Noticeable Changes 6

Next Day

DADA Classroom

All houses have assembled in the DADA class to get their first lecture from the new professor. Remus Lupin came out of his quarters when the bell rang.

Lupin smiled vaguely and placed his tatty old briefcase on the teacher's desk. He was as shabby as ever but looked healthier than he had on the train, as though he had had a few square meals. "Good afternoon," he said.

"Would you please put all your books back in your bags? Today will be a practical lesson. You will need only your wands." He said and everyone did as told.

A few curious looks were exchanged as the class put away their books. They never had a practical Defense Against the Dark Arts class before unless you counted the memorable class last year when that peacock had brought a cageful of pixies to class and set them loose.

"Right then, please follow me," said Professor Lupin, when everyone was ready.

They went to the staff room after an encounter with Peeves and Snape, who bullied Neville. It had a shaking wardrobe in the middle.

"Today we are gonna learn about Boggarts." Said Professor Lupin, gesturing to the cupboard. The class had curious looks as they didn't hear about them.

"Can anyone tell me about Boggarts and what they look like?" Asked Lupin. Before Harry could answer, Hermoine started answering.

Ron was confused because of her sudden appearance as he asked when did she come to everyone. Harry got suspicious of this. He knew Hermoine didn't come with them to the class, her appearance was very suspicious as well.

He thought of investigating that later and listened to what was being said seriously.

"That was correct, Ms Granger. I want you to be calm when I open it, say Riddikulus, pointing your wand at it." Concluded Lupin and went to the shaking wardrobe.

Neville went first and his Boggart took the form of Snape. As the greasy Professor walked out, Lupin whispered something into his ear and Neville said the incantation.

Snape's robes changed into Neville's grandmother's with a red handbag. All the class laughed. One by one did, Parvati's was Mummy, Padma's was a wildfire, Terry's was a large Scorpion and so on.

"Excellent! Ron, you next!" Said Lupin in excitement and Ron leapt forward. As soon he stepped in front of it, it changed.

Crack! Quite a few people screamed. A giant spider, six feet tall was advancing on Ron, clicking its pincers menacingly. For a moment, Harry thought Ron had frozen.

Then - "Riddikulus!" bellowed Ron, and the spider's legs vanished; it rolled over and over, Lavender Brown squealed and ran out of its way and it came to a halt at Harry's feet. He raised his wand, ready, but-

"Here!" shouted Professor Lupin suddenly, hurrying forward.

Crack! The legless spider had vanished. For a second, everyone looked wildly around to see where it was. Then they saw a silvery-white orb hanging in the air in front of Lupin, who said, "Riddikulus!" almost lazily.

Crack! "Forward, Neville, and finish him off!" said Lupin as the Boggart landed on the floor like a cockroach. Crack! Snape was back. This time Neville charged forward-looking determined.

"Riddikulus!" he shouted, and they had a split second's view of Snape in his lacy dress before Neville let out a great "Ha!" of laughter, and the Boggart exploded, burst into a thousand tiny wisps of smoke, and was gone.

"Excellent!" cried Professor Lupin as the class broke into applause. "Excellent, Neville. Well done, everyone… Let me see… five points to Gryffindor for every person to tackle the Boggart — ten for Neville because he did it twice… and five each to Hermione and Harry." Said Professor Lupin in joy.

"But I didn't do anything," protested Harry with narrowed eyes. He was irritated that the professor did not let him face Boggart.

"I saw you were about to answer my question before Hermione answered at the start of the class, Harry," Lupin said lightly.

"Very well, everyone, an excellent lesson. Homework, kindly read the chapter on Boggarts and summarize it for me… to be handed in on Monday. That will be all." Said Professor Lupin and dispersed the class.

Harry stayed back. "Professor Lupin." Lupin turned. "Yes, Harry?"

"Why didn't you let me face the Boggart?" He asked with narrowed eyes.

Lupin looked at the boy who once called him unca' Moony. He was standing tall, looking so much like James without glasses and having Lily's eyes. He also noted that he had high cheekbones of his grandmother, Dorea Potter. His emerald eyes were narrowed like Charlus Potter.

The previous day, he had seen Harry form a corporeal Patronus! A fully corporeal Patronus at 13! He was so proud. He wanted to tell Harry that he and James were friends but could not muster the courage to do so.

"I did not want Lord Voldemort appearing in my class if there was a chance that you remembered him in your subconscious." He answered Harry's question. The boy looked at him with a scrutinizing stare before nodding. Harry thanked him for the class and left.

Though he is curious about what his boggart would look like, Harry can understand the threat of reappearance Voldemort poses to the class and went silently.

He thought of seeing it in private asking Hogwarts to help to get a Boggart.