Percy Jackson and the Hound of Hogwarts [Book 3]

21) The Boggart

"Right then," Professor Lupin said. "Can you picture those clothes very clearly, Neville? Can you see them in your mind's eye?"

"Yes," Neville said, worried as to what would come next.

"When the boggart bursts out of this wardrobe, Neville, and sees you, it will assume the form of Professor Snape," Lupin said. "And you will raise your wand — thus — and cry 'Riddikulus' — and concentrate hard on your grandmother's clothes. If all goes well, Professor Boggart Snape will be forced into that vulture topped hat, and that green dress, with that big red handbag."

Everyone laughed. The wardrobe shook again, more violent this time.

"If Neville is successful, the boggart is likely to shift his attention to each of us in turn," Lupin said. "I would like all of you to take a moment now to think of the thing that scares you most, and imagine how you might force it to look comical..."

Everyone went silent. I wondered what my fear would be. Would it be Kronos? My old stepfather? Would it be my friends, lying around dead? Maybe it would be Liam. Or the Minotaur. I genuinely had no clue.

"Everyone ready?" Lupin called after a minute. I nodded slowly, deciding I would improvise. That was the Greek way, anyhow.

"Neville, we're going to back away," Lupin said. "Let you have a clear field, all right? I'll call the next person forward... Everyone back, now, so Neville can get a clear shot—"

We all moved back, standing against the walls, leaving Neville alone. He was pale, but he rolled up his sleeves anyway.

"On the count of three, Neville," Lupin said, pointing his wand at the wardrobe. "One — two — three — now!"

Sparks flew from the end of Lupin's wand, and the wardrobe door burst open. Snape stepped out, angry eyes directed at Neville.

Neville fumbled for a moment, but after a second he stuttered, "R-R-Riddikulus!"

A loud pop resounded through the room, and Snape stumbled. He was wearing a long, lace-trimmed green dress, a massive hat with a old vulture on it, and he held a large red handbag.

Everyone laughed, and the boggart paused. Lupin shouted, "Parvati, forward!"

Parvati moved to the front. Snape turned to her, and there was another crack. A large, bandaged mummy ambled towards her.

"Riddikulus!" Parvati cried.

"Seamus!" Lupin bellowed.

Seamus moves forward, and with another loud crack, a woman appeared. I recognized her to be a banshee. She opened her mouth, and a long, wailing shriek filled the air.

"Riddikulus!" Seamus shouted. The banshee rasped, clutching her throat. Her voice had disappeared.

"Nice! Giulianna, your turn!"

A Slytherin girl stepped forward. She had black hair and dark eyes, and reminded me of Hades. I knew her to be a legacy of the god.

A loud crack, and the faces of other demigods at camp appeared. I recognized myself to be at the front of the crowd.

"Stay away, death spawn!" The crowd hissed in Greek, and I was disgusted to hear my own voice among them.

"Riddikulus!" Giulianna cried, and everyone fell to the ground as the concrete turned into ice. Laughter bubbled up through the class, and I smiled happily.