~always by your side~ Harrypotterxreader

Boggarts before bonfires

*Don't miss out on the authors note at the end! You could have a chance of being featured in the story!*

Y/n's POV

It was now Thursday, the fourth day of classes and two away from our first trip to Hogsmead. The windows in our last class of Defence against the dark art showed off the darkening sky. It always felt weird to have the world fall sleepily under our twilight sky's much earlier than summer. As though our days were shorter and craved to have more meaning in each one. I felt almost, scared, like I hadn't done enough. It was weird but made total sense all at once, I just couldn't put my finger on it.

"L/n!" Professor Lupin said from across the class. "Care to join us in this reality? I said we wouldn't have to be sitting down today. This closest here, holds our lesson for today" he explained as some students laughed. Currently, I sat by myself at the rows of desks while everyone stood standing in a rather messy line. "Oh yes of course. I apologize professor" I said, getting from my seat and quickly joining Ron. He gave me a look as to say, 'are you alright?' which I quickly answered with a securing nod.

"Intriguing, isn't it?" Lupin asked as we all stood silent, gazing towards the cabinet. It was embroidered with wooden designs all around the door frame and exterior. Glass plastered its front, specks of worn material forming every now and then on the reflective slate. It shook with a sudden jolt, making some girls in the class wince, specifically Lavender Brown and the Pavarti twins. "Now, is there anyone who'd like to guess, as to what is in there?"
"That's a boggart that is" Dean said from beside Harry. A tingling feeling rose up in my stomach as past memories surfaced my brain. Our late night talks by the fire and during breakfast. It was weird to think how long ago it all felt.

"Indeed Mr. Thomas, well done" Lupin smiled towards the boy. "Now can anyone tell me, what a boggart looks like?" He asked again.
"No body knows. Boggarts are shapeshifters, they take the shape of whatever a practical person fears the most that's what makes them so terrifying" Hermione explained from beside me. Ron stood there bamboozled, looking back and froth between us before I whispered that I'd explain later. "Be more carful mione, now you're going to have to tell Ron how you're doing this all" I said, gritting my teeth. "Oh hush y/n, he's too thick to even care for that amount of time" she responded, tucking the time turner she'd been using to get to all her classes. "That's not what you said this summer" I replied, bumping her shoulder with mine and winking. Hermione gasped, slapping my arm before quickly turning her attention to Professor Lupin who was now asking Neville to come forward. She could deny it all she wanted but it was undeniable the tint of red forming on her cheeks. I couldn't wait to shove it in Harry's face that I got the Hermione Granger to confess feelings for Ron before him.

"Now, before I have Mr. Longbottom demonstrate for us all, let's first go over a very simple charm to help repel a boggart. So, let's all now try it, preferably without wands if you please, after me... Riddikulus!" Lupin instructed.
"Riddikulus!" We all said at the same time, creating quite an echo through the room. Professor smiled, "very good" he said, "now a little louder. Repeat after me. Riddikulus".

"RIDDIKULUS!" We copied, projecting our voices more than the last time. "This class is ridiculous" Draco sneered from his perch against the wall. I glared at him, hoping he'd see it.

"Very good! But, that's the easy part I'm afraid. You see, the word alone is not enough. What really finishes a Boggart is, laughter. You need to force it to assume the shape you find is truly amusing.This, is where you come in" Lupin smiled, guiding Neville to his side. "Neville, what frightens you most of all?".
Neville looked at his feet and rocked back and forth before muttering words none could hear. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you please repeat it?"