well he got all jealous about Potter being able to ride one and started talking rather nasty too it and I guess they can get offended." Tracy furrowed her brow. "Anyways, it didn't like it too much and slashed his arm. Don't worry," she rolled her eyes at Estella's shocked expression. "Unfortunately the git is all healed and now has resorted to whining at the top of his lungs."

Estella snorted and sighed, poking at her shepherd's pie. She doubted Lucius Malfoy was going to be happy.

Estella walked into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom nervously. She wasn't sure what quite to expect from Lupin. As she made her way to sit with Blaise, the professor addressed the class.

"Good afternoon," he stood firmly. "You won't be in the classroom today, we're going on a little field trip. And leave your books here," he added. "You will only need your wands."

Estella raised an eyebrow in surprise. This was going to be interesting.

"Finally a teacher with some common sense," Blaise remarked as they followed the class into an empty classroom. Well nearly empty. In the front stood a large wardrobe that was thumping wildly, making the class give little jumps. Estella froze as her heart began to race. She was not ready for this.

Remus Lupin turned around calmly. "Can anyone tell me what might be in this wardrobe?" Hermione's hand shot up and he nodded. "Yes, Miss Granger?"

"It's a Boggart, or shapeshifter," Hermione answered, her eyes watching the wardrobe carefully. "It feeds off a person's fear and forms into whatever they're most afraid of."

"Couldn't have put it better myself, ten points to Gryffindor," Lupin praised, smiling slightly. "Does anyone know how to banish one?" Again Hermione's hand was raised, but Lupin scanned the student's faces until his gaze rested on Estella. "Miss Blackwood? Do you know?"

Estella cleared her throat. "Yes. Erm laughter wards off the Boggart, it no longer can thrive if you're not afraid. You must picture something funny and cast the incantation "Riddikulus"."

"Perfect!" Lupin beamed and Estella looked down nervously as he gave her a smile. "Ten points to Slytherin. Now the rest of you," he turned to the front. "Repeat after me: Riddikulus!"

"RIDDIKULUS!" the class chorused.

"This class is ridiculous," Draco rolled his eyes.

Tracy hushed him as Lupin stepped forward. "Excellent. Now do we have our first volunteer?"

The class went silent, none having the desire to expose their greatest fear in front of everyone. Lupin shook his head. "Come on now..." his gaze roamed the room and Neville had the misfortune to look up. "How about you, Mr?"

"Longbottom," Neville stammered, his eyes widening.

"Well Neville, what is your greatest fear?" Lupin leaned forward carefully. Neville looked down and shuffled his feet against the cobblestone. "Don't be hesitant, the rest of your classmates will have to face theirs soon enough."

"Snape," Neville whispered and chuckles were heard around the classroom. Beside her, Blaise gave a snort as Neville turned even more pink.

"A reasonable fear," Lupin assured the boy. "He disturbs me, the way he roams the halls." Estella snickered a bit at that. "Now," Lupin looked thoughtful. "What does your grandmother wear Neville?"