Immortal Magic (Book 1)

Chapter Thirteen

Allison's Point of View.

Harry and I followed Professor Lupin into his classroom, the door shutting softly behind us.

The room felt warmer than the corridors outside, lit by the golden glow of several lamps. My eyes immediately landed on the large tank sitting near Lupin's desk. Murky water sloshed faintly inside it. Harry stepped closer curiously. "What's a Grindylow?" 

"It's a water dweller," I answered automatically. Lupin glanced at me with an approving smile. "Correct, Allison. And how do you know that?"

"Hermione and I read ahead before the term started," I replied simply. Lupin chuckled softly. "That sounds about right." He motioned us closer to the tank before kneeling beside it.

"As Allison said, Grindylows are water demons," he explained to Harry. "Nasty little creatures, though not overly dangerous once you know how to handle them."

A small green creature swam lazily through the water, its long fingers scraping lightly against the glass. "The trick," Lupin continued, "is breaking their grip."

He pointed toward its hands. "Notice the fingers? Strong, but brittle." I nodded slightly, remembering the exact passage from Dark Creatures of Great Britain and Ireland.

Lupin eventually stood and motioned toward his desk. "Tea?" His tone was casual, warm. "I was about to make some anyway." 

"Yes, please," I answered politely. Harry nodded awkwardly beside me. Lupin smiled slightly while preparing the drinks. "Sit down. Though I should warn you," he added dryly, "I only have teabags. I expect the two of you are rather tired of tea leaves by now."

I laughed quietly while Harry looked surprised. "How did you know about that?" "Professor McGonagall mentioned it," Lupin replied easily while handing us each a cup.

He sat across from us with his own tea. "You're not worried about Professor Trelawney's prediction, are you?" Harry shook his head automatically, though something about him seemed distant.

Lupin noticed too. "Something wrong, Harry?" Harry didn't answer immediately. He just stared down into his tea as though lost in thought. "Harry," I said softly, reaching over and gently taking his hand.

He blinked and looked up, almost startled. "Sorry," he muttered. "Just thinking." Lupin leaned back slightly. "About?" Harry placed his tea down slowly.

"You remember the Boggart lesson?" Lupin nodded. "Of course." Harry hesitated. "Why didn't you let me face it?" Lupin raised his eyebrows slightly. "I thought the answer was obvious." Harry frowned. "Why?"

"I assumed," Lupin said carefully, "that the Boggart would take the shape of Lord Voldemort." Silence settled over the room. "Clearly," Lupin added quietly, "I was mistaken." Harry looked thoughtful.

"I did think of Voldemort at first," he admitted. "But then the Dementor on the train came into my head." At the mention of the train, cold crept down my spine.

For a split second, I could hear the voice again. I love you, my sweet, beautiful daughter, but I have to let you go. I tightened my grip slightly on my teacup. Lupin, meanwhile, looked genuinely impressed.

"That's actually very wise, Harry." Harry blinked. "The thing you fear most," Lupin explained gently, "is fear itself." Harry looked uncertain about how to respond, so instead he just took another sip of tea.

Lupin smiled faintly. "So you thought I didn't believe you capable of facing it?" Harry looked embarrassed. Before he could answer, a knock sounded at the classroom door.