#Professor Lupin "Everyone, please come in."
Professor Lupin said as he opened the door to the staff room and stepped aside.
The staff room was a long space filled with mismatched old chairs. Professor Lupin gestured for the class to move to the far end of the room. There was nothing there except an old wardrobe used for storing the robes that staff no longer wore. Professor Lupin walked over to the wardrobe and stood still beside it. Suddenly, the wardrobe began to shake, banging against the wall.
#Professor Lupin "No need to worry."
Professor Lupin said calmly, as a few students jumped back in fright.
#Professor Lupin "There's a Boggart inside."
Orli felt her heart pounding. She wasn't sure what she feared most or what the Boggart might turn into. Could it be Voldemort?
#Professor Lupin "Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces,"
Professor Lupin explained.
#Professor Lupin "Wardrobes, gaps under beds, cupboards under sinks—once, I found one hiding inside an old grandfather clock belonging to my ancestors. This one moved in yesterday afternoon. Does anyone know what a Boggart actually is?"
Hermione, as expected, raised her hand:
#Hermione "It's a shape-shifter. It can take the form of whatever it thinks will scare us the most."
#Professor Lupin "I couldn't have put it better myself,"
Professor Lupin said, making Hermione beam with pride.
#Professor Lupin "So, the Boggart inside the wardrobe hasn't taken any form yet. It doesn't know what will scare the people outside the door. No one knows what a Boggart looks like when it's alone, but as soon as I let it out, it'll immediately turn into whatever each of us fears the most. However, since there are so many of us, it won't know what to turn into."
#Professor Lupin "The best way to deal with a Boggart is to face it in a group. The spell to repel a Boggart is simple, but it requires willpower. What truly frightens a Boggart is laughter. All you need to do is force it to take a form you find amusing. Let's practice the incantation first, without using wands. Say it with me—Riddikulus!"
"Riddikulus!"
The class said in unison.
#Professor Lupin "Good,"
Professor Lupin said.
#Professor Lupin "Very good. But I'm afraid that's the easy part. You see, saying the incantation alone isn't enough. Now, it's up to you, Neville."
The wardrobe shook again, though not as much as Neville, who trembled like he was walking to the gallows.
#Professor Lupin "Alright, Neville, first question: What is it that you fear most in the world?"
Neville's lips moved, but no sound came out.
#Professor Lupin "I didn't catch that, sorry, Neville."
Professor Lupin said cheerfully. Neville looked around desperately, as if pleading for help, then whispered so softly it was barely audible:
#Neville "Professor Snape."
Almost everyone burst into laughter, but Orli didn't. She remembered what happened next—the Boggart turned into Snape when facing Neville. After Neville cast the spell, it transformed into Snape wearing a ridiculously silly dress.
##Orli "Professor Lupin!"
Orli raised her hand abruptly, rudely interrupting:
##Orli "I'd like to go first."
#Professor Lupin "Don't rush, Orli. Once Neville succeeds, the Boggart will likely shift its attention to each of you in turn. Everyone will get a chance."
Lupin said patiently. But Neville, looking as if he'd been saved, stepped back and stood beside Orli. This left Lupin with no choice but to abandon his plan of making Neville start.
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