The Forgotten Prophecy [Book 2]

V. The Boggart

...
'I wanna hide the truth
I wanna shelter you.'
...

         "Good afternoon," Professor Lupin says. All the desks are pushed to the side. In front of us stands an old wardrobe. It shakes violently. Is this going to be a practical lesson? That's a first. "Now, nothing to worry about," Professor Lupin says as he points to the wardrobe. "Today's lesson is going to be a practical one. Inside here is a boggart. Can anyone tell me what a boggart is?" He asks the class. Hermione raises her hand. "It's a shape-shifter. It can take the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten the person the most." "Couldn't have put it better myself," Professor Lupin says to Hermione. She smiles proudly. "I don't like this," Neville whispers to me. "You'll be fine, Neville," I assure him. "The charm that repels the boggart is simple, yet it requires force of mind. The thing that really finishes a boggart is laughter. So what you have to do is change your boggart into a shape you find amusing... We will practice the charm without our wands. Repeat after me, Riddikulus," Professor Lupin says. The wardrobe shakes again. "Riddikulus," the class repeats. "Very good. A little louder and very clearly.. Riddikulus," Professor Lupin says, enunciating. "Riddikulus," the class repeats louder. 

"This class is ridiculous," Draco whispers from behind us. I roll my eyes. "Now that was the easy part. The word itself is not enough.. Um, Neville, would you join me please?" Professor Lupin asks him. Neville looks at me nervously. "Go on," I tell him. He nods and walks to the front of the class. "This is going to be interesting. Longbottom is afraid of everything," Draco says laughing with his friends. I turn my head towards Draco. "Shut up, Draco," I hiss. He laughs a little and turns to Crabbe and Goyle whispering the things Neville is afraid of. Ugh. Why are you like this? I point my wand at Draco's trousers and they fall down. "Hey!" Draco shouts quickly pulling up his pants. He turns red as he stares at me. The class turns around to see what's happening. "Everything alright back there?" Professor Lupin asks. "Yes, Professor," I reply back, innocently. I smirk at Draco and turn back to the front. Crabbe and Goyle ask Draco if he's alright and I hear him brush them off. There are a few giggles. 

"Now what frightens you most of all?" Professor Lupin asks Neville. Neville mutters something. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that," Professor Lupin says. "Professor Snape," Neville says, a bit louder. The class laughs. I'm not surprised. "Professor Snape, yes he frightens all," Professor Lupin says laughing. "I believe you live with your grandmother, Neville?" Professor Lupin asks him. "Yes, but I don't want that boggart to turn into her either," Neville says nervously. "No no, you misunderstood me.. I wonder could you tell us what your grandmother wears?" Professor Lupin asks smiling. "Um.. she carries a red handbag.. A fox-fur scarf... She's always wearing a hat. It's a tall one with a stuffed vulture on the top," Neville tells him. "Excellent. Now I want you to imagine her clothes carefully," Professor Lupin says. He walks over to Neville and whispers something. The wardrobe shakes violently. 

"Ready, Neville?" Professor Lupin asks him as they face the wardrobe. "No, but let's do it," Neville says nervously. Professor Lupin smiles. "Now the rest of you, I want you to take a step back," Professor Lupin says. We take a few steps back. "Okay, wand at the ready. On the count of three. One, two, three." Professor Lupin points his wand at the wardrobe. It stops shaking. He joins us on the side. The door knob turns and it slowly opens. Neville shakes as Uncle Severus walks out of the wardrobe. He holds up his wand nervously. Uncle Severus continues to walk towards him. "R-r-riddikulus," Neville says. There is noise and Uncle Severus is dressed in Neville's grandmother's clothes. The class erupts in laughter. "Excellent Neville!" Professor Lupin says. Neville chuckles nervously and nods. "I want everyone to picture the thing they fear the very most and turn it into something funny. I will be calling you up one by one. Thank you Neville... Parvati, come forward!" Professor Lupin says. Neville rejoins me. "Excellent job, Neville," I tell him. "That was frightening," he replies. I look up to the front. Parvati's boggart is a mummy. "Riddikulus!" Parvati cries. The mummy trips over its bandage and falls to the ground. We laugh. Slowly, everyone starts lining up.